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Digital file copyright by Cornell University Library
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UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME
OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT
FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY
HENRY WILLIAMS SAGEca q □ □ s a □ ai ta ® ra ci sa e n uHISTORY
OF THE
WITH A HISTORY OF THE
W\ AND CITY OF
GENERAL, ANALYTICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL:
By E. M. RUTTENBER.
NEWBUBGH, N. Y.:
E. M. RUTTENBER <& SON, PRINTERS.
1875.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875,
By E. M. RUTTENBER,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C.THE BEGINNING.”	I—-----JLl_____J£i__miles^l5J^trtrobndorg.
IN submitting to the public, some years ago, a History of New-
burgh, the writer of this volume expressed the hope that his own
or some more competent pen would revise it and extend it to a larger
field. Since that time he has given no little attention to the examina-
tion of records and to the collection of materials for a History of
Orange County, with a view ultimately to combine his original work
with it, and thus supply a volume which though in limited demand,
would not the less be recognized as desirable. The result of his la-
bors is, in part, herewith presented in a General History of Orange
County and a revised History of Newburgh—the former embracing
with as much fullness of detail as possible, the settlement and organi-
zation of. the County, its Physiology, and its part in the history of the
state and the nation. Appreciating the fact that Local History is, to
a large extent, the material of History in its highest sense and scope;
that to those who would thoroughly comprehend the Past, the former
is more needful than the latter; that events of a National character
are few in comparison with those which are Local; that the men who
live in a Nation’s memory as the great statesmen of their day, are
fewer still when compared with the many who at the same period
filled other spheres, less prominent indeed, but still those wherein are
shaped and fashioned, in our Nation at least, the events which are
epitomized by the general historian,—the writer has endeavored to
give in more extended form, in the History of Newburgh, the public
enterprises in which the men of different periods have united; the re-
ligious and educational establishments which they have reared; and
to outline the more prominent actors who, from time to time, have
directed public opinion and measurably, at least, advanced the social
and political development not only of the community in which they
lived, but of the County of which they have been representatives.
Similar details of other towns are necessarily reserved for subsequent
volumes, leaving the present one to be complete in itself or to serve
as the first of a series as circumstances may warrant. It may not be
improper to add that the general history and geography of the Coun-
ty has never been so fully, and the writer believes so correctly, given
as in the pages of this volume. This feature he Relieved to be due to
the County, which from the earliest period has steadily occupied a po-
sition of prominence in the councils of the State, giving to it its most
distinguished rulers; from its representatives in the councils of the
Nation, and in the army and the navy; and equally due to it from
the celebrity of the products of its soil and the thrift of its people.
If the work shall be accepted in the spirit in which it has been writ-
ten, the writer will have his reward.	E. M. RUTTENBER.
Newburgh, N. Y.TO THE MEMORY
OF THE LATE
ENOCH CARTER,
OF NEWBURGH, N. Y.,
UNDER WHOSE ENCOURAGEMENT THE HISTORY OF
NEWBURGH WAS FIRST PUBLISHED
THIS VOLUME
IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.general ^isforg of grange ^omtlg.
CHAPTER I.
IN THE BEGINNING—ABORIGINAL ERA-THE WARS FOR POSSESSION.
1492 —1664.
<clN THE BEGINNING.”
THE world which gave birth to the discovery of America was lit-
erally an Old World. Its history began with ancient time; its
territories were bounded by the Sacred Records; its prophets and
sages had foretold, under Divine Revelation, the coming of the Son
of Man; its kings had called their hosts to battle, traversed its plains
and valleys and erected monuments of stone and of the bones of their
victims; vice, in all the forms of man’s invention, had swept its tidal
waves over its inhabitants; whatever of good had been evolved from
the experiences of the human race, was written on its annals,—it
was old in its civilization, in its theories, in all its history. It was
not, therefore, a poetic fancy which gave to America the title of the
New World. European civilization had not touched it; physically,
its fields and forests, its mountains and valleys, were yet
“Wrapped in a mantle, thick and black,
That o’er its mighty frame had crept
Sinco stars and angels sang, and earth
Shot, from its Maker, into birth.”
It was a world to be moulded and fashioned; to be developed under
the inspiration of new theories; to take its impress from men of
thought and action brought together by the art of printing; to be
forever,—in its history, in its discoveries, in its theories, in its poli-
tics, in its influence upon the human race,—a New World.
For the change that awaited it the full time had not come when
Columbus folded the sails of his shallops, under the welcome cry of
“Land ! Land !” which was echoed from the decks of the Pinta, on
the evening of September 25th, 1492. New thoughts were yet to
be developed from the experiences of the old1 civilization before the
records of the new could be opened. The freedom of man had not
been born among the nations; religious intolerance had not reached6
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY;
its culminating point; the Word of God had not been unshackled.
White-winged messengers of the coming change hovered over the
coast; the Cabots discovered Newfoundland; Verazzano explored,
wtih his boat, the “most beautiful7’ bay of New York; Cartier pene-
trated the Saint Lawrence. But Spain obtained from the Pope the
sweeping edict that its sovereigns should hold, as a gift in perpetu-
ity, all the heathen lands found or to be discovered to the west of a
meridian one hundred leagues westward from the Azores; enterprise
was arrested; the nations became discordant, and the great heart of
the New World waited under the influence of these, shall it be said
natural causes, till a purer faith should recognize the hand of the
Mighty One among the nations, and an unerring finger trace the pro-
cesses of man’s elevation.
But the full time came. England denied the exclusive pretensions
of Spain, in virtue of first visitation, and of the Pope’s donation, and
affirmed the principle that discovery and prescription, unless accom-
panied by possession, were of no avail. Speedily the bold naviga-
tors of England, and France, and Holland, pressed their vessels more
closely to the long stretches of sandy shore, more closely to the wood-
ed hills and the open bays, more closely to,the rocky bluffs that for
slumbering ages had known no music but the grand anthem of praise
which the sea had rolled up to Him who had set its ' bounds. Swept
onward by the spirit of discovery which had risen to the occasion
demanding its office, the coast line was passed, and the bays and the
rivers running to the sea yielded their secrets. The great barrier to
progress was broken down; the New World was opened to the em-
brace of people of all nations to be welded together in the furnace
of common interests.
Interesting as is the study of the successive approaches of discov-
ery, and the influences which alternately retarded or impelled its
progress, philosophy pauses in the presence of the practical; and
that which enables us to say, “ On this day, or on this spot, some great
discovery was made, some signal achievement was accomplished,”
or some monumental record was inscribed, commands the attention.
More adventurous than many of his contemporaries, Henry Hudson,
sailing under the flag of Holland, anchored his vessel, the Half Moon,
in the bay which now constitutes the harbor of New York. Remain-
ing there a week, on the morning of the 12th of September, 1609, he
commenced the exploration of the river which now bears his name,
and, on the morning of the 15th, sailed into what is now known as
Newburgh bay. As he passed the giant hills that sentinel the north-
ern portal of the Highlands, the sun came out and kissed with its
beams the magnificent primal forests and awoke to life their gorgeousIN TEE BEGINNING,
. 7
autumnal hues. Before him the river mirrored the rocky heights and
the waving verdure; around him “the lethargy of uncivilized nature
reigned in undisturbed solitude;” the wild game sprang from their
familiar retreats startled by the sound of cannon and the inspiring
peal of trumpets; the circling eddies from the vessel's prow bore
with them to the adjacent shores the advent of the new era, and gave
to them their part in the history of the discovery of the New World.
After spending several days in the northern part of the river, he
reached Newburgh bay, on his return voyage, on the afternoon of
the 29th of September, and again cast anchor, or as his Journal states,
“turned down to the edge of the mountains, or the northermost of
the mountains, and anchored; because the high lands hath many
points, and a parrow channel, and hath many eddie winds. So we
rode quietly all night.” What a night was that! Forcibly remarks
Moulton: “If* the morning scene was grand, how beautiful must have
been that of the night. His was the first European vessel which
had been encompassed by the Highlands.
‘One still
And solemn desert, in primeval garb,
Hung round his lonely bark.’
The departing sun rested in beauty upon the hills, and left the shad-
ows of the mountains to deepen into the night, wl^en the solemn
gloom became interrupted only by the sprearn of the catamount, as it
leaped from the forest to the jutting crag, glanced for a moment at
the ship, as its port-lights glimmered on the waters, and then plunged
into the thicket; or by the shrill screech of ‘each wild throat, in this
incumbrance of horrific woods.' And now the full-orbed moon rose
from behind the mountains and opened to full view the grand ampi-
theatre of hills. At their base lay the ship embosomed in a tremu-
lous gleam of light, while the surrounding rocks glistened with the
reflected moonbeams, or presented in traces of shade the cavern-
gorges, whither the grim, gaunt wolf hastened with stealthy tread,
when, prowling along the bank, his glare first fell upon the alarming
wonder.” Anon the> forest was hushed and its tenants mute, and as
the hours passed on, the mountain sides again sparkled with gems
and dew-drops as the morning sun awoke the scene to life.
The spectators of that wonderful scene were not confined to civil-
ized men and beasts of prey. The New World had a people, if not
a civilization,—a people with laws and customs the most perfect
type of democracy, into whose hands possession had been given by
the Creator; a people dressed in costumes of feathers and furs, arm-
ed with rude weapons, uttering a strange language, worshiping a
strangle God. They were not strangers to Hudson in the sense that8
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
their existence was not known, for their name had reached Europe
through the earlier voyagers; nor perhaps to many of them were
those who now visited them in their own waters entirely unknown,
for on their coast the Europeans had been seen; long years before,
the adventurous Verazzano had surveyed a portion of their domin-
ions; but never before had the then living generation stood face to
face with people of the Old World. The young were filled with
wonder, the old with awe. The signals of a change, they knew not
what, floated before them.
With this people Hudson’s experiences were varied. Wherever he
cast anchor they visited his ship with presents, and manifested in
many forms their desire to render acts of kindness. More hospita-
ble men and women' never lived,—all that they had was at the ser-
vice of their visitant. Constant was their intercourse,—increasing
their gifts; but in many cases their kindness was mistaken, and their
confidence abused. Below the Highlands, Hudson confined two of
them, intending to take them to Holland; but when the opportunity
came they escaped, and called from the shore to their captor in scorn.
At the Katskills he met loving people and old men, from whom he
received offerings and to whom he gave brandy. When in Newburgh
bay (Sept. 30), he says “the people of the country came aboard us,
and brought some small skins with them, which we bought for knives
and trifles. At three o’clock the}7 departed.” On the 1st of October,ABORIGINAL ERA.
9
when achored off Stony Point, “the people of the mountains”
visited him, “wondering at the ship and weapons.” They, too, sold
skins for trifles. In the afternoon a canoe “kept hanging under the
cabin windows,” and its occupant was detected pilfering. He had
taken a “ pillow, and two shirts and two bandaliers,” when the
“ mate shot him, and struck him in the breast and killed him.” His
companions were much frightened, and fled away, some in their ca-
noes, others jumping into the water. A boat was lowered to recover
the stolen articles, when one who was in the water seized hold of it,
“thinking to overthrow it,” but “the cook seized a sword and cut off'
one of his hands, and he was drowned.” When Hudson reached the
place where he had betrayed the young men, when going up the river,
he was shot at with bows and arrows, to which he replied with six
muskets “ killing two of them.” “ Yet they manned off’ another canoe
with nine or tell men.” A falcon shot was sent through it and one of
its occupants killed, while the sailors with their muskets “killed
three or four more.” Prom this conflict he sailed for Europe, bearing
with him not only his surveys, but an epitome of the future inter-
course of the people of the Old ’World with those of the New. The
conflict of the opposing civilizations had been joined.
But the struggle was delayed. Meanwhile Hutch navigators divi-
ded the river into reaches and gave names to them, as well as to the
people with whom they traded, and planted their outposts of posses-
sion. This crude geography and its nomenclature was gathered up
by the Hutch historians and embodied in papers for the information of
those desiring to embark in trade in the New World or to emigrate
thither. In a paper written by DeLaet, who has been called the first
historian of New York, it is said: “ Within the first reach, on the west
bank of the river, where the land is low, dwell the Tapp ana. The sec-
ond reach of the river extends upward to a narrow part named by our
people Haverstroo,” at which place the natives were called Haverstroos.
They were the chieftaincy some of the members of which sought to
pilfer from the. cabin windows of Hudson’s ship on the afternoon
of October 1st,—were the “ people of the mountains.” From Stony
Point to the Hans-Kammer were the WaoranecJcs, “ the people of
the country” who sold the “small skins” to Hudson on the 30th of
September, and who were subsequently known as “ the Murderer’s
Creek Indians.” Their castle was on the north spur of Schunemunk
mountain, and their place of worship the Hans-Kammer. Above them
were the WarranawonJcongs, subsequently known as “ the Esopus In-
dians,” whose hunting grounds extended through the valley of the
Wallkill. West of the Warranawon/congs, and occupying the country
drained by the Helaware and its tributaries, were the Minsis or Min-10
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY
nisinks. Those who are familiar with- the topography of the district.
will require no more precise designation of (the territory occupied by
these native tribes or clans than its water-sheds afford; but it may be
added that the designation given is essentially confirmed by the deeds
which the aboriginal lords executed for the lands which they sold; and
it may also be stated in this connection, that the names by which these
tribes were known were not those which they had given as belong-
ing to themselves, but were those which they had given to the Dutch
as the names of the streams on which they lived. The Warranawon-
Icong was the Wallkill; * the Wauraneck, the Murderer’s Creek.
Later, the tribal, and national organizations of this people appear-
ed. It would be no violation of fact to say that their political con-
stitution was similar to our own. They had villages or towns,
counties or enlarged cantons, tribes or states, nations or united
tribes. Each in its sphere was independent, yet the whole strongly
and firmly bound together. The sub-tribes or villages south of Stony
Point were Unulactos, or the Turkey tribe; those north, were Minds,
or the Wolf tribe, with territorial jurisdiction extending through the
Minnisink country of Pennsylvania and New Jersey; south of the
Minds they were Unamis, or the Turtle tribe, j* The tribes named
constituted the Lenni-Denape nation, which held its council-fire at
what is now Philadelphia. Prom the Unamis was selected invariably,
by the ruling chiefs of the other tribes, the King or Sagamore of the
nation; a King both with and without power; a sovereign whose
rule was perpetuated only through the love of his people; a monarch
the most polished, the most liberal, the poorest of his race; one who
ruled by permission, who received no salary, who was not permitted
to own the cabin in which he lived or the land he cultivated, who
could receive no presents that did not become the property of the
nation, yet whose larder and treasure chest were never empty.
To treat the history of the Lenapes at length would require several
volumes. Briefly stated, they were the head of the Algonquin nations
at the time of the discovery, but by a succession of wars with the
Dutch, the English, and the Iroquois, were compelled, sometime about
1670, to yield to the latter and become a “nation of women”—i. e. a
nation without power to make war or peace on their own account, or
to sell or convey lands. In this condition they remained until 1755,
(having, in the meantime, become generally known as the Delawares),
when they threw off the yoke of subjugation, and, under alliances
* No documentary evidence is claimed. The statement is on the authority of exam-
Eles in multiplied instances. The word Esopus, by which the district was subsequently
nown, is a corruption of Seepu, an Algonquin generic term for river,
f Tribal organizations were known by the Totems or emblems which they painted upon
their cabins, their persons, etc., as the Turkey, the Wolf, the Turtle.TBE WARS FOR POSSESSION.
11
with the Shawanocs, Mingoes, etc., were enabled to place themselves
at the head of the western nations, and contest every inch of soil
east of the Mississippi.
But while these facts were being ascertained,—years before, many
of them were known,—there came the hurrying to and fro of armed
men, and the terribly echoing battle-cry of the woodland lords, “ Woach,
Woach, Ha, Ha, Hack, Woach ! ” with which the settlers subsequently
became familiar. The Dutch began their settlement at New Amster-
dam (now New York) in 1626. A few years later, settlements were
commenced at Paulus’ Hook (now Jersey City), then called Pavonia,
and at Breucklen, now the city of Brooklyn, and a few small neigh-
borhoods were scattered along the river north of Paulus’ Hook.
These settlements brought with them frictions of opposing customs.
In 1640, it is said, the Indians began to steal and destroy the cattle
of the settlers; but the Indians claimed that the cattle of their neigh-
bors, permitted to roam at large, destroyed their unfenced fields of
corn, and that they killed them having no other remedy. Pending
these complaints came an order from Director Kieft, demanding trib-
ute of corn, furs, etc., “ from the Indians in the neighborhood of Fort
Amsterdam.” The latter remonstrated, but Kieft insisted, and sent
a sloop up to the Tappans to exact compliance, but without success.
About this time from a plantation on Staten Island a number of pigs
were taken by a company of Dutch sailors; but the Indians were
credited with the wrong, and a number of them were killed. Their
tribe retaliated, burned a plantation and killed four of its occupants.
Kieft wished to declare a war of extermination, but was restrained
by his Council, who preferred to wait until “ God and the opportuni-
ty” should favor them in their wrongful slaughter.
The opportunity was not long delayed. In the winter of 1643, a
company of Mahicans* from Fort Orange, “ each with a musket on
his shoulder,” came down to collect tribute from the WecJcquaesgecJcs
of Westchester. The latter suffered terribly. Several were killed,
and many men, women and children fled to Fort Amsterdam for safe-
ty. At Pavonia large numbers of them collected, and also at Cor-
leaPs Hook. Utterly defenceless as they were, Kieft determined to
add to their misfortunes. On the night of the 25th of February, by
his direction, his soldiers fell upon the homeless, trusting red men
and killed eighty of them. “Neither age nor sex were spared.
Warrior and squaw, sachem and child, mother and babe, were alike
massacred. Daybreak scarcely ended the furious slaughter. Man-
* The documentary proof is clear that this incursion was by the Mahicans, not the
Mohawks, as stated by some historians. The lower eastern Hudson chieftaincies (the
old Manhattans, etc.) were'conquered tribes and had probably neglected to pay the
annual tribute due to the Mahicans,12
GENERAL msfORT OF ORANGE OOTlNTf.
gled victims, seeking safety in the thickets, were driven into the
river; and parents, rushing to save their children whom the soldiers
had thrown into the stream, were driven back into the waters, and
drowned before the eyes of their unrelenting murderers.”
But this horrible scene had scarcely faded from the air, ere the
hand of revenge was made red with the blood of the Dutch. Kieft,
in his exultation, £ent out foraging expeditions to collect corn. One
of these expeditions seized two wagon loads of maize from the Long
Island Indians, who lost three of their, number in endeavoring to
save their property. In retaliation the Long Island tribes made
common cause with the Weckquaesgecks and other river cantons, who
had now learned that the Dutch, and not the Mohicans, had been the
principals in the massacre at Pavonia. Eleven chieftaincies rose in
open war. The farmer was killed in the field, and women and chil-
dren swept off into captivity. A temporary peace was secured in the
spring, but in September came a renewal of hostilities, and the Dutch
were driven from every foot-hold outside of Fort Amsterdam. The
war-whoop of the Minsis rang along the Highlands, and through the
wilds of Long Island and New Jersey, and was taken up by the out-
lying clans of Mahicans, and at a single blow, from the Highlands of
Neversink to the hills and valleys of the Tappans, the whole country
was once more in the possession of its aboriginal proprietors. The
Dutch colonists who escaped slaughter, fled to Fort Amsterdam, and
terror kept watch with them for days. Sending to New England for
succor, it came in the person of Capt. Underhill, a man more savage
than the savages. His coming roused the courage of the Dutch and
they sallied out and turned the tide of war. Large numbers of Indians
on the east side of the Hudson were killed—at Stamford, Connecticut,
from five to seven hundred were slaughtered.
Again came temporary peace in the spring—the Indians desiring
to plant; but war, with disaster to the Dutch, was renewed in the
winter. Kieft now adopted a new course. He went to Fort Orange
(now Albany) and secured the intercession of the Mohawks and Mahi-
cans, with whom the Dutch there were in alliance, and on the 30th of
August, 1645, through their influence, a treaty of peace was concluded.
The chiefs of the Hackinsacks and Tappans, delegates from the Long
Island tribes, and a Mahican chief who spoke for his own people on the
eastern bank of the river, met the Dutch, and the Mohawks acted as
arbitrators. The terms were arranged and peace restored.
Ten years of quiet were now enjoyed by the settlers, but during
that period the Indians suffered many wrongs which they brooded
over and burned to avenge. The excuse for a fresh appeal to arms
occurred in the autumn of 1655, A squaw, detected in stealingTHE WARS Eon POSSESSION.
13
peaches from the garden of Van Dyck, at New Amsterdam, had been
killed by him, and her tribe, the Weckquaesgecks, determined to
avenge her death. To make their determination more effectual, they
appealed to a war party of their friends, then on an expedition, to
aid them. Learning that Director Stnyvesant, who, in the meantime
had succeeded Kief’t, was absent on a visit to South River, some
eight hundred armed men suddenly appeared before Fort Amsterdam
in sixty-four canoes. Landing before the break of day, they scattered
through the streets and, under the pretence of looking for their ene-
mies, broke open several houses. The Council and the leading inhab-
itants immediately assembled at the Fort, called the chiefs before
them and exacted a promise that they would leave the towij at sun-
set, but before the hour came they found Van Dyck and left him dead,
as they supposed. This act aroused the town, and the burger guard
rallying out from the Fort attacked the Indians as they were embark-
ing in their canoes. This appeal to force was regarded by them as
a declaration of war, and they resolved to strike while they had
the opportunity. Passing over to the Jersey shore, they laid waste
Hoboken and Pavenia, and killed or captured most of the inhabitants.
In three days “one hundred of the settlers were killed, one hundred
and fifty made prisoners, and three hundred more ruined in estate.”
Again the settlers fled to Fort Amsterdam as to a city of refuge.
Director Stuyvesant was sent for, and shortly after arrived with his
soldiers. Meanwhile the Indians had retreated with their captives—
a portion to New Jersey and the remainder to the Highlands. The
Hackinsacks soon after offered their prisoners for ransom, and nego-
tiations being opened peace was concluded with them.
The scene was now changed to the Esopus country, with the Warra-
nawonkongx as principals. Hitherto difficulties had been confined to
the vicinity of Fort Amsterdam, for the very obvious reason that the
Dutch had not extended their settlements north of Hackinsack. In
the district between Fort Orange and Fort Amsterdam, the Indians
had been mainly visited by traders in sloops, although it is said that
on Kingston point a Dutch trading post was established as early as
1611. Occupation of the Esopus country by permanent settlers,
however, was first begun in 1652, when Thomas Chambers and some
of his neighbors removed thither from Rensselaerwyck. With these
settlers the Indians soon came in. collision, and during the war of
1655, the former abandoned their plantations. In 1656, they returned
and continued for some time unmolested, but, as in other places, they
soon devoted the largest portion of their time and means to the pur-
poses of trade, and, with a view to secure'the largest amount of
furs, imprudently made free with the sale of brandy and other liquors,14
CFNFRAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
under the influence of which the Indians became troublesome and re-
sorted to violence. “ One of the settlers was killed, the house and
outbuildings of another were burned, and the settlers were forced, by
threats of arson and murder, to plow up the patches where the sava-
ges planted their maize.” The settlers wrote to Stuyvesant, who re-
sponded by immediately visiting the scene of disturbance with fifty
of his soldiers, and, the day following his arrival (May 31, 1657),
called the people together for council, The result of this conference
was the establishment of a stockade village for defensive purposes,
and an interview with the Indians. The latter was held in an open
field. The chiefs denied that the murder which had been committed
was by one of their number, but “ by a Minnisink ” who was then
“ skulking among the Haverstraws,” and charged that the whole of
the disturbance arose from the “drink” which had been sold them by
the Dutch. They also recounted the losses which had been inflicted
upon them in Director Kieft/s time (1645). Stuyvesant replied that
the acts of his predecessor in the massacre of Pavonia, had been
settled in the subsequent treaties, and if they had not, that he was
not responsible for them; that no violence had been committed by
the Dutch since he came to the Province; that the Indians had not
consulted him in the treatment of Van Dyck, and altogether made
out quiet a case against them, concluding therefrom that the latter
should sell to him the whole of the Esopus land, “ and remove further
into the interior.” The Indians asked time to consider the matter,
and on the 4th of June returned with their answer. They would
give the Director the land he asked “to grease his feet, as he had
taken so long and painful a journey to visit them.” * The stockade
was soon completed, and the Director returned to Fort Amsterdam.
The Indians, however, were far from being satisfied with the new
order of things, and in common with other tribes, were ready, on
even slight provocation, to commence war. Unfortunately it was no
slight cause which led them to take up the hatchet in 1659. Thomas
Chambers, of whom we have already spoken, in September of that
year, employed several of them to husk corn, “and at the end of
their day’s work gave them some brandy for which they asked.” A
carouse followed, in the midst of which a party of settlers issued
from the village and assailed the unsuspecting red men, killed two
of their number, and wounded the third who escaped. This dast-
ardly act provoked a terrible retaliation. War was again declared;
“houses, barns, and harvests were burned up; cattle and horses were
* The land conveyed was called Atkarkarton, or the Great Plot. It has been assumed
that an Indian village was located there from the fact that the Dutch called their settle-
ment “ Wiltwyck,” or Indian village. We conclude, however, that the Indian village was
that known as “ Wiltmeet,” about two miles west from Atkarkarton.THE WARS FOR POSSESSION.
15
killed.7’ Four or five hundred savages invested'the stockaded village,
and after vainly attempting to set fire to it, avenged themselves by
burning at the stake eight or ten prisoners whom they had taken. A
courier was immediately sent to Fort Amsterdam for assistance, and
another to Fort Orange asking the intercession of the Mohawks and
Mahicans. Stuyvesant hurried to the scene with about one hundred
men, and the Mohawks and Mahicans sent down five of their number
to act as intercessors. The latter visited the Warranawonkong chiefs,
procured the release of two prisoners, and persuaded the sachems to
a truce,—an agreement to peace they could not obtain.
The war was renewed in the spring of 1660. Ensign Smith made
frequent incursions into the interior, and, on the 18th March, reduced
the palisaded village of Wiltmeet,* and took twelve prisoners. Subse-
quently the place was again visited, an encampment which had been
formed there broken up, and Preummaker, “the oldest-and best” of
the Esopus chiefs, killed. The Indians petitioned for peace in June,
and Stuyvesant went up to Esopus to meet them. He arrived on the
11th of July and found delegates from the Mohawks, Wappingers, and
other tribes to assist in the negotiations; but the Warranawonkongs
were not represented. Messengers were sent to the interior to induce
their attendance, and on the 15th, four sachems arrived, a grand
council of all the inhabitants was held, and terms of peace arranged.
In compensation for damages, the Indians conveyed “all the lands of
Esopus” to the Dutch, and the latter paid ransoms in corn for the
captives in the hands of the Indians. But the captive Indians from
Wiltmeet were not restored; by Stuyvesant’s order they had been
sent to Curacoa as slaves.
Scarcely had the Warranawonkongs agreed to this treaty before new
causes of grievance were found. They held that the Dutch had com-
menced their New Village on land which had not been given to them;
that the New Fort, as they called the Ronduit,f boded them no good;
that if their white neighbors were sincere in their professions of friend-
ship, they would restore to them their enslaved kindred. To quiet
them, Stuyvesant promised to visit them and bring them the presents
demanded by their customs, but this promise he failed to keep. He
renewed this promise in June (1663); but without faith in him and,
regarding the offer as only a delay for a more favorable opportunity
to make war upon them, they attacked the settlement on the 1th. On
the morning of that day, the settlers went forth to their fields as
usual*. About noon, bands of Indians entered the gates of both villa-
* Situated some distance above the second fall (or creek) flowing into Kit Davit’s Kill
(now called the Esopus creek), “ about nine miles from the Hudson.”—-Brodhead.
t This Ronduit or Redoubt was on the bluff of land called Ponckockie, and is perpet-
uated in the name of Rondout.16
GENERAL BISTORT OF ORANGE COUNTY.
ges, and scattered themselves among the houses, ostensibly for the
purposes of trade Suddenly they attacked the New Village and de-
stroyed it at a blow. “ Some people on horseback escaped” and
reached the Old Village, but their arrival was the signal of attack
upon the latter, for scarce had the alarm been given when the Indians
uttered their war-whoop and commenced the work of death. “ The
people were murdered in their houses with axes and tomahawks, and
by firing on them with guns and pistols.” Women and children were
seized and carried off prisoners; houses were plundered, and men,
rushing to the defence of their families, were shot down by foes con-
cealed in their own dwellings. To aid in the wTork of destruction,
the Indians set fire to the village on the windward side. The flames
spread rapidly, but when at their height, the wind suddenly changed
to the west and prevented further devastation. The panic occasioned
by the sudden attack having subsided, the settlers rallied and drove
the Indians out. By evening all was still again and the bereaved in-
habitants kept mournful watch during the night. Twenty-one lives
were lost, nine were wounded, and forty-five carried off captive; the
New Village was annihilated, and at the Old Village twelve houses
were burned.*
Immediately on the receipt of the intelligence of this disaster,
Stuyvesant dispatched Col. Martin Kregier with a company of sol-
diers to assist the settlers. Kreiger arrived at the Ronduit on the
4th of July. In a few days five Mohawk and Mahic.an chiefs arrived
from Fort Orange, and by their mediation some of the Butch cap-
tives were released; but the Warranawonkongs would not listen to
propositions for peace unless the Butch would pay “for the land
named the Great Plot,” and reward them with presents within ten
days. The Butch commander replied by sending out scouting par-
ties, who succeeded in bringing in a few prisoners from whom it was
learned that the Indians had retreated to their castle; and thither it
was determined to follow them. The expedition reached its destinar
tion on the evening of the 26th of July. The castlef was a formida-
ble structure. It was “ defended by three rows of .palisades, and the
houses in the fort encircled by thick cleft palisades with port holes in
them, and covered with bark of trees;” in form it was quadrangular,
but the angles were “ constructed between the first and second rows
of palisades ”—the third row of palisades standing “full eight feet
* The New Village was about three miles from the Old Village and the Ronduit about
the same distance. Both villages are territorially included in the bounds of the present
city of Kingston.
t The location of this fort, or palisaded village, is defined in the boundary lines of
lands conveyed by the treaty of 1665: “Lying and being to the west and south-west of a
certain creek or river called by the name of Kahanksen, and so up to the head thereof
where the Old Fort was.”THE WARS FOR POSSESSION.
17
off from the others towards the interior,” the whole being “ on the
brow of the hill” surrounded by table land. But the object of the
expedition was not accomplished. Warned of the approach of their
enemy, the Indians retreated to the Shawangunk mountains and took
their captives with them. From a captured squaw it was learned
that the Indians were some four miles distant, and a force was sent
thither; but when they arrived at the designated place, it was found
that they had again retreated. Kregier, however, destroyed the
Kahanksen castle by fire, cut down the corn-fields which the In-
dians had planted, and destroyed “ about a hundred pits full of corn
and beans,” which had been preserved from the crop of the previous
year. This work accomplished, he returned to Wiltwyck.*
The settlers now engaged in harvesting their grain, and the sol-
diers guarded them while at work. Offensive operations were not re-
sumed until September, when a force of fifty men was sent out to
reduce a new castle which the Indians were said to be erecting, situ-
ated “ about four hours further than their first fort,” which had been
burned. The expedition reached its destination on the 5th of Sep-
tember. The Indians were taken by surprise, but made a stout re-
sistance. They were busy completing their fort, and had left their
arms at their houses “ about a stone’s throw from the fort.” Alarmed
by a squaw, who had discovered the approach of the Dutch, they
rushed to secure their arms, but were only partially successful so
closely were they pursued. Retreating across the kill, they threw
back the Dutch fire with such spirit that it was found necessary to
send a strong party to dislodge them. “ In this attack the Indians
lost their chief Papequanaehan, fourteen warriors, four women and
three children.” On the part of the Dutch three were killed and
wounded. Thirteen Indians were taken prisoners, and twenty-three
Dutch captives released. The Dutch found plunder sufficient to
“ well fill a sloop,” but were obliged to leave it. Everything was de-
stroyed that could be. “ The fort was a perfect square with one row
of palisades set all around, being about fifteen feet above and three
feet below ground,” but it was not completed. Two angles of
“ stout palisades, all of them about as thick as a man’s body, having
two rows of port-holes, one above the other,” were done, and, when
surprised, the Indians “ were busy at the other angle.” The victori-
ous expedition returned to the settlement laden with spoil, and the
Indians fled to the mountains to brood over their defeat and loss.
On the 1st of October, another expedition was sent out on the
same route and arrived at the fort last destroyed on the 2d. The In-
* By a formal charter of date May 16, 1661, the settlement was ordered to be called
“ Wiltwyck,” or Indian Village, The English changed the name to Kingston.18
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
dians had meanwhile returned to it and thrown the bodies of their
dead comrades into five pits, from which “the wolves had rooted up
and devoured some of them. Lower down on the kill four other pits
were found containing bodies; and further on, three Indians with a
squaw and child lay unburied and almost wholly devoured by wolves.”
A terrible picture of desolation was spread out on either hand, where,
but a few days before, the native lord had exulted in his strength,
but who now, crushed and broken, had retreated southward among
their kindred Minsin. The Dutch forces completed the destruction of
the fort; the palisades were pulled down, the wigwams burned, and
all the corn cut up and cast into the kill.
The WarranawonJcongs, upon whom this chastisement had principal-
ly fallen, solicited peace in the fall, and an armistice was granted.
They had suffered severely; their villages, from Wawayanda to Eso-
pus were not without mourners; their store-houses were rifled, and
their crops destroyed. Nor were their allies, the Waoranecks, more
fortunate. Although their territory had not been invaded, nor their
villages burned, they were not the less subdued; the embers of their
forest worship, which had for ages been lighted on the Dans-Kamnier,
were extinguished forever. In the spring following, SewdcTcenamo, in
conference at Fort Amsterdam, lifted up his voice in prayer to his God
—Bachtamo —that “ something good ” might be concluded with the
Dutch, and there executed a treaty by the terms of which all that
had passed was to be forgiven and forgotten; the lands claimed by
the Dutch, and now conquered by the sword, were to remain the
property of the conquerors, and the vanquished were not to approach
the Dutch settlements with arms. This treaty was ratified (May 16,
1664,) amid the roar of cannon, and was celebrated by a public
thanksgiving. With its conclusion was also closed the struggle of
the aboriginal clans for the possession of their ancient seats on the
western slope of the valley of the Hudson. Their retreating foot-
steps were yet to be marked on advancing frontiers by blazing torch
and branding tomahawk; but from the blue hills of Katskill to the
southern verge of the Highlands they only awaited the granting of
title deeds to their successors. The fertile fields of those who, a half
century before, had gazed in awe upon the sleeping navigator's ship
beside the “ northernmost of the mountains,” were prepared for the
sturdy immigrants from Europe.
iHiminnifiiimMHimimiiiimmiintLAND T1TLES—FLRST SETTLEMENTS.
19
CHAPTER II.
ABORIGINAL DEEDS-LAND PATENTS—FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
1664—1109.
THE English succeeded the Dutch in the government of New Neth-
erland on the 6th of September, 1664. The latter had performed
the task assigned to them; had introduced the religion, the jurispru-
dence, the customs of the Fatherland; had prepared the way for the
mingling of creeds and races, and the development of the principles
of civil-liberty. A stronger hand was now to take the direction; a
common flag to float from the rugged cliffs of the north to the savan-
nas of the south; a fresh impulse to be given to immigration. The
title of the province was changed; New Amsterdam became New
York; Fort Orange was christened Albany; changes were made in
the administration of the government; treaties were renewed with
the Indians. When this work was accomplished, Governor Nicolls
wrote: “The lands which I intend shall be first planted, are those
upon the west side of Hudson’s river, at or adjoining to the Sopes;”
and having, in his treaty with the Warranawonkongs, secured a clear
definition of the bounds of the tract which the Dutch had previously
“ conquered by the sword,” he added: “ The Governor hath purchased
all the Sopes land, which is now ready for planters to put the plow
into, it being clear ground.” The declaration was not a literal fact;
the tract which the Indians had been compelled to yield embraced
scarce three townships; but practically there was no substantial im-
pediment to the occupation of the territory designated.
While this preparation was going forward, in the Old World relig-
ious intolerance was scattering its victims broadcast. France sent
forth her thrifty Huguenots; Scotland, her implacable Presbyterians;
the Palatinate, her impoverished husbandmen. On the banks of the
Hudson fragments rent from these nationalities met, and carved out,
in the forest depths, new homes. The “ Christian patented lands of
Haverstraw,” as they are termed in the recprds, were the first to re-
ceive immigrants under the new regime. Balthazer de Hart and his
brother Jacob, among the earlier immigrants from Holland, had loca-
ted in New Amsterdam, and there subscribed their names to the oath
of allegiance to the Duke of York. The former, engaged in trade,
0220	GENERAL BISTORT OF ORANGE COUNTY.
had secured a comfortable subsistence, his house being rated at two
thousand florins. Prior to July 31, 1666, he had purchased from the
Indians, “ all that tract of land lying on the west side of Hudson’s
river called Haverstraw, being on the north side of the hills called
Verdrietig hook, on the south side of the Highlands, on the east side
of the mountains so that the same is bounded by Hudson’s river
and round about by the high mountains.” Presuming that the tract
was included in the boundaries of New Jersey, he obtained from Car-
teret and the council of that province, a patent,* and transferred his
interest to Nicholas Depuy and Peter Jacobs Marius. On subsequent
purchase and patent he acquired (April 10, .1611,) the “ parcels of
land called by the Indian names of Newasink, YandaJcah, Caquaney
and Aquamak, bounded on the west by a creek called Menimkcungue,
on the east and north by Hudson’s river, and on the south by the
mountains,” which became the property of his brother, Jacob; and
also a tract “ known by the name of Ahequerenoy,” which, with a
portion of the previous purchase, came to the possession of Hendrick
Eyker,—the whole becoming the basis of the boundaries of all sub-
sequent grants in the district.
The second settlement was on the extreme north of the district the
history of which we are considering. Louis DuBois, a Huguenot
pioneer, driven thither by the pending persecutions of the people of
his faith in France, located, with some of his friends, at Esopus in
1660. Contributing the captivity of his wife and children to the In-
dian war of 1663, he subsequently induced several families of his
countrymen, who were more recent immigrants, to unite with him in
establishing a French town. Twelve men, known as the “ Twelve
Patentees,” wore selected to obtain title to lands, who, after an ex-
amination of the country, purchased from the Indian proprietors
(May 26, 1677,) a tract of 36,000 acres, lying immediately south of
the “ Kedoute creek,” as the Warranawonkong came to be called.
On the 29th of September, following, a patent was obtained from
Governor Andros, in the name of “ Louis du Bois and his partners,
that is, Christian Doyau, Abraham Hasbroucq, Andre le Febvre,
Jean Hasbroucq, Pierre Doyau, Louis Beviere, Anthoine Crespel,
Abraham du Bois, Hugue Frere, Isaac du Bois, and Simon le Febvre,
a their heirs and others,”—men whose names live in the annals of their
adopted country. On this patent nine families immediately settled, and
laid, in the faith which they professed, the foundations of New Paltz.
The third settlement was about midway between those already de-
scribed. Patrick MacGregorie; his brother-in-law, David Toshuck,
* The grant was subsequently confirmed by the Governor and Council of New York.—
The patent is of record in New Jersey.LAND TITLES—FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
21
who subscribed his name “Laird of Minivard," and twenty-five
others, principally Scotch Presbyterians, entered upon lands at the
mouth of the Waoraneck. It was their original intention to settle in
New Jersey, but they were persuaded by Governor Dongan to take
up lands in New York. Obtaining a license for that purpose, Mac-
Gregorie, acting as their representative, purchased for his people a
tract of four thousand acres, embracing lands on both sides of Mur-
derer's creek, “ and so settled themselves, their families and sundry
of their servants on the land so purchased, and were not only the
first Christians fhat settled and improved thereon, but also peaceably
and quietly possessed and enjoyed themselves during the term of
their natural lives." On what is now known as Plum Point, but which
was then called, from its aboriginal owner, Couwanhamh Hill, Mac-
Gregorie reared his cabin, and in the same vicinity were the cabins of
his associates, William Chambers, William Sutherland, and one Col-
lum, while on the south side of the creek the “ Laird of Minivard,"
and his servant, Daniel Maskrig, established a trading post.
Unfortunately, MacGregorie did not perfect his title by patent.
Trusting to Governor Dongan to protect his interests, he entered the
service of the state, while Dongan obtained by purchase on his own
account (Oct. 25, 1684), from “Mangenaett, Taenia, Keghgekapowell
alias Joghem, three Indians native proprietors and principal owners,
with the consent of Pemeranaghin, chief sachem of Esopus Indians,"
a tract described as extending from “ the Paltz along Hudson's river
to the land belonging to the Indians at the Murderer's kill, thence
westward to the foot of the high hills called Pitkiskaker and Alaska-
wasting, thence southwesterly all along the said hills and the river
called Peakadasank to a water pond lying upon said hills called
Meretange, comprehending all those lands, meadows and woods called
Nescotank, Chawangon, Memorasink, Kakoghgetawnarnnch, and Ghitta-
tawaghP . The consideration was the sum of ninety pounds and
eleven shillings, in the following goods: “10 fathoms blue duffels, 10
fathoms of red duffels, 200 fathoms white wampum, 10 fathoms stroud
water (red cloth), 10 fathoms blue cloth, 10 blankets, 10 guns, 10
kettles, 10 duffel coats, 10 drawing knives, 10 shirts, 10 tobacco
boxes, 10 children's duffel coats, 10 children's shirts, 10 pairs of hose,
50 lbs. powder, 50 bars lead, 10 pair shoes, 10 cutlasses, 10 hatchets,
10 hoes, 10 scissors, 10 tobacco tongues, 100 flints, 2 rolls tobacco, 20
gals, rum, 2 vats strong beer, and 1 barrel cider."
To this purchase he added (April 16, 1684), by deed from Were-
kepes, sachem, Sackaghemeck, Sewiskkamock alias Hans, Apiskaeuw,
Gashoros, Gsquameck, Movingamaghan, Poghghock, and Kaghtsikoos, the
lands owned by “ themselves and copartners," being a tract begin-22
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
ning “ at about a place called the Dancing Chamber, thence south to
the north side of the land called Haverstraw, thence north-west along
the hill called Skoonnenoghky to the bounds of his purchase from the
Esopus Indians aforesaid, including the Murderer’s creek.” The con-
sideration was: 150 fathoms of wampum, 120 royals, 20 fathoms duf-
fels, 6 guns, 7 brass kettles, 8 blankets, 6 fathoms strouds, 2 cloth
coats, 2 broad axes, 5 pair shoes, 6 children’s shirts, 20 knives, 50 lbs.
powder, 80 bars lead, 25 lbs. shot, 2 rolls tobacco, 4 iron pots, 10 to-
bacco tongues, 10 tobacco boxes, 4 lbs. bood, 2 half vats single
beer, 2 half vats double beer, 5 glass bottles, 5 earthen jugs, 2 pew-
ter dishes, 2 bottles with rum, 100 tobacco pipes, 10 hatchets, 6 draw-
ing knives, 4 addz, 10 hoes, 10 pair stockings, 8 shirts, 6 pistols, 10
children’s blankets, 2 boys’ cloth coats, 6 boys’ duffel coats, 20 gallons
rum, £2 * paid Frederick Phillipse, £2 paid Stephanus Van Cortlandt.
Not only had the Indians previously sold to MacGregorie a portion
of the lands which by this sale they conveyed to Dongan, but Step-
hanus Van Cortlandt held their deed for a tract opposite Anthony’s
Nose. The purchase was made July 18, 1083, and the tract describ-
ed as “beginning on the south side of a creek called Sankapogh, and
so along said creek to the head thereof, and then northerly along
the high hills as the river runneth, to another creek called Assinapink,
and thence along the said creek to Hudson’s river again, together with
a certain island and parcel of meadow land, near or adjoining the
same, called Manahawaghkin, and by the Christians, Salisbury island.”
Sackaghemeck, sachem of Haverstraw, Werekepes, and Kaghtsikoos,
were the grantors. Luckily, he preserved his deed, and under it
succeeded in obtaining a patent attaching his purchase to his manor,
on the opposite side of the river.
But the MacGregorie colonists were not so fortunate. Governor
Dongan conveyed his two purchases to Captain John Evans, by pat-
ent, Sept. 12, 1694, under the title of the Lordship and Manor of
Fletcherdon.. MacGregorie, after serving the province in the capaci-
ty of Muster-General of the militia and as its agent among the north-
western Indians in a district of country which had not been previously
visited, had yielded up his life in the Leisler revolution of 1691; and
a peaceful death had closed the earthly cares of David Toshuck in the
bosom of his family at Plum Point. To dispossess the heirs was the
first work of Evans, to whose shame it is written that he compelled
MacGregorie’s widow, Margaret, to sell to him the house in which
she lived for “ £30 or £35, to the ruin of herself and family.” To
her and to her surviving neighbors he then granted leases, thus pre-
serving title and possession as well as the continuity of the settle-
* The pounds of this period were of about the value of an United States dollar.LAND TITLES—NIBST SETTLEMENTS.
23
ment. The Scotch settlers who remained in possession under these
leases obtained no subsequent patent titles, except in the case of the
heirs of MacGregorie, to whom, some years later, a patent was grant-
ed for-the Plum Point farm, and also for a mountain tract, in conside-
ration of their claim.
The fourth settlement, and by far the most considerable, was made
adjoining the “ Christian patented lands of Haverstraw.” It was com-
posed of immigrants from Holland, principally members of the Re-
formed Dutch Church. Among them were descendants or relatives of
David Pieterson de Vries, who had occupied a conspicuous position in
the earlier history of the province, and had established a plantation
which he called Vriesendael, situated “in a beautiful valley just be-
low the mountains.” Driven thence during the war of 1645, he had
taken to Holland a memory which had been treasured by his family
and neighbors, who, on their arrival, selected a location in the vicinity
of if not embracing the site of his ancient “little bouwerie.” Ob-
taining, through trustees selected for that purpose, a title from “ the
native Indian proprietors,” and being in numbers sufficient to demand
it, they were granted (March 20, 1686,) a township patent, “under
the name of the Town of Orange,” with all the powers “practiced
or belonging unto any town within this Government.” The trustees
of the grant were: Cornelis Claessen Cuyper, Daniel de Klercke, Peter
Harnich, Cattis Harnich, Gerritt Steumetts, John de Vries, Sr., John
de Vries, Jr., Claes Mannde, Jan Stratemaker, Staaes de Groot, Arean
Lammeates, Lamont Arianuis, Huybert Gerryts, Johannes Gerrits,
Eide Van Vorst, and Cornelius Lammerts. The boundaries of the
tract were defined as “beginning at the mouth of Tappan creek
where it falls into the meadow and running from thence along the
north side of the said creek to a creeple bush and falls into Hack-
insack river, northerly to a place called ‘ the Greenbush and from
thence along said Greenbush easterly to the lands of Class Janse
and Dowe Harmanse,* and from thence southerly along said land
upon the top of the hills to the aforementioned mouth of Tappan
creek where it falls into the meadow aforesaid.” The center of the
township was at Tappan, where a Glebe for the support of a minister
was laid out and a church organized.f
A vacant tract of land, immediately west of Haverstraw, was
conveyed by deed and patent (the latter, June 25, 1696,) to Daniel
Honan and Michael Hawdon. This tract, which is described as being
* Probably Harman Dowson who had taken np a tract called Pessatinck, on Hackin-
sack river.
f The Reformed Protestant Dutch. It was organized Oct. 24,1694. The first preacher
was the Rev. Guilliam Bartholf. The first church edifice was erected in 1716. The
Glebe consisted of 55 acres.24	' GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
known by the name of Kuck-quack-ta-wake (Kakiate), was “ bounded on
the east by the Christian patented lands of Haverstraw, on the north by
a creek called Shamorack or Peasqua, which runs under a great hill,
from which it continues a west course until the west-south-west side
of a barren plain called Wishpegwrap bears south, thence to the west-
south-west side of aforesaid plain, from thence south-south-west until
the said line comes to a creek that runs to David Demaree’s creek to
the south side of the land called Marranehaw, and thence down the
said creek to the Christian patented lands.” Adjoining this tract on
the south, Samuel Bayard was granted certain tracts called Whori-
mms, Per seek, Gemackie and Narrashunck, “ bounded north by the
land of Daniel Honan and Michael Hawdon, south by the parting
line of this Province and the Jerseys, west by Saddle river, and east
by Demarree’s creek,” containing two thousand acres. The Indian
deed for this and several other purchases, was covered by one to
Lucas Tienhoveu, embracing by survey one hundred thousand acres,
but for which no patent was issued.
Between the township of Orange and the Haverstraw lands the
rocky bluff known as Verdrietig hook, by the Indians called Quas-
peeck, including Dockland lake, became the subject of controversy be-
tween “John Hutchins and Company,” and “Jarvis Marshall and
Company.” Both parties obtained deeds, but the latter apparently
had priority in date of purchase and were granted (Sept. 27, 1694,)
the patent, the patentees being Jarvis Marshall and William Welch.
At a later period (April 23, 1<08,) a patent to Lancaster Syms, Bob-
er t Walter, and Hendrick Ten Eycke covered the vacant river front,
described as “ beginning by the south bounds of Haverstraw, thence
west to the northermost end of the land or island called Mattasink or
Welch’s island, thence southerly to the southermost end of said island,
then east to the creek that runs out of the pond upon Verdrietig hook
and along the same to the Hudson, then north to the place of begin-
ning, except the grant to Honan and Hawdon.”
The patents described covered the entire district on the Hudson
from the New Jersey line to New Paltz, and extended west to the
line of the Shawangunk mountains. While they were being taken
up, some entries had also been made on the Delaware river. Arent
Schuyler, employed by the government as an interpreter of the Indian
language and as an agent among the Indian tribes, obtained (May
20, 1697), on previous deed from the Minnismks, a patent for one
thousand acres, more particularly described as a “tract of land in the
Minnisink country called by the native Indians Sankhekeneek, other-
wise Mayhawaem; also, another tract called Warinsayskmeck, situa-
ted upon a river called Mennessineks before a certain island calledLAND TITLES—FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
25
Menagnock, which tract is adjacent or near to a tract of land called
Maghaghkemek.” In the same year (Oct. 14,) a patent was granted
to Jacob Codebec, Thomas Swartwout, Anthony Swartwout, Bernar-
dus Swartwout, Jan Tyse, Peter Gimar, and David Jamison, for “ a
certain quantity of land at a place called Maghaghkemek, being the
quantity of one thousand two hundred acres; beginning at the west-
ern bounds of the lands called Nepeneck, to a small stream of water
called by the Indian name of Assawaghkemeek, and so along said run
of water and the lands of Mansjoor the Indian.”
It has been claimed that there was a settlement in the vicinity of
the Swartwout patent sometime prior to the date of that instrument.
At an early period that known as “the old mine road” was open-
ed between Esopus and the Delaware, constructed, it is said, by a
company of Dutch miners. This road ran through the Mamakating
valley, north of’ the Shawangunk mountains, was continued in the
valley of the Maghaghkemek branch of the Delaware, and penetrat-
ed the Minnisinks proper east of that river. Here, it is added, the
company discovered copper, worked a mine and transported its pro-
duct over the road which they had constructed to the Esopus settle-
ment. Unfortunately for the value of the tradition, the road was
simply the enlargement of an Indian trail which had been followed
for ages, while the mine referred to was in what is now the town of
Warren, Sussex county, New Jersey. The boundaries of the ques-
tion are still further circumscribed by the fact that the Dutch at
Esopus, during the war of 1660,-63, had little knowledge of the
country even east of the Shawangunk mountains, and that the Min-
nisink country was penetrated, if at a much earlier period, by the way
of the Delaware river.
Nor is it true that the first settlement was on the Swartwout pat-
ent. At the date of issue of that patent, Jacob Codebac, Thomas
Swartwout, Anthony Swartwout and Peter Gimar* were residents of
New Paltz or of Kingston. , They certainly had not made settlement
on the Delaware in 1690. But there was settlement there, about that
time, by one William Tietsoort,f a blacksmith, who in a petition to
the governor and council of New York, dated April 10, 1708, states
that he was formerly a resident of Schenectady, and that from the
massacre at that place, in 1689, he barely escaped with his life; that
* Peter Guimar, a native of Moir Saintonge, was married to Esther Hasbroucq, native
of the Palatinate, at New Paltz, April 18th, 1692. He left his native place in company
with Codebec in 1685, or rather the families of Abraham Guimar and James Codebec, of
which he and Jacob Codebec were minor members, came out together.
f It is by no means an improbable presumption that the Jan Tyse, named in the Code-
bac patent, was the son of William Tietsoort. There is a simliarity in the sound of the
names indicating clerical error in the orthography of the entry. Errors of this kind
are not uncommon.26
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE QOUNTY.
having friends in the Esopns country he removed thither, where, being
known by the friendly Indians, he was invited by them to take up
his residence in the Minnisink country, the Indians voluntarily grant-
ing unto him a tract of land situate and being at Maghaghkemek,
named and known by the name of Schaikaeckamick, in an elbow;
that he obtained license to purchase, Oct. 15, 1698, that he so pur-
chased, and that his possessions were subsequently assumed to be
included in a purchase by and patent to Matthew Ling, against
which he asked protection. There is very little room to doubt that
he was the first settler on the western border.
Active competition in the obtaining of patents sprang up at the
opening of the succeeding century. Associations were formed, not
unfrequently mainly composed of those holding official positions
under the government, and large grants obtained. Three principal
patents of this class, necessarily require notice in this connection.
The first, the Chesekook Patent, was included in a purchase from
“ Movingamaghan, Skawgus, Ughquaw, Onickotapp, and Aioqhquaherae,
native Indians, proprietors,” December 80, 1702, by “Doctor John
Bridges, Hendrick Ten Eycke, Derick Vandenburgh, John Cholwell,
Christopher Denn, Lancaster Syms, and John Merritt,” of a “ certain
tract of upland and meadow called Chesekook, bounded north by
the patent line of Captain John Evans, to the west by the high
hills of the Highlands, to the south by Honan and Hawdon’s patent,
and to the east by the lands of the bounds of Haverstraw and Hud-
son’s river,” and for which they received a patent March 25, 1707.
The second, the Wawayanda Patent, was on a purchase (March 5,
1703,) from Rapingonick, Wawastawa, Moghopuck, Cornelawaw, Nan-
awitt, Arawinack, Rombout, Claus, Chouckhass, Chingapaw, Oshasque-
memus, and Quilapaw, native Indians and proprietors,” by “Doctor
John Bridges, Hendrick Ten Eycke, Derick Vandenburgh* John Chol-
well, Christopher Denn, Lancaster Syms, Daniel Honan, Philip Koke-
by, John Merritt, Benjamin Aske, Peter Mathews, and Cornelius
Christianse,” for a “ certain sum of money and goods,” of “ certain
tracts or parcels of vacant lands named Waivayanda, and some other
small tracts or parcels of land, being bounded on the eastward by
the high hills of the Highlands and the patent of Capt. John Evans,
on the north by the division line of the counties of Orange and Ulster,
on the westward by the high hills to the eastward of Minnisinks, and
on the south by the division line of the provinces of Hew York and
East Jersey.” The patent was granted April 29, 1703.
The third grant, the Minnisink Patent, was still more extensive.
It was issued August 28, 1704, to Matthew Ling, Ebenezer Wilson,
Philip French, Derick Vandenburgh, Stephen de Lancey, Philip Koke-APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF ORIGINAL PATENTS.LAND TITLES—FIBST SETTLEMENTS.
27
by, John Corbett, Daniel Honan, Caleb Cooper, William Sharpas,
Bobert Milward, Thomas Wenham, Lancaster Syms, John Person,
Benjamin Aske, Petrus Bayard, John Cholwell, Peter Fanconier,
Henry Swift, Hendrick Ten Eycke, Jarvis Marshall, Ann Bridges,
(widow of John Bridges), and George Clark, and conveyed to them
“ all that part of Orange and Ulster counties, beginning at a place
in Ulster county called Hunting House, or Yagh House, lying* to the
north-east of land called Baskets land, thence to run west by north
v until it meets the Fishkill or main branch of Delaware river, thence
to run southerly to the south end of Great Minnisink Island, thence
due south to the land lately granted to John Bridges and Company
(Wawayanda), and so along that patent as it runs northward and
the patent of Captain John Evans, and thence to the place of begin-
ning.” The grant consolidated two grants, one to Philip French and
Company and one to Ebenezer Wilson and Company, and only ex-
cepted from its sweeping boundaries the tract called Sankhekeneck or
Mayhawaem, with a parcel of meadow called Warinsayskmeck, pre-
viously granted to Arent Schuyler, and a tract called Maghaghkemek,
near Nepeneck, granted to Jacob Codebac, and others.
Had the purchasers a deed from the Indians ? Not only is there
none on record, but Sir William Johnson writes: “An elderly man
who lived in the Highlands, and at whose house I dined on my way
from New York some years ago, told me that he lived with or in the
neighborhood of Depuy, and was present when the said Depuy * pur-
chased the Minnisink lands from the Indians; that when they were to
sign the deed of sale he made them drunk and never paid them the
money agreed upon. He heard the Indians frequently complain of
the fraud, and declare that they would never be easy until they had
satisfaction for their lands.” f When, in 1757 the wronged red men
swept the western border with devastation, it was their declaration
that they would never “ leave off killing the English until they were
paid for their lands, mentioning* Minnisink almost to Hudson’s river.”
The boundary lines of the Chesekook, Wawayanda, Minnisink,
and Evans patents, were, for a long time, a disturbing element.
They were entirely undefined, except in general terms. The west
line of Chesekook and the east line of Wawayanda was designated
by a mountain range; the east line of Minnisink and the west line of
Wawayanda was also a mountain range, and so in part was the north
line of both the Chesekook and the Wawayanda, or rather the south-
* Samuel Depuy was settled on the. west bank of the Delaware,, three miles above the
Water Gap. He was one of tke Walloons who came to New York about 1697. He be-
came a large land owner in Pennsylvania, and .was well known to all who traveled “ the
mine-road.” It is possible that he is referred to in the text.
t MSS. of Sir Wm. Johnson, XXIV., 14. /28
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
west line of the Evans patent to which they ran. In the subsequent
adjustment of the latter, together with that of the county line, a por-
tion of the territory claimed by the Wawayanda patentees was cut
off, while on the west an angle was formed, known as the Minnisink
Angle, embracing a tract of one hundred and thirty thousand acres.
The granting of immense tracts of land aroused the attention of
the English government, in 1698. Investigation followed and result-
ed in annulling the patent to Capt. Evans, by Act of the Assembly,
May 12, 1699. Notwithstanding the policy of issuing patents for
small tracts, upon which the repeal of the Evans patent was predi-
cated, was abandoned in the almost immediately following issue of
the Wawayanda, Minnisink, and similar large grants, the territory
which the Evans patent covered was conveyed in small tracts by
patents, issued at different periods from 1101 to 1775, but principally
prior to 1750. *The location and settlement of these patents, as well
as extended reference to the settlement of the Chesekook, Wawa-
yanda, and Minnisink patents, will be given in connection with the
history of the towns in which they were embraced or which were
formed from them. It is through them that we may trace the foot-
steps of the pioneers as they advanced from the Hudson on the east,
along the valley of the Wallkill from the north, from the Delaware
on the west, and from Haverstraw and Orangetown on the south,—a
race of bold men and brave -women.
In the enumeration of first settlements falling properly in this con-
nection, that of the Palatine Parish of Quassaick requires notice.
This settlement was composed of Germans from the Palatinate of the
Rhine who, if not impoverished as principals were reduced to that
condition in consequence of the devastation of their native district
by the order and armies of Louis XIY. Accepting the overtures of
the English government, a pioneer company reached London and was
from thence sent by the government to America, supplied with imple-
ments required for the construction of cabins and the clearing of land,
and located on the vacated Evans patent, immediately north of Quas-
saick creek, in the spring of 1709. This settlement formed the fourth
principal centre of population in the district.
The progress of settlement of the district during the century suc-
ceeding the discovery, aside from the extinction of the aboriginal
title and the issue of patents, is aproximately conveyed in the census
of 1702, by which it appears that the population at that time, exclu-
sive of the MacGregorie settlement, consisted of forty-nine men be-
tween the ages of sixteen and sixty; forty married women; fifty-seven
male and eighty-four female children; thirteen male negroes, seven
negresses, and thirteen negro children.CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
29
CHAPTER HI.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT-ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES, PRECINCTS, AND TOWNS.
1683—1798.
rriHE civil government of New York, under the Dutch, was an
-X. extension of the laws and customs of Holland. Holland was an
aggregate of towns, each providing for its own defense, administering
its own finances, and governing itself by its own laws. The inhabi-
tants of the towns were not, however, all upon an equality. To en-
title a resident to every municipal franchise, burghership must be ac-
quired. This was generally obtained by the payment of a sum of
money, and the registry of the citizen’s name upon the roll of burgh-
ers. It was a hereditary franchise; it could pass by marriage, and
it could be acquired by females as well as males. Foreigners, also,
after a year’s probation, could become burghers. The burgher right
gave to the citizen freedom of trade, exemption from toll, special
privileges and favors in prosecutions, and an exclusive eligibility to
municipal office. The government of each town was administered
by a Board of Magistrates, or burgomasters, and a certain number of
schepens, or aldermen. The former provided for the public safety, at-
tended to the police, mustered the burgher guard in case of danger,
administered the finances, and assessed the taxes to be paid by each
individual. In general, the term of office was annual. The burgo-
masters and schepens were chosen by eight or nine “ good men ”
elected by the wethouders, or inhabitants possessed of a certain prop-
erty qualification. There was also another important officer, named
the sellout, who, in early times, was appointed by the court, out of a
triple nomination by the wethouders, whose duties were somewhat
analagous to those of baliff or county sheriff, combining with them
some of the duties of a prosecuting attorney.*
Among the inducements offered by the burgomasters of the city of
Amsterdam, to those who were “willing to settle in New Nether-
land,” was the assurance that the place “ allotted for the residence of
the colonists,” whether called “ a city or town,” should be regulated,
“respecting the police or distribution of justice, and especially in the
* Brodhead’s New York, L, 453, etc.30
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
matter of descents, in the same manner as in Amsterdam;” that
each town should “have one schout, or officer, as the head of justice,”
appointed as in Amsterdam; three burgomasters, who should be “ ap-
pointed by the common burghers out of the most honest, fit and rich;”
and “five or seven schepens, to be* appointed by the director-general
out of double that number of persons who should be nominated by
the wethouders. The schepens were to have jurisdiction in causes
“for all sums under one hundred guilders,” and to “pronounce sen-
tence in all criminal causes,” subject to appeal to the director-gen-
eral. Towns of two hundred families were to be empowered to
choose a common council of twenty-one persons” to take the direc-
tion of the local government, appoint the burgomasters, and nomi-
nate the schepens.
The civil governments established by the English were of two
classes. The New England colonies were under charters, or grants
of the crown, enabling the people to. elect their own governors and
legislative assemblies, and establish courts of justice. Virginia,
New York, New Jersey, the Carolinas, and Georgia, had royal or
provincial governments possessing no power except that conferred
directly by the king; their governors held their offices at the king's
appointment and during his pleasure; councils, selected from the
principal men of the provinces, acted as advisors of the governors
and constituted one branch of the legislatures; no laws were valid
unless approved by the king. The government of New York differed
from that of Virginia in this, that while the latter had been founded
as an English province, the former was a conquered territory in
which the existing laws and customs could not be immediately and
radically changed without serious difficulty. Nor was the attempt
made. When the English succeeded the Dutch, the latter were left
for some time undisturbed in the franchises which they had enjoyed,
and were permitted to grow into the new system by gradual process.
The changes which were immediately made were more in terms
than in substance. “A Court of Assizes was established, which,
like its New Netherland prototype, was the supreme tribunal of the
province, having both law and equity, as well as appellate jurisdic-
tion. In this court the governor and his counselors possessed the
same powers that had formerly been exercised by the Dutch director
and his counselors, while the court itself was invested with the su-
preme power of making, altering, and abolishing any law in the gov-
ernment.”* Local laws were left untouched.
But there was an English element • in the province to be consulted
and strengthened. A considerable portion of Long Island, Staten
* Brodhead II., 62, etc.CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
31
Island, and Westchester, had been settled by English families, of
whom those living on Long Island were already organized under the
charter of Connecticut. To continue their privileges, as well as to
ftgm the basis of the new system, they were erected into a shire or
county under the name of Yorkshire, and divided into ridings, dis-
tricts or precincts. These ridings were three in number:	“East
Riding,” including what is now Suffolk county, “West Riding,” in-
cluding Staten Island, Kings county, Newtown and part of West-
chester county, and “ North Riding,” including the present county of
Queens, over which the governor and council were to appoint a high-
sheriff every year, to be taken from each riding in succession. To
each riding was given justices of the peace, who were to continue in
office during the governor’s pleasure, and who were to hold in their
respective jurisdictions a court of sessions three times in each year.
Besides their local duties, the high-sheriff and the justices were to sit
with the governor and his council in the Court of Assizes, which was
to meet in New York once in each year. In the deliberations of the
court the Dutch towns of New York* Albany, and Esopus had no
voice.
In establishing a code of laws the same distinction in population
was observed. Instead of inviting delegates from the several towns
of the province to meet in convention, the people of Long Island and
Westchester were asked to do so; New York, Albany, Esopus, and
other Dutch towns, were excluded. The code which was adopted by
this convention,—which met at Hempstead on the 28th of February,
1665,—was known as the “Duke’s Laws,” and while general in
most of its provisions, so far as its future application was possible
in the organization of towns, was primarily local in its force. The
Court of Assizes was recognized as an existing institution, and Was
to hold a session in New York once in each year; but in pressing
capital cases, the governor and council might issue commissions of
Oyer and Terminer. Inferior Courts of Sessions, composed of the
justices of the peace, were also continued as they had been estab-
lished. Trials by jurymen, who were not to exceed seven, except in
capital cases, were provided for. Arbitrators might be appointed
in small causes between neighbors. Wherever the law was silent in
any case, the Sessions were to remit it to the next Assizes, where
matters of equity were to be decided and punishment awarded “ac-
cording to the discretion of the bench, and not contrary to the known
laws of England.” Each town was given “ a local court for the trial
of causes under five pounds, which was to be held by the constable
and six overseers, and from which there was an appeal to the Ses-
sions.” Eight “ men of good fame and life,” were to be chosen as32
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
overseers of each town by a majority of the freeholders. Four of
these overseers retired at the end of each year, and from them a con-
stable was to be annually chosen, on the first or second of April, by
the freeholders, who was to be confirmed by the justices at the next
Sessions. The constable and overseers had power to make local or-
dinances in their several towns. A high-sheriff was to be annually
appointed by the governor from each riding in rotation, and also an
under-sheriff or high constable in* each riding. Justices of the peace
were to be appointed by the governor and continued in office during
his pleasure. Assessments were to be made in every year, after the
first of June, by the officers of each town. Provision was made for
the enforcement of the rates imposed; and general regulations in re-
gard to the tenure of lands and other matters, were adopted.
No material changes were made in this system until 1682, when,
yielding fo the demand of the people for a representative govern-
ment, the king appointed Colonel Thomas Dongan governor of the
province and gave him instructions to organize a new council, to be
composed of not exceeding ten of “the most eminent inhabitants,”
and to issue writs to the proper officers for the election of “ a gener-
al assembly of all 'the freeholders by the persons who they shall
choose to represent them,” in order to consult with him and his coun-
cil “ what laws are fit and necessary to be made and established ” for
the good government of the province “ and all the inhabitants there-
of.” On the 17th of October, 1683, the assembly thus authorized met
at Fort James in New York. It was composed of delegates from all
parts of the province, and during its session of three weeks, passed
fourteen several acts, which were assented to by the governor and
his council. Among these laws was one “to divide this Province
and dependencies into shires and counties,” and one “to settle
Courts of Justice.” Twelve counties were established by the former:
New York, Kings, Queens, Suffolk, Richmond, Westchester, Albany,
Ulster, Duchess, Orange, Duke’s, and Cornwall, which, with the ex-
ception of Duchess, which was placed under the care of Ulster, and
Orange, which was similarly associated with New York, were to be
entitled to representation in future general assemblies. The law re-
lating to courts established four distinct tribunals: Town Courts, for
the trial of small causes, to be held each month; County Courts, or
Courts of Sessions, to be held at certain times, quarterly or half
yearly; a General Court of Oyer and Terminer, with original and ap-
pellate jurisdiction, to sit twice in every year in each county, and a
Court of Chancery, to be the “ Supreme Court of the Province,” com-
posed of the governor and council, with power in the goveriior to de-
pute a chancellor in his stead, and appoint clerks and other officers.CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
33
The Court of Assizes having “ ceased and determined,” was replaced
by the Court of Oyer and Terminer. This system continued until
1691, when courts of justices of the ■ peace were organized in every
town, and one of Common Pleas for every county
One of the leading features in the early civil divisions established
by the English, was the organization of precincts. Cities and towns
had been established by the Dutch prior to English occupation; a few
English towns existed on Long Island, as already stated, and a few
town charters were subsequently granted, by the governor and coun-
cil, to companies or associated colonists; but precincts were entirely
different in their constitution and government, and of necessity be-
came more numerous. Primarily, they were composed of the scat-
tered settlements of contiguous territory organized by the courts as
court districts, and attached to some adjoining town for assessment
and local government. Their boundaries were crude; their popula-
tion small; their officers such as were known only to the county at
large. Subsequently, as population increased, their boundaries were
more clearly defined, and officers assigned to them. So numerous did
these divisions ultimately become that towns were almost entirely
lost sight of, until after the Revolution, when the distinction, which
then existed only in name, was removed.
In 1701, the Assembly, by act of October 18, provided that the jus-
tices of the peace of the several counties, “.or any five or more of
them, two whereof to be a quorum,” should, once in the year, at a
court of general or special sessions, supervise, examine and allow
the public and necessary charge of their respective county, and of
every town thereof,” including the “allowance made by law to their
representative or representatives.” For the assessment and collec-
tion of the accounts allowed by them, they were “ empowered to
issue their warrant to the several towns for the election of two as-
sessors and one collector in. each town. The act further provided
that the “justices at the respective general sessions,” should, “once
in the year, make provision for maintenance and support of the poor”
of their several towns or precincts.
This law continued in force until June 1703, when it was enacted,
that there should be “ elected and chosen, once every year, in each
town, by the freeholders and inhabitants thereof, one of their free-
holders and inhabitants, to compute, ascertain, examine, oversee, and
allow the contingent, public, and necessary charge of each county,
and that each and every inhabitant, being a freeholder in any manor,
liberty, jurisdiction, precinct, and out-plantation, shall have liberty to
join his or their vote with the next adjacent town in the county,
where such inhabitants shall dwell, for the choice of a supervisor.”34
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
The law also provided that there should be annually chosen “ in each
town, ward, manor, and precinct, by the freeholders and inhabitants
thereof, two assessors and one collector.77 The elections were to be
held “on the first Tuesday in April,77 or on such other days as were
“appointed by their charters and patents.77 The supervisors were
required to meet annually, “ at the county town in each respective
county, on the first Tuesday in October; and at such other time and
times as they should “judge and find necessary and convenient,77 and
then and there “compute the public necessary contingent charges
against their respective counties,77 together with “ such other sum
and sums of money77 as should be “brought and exhibited to or be-
fore them,77 to be levied on their respective “ counties by the laws of
the colony.77 When the computation was “ perfected, and the propor-
tion of each town, manor, liberty, jurisdiction, and precinct, ascer-
tained and appointed,77 it was to be transmitted to the assessors, who
were “ required, equally, duly, and impartially, to assess and make a
rate for their respective proportions,77 being first sworn to make such
assessment equally and impartially. The assessment, when com-
pleted, was to be delivered to the collectors, who were empowered to
collect and pay the same to the county treasurer,77 who was to be
“ annually chosen in each county by the supervisors.77
The changes which, up to this time, had been made in the civil gov-
ernment, it will be observed, consisted in substituting courts of jus-
tices of the peace, for the courts held by overseers under the law of
1665. Constables were continued in each town, and in addition the
towns were authorized to elect supervisors, assessors and collectors.
Officers equivalent .to the present commissioners of highways were
given to the towns in 1691, by an act “ impowering77 the freehold-
ers “to nominate and make choice in each of their respective towns,
annually, three persons to be surveyors and orderers of the work for
laying out and the amendment of the highways and fences within the
bounds and limits of their respective towns.77 This law also gave
power to the freeholders of the towns, when assembled for the elect-
ion of the officers to which they were entitled, “to make, establish,
constitute, and ordain, such prudential orders and rules, for the better
improvement of their lands in tillage, pasturage, or any other reason-
able way,77 as the majority should deem “good and convenient.77
It was under these general laws that the district of country now
forming part of Ulster county, and the whole of Orange and Rock-
land counties, had its organization and development. The act of
.1683, dividing the province into shires and counties, provided: “The
County of Ulster to contain the towns of Kingston, Hurley and Mar-
bletown, and all the villages, neighborhoods and Christian habitationsORIGINAL COUNTY OF ORANGE.
' From Sautliier’s Map, 1779.COUNTY AND PRECINCT ORGANIZATIONS.
35
on the west side of Hudson’s river, from the Murderer’s creeke, near
the Highlands, to Sawyer’s creeke. The County of Orange * to be-
ginne from the limitts or bounds of East and West Jersey, on the
west side of Hudson’s river: along the said river to Murderer’s
creeke, or bounds of the county of Ulster; and westward into the
woods as far as Delaware river.” These boundaries, though crude
and illustrative of the imperfect knowledge of the country which then
prevailed, were destined to be substantially maintained for over one
hundred years.
The organization of towns and precincts in the county of Orange
began with that of the town of Orange in 1686.f Soon after its or-
ganization the inhabitants of the adjoining patents, including Haver-
straw, were attached to it, for court jurisdiction and assessment.
By act of the assembly, June 24, 1719,—in response to a petition of
the inhabitants of Haverstraw, reciting the inconveniences of asso-
ciation with Orangetown,—the northern settlements were included in
a precinct under the title of the Precinct of Haverstraw, thereby cre-
ating two precincts, viz: Orangetown with Tappan as its center, and
Haverstraw with the “ Christian patented lands of Haverstraw” as its
center. The boundaries of the latter were “from the northermost
bounds of Tappan to the northermost bounds of Haverstraw.” Its
inhabitants were authorized to elect, on the first Tuesday in April
annually, the officers common to a town, viz: “One supervisor, one
collector, two assessors, one constable, and two overseers of high-
ways,” who should be “invested with all the powers, and be obliged
to perform such services and duties ” as pertained to similar officers.
The settlements of Goshen, Warwick, Gray Court, etc., on the Wa-
wayanda patent, were given organization as the Precinct of Goshen
sometime about 1714, the township of Goshen becoming the political
center. J Under the general law of 1703, it was entitled to two
assessors, a collector, overseers of highways, and a constable. It
remained without change until 1743, when it was empowered to elect,
in addition to its other officers, two constables, one of whom should
be “from and out of such of the inhabitants” as had their residence
in the south part of the precinct, “commonly called Wawayanda,”
and the other from “the inhabitants to the northward, near the meet-
ing house commonly called the water-side meeting house.” The terri-
tory embraced in the precinct included the entire county, with the
* “ So called in compliment to the Dutch son-in-law of James Second.”—Brodhead.
Known as the Prince or Orange—subsequently William Third of England.
f Ante p. 28.
t Goshen was founded as a township, precisely as was Orangetown, and was similarly
included in the subsequent precinct organization with other settlements. . It should be
observed, however, that in these and similar cases of prior township organizations the
adjoining settlements were the precincts of the town to which they were .attached,
0336
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
exception of the Haverstraw and Orangetown districts, and extend-
ed from the Delaware to Hudson’s river.* * * § By act of assembly, Octo-
ber 20, 1764, it was divided by “ a straight line to be run, beginning
at the borders or verge of the county of Ulster, near the new dwell-
ing house of John Manno, thence on a course which will leave the
house of Barnabas Horton, Jr., ten chains to the westward, to the
most extreme parts of said precinct;f all the lands lying to the west
of said line to be Goshen Precinct, and all eastward to be called New
Cornwall Precinct. These two precincts, with the precincts of Hav-
erstraw and Orangetown, constituted the political divisions of the
county until after, the revolution. Subsequently and prior to 1797-98,
the following changes were made: The title of precinct was changed
to that of town in the cases of Orangetown, Haverstraw, Goshen, and
New Cornwall, in 1788, J at which time the towns of Warwick and
Minnisink were erected from Goshen; from Haverstraw the towns of
Clarjistown and Rarnapo were erected in 1791; New Cornwall chang-
ed its title to Cornwall in 1797. These changes gave to the county,
in 1798, the towns of Orangetown, Haverstraw, Clarkstown, Rarnapo,
Goshen, Warwick, Minnisink, and Cornwall.
From this survey of the county of Orange we pass to notice the
civil divisions of Ulster county so far as they were embraced in the
district which we are considering. Immediately north of Murderer’s
creek there was no civil organization until the advent of the Palatines
in 1709,§ when the Precinct of the Highlands was erected and attached
to NewPaltz At the same time or soon after, and evidently by order
of the court, the Precinct of Maghaghk&mek || and the Precinct of Sha-
* That portion of the precinct lying west of the Minnisink mountains was subjected to
several political changes: By act of October 18,1701, “ for the more regular proceedings
in Election of Representatives,’” the inhabitants of “ Wagachemeck and Great and Little
Minnisink” were “ impowered to give their votes in the county of Ulster.” By act of
November 12,1709, “ to determine, settle, and ascertain the bounds and limits of the
county of Orange,” the act of October 15, 1701, was repealed so far as it related to the
settlements named, which were in effect declared to be a part of Orange county. By
subsequent survey Maghaghkemek (Cuddebackville) was found to be north of the line
of Orange, and hence passed to the jurisdiction of Ulster, appearing on .the tax-roll as
the ‘ ‘ Neighborhood of Maghaghkemek.” It remained in this political relation until 1798,
when the town of Deerpark was erected as one of the consequences of the reorganization
of Orange county, of which it became part. The other settlements were included (after
1709) in the precinct of Goshen; subsequently in the town of Minnisink (1788), from
which they were taken (1798) and included in the boundaries of Deerpark.
f This line is said to have been parallel with the west line of the present town of Monroe,
t The erection of towns at this date, wherever situated in the state, was under a gen-
eral law passed March 7th, 1788, entitled, “ An act for dividing the counties of this state
into towns.”
§ So much of the district as was embraced in the Evans patent, was, by the terms of
that instrument, erected into the “ Manor and Lordship of Eletcherdon,” with the usual
authority conferred in manorial grants, but, in the absence of other population than that.
included in the MacGregorie settlement, it is not probable that even the civil jurisdiction
of a manorial court was established during the few years the grant was continued.
|| The correctness of this statement having been questioned, we quote from the act of.
December 17th, 1748: “And whereas Shawangunk, Highlands and Maghaghkemek have
formerly been deemed and esteemed three precincts, and have been assessed by their own
assessors,” &c. It was subsequently included in the Precinct of Mamakating.COUNTY AND PRECINCT ORANIZATIONS.	37
wangunk were constituted, the latter attached to New Paltz. Under
this limited organization the territory which these precincts covered
remained until 1743, when, by act of December 17th, three full pre-
cincts, having all the officers .of towns and exercising all their duties,
were established. These precincts were to be known and called “ by
the name of the Waif Mil Precinct, Shawangunk Precinct, and High-
land Precinct.” The first, the Precinct of Wallkillj was bounded on
the north “ by the north bounds of ten thousand acres of land grant-
ed to Jeremiah Schuyler and others, by the south bounds of four
thousand acres of land granted to Gerardus Beekman and others, by
the north bounds of three thousand acres of land granted to Henry
Wileman and others, by the east bounds of three thousand acres of
land granted to John Johnson, and by the east bounds of two thou-
sand acres of land granted -to Cadwallader Oolden;” on the south
■“'by the north bounds of two thousand acres of land granted to
Patrick Hume, by the north and west bounds of the land granted
to Cornelius Low and others, and by the north-west and south-west
bounds of two thousand acres of land granted to Phineas McIntosh,
and by the line dividing the counties of Orange and Ulster to Sha-
wangunk mountains.” In more general terms the district was de-
fined as “ bounded westerly by the Shawangunk mountains as they
run from the county of Orange to a creek or river called the Platte-
kill, then along the Plattekill to Shawangunk river, then all aldng
Shawangunk river to the north bounds of the ten thousand acres
granted to Jeremiah Schuyler aforesaid.” The freeholders were re-
quired to “ meet at the house of Matties Millspaugb, on the first Tues-
day of April yearly,” or at such other place as should be selected by
the inhabitants after the first meeting, and elect one supervisor, two
assessors, a collector, a constable and an overseer of the poor. One
of the assessors was to be located on the west side of the Wallkill,
“and because the said Wallkill river, which crosses the said precinct,
is sometimes dangerous to pass,” one collector and one constable were
added to the officers of the precinct “for that part thereof which
lieth to the westward of said river.”
The second, the Precinct of Shawangunk, was bounded on the west
“by the foot of Shawangunk mountains; on the south and west by
the precinct of Wallkill; on the east by the line or bounds of three
thousand five hundred acres granted to Rip Van Dam and others, by
the east bounds of two thousand acres of land granted to Barbarie,
and by the east bounds or line of two thousand acres of land_ granted
to Huddleston; and on the north by the north bounds or line of the
said two thousand acres granted to Huddleston, by the north bounds
of two thousand acres granted to Peter Matthews and others;” on38
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
the south, by a line “ crossing the said Wallkill river to the mouth of
Shawangunk river, and running thence south-westerly all along the
north-west side of said Shawangunk river to the south-west corner of
the land granted, to Colonel Jacob Rutzen;” and on the west by the
“ westerly bounds or line of said land granted to Rutzen to a salt
pond, called ‘the great salt pond/ and from * thence upon a west
line to the foot of Shawangunk mountains aforesaid.” The first pre-
cinct meeting was to be held at the house of Benjamin Smedes, Jr.,
at which a supervisor, two assessors, and the usual precinct officers
were to be chosen, and the place of subsequent meetings designated.
The Precinct of the Highlands embraced the patents lying along
the Hudson from Murderer’s creek to New Paltz, and was more par-
ticularly described as “ bounded on the east by Hudson’s river; on
the south by the line dividing the counties of Ulster and Orange; on
the west by the precincts of Wallkill and Shawangunk and the
neighborhoods annexed to the New Paltz,* and on the north by the
bounds or line of New Paltz town.” The precinct meetings were to
be held “ at the house of John Humphrey, Jr., on the first Tuesday of
April, annually,” for the election of precinct officers.
The same act gave primary constitution to the Precinct of Mama-
bating, in which was included “ all the land to the southward of the
town of Rochester as far as the county of Ulster extends, and to the
westward of the precincts of Wallkill and Shawangunk as far as the
county extends.” The first precinct meeting was to be held at the
dwelling house of Samuel Swartwout, at which one constable, two
assessors, two overseers of the poor and two surveyors of highways
were to be elected. In the election of supervisor the freeholders
were associated with the town of Rochester. Under the law of
1198, the northern part of the territory included in the then town of
Deerpark was taken from this precinct.
The precinct of the Highlands continued in existence until 1762,
when it was divided into the precincts of Newburgh and New Wind-
sor, “by a line beginning at the mouth of Quassaick creek, and run-
ning thence along the south bounds of a tract of land commonly
called the German patent, to another tract granted to Alexander
Baird, and then along the southerly bounds of the said last mention-
ed tract to the Wallkill precinct; all the lands heretofore compre-
hended within the said Highland precinct lying to the southward of
* The “neighborhoods annexed to New Paltz,” were “Guilford, and several other
patents, from the south bounds of New Paltz to the north bounds of Shawangunk pre-
cinct, and from the foot of the high mountains eastward to the east line of the patent
granted to Thomas Garland, and by the south and east by the land granted to Hugh
Freer and others, and to the eastward by an east lino from the said Hugh Freer’s
bounds to the bounds or line of New Paltz.” The freeholders were to vote with the
freeholders of New Paltz and in all respects to be considered a part of that town.COUNTY AND PRECINCT ORGANIZATIONS.
39
the aforesaid dividing line to be called by the name of New Windsor
Precinct, and all the lands heretofore comprehended within the said
Highland precinct lying to the northward of the said line to be called
by the name of Newburgh Precinct.” The latter was divided, in 1772,
by a line running along the north bounds of the Harrison, Bradley,
Wallace, Kip and Cruger, and Jamison patents, to the precinct of
Shawangunk, “ all the land lying to the northward of said line, to
be called and known by the name of New Marlborough Precinct, and
all the land south of said line to continue to be called Newburgh
Precinct.”
The same law divided the precinct of Wallkill by a line beginning
at the south-west corner of the McIntosh patent and the south-east
corner of McKnight’s, “ thence along the south-west bounds of Thom-
as Noxon, the south-west bounds of Harrison and Company, the south-
west bounds of Philip Schuyler, to the Pakadasink river or Shawan-
gunk kill;” all north-east of this line “to be called the Precinct of
Hanover and all the land south-west of said line, heretofore compre-
hended in the precinct of Wallkill, to continue to be called the Pre-
cinct of Wallkill.”
The precincts named carried with them their designative titles in
their organization as towns under the act of 1188, with the exception
of Hanover, whose inhabitants, for the purpose of attesting their de-
testation of the English government as well as their appreciation of
the heroic services of General Richard Montgomery, obtained consent,
from the provincial convention of the state, in 1782, to change the
precinct name to Montgomery. By the act of 1788, they were seve^
rally erected as the towns of Newburgh, New Windsor, New Marlbo-
rough, Shawangunk, Montgomery, and Wallkill. The changes which
had been made from time to time in their organization were the out-
growth of increasing population and the necessary convenience of
local administration. But their sub-division, especially after the war
of the revolution, did not entirely meet the emergencies which the
rapid increase of population demanded. The people of Newburgh
and the neighboring southern towns of Ulster county, were requir-
ed to transact their county business at Kingston, while those of
Cornwall and the north-eastern part of Orange were compelled to at-
tend courts and enter their records at Orangetown. In either case
the county seat was thirty miles or more distant, and in precisely op-
posite directions, while the facilities for communication, for a large
portion of the time, were most exceptionable. The inhabitants of
the western part of Orange.were better accommodated, Goshen having
been made, at an early period, a half-shire district; still their records
were kept at Orangetown, and a considerable portion of their court40
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
business was necessarily transacted there. To inaugurate the
correction of these inconveniences a convention of delegates from
the several towns interested was held at Ward’s Bridge* on the 6th
of April, 1793, but without other result than the agitation of the
question, and the half-expressed willingness of the delegates from
Goshen to a union of the northern towns of Orange and the southern
towns of Ulster in a new county organization, with courts alternately
at Newburgh and Goshen. A second convention was held at the
house of John Decker, at Otterkill, in February, 1794, with no better
result, the delegates from Newburgh being instructed to decline
“any union at all” unless it should be agreed that a court house be
erected and courts held at Newburgh and Goshen alternately,f a
proposition which the Goshen delegates were not fully disposed to
concede.
"Here the matter rested until 1797, when a third convention assem-
bled, similarly composed, at Kerr’s hotel in Little Britain. At this
convention, General Wilkin and General Hopkins, from Orange, and
Daniel Niven and Isaac Belknap, Sr., from Ulster, appointed a com-
mittee to report terms upon which a union should be formed, agreed
to a stipulation that the courts should be held at Newburgh and
Goshen alternately, and the convention ratified it. The subject
came before the legislature in the winter of 1797-98. Two bills
were presented—one entitled “An Act for Dividing the County of
Orange,” the other, “ An Act for Altering the bounds of the Coun-
ties of Orange and Ulster.” The first was passed on the 23d of
February, and enacted: “That all that tract of land in the county of
Orange, lying north-west of a line beginning at the mouth of Poplo-
pen’s kill, on Hudson’s river, and running from thence to the south-
eastermost corner of the farm of Stephen Sloat, and then along the
south bounds of his farm to the south-west corner thereof, and then
on the same course to the bounds of the state of New Jersey,| shall
be and hereby is erected into a separate county, and shall be called
and known by the name of Orange;” and, “That all that part of the
said county of Orange lying southward of the above described line
shall be erected into a separate county, and shall be called and known
by the name of Rockland.” The act also made provision for holding
courts, fixed the number of members of assembly, etc. The. second
act was passed on the 5th of April following. It enacted, “ That the
* Now the village of Montgomery.
t Newburgh Town Records, Feb. 1, 1794.
t Act of April 3d, 1801, gives this line as from the middle of Hudson’s river “west to
the mouth of Poplopen’s kill, and from thence on a direct course to the east end of the
mill dam now or late of Michael Weiman across the Ramapough river, and from thence a
direct course to the twenty-mile stone standing in the said division line between this
state and the state of New* Jersey.”COUNTY AND PRECINCT ORGANIZATIONS.
41
towns of New Windsor, Newburgh, Wallkill, Montgomery and Deer-
park, now in the county of Ulster, shall be and hereby are annexed
to the county of Orange/7 and made provision for holding courts al-
ternately at Newburgh and Goshen, the latter being the county seat
With these enactments the records of the original county were
closed, and from the heart of the patents and precincts covering the
district described “ in the beginning/7 was erected the present county,
bearing, under the title of Orange, the colonial and revolutionary
history of the territory which it embraced, the most populous * and
fertile of the lands of the original district, and more than two-thirds
of its wealth,—elements which gave to it immediate prominence in
state and national politics, and which, under subsequent and pro-
gressive developement, have maintained its rank among the first
counties of* the state. The boundary lines of the new county were
definitely fixed by the general law of April 3d, 1801, entitled:
“■An Act to divide this State into Counties/7 as follows: “The
county of Orange to contain all that part of this state bounded
easterly by the middle of Hudson’s river, southerly by the said
county of Eockland and the division line between this state and
the state of New Jersey, westerly by the river Mongaap *j* and
the division line between this state and the commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, and northerly by a line drawn from a point in the
middle, of said Hudson’s river opposite the north-east corner of a
tract of land granted to Francis Harrison and Company, called the
five thousand acre tract, to the said north-east corner, and running
from thence westerly along the north bounds of the said tract and
the north bounds of another tract granted to the said Francis Har-
* The population of the original county of Orange, and that part of Ulster included in
the district, was (1790) as follows:
ULSTER COUNTY:
Mamakating,....................  1,763
Montgomery,....................  3,563
Newburgh,....................... 2,365
New Windsor,.................... 1,819
, New Marlborough,............... 2,241
Shawangunk,..................... 2,128
Wallkill,......................  2,571
Total,.....................   18,492	      16,450
The following were the towns included in the new county, under the same census:
ORANGE COUNTY!
Cornwall,....................... 4,225
Goshen,.......................   2,448
Haverstraw,..................... 4,826
Minnisink,.....................  2,2l5
Orangetown,..................... 1,175
Warwick,........................ 3,603
TOWNS FROM ORANGE:
Cornwall,.....'................ 4,225
Goshen.......................... 2,448
Minnisink,___................... 2,215
Warwick,......................   3,603
TOWNS FROM ULSTER:
Montgomery,..................... 3,563
Newburgh,....................... 2,365
New Windsor,.................... 1,819
Wallkill,......................  2,571
Total,....................... 12,491	............................... 10,318
The census of 1800, immediately following the erection of the new county, gave its pop-
ulation as 29,368, and that of the towns not included as 14,807—showing the population
of the district at that time to be 44,175.
f Originally known as the Mingmng. Mongaap is presumed to be Dutch. It is en-
tered on Sauthier’s map, “ Manga wping.” While the old county line ran to the Delaware
river, the new line stopped at the Mongaap; it was also further north than the old line,42
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
rison to the tract of land commonly called Wallace’s tract, then along
the lines of the same northerly and westerly to the north-easterly
bounds of a tract of land granted to Jacobus Kip, John Cruger and
others, commonly called Kip and Cruger’s tract, then westerly along
the north-easterly and northerly bounds thereof, and then westerly to
the north-east corner of a tract of three thousand acres granted to
Rip Yan Dam and others, thence southerly along the same to the
north-east corner of a tract of three thousand acres granted to Henry
Wileman, and running thence along the north bounds thereof to the
Paltz river, commonly called the Wallkill, then southerly up the said
river to the south-east corner of a tract of four thousand acres of
land granted to Gerardus Beekman and others, then westerly and
northerly along the southerly and westerly bounds thereof to the
north-east corner thereof, and then north-westerly along the north
bounds of the land granted to Jeremiah Schuyler and Company to
the Shawangunk kill, thence southerly along said kill to the north
part of the farm now or late in the occupation of Joseph Wood, Jr.,
thence west to the river Mongaap.” By act of the 7th of April of
the same year definite boundary lines were given to the towns com-
posing the newly constructed county, namely: Blooming-Grove,
Chesekook, Cornwall, Deerpark, Goshen, Minnisink, Montgomery,
New Windsor, Newburgh, Wallkill, and Warwick.*
Incident to the history of the original county, it is proper to re-
mark, in this connection, that although organized in 1683, it was
only a county in name—a district in the wilderness with boundaries
upon paper. It was not until nearly twenty years later that it
became a county de facto. True, it was assigned a sheriff and a
clerk, and had a jail, but it was attached to New York in other re-
spects in the character of a borough. Governor Leisler, in his ill-
starred rebellion, attempted to use it (1691) by appointing, as one of
his council, William Lawrence of New York, as representing Orange,
and when it was given representation in the assembly (1699), it was
not as a right due to population, but to serve another purpose. Prac-
tically, the organization of the county began in 1703, when the first
session of the court, and the first meeting of justices acting as a
board of supervisors, was held, f Such local administration as it had,
* From the territory embraced in the towns named, the following additional towns
were erected: Chester, 1845, from Goshen, Warwick, Blooming-Grove, and Monroe;
Crawford, 1823, from Montgomery; Greenville, 1858, from Minnisink; Hamptonburgli,
1830, from Goshen, Blooming-Grove, Montgomery, New Windsor, and Wallkill; Mount
Hope, 1833, from Wallkill, Minnisink and Deerpark; Wawayanda, 1849, from Minnisink;
Highlands, from Cornwall, 1872; the city of Newburgh, 1866, from Newburgh. The
county now embraces eighteen towns, one city, and six incorporated villages.
f The record book contains this entry: “Register kept for Orange county, begun ye 5th
day of April, Anno Domini 1703.” The earlier records were probably kept in New York to
which the county was attached.GO UR TS AND CO UR T HO USES.
43
aside from the officers of its precincts, may be briefly stated. Minnie
Johannes was its first sheriff, 1685; Floris Willeinse Crom, in 1690;
Stanley Handcock, in 1694; John Patersen, in 1699, and Theunis
Toleman in 1701. The latter was not held in very high esteem by
Governor Oornbury, who apparently regarded the ability of a man
to write his own name as a qualification. Dirck Storm was the
county clerk, or clerk of the court, in 1691, and William Huddleston
in 1703. Judges of common pleas came in in 1701, William Merritt
being the first judge. The first session of the court was held at
Orangetown, April 28, 1703,—present: William Merritt and John
Merritt, judges. The first recorded session of justices of the peace,
acting as a board of supervisors, was held April 27, 1703,—present:
William Merritt, John Merritt, Cornelius Cuyper, Tunis Van Houton,
Thomas Burroughs, Michael Hawdon, justices; John Perry, sheriff;
William Huddleston, clerk, and Conradt Hauson, constable. Prom
this time the record is continuous.
Many franchises were dependent upon population. Of this char-
acter were surrogate’s courts. The first law of the province relating
to estates gave to courts of common pleas power to take proof of wills
and grant letters of administration in remote counties. Other coun-
ties, including Orange and Ulster, were required to transact such
business in New York. This was changed by act of November, 24,
1750, which relates that whereas, at the time of the enactment of the
law providing that in remote counties courts of common pleas should
be authorized to take the examination of witnesses to any will, on
oath, and to grant letters of administration, the “ county of Orange
was not considered and esteemed one of the remote counties,” but
that since the passage of the said act, “the north-west parts of the
said county, being nearly one hundred miles distance from the city
of New York,” had “increased greatly in number of inhabitants, as
well by families removed to. those parts, as otherwise,” who were
laboring under “the like inconveniences as those of said remote
counties,” that therefore the judges and justices of the said court of
common pleas, and the clerk of the said county, be vested with au-
thority to take such examinations and issue such letters of adminis-
tration. This arrangement was continued until 1754, when William
Finn was appointed surrogate and a surrogate’s court established.
The courts held their sessions at Orangetown exclusively until
1727, when Goshen was given alternate terms. The first county
buildings were erected at Orangetown, sometime about 1703. At
the first court of sessions held by justices of the peace, April 5th,
1703, an examination of the “common gaol of the county” was or-
dered and directions given to complete the same. By act of the as-44
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY\
sembly, December 16th, 1737, “the justices of the peace of that part
of Orange county lying to the northward of the Highlands,” were
“authorized to build a court house and gaol for the said county at
Goshen.” This building was completed under act of November 3d,
1740, by which one hundred pounds were authorized to be raised for
the purpose on the portion of the county already najned. It wap a
Structure of wood and stone; was repaired in 1754, and was torn
down in 1775 or 1776, a new stone court house having been erected.
The latter was on the site now occupied by the office of the county
clerk in Goshen. Its erection was provided for under an act of the
assembly, March 12th, 1773, by which one thousand pounds were
raised for the purpose on the precincts of Goshen and Cornwall.
Four hundred pounds additional were raised in 1774 to finish it, and
prisoners were removed to it under act of April 1st, 1775. It was
originally two stories high. A third story, it is said, was added to it
in 1801-2, the first story being occupied by debtors’ cells, .the second
by the court room, and the third by cells for criminals. It was re-
moved in 1842, when the present court house was erected. Mean-
while the old court house at Orangetown was replaced by a new
structure in 1704, the expense being borne by the “ southern part of
the county.” It was subsequently destroyed by fire.
Aside from their town and precinct officers and representatives in
the assembly, the people had no voice in the selection of their rulers.
The sheriffs held the elections for representatives and the choice
was determined by the viva voce * vote of the freeholders, who were
required to be twenty-one years of age, and to . be possessed of
“ land or tenements improved to the value of forty pounds free from
all incumbrances.” Freeholders having property in more than one
county, could vote in as many counties as they had property liable to
taxation, and for their accommodation the elections were so ordered
that opportunity was given them to cast the full number of votes to
which they were entitled. It could scarcely be called a representa-
tive system, so far as representative systems are understood to ex-
press the popular will; it was more properly a property representa-
tion under which power was given to a few persons. The districts
were large; the population was scattered; the elections were held at
the “county towns;” the polls were kept open several days to enable
all to vote wholnight wish to do so. Where the conveniences existed
for transit from point to point, as they did along the Hudson, a free-
holder residing in New York was enabled to vote in half a dozen
counties if holding property therein, while those occupying more in-
* Until after the adoption of the Constitution of 1777. Voting by ballot was regarded
by the framers of that instrument as an experiment,COLONIAL POLITICS.
45
land locations were in most cases necessarily deprived of a voice in
elections.
Until 1699, the freeholders of the county were associated with
those of New York in the selection of representatives, but were not
obliged to visit New York in order to give their votes. The sheriff
of the county held the election at Orangetown, and made return to
the sheriff of New York, who declared the result. In 1699 the county
was given representation in the assembly. At this and subsequent
elections until 1749, the poll was held exclusively at Orangetown,
and those who wished to vote were compelled to visit that place.
This was in part remedied by the law of 1748, by which it was
provided that, “for the time to come, all elections for representa-
tives” should be opened, “either at the court house or some conveni-
ent place in Orangetown; or at the court house or some convenient
place in Goshen,” and after being held for a certain time at the place
where first opened, should be adjourned “to the other court house or
place of election, so that all the freeholders may, if they please, be
polled at such elections.” *
That the system was corrupt, especially in the earlier years of its
administration, is a fact revealed on every page of the history of
that period. Frauds upon the revenue pervaded all departments of
the public service; piratical expeditions, including that of the notori-
ous Captain Kidd, were fitted out by men high in public affairs; land
grants were obtained for considerations paid to the governor; there
was nothing, apparently, that had money in it that was not prosper-
ed by official connivance. In one instance only is it written that the
governor's council “was ashamed to consent” to one of his grants,
and that not because of its magnitude, but that it proposed to give
his footman a lease for “a little island called Nutten Island,” which
had hitherto been “convenient for grazing a few coach horses and
cows for the governor's family.” f Sectarianism was the cloak for all
kinds of peculation; to write against another at one time that he
was a protestant, or at another that he was “ a popish tailor,” or simi-
lar epithet, was the stepping stone to official promotion. Indeed it
would seem that more modern political partisans have not learned
much that is new, or that many who have since held official station
have special claim to originality in methods of abusing public trusts.
It was when this era of corruption was at his height that the peo-
ple of Orange county appear distinctly in the politics of the prov-
ince. Governor Bellomont, who succeeded Governor Fletcher in
* The old story of carrying the ballot-box around the country originated in this. Un-
fortunately for the story there was no ballot-box, the vote of the freeholders being simply
registered.	t Col. Hist,, iv., 384, 393.46
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
1698, was clothed with power to correct the abuses which had grown
up, for which purpose he was given “ a negative voice in the making
and passing of all laws, statutes, and ordinances, and could “ ad-
journ, prorogue and dissolve the assembly” whenever he deemed it
necessary.* Issuing a warrant for the election of a new assembly,
he cautioned the sheriffs, by whom it was to be held, against “ undue
elections and returns;” but the latter were themselves creatures of
the corrupt combination which had been formed, or, as the record
states, “were for the most part men of mean rank” who “had been
continued in their places from year to year by Governor Fletcher,”
and who, “instead of complying” with their instructions, “carried
themselves most unfairly, in so much that one of them made return
for a county (viz: Orange county) in which he suffered not any one
freeholder to vote.” f Other districts shared in the “corruption of
the franchise” to such an extent that when the assembly convened,
eleven of the nineteen members of which it was composed, it is said,
“sat by controverted elections,” and, having the majority, “estab-
lished themselves and brought all things into the greatest confusion.”
Finding that nothing could be done with such a body of men, Bello-
mont dissolved the assembly, and ordered a new election, taking care
that Governor Fletcher’s sheriffs were retired from the management.
The result was satisfactory to him; but not to those who were de-
feated, who complained to the king, that “the election was appointed
to be upon the same day in all places except the two most remote
connties, whereby the best freeholders, who had estates in several
counties, were deprived of giving their votes at several elections;”
that “ the sheriffs performed the business they were appointed for by
admitting some for freeholders who were not so, and rejecting others
who were really so, as they voted for or against their party, and by
nominating and appointing inspectors of the poll who, upon any
complaint of unfair dealing gave this general answer: ‘If you are
aggrieved, complain to my lord Bellomont,’ and the same practice in
all places gives just reason to believe the orders for it came from his
excellency.”
“To secure a majority of such men as he desired,” continues this
remonstrance, “ his lordship, without any instruction from England,
added two to the former number, viz: one more to be chosen for the
city and county of Albany, and one for the county of Orange, which
last is by act of assembly made a part of the county of New York,
and has not twenty inhabitants freeholders in it, and never before
* Col. Hist., i., 266.
f Stanley Handoock appears as sheriff of Orange county at this time. He was also
sheriff of New York,
9COLONIAL POLITICS.
47
had a distinct representation in assembly. By this means one Abra-
ham Gouverneur, a Dutchman,—so indigent as never to be assessed in
the public taxes, and who, as is reasonably to be supposed, had a deed
of some land made to him of purpose to qualify him for it, because
he never had any land before,—was chosen an assemblyman, and is
since made speaker of the house of representatives. This fellow
was formerly convicted of murther and pardoned, * and soon after
the revolution publicly declared that Jacob Leisler had carried the
government of New York by the sword, and had the same right to it
as King William had to the crown, having conquered the kingdom of
England. At the meeting of the assembly it appeared, of the twen-
ty-one representatives there were but seven Englishmen, the remain-
der being all Dutch and of the meanest sort, half of whom do not
understand English, which can conduce little to the honor of the En-
glish interest there.” f
Notwithstanding this bitter complaint, the assembly instituted
some important reforms. Grants of large tracts of land were set
aside, the elections for representatives were regulated, arid provision
made for the severe punishment of frauds upon the revenue. Had
Bellomont lived, perhaps more general reforms would have been se-
cured; but his death, in 1701, was followed, after a short administra-
tion under the council, by the appointment of Lord Cornbury, who
not only restored the unscrupulous officials that had been removed
by Bellomont, but earned for himself the “ unenviable distinction of
being the worst of all the governors under the English crown.77
“Rapacious without a parallel, he hesitated not/7 says one of his bi-
ographers, “to apply the public money to his own private purposes;
and though notoriously vicious, yet he was so intolerant that he
sought to establish the Episcopacy at all hazards, imprisoning and
prohibiting ministers of other denominations from exercising their
functions, without his special license. He was, moreover, as desti-
tute of gratitude, as of courtesy, injuring those most from whom he
had received the greatest benefits. His manners were as ignoble and
undignified as his conduct was base, and when this hopeful scion of
royalty wandered about the streets clothed as a woman (which was
a common practice with him) the people felt that he had taken,Cali-
gula for a model.77
But a better state of affairs was born of the excesses which Corn-
bury committed. While at Chear Hall, his country seat in Haver-
* Gouverneur was attached to the administration of Governor Leisler, and was tried
and condemned, with others, for his participation in the resistance to Governor Slough-
ter, during which several of the king’s troops were killed, including Captain MacGrego-
rie. He was subsequently pardoned by the king. It is to these facts the text refers.
t Col. Hist., iv., 621.48	GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
straw, he surrounded himself with such men as Daniel Honan, the
freeholders looked upon his extravagance with alarm, and, through
the assembly, refused the grants of money which he asked. The
rights of the people with regard to taxation, to courts of law, to
officers of the crown, were speedily asserted and increased in
strength with the political education of the people. When Cornbury
was succeeded by Lovelace (1709), the assembly began the contest
that was never to cease but with independence. The crown demand-
ed a permanent revenue, without appropriation; the assembly would
only grant an annual revenue and appropriate it specifically. The
power lodged in the governor to dissolve the assembly, was invoked
in vain; the people were mainly of* one mind that they bad an “ in-
herent right” to legislation, springing “not from any commission or
grant from the crown, but from the free choice and election of the
people, who ought not, nor justly can, be divested of their property
without their consent.” In all the long struggle which followed and
which culminated in the war for independence, the representatives
of original Orange were found in the interest of freedom, and gave
to the final issue its most consistent advocates, its most devoted
adherents.LOCA TION—PHYSIOLOGY.
49
CHAPTER IV.
LOCATION —PHYSIOLOGY—GEOGRAPHICAL NOMENCLATURE--CLIMATE--
GEOLOGY.
HE county of Orange, erected February 23d, 1798, is located
between 41° 8' S and 41° 38' N latitude—10' E and 43' W
longitude from the city of New York. It is bounded on the south
by Rockland county and the state of New Jersey, on the west by the
county of Sullivan and the state of Pennsylvania, on the north by
the county of Ulster, and on the east by Hudson’s river. It is cen-
trally distant 90 miles from Albany, and contains 838 squarje miles.
The surface of the county is mountainous upon the south-east and
north-west borders, and a rolling upland through the center. The
Kittatenny or South mountains extend in several * parallel ranges
from the New Jersey line north-east to the Hudson, ending in the
rocky and precipitous bluffs known as the Highlands. The Shawan-
gunk mountains extend from the Delaware river north-east through
the north-west corner of the county. Among the principal ridges are
the Warwick, Bellvale, and Rough and Sterling ranges, near the south
border of the county, and the Schunemunk range. The extreme north-
west corner of the county is occupied by the series of highlands ex-
tending from the Delaware river into Sullivan county. The central
portion of the county, lying between the mountain systems, is a roll-
ing upland, broken in many places by abrupt and isolated hills and
the deep valleys of streams. More than one-half of the entire sur-
face of the county is susceptible of cultivation, and forms a fine agri-
cultural district. > Along the south-west border, extending through
several towns and into New Jersey, is a low, flat region, lying upon
the streams, and known as the Drowned Lands/ This tract, consist-
ing of about 17,000 acres, was originally covered with water and a
dense growth of cedars; but a large portion of it has been drained
and reclaimed, and now forms one of the finest agricultural portions
of the county. On the extreme north-west and forming in part the
boundary lineof ±he county, the river Mongaap flows south and unites
with the yhxemmmk. Neversink river flows south along the west
foot of the Shawangunk mountains, and forms a tributary of the Dela-
ware, the latter stream being for a short distance at this point the50
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
boundary line of the state. The Pakadasink or Shawangunk river
flows north along the east foot of the Shawangunk mountains and
forms a tributary of the Wallkill. The Wallkill or Paltz river flows
north through near the center of the county and forms a tributary of
the Hudson at Rondout in Ulster county. Murderer’s creek, and its
principal tributary the Otterkill, flow east through near the center of
the county and discharge their waters into the Hudson. Wawayanda
creek flows south into New Jersey, and re-entering the county as Po-
cliuck creek, unites with the Wallkill. Ramapo river rises in the
south part of the county and flows south into Rockland. A number
of small local streams furnish hydraulic power in other parts of the
county. The principal lakes are Greenwood, Thompson’s, Mombasha
and Orange, which with a series of smaller bodies of water, add pic-
tuesqueness to the topography of the county. There are also swamp
districts, in addition to the Drowned Lands, of which the Chester
meadows have been largely reclaimed and are very productive.
MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS.
i
The Highlands are the most prominent of the mountain ranges.
Approached from the north, to the right of the range stands the an-
ciently so-called Butter hill, a title with which Irving embalmed it in
his Knickerbocker History. It is now quite generally known as
Storm-king, a title bequeathed to it by the poetic fancy of Willis, from
the fact that for years it has served as a weather signal to the inhabi-
tants of the immediate district. At one time a cap of fog upon its
crown indicates the coming of rain; at another, clouds are seen rising
over the Shawangunk range, following its course
north and south, separating into two parts, the
one passing over the Warwick mountains to the
Highlands, the other over the hills of Ulster to
Marlborough, and both joining as it were over
Butter hill, pouring out torrents of rain, not
unfrequently accompanied by reverberating
peals of thunder such as one rarely hears
except in similarly broken mountain ran-
ges. The ancient Dutch navigators, no-
ticing the latter peculiarity, preserved a
record of the apparently culminating
point of these peals in the Dunderberg
situated further south.. Butter hill
has an altitude of 1524 feet. Its
ascent from the river front is pre-
cipitous; on the north, however, it is
crossed by wagon roads.MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS.
51
Cro’-nest, adjoining Butter hill on the south, is the second peak of
the range, rising above, the Hudson 1418 feet. Its modern name pre-
serves in substance its Algonquin title, which, in ancient records, is
written Navesing, signifying “ a resort for birds.” The name is re-
tained in the Sandy Hook highlands and in the Neversink river in Sul-
livan and Orange, the latter as well as the Hudson having on its
border a Crosiest—its original Navesing. Bear mountain is the
third principal elevation, rising 1350 feet above the river. Mount In-
dependence forms the back-ground of the plateau at West Point, and
is crowned with the crumbling walls of Fort Putnam. Just below,
in a gorge in
the rocks divi-
ding the sites
of forts Clin-
ton and Mont-
gomery, flows
Poplopen's kill
at the mouth
of which the
county line
leaves the
Hudson and
from thence
VIEW FEOM FORT MONTGOMERY.	pUSSCS amidst
the hills south-westerly. In successive proximity are the elevations
known as Black-rock and Deer hill, Ant hill, Lawyer's hill, Mount
Rascal, and Peat, Pine, Cold and Round hills. Following the range
we meet Black-top, Black-cup and Long hills, the ancient Dutch Dun-
derberg, Torn mountain and Cape hill, Tom Jones' mountain and
Hemlock hill. To this may be added as objects of interest by the
way: ICidd's Pocket-book, the Lover's Rocking-stone, the Giant's
Haunt, the Giant's Slipper, Picnic Rock, Poised Rock, and Erlin's
Bluff—a singular mingling of poetic and
commonplace titles, and suggestive of
paucity in proper orthologic terms.—
The Dunderberg and Torn mountain are
east of the county line, and, though for-
mer •resident's, of Orange, now grace the
borders of Rockland. In this enumera-
tion they serve the purpose of territorial
monuments. The Torn forms the right shoulder of the Ramapo valley;
its name and its appearance alike suggest the violence with which
it was upheaved or torn from its fellows, although in local accepta-
0452
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
tion “steeple” is understood to explain its title and its resemblance.
No mountain range is so well known in Europe, nor is there one
with which the history of our own nation is so intimately associated.
The visitor at Westminster Abbey reads there the name of Andre;
the story of Arnold is sown broadcast through American schools—
both point to one center: the Highlands of the Hudson; the one awa-
kening regret at the fate of the young and gifted; the other, nerving
the hearts of thousands to love of country. Aside from its history,
the range has an economic character. It tempers the winds of the
sea-board, and bears upon its sheltering breast the fiercest blasts of
many storms. Of Storm-king and Cro’-nest it has been well said, by
a recent writer: .“They have a charm that might induce a man to
live in their shadow for no other purpose than to have them always
before him, day and night, to study their ever-changing beauty. For
they are never twice alike; the clouds make varying pictures all day
long on their wooded sides, and nowhere have we seen more wonder-
ful effects of shadow and sunshine. Under the frown of a low thun-
der-cloud they take on a grim majesty that makes their black masses
strangely threatening and weird; one forgets to measure their height,
and their massive, strongly-marked features, by any common stand-
ard of every-day measurement, and they seem to overshadow all the
scene around them, like the very rulers and controllers of the coming
storm. And when the sunlight comes back again, they seem.to have
brought it, and to look down with a bright benignity, like giant pro-
tectors of the valley below.”
The Shawangunk range is less broken than the Highlands. It
continues, with but slight breaks, from near Carpenter’s point on the
Delaware to the Sullivan and Ulster line,, and forms the boundary
line between Deerpark and the towns of Greenville and Mount Hope,
those being the only towns of the county touched by the range. The
eastern slope is singularly uniform, and is adapted to cultivation to
the summit; the western, is broken and precipitous, presenting peaks
1,400 and 1,800 feet above tide. Few inland landscapes are more
beautiful than the former. Approached from the east, the eye rests
upon fields of grain and grass, upturned furrows, the verdure of
waving trees, and the homes of thrifty husbandmen, spread out from,
vale to crest, from south to the far north, in unwearying panoramic
beauty—a patchwork of gold and green, of brown and gray, of white
and red—
“ As though all tints
-	Of gem, of bird, of flower, of cloud, of <sky,
Had met and blended in a general glow 1”
The name by which the range is known does not strictly belong to
it. In the Indian deed to Governor Dongan, and in the subsequentMOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS.
58
patent to Captain John Evans, its principal divisions are given re-
spectively the names Pitkiskaker and Aiaskawasting. On Sauthier's
map the same divisions are called Alaskayering and Shawangnnk.
Many interpretations of the latter have been made. In Mather's
Geology of New York, the signification is given as “ the place of the
white rocks”; the late distinguished Algonquin linguist, Henry R.
Schoolcraft, renders it, “south mountain”; the Rev. Charles Scott,
taking Shawangum as the original, “south water”; another from
jewan, “swift current, or strong stream”; another from shong, “mink
river”; * and another, from chcegaugong, “ the place of leeks.” The
error in all these cases, probably, is in regarding the term as descrip-
tive of a specific place or physical attribute, rather than as a generic
phrase. All writers who have examined the subject are aware that
Indian geographical terms are of two classes: general or generic,
and specific or local, and are so oompounded as to present in a single
expression a complex idea, or several ideas among which there is a
natural connection. In specific names the combination may be simple,
as Coxsackie—co, object, and acke,\and; in others intricate, as Magh-
aghkemek, in which acke, land, is buried in consonants and qualifying
terms. The terminal of a word materially aids but does not govern
its translation. Uk or unk indicates “place of” in a specific sense,
as in Mohtm&,—ong, “place of” in a more general sense, as in
Warranawonkor?#, the place or territory of the clan of that name,—
ik, ick, eck, or uk, denotes rocks or stones,—ack or acke, land,—ing
or ink, something in which numbers are presented, as “the place
of birds,”—ais, nes, os, aus, denote a single small object or place, as
Minnisa^s, a small island—a number of islands, Minnism^ or ink,—
ish, eesh, oosh, or sh, indicates a bad or faulty quality,—co is object;
at, at or near. In some cases these root terms are thrown into the
body of the word, as in Maghagkemek, Aiaskawasting, etc. General
terms have no positive reference to the physiology of the districts
of country to which they are applied. Wawayanda is of this class,
and also the term or phrase we are considering, which is preserved in
two forms: the Dutch Shawangunk, and the English Chawangong—the
first, in translated records of the Esopus war (1663), and the second
in English deeds twenty years later but practically cotemporaneous
with the first; the latter is known to be correctly written; the former
may perhaps correspond with the accepted modern orthography rather
than with the original Dutch. While regarding Chawangong as the
most pleasant, and while as a rule the English rendering of all
Algonquin terms is the most correct, the only material difference in
this case is in the terminal—the one indicating a specific place; the
* “ Shongham ” is the local Dutch, and is adopted in Silliman’s Journal.
»54
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
other, place or territory in a general sense. In the connection in
which they are used we may, however, accept them, and also Shawan,
Chawan, and Shuwun, as equivalent terms varied by dialect, and so
accepting them the interpretation is as plain as that of any word in
the English language, viz: “the place or territory of the white man”
This interpretation and no other harmonizes with historical facts.
In no case does it appear that the term was used or known to the
Dutch until after they had conquered the district, which then became,
under Indian law, the place or territory of the conquerors—literally,
“the place of the white man” In the treaty of peace (1663), and in
its subsequent renewal (1665), this recognition is distinctly made.
In the latter instrument the boundaries of the conquered territory
are defined as a certain “parcel of land, lying and being to the west
and south-west of a certain creek or river called by the name of
Kahanksen, and so up to the head* thereof where the old fort was,
and so with a direct line from thence through the woods and across
the meadows to the Great Hill lying and being to the west and south-
west thereof, which Great Hill is to be the true west or south-west
bounds of the said lands, and the said creek called Kahanksen the
north or north-west bounds of the said lands.” This was the original
Shawangunk of the Dutch—a district embracing many specific Indian
localities, the names of none of which were subordinated or disturbed
by the phrase under which the conquered admitted that part of their
territory had become “ the place of the white man.” That the term
has, strictly speaking, been improperly extended to mountain, river,
meadow, etc., may be conceded, yet for its history, its poetry, and
its orthology, we may well consent to let it forever rest upon Pitkis-
kaker and Aiaskawasting.
The Schunemunk range is appropriately described as “the high
hills to the west of the Highlands.” It extends from north-east to
south-west, and is divided longitudinally principally by the boundary
line of Monroe and Blooming-Grove, with a portion on the north-east
in the town of Cornwall. It was the original dividing line between
the Wawayanda and Chesekook patents, and also one of the monu-
ments in the line of the Evans patent. Its name appears in several
forms. In the deed to Governor Dongan (1684), one of the lines of
his purchase is described as running “ north-west along a hill called
Skodnnenoghkyf * in another paper of the same period it is called
Skonnemoghky; in a deed to Joseph Sackett (1721), the property is
described as being on the “south side of a high hill called Skone-
mugh; in a deed to Edward Blagg (1726) it is spoken of as Schuna-
moek hill. It will be observed that the prevailing orthography down
* Ante p. 22.MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS.
55
to the Blagg deed contains sko, the Algonquin generic term for fire,
and that the terminal indicates a certain place. From this analysis,
without considering no, na, ne, in the body of the word (signifying
excellent), we have the literal interpretation, “fire place,” the refer-
creek and the. Otterkill. The latter is a land-mark in the boundaries
of several patents issued subsequent to the Evans.
North of Schunemunk is Muchattoes hill, extending north and south
in the towns of New Windsor and Newburgh. Its name is Algon-
quin—muhk, black; at, near or by; oes, small—signifying literally,
“ a small black hill near the river.”
West of Schunemunk is Woodcock hill, now so known, but called
Winegtekonk in the patent to Sir John Ashurst, (1709), and Wenigh-
konk in the patent to Edward Blagg (1726). The present name re-
quires no explanation, although a reasonable apology for its retention
appears to be necessary.
From Woodcock hill south-west are a series of elevations in the
following order: Round hill, in shape like an inverted bowl; Mos-
quito hill, a jagged elevation; Rainer’s hill; Pedler’s hill; Tom rocks,
which are more rocky than mountainous and rise in two separate
peaks to an elevation of about two hundred feet above the surround-
ing country; Lazy hill, whose gradual slopes, it is presumed, sug-
gested its name; and Goose-pond mountain.
At this point rise what are known as the Bellvale mountains; con-
necting peaks continue the line to the Sterling mountains on the
south, the Rough mountains and Southfield mountains on the east,
and the Warwick mountains on the south-west; on the north-west are
the Taylor mountains, Round hill, Rocky hill, and Pochuck mountain,
filling out the south-east and south-west borders of the county with a
ence being (as in Skootag, now
Schodac,) to the principal cas-
tle or palisaded village of* the
clan owning the land. This
castle stood on the north spur
of the range. At the time of
jjthe sale it was occupied by
^ Maringoman and his people,
g, and was. known and called
Maringoman’s castle, to dis-
^ v ,
r which was situated in Hamp-
tonburgh on the point formed
by the junction of Cromeline'
~ tiuguish it from the wigwam
in which he subsequently lived,56
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
battlement of mountainous elevations. * Pochuck neck and Pochuck
mountain intrude upon the drowned lands. Pochuck is of course Al-
gonquin corrupted; po should be pogh as in the original of Rarnapo,
Poughkeepsie, etc.; nek, as in Mahicanituk, signifying “large areas of
land and water ”—a name most certainly misapplied to the mountain.
Further north, in Warwick, are Mount Adam and Mount Eve, con-
joined—the former much the highest, the latter much the longest—
adjacent hills it is the apex from which the country descends to the
north and to the south. It is, therefore, a very prominent object for a
great distance on either side. North-west from Sugar-loaf is Mount
Lookout, the principal elevation in the town of Goshen, where both
hills and stones are the exception.
Scattered through the county are minor elevations: the Comfort
hills, on the line between Montgomery and Crawford; Pea hill, Pine
hill, and Sloop hill, in Cornwall; Three-mile hill, and Mount Joy, in
Wallkill; Rough ridge, and Forge hill, in New Windsor; King's hill,
in Newburgh; Jogee’ hill, in Minnisink, etc., the latter perpetuating
in its name the name and residence of Keghgekapowell alias Joghem,
one of the grantors of the lands included in the Evans patent. In
Deerpark, Mount William and Point Peter form prominent and attrac-
tive features of the village of Port Jervis.
The valleys of the county are not less numerous than its mountains
and streams. That portion of Deerpark bordering on the Delaware
is but a narrow and irregular valley broken by mountains and tribu-
taries of the Delaware. The valley of the Neversink and Basha's
kill comprises the main portion of the valuable and cultivated lands
of the town of Deerpark. These together are sometimes called the
Huguenot valley, from the early Huguenot settlers who reclaimed it
from the Indians; those portions along the Basha and Pine f kills were
* The principal elevations in Warwick are Hogback, Decker, One Pine, and Pine and
Hull’s hills, on the east; Bill and Coxcomb hills, in the center; Long, Cedar, Pond, and
Bill White’s hills, in the south-east; Round, Rocky, and Chuck’s hills in the south; Po-
chuck mountain, and Green and Adney’s hills in the west; and Mount Adam and Eve
and Round hill in the north-west.
f An affluent of Basha’s kill in Mamakating, Sullivan county.
which spring up from the bottom
lands and the rolling glades sur-
rounding them and are pictur-
esque in all their phases. Direct-
ly east, in Chester, is Sugar-loaf
mountain, which, when seen from
the north, resembles a sugar-loaf;
lienee its name. Its northern as-
SUGAR-LOAF MOUNTAIN.
cent is quite gradual, its southern
broken and precipitous. With itsMOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS.
57
long known as the Peenpack valley—a name corrupted from Neepe-
naclc, the original western boundary of the Swartwout patent.—
The Wallkill valley widens out on either side of the Wallkill. It is
of singular beauty and fertility, and is properly classed among the
finest bottom-lands of the state. The valley of the Shawangunk kill
is narrow and crooked. To the east of the valley of the Wallkill
is that of the Otterkill, which for miles runs approximately parallel
with the former, but suddenly turns to the east, and, through a wind-
ing course amid the hills, reaches the Hudson above the Highlands.
Throughout this valley, says a recent writer, the hills approach and
retire in singular fantasy, affording wide alluvial flats and pent up
gorges, gradual slopes, and steep declivities, hither and thither. At
Salisbury it narrows to a gorge of rocks, and nearer its mouth
assumes, in picturesqueness and beauty, the poetic name (by Willis)
of Moodna valley. Cromeline valley, through which Cromeline creek
passes, has its head in the far east of Warwick, from whence it fol-
lows the tortuous course of the stream from which it takes its name
until it reaches its junction with the* valley of the Otterkill, present-
ing throughout scenes wild and beautiful, a surface varied from plain
to mountain, a soil from rich to poor, smooth to broken and precipi-
tous. Sugar-loaf valley runs from the mountain of that name to
Wickham’s pond, and from thence a devious course to the village of
Warwick, with hills and mountains, vales and headlands intersecting;
from Warwick its course continues south and west until it passes out
of the state. Bellvale valley, or the lower valley of Warwick, extends
from the immediate vicinity of the village of Warwick southerly to
Greenwood lake and the Sussex, N. J., clove. It is an especially rich
farming section. The valleys of most of the small streams have more
or less local celebrity. That of the Arackhook or Tinn Brock has many
patches of beauty, while that of the Quassaick, near its confluence with
the Hudson, has passed into history under the title of “The Yale.”
The principal cloves—so called from the Saxon word cleopan, “ to
split asunder,” and meaning “ valley ” literally—are known as Blagg’s
clove, in Blooming-Grove, between the Schunemunk and Woodcock
mountains; Woodbury clove, in Cornwall and Monroe, between the
Schunemunk and the Highlands, now traversed by the Newburgh
and New York (Short-cut) rail-road, and Smith’s clove, extending
from Highland Mills to the Ramapo valley. Smith’s clove has fame
in revolutionary history from its occupancy by portions of the Ameri-
can army, and as the birthplace of chief-justice William Smith; of
his brother, Joshua Hett Smith,* whose name is associated with that
* “ A place called Smith’s clove, a valley which took its name from my family, as pos-
sessing a greater part of the land it contained, as well as around its vicinity.”—J. H.
Smith's Narrative.58
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
of Arnold in the treason at West Point, and also of the locally noto-
rious Claudius Smith and his equally notorious sons. What relation-
ship Claudius sustained to the chief-justice and to Joshua, it may not
be well to inquire; * it is sufficient to know that in their devotion to
the mother country they richly earned the name of tory, and that
their offenses against their whig neighbors differed only in degree.
Tortuous cloves from Long and Poplopen’s ponds, converging to the
south from Black-top mountain and Cat hollow, give character to
Forest of Dean, far depressed beneath Bear mountain, where, from the
south, Two-pond valley intersects and thence diverges to the north-
east and reaches the Hudson, forming a succession of vales where
mountain cliffs and jagged rocks occupy the foreground, and abrupt
declivities and broken valleys fill the picture. To the south of Black-
rock hill lies Eagle valley—so called from local tradition describing
it as the resort of the “king of birds”—through which, descending
as rocks and hills permit, in crooked course to the Hudson, the waters
from Bog-meadow pond chant their music and finally dash over the
rocks in foaming spray forming .the “ Boter melck val ” of the early
Dutch skippers—the Buttermilk Falls of our times. Poplopen’s val-
ley—through which passes the waters of Poplopen’s creek, the outlet
of Poplopen’s and other mountain ponds—is similarly constituted. Its
name is apparently from that of a highland chieftain whose rude castle
once crowned one of the adjacent hilltops. The valley of the Ramapo,
the largest of the mountain passes, continues Smith’s clove to the
Hudson. The term Ramapo was, it is assumed, originally given to
the entire district as one of “ many ponds.” The original orthogra-
phy, RamHpooJc or Ramapogh,howe ver, indicates “a river into which
empties a number of ponds,” the application being specific to the river.
PONDS, STREAMS, ETC.
Few districts of country are so bountifully supplied with ponds
and streams as that embraced in the county of Orange. On hilltops
or in valleys, dashing over rocks, winding through cultivated fields,
lying in repose, or chained to the service of man in the forge, the
factory, or the mill, they are not only a source of wealth but beautify
thb landscape. The lake system of the county begins in the northern
part of the Highlands in Cornwall, continues through the towns of
Highlands and Monroe, culminates in Warwick in that beautiful
sheet of water known as Greenwood lake, and from thence west and
north appears in inland reservoirs of various sizes. Cornwall has
one pond, Sutherland’s; Bog-meadow pond, Round pond, No. 1, Long
pond, and Cranberry pond, No. 1, are in Highlands; Poplopen’s pond,
* The latter, in his Narrative, states that a brother of his, whose name he does not
give, resided in the Clove “about three miles out of the main road.”PONDS, STREAMS, ETC.
59
Bull or Agnel’s pond (also called Wood lake), Summit lake, Two ponds
or Twin ponds (upper and lower), Slaughter’s pond, Cranberry pond,
No. 2, Greenwood pond, Hazzard’s pond, Bound pond, No. 2, Mom-
basha pond, Cedar pond, No. 1, Truxedo or Duck-cedar pond, Bound-
island pond, Little Long pond, No. 1, Little Long pond, No. 2, Green
pond, Car pond, Spruce pond, and Nigger pond, are in Monroe; Wick-
ham’s pond, Sterling lake, Cedar pond, No. 2, and Greenwood lake,
are in War wick; Thompson’s pond, on the line between Warwick and
Chester; Binnenwater or Maretange pond, in Greenville; Washington
lake, in New Windsor; Orange lake, in Newburgh; Big pond, and
Little pond, in Deerpark; and Bound pond, No. 8, in Wawayanda.
Sutherland’s pond, in Cornwall, lies under the shadow of Black-rock
hill, south-west from Cro’-nest, and is about half a mile long. Its
name—like that of others in the series which will be recognized with-
out special notice—is that of an individual owner. Its outlet runs
west and south and unites with Murderer’s creek, after furnishing the
falls that are seen near the Cornwall mineral spring.
Bog-meadow pond, the first in the town of Highlands, lies south-west
from Black-rock hill. It covers about three hundred acres of land,
and has a depth of some twenty-five feet. Its outlet dashes over
the rocks at Buttermilk Falls and reaches the Hudson. Round pond,
No. 1, and Long pond are north-west from Highland Falls. The
former is more elevated than the latter, into which its waters flow;
the outlet of the latter unites with Poplopen’s creek. The waters of
Bound pond, in making connection with Long pond, flow under a
natural bridge, the breadth of which is fifty feet, and its length, up
and down stream, seventy-five or eighty feet. It is used as a bridge,
and one may ride over it without being aware of it. There is no
daylight under it. The stream on the upper side passes into a cave
and is lost to sight until it emerges from another cave on the other
side. Willis describes it as “a massive porch, covering the last stair
of a staircase by which a cascading stream descends into a mountain
lake.” It differs in situation only, however, from the subterranean
passage of the outlet of Washington lake in New Windsor. Cran-
berry pond, No. 1, is in the south part of the town and south-west
from Fort Montgomery.
Poplopjen’s pond, in the north-east part of the town, and Bull or
Agnel’s pond, its neighbor on the south-west, are the first of the
Monroe series, and lie north-west from Forest of Dean. Their waters
flow to Poplopen’s creek. Summit lake, Two ponds, Slaughter’s pond,
Cranberry pond, No. 2, Greenwood or Echo pond, Round pond, No. 2,
Green pond, and Car pond, lie in a chain south-south-west from Poplo-
pen’s; Cedar pond and Little Long pond, No. 1, are east, and Spruce60	GENERAL HISTOR T OF ORANGE CO UNTT.
and Truxedo ponds west of the chain line; Nigger pond is in the
extreme southern part of the town. The waters of Two ponds flow
to Poplopen’s creek; those of Summit lake, Slaughter’s, Cranberry,
No. 2, Greenwood, and Round, No. 2, are united for the use of
Greenwood furnace and from thence flow to the Ramapo; Little Long
pond, No. 1, and Cedar pond, No. 1, send their waters into Rock-
land county and there unite with the Ramapo, while those of Green,
Car, Spruce, Truxedo and Nigger ponds unite with the same stream
in Orange. Slaughter’s pond is about one mile and a half long and
half a mile wide, and Cedar and Little Long ponds are of nearly the
same size. Truxedo pond is two miles long, north and south. Green-
wood, Green, Car, Spruce and Nigger ponds are small. Round pond,
No. 2, or Little Round pond, more nearly resembles a vast moat than
a pond, as a circular wooded island nearly fills its circumference. In
most cases the names of these ponds require no explanation; but of
Truxedo it may be remarked that it is apparently a corruption of
Truxillo, while the surname, “ Duck-cedar,” is a misnCmer. Hazzard’s
pond, in the north part of the town and west from Poplopen’s, is about
half a mile in diameter. Its outlet, Woodbury creek, furnishes power
to the Highland Mills; flows thence north through Woodbury clove,
and unites with Murderer’s creek. Round-island pond—so named from
a round island in it called Chestnut—lies south-west from Hazzard’s
and near the line of Blooming-Grove. It is about a quarter of a
mile wide and three-quarters of a mile long, and is the head of the
Ramapo river. Liitle Long pond, No. 2, is nearly south from Round-
island and near the Chester line. It is about one mile long and a
quarter of a mile wide. Its outlet furnishes part of the head waters
of Cromeline creek. Mombasha pond is in the west part of the town,
near Warwick. It is from one and a half to two miles in diameter,
and contains two or three islands. Its outlet flows north-east and
thence south passing the Southfield works, furnishing power for
mills and forges. Its name is presumed to be a corruption of Mom-
baccus, “the place of death ”—the reference apparently being to a
burial ground or a battle field.
The Warwick series begin with Sterling lake, in the south-east,
covering about sixty acres of land. At its outlet was established, in
1751, by. Ward & Colton, the Sterling Iron-works, which have been
continued since that time. Genl. William Alexander, Lord Sterling,
was interested in the works prior to the Revolution, and from him the
works and the lake take their name. The outlet of the lake flows into
New Jersey. Cedar pond, No. 2,* lying south-east, unites its waters
* The figures inserted after the names of ponds are to distinguish them from others
of the same name, of which there are several in the county. The poverty of the lan-
guage is so great that the donors of these names were probably forced to repetition.PONDS, STREAMS, ETC.
61
with the waters of Sterling lake above Sterling works. Wickham’s
pond, in the north, covers an area of about eighty-five acres. Its
outlet is a tributary of Wawayanda creek. Greenwood lake is the
largest body of water in the town or county. It is about nine miles
long and one mile wide; extends into New. Jersey, and is used as a
feeder for the Morris canal. Its original name, Long pond, although
descriptive of its shape, was long enough in use; its present title is
the offspring of more cultivated taste.
Thompson’s pond is in the north-west part of Warwick, east of
Florida, and extends into Chester. It covers an area of about one
hundred acres. Itk outlet furnishes power for grist and saw mills
and is a tributary of Quaker creek. It has recently been re-christen-
ed and is now entered on the map Glenmere lake, though why .“lake”
should be added is not clear. “ Glen” is a depression between hills;
“mere,” a pool or lake.
Binnenwater, in Greenville, covers about fifty acres, and sends its
waters to Rutger’s creek. It lies about two miles southerly from the
village of Mount Hope, about one and one-half miles south-east from
Finchville, and about one mile south from the boundary line between
Mount Hope and Greenville.* At one time it was an important land-
mark, constituting the south-west corner of the Evans patent and the
south-east line of the Minnisink. Half a century or more later a new
line was established for the Evans patent further east, the Minnisink
angle formed, and the pond excluded from the boundary. In the deed
to Governor Doiigan it is described as “ a water pond called Mare-
tange”; in the patent to Evans it is called Merchary; on Sjbtuthier’s
map, Maretang,— from the German “ merche,” “ mericha,” an aquatic
plant of the genus hippuris vulgaris, having silicious jointed stems.
The present name is German; its correct orthography is Binnenwasser
(one word), signifying “inland water.” The original title should be
restored to the maps of the county for its historic associations, or at
least coupled with its more modern name.
Round pond, in Wawayanda, is emphatically round. It lies in the
south part of the town near Gardnerville, and is about one mile in
circumference. It is clear and fresh, very deep, indeed reputedly
bottomless, and has no visible outlet or inlet.
Big pond, in Deerpark, is about one mile long and half a mile wide.
Its outlet, known as Shingle kill, passes south and enters the Dela-
ware at Hones ville. Little pond, in the same town, lies south-east from
Big pond, and is about one quarter of a mile in diameter. Its outlet
passes south and forms Old-dam brook, a tributary of the Neversink.
* This line is the old east and west line of the original counties of Orange and Ulster.
New Windsor and Cornwall are also divided by this lme.62
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
Washington lake, in New Windsor, covers seventy-six acres, or, in-
cluding overflowed swamp, one hundred and seven acres. Its outlet,
for some distance, is subterraneous, disappearing at the Swallow-hole
and emerging at the Trout-hole—a fall of forty feet. The Newburgh
Water-works take its waters. For years it was known as Little
pond, and is still so called by many.
Orange lake, in Newburgh, covers some four hundred acres of land,
and is quite deep in places. At different times it has been known as
Binnenwasser (by the Germans), Moose’s pond, Machin’s pond (from
Captain Thomas Machin), and Big pond, the latter giving place to its
present title. The Algonquin name was Qussuk—now rendered
Quassaick and applied to its outlet, It is fed by two small streams
in addition to strong springs in its bed. The mill owners on its
outlet use it as a reservoir, and during the most severe droughts the
supply has never been exhausted.
The whole county is remarkably rich in the lacustrine and marsh
alluvions; indeed, they are more abundant than in any other county
in the state, there being probably forty thousand acres.* The prin-
cipal districts are the Drowned lands, the Gray-court meadows, Big
swamp in Newburgh, Great swamp in New Windsor, Long swamp in
Warwick, Tamarack and Purgatory swamps in Hampton burgh, Cedar
swamp in Goshen and Warwick, Pakadasink swamp in Greenville,
Grassy swamp in Deerpark, Pine swamp in Crawford, Barton’s swamp
in Cornwall, and the Black meadows in Chester and Warwick.
The Drowned lands extend from the Chechunk outlet in Goshen,
through Warwick, Wawayanda, and Minnisink, into New Jersey, and
cover in the towns named about seventeen thousand acres. They are
full of islands of great fertility; some of them of considerable area.
Their names are Pine, Great, Pellet’s, Gardner’s, Merritt’s, Cranberry,
Black-walnut, Fox, and Seward. An arm of the lands, known as Cedar
swamp, extends east to near Orange farm in Goshen. Quaker creek
passes through this arm on the north, and mounts Adam and Eve
adjoin it on the south. The reclamation of the lands has been gradual
and is mainly effected by an outlet, constructed manjr years ago, by
which a rocky ridge in the bed of the Wallkill was avoided. This
outlet has worn its way through the soil until from a simple ditch it
has come to contain the principal flow from the lands. Pochuck creek,
Rutger’s creek, Quaker creek, and the Wallkill, pass through the
lands, the latter for their entire distance in this county. The Abo-
riginal name of the district may well have been Pochuck—a a large
area of land and water.” It is presumed, however, that the Indians
had no general name, but gave specific titles to different portions of
* Beach’s “ Cornwall,” 175.PONDS, STREAMS, ETC.
63
the tract, of which Pochuck and Woerawin only have been preserved.
The latter appears in a deed to Dr. Samuel Staats, in 1703, for a tract
not located but described as having.been found on examination to be
“ altogether a swamp.” The inference from the term itself, however,
is that “many good lands” were intended to be conveyed—probably
the islands already named, which then appeared to be worthless.
The Gray-court meadows extend from near Craigville, in Blooming-
Grove, into the northern
part of Chester, and em-
brace about five hundred
acres. They are now main-
ly under cultivation and
very fertile. Their name
is that originally given
by Daniel Cromeline to his
tract in the first division
of the Wawayanda pat-
ent,* of which they are a
part. Cromeline creek
passes through and drains these meadows.	k
The Black meadows extend through Chester on the north-west and
into Warwick east of Thompson’s pond. They embrace an area of
one thousand acres, through which runs the Black-meadow creek. *
The Long swamp, in Warwick, south-west from Edenville, covers
about one thousand acres, and is drained from the south into New
Jersey.
The Tamarack and Purgatory swamps, in Hamptonburgh, are of
considerable extent, and are drained by a small sluggish stream.
The latter is represented as having been originally a dismal swamp,
from which fact Mr. Peter Bull, its owner, gave the name, bestowing
at the same time upon his own residence that of Paradise.f
The Grassy swamp, in Deerpark, extends from Sullivan county to
the Mongaup. It is a low, wet swamp, overgrown with long, coarse
grass. Grassy-swamp brook passes through it.
The Big swamp, in Newburgh, takes its name from Big pond (Or-
ange lake), which it adjoins. It stretches from the Ulster county line
to the lake, and was probably originally an extension of the lake to
the north as well as south of its present borders, which, if all under
water, would add three times to its present length. Bushfield creek
passes through the swamp to the lake.
* Three of the original divisions of the patent retain the names bestowed by their pro-
prietors, viz: Goshen, Warwick, and Gray-court. It is perhaps needless to say that the
story of an inn, a sign, and a court, is pure fiction,
f Eager’s Orange County, 511.
okay-court meadows.64
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
The Great swamp, in New Windsor, lies in the north-west part of
the town, near Coldenham. The Arackhook or Tinn Brock passes
through it.
The Pine swamp, in Crawford, lies east of Hopewell. Two other
swamps are found in the town, one north-west from the Sinsabaugh
neighborhood, and one south-east from Searsburgh. The latter is
drained by a small stream flowing north to the Dwaas kill.
The Pakadasink swamp, in Greenville (on the lands of Isaac M.
Seybolt and others), is the head of the Big Pakadasink or Shawan-
gunk kill, as that stream was formerly known and described. The
Little Binnenwater swamp, also in Greenville, lies directly south from
the village of Mount Hope. A small stream flows from it south-
westerly and connects with the outlet of Binnenwater pond, the
latter uniting with Rutger’s creek.
The Barton swamp, in Cornwall, is inconsiderable in size, compared
with the others named. Peat of a fair quality is taken from it.
Marl and peat beds are found in several localities, from which por-
tions and in some cases entire skeletons of the Mastodon have been
exhumed. The first exhumation of record was in 1794, the second in
1800, the third in 1808, the fourth in 1805, the fifth in 1838, the sixth
in 1844, the seventh in 1845, the eighth in the same year, the ninth in
1872. The skeleton of 1845, exhumed from a marl bed near Colden-
ham, was complete and weighed 1995 pounds. It is now in the
Boston museum. * The one exhumed in 1872, in the town of Mount
Hope, was also complete. Its weight was about 1700 pounds. It is
now in the New Haven museum.
The boundary streams of the county are the Hudson on the north-
east, the Delaware and Mongaup on the west, and the Shawangunk
on the north-west. Of the first, the Hudson, it is not necessary to
speak. Its aboriginal name, Mahicanituk, was that of a particular
division rather than of the entire stream. The principal harbor on it,
within what may be called the waters of Orange county, is at New-
burgh where it expands into a bay one mile and a quarter in width
sheltered by the Highlands from “ all winds save an east-north-east
wind,” as Hudson wrote in 1609. For the convenience of com-
merce, principal landing places or wharves have been established at
Newburgh, Cornwall, and West Point, and for more local trade at
Hampton, New Windsor, Oozzens’, Fort Montgomery, etc. The water-
front of the city of Newburgh is without a rival on the river, the
channel being abrupt and the depth ample to float the largest vessels.
The Delaware, on the west, touches the county for only a short dis-
tance. Like the Hudson, it had no general aboriginal name-Lenape-
* Eager’s Orange County, 71.PONDS, STREAMS, ETC.
65
wihituk being applied to it at Philadelphia, while above and below
Port Jervis it was known and called by the Indians Minnixing—lite-
rally “ a river of islands.” * Beyond rafting it has no commerce at
this point, and is crossed by rail-road and foot bridges.
The Mongaup river, the dividing line between Orange and Sullivan,
is properly in Sullivan county, the line of Orange running “to” and
“along” its course. Mr. Quinlan, in his “History of Sullivan Coun-
ty,” says it was originally known as the Min-gap-ach-ka. Mongawp-
ing or Ming wing, is better authenticated—implying a plurality of
streams, comprehending the three branches of which it is composed.
Its present name, as already stated, is presumed to be Dutch. It
appears in the early records, Mongaap. f
The Shawangunk kill, on the north-west, has its head in Pakadasink
swamp in the town of Greenville, passes through the town of Mount
Hope, and upon the line between Ulster and Orange, running a north-
east course to the Wallkill, in Ulster county. Its present name has
already been explained. Like other streams—and, it may be said, all
streams, mountains, etc.,—it had no general name, but was specifi-
cally divided, Achsinink being recorded in one locality, and Pakada-
sink in another. In the deed to Governor Dongan it is described as
“ the river called Peakadasink,” and in the act of* 1762, dividing Wall-
kill precinct, J the line is described as extending “ to the Pakadasink
river or Shawangunk kill.” In another paper of nearly the same
date it is said, as well understood evidence: “ Nothing could more
plainly point out where that pond lies (Maretange,) than the river
Pakadasink, which takes its rise opposite to the said pond and ex-
tends along the.foot of the said hills from a place called Pokanasink,
and from that place to the head of the said river, and no where else
the said river is called by that name.” How the river lost a name so
well established is explained by the papers relating, to the bounds
of the Minnisink patent. Having succeeded in spreading their line,
the proprietors of that patent found it necessary to obliterate its old
land-marks. A general change of names ensued; Maretange pond
was located on Sam’s Point; the Big and Little Pakadasink kills (the
latter now called thq Little Shawangunk kill,) were shifted to the same
vicinity, and to make the whole apparently and entirely consistent
two small streams in Crawford received the names respectively of
Big and Little Pakadasink, that it might not be missed in its ancient
neighborhood. The original name contains equivalents signifying
* Minnis and Minsis are two entirely different words—the first signifying island, the
second wolf. Some writers confuse the terms and give the latter as the derivative of
Minnisink. The explanatory tradition that either name originated from the breaking
through of the waters at the Delaware Water-Gap, is not well founded.
t Ante p. 41.	i Ante p. 39.66	GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
------------------ . I '
“ swamps,” and being generic may be applied wherever the corres-
ponding topography exists.* * * §
The principal streams passing through or entirely included in the
county are the Neversink, the Wallkill, the Otterkill or Murderer’s
creek, and the Ramapo. The Neversink receives its head waters from
north-western Ulster and northern Sullivan. It runs soi|[th and south-
east into the town of Deerpark to near Cuddebackville, and thence
turns south and south-west until it joins the Delaware near Carpen-
ter’s point, where it is about two hundred feet wide. It is a never-
failing stream. Its name has been explained in another connection.
Its principal tributaries are Basha’s kill and Old-dam brook (Ouwe-dam
kil). The former rises in Sullivan county, and is about seventy feet
wide. Its name is said to be from an Indian squaw-sachem called
Basha Bashiba, who lived on its banks near Westbrookville.f Old-
dam brook is the outlet of Little pond. Its name is from an old darn
erected upon it by Indians or beavers, which caused jits waters to
overflow a large tract of land. About half a mile above its junction
with the Neversink, it falls over six hundred feet in the course of a
mile, and is called Fall brook.
The Wallkill rises in Wantage, Sussex county, New Jersey, flows
through the drowned lands into Orange where it forms the dividing
line between Warwick and Minnisink, Goshen and Wawayanda,
Ilamptonburgh and Wallkill, passes through the town of Montgom-
ery into Ulster. county, and thence to the Hudson river at Rondout.
Its course is north-east; the plane of elevation upon which it runs
being from Sussex county in New Jersey, descending gradually to
near Esopus in Ulster. It is a durable stream, and furnishes exten-
sive hydraulic power throughout its course. Its current is not rapid,
except at Walden, where it passes over a fall of about forty feet. J
Its aboriginal name is not known, but the presumption is in favor of
Warranawonkong. Its present name is unquestionably from the
Huguenots or Walloons who, settled New Paltz, it being repeatedly
entered in the records as “the Walls or Paltz river.” § Its principal
* It will be observed by those familiar with the district that the topography in this case
corresponds almost precisely. It is not assumed that the name is in itself improperly ap-
plied to its present locations; it is strictly correct.
f Quinlan’s History of Sullivan County, 423. In the Swartwout patent it is called
the Assawaghkemeck, from “wassa,” light or foaming, and “eck,” rocks—-literally the
“ light waters,” reference being made to the fall. “ Basha’s kil” is Dutch.
| The fall at Walden was called ffasdisch by the Indians—a term in which “ dangerous ”
is expressed.
§ The explanation of the origin of the name by Rev. James R. Wilson, D. D. (Eager’s
Orange County, 276), is fully sustained by the records discovered since he wrote.
It may be added, that although now written Wallkill, the name is strictly two words,
waUe and kil. In this work the local orthography has been followed in Wallkill, Otterkill,
etc., as being too firmly established to suffer correction. The word “ creek,” applied to
a stream of water, is quite as incorrect as “ kill;” yet Webster admits its use to be estab-
lished “in some American States.”PONDS, STREAMS, ETC.
67
are the Long-house-Wawayanda-Warwick-Pochuck creek, Quaker
creek, Rutgers’ creek, Tinn Brock, McCorlin’s kill, Muddy kill, and
Dwaars kill. Long-house creek rises in New Jersey and runs north
until it receives the outlet of Wickham’s pond; from thence it forms
the Wawayanda or Warwick creek, and flows south-west through the
village of Warwick into New Jersey, where it becomes Pochuck creek,
returns to the county and unites its waters with the Wallkill in the
drowned lands. The names which it bears are explained in other
connections with the exception of “ Long-house,” the European title
for the peculiar dwellings which the Indians occupied, one of which
stood upon its banks.* * * § Quaker creek has its principal head in Thomp-
son’s pond. It flows west; forms the boundary line between Goshen
and Warwick; receives several small tributary streams, and unites
with the Wallkill in the drowned lands. Rutgers’ creek has its ex-
treme western head in the town of Greenville; flows thence south-
easterly to Waterloo Mills, in Minnisink; thence north-east to Rutgers’
Place, where it unites with its northern head. The latter rises in
Wallkill; flows thence south to Millsburgh; receiving in its course the
outlet of Binnenwater pond and Binnenwater swamp, and Boudinot’s
and Tunkamocs (“ small stream ”) creeks, in Wawayanda and Minnis-
ink. From Millsburgh it is the boundary line between Wawayanda
and Minnisink. It enters the Wallkill at Merritt’s island. Its name
is from Anthony Rutgers,f one of the proprietors of the Wawayanda
patent, from whom also Rutgers’ Place (the residence of the late Dr.
M. H. Cash,) takes its name. Boudinot’s creek,J its largest affluent,
flows through Greenville to the south-east corner of Mount Hope;
thence south-east to its junction in Wawayanda. Monhagen creek
flows south-east through Middletown and enters the Wallkill north-
east from New Hampton. It is now the source from which Middle-
town is supplied with water. McCorlin’s kill, or McNeal’s kill, § rises
in Crawford, flows south, passes through Mechanictown and enters
the Wallkill one mile and a half above Stony-ford bridge. Dwaars
* These dwellings were formed by long, slender hickory saplings set in the ground in a
straight line of two rows, as far asunder as they intended the width to be, and contin-
ued as far as they intended the length to be. The poles were then bent forward in the
form of an arch and secured together, giving the appearance of a garden arbor. Split
poles were then lashed to the sides and roof, and over these bark was placed. Barely ex-
ceeding twenty feet in width, these dwellings were sometimes six hundred and fifty feet
long, and were occupied by an indefinite number of families.
f There is not the slightest foundation for the statement (Eager 418) that Butgers “ is
an English corruption of Butkys, the Indian name.” The latter is a corruption of the
former, and a very bald one. Butgers was member of the Assembly 1726-27.
$ Mr. Eager enters the name “ Bandegot.” It now appears on the maps “Indigot.” The
correct orthography is Boudinot, from Elias Boudinot, a proprietor of the Wawayanda pat-
ent. Boudinot would not have deemed it possible his name could, be so transposed.
§ Mr. Enger (346) gives the name “McCormick’s kill,” and (354) “McCorlin’s kill.”
The latter has been entered on the maps of the county. We are.informed that the stream
was,known, years ago, as “ McNeal’s kill,” from John McNeal who had a grist mill on it
as early probably as 1760. McCorlin is a mythical person. ,
0568
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
kill has its rise in the town of Wallkill, flows north-east through
Crawford, and enters the Wallkill in Ulster county. Its name is
Dutch (originally Dwaars stroom), and means “a stream that runs
across ” or unites “ with another.” * The Tinn Brock was called by
the Indians Arackhook, or Akhgook, the Algonquin term for snake, the
reference no doubt being to its extremely sinuous course, which re-
sembles the contortions of a snake when thrown upon a fire. Its
present name is from the Saxon words Thynne, “ thin or small,” and
Broc, “running water less than a river”—a small brook. It rises in
New Windsor, south of Coldenham, runs north and west and enters
the Wallkill half a mile below Walden. Muddy kill (Dutch, Modder
kil—literally, Muddy kill,) flows from the eastern slope of the Com-
fort hills and runs south to the Wallkill above Montgomery. The
mischievous chorographer now writes its name “Mother kill.”
The Otterkill rises in the north part of Chester, and passes through
the East Division of Goshen into Hamptonburgh, where it was called
Denn creek,f from Christopher Denn, one of the proprietors of the Wa-
wayanda patent. At La Grange it flows upon nearly the same level
with the Wallkill, the two streams being within a mile of each other
at this point. Through Hamptonburgh it runs around the base of the
hills in the form of a half circle; thence into Blooming-Grove, and in a
serpentine course through Washingtonville to Salisbury Mills, where,
meeting the mountain ledges, it passes over a fall into a deep chasm
which it follows through rocks and crags and continues to the Hudson.
Its name is presumed to have been bestowed from the otters which
were found in it at the early settlement of the county. Its largest
tributaries are: Cromeline creek, Goldsmith creek, Colemantown creek,
Beaver-dam creek, Schunemunk creek, Woodbury creek, and Canter-
bury brook. Cromeline creek receives its principal head waters from
Little Long pond No. 2, in Monroe; flows thence through Chester and
the western part of Blooming-Grove to its junction with the Otterkill
in the north-west part of the latter town. Schunemunk creek rises in
the south-east part of Blooming-Grove; flows north-west and north-
east around the hills, and joins the Otterkill above Washingtonville.
On some maps it is called Satterly’s creek. Woodbury creek has
its principal head in HazzardV pond, in Monroe. It receives the
outlet of Sutherland’s pond; flows north-east through Woodbury clove,
and enters the Otterkill at Orr’s Mills, in Cornwall. Canterbury brook
* “ The Dwaars stroom unites with or flows across the Wallkill; hence the name indi-
cates that fact or circumstance, and becomes the characteristic of the river.”—Dr. E. B.
O'Callaghan. The tradition given by Eager (334), that the name is from an Indian chief,
has hb other foundation than the possibility that there was an Indian nicknamed Dwass.
fThe following from the Mapes’ deed (1727) established the early use of both titles:
“Lying on the west side of the Otterkill, kiiown as the Dennekill.” The latter may well
be preserved as a memorial of the first settler on the Wawayanda patent.PONDS, STREAMS, ETC.
69
rises in the Cornwall Highlands; flows north-east through the village
of Canterbury, and enters the Otterkill (under the name of Idle wild
brook,) near the Hudson. Goldsmith creek rises in Little Britain and
runs south to the Otterkill above Washingtonville; Golemantown creek
also flows south and enters above the same place. Beaver-dam creek
rises in Montgomery, and passes south through low meadows from
near Goodwill church to its junction at Campbell Hall. Its head
water is a spring of several yards in diameter and of unknown
depth; its name is from an old beaver dam* near Campbell Hall.
From its junction with Cromeline creek east to the Hudson, the Otter-
kill looses its name and is called Murderer’s creek and the Moodna,
the latter a Willisian designation. To the early Dutch traders it was
known as the “ Waoraneck;” subsequently, as the “ Martelaer’s rack
creek;” after 1656, as “the Murderer’s creek.” It is assumed by some
writers that the latter was derived from its immediately preceding
title, signifying a baffling, struggling reach or course in the navi-
gation of the Hudson, bounded on the north by this creek and on the
south by Martelaer’s rock, opposite West Point; by others, that it was
bestowed as a memorial of some act of hostility by the Waoranecks
during the early Indian wars; but superior, in local estimation, to
philology or probability,’ is the explanation given by Paulding in his
beautiful tradition of Naoman, his faithfulness and his fate, pointing
unwaveringly to Maringoman as the author of si horrid massacre, f
Quassaick creek is composed of the outlet of Grange lake and of
the Foster town and Tent Stone Meadow creeks. It flows south-
easterly through the western part of the town of Newburgh and
forms the boundary line between the city of Newburgh and the town
of New Windsor. Its name (Quassaick) signifies stony brook. Its
water power is very durable and is largely employed. Fostertown
creek rises in Ulster county, and flows southerly through the central
part of the town of Newburgh. It is called Fostertown creek until
it reaches Gidneytown, when it takes the latter name. Tent Stone
Meadow creek rises in a large swamp in Ulster county, known many
years ago as the Tent Stone Meadow. It flows southerly and empties
into the Quassaick at the Powder Mills. Bushfield creek, one of the
feeders of Orange lake, and necessarily of Quassaick creek, rises in
* From the remains of the dams which they constructed, the streams of the county
apparently abounded in beavers at the time of the discovery, though now extinct.
f “ In ancient Dutch days it was known as The Martelaer’s Rack, or Martyr’s Reach.
The Dutch navigators divided the river into reaches, to which they gave descriptive
names. They found here (West Point) a rocky point nearly at right angles with the
current, and, when sailing with a fair west wind, encountered, on passing it, the wind
“ dead ahead,” compelling them to beat or struggle with it. Hence the name Martelaer,
signifying contending or struggling. The tradition which converts the name into a memo-
rial of deeds of violence, on the part of the Indians, is entirely worthless.”—-J. J. Mondl'e
Hand-book.GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
10
a swamp in Ulster county, known as the Stone Dam Meadow. Its
original name was Beaver-dam creek.
The Ramapo river has its head in Round-island pond in Monroe, and
flows thence southerly through Ramapo valley into Rockland county.
It receives the outlets of thirteen of the mountain ponds already
named: Round-island, -Summit, Slaughter’s, Cranberry No. 2, Green-
wood, Round, Little long, Cedar, Green, Car, Spruce, Truxedo, and
Nigger. It enters the Passaic river near Pompton plains, N. J.
There is no stream in the world like it.
PoplopevUs creek is composed of the outlets of Poplopen’s, Round
No. 1, Long, Bull, Cranberry No. 1, and Two ponds. Its course is
south-east to the Hudson. Queensborough brook and Sickbosten’s kill
(now called Stony brook) are its tributaries.
The tributaries of the Hudson, aside from those already named, are
small streams principally in Newburgh. The Neversink and the
Shingle kill flow into the Delaware in Deerpark—the former at Car-
penter’s point,* and the latter at Honesville. Grassy-swamp brook, in
the same town, unites with the Mongaup; the latter unites with the
Delaware about six miles northerly from Carpenter’s point. The
Little Shawangunk kill, and the Big and Little Pakadasink are tributa-
ries of the Shawangunk. One branch of the former rises half a mile
easterly from the village of Mount Hope, and is met, about a mile east
from that village, by a branch from the town of Wallkill; flows thence
through the town north-easterly until it strikes the line of the town of
Wallkill; thence north-west to its junction with the Shawangunk in
the latter town. It was originally known as the “Little Pakada-
sink,” as has been already stated. The present Big Pakadasink and
Little Pakadasink are in the town of Crawford, and flow north to the
Shawangunk. In the Crawford dialect they are called the Big and
the Little “ Paugh-caugh-naugh-sing,” the most prolix orthography of
the original name on record.
The islands of the Hudson lying opposite the lines of the county
are: Poleber’s, now called Pallopel’s; Martelaer’s rock, now Constitu-
tion, and Manahawaghkin, now called Iona. Though not under the
jurisdiction of the county, their position in its waterscape entitles
them to recognition in its topography.
CLIMATE.
Newburgh is in 41 deg. 30 min. north latitude, and is elevated 150
feet above tide-water. Prom observations made for thirteen succes-
sive years, the mean temperature has been found to be 50 deg. 10
* A point of land made by the junction of the Neversink and the Delaware rivers, just
south of Port Jervis. The Tri-States Rock, marking the boundary between New York,
New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, is on this point.GLIM A TE— GEOL OGY.
71
min. Goshen, situated in latitude 41 deg. 20 min., and elevated 425
feet above tide-water, observations made for eight years show a mean
temperature of 49 deg. 16 min. Difference between Newburgh and
Goshen, 94 minutes. At Newburgh the period between frosts, though
variable, has been known to be from the 5th of May to the 29th of
September—146 days. At Goshen frosts have been noticed as late
as the 1st of June, and as early as the 20th of September—111 days.
Difference between periods of frost, 85 days. At Newburgh the
shadbush bloomed April 24th, the peach April 23d, the plum May 1st,
the cherry April 27th, the apple May 6th ; strawberries ripened June
10th; haying commenced July 4th; wheat harvest commenced July
17th; the first killing frost September 29th. At Goshen the shadbush
bloomed April 27th, the peach April 28th, the plum May 4th, the cherry
April 29th, and the apple May 9th; haying commenced July 8th; the
wheat harvest July 21st; the first killing frost September 20th. The
observations made at Newburgh show the temperature of the eastern
part of the county; while those made at Goshen may be applied to
the central. On the eastern slope of the Shawangunk range, repre-
senting the western part of the county, the temperature is from two
to four degrees less than at Newburgh; at the top of the range full
five degrees less.
The temperature of the eastern and southern portions of the county
is affected in some degree by the shelter afforded in the mountain
ranges ; the former also by the tides of the Hudson. The Highlands,
for many years exempt from taxation by reason of their unfitness for
cultivation* are an incalculable advantage to Newburgh, New Wind-
sor and Cornwall; they effectually break the force of all winds save
from the east-north-east. Thousands of invalids may be found in those
towns, as permanent residents or as boarders, brought thither by this
peculiarity in situation. The poet N. P. Willis, from his experience
of twenty years as a consumptive, found no language too strong in
which to commend the hygienic virtues of the Highlands. The entire
mountain system of the county has more or less effect on its climate.
In the economy of nature, currents of air gather around the ranges;
are forced upward to a lower temperature, and precipitation ensues,
while the atmospheric condensation produces a local heat beyond the
natural temperature. For this reason most of the cloves are move
temperate than their elevation and latitude would otherwise warrant;
those opening toward the south especially so.
GEOLOGY, ETC.*
Probably no county in the state presents more interesting geological
features than Grange. The rocks of the Highlands are granite, gneiss
* Horton’s and Mather’s Surveys consulted.72
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
and sienite, with veins of trap. The central portions of the county
are occupied with strata of Hamilton shales, Helderberg limestones
and grit, Medina sandstone, and the gray sandstones, all extending
from the north-east to the south-west, from the east foot of the Sha-
wangunk mountains. The rocks which compose the Shawangunk
mountains are the shales and the sandstones of the Chemung group.
The red shales and grits_of the Catskill group are seen at the falls of
the Shingle kill in Deerpark. The Erie division are found from the
Delaware river, along the west side of Mamakating hollow. Some of
the rocks of this division, near Port Jervis, are upturned at a high
angle; others, toward Cuddebackville and Ellenville, are more indu-
rated and seem almost trappean. The geological series descend
south-west to the primary rocks of the Pochuck mountains. The
Helderberg division extends through the county, on the Mamakating
valley, by Cuddebackville to Carpenter’s point on the Delaware.—
The limestones of this division are all upturned, often at a very high
angle, in the town of Deerpark, where they form a range of low
mountains, rising from the level of the Neversink to half the eleva-
tion of the Shawangunk. A limestone, containing fossils of this
division, is also found in the town of Cornwall, between the village
of Canterbury and Salisbury Mills. Its position is between the slate
and grit rock; its dip is to the south-east.
The Shawangunk grit of the Ontario division extends on the top of
the Shawangunk mountains from New Jersey to near Kingston. The
thickness of these grits vary from sixty to one hundred and fifty feet.
They have been used as millfctones, known as “ Esopus millstones.” *
A pyritous grit, in the form of boulders, is scattered over the county.
Rocks similar in character to the Shawangunk grit, and the interstra-
tified and overlaying red rocks, extend from the Jersey line on the west
side of Greenwood lake north-east to Canterbury in Cornwall.. They
are also found at Pine hill. This hill is primitive, and here the grit
rock inclines against it and rests upon it. The grit rock is regularly
stratified, and dips to the south-east; is of all colors from white to
red. It extends from Round hill four miles, to Woodcock moun-
tain. It is also found in the south-east base of Schunemunk, inter-
stratified with graywacke and slate; also at Pine hill. Here the rock
is red, and can be quarried in blocks suitable for building. The Bell-
vale mountains, in Warwick, on the south-east side, are composed of
graywacke; also the Schunemunk in Blooming-Grove, the Goose pond
mountain and the Sugar-loaf. Quarries of blue and red stone abound
in Schunemunk and Pine hill.
* These millstones were the first that were quarried in the province, and were regarded
as superior to those imported from Europe.GEOLOGY—ROCKS.
73
In the Champlain division is the “Hudson river series—slate
group ”—which consists of slates, shales, grits, limestones, breccias,
and conglomerates—sometimes designated as graywacke slate, gray-
wacke shale, graywacke, and slaty graywacke. They contain facets
and testacea, of which a few are seen at the falls of the Wallkill near
Walden, at Orange lake, and at Sugar-loaf. The Hudson river group
of rocks occupy a iarge extent of the surface of. the county. Its
general direction is north-east and south-west. Its dip is uniform to
the south-east, in some places 30 degrees, in others nearly vertical.
It extends from the Hudson river through Warwick to the Jersey line,
and on the west side of the Wallkill, from New Jersey to Ulster
county; and in all this range there is no rock resting upon it. It
forms the bank of the Hudson river from Cornwall Landing to four
miles above Newburgh, and it is always seen stratified with gray-
wacke and graywacke slate. Iri this form it is found at Walden,
below Montgomery, in Mount Hope, at Newburgh and toward Hamp-
ton. In the town of Warwick, near the Jersey line, it forms a cunei-
form termination, the limestone surrounding it on both sides. From
this the argillite widens into an elevated ridge of rich land, called
Long Ridge, which extends into Goshen. It forms the surface rock
of most of Goshen, Blooming-Grove, parts of Cornwall, New Windsor,
Newburgh, Montgomery, Hamptonburgh, Crawford, Wallkill, and in
Mount Hope and Minnisink, quite to the top of the Shawangunk
mountains. The Utica slate is found on the banks of the Hudson
above Newburgh. It is of dark color, and in some places black, and
highly carbonaceous.
The Trenton limestone is found near Mount Lookout; also in the
town of Hamptonburgh, where it is full of the fossil shells of the very
early periods of animal life. In that neighborhood it is called the
“ Neely town limes tone.” Black river limestone is found a few miles
from Goshen, Mount Lookout being entirely composed of it. It is also
found on Big island in the drowned lands, on Pochuck neck, and in
Minnisink west of the drowned lands. A blue limestone, sometimes
sparry and checkered, commences on the bank of the Hudson at
Hampton;' it is about one mile in width north-west and south-east,
and passes south-westerly through Newburgh into New Windsor,
disappearing in .the vicinity of Washington lake. The elevated point
of this rock at Hampton is in the vicinity of the Dans Kammer. It is
also found east of Salisbury Mills in Cornwall, and is visible through
Blooming-Grove and Warwick to the state line; also in the north part
of Monroe north of Greenwood furnace, and extends south-west to
near Greenwood lake; also in Cornwall near Ketcham’s mill, and in
Goshen two and a half miles from the village, extending from the74
GENERAL HI8T0RY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
Wallkill south-west to Glenmere. The western edge of this bed un-
derlays the drowned lands, and passes along the north-western margin
of the white limestone of Warwick; here it divides into two branches
on each side of the primitive rock, and passes into New Jersey. This
limestone also interlocks with the argillite ridges, as at near Goshen.
Limestone of the oolitic character is found on Big island, near New
Milford, and on Pochuck neck. The edges of that found in some of
the perpendicular cliffs at the latter place are exposed in layers one
above the other; some are of the usual character; others are oolitic,
but the round granules are bluish white quartz; others slaty, approach-
ing the calciferous state, and others are of a ribbon-like appearance.
Below the New York transition system lies the “Taconic system,”
consisting of slates, limestones, and granular quartz rocks. Slate
rocks of this system are found four miles north of Newburgh, near a
small hill of granite rock. The limestone between the Highlands and
Goose pond mountain, and also about Bellvale,'belong to this system.
Metamorphic rocks consist of limestones that are granular, dolomi-
tized, and stratified, color white, blue, and red; of slates that are
talcose, argillaceous, micaceous, and hornblende; and of sandstones
that are changed to granular quartz rocks, eurite, and gneiss. In
their several deposits all the changes from the gray and blue lime-
stone are traced into the perfect crystallized limestone, containing
the various crystallized minerals, w.hich give them their metamorphic
character. There is a white limestone of this variety ranging^ from
mounts Adam and Eve in Warwick, to Andover in New Jersey. It
is developed in a succession of narrow ridges of only a few rods in
width, and is separated by masses of other rocks, of granite, sienite,
and granular quartz. Hornblende rock and augite are scattered all
around. This white limestone is rarely stratified, and in some places
runs into the blue and gray limestone, which is fossiliferous in some
instances and oolitic in others. The white limestone forms the shore
of the drowned lands at Amity. In some localities it is snow white,
translucent, and compact, like Parian marble. Plumbago and mica
are found in it, and also a great variety of minerals. North-east of
the Amity church, on a small knoll, are found calcareous spar, rhomb
spar, yellow brucite, xanthite, talc, black and ruby spinelle, cocolite.
About one mile south-west of Amity is specular iron ore and serpen-
tine; veins of scapolite are found south-west of this place, and about
a mile north the limestone is filled with brucite of various colors,
magnetic oxide of iron, hornblende, and serpentine. At the south
base of Mount Eve, in an old mine hole, fine crystals of green and
brown hornblende are found. At another place is a vein of arsenical
iron. The same kind of limestone is found near Fort Montgomery, in75
GEOLOG Y—MINERALS
the Highlands (in the gorge through which the creek passes into the
Hudson), at or near Forest of Dean; thence it is traced by way of
Little Bound pond toward Greenwood furnace, and across the Ramapo.
It is also seen south-west of Queensborough furnace, in limited extent.
These beds also contain the minerals above named.
The primary rocks of the county consist of gneiss and hornblende J
granite, sienite, limestone, serpentine, augite, and trappean. Among ]
these rocks there are no continuous ridges of mountains of more than j
a few miles in length, in consequence of the interruptions caused by ‘
the dislocations and the lateral upheavals of masses of the strata.
Ridge succeeds ridge, each of which runs out and diminishes until
it disappears below the rocks of a more recent origin.
The primitive rocks extend from Butter hill to Fort Montgomery,
thence along the line of the county to New Jersey, thence to Pochuck
mountain, embracing a large part of the towns of Warwick, Monroe,
Highlands, and Cornwall; part of New Windsor, Newburgh, Bloom-
ing-Grove, and the south part of Goshen. Woodcock mountain,
Round hill, Pedler hill, Goose-pond mountain, Sugar-loaf, and Sugar-
loaf mate, Brimstone hill, Muchattoes hill, Mount Adam, Mount Eve,
and Pochuck mountain, are composed of this series.
Granite is found at the foot of Butter hill suitable for quarrying.
Sienite at West Point, on the east side of Bear mountain, and at the
base of Butter hill. Gneiss abounds in all the Highlands, and has
been quarried at Butter hill, Cro’-nest, West Point, Buttermilk Falls,
and between that and Fort Montgomery. Mica slate, or micaceous
gneiss, is found one mile north of Fort Montgomery, and at the foot
of Cro’-nest. Augite rock is found between West Point and Round
pond; also in Monroe, south of Cedar pond; near Slaughter’s pond,
Green pond, and Mombasha pond, and near the O’Neil, Forshee,
Clove, Rich and Forest of Dean mines. Greenstone trap is found
near Truxedo pond. Granular greenstone is found at Cro’-nest and
at Butter hill. Hornblende rock is found in large strata, and quartz
rock is in every hill and mountain of the Highlands. In the town
of Monroe is a bed of the latter four rods wide rising fifteen feet
above the gneiss on each side. Serpentine is found at the O’Neil
and at the Forshee mine, and there is a large bed of it in the
town of Warwick. Crystallized serpentine is also found in Warwick
in the white limestone. Scapolite is found at Amity; also, blende of
minute, red, brilliant* prisms, with adamantine lustre. Yellow garnet
is found at Edenville. A species of soapstone is found at the Clove
mine in Monroe; magnetic pyrites, mica, and hornblende, at the Rich
iron mine. Large sheets of mica are found south-west of the Forshee
mine. In the latter mine is found beautiful red garnet, brown tremo-76
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
line, cocolite, and umber. The O’Neil mine abounds with a great
variety of beautiful minerals, among which are crystallized magnetic
ore of great brilliancy and beauty, magnetic pyrites, copper pyrites,
carbonate of copper, serpentine, amianthus, asbestos, brown spar,
rhombic spar, augite, cocolite, feldspar, and mica.
West of the village of Canterbury is a bed of hematite ore, on the late
Townsend farm. Two beds of arsenical iron are found in Warwick:
one in a vein near Mount Adam, and the other near Edenville. The
latter contains arsenical pyrites of a white silver color, in connection
with arsenic, sulphur, and iron; also red oxide of iron. This vein is
connected with the white limestone. An ore of titanium is also found
in Warwick, associated with augite and scapolite. An ore of cerium
occurs near Fort Montgomery.
The primitive rocks of the Highlands abound in ore of the magnetic
oxide of iron. The granite gneiss more generally contain it in layers
having the lines and bearing of the rock. At West Point the ore is
associated with hornblende. Meek’s mine, Kronkite’s mine, Round
Pond mine, Forest of Dean mine, Long mine, Patterson mine, Moun-
tain mine and a group of mines around it, and Crossway mine, all
abound in this ore, of rich quality. A bed of titaniferous iron ore is
located on the east side of Bear hill; magnetic ore at the lower land-
ing at Fort Montgomery, mixed with the sulphuret of iron; also at the
place called Queensborough ore bed, within a mile or two of Queens-
borough furnace. In several localities of the Shawangunk grits are
found veins of lead. Beds of lead ore have been opened at Edenville,
and also in the towns of Deerpark and Mount Hope.* Zinc ore has
also been found, exceeding in quality the lead. A copper mine was
opened near Otisville in 1866, and worked for about a year, show-
ing good ore but in small quantities.
The mines which have been opened in the beds described, and some
of which have been named in other connections, are: The Sterling
mine, in Monroe, opened in 1781.f Its ore is very sound and strong,
and has been much used for cannon. Part of its ore is bare, and part
of it slightly covered with soil and rocks. It embraces a surface of
about thirty acres. One and a half miles south-west of the Sterling
is the Belcher mine, supposed to be a prolongation of the Sterling
mine. Long mine and Red mine are further south; the ores of the
* The principal lead mines that have been opened are in Mount Hope and Deerpark.
They are known as the Erie, at Guymard; the Wallkill, two and a half miles north-east
of Guymard; the Champion, Washington, Mammoth, Mount Hope and Central. Of
these but two, the Erie and the Wallkill, have ever been extensively Worked. The lead
of the Erie mine is argentiferous, and at times the yield of silver pays running expenses,
leaving the lead a clear profit. The works are within a few rods of the Erie railroad.
f The Sterling Iron-works were established in 1751. This mine was discovered in 1780
and opened in 1781. The works are now connected with the Erie road by a branch from
Sterling Junction.GEOLOGY—MINES.
11
latter are magnetic and full of pyrites. East of Sterling pond is the
Mountain mine, the Crossway mine, and the Patterson mine. About
a mile south of the village of Monroe is the Clove mine, the ore of
which is magnetic, granular, and compact; a portion of it soft, in a
black powder, and can be taken out with a shovel. South-east of the
Clove is the O’Neil mine, in the midst of granitic gneiss and sienite.
Half a mile south-west of this is the Forshee mine, permeating the
whole hill upon which it is located. About five miles south-east of
Monroe is the Rich mine, the ore of which is strongly magnetic, rich,
and abundant. The Smith mine is between Cro’-nest and Butter hill;
its ore is a native magnet; it has not been worked of late years. The
Townsend mine of hematite ore is in Cornwall, about two miles and a
half west from Canterbury. Its ore is lean but makes excellent iron.
It is mostly in powder or small fragments, mixed with balls of the
hematite of a few pounds weight. Forest of Dean mine was open-
ed as early probably as 1761. It lies west from Fort Montgomery.
The Queensborough* mine lies south from Forest of Dean; it has not
been worked to any extent. Greenwood mine, in Monroe, lies north
of the Erie road. Its yield is consumed by Greenwood furnace.
Traditions of lead, tin, silver, and even gold mines, in the High-
lands, are quite prevalent, while on the Schunemunk range and in
* Queensborough mine takes its name from a tract of 1437 acres granted to Gabriel and
William Ludlow, Oct. 18,1731, and to which they gave the name. The name is now fre-
quently but wrongly written Queenshm-i/,—the suffix should be borough, signifying in
its application, Queen’s hill.78
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
other places the carbonaceous slates have been pretty thoroughly ex-
amined from presumed indications of veins of coal. The early Euro-
pean adventurers evidently made a very complete examination of the
entire district in the hope of striking the precious ores. Some mag-
nificent magnetic pyrites, however, was their only reward, as it has
been of equally sanguine but more recent searchers.
/* The soils of the county vary with the geological features of the
different sections. The district known as the primary, in most, of its
higher elevations, is not susceptible of cultivation, owing to the rough
and broken state of the surface and the naked character of the rocks.
At the base of the Highlands are out-cropping hills, and the surface,
though broken, is productive and in many instances presents beauti-
ful farms. In the district of the Hudson system of slates and lime-
stones, though irregular and broken, its slaty or shaly beds and
sandstone and limestone rocks furnish a soil favorable to the growth
of grain and grass. Above the Highlands this district diverges from
the river to the south-west quite into the state of New Jersey. No
part rises into mountains, yet there are steep bluffs, but not higher
than three hundred feet. West of this lies the belt of land to the
Shawangunk mountains, stretching across the county from Crawford
to the Jersey line, in which the soil partakes of the grits and shales
of this series, giving peculiar features and qualities to the surface.
In this connection it may be remarked, that the most striking. fea-
ture of the Shawangunk range, as presented to the eye, is the fact
that the surface of its eastern or south-eastern slope bears abundant
evidence that the great glacial or ice age witnessed the passage from
it of an enormous glacier, which ground up the rocks until the soil
was produced which is now so highly cultivated, while its western or
north-western slopes remain rocky and untillable, bearing nothing
but forest trees and minerals. This peculiarity exists in the range
even beyond the limits of the county; and the glacier marks, so plain-
ly visible, afford a means of judging of the kind of plow that dug out
the beds and valleys of the Wallkill and the Shawangunk kill.
Throughout the county the existence of large masses of boulders,
the origin of which can only be referred to distant places, furnishes
evidence that in many sections the soil has been the result of drift
deposits. Below the city of Newburgh, the drift bed, containing boul-
ders and pebbles that are scratched, overlies the abraded rocks, and
is in turn overlaid by clay beds, sand and gravel in regular courses.
Boulders, erratic blocks, and scratched rocks, abound on the High-
lands. The boulders are formed mostly of granite and gneiss; occa-
sionally one of graywacke, showing unmistakably its transportation
from a great distance; their accompanying friable deposits now en-GEOLOGY—SOILS.
79
enrich the mountain cloves. Aside from their contributions to the
soil, many of the drift deposits are valuable—the sand, for casting or
moulding, smoothing and rubbing stones used in lithography, blotting
sand, and for mortar andwglass; the clays, for pottery and brick.
The soil of the plateau adjoining the Hudson, forming a semi-circle
from the Highlands to the Hans Kammer, is gravelly, sandy, clayey
THE PLATEAU AT CORNWALL.
—a mixture forming a warm and fertile loam. The surface .rises
gradually to Orange lake; thence descends to the Wallkill. The
soil of the Wallkill valley is peculiarly rich and fertile. Much of
it is alluvium, intermingled with clay, sand, and gravel. In the
town of Wallkill the soil is more diversified; in some places it is
clayey and of no great depth above the rock; in others gravelly, and
again sandy and elevated. Through Goshen and Warwick it partakes
more of clay and sand loam, with slight intervals of gravel. Approx-
imating the state line, the primitive formations of Mount Adam, Mount
Eve, and Pochuck mountain change the constituents, but do not de-
tract from its fertility. Some of the most rich 'and productive soils
in the county are found in the islands of the drowned lands. West
of the Wallkill valley the soil is affected in its constituents by the
Shawangunk range of mountains, and is generally a clayey loam,
well adapted to grass. In some parts it becomes slaty arid warm; in
others it is shaly and covered with fragments of rocks. In Heerpark
is a range of soil, brought down from, the adjacent hills and upper
country, that is very fertile and easy of cultivation,; and, though it has
been under the plow nearly two centuries, it still ranks with the most
productive lands of the state. The valley of the Otterkill is a sandy
and gravelly loam, partly alluvial.80
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
CHAPTER V.
FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR------WAR OF THE REVOLUTION----WARS OF
THE REPUBLIC.
HILE the pioneer settlements of the district now embraced in
the county of Orange were at all times exposed to the vicissi-
tudes of frontier life, two epochs in their history are especially mark-
ed: the first, their participation in the Indian war of 1155; the second,
their participation in the war of the Revolution. The former was
auxiliary to the French in the last conflict which they maintained with
the English for the supremacy of the North American continent; the
latter, the rebellion of the colonies against the government of Eng-
land, resulting, through the aid of France, in their establishment as
an independent nation. To what extent the Indians of the Delaware
river country (the ancient Lenapesand Min sis) were employed by the
agents of France in the former, in its earlier stages, cannot be defi-
nitely stated. Independent of French influence, however, the tribes
engaged in it had impelling grievances to adjust. They had sold
their lands to William Penn, who, perhaps under the expectation of
arranging the boundaries himself to the satisfaction of the grantors,
had drawn a deed of which advantage could be taken, and his suc-
cessors, the proprietaries of Pennsylvania, were not slow to improve
it—literally “ running ” the boundaries of the famous “ walking pur-
chase.” The Minsis had special complaint against the traders in the
Minnisink country, who had made them drunk and defrauded them of
the purchase money of their lands; who invariably, by the same pro-
cess, defrauded them of the price of the peltries which they brought
in. The Delawares complained; the proprietaries summoned them to
a council, with chiefs of the Six Nations as arbitrators; feasted the
latter and loaded them with presents. The result maybe anticipated:
the Delawares, then tributary to the Six Nations, and the special
wards of the Senecas, were obliged to relinquish their lands and re-
mo vq to Wyoming. Not satisfied with what they had wrongfully
obtained, the proprietaries followed up their advantage with the Six
Nations, and, with the Susquehanna Company of Connecticut, bought
the lands at Wyoming. The transaction so incensed the Senecas, who
had been but partially represented in the matter, that they drove fromFRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
81
their ranks their best chief for his participation in it, .and removed the
“ petticoat ” from the Delawares and bade them defend their homes.
The latter were ready for the work. Liberated from the thraldom to
which they had been subjected for nearly a century, and with all its
grievances to redress, the chiefs of the east met those of the west
in council at Alleghany; rehearsed their wrongs, and declared that
wherever the white man had settled within the territory which they
claimed, or of which they had been defrauded, there they would strike
him as best they could with such weapons as they could command;
and that the blow might be effectually dealt, each warrior-chief was
charged to kill and scalp and burn within the precincts of his birth-
right, and all simultaneously, from the frontiers down to the heart of
the settlements, until the English should sue for peace and promise
redress.
In October following, with their allies, painted black for war, in
bands with murderous intent, they moved eastward, and the line of
the Blue mountains, from the Delaware to the Susquehanna, became
the scene of the carnival which they held with torch and tomahawk
during many coming months. The Minsis performed their part, and
on the frontiers of Orange and Ulster counties, and New Jersey, but
principally within the limits of the Minnisink patent, were repeated
the fearful ravages of the n^ore remote districts of Pennsylvania.
The settlements were small, at considerable distance from each other,
and much exposed to the surprises of the Indians, whose incursions
were frequent. The people, especially in the contested district, were
kept in almost perpetual alarm, and under such u continued military
duty as to be rendered incapable of taking care of their private
affairs for the support of their families.’7 An extent of country, on
the west side of the Wallkill, of fifteen miles in length and seven, or
eight in breadth, which was “ well and thickly settled, was abandoned
by the inhabitants, who, for their safety, removed their families to the
east side of the river, and became a charge on the charity of their
neighbors,” while others “ removed to distant parts, and some out of
the province.” *
“ Fatigues of body, in continually guarding and ranging the woods,
and anxiety of mind which the inhabitants could not avoid, by their
being exposed to a cruel and savage enemy, increased by the perpet-
ual lamentations of the women and children,” were not the only evils
which the inhabitants suffered. Three men were killed at Cochecton;
five men at Philip SwartwouPs; Benjamin Sutton and one Rude, two
of the Goshen militia, were killed at Minnisink; Morgan Owen was
* N. Y. MSS. lxxxii, 107, etc.82
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
killed and scalped about four miles from Goshen; a woman, taken
prisoner at Minnisink, was killed and her body cut in halves and left
by the highway; Silas Hulet's house was robbed and he himself nar-
rowly escaped. “From about the drowned lands for fifteen miles
down the Wallkill, where fifty families dwelt, all save, four abandoned
their fields and crops.” *
Pending negotiations for peace, hostilities were suspended during
the year 1756, but in August of the succeeding year, says Niles, “one
James Tidd was scalped in the Minnisinks. About this time also, one
James Watson, with James Mullen, went out on some business, and
were fired upon by a party of Indians. Watson was found killed and
scalped; Mullen was carried off, as was concluded, not being found or
heard of. About the 19th of September, Patrick Kitrr was scalped
and killed at a place called Minnisink bridge. Sometime in October,
in Ulster county, the Indians fired into the furthermost house in Roch-
ester, and killed two women, but were repulsed by two men. f
“On the 16th of May, 1758, about two o'clock in the afternoon,
about thirteen Indians rushed into the house of one Nicholas Cole, on
the frontiers of the Jerseys, if I mistake not. Cole not being at home,
they immediately pinioned his wife, and tomahawked their son-in-law,
about eighteen years old, and dragged her (Mrs. Cole) out of doors,
where her eldest daughter, about thirteen years old, lay murdered,
and a boy aged eight, and her youngest daughter aged about four.
This last—the poor, helpless old woman saw the cruel savages thrust
their spears into the body of her gasping infant. They rifled the
house, and then carried her and her son off, after they had scalped the
slain above mentioned.
“ Soon after they were joined by two Indians with two German
captives they had taken that day, and killed and scalped another, in
one Anthony Westbrook's field, near Minnisink, so called. Not long
after Cole returned home, where to his great surprise he found his
four children murdered, and his wife and other son missing. Upon
which he went to Minnisink (Napanoch) Fort, J and got a few soldiers
to assist him in burying his children and the German. The soldiers
joined with some of the neighbors that evening to cross the Delaware
river at daylight, and waylay the road to Wyoming; and as four of
* “All the families between the deponent’s house and Minnisink, to the amount of one
hundred and fifty persons, have deserted those settlements and come into four frontier
houses, one of which is the deponent’s house, which is now a frontier house on that side,
and which was, last year, fifteen or sixteen miles within the settlements at Minnisink, and
about sixteen miles from Hudson’s river.”—Affidavit of James HoweU, N.Y. MSS. lxxxii.
f The attack here spoken of was on the house of Peter Jan, in the south-western part of
Rochester. Jan’s house was burned and one of his daughters, and two men who acted as
scouts, Were killed. His wife and two daughters, and himself and two sons, who were in
the field, escaped.—Doc. His., ii, 763, 764.
t Napanoch, Neepenack, and Peenpack, refer to one and the same place* Ante p. 57.FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.	83
them were going to one Chambers’s, about two o’clock at night, they
heard the Indians coming down a hill to cross the Delaware, as was
supposed, when one of the four fired on them. They immediately
fled, giving a yell after their manner. The woman they led with a
string about her neck, and the boy by the hand ; who, finding them-
selves loose, made their escape along the road, and happily met at
James McCarty’s, the boy first and afterward the woman.
“ The daughter of one widow Walling, living near Fort Gardiner,
between Goshen and Minnisink, going out to pick up some chips for
the fire, was shot at by three Indians. Her shrieks alarmed the
people. Her brother, looking out at a garret window, and seeing a
fellow dispatching and scalping his sister, fired at them and was
pretty certain he wounded one of them. The old woman, during this,
with her other daughter and son, made off and escaped.
“About this time (beginning of June), a sergeant went from Waas-
ing* to Minnisink with a party of men, but returned not at the time
they were expected. Upon which a larger party went out in search
of them, and at their arrival at Minnisink, found seven of them killed
and scalped, three wounded, and a woman and four children carried
off Near about the same time, a house was beset by a party of In-
dians, where were seventeen persons, who were killed, as I remember
the account. A man and a boy traveling on the road with their mus-
kets, were fired on by some Indians in ambush. The man was killed,
but the boy escaped, having first killed one of the Indians. Not far
from this, time—whether before or after I am not certain—the Indians
killed seven New York soldiers. This slaughter was committed at a
place called Westfall’s.” f
Such is the imperfect record of these hostilities, attested by the
most respectable residents of the district—among others by Colonel
Thomas Ellison and Colonel Charles Clinton, of the settlements on the
Hudson, which, though exempt from the brand of the enemy, were
not the less sufferers by the war, their male inhabitants being in almost
continual service on the frontiers, and their dwellings converted
into, places of defense. That the incursions of the Indians on the
frontiers were not continued in their first severity, was due in part to
the erection by Governor Hardy, in the summer of 1757, of a series
of block-houses along the western frontier, | and in part to the nego-
* Wawarsing block-house, probably.	f See also Eager’s Orange County, 381.
t “ From a place called Machakamak to the town of Rochester.”—Gov. Hardy1 s Mes-
sage. Mr. Guamer states that at this time there were three small forts in the Upper
Neighborhood and three in the lower Neighborhood. “ One in the Upper Neighborhood
was on the Neversink at the north-east end of the settlement; one at the house of Peter
Gumaer in the central part of the neighborhood, and the third at the south-west end of
the settlement. These forts were occupied by about twelve families and a few soldiers
who were there from time to time. The locations of the forts in the Lower Neighborhood
are not known. They gave protection to about eighteen families.” In a subsequent par-
agraph he says that “ Westfall’s Fort ” was in the lower part of the latter neighborhood.
0684	GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
tiations which had been instituted with Teedyuscung, the king of the
Delawares, who, seeking only the redress of his people, was ready to
restrain* them from war could that end be secured by other means.
In October, 1758, the proprietaries surrendered their titles and recog-
nized the right of the government to arrange the boundaries of the
lands claimed under them; the Minsis were paid for their lands in
the Minnisink country; an exchange of prisoners was agreed to, and
terms of peace concluded. Subsequently the Indian allies of the
French held the frontier under terror until after the close of the
French and Indian war, when the avocations of the pioneers were
resumed and their rude forts permitted to decay.
From the close of the Indian war to the advent of the Revolution
was less than a quarter of a century. Its experiences were yet fresh
—its ravages had scarce been repaired. It was not, therefore a new
experience on which the people of the district were to enter that
confronted them when the echo of the guns at Lexington rolled over
the continent—when the ringing alarm was proclaimed: “The war
has already begun!”—although it is perhaps true that the alternative
of submission to the demands of the British ministry or war, was not
fully realized in the early stages of the controversy. However this
may be, in the movement which culminated in independence, they
acted with great unanimity. When they were asked in April, 1775,
to send representatives to New York, to meet with those from other
parts of the province, for the purpose of choosing delegates to a con-
tinental congress at Philadelphia, the selection was made by an unan-
imous vote of the county convention. A still more decisive test was
that of the pledge of association, which was soon after presented:
“ Persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties of America depend, under God,
on a firm union of its inhabitants in a vigorous prosecution of the measures necessary for
its safety; we, the freemen, freeholders and inhabitants, being greatly alarmed at the
avowed design of the ministry to raise a revenue in America, and shocked by the bloody
scene now acting in Massachusetts bay, do, in the most solemn manner, resolve never to
become slaves, and do associate, under all the tics of. religion, honor and love of country,
to adopt and endeavor to carry into execution whatever measures may be recommended
by the continetal congress.”
—yet it was accepted with, an unanimity almost equal to that with
which the election of delegates had been voted, not five per cent, of
the inhabitants withholding their signatures.*
Aside from the affirmation of the political convictions of its inhab-
itants, the Revolutionary history of the district has its general and
its local military features:, the former, in the concentration of con-
tinental forces in and above the Highlands, and the establishment of
the head-quarters of Washington and his principal officers at New
Windsor and at Newburgh for periods covering the larger part of the
* Every freeholder and elector had the option to give or withhold his signature to this
pledge. The signatures will be given hereafter.WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
85
contest; the latter, in the services of its militia. Prior to the former,
the militia knew little immunity from active duty. So great was the
demand upon them that two out of every five of their number were
called out, and at times, in order to save their crops, they were per-
mitted to serve in the ranks by turns. The population of the district
—representing only about four thousand males between the ages of
sixteen and sixty—was so small that none who were able to bear arms
were exempt from local service or from drafts to recruit the general
state and continental forces. In no district in the state were the
inhabitants so completely thrown into the contingencies of the strug-
gle or suffered more severely.
To the first four regiments raised in the province (1775), the
county of Orange sent two companies, and the county of Ulster four
companies; to the four regiments raised in January, 1776, Orange
sent three companies, and Ulster three companies, and in September
following contributed largely to the organization of the regiment
commanded by Colonel Lewis DuBois. The first regiments will be
remembered as comprising the expedition against Canada, whose
brief but heroic history marked the aggressive spirit of the infant
nation. The second regiments have written upon their record the
story of the defense of New York and especially of the battle at
Chatterton’s Hill; while the third were the regular continental troops
enlisted for the war. In addition to the companies named, two com-
panies of rangers were organized—one under command of Captain
Isaac Belknap, of Newburgh, and one under Captain Jacob Butsen
DeWitt, of Peenpack—of which the former has immortal fame under
the title of “ Townsend’s Bangers ” in Cooper’s story, “ The Spy.” *
While the several organizations were being perfected, the militia
proper was put in the best possible condition. At the outbreak of
the war there were four regiments in the district: Colonel John
Hathorn’s in Warwick, Colonel Jesse Woodhull’s in Cornwall, Colonel
Ellison’s in New Windsor, and Colonel William Allison’s in G-oshen.
These regiments were reorganized, a new enrollment made, vacancies
in officers filled, and independent organizations of minute men and
of exempts created, f In July following, apprehending a movement
* More specific reference will be made to the military organizations of the district in a
subsequent chapter.
f In May, 1775, commissions were issued to the field officers of three Ulster county regi-
ments: Colonel James Clinton’s (subsequently Colonel McClaughry’s), New Windsor;
Colonel Jonathan Hasbrouck’s, Newburgh; Colonel Levi Pauling, Rochester. Orange,
north of the Highlands, had three regiments : Colonel Jesse Woodhull’s, Cornwall; Colo-
nel William Allison’s, Goshen; and Colonel John Hathom’s, Warwick. The first regiment
■ of minute men in the district was organized in January, 1775—Isaac Nicoll, of Cornwall,
Colonel. The second was organized in December, 1775—Thomas Palmer, of Newburgh,
Colonel. Several local companies of minute men were organized, but the regiments do
not appear to have been filled up. Special organizations were rapidly multiplied, and
were entirely disproportioned to the population. Ultimately all special organizations were
abolished, and the militia and the troops of the line became the sole dependence.86
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
of the enemy up the Hudson, the provincial convention ordered that
“ one fourth part of the militia of the counties of Orange and Ulster
be drawn out for the defense of this state” and “stationed in the
Highlands on the west side of Hudson’s river to guard the defiles.”
Two, regiments were organized under this order: one from Ulster,
Levi Pauling, Colonel, and one from Orange—Isaae Nicoll, Colonel;
Gilbert Cooper, Lieut. Colonel; Sami-. Logan, Major. A more sweep-
ing requisition was made in December, when, after the capture of New
York, the British followed Washington into New Jersey, they were
ordered to cooperate with the forces ’under Generals Lee and Gates
in that state. Assembling at Chester,* * * § they marched thence to a
place called “the City, at the parting of the roads leading from
Tappan to Pyramus,” under command of General George Clinton,f
and formed the nucleus of what was subsequently known as General
Clinton’s Brigade, which was continued in service in varying numbers
until after the fall of the Highland forts in 1777. For over two years
they were practically resolved into minute men-and placed under orders
to march upon signal to the defense of the Highlands;! special servi-
ces almost innumerable were thrown upon them. § Rallying after the
loss of Fort Montgomery, we see them on the march to Kingston,
struggling against hope to save that place from the flames, and from
thence returning to build anew their shattered citadels, and to reap-
pear in the carnage at Minnisink.
Although familiar, an abridged narrative of their sevices in these
fields may not be omitted in this connection. In July, 1775, the
British ministry, in arranging their plan for the suppression of the
rebellion, determined “to command the Hudson with a number of
small men of war and cutters, and maintain a safe intercourse and
correspondence between Quebec, Albany and New York, and thus
* “ Resolved, That all the militia of Orange and Ulster counties be forthwith ordered to
march, properly armed and accoutered, to Chester, in Orange county, there to receive
farther orders from General George Clinton for effectually cooperating with Major-Gene-
ral Lee and Major-General Gates, in harassing and distressing the enemy, who have en-
.tered the state of New Jersey.”—.Res. Prov. Conv., Dec. 9,1776. A subsequent order
confined them to the limits of New York.
f At that time Brigadier General of militia of Ulster county ; subsequently Governor of
the state.	*
X “On the firing of two cannon at Fort Montgomery, and two at Fort Constitution, to
be answered by two from the brass twenty-four pounder at New Windsor, the militia on
the west side of Hudson’s river, in the counties of Orange and Ulster, as far as Colonel
Hasbrouck’s regiment, including the same, are to march by detachments, without further
notice, as a reinforcement of this garrison.”—Order of Brig. General James Clinton, com-
manding at Fort Montgomery, July 10,1777. From December, 1776, to April, 1778, the
militia were called out twelve times and spent 292 days in the field.
§ A single instance of the many recorded services of this nature is the following which
occurred on the morning preceding the battle of Minnisink, and which accounts for the
limited number of men in that action: “ On the evening of the 21st of this instant, I re-
ceived an order from his excellency General Washington, together with a requisition of the
Commissary of Prisoners, to furnish one hundred men of my regiment to guard the British
prisoners on their way to Easton. I ordered three companies of my regiment, including
the exempt company, to parade for that purpose.”—Hathorn’s Report, July 25,1779.WAR OF TEE REVOLUTION.
87
afford the finest opportunity to their soldiery, and the Canadians in
conjunction with the Indians, to make continual incursions into Mas-
sachusetts, and divide the provincial forces, so as to render it easy for
the British army at Boston to defeat them and break the spirits of the
Massachusetts people, desolate their country and compel an absolute
subjection to Great Britain.” To counteract this plan, the continental
congress, in May of the same year, at the suggestion of the conven-
tion of New York, resolved, “ that a post be taken in the Highlands,
on each side of Hudson’s river, and batteries erected^ and that experi-
enced persons be immediately sent to examine said river in order to
discover where it would be most advisable and proper to obstruct the
navigation.” During the succeeding fall, Forts Clinton and Mont-
gomery were erected under the supervision of the convention of New
York, and the navigation obstructed by means of chains, booms, fire-
ships, and vessels of war, during the summer of 1776.* The forts
were mainly garrisoned by the militia of the district, who were called
together by a system of beacons and signals, consisting of flags and
alarm cannon by day, and beacon-fires upon the mountain tops at
night. The works were strengthened during the summer of 1777, by
the construction of Fort Constitution on Constitution island, and of
Fort Independence at Peekskill, and the command, on the east side
of the river, intrusted to General Putnam; Governor Clinton and
General James Clinton and the militia retaining the western division.
Scarcely had the work been completed when Burgoyne swept down
from Canada with his splendid army, and the campaign for the pos-
session of the Hudson opened. To aid in the movement, Howe threat-
ened an attack on Philadelphia, by way of Delaware river, and thus
forced Washington to draw men from the Highlands until only fifteen
hundred remained. About the 20th of September, while Howe was
marching into Philadelphia, and Burgoyne had reached Saratoga, over
three thousand British soldiers arrived in New York, and there joined
the armament of Sir Henry Clinton, then in waiting, and in a few
days started to force their way up the Hudson. Misleading General
Putnam by feigning an attack on Peekskill, the forces of the enemy
crossed the river to Stony Point, marched around the western base of
the Dunderberg (Oct. 7), and appeared before the forts. The militia
of the district, about six hundred in number, that had been hastily
called in the day previous, made a most heroic defense, fighting
* The first obstructions consisted of a chain 1800 feet in length from the foot of the
rock at Port Montgomery to the base of Anthony’s Nose. A considerable portion of it
was brought from Port Ticonderoga, where it had been used to obstruct the river Sorrel;
the remainder was manufactured at Poughkeepsie. It was protected by a boom of logs,
and guarded by batteries on the shore. Prom Plum Point to Pallopel’s Island, a chevaux-
de-frise was constructed. The fire-ships were rafts loaded with combustibles. The ships
of war were two armed frigates, two galleys, and an armed sloop.88
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
against superior numbers until twilight, when they gave way and
made a scattered retreat, leaving behind them about three hundred of
their number in killed, wounded and prisoners.*
Adverse winds prevented the escape of the armed vessels which
had been stationed to protect the chain and boom, and they were
set on fire by their crews. The flames spread rapidly and soon
reached the loaded cannon, which gave out thundering reports, and
finally the magazines, and amid “ magnificent pyramids of fire,” a
tremendous explosion shook the hills, and all again was wrapped
in darkness. On the morning following the enemy removed the
obstructions, and passed on up the river, hurling shot and shell to
the exposed dwellings on either shore, sending the inhabitants to their
cellars and to the woods for safety. The cause of the colonists seemed
hopelessly lost; gloom hung its heavy clouds over their hopes; the
defenses which had cost them so much money and sacrifice, had proved
of no avail; weeping for the slain, and fears for the captives, were
guests in many households.
The capture of Burgoyne’s army, however, frustrated the nearly
accomplished efforts of the enemy, and their fleet returned to New
York. Steps were immediately taken by the colonists to reestablish
the Highland defenses. The works and obstructions were similar to
those which had been destroyed, but the location was better chosen.
A new fort was erected on a cliff one hundred and eighty feet above
the river, on the east side of the present parade ground at West
Point. It was large enough to shelter six hundred men, and was only
accessible at one point from the river, which was securely defended by
palisades. It was the principal fort on the Point, and bore the bap-
tismal name of Fort Arnold.f Its out-works were Fort Putnam, on
Mount Independence, and Forts Webb and Wyllys near by; indeed,
on every eminence in the neighborhood commanding Fort Arnold
were batteries forming a chain of redoubts to the river. | The river
obstructions were a massive chain and boom, extending from the foot
of Fort Arnold to the landing on Constitution island. West Point
thus became the strongest military post in Americar—the virtual key
to the continent. No longer garrisoned by the local militia, our in-
terest in it other than that which is national ceases.
* The regiments engaged were : Colonel Allison’s, from Goshen, commanded by him-
self; Colonel Jesse Woodhull’s, from Cornwall, under command of Major Zachariah
DuBois ; Colonel Jas. Clinton’s, from New Windsor, commanded by Lieut. Colonel James
McClaughry ; Colonel Hasbrouck’s, from Newburgh, under Lieut. Colonel Masten; three
regiments from other districts, and Colonel DuBois’ continental regiment, and Col. Lamb’s
artillery. The regiments were by no means full. No return of the killed appears on
record.	'
t Subsequently changed to Fort Clinton. A part of its walls remain.
i Fort Putnam is now the most complete in its ruins, presenting walls and casemates in
a considerable state of perfection, though not as they existed during the Revolution, the
works having been repaired in 1812.WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
89
While these events were transpiring on the Hudson, the western
frontier was harassed by the incursions of Indians and Tories. At the
outbreak of the war the colonists made no little effort to induce the
more important tribes, as well as the resident Indians, to remain
neutral. To some extent this effort was successful, but ultimately the
rude savages, always easily debauched by rum and trinkets, yielded
to the solicitations and, rewards of the English agents, and accepted
service in their ranks. The bulk of the Six Nations were more im-
mediately employed in the northern and western parts of the prov-
ince, in company with the Tories, in an independent organization
known as “ Tories and Indians/5 This organization was extended to
the south-western frontiers in 1777, when a rendezvous was estab-
lished by Brant and Butler at Oghkawaga (now Binghamton), where
was soon gathered a motley crew of whites and savages, from the
Delaware and its branches, whose field of operations was to embrace
the frontier settlements with which its members were best acquainted.
In anticipation of the events which subsequently followed, the settlers
in the western part of Orange erected, soon after hostilities com-
menced, a number of block-houses,* * * § while others stockaded their
dwellings with a view to defense. The first invasion of the district
is said to have occurred on the 13th of October, 1778, when two
dwellings were attacked, three persons killed, and the inhabitants
despoiled of their grain and stock.f Count Pulaski, with his legion of
cavalry, was then sent to Minnisink for the protection of the settlers,
and remained during the winter of 1778-79, and Col. Van Cortlandt’s
regiment was sent to Wawarsing. Hostilities were renewed in the
spring; the valley of the Susquehanna was devastated; Wyoming
became the scene of frightful massacre; north-western Ulster was
invaded and the Eantinekill and Woodstock settlements visited. The
withdrawal of Count Pulaski from Minnisink left the lower frontier
exposed, and, on the night of July 19th, Brant, with sixty-five of his
warriors, and twenty-seven Tories disguised as savages, J stole upon
what was then known as the Lower Neighborhood^ and before the
people were aroused from their slumbers several dwellings were set
on fire, and the work of death begun. Without means of defense,
* Mr. Grumaer states (Eager’s History, 885) , that three small forts were erected in the
Peenpaek neighborhood—“ one at the house of Jacob Rutsen DeWitt; one at the house
of Benjamin R. DePuy, and one at the house of Ezekiel Grumaer.” He intimates that
there were none, at the Lower Neighbornood or Little Minnisink. Sauthier’s map of 1779,
locates “ Col. Jersey Fort ” at the “ Lower Neighborhood,” and “ Fort Cotenco ” north of
the “ Upper Neighborhood.” Besides the “ Col. Jersey Fort,” there were several forts
(so called) at the “Lower Neighborhood,” erected by individuals for their own protec-
tion. Among others one at Daniel Van Auken’s, and one at Martinas Decker’s.
t This statement is on the authority of Mr. Grumaer. We find no other record.
$ The number of the attacking party was never definitely known.
§ Now in Deerpark south of the Neversink river, and so called to distinguish it from the
Upper Neighborhood, or original settlement on the Cuddeback patent.90
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
the inhabitants fled to the mountains, leaving all their worldly goods
a spoil to the invaders. Their church, mills, houses and barns were
burned; several persons were killed and some taken prisoners; cattle
were driven away, and booty of every kind carried to Grassy brook
on the Delaware, where Brant had his head-quarters.*
Alarmed by fugitives, Lieutenant Colonel Tusten, of Colonel Alli-
son’s Goshen regiment, Colonel Hathom of the Warwick regiment,
and Captain Meeker of the New Jersey militia, with such number of
their commands as could be brought together in so brief-a time,
met in council at Minnisink the following morning. ’ Col. Tusten re-
garded the force too small to attempt the pursuit of the invaders, but
he was overruled, and the line of march taken up, under command of
Colonel Hathorn, and continued until the high hills overlooking the
Delaware, near the mouth of the Lackawaxen, were reached, where
the enemy was discovered. Ordering his force into three divisions,
Hathorn made preparations for the attack; but was anticipated by
Brant, who having, it is said, received reinforcements, threw his war-
riors into action before Hathorn’s dispositions were fully made, and
compelled his rear division to break and fly. Hathorn rallied his men
as best he could; but Brant had the advantage of position and supe-
rior numbers, and drew his Are closer and closer until Hathorn was
hemmed in within the circumference of an acre of ground, upon a
rocky hill that sloped on all sides, where he maintained the conflict
until the sun of that long July day went down. With the gathering
twilight the ammunition of his men was exhausted, and, placing
themselves in a hollow square, they prepared for a final defense by
clubbing their muskets. Broken at one corner, the square became a
rout, and the flying fugitives were shot down without mercy. Behind
a rock on the field, Tusten dressed the wounds of his neighbors, while
his shelter, unknown to him, was also made the point from which a'
fire was constantly kept up by a negro. As the last shot fell from this
retreat, the Indians rushed to the spot, killed Tusten and the wounded
men in his charge, seventeen in number, and completed the bloody
work which they had commenced. Of those who heroically went forth
to chastise the invaders, only about thirty returned to relate the ex-
periences through which they had passed in the scourging conflict—
the whistle of bullets, the moans of the wounded, the yells of savage
foes—grafting them forever upon the memory of their descendants
* Col. Hathom, in his report to Governor Clinton, states : “ Th£/burnt Major Decker’s
house and barn; Samuel Davis’s house, barn and mill; Jacobus Van Vleck’s house and
barn; Daniel Van Auken’s barn; Esquire Cuykindall’s house and to rn ; Simon Westfall’s
house and barn ; the church (the old Maghaghkemek church); PAtar Cuykindall’s house
and barn ; Martinas Decker’s fort, house, barn, and saw-mill, and flfehemiah Patterson’s
saw-mill; killed and scalped Jeremiah Van Auken, Daniel Cole, Ephraim Ferguson, and
one Tavern, and took with them several prisoners, mostly children, with a great number
of horses, cattle, and valuable plunder.”WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
91
and weaving them imperishably into the traditions and the history
of the county.*
Had the district been subjected to no other than foreign enemies,
its condition would have been more tolerable; but unfortunately lying
on the borders of territory in possession of the British, its more south-
ern portion was infested with bands of “cow-boys” operating against
the property of its people. The Monroe mountains were the places
of concealment of these bands, and Stony Point their secure retreat.
They were the guerrillas of the king; the retainers of the more re-
spectable portion of those who had refused the pledge of association.
Adding the 'murder of Major Nathl. Strong, of the Blooming-Grove
settlement, to their other offenses, Claudius Smith, a leader of one of
the organizations, was finally hunted down, and, on the 13th of Janu-
ary, 1779, publicly executed at Goshen; several of his associates shar-
ing his fate on the 22d of the same month. His band was not broken
up, however* but continued its depredations until the close of the war.
The service of another of these bands, however bold may have been
its thefts, was not always creditable to its sagacity or that of its em-
ployers. For the deception which Washington practiced upon Sir
Henry Clinton through Captain’s Moody’s, in carrying out his scheme
for the capture of Lord Cornwallis, they ought to be forgiven many
evil deeds and their haunts immortalized. Joshua Hett Smith relates
the incident referred to, from the British stand-point, while yet Clinton
was rubbing his hands in glee at its consummation. He says: “The
Glove was celebrated for the attachment of the inhabitants in general
to the British interests, who had frequently encouraged and protected
parties from New York, in their mountainous recesses; and it was in
this defile that the celebrated Captain Moody, in May, 1781, intercept-
ed an express from General Washington to congress, communicating
the result of his interview with the commanders of the land and naval
* The traditions of the engagement are too numerous to he collected, and in many
cases have been exaggerated in repetition. Dr. Wilson, in his address in 1822, states that
Hathorn had but eighty men, while Hathorn himself says he had one hundred and twenty,
men. The latter included Meeker’s New Jersey militia, while it is probable Dr. Wilson’s
number was coniined to the militia of Goshen, or to those who did not fly to the woods in
the first shock of the engagement; Again—Hathorn was not certain as to the force under
Brant, but says: “Some say 90, others 120, others 160.” The tradition that multiplies
these figures to “ 300 Indians and 200 Tories,” must of course be fabulous. Hathorn’s ac-
count of the battle, written five days after its occurrence, must be accepted evidence. He
states that in the first part of the action the rear division of his force broke and fled, “ some
advanced down the hill towards me, others fled into the woods;’’ that he maintained his
position “ up the hil& from the river,” and was not cut off from the latter by an ambuscade;
that when lie subsequently fell back on the hill he found he had but forty-five men, with
whom he held the pos^>n until dark, when in the midst of the final melee, “every man
made choice of his ovli way.” The loss on the part of Brant was never known. In 1822
the bones of the fallen were gathered from the battle-field and interred at Goshen under
a monument inscribe®^ Erected by the inhabitants of Orange county, July 22d, 1822. Sa-
cred to the memory, of forty-four of their fellow-citizens who fell at the battle of Minnisink,
July 22d, 1779.” No positive identification of the remains could be made. The present
monument (see frontispiece) was the gift of the late Dr. M. H. Cash, and was erected by
the Boaj:d of Supervisors in 1862.92
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
forces of France, and which disclosed to Sir Henry Clinton the design
of General Washington to attack the seat of the British power, New
York; and enabled Sir Hemy to take the necessary precautions to
prevent the combination by withdrawing from Lord Cornwallis a part
of his troops.” The facts are all correctly stated except that Wash-
ington designed the dispatches for capture, in expectation that Clinton
would do precisely what he did do. When the latter was made
aware of Washington’s real intention, the allied army was far on its
march to Virginia; before he could correct his blunders Cornwallis
was a prisoner, and the success of the Revolution assured.
The presence of the continental army in the district, and the estab-
lishment in it of Washington’s head-quarters; the treason of Arnold,
and the fate of Andre; Wayne’s victory at Stony Point, and his defeat
at Bergen; the Newburgh letters, and the refusal of Washington to
accept the crown of monarchy; the conflicts and stratagems that were
enacted through all the Highland range—have given the county a
national record that need not be repeated here. A careful analysis
of the question would, it is believed, establish conclusively the fact
that, while national independence was decreed at Philadelphia in 1776,
the republic had its birth on the camp-ground of the continental army
at New Windsor. Seeking, in the early stages of the war, a redress
of grievances; laboring subsequently for the success of the declara-
tion “that these colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and inde-
pendent states,” the question of the permanent form of government
was held in abeyance. The first formal expression of sentiment on
the subject was the Col. Nicola, letter, and the rejection by Washing-
ton of the offered crCwn. But this discussion may well be waived.
Fortunate will be the American people if the republic, no matter where
inaugurated—whether at Philadelphia amid the clangor of bells on
the fourth of July, 1776; or at New Windsor in the chant of the army,
“No king but God,” on the nineteenth of April, 1783—shall survive
the influences perpetually menacing its overthrow.
, In the wars of the republic the people of Orange have borne their
full share. Their battles, and those of the rebellion, were mainly
fought by volunteers and by the federal army and navy. In that of
1812, however, the militia of the county was ordered out en masse for
the defense of New York, but met no enemy there. In records to be
given hereafter we shall meet her sons on the ocean and on the field;
in the everglades of Florida, and before the embrasured walls of
Mexico; on the fratricidal fields of Virginia, and in the memorable
march from the Mississippi to the sea.RUINS OF FORT PUTNAM.JUDICIAL HIST OR T.
93
CHAPTER YI.
JUDICIAL HISTORY—PUBLIC BUILDINGS-CIVIL ADMINISTRATION—TOWN
BOUNDARIES-GENERAL SUMMARY.
HPHE judicial history of Orange county properly begins with its
-L Court of Common Pleas (1691), the first session of which was
held at Orangetown, April 28, 1703.* * * § Prior to that time, and for
several years subsequent, in some cases, as has been already stated,
its primary settlements were attached to New York or were included
in the county of Ulster. The court of Common Pleas was continued
until. 1847, -when it gave place to the present County Court. The
Supreme Court (also established in 1691), held Circuits in the county
after 1703. Its bench was composed of the best legal talent of the
province and of the state. Its Circuits were succeeded by the Circuit
Courts established by the constitution of 1821, and the latter by the
judicial system of 1846, when a new Supreme Court was organized
having general jurisdiction of law and equity, and holding at least
.two terms annually of the Circuit Court and Court of Oyer and Ter-
miner in each county. Surrogate's courts have been held in the
county since 1754. The original county was divided into two court
districts in 1727, when courts were held at Orangetown and at Goshen
alternately, the former being the shire-town. A similar division was
made in the present county in 1798, when Goshen was established as
the shire-town, and court terms alternated with Newburgh, f This
division is still preserved, and is the only practical surviving link be-
tween the past and the present; an offspring of the wilderness era
vulgarly called “ Half-shire,” clothed in figments of log court houses,
dreary forest roads, pioneer jurors and pioneer justice, that flits to and
fro in palace cars and is seated beside the judge upon his bench.
The court houses of the original county have been referred to.J
Part of the walls of the one erected in 1737-40, are now included in
the building known as the Orange Hotel, in Goshen. § The one erect-
* Ante p. 33, 43.
f Ante p. 39, 40. The courts in Newburgh were held in the Academy building, the
upper floor having been specially fitted up for the purpose.
t Ante p. 44.
§ The south end wall of the Orange Hotel was the dungeon wall of the first court house.94	GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
ed in 1778, was on the site now occupied by the office of the county
clerk, the well on the west side of the latter building having stood
about ten feet from the rear of the center of the court house. There
were two periods in its architecture. As originally constructed its
first floor contained a hall in the center, with sheriff’s office and
dwelling rooms on the west, a dungeon on the south-east, and a stair-
case on the north-east. The court room was at the west end of the
second floor, the judges’jbench facing the entrance; on the south-east
were cells for minor offenders. The building was plain, and without
belfry; its only ornamental features were two windows larger than the
others and arched, one over the front door on the north side, its mate
directly opposite on the south side, and the date “1773” worked con-
spicuously in brick on the east wall in lieu of the British crown-stone
which had been obtained for the place, but which Gabriel Wisner de-
molished with a hammer.* Here were confined during the Revolution
political offenders or Tories, and prisoners of all grades; among others
Joshua Hett Smith, who was arrested for complicity in the treason of
Arnold, and who presents in his narrative an inside view of the prison
at that time. He writes: “ The jail was filled with those who professed
to be the king’s friends; tories, and those who were prisoners of war;
felons, and characters of all colors and descriptions. I was challenged
to know if I had any hand in the business of aiding the tory prisoners to
effect their escape from the dungeon. These were a number of persons
who were taken in arms while going to join the king’s troops in Canada;
they were residents of western settlements where, the country being
thinly inhabited, they had no jails, or at least none that were large and
strong enough to contain the number of persons who were captured,
and who were therefore brought to this place for greater security.
Among them were some of the most daring and hardy people, belonging
to Colonel Brant and Butler’s corps of whites and Indians. Fifty of
these were crowded in a small cell, which had a window grated with
strong bars of iron, and a sentinel to watch it.f Notwithstanding his
vigilance, however, some implements were conveyed to the prisoners,
who, in the night, by gentle degrees, picked away the mortar-from the
heavy foundation walls, and, in the course of one night, made an aper-
ture large enough to admit a man of almost any size to pass through,
which they all did and effected their escape. Fortunately a few days
after, several persons came to see me, as well on business as from
friendship, and they having interest with the deputy sheriff, persuaded
* The tradition is that a controversy arose in regard to the place where the stone should
he fixed. Wisner, who was a justice of the peace, asked that it be handed to him and he
would place it where no one would object. Holding the stone in the wall, as if to adjust
it, he suddenly struck it with a sledge and broke it in fragments. He was subsequently
killed in the battle of Minnisink.
f The original dungeon of this building.PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
95
him to suffer me to come out of my place of confinement, and sit with
them in the open court room.” As evening approached, I took occa-
sion to ask to visit my room a moment; but instead of doing so,
<cwhen I came near the door of my prison, I suddenly turned, and
from a wink of my servant went down a staircase that was at the side
of it, and without delay made to the outer door of the jail, which not
being bolted, I went out.”
The building was changed by the addition of a third story, cupola
and bell, about the commencement of the present century. On the
new floor was a large or main jail room at the south-east corner, and
adjoining it on the north-east was a dungeon with one grated window
so arranged that it could be completely darkened. Immediately west
of these was a large hall separating the rooms on the east side from
a jail room on the west and three other rooms, one occupied by the
county clerk and the surrogate, the others by a jailor, and used as
occasion required for prisoners. The arrangement of the court room
was changed, the bench being placed on the northerly side, with the
prisoners’ dock on the right, and seats for jurors on both left and
right. The building had no basement. When prisoners died in it
who were confined for debt, they were buried under the floor; or, if on
the limits, in the prison-yard.* The death penalty was inflicted pub-
licly, outside the court house walls, f The building was without spec-
ial architecture. Its length exceeded its depth; its walls were stone;
its roof was hipped; its ceilings quite high for a structure of that
period. Its little bell now calls the firemen of Goshen to their duties;
the old stones in its walls are incorporated in the walls of the present
jail; its historical associations embrace all that is now regarded as
barbarous in the old judicial system.
The court houses now in use at Newburgh and Goshen were erected
by the present county in 1842, and were the result of a compromise
on the question of erecting a new county, which, had been agitated at
different periodsJ by the people of Newburgh and the north-eastern
* Among those who were buried under the floor of the building was Major Antill, an
Englishman of high social rank, who had been imprisoned for debt. Under the law, the
body was held until the debt was paid. In 1875, the remains of several persons who had
been buried in the yard were exhumed, in digging a trench, and removed elsewhere, gain-
ing their final release from the old “ limits ” through the mercy of a laborer’s shovel. The
remains were not identified.
f Claudius Smith was executed a few rods in the rear of the court house, at about the
point now formed by the south-west, angle of the Presbyterian church grounds. Teed and
Dunning were executed in a field just out of town, a mile or so south of the court house,
near what is known as Stewart’s woods. Peter Crine was hanged.in the court room, and
his execution was the first in Orange county under the statute decreeing that capital pun-
ishment should be more privately administered.
| The first effort for a new county was made in 1822, when it was proposed to give it the
name of “ Jackson;” the second in 1832, when “Newburgh” was fixed upon as the
name. A third effort was made in 1858—the new county to be called “ Highland.” The
two former were predicated upon the refusal of the western towns to consent to the erec-
tion of a court house at Newburgh.96	GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
towns. Their erection was inaugurated in 1839 by an application to
the legislature, on the part of the board of supervisors, for authority
to build a new court house at Goshen. This proposition was opposed
by Newburgh, and the passage of the act defeated. In December
following the supervisors at an extra session (Dec. 7) adopted, by a
vote of ten to four, a resolution to apply to the legislature for power
to levy a tax of $30,000 on the county for the building of a court
house and jail at Goshen and a court house and cells at Newburgh—
$17,000 to be expended in the former and $13,000 in the latter town.
The act applied for
was passed by the
legislature in April
1841, and the erec-
tion of the build-
ings begun soon
after. In their ex-
ternal appearance
they are alike, and
were from pi an s
furnished, by T. M.
Niven, architect.
The basement of
that at Newburgh
is occupied in part
by cells, which are
court house at .NEWBURGH.	not necessary at
Goshen, the county jail being a separate building at that place. The
* site of the Newburgh building was enlarged to an open square by
private subscriptions of citizens.
Originally the county clerk and the surrogate had their offices at
their dwellings; subsequently in the reconstructed court house. At a
later period a clerk’s and surrogate’s office was erected on the west
' side of the site now occupied by the court house at Goshen. It was
a small building of brick, and was moved a short distance south in
1842, but in moving its walls were cracked, which gave rise to the
necessity for the erection of the present clerk’s office, which was
built in 1851 and occupied in the fall of that year.* It is a brick
structure of one story, fire-proof, and was occupied for some years by
the clerk and the surrogate. At the annual session of the super-
* The resolution for its construction was introduced in the hoard of supervisors in the
fall of 1850, by R. M. Vail. The contract was awarded to Francis Boyd, of Newburgh,
architect. The building committee was composed of R. M. Vail of Goshen, James R.
Dickson of Newburgh, and Daniel Fullerton of Wawayanda. The cost of building and
furniture was $6,250.PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
97
visors in 18*13, the erection of a building for the use of the surrogate
and the supervisors was authorized, from plans submitted by Cornelius
Ackerman, architect, and C. M. Thompson and J. H. Yail appointed
as building committee. The contract was awarded to Thomas Dobbin
of Newburgh, and the building completed in the summer of 18*14, at a
cost of $*7,40*7 85. The structure is of brick, two stories high, and
presumed to be fire-proof.
The support of the poor of the county and of its several towns,
with the exception of the town and city of Newburgh,* is provided
for by a county house and farm situated about four miles south of the
village of Goshen, on the road leading to Florida. In the early years
of the settlement of the county, this support devolved, under the law
of 1*101, upon the several towns and precincts.f The relief provided
was of two kinds: temporary or special assistance to the poor, and
absolute support where the latter was necessary. In most cases those
of the latter class were given out to board with the person who, at the
annual town meeting, should propose the lowest rate of compensation;
although in some cases tenements were rented for families. New-
burgh and Monroe purchased lands and erected town poor houses, but
they were the exception.J As population increased and the number
of paupers became greater, the distinction between town and county
poor was established-—the latter being provided for by general tax
upon the county; and the former, which was administered in the form
of temporary relief, by tax upon the town in which it was afforded.
Various methods were from time to time considered for administering
the support required for permanent paupers, resulting ultimately in
the passage by the legislature (November 27, 1824,) of an act to pro-
vide for the establishment of county houses for both town and county-
poor. This act was amended (April 4, 1828,) by providing for the
submission to the people of the towns, at an annual town meeting, of
the question of adopting the county system, and, if approving, to so
instruct their supervisors and file their action with the county clerk.
The people of Blooming-Grove were the first to move for the adoption
of the system in Orange,.by appointing, at their town meeting in
1828, a committee to make inquiry in regard to it, and the probable
expense of its establishment. This committee—composed of Joseph
McLaughlin, Joseph Moffat, and Bobert Denniston—made a lengthy
report (Feb. 19, 1829,) in which the results of the system in the
county of Ontario were presented, and the rapidly increasing poor
rates of the county dwelt upon—the expense of supporting the town
* Newburgh withdrew from the county system by act of March 13, 1853.
f Ante p. 33.
t Report, March 23,1829. In some instances the poor were sold for their own support.
0798
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
and county poor during the previous year having been as follows:
Tax for	Tax for
County Poor. Town Poor.
Wallkill,	$1,063.08	$1,000
Deerpark,	359 59	—
Minnisink,	332 25	400
Warwick,	122 84	900
Monroe,	321 65	350
Blooming-Grove,	185 54	700
Cornwall,	262 15	450
Whole annual expense, $11,317 93
	Tax for	Tax for
	County Poor.	Town Poor.
New Windsor,	$119 48	$700
Montgomery,	167 82	1,000
Crawford,	119 39	400
Calhoun,	208 42	250
Newburgh,	263 24	500
Goshen,	391 98	750
	3,917 93	7,400
It was thought that this expense could he greatly reduced and a better
support provided by the new system, the cost of the establishment of
which was estimated at $10,190. The committee suggested a meeting
of delegates from the several towns, which was held on their call at
Goshen on the 22d of March—John McGarrah of Monroe, chairman,
and Stacey Beakes of Wallkill, secretary. This meeting approved the
county system, and requested the officers of the different towns to
submit the question to the electors at the ensuing town meetings. The
question was accordingly submitted, and, the towns consenting, the
board of supervisors met at Goshen in October to take such further
action as was required. At this meeting a committee was appointed
to consider and report; and at a subsequent meeting, in November, full*
powers were given a committee to purchase a site, with the necessary
land, and proceed with the erection of buildings. On the 6th of Febru-
ary, 1830, the proposals for erecting the buildings were opened and the
contract awarded to John H. Corwin and Samuel Bull of Wallkill, for
$1,289. As the general act authorized the expenditure of $1,000 only
for land ’and buildings, application was at once made to the legislature
for power to raise $5,000 additional; and subsequently for $1,000 for
land.* At their November meeting (1829,) the supervisors appointed
the following persons as the first board of superintendents: Gilbert
Holmes of Newburgh; Jesse Wood, Jr., of Warwick; Daniel Corwin
of Wallkill, and William Smith and John Wilson of Goshen, who ap-
pointed (Nov.) Festus A. Webb, of Minnisink, keeper, at a salary of
$500.f The terms of the general law were fully complied with on
the 29th of March, 1831, when the . house was opened, and the dis-
tinction between town and county poor abolished except in temporary
relief which was continued by the towns. During the eight months
embraced in the first report of the superintendents, 432 persons were
relieved at an expense of $5,589 88; and the apparent economy of
the system shown in the statement that for the support of the county
poor alone, from December 1, 1830, to March 31, 1831, had been
* The first act was passed March 3,1830; the second February 5,1833.
f Five superintendents were appointed until 1838; after that and until 1857, three.—
In 1857 the number was reduced to one to be elected by the people. James O. A<Jams
was then chosen.PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
99
$4,894 22. * The cost of the house, with one hundred and twenty-
eight acres of land,f was $12,000. The original building has been
improved and others erected at different times, and the property now
embraces the main asylum, erected in 1830, 50 by 150 feet, three
stories and a half high, with accommodations for three hundred per-
sons; a lunatic asylum adjoining on the north-west, erected in 1848 by
Riley & McFarr, 30 by 50 feet, with accommodations for about thirty
lunatics; a separate building on the south for colored people, erected
in 1865 by B. H. Corwin, with accommodations for one hundred per-
sons.{ Adjoining the original asylum on the north-west is the new
asylum for the custody and care of the chronic insane, furnished with
all modern conveniences—the first of its kind erected in the state.
Its construction was authorized by the board of supervisors, whose
attention was called to its necessity by J. H. Goodale, superintendent,
at a special session held August 12, 1874, when the board appointed
Messrs. D. Thompson, I). M. Wade, and M. Shuit, a committee to ex-
amine the matter, who reported (Dec. 2), that the representations
which had been made by Mr. Goodale were fully sustained; that at
the county house thirty insane persons were confined to fifteen rooms;
that additional room was absolutely required; that the annual expense
of maintenance in state asylums of thirty-eight persons was $1,024,
and that it was believed this sum could be largely reduced and at the
same time the inmates of the house be better cared for by the erec-
tion of an additional building of sufficient size to accommodate all
the chronic insane of the county.
The report was accepted and the erection of the proposed building
voted. Plans submitted by John C. Sloat, architect, were adopted,
and Messrs. Owen, Bell, and Shuit, of the board, and J. H. Goodale,
superintendent, appointed building committee. The contract for the
building was awarded to Thomas Dobbin of Newburgh; and the
corner-stone was laid June 11, 1815. The dimensions of the building
are: length, eighty feet; width, forty feet; height, four and a half
stories; height of ceilings average ten feet; walls hard-finished
throughout. A corridor fourteen feet wide traverses each story, and
the rooms, each ten feet ten inches deep by seven feet in width, are
arranged on either side. It will accommodate about one hundred per-
sons. The cost of the structure was provided for by certificates of
indebtedness, issued by the board of supervisors for $20,000, payable
$5,000 annually. The farm now contains two hundred acd sixty-
three acres, of which two hundred are tillable, and is supplied with
* The poor were first brought to the house from the different towns in April, 1831.
f Subsequently increased to 263 acres.
t These buildings are all of stone quarried on the farm.100
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
all necessary out-buildings. The present valuation of the estate is
about $?0,000.
The first board of supervisors of the present county assembled at
Goshen, May 28, 1198, and was composed of John Vail, Goshen;
Francis Crawford, New Windsor; Reuben Tooker, Newburgh; Anse-
lem Helme, Cornwall; Jacobus Post, Warwick; Nathan Arnout, Min-
nisink; James Finch, Deerpark; David Galatian, Montgomery, and
Andrew McCord, Wall kill. The business of the session was confined
to the audit of accounts. In the course of its subsequent history
there) are few salient points. It has erected three towns: Greenville,
Wawayanda, and Highlands; improved one and constructed two court
houses—of the latter, one at Goshen with jail, and one at Newburgh
with cells; two county clerk’s offices, and a surrogate’s office, at Go-
shen, a county almshouse and a county asylum for the insane. In
its expenditures it has been prudent—perhaps in the character of its
public buildings, too prudent; but it has never suffered the credit of
the county to be impaired, or its people to be oppressed by taxation
where the assessment was under its control. > With its powers en-
larged and entering upon a new political era, its future will not be
without more marked influence.
Aside from the intangible reality of civil administration, the his-
tory of the county, as such, is necessarily limited. It has not made
roads, constructed bridges, or in any manner controlled or directed
the industry or the enterprise of the people; the aggregated char-
acter which for a time it enjoyed in the election of representatives
by general ticket, has been taken away; county associations, which
were the necessity of sparse population, no longer remain, or have
only a nominal existence; the county as a county rarely appears.
Nevertheless, it has annals which may be summarized: the character-
istics of its people, and their products. It may be said of the former
that they were peculiarly educated; that the presence among them
of some of the purest leaders of the Revolution, the addition to their
numbers as permanent residents of many who had served in the con-
tinental army, the memory of their own neighbors who had fallen at
Fort Montgomery and at Minnisink, and on other battle-fields, had an
influence for generations; that anterior to these considerations their
fathers in many cases had been large sufferers in the monarchial wars
of Europe, and had transmitted that hatred of kingly governments
and that appreciation of republics which their experience had taught
them. Whatever the cause, it may be assumed, without the dispar-
agement of other counties, that they have a marked individuality in
their love of country and their sensitiveness to whatever detracts
from its reputation or threatens its integrity.GENERAL SUMMARY.
101
Not less than for love of country are they individualized for their
intelligence and the encouragement which thQy have extended to
educational influences. The early settlers were mainly Christians,
and brought with them their Bibles and their religious and secular
teachers. Presbyterianism, in some of its classifications, was the con-
trolling faith; Episcopalianism, its efficient associate. The Germans
from the Palatinate of the Rhine, worshiped in the Lutheran faith at
Newburgh in 1109; Presbyterianism was established at Goshen in
1121, and at Bethlehem (Cornwall), in 1130; the Church of England
erected the Parish of New Windsor in 1133, and established congre-
gations in Newburgh, in Hamptonburgh, and in Montgomery; the
Reformed Dutch church was established in the Minnisink capital;
Maghaghkemek church was erected perhaps anterior to those already
named.* Wherever population centered the foundations of moral influ-
ence, through religious worship, were laid. In no county has this
influence been more fully sustained,* the census of 1865 returning 115
churches to a population, of 10,000, with a seating capacity of 41,584—
a ratio higher than that of the city of New York. In this connection
it may be said that in their religious associations the people of the
county are remarkably conservative. There are six Baptist churches,
two Old-school Baptist, four Friends, forty-four Methodist, thirty-one
Presbyterian, fopr United Presbyterian, nine Episcopal, seven Reformed
Protestant Dutch, five Roman Catholic,f one Unitarian, and of other
modern sects none. The schools of the county have kept pace with
its churches, and show the same comparative preponderance; the cir-
culation of its newspapers is about one to, every five of its inhabi-
tants—a ratio higher than that of Albany, the capital county of the
state.
To the influences recited it is indebted for the long list of distin-
guished men which it has given to the public service; men whose
birthplace was under the shadow of its hills or in the valleys of its
streams; who were nurtured by its patriotism, its intelligence, its
morality; whose lives are an epic of bravery and illustrious actions.
Nor yet for these alone: its representatives in jurisprudence, litera-
ture, science, and the arts,—where blazing comet bears to unknown
realms of space the name of its discoverer, or the hand of man gath-
ers up the atmosphere and from day to day reveals its changes; its
* In 1712 there wei*e four churches on the Delaware : the Walpack church, in the Wal-
pack bend of the river—removed in 1815 ; the Shapenac church, seven miles.above—re-
moved prior to 1818; the Minnisink church, twelve miles further on; and eight miles fur-
ther up, in the forks of the Delaware and Neversink, the Maghaghkemek church—burned
by Brant in 1779, rebuilt, and removed about the time Port Jervis was settled. They
were all on the line of the old mine-road. Johannes Casparus Freyenmoet was in charge
in 1741. He was a minister of the Reformed Dutch Church.
f Several churches have been established since 1865; among others three Catholic,102
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
brighter gems in lowly ranks, whose lessons of virtue are graven on
the hearts of its sons—
“Pointing to such, well might Cornelia say,
When the rich casket shone in bright array,
* These are my jewels ! ’ ”
Thrift follows perhaps as a natural sequence of the considerations
already stated. There are but six counties in the state whose valua-
tions are higher, viz: Albany, Kings, New York, Ononadaga, and
Westchester; but six whose assessed personal estate exceeds that
of Orange, viz: Duchess, Erie, Kings, New York, Rensselaer, and
Westchester; and but six whose assessed value of real estate is
higher, viz: Albany, Erie, Kings, New York, Onondaga, and West-
chester. In other words: throwing out the large centers of popula-
tion, the county of Orange is the most wealthy in the state.* Its
number of neat cattle (54,886), is only exceeded by six counties; its
annual product of butter (2,363,661 lbs), by five counties; its gallons
of milk sent to market (8,835,053), by one county; its product of pork
(3,615,180 lbs), by five counties. It has $334,146 invested in flouring
mills, whose product is only exceeded by ten counties; $900,000 in
furnaces for reducing ore, in which it is exceeded by only two coun-
ties; $140,000 in cotton mills, whose product is exceeded by only
three counties; $255,000 in lumber mills, whose product ($1,336,525)
is not exceeded by any county.f And yet the development of the
resources of the county is in its infancy ; its reservoirs of water are
but partially employed; its lacustrial lands but partially reclaimed;
its mineral wealth but partially ascertained. Specialties in the pro-
ducts. of the county are the quality of its butter and milk, and its
breed of horses. In regard to the manufacture of the former, no
special method is employed; its superiority is from the soil and the
rain-falls, which develop, peculiar qualities in the grasses. Though
celebrated in Europe and in America at an early period, the genuine
is now as little known to consumers as are the pure wines of France.
Three millions of pounds will scarce supply the city of New York
for a single week. Millions of pounds bearing its name but not its
* Comparative statistics can be consulted. The following figures, however, are regard-
ed as sufficient:
Acres	Value	Value Aggregate
imp. land. Real Est. Pers. Est. Valuation.
Counties,	Population 1870
Albany,	133,108
Duchess,	74,156
Erie,	175,582
Rensselaer,	99,551
Ulster,	84,008
Orange,	78,026
267,034	$38,557,176
361,344	20,927,018
407,302	43,392,351
290,209	21,720,013
253,695	10,788,112
303,858	23,339,358
$7,535,171	$46,092,344
8,225,233	30,132,151
8,155,240	51,538,598
7,796,515	29,516,528
2,364,616	13,152,727
7,575,049	30,914,407
f The statistics of the census of 1875 may vary these figures, but the conclusions drawn
from them will not, it is believed, be materially affected. Some of the industries of the
county will be decreased, and others enlarged. The product of milk will be increased
very largely.TOWN BOUNDARIES.
103
quality are sent to market. Its breed of horses has become familiar
throughout civilized countries. In the early period of settlement the
Dutch of the Esopus country imported a breed, which was spread
through the valley of the Wallkill, and indeed over the entire dis-
trict.* Subsequent importations improved it; but it was reserved for
the combinations in “ Hambletonian” to produce a progeny whose ex-
ploits may well challenge for their sire the position of father of Ameri-
can trotters. The perfection of his breed, however, appears only
when crossed with American Star,f an Orange county horse whose
fame, if less brilliant during his life, is inseparably linked with that
of his successor.
Of the population of the county 43,991 were born within its limits;
8,891 in other counties of the state; 8,241 in Ireland, and 3,189 in
other foreign countries. The eastern states contribute to it 991; the
middle states 3,613; the western states 213; and the southern states
234. The county contributes to other counties of the state 15,322,
viz: Albany 136, Alleghany 130, Broome 345, Cattaraugus 101, Cayu-
ga .323, Chatauqua 140, Chemung 1225, Chenango 101, Clinton 8,
Columbia 61, Cortland 163, Delaware 11, Duchess 113, Erie 125, Essex
43, Franklin 2, Fulton 6, Genesee 12, Greene 54, Hamilton 1, Herki-
mer 13, Jefferson 21, Kings 1335, Lewis 24, Livingston 94, Madison 31,
Monroe 111, Montgomery 28, New York 1954, Niagara 11, Oneida 55,
Onondaga 198, Ontario 221, Orleans 59, Oswego 58, Otsego 34, Put-
nam 219, Queens 91, Rensselaer 80, Richmond 36, Rockland 605, St.
Lawrence 8, Saratoga 48, Schenectady 15, Schuyler 310, Seneca 204,
Steuben 511, Suffolk 102, Sullivan 1640, Tioga 152, Tompkins 434,
Ulster 1059, Warren 5, Washington 15, Wayne 116, Westchester 402,
Wyoming 44, Yates 291.
The towns composing the county, whose history we are. now to
consider, were given their boundaries under the act of April 3,1801, J
These boundaries, and those of the tonws subsequently organized,
are given in connection with a brief summary of the facts already
presented in regard to prior organization, viz:
Blooming-Grove—formed from Cornwall, March 23, 1779. Bounda-
ries 1801: “All that part of the county of Orange beginning in the
south bounds of the town of New Windsor at the north-east corner of
a tract of land commonly called Van Dam’s patent, and then along the
east bounds of the said patent to the south-east corner thereof, thence
* The facetious Diedrich Knickerbocker says that the Dutch ‘‘quality” of New York
bought their switch-tails at Esojdus. The reputation of Esopus horses, however, rests
upon the more substantial authority of Smith’s History of New York.
t Hambletonian colts from American Star mares are worth $1000 as soon as weaned,
No other stock commands so high a price.
| Ante p. 40, 41.104	GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
south-east until it comes to the top of Schonamonk mountain, thence
south-westerly along the top of said mountain to the line commonly
called the north-west line,* thence north-west along said line to the
division line between the patent of Wawayanda and Chesecocks,
thence along the said line to the town of Warwick, thence north-
wardly along the line of the towns of Warwick and Goshen to the
line of the town of Wallkill, and thence east along the said line and
the line of the town of New Windsor to the place of beginning.”
Monroe—formed from Cornwall under the name of Chesecocks,
March 23, 1799; name changed to Southfields, 1802, and to Monroe,
April 6, 1808. Boundaries 1801: “All that part of the said county of
Orange, beginning in the east line of the town of Warwick, at the
southerly corner of the town of Blooming-Grove, and thence southerly
along the said line of the town of Warwick to the line of the state
of New Jersey, thence along the said line to the county of Rockland,
thence aloiig the said county of Rockland to the mouth of Poplopen’s
kill on the west side of Hudson’s river, thence a direct line to the
south-east corner of the town of Blooming-Grove, and thence- along
the same to the place of beginning.” f
Cornwall—formed from the precinct of Goshen, as the precinct of
New Cornwall, Sept. 20, 1764;J erected as the town of New Corn-
wall, March 7, 1788; named changed to Cornwall, March 3, 1797.
Boundaries 1801: “ All that part of the said county of Orange bound-
ed northerly by New Windsor, westerly by Chesecocks and Blooming-
Grove, southerly by Chesecocks and the bounds of the county, and
easterly by the middle of Hudson’s river.”
Goshen—formed from the precinct of Goshen, Sept. 20,1764; erect-
ed as the town of Goshen, March 7, 1788. Boundaries 1801: “All
that part of the said county of Orange bounded easterly by Blooming-
Grove, northerly by the town of Wallkill, westerly by the middle of
the Wallkill, and southerly by the creek commonly called Quaker’s
creek from where it falls into the Wallkill on the south-westerly side
of the great island in the drowned lands to the road leading across
the grist-mill dam of William Thompson esquire, thence along the
southerly side of the said road running towards Sugar-loaf mountain
to the northerly line of the plantation late of Samuel Rayner deceased,
and thence along said line easterly to the south-west cornex; of a large
tract of land commonly called Rutgers’ tract, and thence easterly
* The line given to the Wawayanda patent.
f The board of supervisors, by act of December 1st, 1863, divided the town into three
town's: Monroe, Southfield, and Highland. The act was repealed by the Legislature in
1865. In the meantime the towns were organized; their supervisors met with the annual
session of the board in 1864.
t Ante p. 36.	-TOWN BOUNDARIES.
105
along the south bounds of the said tract to the foot of the said Sugar-
loaf mountain, and then an east course to the bounds of Blooming-
Grove.”
Warwick—formed from the precinct of Goshen, March 7, 1788.
Boundaries 1801: “ All that part of the said county of Orange bound-
ed easterly by Chesecocks and Blooming-Grove, southerly by the state
of New Jersey, westerly by the middle of the Wallkill, and northerly
by Goshen.”
Minnisink—formed from the precinct of Goshen, March 7, 1788.
Boundaries 1801: “All that part of the said county of Orange bound-
ed easterly by the middle of the Wallkill, southerly by New Jersey,
westerly by the Delaware river,* and northerly by the towns of Wall-
kill and Deerpark.” ♦
New Windsor—formed from the precinct of Highlands,*j* December
11, 1762; erected as a town March 7, 1788. Boundaries 1801:	“All
that part of the said county of Orange bounded easterly by the mid-
dle of Hudson’s river, southerly by an east and west line from the
mouth of Murderer’s creek, and westerly and northerly by a line be-
ginning at the west side of Hudson’s river at the mouth of Quassaick
creek, and running from thence along the south bounds of a tract of
land commonly called German patent and the southerly bounds of a
tract of land granted to Alexander Baird and Company to the east
bounds of two thousand acres of land granted to Cadwallader Colden,
and then across the same to the most northerly corner of the .land
granted to Patrick Hume, and thence along the westerly bounds
thereof to the lands granted to Patrick McKnight, and then along the
same south-easterly and south-westerly to the southerly corner thereof,
and then continuing the last mentioned line to the town of Blooming-
Grove so as to include the lands formerly of Fletcher Matthews.”
Newburgh—formed from the precinct of Highlands, December 11,
1762; erected as a town March 7, 1788. Boundaries 1801: “All that
part of the said county of Orange bounded easterly by the middle of
Hudson’s river, southerly by New Windsor, westerly by the east
bounds of the tract of land granted to Cadwallader Colden, and the
east bounds of one thousand acres of land granted to John Johnson,
and the east bounds of three thousand acres of land granted to Henry
Wileman, and the east bounds of three thousand five hundred acres
of land granted to' Rip Wan Dam and others, and northerly by a line
beginning on the west side of Hudson’s river at the north-east corner
of a tract of land granted to Francis Harrison and Company, called the
* The section lying on the Delaware, west of the Shawangunk mountains, was attached
to Deerpark by act of Feb. 15,1825. (See Mount Hope.)
t Ante p. 36, 37, 38, 39.106
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
five thousand acre tract, and running from thence east to the middle
of Hudson’s river, and westerly along the north bounds of the. said
tract and the north bounds of another tract granted to the said Francis
Harrison to the tract of land commonly called Wallace’s tract, then
along the. lines of the same northerly and westerly to the north-
easterly bounds of a tract of land granted to Jacobus Kip, John
Cruger and others, commonly called Kip and Cruger’s tract, then
westerly along the north-easterly and northerly bounds thereof to the
north-west corner thereof, and then westerly to the north-east corner
of the said tract of three thousand five hundred acres of land granted
to Rip Van Dam and others.”
Wallkill—formed from the precinct of Wallkill,* March 24, 1772;
erected as a town March 7, 1788. Boundaries. 1801: “All that part
of the said county of Orange bounded easterly by New Windsor, f
southerly by a west line from the mouth of Murderer’s creek, westerly
by Shawangunk kill, and nrotherly by the line commonly called the
old north-west line.”
Montgomery—formed from the precinct of Wallkill, under the name
of the precinct of Hanover, March 24, 1772; name changed to the
precinct of Montgomery, 1782; erected as a town March 7, 1788.
Boundaries 1801: “All that part of the said county of Orange bound-
ed easterly by New Windsor and Newburgh, southerly by the town
of Wallkill, westerly by Shawangunk kill, J and northerly by a line
beginning at the north-east corner of a tract of three thousand acres
of land granted to Henry Wileman, and running thence along the
north bounds thereof to the Paltz river, commonly called the Wall-
kill, and then southerly up the same river to the south-west corner
of a tract of four thousand acres of land granted to Gerardus
Beekman and others, and then westerly and northerly along the
southerly and westerly bounds thereof to the north-west corner
thereof, and then north-westerly along the north bounds of the
lands granted to Jeremiah Schuyler and Company to the Shawan-
gunk kill aforesaid.”
Deerpark—formed from the precinct of Maghaghkemek; subse-
quently included in the precinct of Mamakating; § erected as a town
April 5, 1798. Boundaries 1801:. “All that part of the said county of
Orange beginning on the Shawangunk kill at the south-west corner
of the town of; Wallkill, || and running thence along the said kill,
being the boundary line of the said town of Wallkill, to the north
part of the farm, now or lately occupied by Joseph Wood, junior,
* Ante p. 37, 38, 39.
£ Now by Crawford.
|| Now the south-east corner of Mount Hope.
f Now by Hampton burgh.
§ Ante p. 36, 38.TOWN BOUNDARIES.
107
thence west to the river Mongaap, then along the said river Mongaap
as it runs to the Delaware river, then along the said river to the town
of Minnisink, and thence along the northern boundary of the said town
of Minnisink to the place of beginning.”
Crawford—formed from the town of Montgomery, March 4, 1823.
Boundaries: “All that part of the town of Montgomery, in the county
of Orange, lying west of a certain line, beginning on the line between
the town of Wallkill, in said county, and t}ie town of Montgomery
aforesaid; at the south-west corner of a tract of five thousand acres
of land, called the five thousand acre patent; and running thence
north-east, on the south-west side of the said five thousand acre patent,
to the south-west corner of the tract of ten thousand acres of land,
called the ten thousand acre patent; thence northwardly, on the west
side of the said ten thousand acre patent, till it strikes the center of a
turnpike road leading from the village of Montgomery to the falls of
the Never sink river, called the 1 Orange and Ulster branch turnpike
road/ thence northwardly, on a direct line to a small bridge, erected
across the old stage road leading from the village of Montgomery, in
the county of Orange, to the village of Kingston, in the county of
Ulster, near the west end of the house now owned and occupied by
Adam Dickerson, in the said town of Montgomery; thence north-
wardly, from the said bridge on the center of the old stage road, until
it intersects the line between the said town of Montgomery, and the
town of Shaw an gunk, in the county of Ulster.” The first town meet-
ing was held at the house of Edward Schoonmaker.
Mount Hope—-formed as the town of Calhoun, from the towns of
Wallkill and Deerpark, February 15, 1825;* name changed to Mount
Hope, March 14, 1833. Boundaries 1825: All that part of the town
of Deerpark lying south-easterly of the before mentioned line (see
note), and that part of the town of Wallkill within the following
bounds, to wit: beginning at the easterly corner of the town of Deer-
park, and at the south-easterly corner of the county of Sullivan, and
runs thence due east to the easterly line of the Deerpark patent,
* This act is entitled “An act to divide the towns of Wallkill, Minnisink, and Deerpark.”
That part relating to Minnisink and Deerpark is as follows: “ That from and after the
passage of this act, all that part of the towns of Minnisink and Deerpark, lying westerly
and north-westerly of the following lines, to wit: beginning on the line of the town of
Deerpark, and the line of the comity of Sullivan, where the west line of the second
division of the Minnisink patent crosses the same; thence south-westerly along the said
west line, of second division of the Minnisink patent to the old Jersey claim line and
south-westerly corner of said division; thence southerly along said Jersey claim line
thirty chains; thence south-westerly through the town of Minnisink to the New Jersey
state line, to strike or intersect the same one hundred chains from the Delaware river,
at Station or Carpenters point, to be a separate town, by the name of Deerpark, and
that the first town meeting be held at the house of Cornelius Cuddeback, in said town,
on the first Tuesday of March next (1826); and all that part of the town of Minnisink
lying south-easterly of said line, to be and remain a separate town, by the name of Min-
nisink, and that the first town meeting be held at the house of Gabriel Sayre, in said
town,”108
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
thence along said line to the town of Minnisink, thence west to the
town of Deerpark, to be a separate town, by the name of Calhoun,
and the first town meeting to be held at the house of Joseph Conklin,
in said town.”
Hamptonburgh—formed from Goshen, Blooming-Grove, New Wind-
sor, Montgomery, and Wallkill, April 5, 1830. Boundaries: “Begin-
ning at a point where the new north-west line crosses the old county
line and runs thence along’ said new north-west line south forty-nine
and a quarter degrees east, two hundred and eighty chains to within
twenty-five chains of the south-east corner of the Bull’s and Gerard’s
patents; then.north sixty and a half degrees east, three hundred and
twenty-two chains to aheap of stones in Samuel Brewster’s field; then
north seventeen degrees east, thirty-six chains and seventy-five links
to the aforesaid old county line; then north sixteen and a half de-
grees west, one hundred and ninety chains to the north-westerly
corner of the farm of Stephen King, deceased; then north fifty-six
and a quarter degrees west, two hundred and thirty chains to the
middle of the Wallkill stream; then up the middle of said Wallkill as
it runs four hundred and seventy-three chains and fifty links to oppo-
site a basswood tree standing on the east branch of said Wallkill
stream; then south fifteen and a half* degrees east, ninety-five chains
to the aforesaid old county line, and at the corner of the lands of
Grant and Derick Smith, Nathaniel Tuthill, and the lands formerly
owned by Isaac Germond; then east along said old county line
seventy-one chains to the place of beginning.” First town meeting
held at the house of Charles Heard on the first Tuesday in April, 1831.
Chester—formed from Goshen, Warwick, Blooming-Grove, and Mon-
roe, March 22,1845. Boundaries: “ Beginning on the line between the
towns of Goshen and Blooming-Grove, near a brook at the intersec-
tion of the line of Gromeline’s patent with the aforesaid line, and
running thence along said town line north four degrees east twenty-
two chains, then south twenty-three degrees west, one hundred and
twelve chains to a chestnut tree; then south fifty-five degrees west,
three hundred and twenty chains, to the line between the towns of
Goshen and Warwick at the creek below Thompson’s mills; thence
south twenty-five degrees east, one hundred and ninety-five chains to
a heap of stones; thence south forty-seven degrees east, three hun-
dred and forty-six chains to the line between the towns of Warwick
and Monroe; thence north thirty-two degrees east, one hundred and
sixty-six chains to the junction of three roads near the head of Little
Long pond; thence north nine degrees east, two hundred and thirty-
five chains to four chestnut trees; thence north twenty-one degrees
west, two hundred and twenty chains to the place of beginning.”TOWN BOUNDARIES.
109
The first town meeting at the house of Benjamin R. Conklin on the
first Tuesday in April, 1845.
Wawayand a—formed from Minnisink, by the board of supervisors,
November 27, 1849. Boundaries: “All that part of the town of Min-
nisink, in the said county of Orange, commencing on the old Ulster
county line and in the center of the Wallkill river, also in the line of
the town of Wallkill, and runs near due west to the corner of the
town of Mount Hope and Wallkill; thence along the same course
twenty-four chains and seventy-five links to the center of the highway
leading from Ketchum’s mills to Mount Hope village; thence south
thirty-seven degrees west, twenty-one chains along the highway;
thence south along the same forty and one-half degrees west, twenty-
five chains and fifty links; thence south sixty-five chains to an old
road near Robert Robertson’s; thence along the same south forty-four
degrees west, twenty chains; thence south thirty-five degrees west,
fifteen chains and fifty links; thence south forty-three and a half
degrees west, sixteen chains and fifty links; thence south fifty-two
degrees west, fifty-six chains along the road leading through the
Milford neighborhood; thence along said road south sixty-two and
one-quarter degrees west, thirty-six chains to Robert Robertson’s, Jr.;
thence south forty degrees east, twenty-two chains; thence south six
and a half degrees east, thirteen chains to the old Minnisink turnpike;
thence across the same south forty-eight and three-quarter degrees
east, twenty-two chains; thence south forty-three and three-quarter
degrees east, twenty-four chains to William Canfield’s; thence south
twenty-seven and three-quarter degrees east, six chains; thence south
fifty-eight and a half*, degrees east, thirty-eight chains to the bridge
across the branch at Rutger’s kill; thence along the said (branch)
stream to its intersection with Rutger’s kill; thence along Rutger’s
kill to the Wallkill river, and thence following the same to the place
of beginning.” First town meeting at house of DeWitt C. Hallock.
Greenville—-formed from Minnisink, by the board of supervisors,
December 2,1858. Boundaries: “All that part of the town of Minnis-
ink which lies west of a line between the towns of Minnisink and
Wawayanda, which is about twelve chains north-west of the dwelling
house of Wm. Canfield, said station being twenty-five links north-west
of the center of an arched stone bridge across said road to said Can-
field’s, and running thence south forty-eight degrees west, four hundred
and twenty-eight chains and fifty links to a station on the south line
of the town of Minnisink, which station is a black oak tree on the line
between the states of New York and New Jersey, on the east side of
the highway leading to the village of Salem from the house of John
W. Elston.”110
GENERAL HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY.
Highlands—formed from Cornwall, by the board of supervisors,
December 3, 1812. Boundaries: “All that part of the town of Corn-
wall tying to the south of a line drawn from Sherwood’s rock, on
Hudson’s river, running thence westerly to a house now or recently
occupied by William Lancaster; thence in a direct line to the house
of William Chatfield; thence to the house of John Odell; thence to
the highest peak of Mount Rascal to the line of the town of Monroe.”
City of Newburgh—chartered by the legislature as the village of
Newburgh, March 25, 1800; as the city of Newburgh, April 22, 1865.
Boundaries, 1812: “Beginning at the mouth of Chamber’s creek, on
the west side of the Hudson river, and at the north-east corner of the
town of New Windsor, and runs thence along the north line of the
town of New Windsor to an oak tree on the west slope of Snake hill,
and twenty-two chains measured eastwardly along the town line from
the east line of the reservoir lot; thence in a straight line through
lands of . estates of W. Chapman, G. F. Wisner and others, to the
intersection of the Gidneytown creek with the west side of the road
leading from the Newburgh and Ellenville plank road to Gidney ave-
nue; thence northwardly along said creek to a point due west from
the north-west corner of the village of Newburgh; from thence east-
wardly to the said north-west corner of the village of Newburgh;
and from thence eastwardly along the north line of the village of
Newburgh to the west side of the Hudson river; thence due east to
the east line of the county of Orange, being the center of said river;
thence southerly along the east line of the county of Orange to a
point due east from the place of beginning, and from thence to the
place of beginning.”NEWBURGH FROM THE NORTHWEST.'ptsrtmrg of ||etoktrg^.
CHAPTER VII.
THE SECOND PATENTS—THE PALATINE PARISH BY QUASSAICK.
NEWBURGH, as its territory appeared in 1609—or so much of it
as could be seen from the deck of the Half Moon, is simply
described by Hudson, in connection with the adjoining plateau which
sweeps in semi-circle from the Hans Kammer to the Highlands, as “a
very pleasant place to build a town on.” On the right of his vision
Butter hill lifted its rugged sides in sparse and withered verdure in
the autumn sunlight; from thence were forests, broken here and there
by clearings which the Indians had made in which to cultivate the
corn and beans that so largely supplied them with food, or marked by
the path of streams, and hills with cedar-crowned summits as now
where unnatured by the reclaiming processes of civilization; in the
center, a bluff of rolling sand, with gnarled trees and dwarfed shrub-
bery, rising abruptly from the water’s edge—perchance the watch-112
HIS TO BY OF NEWBURGH.
tower of the untutored Indian guarding the approaches to the altar of
Bachtarno, on which the sacrificial fires of his people had burned for
ages—Newburgh, untouched by the
----“ Keen ax, that wondrous instrument,
That like a fabled talisman transforms
Deserts to fields and cities.”
The stages of its reclamation and development are revealed in the
records. The lands included in the two purchases of Gov. Dongan
(1684), and subsequently conveyed by patent to Captain John Evans
(1694),* embraced substantially the territory of the present towns of
Highlands, Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, Montgomery, and
Crawford, the principal part of Wallkill, part of Hamptonburgh, and
a large portion of southern Ulster. After the annulling of the patent
(1699), the tract was conveyed in small parcels f—one hundred and
twelve in number—at different periods from 1703 to 1775, of which
ten were included in the precinct of Newburgh, as the precinct was
Ofc it *v'(^
,£ s,*,	*-
llfkfeA (i
constituted in 1772 J viz: No. 1, German patent, 2,190 acres, Decem-
ber 18, 1719; No. 2, Alexander Baird and Company, 6,000 acres, Feb-
ruary 28,1719: No. 3, Jacobus Kip and Company, 7,000 acres, October
17, 1720; No. 4, Richard Bradley and William Jamison, 1,800 acres,
May 27, 1729; No. 5, James Wallace 2,000 acres, January 25, 1732;
No. 6, Bradley children 817 acres, March 26, 1739; No. 7, Francis
* Ante p. 21, 22.	~
f The largest patent was 10,000 acres. In all cases where patents were issued for over
2,000 acres, it was to a company or association of individuals for the purpose of evading
the law, which forbid the grant to one person of a tract exceeding that number.
t Ante p. 39.PARISH BY QUASSAICK
113
Harrison and Company, 5,600 acres, July 10, 1714;* No. 8, John
Spratt and Company, 1,000 acres, April 12, 1728; No. 9, Melchior
Gulch, 300 acres, October 8, 1719; No. 10, Peter Johnson, 300 acres,
October 8, 1719.
The first in order of settlement were the German patent, covering
the present city of Newburgh and a portion of the town of Newburgh
lying immediately north*)* including Balmville; and the patents to
Melchior Gulch and Peter Johnson near Middlehope. These settle-
ments were composed of immigrants from the Palatinate of the Rhine,
whose prior history may be briefly stated:
The Palatinate was a section of country lying upon the Rhine, in
Germany, and now divided and incorporated with Bavaria, the states
of Rhenish Prussia, Baden, and Hesse Darmstadt. At an early period
in the history of the Reformation, the movement was felt in the Pala-
tinate, and the Elector himself became one of its decided friends. His
dominions were, consequently, resorted to by the Protestants of other
countries who found the fires of persecution too hot for them in their
native land. For this reason, as well as from its geographical position,
the Palatinate shared largely in the wars of the time of Louis XIY.
In 1674, the French army under Turenne entered the district in
triumph, and marked its victory with the most barbarous and wanton
destruction. From his castle at Manheim the Elector beheld two cities
and twenty-five towns in flames. “ Rapine and lust,77 says the histo-
rian, “vied with each other in the dreadful destruction committed by
the French soldiers.77 Turenne was subsequently forced to retreat
from the Palatinate; and the district enjoyed comparative prosperity
until 1683, when, by the revocation of the Edict of Nantz, and the
flight of many of the persecuted Huguenots to the shelter afforded by
the Elector, it became marked for the especial vengeance of Madame
de Main tenon, the wife of Louis XIV, acting through the war-secretary
Louvois; and the war between France on the one hand, and Austria
and Holland, and subsequently Spain, Denmark and Savoy on the
other, supplied the opportunity. Made aware of the intention of
Austria and Holland to commence hostilities, Louis determined to
anticipate their movements and strike the first blow; and for. this
purpose he dispatched his son, the Dauphin, at the head of 100,000
men, to invade the Palatinate. The expedition was successful; and
several cities had already surrendered to the French arms, when the
peremptory order came from Louvois that the Palatinate should be
reduced to cinders, and the whole face of the country turned into a
* A tract of 300 acres, adjoining the first grant on the north-west, was granted to the
same parties July 26,1723.
t The German patent occupied the river front for about two miles and three-quarters,
(219 chains), and included four lots (700 acres) north of North street.
08114
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
desert. The Dauphin and his officers shrank from the task imposed,
but there was no escaping the command, and accordingly they an-
nounced to the people that in three days time the work of destruction
would commence. Gathering together what little could be collected—
unable to turn any property into money—the people fled. Men, women
and children, clinging to their homes to the last, were driven to the
fields in the heart of winter, while their dwellings were reduced to
ashes, their property seized, and their possessions pillaged. More
than forty cities and a much larger number of villages were burned;
the palaces of the Electors razed to the ground, and their very tombs
opened in search of hidden treasure. The officials by whom the order
was executed, blushed at the enormities of which they were the agents,
and all Europe gazed in horror on the scene. Even Louis was forced
to admit the inhumanity of the act, as he reminded Louvois that he
had issued an order for the execution of which his sovereign must bear
the obloquy.
The fugitive Palatines scattered themselves over Europe, and the
streets of Protestant cities became filled with men and women once
in the enjoyment of plenty, but now reduced to beggary and want.
Wherever they went the hand of charity was cheerfully extended to
them and efforts made lor the amelioration of their condition. Those
who remained around their ruined villages had little opportunity to
recover their lost prosperity; the armies of France were frequently
traversing the territory, and for several subsequent years the people
saw more of war than peace. Learning their condition, the English
government, with a view to the colonization of America, was consid-
ering the propriety of sending out agents to invite the fugitives
thither, when, in the spring of 1708, a company of them arrived there,
accompanied by their minister, and made application to be sent to the
plantations.* Their request was referred to the commissioners of
trade and plantations, who reported: “ They are in number forty-one,
viz: ten men, ten women, twenty-one children. They are very neces-
sitous and in the utmost want, not having anything at present (but
what they get by charity) to subsist themselves. They have been
reduced to this miserable condition by the ravages committed by the
French in the lower Palatinate, where they lost all they had. They
have produced to us several testimonials from the baliffs and principal
magistrates in the villages where they dwelt, which we have examined,
and find that they give good character of the said minister and the
* The larger immigration which followed, Mr. Henry A. Holms assumes, in his pamphlet
“ The Palatine Emigration to England,” was induced thither by the agents of the English
government. A portion of this subsequent immigration was settled in Ireland, but the
larger part was sent to New York and settled in Columbia and Greene counties and in the
valley of the Mohawk, from whence a very considerable colony removed to Tulpehocken,
Berks county, Pennsylvania.PARISH BY QUASSAICK.
115
others with him. We humbly propose that they be sent to settle upon
Hudson’s river, in the province of New York, where they may be
useful to this kingdom, particularly in the production of naval stores,
and as a protection against the French and their Indians; and that for
their further encouragement they be made denizens of this kingdom.”
These recommendations were adopted by the council (May 10, 1708),
and were followed by an order issued by Queen Anne providing, at
her own expense, for their maintenance and their removal to America.
Letters of denization were issued to them (Aug. 25t.h), and under a
guaranty of 9d. a day per head for twelve months for their support,
and a grant of land on which to settle, they sailed for the New World,
enrolled as: “The above-mentioned clergyman, Joshua. Kockerthal,
Sibylle Charlotte his wife, and Christian Joshua, Benigna Sibylle and
Susanna Sibylle, their children; also, Lourentz Schwisser, husbandman,
Anna Catharine his wife and Johannes their son; Heinrich Rennau,
stocking-maker and husbandman, Johanna his wife, Lourentz and
Heinrich, their sons, and Susanna and Maria Johanna Liboschain,
sisters-in-law; Andries Volck, husbandman, Anna Catharine his wife,
Heironemus, Maria Barbara and Anna Gertrude, their children; Michael
Weigand, husbandman, Anna Catharine his wife, Tobias, George and
Anna Maria, their children; Jacob Webber, husbandman, Anna Eliza-
beth his wife, and Eve Maria and Eve Elizabeth, their children; Johan-
nes Jacob Plettel, husbandman, Anna Elizabeth his wife, and Margaret,
Anna Sarah, and Catharine, their children; Johannes Fischer, smith
and husbandman, Maria Barbara his wife, and Andries his son; Mel-
chior Gulch, carpenter and joiner, Anna Catharine his wife, and Hein-
rich and Margaret, their children; Isaac Turck, husbandman; Peter
Rose, cloth-weaver, and Johanna his wife, Mary Wiernarm, hus-
bandwoman, his mother-in-law and Catharine her child; Isaac Feber,
husbandman, Catharine his wife, and Abram their son; Daniel Fiere,
husbandman, Anna his wife, and Andrew and Johannes, their sons;
and Herman Schuneman, clerk.”
Reaching New York in ;the winter, they were transferred from
thence to the district then known as “ Quassaick creek and Thans-
karnir.” * Of their private history we know nothing beyond the fact
shown before the commissioners of trade, that they were men of
good character; and the general fact that they had been stripped of
their possessions by religious persecution; that they were followers
* The precise date of their settlement is not known, but it is shown by a petition of
William Chambers, of date May 9,1709, for lands immediately south of Quassaick creek,
that they were here at that time, the tract which he wished to obtain being described as
bounded north “ by the widow Plettel and Quassaick creek.” The widow Plettel’8 friends
had evidently erected a cabin for her on lands adjoining the creek on the north. She
afterwards married George Lockstead, and the lot on which she had first located was
granted to her second husband, herself and her children.116
HIST OUT OF NEWBURGH
of the doctrines of Luther and members of the Lutheran church, and
were knit together by common memories and a faith that had proved
sufficient to sustain them amid the most severe trials and sacrifices.
Unlike the pioneers in other localities, they brought nothing with
them, and left behind no friends able to assist them. A scanty
public stipend, too frequently withheld,, was all that sustained the
strong arms and willing hearts before which the dense forest yielded
its sway, their humble cabins dotted the hill-side, and a sanctuary in
which to worship God arose.
Through the petitions which they sent in to the council of New
York, and through the records of their church which have been pre-
served, we are enabled, to some extent, to trace the progress of
their settlement. On the 20th of May, 1709, they write that since
the death of Lord Lovelace, the provision for their support had not
been complied with; that they were in great want of the same, and
without it would not be able to perfect their settlement on the lands
assigned them, and that nineteen of their number had changed their
religion and turned Pietists, and withdrawn themselves from the
Lutheran communion. The council immediately granted them the
supplies asked for; and at the same time appointed a committee to
examine into the difficulties in their church. The latter were satis-
factorily arranged; and at the request of the council, Colonel Thomas
Wenham engaged to provide them “a needful and necessary support
until the expiration of twelve months.”
Soon after this (June 29), their minister, Joshua Kockerthal, asked
to be retransported to London, in order to more speedily and satis-
factorily arrange what had been done in favor of the company; but
his request does not appear to have been granted. In October follow-
ing, John Conrad Codweis, in behalf of the company, represented in
a petition that a large portion of the allowance granted for its support
remained due, and that unless it should be provided, they must perish
during the winter. Thereupon the council (Oct. 10) ordered the ad-
vance of supplies, the company giving “their .personal security for
the repayment thereof in case it be not paid in England in a year.”
In other words, the colonial authorities were not disposed to assume
the expenditure, trifling though it was, of “ 9d. a day per head ”
involved in the agreement which had been made by the home gov-
ernment with the immigrants for their support, without definite instruc-
tions from the commissioners of trade and plantations. The authority
required was soon transmitted to the council, and the payment made,
including a special allowance to Joshua Kockerthal of J220 a year.
In the spring of 1710, tools and building materials were distributed
to them; also smith tools; iron and steel for horse-shoes, nails, andPARISH BY QUASSAICK.
Ill
mending tools; medicines; books and paper; agricultural implements,
and horses, cows, and pigs.*
The patent which had been promised to the immigrants for the
tract on which they had been located was not immediately granted.
On their petition in 1713, Governor Hunter issued to Augustus Gra-
ham, surveyor-general of the province, a warrant directing him to
“ survey and lay out for the Germans at Quassaick creek, in the
county of Ulster, such quantity of land as is by them petitioned for
and approved of in council/7 and further requiring that he should
“survey for each of them his quantity distinctly.77 A survey was
made under this order, on the thirteenth of April, 1714, but was not
satisfactory, the immigrants representing in petition that the land
being “ all upland,77 they were not able to obtain subsistence for
themselves and families “for want of some meadow land for fodder
for their cattle in winter.77 So the matter stood until 1718, when
Kockerthal, in behalf of himself and associates, recited in petition
that the survey had been made, the lands being described as “ a tract
on the west side of Iludson7s river, in the county of Ulster, beginning
on the north side of Quassaick creek, and extending northerly up the
Hudson river on a straight line two hundred and nineteen chains,
and into the woods on that side one hundred chains, containing two
thousand one hundred and ninety acres;77 which said tract had been
“ divided into nine lots, the which are numbered from one to nine,
each lot containing a suitable quantity for each family to which they
are appropriated, there being allowed for each head fifty acres, and
five hundred acres for a Glebe.77 Some changes were asked by the
grantees. He desired that the farm assigned to him be added to the
north side of the Glebe and the same quantity given to him on the
south side. This was granted; but the application to omit from the
patents conveyance to “the wives and children77 of the patentees,
was not conceded.
* “ Joshua Kockerthal—1 barrel of Lime, 3 Gouches, 2 formers, 1 Grindingstone, 1
square, 1 rule, 1 compass, and several pieces more. Hermanus Schuneman—2 Handsaws,
1 great saw, 3 Gouches, 2 Agors, and several pieces more. John Fischer—1 Tenant Saw,
1 Gimlet, 1 Hammer, 1 small file, 1 hatchet, 1 Joynter, besides several pieces more.
Michael Weigand—1 great file, 1 smaller ditto, 1 mortising chisel, 1 Joynter, 1 Agor, be-
sides several pieces more. Andries Volck—1 Cross Cut Saw, 1 smoodifig plain, 1 wiping
saw, another sett of Gouches, besides several pieces more. The widow Plettel—1 wiping
saw, 1 great hammer, 1 gimlet, 1 Tenant saw, besides several pieces more. Peter Rose—
1 Glupott, 1 Whimplingpelts, 1 hatchet, 1 little hammer, 2 Agors, 1 Joynter, besides sev-
eral pieces more. Jacob Weber—1 box with white lead, Knife and Compass, 1 addz, 2
Gouches, 1 mortising chisel, besides several pieces more. Isaac Turck—1 Glupott, 1 box
with white lead, Knife and Compass, 1 saw-file, 3 Gouches, 1 fore plain, besides several
pieces more. Lorenz Schwisser—1 grinding stone, 1 square, 1 little gimlet, 2 Agors, 1
smooding plain, besides several pieces more. HenryRennau—1 Cross Cut Saw, 1 Miter-
block, 1 addz, 2 Agors, 1 Gimlet, besides several pieces more. The Widow Wiernarm—
Another sort of Smooding plain, 1 little file, 1 hatchet, besides several pieces more. Isaac
Feber—1 Broad axe, 1 little hatchet, 1 smooding file, 1 rule, 1 former, besides several
pieces more. Daniel Fiere—1 Broad axe, 1 square, 1 Miter block, 1 Tenant saw, 1 Joynter,
besides several pieces more. Melchior Gulch—Three full setts of Joyner-Tools.”118
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
Before the final allotment came some changes also occurred in the
original company. Johannes Jacob Plettel died on his passage to
America or soon after his arrival, and his widow had married George
Lockstead; Joshua Kockerthal had also died; Peter Rose had removed
to Pennsylvania and transferred his interest to “ one Burger Meynders,
a blacksmith,” for some years previously a resident of Kingston; Lou-
rents Schwisser, Isaac Turck, Isaac Feber, Heinrich Rennau, and Daniel
Fiere had removed elsewhere, and Christian Henricke and Peter John-
son had been added to the company. These changes were recognized
by the government, and the patent was issued December 18,1719: “ Lot
No. 1, to George
Lockstead and
Anna Elizabeth his
wife, Margaret,
Anna Sarah, and
Catharine, their
children, 250 acres;
No. 2, to Michael
Weigand and Anna
Catharine his wife,
Tobias, George, and
Anna Maria, their
children, 250 acres;
No. 3, to Herman Schuneman and Elizabeth his wife, 100 acres; No. 4,
to Christian Henricke, 100 acres; No. 5, to Sibylle Charlotte Kockerthal,
the widow of Joshua Kockerthal, and to Christian Joshua, Benigna
Sibylle, and Susanna Sibylle, their children, 250 acres; No. 6, to
Burger Meynders, 100 acres; No. 7, to Jacob Webber and Anna Eliz-
abeth his wife, Eve Maria, and Eve Elizabeth, their children, 200 acres;
No. 8, to Johannes Fischer and Maria Barbara his wife, 100 acres;
No. 9, to Andries Volck and Anna Catharine his wife, George, Hiero-
nemus, Maria Barbara, and Anna Gertrude, their children, 300 acres.”
To Melchior Gulch and Peter Johnson had previously been issued
(Oct. 8, 1719,) patents for three hundred acres each, lying north of
the principal tract. Forty acres were reserved for highways,* and
GERMAN PATENT.
E—Western Avenue; G—Glebe Land; K—King’s Highway.
* The roads included in the forty acres reserved for that purpose were what is now
known as Western Avenue and Liberty street. Western Avenue formed the northern
boundary of lot No. 3, and the southern boundary of lot No. 4, and extended two chains
in width from the river to the west bounds of the patent. Liberty street, originally the
“ King’s Highway,” was opened by the government prior to the issue of the patent;
Western Avenue was not opened until nearly a century later. The settlers made other
roads. One ran from the river, from a point in the vicinity of Second street, up the hill
in a south-westerly direction along the bed of what is now part of Colden street, to the
corner of First; thence to the corner of Grand and Western avenue, and from thence
toward Quassaick creek, leaving the Cold Spring on the right. It was first called the
“ Wallkill road,” and subsequently “ Wagon street.” It was the principal road to the
river. The first dwellings were on the line of Liberty street.PARISE BY QUASSAICK.
119
five hundred acres for a Glebe; and the whole tract was to be known
and called “ The Palatine Parish by Quassaick.” The Glebe lot was
assigned to Andries Yolck and Jacob Webber, and their successors,
for the use and behoof of the Lutheran minister and his successors
forever,* for which purpose it was to be leased at a certain quit-rent,
in whole or in parcels, for terms not longer than seven years, and
was subject to the annual payment to the provincial authorities of
“ one pepper-corn,” if the same should be legally demanded.*)*
From the church books of the Lutheran congregation of New York,
it appears that the successor of Joshua Kockerthal was Justus Fal-
conier, who, it is said, was baptized “in the house of one of the
trustees, the 19th April, 1710,” and continued to serve the people
at Quassaick “every year (i. e. by an annual visit), without any
profit of the Glebe. He is deceased, 1723.”
In the year 1725, William Christoffer Berkenmeyer arrived at New
York, and entered upon the duties of pastor of the Lutheran church
there, and also filled the appointment of Falconier at Quassaick.
Meanwhile the two trustees of the Glebe, Andries Yolck and Jacob
Webber, had sold out their lands and removed to Pennsylvania, and
their places had been supplied by Zacharias Hofman and Tobias
Weigand, son of Michael Weigand, who, in 1727, entered into a
written contract with the consistory of the Lutheran congregation of
New York, by the terms of which the congregation at Quassaick
were received into the communion of the former body, they consenting
“that the Lutheran minister of New York, at his going to and from
Albany,” should visit Quassaick parish twice in each year, for which
service he should receive the yearly rents and profits of the Glebe.
The contract continues as follows: “As we (the trustees named) do
herewith call, constitute and appoint Mr. William Christoffer Berken-
meyer, Lutheran minister at New York, for our lawful teacher of the
parish of Quassaick to minister to us twice a year, as, well in preach-
ing the holy scriptures, and the symbolical books of our Lutheran
* “ To have and to hold the said Glebe of five hundred acres of the same tract of land
and premises unto the aforesaid Andries Yolck and Jacob*Webber, as first trustees during
their natural lives and their successors forever. But, to and for the sole and only proper
use, benefit and behoof of a Lutheran minister to serve and have the care of the inhabi-
tants of the same two thousand one hundred and ninety acres of land, and their succes-
sors forever.”
f All patents were conditioned upon the annual payment of a quit-rent. This payment
was sometimes due in money, and often in wheat or other commodity 1 ‘ Twenty shillings
and one fat buck per annum ” was the rent of the Evans patent. The rent of one pepper-
corn implied a free grant. The rents of the larger patents produced an annual revenue
to the government of considerable amount. After the Revolution the rents became due
to the state. In 1786 it was provided that lands subject to these rents might be released
on the payment of arrears, and fourteen shillings to every shilling of the annual dues.
Many titles in fee were obtained under this commutation; there were also many forfeit-
ures and sales. The last sale took place in March, 1826, and all the old rents finally
extinguished. The arrears for quit-rents, then amounting to $53,380, were in 1819 taken
from the General fund and given in equal proportions to the Literature and School funds.120
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
church, as in administering the holy sacraments of Christ’s institution,
promising to pay him the income, &c., and acknowedging him as our
teacher, as also whenever he lands upon our shore to receive him,
and bring him back on board the vessel. Moreover, since hitherto
we can make no use of the bell given to our parish, we therefore give
the said bell, by oral permission of his excellency Governor Burnet,
to the Lutheran church of New York. However, on this condition, if
it should happen that we should be able to build a church of our own
at any time hereafter, then the Lutheran church of New York shall
restore to us the same bell, such as it now is, or another of equal
weight and value. Signed, sealed, &c., March 30, 1727.” Mr. Berk-
enmyer served until 1731, receiving thirty cheeples of wheat.*
In the year 1733, Michael Christian Knoll was appointed minister
at “ Quassaick creek, Weapon’s (Wappinger’s) creek, and Hacken-
sack.” He served in the parish of Quassaick three times each year,
receiving thirty cheeples of wheat each year. It was during his
Queen Anne. The building was without floor or chimney, an aper-
ture in the roof, under the cupola, serving the latter purpose. In
this building the people worshiped. In their poverty it was their
palace; and not less acceptable to the Great Ruler than the costly
edifices and gilded spires which men now dedicate to His service.
* The agreement quoted appears to have been the result of a misunderstanding between
Mr. Berkenmeyer and the Palatines, in 1726, concerning the produce of the Glebe lands,
to which he considered himself entitled for his services, ana which for some cause was
withheld. Berkenmeyer first laid his complaint before the Governor, expecting him to
interfere in his behalf. The Governor, however, declined to act in the matter, and wrote
him a letter pointing out his mode of relief, saying that the courts of law were open to
him where such cases were disposed of. The difficulty was settled by this contract.
administration that the Pala-
tines erected the building re-
| membered by many of the for-
L mer generation as the Glebe
> school house, which stood in
I the burying ground on Liberty
| street. This was their church.
The precise date of its erection
I can not now be ascertained.—
i, It was a building of perhaps
i twenty feet square, with a roof
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH.
\ running up from the four sides.
| In the center of the roof a little
| cupola was erected in which
S hung the bell which had been
‘ loaned to the Lutherans of
New York—the prior gift ofPARISH BY QUASSAIGK
121
While these events were transpiring, a considerable change occurred
in the population of the settlement. The Palatines were mainly
farmers, and in the places of their nativity had occupied lands of the
richest and finest soil, and such they sought to obtain in the New
World. The sterile hills of Quassaick offered them no such attrac-
tion, while those of their number who had found their way to Penn-
sylvania had realized their expectations, and pressed their former
neighbors to remove thither. Under these influences the majority of
them sold their farms. The first sale was by George Lockstead and
Michael Weigand, of the whole of lot No. 1, and half of lot No. 2, to
Nathan Smith,* from whom the western part of both lots., was pur-
phased by William Brown as attorney for Governor William Burnet,*)*
and sold by him to Alexander Colden, who subsequently sold to Jona-
than Hasbrouck.J The eastern part of lot No. 2, was sold by Michael
Weigand to William Brown, for Governor Burnet, and to Burger
Meynders. The former sold the southern half of the lot to Alexander
Colden, by whom it was conveyed (1753) to Jonathan Hasbrouck.
Meynders occupied the north-eastern part of the lot until 1753, when
he also sold to Hasbrouck, who thus became the owner of the largest
portion of lots No. 1 and No. 2. Lot No. 3, was sold by Herman
Schuneman to James Alexander, § from whom it was purchased by
Alexander Colden and Burger Meynders, || except two acres at the
.north-east corner reserved by Alexander. Meynders subsequently
sold to Jonathan Hasbrouck; and Colden cut up a portion of his
share into small parcels. Lot No. 4, was sold by Christian Henricke
to William Brown, for Governor Burnet, from whom it was purchased
by Cadwallader Colden for himself, Jacobus Bruyn, James Alexander,
Phineas McIntosh, Daniel Denton, Michael Dunning, and Henry Wile-
man, by whom it was divided into lots and was subsequently known
as “The Old Town of Newburgh Plot.” Lot No. 5, granted to the
widow of Joshua Kockerthal, was sold by her children (1741) to
James Smith, who sold one acre in the south-east corner to Alexander
-----4------------------;----:-
* Nathan Smith was a blacksmith by trade. He removed from Kingston and settled
on the patent to William Chambers, (New Windsor), from whence he came to the parish
of Quassaick.
f “ His Excellency Gov. William Burnet,” is the language of the deed. Gov. Burnet
was a son of the distinguished Bishop Burnet. He was governor of the province for a
few years prior to 1728.
t The eastern part of lot No. 1 descended from Nathan Smith to Henry and Thomas his
sons, and was subsequently purchased by James Benwick.
§ James Alexander was the father of William Alexander, who served as an officer in the
war of the Revolution, and who is familiarly known in history as Lord Stirling. He
attained considerable distinction in the colony, and was largely interested in lands, not
only in what is now Orange county, but in other parts of the State.
|| Son of the original patentee.
IT The reader will not confound this title with that of “ Old Town,” by which the Glebe
lands have been known in more modern times. Christian Henricko’s land (lot No. 4,) was
that section of the present city of Newburgh lying between First street and Western
avenue. It will be referred to hereafter as being the first to bear the name of Newburgh.122
HIS TO BY OF NEWBURGH.
Colden; the remainder descended to Benjamin Smith. Lot No. 6, the
first one north of the Glebe, was sold by Burger Meynders to Burras
Holmes. Lot No. 7, was sold by Jacob Webber to Zacharias Hofman,
August 5th, 1724. Lots Nos. 8 and 9, were sold by Johannes Fischer
and Andries Volck to Zacharias Hofman, February 20th, 1722.*
Hofman held the lots until his death, when they were sold by his heirs.
These changes brought the Glebe lands into occupation to some extent
by the families of the original settlers or their descendants who had
not removed from the place, and by strangers who had rented them;
they also brought to the Colden plots a number of immigrants.
To the original settlers the new-comers were known as “ the Dutch
and English new inhabitants,” terms which may be understood to
mean “members of the English and Reformed Dutch churches.”
Their acquisition was most favorable to the growth of the place> The
association of which Governor Colden was the representative, was
influential, and the fact that they had established a township plot on
the tract was soon noised abroad. Daniel Denton, so well known in
Long Island history, apparently took considerable interest; in the
matter and sent to the place his son James, and his neighbor Richard
Albertson. Duncan Alexander, the son of James Alexander, was also
added to the list of inhabitants; while conspicuous in his efforts to
induce settlements on the tract was Alexander Colden, who, in further-
ance of the interest which he held, obtained (1743) the charter for
the present Newburgh ferry, and at about the same time erected a
grist-mill on the Quassaick. From a German settlement the place
had passed, in 1743, almost wholly under the control of the Scotch-
English, and had been inchoately christened with the Scotch name of
Newburgh. Such possibilities as they saw in the “uplands” on
which the Palatines had almost starved, to the latter were not vouch-
safed, or if they were, they were without the means to secure.
The increase in population brought with it also a change in the
civil organization of the district. When they were first established
on the patent, the Palatines were not given local officers; justices
and constables do not appear to have been known to them; the com-
mission of crime is not recorded against them: their church was their
government. Yet civil authority was made accessible to them, and
the hand of the government extended to them in the collection of
taxes, as part of the specifically undefined territory of the precinct of
the Highlands, which was created for that purpose by an order of the
court of sessions of Ulster county, September 5,1710. More definite
boundaries and a more limited territory were given to the precinct in
* The deeds from Webber and Volck are recorded in the Ulster county records. Webber
sold for £110, and Volck and Fischer for £130, “ to be divided between them.”PARISH BY QUASSAIGK
123
1743,* at which time “the parish by Quassaick ” had become a com-
paratively important portion of its composition.
But to the church of the Palatines the influx of population was
disastrous: under its touch this last link of their association was
dissolved. Resuming the record, we find that Zacharias Hofman, one
of the trustees of the Glebe, died in 1744, and that on the 23d of June
in the same year, Burger Meynders, Jr., was elected as his successor
and “Tobias Weigand anew confirmed, which was done'in the church
there; none of the English and Butch new inhabitants appearing,
although they were knowing to our election.” Three years later, on
the 22d of July, pursuant to the terms of the patent, a meeting of all
the inhabitants of the parish was held ; and the new inhabitants, who
were there in force, elected “Mr. Alexander Colden and Mr. Richard
Albertson for their trustees,” who took immediate steps to open the
church to a minister of the Church of England, one of whom, the
Rev. Hezekiah Watkins, was then stationed in the district.
The record continues: “ Our (the Lutheran) minister coming there,
did preach the 12th of July, without speaking to the new trustees.
Sunday the 19th, the church was full of people, taken out of the
country from both sides of the river. Some justices of the peace,
and some with swords and sticks, were there in the church, in presence
of the English minister, Mr. Watkings, who was come there the first
time the same Sunday. Our minister, after oral and public protest at
the door of the church, went into a private house upon the Glebe, to
do divine worship for the Lutherans.f In the year 1748, the 3d July,
our minister preached in the church, to which Mr. Albertson did con-
sent, because the English minister was not to come there that Sunday;
but Mr. Colden did prohibit the church. The 2d October our minister
was preaching in the church without speaking with the new trustees.”
This appears to have been the last visit made by “ our minister,”
Mr. Michael Christian Knoll. In behalf of himself and others, he
presented to Governor Clinton a petition, dated May 12, 1749, setting
forth the facts of the case substantially as here given, stating further
“ that the Lutheran inhabitants living on the said granted lands, being-
now reduced to a small number, the present inhabitants have taken
occasion to deprive your petitioners of the said church and Glebe;
* Ante p. 36, 37, 38.	.
f The tradition connected with this affair is, that the Lutherans attempted a forcible
ejectment of the new inhabitants, but failed. In the melee the door of the church was
forced from its hingOs and one bulky Lutheran buried beneath it as it fell. He escaped
with a few bruises, and the assailants retreated with most woeful countenances.
There is another tradition, that the bell, previously noticed, was taken from its place
secretly at night, and hidden in the swamp on the lands lately owned by William r. C.
Smith, deceased; in which place it remained for thirty or forty years, when it was acci-
dentally discovered, and returned to its proper place. The bell was subsequently placed
in the cupola of the Academy, where it remained until 1831 or ’32.124
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
and have lately hindered your petitioner, Michael Christian Knoll,
from performing service in it, and forbade the tenants to pay the rents
to your said petitioner, pretending that the said Glebe and church
have reverted to the crown for want of Lutheran inhabitants to enjoy
them* notwithstanding your petitioners do aver, that within a conve-
nient distance from the said lands as great a number of Lutheran
families are living as are sufficient to make a congregation for divine
service at those times when your petitioner, Michael Christian Knoll,
by his agreement is called to preach at that place. Your petitioners
therefore most humbly pray your excellency to grant to your peti-
tioners, the minister and consistory of the Protestant Lutheran Church
of New York, letters patent to confirm the said church and five hun-
dred acres of land, for the use of a Lutheran minister for the benefit
of the said Lutherans in that neighborhood,” &c. Another petition
on the same subject was submitted to the Governor, by the same
parties, on the 5th of October, 1749, in which it is positively asserted
that “ there live as tenants upon the Glebe and thereabout, on*both sides
of the river, more than thirty families ” of the Lutheran confession,
This paper and the documents accompanying it were read before the
council, October 29, and the memorandum in reference to their dispo-
sition is: “Read, and council of opinion that nothing can be done in
this petition.” In other words, the terms of the charter having been
complied with in the election of trustees, the council refused to set
the result aside.
The decision of the council practically terminated “The Palatine
Parish by Quassaick,” the original members of which had long previ-
ously removed from it, or had been laid away in its quiet church-yard.
As a people, they were earnest, good men and women. Wherever
they or their neighbors of subsequent immigrations are met, their
record compares favorably with that of the immigrants from any
other country. No citizens of more substantial worth are found under
the flag of this their native land than their descendants; no braver
men were ip the armies of the Revolution than Herkimer and Muhlen-
berg. Had they done nothing in the parish but made clearings in its
forests and planted fields, they would be entitled to grateful remem-
brance; they did more—they gave to it its first church, and its first
government ; and in all its subsequent history their descendants have
had a part. We close their record with wonder, not that they
accomplished so little, but that they accomplished so much.
I Mill IIIIM ti 111 III IIIIIPARISH OF NEWBURGH
125
CHAPTER VlII.
THE PARISH OF NEWBURGH---SETTLEMENT OF ADJOINING PATENTS---PRECINCT
OFFICERS—REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS---THE TOWN OF NEWBURGH----THE
GLEBE IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE—THE VILLAGE
OF NEWBURGH-—INFIDELITY. ,
HE affairs of the Palatine or Lutheran church and of the Glebe
remained in the position which has been stated until 1751,
when Edmund Concklin, Jr., William Ward, Jacob Wandel, James
Denton, William Smith, Richard Albertson, Thomas Ward, John
Wandel, Caklass Leveridge, Henry Smith, William Mitchell, Alex-
ander Colden, Nathan Furman, Daniel Thurston, Michael Demott, and
Duncan Alexander, presented a petition to Governor Clinton and
council, praying for letters patent conveying to themselves and their
successors the Glebe lands, with a view to establish and maintain a
minister of the Church of England, and a school-master; with power
to divide the Glebe so as to reserve two hundred acres for the use of
a minister and school-master, and cut up the remaining three hundred
acres into lots of one acre each, which lots* instead of being leased
for seven years should be leased forever, the lease-holder paying an
annual rent; and also with power to “hold a fair on the said lands on
the second Tuesdays in April and October annually.”
Notwithstanding the earnest remonstrance of the Lutherans, the
governor issued a warrant to William Smith, Esq., “His Majesty’s
Attorney-General,” directing him to “ prepare a draft of letters patent
to Alexander Colden and Richard Albertson, trustees, &c., for the
Glebe land of Quassaick,- in the county of Ulster,” in accordance with
the terms of the petition, the lands to be held by the “ said Alexander
Colden and Richard Albertson, as first trustees, during their natural
lives, and to their successors forever, for the sole use and behoof of a
minister of the Church of England as by law established, and a
school-master, to have the care of souls and the instruction of the
children of the neighboring inhabitants.”
This was followed by a legal surrender, on the part of Colden and
Albertson, of the lands held by them as trustees under the first126
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
patent; and on the 26th day of March, 1752, the letters patent previ-
ously ordered by the governor and council were issued, “ constituting
them and their successors one body corporate and politic, in fact and
name, by the name of the Parish of Newburgh;” and vesting in them
the* lands in question in trust “ for the proper use, benefit and behoof
of a minister of the Church of England, as by law established, to
have the care of souls of the aforesaid tract of 2190 acres of land,
and of a school-master to teach and instruct the children of the afore-
said inhabitants, and their successors forever, and to no other use
whatever.” The patent further granted to the trustees and their
successors “ free and full liberty and license to hold and keep a public
fair upon the tract? of 500 acres on the second Tuesdays in April
and October in every year forever hereafter, where, as well all the
inhabitants of the aforesaid tract of 2190 acres of land, as those in
the neighboring settlements and counties, and all other persons what-
soever, may buy and sell any horses, sheep and cattle, or any goods,
wares and merchandise whatsoever, without paying any toll or other
fees for the same.”*
The provision for the maintenance of a school-master, and for an
annual fair, as well as the denomination of the minister, were new
features in the patent. Another new feature was the change effected in
the name of the settlement. Under the first patent it had borne, as we
have shown, the title of Quassaick; and by this name the place was
legally known* until the grant of the new patent, in which it was
expressly directed that the settlement should be called “ the Parish of
Newburgh.” Previous to the legal application of this name the place
had been called Newburgh by the “new inhabitants,” as already
stated,f but at what precise period can not now be ascertained. In
the petition of Alexander Colden, May 24, 1743, asking for letters
patent to establish a ferry, it is said, “ at a place now commonly called
Newburgh patent.” In the petition of Colden, Albertson and others,
Nov. 4, 1751, it is said: “ at a place called Quassaick, now commonly
called Newburgh patent, in Ulster county.” As both of these papers
were drawn by Colden, and as the name is not found in any documents
prior to 1743, it would seem that to Colden belongs the honor of
having conferred the title which the town and the city now bear.
The name is of Saxon origin, the word new being the English orthog-
* Such fairs are very common in England and Germany. In many of the counties of
the province they were established by special enactment of the Assembly at an early
period. The fairs were held on the spot above named down to the stormy times of the
Revolutiori, were resumed after the war, and were held at different periods as late as 1805,
at which time they had degenerated into mere exhibitions of race-horses. The last fair
of which any record has been preserved, was held on Tuesday, October 14,1805, when
a premium of $200 -was awarded “to the jockey riding the best horse on the course of
Benjamin Case.”
t “ The Old Town of Newburgh Plot ”—ante p. 121.°F THE GLEBE-7753.
A ROUGH MAPPARISH OF NEWBURGH.
127
raphy for the Saxon neow, and burgh is the Saxon burg with the
English addition of the letter /*,.*
One of the first official acts of the trustees under the new patent
was the division of the Glebe into streets and lots, the designating
of portions for the minister and school-master, and the repair and
seating of the church building. Soon after, a map was prepared
showing the location of the streets and lots. This map, indorsed “A
Rough Map of the Glebe Land of the Parish of Newburgh,*’ is of
interest for reference. The streets laid out on it are confined to the
Glebe, with the exception of King street, and are: King, now Lib-
erty; Second, now Grand; Hasbrouck, now Montgomery; Water,
South, Clinton, Broad, and North. The streets named, however, with
the exception of King and South streets, were not opened until a
subsequent period.f The Jots were occupied as follows: No. 1, by
the church; 2, by three buildings owned by John Morrel and Doct.
Morrison; 3, one dwelling by William Ward; 4, one dwelling by
Henry Bend; 5, one dwelling unoccupied; 6, one dwelling by Joseph
Albertson; 7, two dwellings by Martin Weigand; 25, one dwelling
by Henry Don; 29, one dwelling by William Ward; 41, one dwelling
by William Ward, Jr. The remaining lots were without buildings
and occupied as follows: No. 8, John M. Young; 9 and 10, Patrick
McCary; 11, Thomas Waters; 12, 24, 36,48 and 60, Alexander Brower;
13, Samuel Sands; 14, Morrel and Morrison; 15 and 40, William
Ward, Jr.; 16 and 39, Joshua Sands; 18, 53, 63 and 65, Joseph
AlbertsQn; 19, 31 and 43, Jonas Denton; 20, 32 and 44, Samuel
Denton; 21, Isaac Brown; 22, Morris Fowler; 23, Thomas Brown;
26, Charles McCary; 28 and 71, Abel Belknap; 33 and 45, Jonathan
Hasbrouck; 34, 35, 46, 47, 58, 59 and 70, Thomas Morrel; 37, Robert
Morrison; 38, William Miller; 42, Thomas Ward; 50, 57 and 69, David
Connor; 51, Thaddeus Smith; 52 and 64, Jeremiah Ward; 55 and 67,
James Tidd; 66, Nathan Smith; 73, Isaac Belknap; 17, 49, 54, 56, 61,
62 and 68, and those west of King street, vacant.
The records throw little additional light upon the period between
the transfer of the Glebe to Colden and Albertson, and the events
* It is reasonable to presume that had the name been conferred by the Germans, in
honor of the Elector John William, of the house of Newburg, it would not have been
written with the final h.
t The marginal notes on this map are as follows : “ Lots Nos. 1 and 27 are reserved for
church and church-yards, and No. 72 for a public landing and ship-yard. The owners of
the lots below King street are: Capt. Jonathan Hasbrouck, No. 33 and 45 ; Samuel Den-
ton, No. 20, 32 and 44; Jonathan Denton, No. 31, 43 and 19; John Morrel and Doct.
Morrison, No. 2 and 14: Wm. Ward, Jr., No. 3,15,64 and 76 ; Joseph Albertson, No. 6,18,
53, 63, 65, 67 ; Martin Weigand and others, No. 7 ; Patrick McCary, No. 9 and 10; Alex-
ander Brower, No.f 11, 12, 23, 24, 36, 48 and 60 ; Thomas Morrel, No. 10, 22, 34, 46, 50,
59, 35, 47, 70 ; Abel Belknap, No. 71 and 20 ; Isaac Belknap, No. 73. N. B.—South street,
Broad street and North street are each two chains wide ; and all the rest each one chain.
Each lot contains one acre of land, and is three chains and eighty-three finks in length
and two chains and sixty-five links in breadth.”128
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
immediately preceding' the Revolution. The few facts that we have
gathered, however, are worthy a passing notice in this history, as
they serve to indicate the progress of the parish. It was during this
period that the trustees of the Glebe erected a residence for their
minister, and a residence and school-house* combined for their school-
master. The former was a
building about thirty-five feet
square, a single story and attic
in height, with a rude portico.
It stood on the parsonage lot
on the west side of what is
now Liberty street, just north
of Gidney avenue. It was
here that Hezekiah Watkins,
the first English minister, resi-
ded. The building continued
to be occupied as a parsonage
until after the commencement of the revolutionary war, and subse-
quently became a tenant house. The school-master’s house was a
building of simi-
lar construction,
and. stood on the
sell ool-master’s
lot on west side
of Liberty, nearly
opposite Clinton
street. It had no
portico, but was
deeper than the
parsonage house,
the school - room
being placed in
the rear. In this
rudimental col-	the	school-house.
lege Hutchins and Spierin presided, and	gave	instruction on the old-
fashioned rule of Daboll and birch rods; made good scholars .in
“ reading, writing and arithmetic,” and graduated at least two gene-
rations of worthy members of society.
In 1767, John Morrel and Joseph Albertson petitioned Governor
Henry Moore for the establishment of more taverns at Newburgh. In
this petition it is stated “ that on the Glebe land there are about sev-
* It has been supposed that the Glebe school was kept in the old church; but this is a
mistake. The church was not used as a school-house until after 1804.
THE PARSONAGE.PARISH OF NEWBURGH.
129
enteen dwelling houses,* * * § which are situated at or close by a very
public landing place f on Hudson’s river, whither many people from
the back parts of the country bring their produce to send it to New
York, having at least three boats belonging to the place that constantly
go from thence to New York and return back again with goods, which
creates a very considerable trade;” that in order to accommodate
this trade, it had been thought necessary, for several years previous,
“'to permit taverns or public houses to be set up at or near the
said landing” for the better “entertainment of the county people;
that “until about two years ago,” one of the petitioners had been
permitted to set up a tavern and retail liquors, and kept “ a very
good and orderly house ” J Notwithstanding these facts, “ one James
McClaghry, one of the commissioners for collecting the duty of excise
for strong liquors, &c., in the county,” had refused to grant permits
to the petitioners; but had “granted a permit only to one Martin
Wygant,§ who pays three pounds
for the excise, whereas all the re-
tailers together in the place when
they were permitted did not pay
more than two pounds.” The peti-
tioners urged the “ absolute neces-
sity for at least three or four tav-
erns at the said landing place, to
accommodate the country people,
travelers and passengers;” and that
unless so many taverns were licensed, the place would “ become of no
account and be deserted by its inhabitants.” The petition bears date
February 4th, 1767; and the statements contained in it are certified
to by eighty-three persons “inhabitants of the county of Ulster,”
whose names show the change in the population of the settlement.
What answer was given to this petition does not appear; but as
the place has since become of some “account,” it is reasonable to
suppose that the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and that the
dire calamities predicted, in case of refusal, were thus averted. It is
a little amusing to note the language of the inhabitants of this august
* The number of dwellings here given establishes the prior date of the map at page 127
t What was afterwards known as Powell’s dock, at the foot of First street,
t Joseph Albertson was the person here referred to. His house was on Liberty street,
south of Broad.
§ Martin Weigand’s tavern, represented in the engraving, stood on the north side of
Broad street, near Liberty. It was a mere log-cabin with a frame addition. During the
encampment at Newburgh, General Wayne had his quarters there. About 1780 Weigand
removed to a more commodious building on Liberty street, just north of the burying-
ground, and the old tavern was occupied by the father of Gen. John E. Wool, and was the
birth place of that officer. Martin Weigand was a grandson of the original settler,
Michael Weigand.
weigand’s tavern—1767.
09130
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
village of “about seventeen houses,” and their reference to “people
from the country.” * * * §
We next have, under date of November 17,1769, a petition to Cad-
wallader Colden, lieutenant governor, and at that time acting governor
of the province, asking for a charter for the Newburgh Mission. This
petition is signed by John Sayre, missionary; Chas. Robie, Cad. Col-
den, Jr., Samuel Fowler, and Joseph Watkins, vestrymen; and Robert
Carscaden, Andrew Graham, and Josiah Gilbert, church wardens; and
recites: “that by the pious donations of several persons” the mission
was then in possession of sundry tracts of land “now held for the
church by deeds of trust only;” and that from “the inconvenience
arising from this and sundry other matters ” in which the good of the
church was essentially concerned, the petitioners humbly prayed for a
royal charter, which was granted.
In 1770, April 16, John Sayre, missionary, Samuel Fowler, William
Ellison, John Ellison, Stephen Wiggins, Leonard Smith, Samuel
Winslow, and Nathan Purdy, petitioned Governor Colden for “a
royal charter of incorporation of St. George’s church, in the parish of
Newburgh, and county of Ulster,” which was granted./)*
Passing from the parish of Newburgh to the adjoining patents,
which have been enumerated, J the following facts are of record in
regard to their original proprietors and to their sale and settlement:
The Baird patent was issued to Alexander Baird, Abraham Van
Vlecque, and Hermanus Johnson. It was sold to Governor William
Burnet, who through his attorney, William Brown, of Salem, Mass.,
sold 250 acres to Arthur McKinny, April 24, 1745; 250 acres to
Andrew Todd, June 1, 1749; and twenty-six lots, numbered from four
to thirty, to Samuel Belknap, December 25, 1749. The latter sold
thirteen of the lots to his brother Thomas,§ in 1754; one lot to Mor-
* The signatures are: Samuel Falls, Edward Falls, Isaac Hodge, Thomas Orr, Henry
Smith, Thomas Smith, Jacob Gillis, Sami. Fowler, John Stilwill, Jas. Demot, Joel Holmes,
Isaac Demot, Daniel Denton, John Flewwelling, Abel Flewwelling, Josiah Cone, Daniel
Durland, Silas Leonard, Nathl. Conklin, James Denton, John Alston, Burrughs Holmes,
Henry Terboss, John Porter, William Harding, Lemuel Conklin, Hendrick Cropsey, Joseph
Hallett, Jacob Haiett, John Flewwelling, Mauris Flewwelling, Tunes Dalson, JohnDalson,
/Jacob Douchtout, Corneles G-ale, Thomas Hard, John Elsworth, Benjamin Totten, Josha-
way Conklin, John Truesdell, Gilbert Purdy, Nathan Purdy, Isaiah Purdy, Joshua Purdy,
Leonard Smith, Luff Smith, Anning Smith, Daniel Smith, Gilbert Denton, Pete Ston, John
Wier, Hen. A. Gamble, Nathan Purdy, Elijah Carman, Nehemiah Denton, James Tound-
send, Isaac Brown, Stephen Albertson, Obadiah Smith, David Wyatt, Hezekiah Wyatt,
Thadeus Smith, John Wandle, Isaac Shults, John Carman, William Ward, Robert Morri-
son, Mary Wilson, widow, John Fox, Stephen Hooper, John Hallen, John Yangonder,
Benjamin Smith, Elnathan Foster, Wm. Booyls, Robert Car Harding, Thos. Morrel, Danl.
AcCor, John Bride, Jacob Wandel, Jacob Ansell, Wm. Whitehead, Richard Albertson.
f This charter is still preserved in the archives of St. George’s church. It was granted
May 2d, 1770.	<
t Ante p. 112.
§ Belknap paid £1500 for the lots, and sold one half of them to his brother Thomas for
£826. At that time it required ten pounds (old tenor) to make one pound sterling.
Belknap paid, therefore, £150 sterling, or $375 (New York standard), for his lots. This
rule of computing pounds will apply to all other sales of lands at that time or prior.SETTLEMENT OF PATENTS.
131
gan Powell, in 1761; part of a lot to Josiah Talket, in 1765; part of
a lot to Felix McLannen, in 1765; part of a lot to James Stickney, in
1766; four lots to Isaac Belknap, in 1763; four lots to Abel Belknap
and four to David Belknap, in 1766. Thomas Belknap sold one lot to
Samuel Sprague, in 1761, and part of a lot to Robert Beattie. Beat-
tie was also the purchaser of a lot from William Brown in 1769. The
Belknaps and the purchasers from them, with the exception of Beattie,
were Massachusetts people, and were the first principal colonists of
New England who removed hither. For a number of years their
settlement was known as Belknap’s ridge, but more recently has been
classed as Coldenham from the district post office of that name.
The Kipp and Cruger patent was issued to Jacobus Kipp, John
Oruger, Philip Gortlandt, David Provost, Oliver Schuyler, and John
Schuyler. It included the district east, north and west of Orange
lake, and adjoined the Baird patent on the south.* It was the most
densely timbered, and the latest in occupation of any of the patents
except that to Bradley and Jamison. It was divided into six parts,
which were sub-divided into farm lots. Early deeds are not recorded;
but tradition affirms that Silas Gardner, with a number of lumbermen,
entered the district on the south-east, in 1767, and established the set-
tlement known as Gardnert.own. Henry W. Kipp held a very consider-
able portion of Jacobus Kipp’s share, and is said to have built, prior
to the Revolution, the house now occupied by Jeromus Thorne, and
to have called the place “his Rocky Forest.” Nicholas Stevens was
a purchaser from him. William Lupton held the Cruger interest, in
whose honor Mr. Solomon Birdsall conferred the name of Luptondale.
Alexander McCoy was a tenant or settler under him, and Michael
Redmond and John Abrams among the earliest purchasers. A colony
of Friends from Westchester county, composed of Daniel, Zephaniah
and Barak Birdsall, John Sutton, and John Thorne, settled on the
patent about 1791. Daniel Birdsall bought the place which McCoy
had partially cleared, and found there a log house with a bark roof,
which he occupied. Barak Birdsall bought of Henry W. Kipp, and
subsequently became the owner of the Nicholas Stevens place. The
Birdsalls are still largely represented in the district.
The settlement of the Bradley and Jamison patent cannot be traced
in early records. It is said that Johannis Snyder and John Crowell
were first purchasers there. St. Andrew’s church subsequently held
an interest in the patent and sold farms.
The Wallace patent-was to James Wallace alone. It was purchas-
* Described as beginning “ at three black-oak saplings on the east side of the great
pond, seven chains to the northward of the eel fishing place or the beginning of Quassa-
ick brook.” * The eel-fishing place must have been a resort of the Indians; it could not
have been known to the English at that time.132
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
ed by Joseph Penny, who sold 200 acres to Robert Ross, and settled
upon the remainder with his seven sons, John, William, Robison,
Joseph, Peter, James and Allen. Penny was from Wales, England.
Ross was Scotch, and is said to have been the first settler on the
patent and to have established the name of Rossville, although the
patent itself became known as “ the Penny patent.”
The Bradley patent was to Sarah, Catharine, George, Elizabeth,
and Mary Bradley, and was taken in their name by their father,
Richard Bradley, who was thus enabled to secure six tracts in sepa-
rate locations (of which that in Newburgh was one), embracing 6000
acres. It was purchased and settled in 1768, by John Foster, Wil-
liam Foster, Richard Ward, and John Griggs. The Fosters being the
most numerous, the settlement was called Fostertown.
The Harrison patent was issued to Francis Harrison, Mary Tatham,
Thomas Brasire, James Graham, and John Haskell. It was for 5,600
acres, excepting and reserving 300 acres laid out for “ Gillis, the
German joiner,” and 300 acres “for the children of or Peter Johnson.”
By subsequent transfers James Alexander, John Provost, and Daniel
Gomoz* became interested in the patent. It was sold in several par-
cels at different periods. The first purchaser was James Ellsworth in
1716, whose lands were held by his widow and after her death sold
by his son, William Ellsworth, to Samuel Stratton in 1753; Stratton
sold to Jehiel Clark. The share of James Graham passed to Jurie
Quick in 1719, who sold to Zacharias Hofman (September 24, 1727).
After the death of the latter the tract, as well as the lots held by him
in the German patent, were sold by his heirs, among others to Joseph
Bloomer in 1754, and Michael Demott and the Dentons and Flewwel-
lings in 1764. James Alexander and John Provost sold to Arthur
Smith and Jehiel Clark (May 9, 1751,) one half of the fifth part
originally held by Haskell. Daniel Gomoz sold to Samuel and Daniel
Fowler, November 6, 1747, the remaining half of that part, consist-
ing of 500 acres. The extreme northern portion of the patent was
held at an early date by Jacobus Van Blarcken, whose interest was
purchased by Wolvert Acker at sheriff’s sale in 1772. The Smiths,
Clarks, Bloomers, and Fowlers, were English people, and were mainly
from Westchester county. Van Blarcken and Acker were also from
Westchester, but of Dutch extraction. With the exception of the
Belknap colony, none of the settlers had a more controlling influ-
ence in the early history of the town than those who occupied the
Harrison patent, which, with the reservations above stated, covered
the district now known as Middlehope.
* Written on the Tax-roll of 1724, “Gomoz, the Jew.” He was a merchant of New
York city.PRECINCT ORGANIZATIONS.
133
The Spratt patent was in two parcels—2000 acres in Ulster and
1000 in Newburgh—and was issued to Andries Marschalk and John
Spratt, the latter taking the Newburgh tract as his “one-third.” It
was purchased by Joseph Gidney, in 1760, and settled by his four
sons, Joseph, Daniel, David, and Eleazer, from whom it took the
name of Gidneytown.
The Gulch patent was to Melchior Gulch, and his wife and children,
precisely as were the lots in the German patent. A portion of it passed
to John Fowler, and from him to Daniel Kniffin, in 1758; afterwards
to Underhill Merritt, and more recently to the late Daniel Merritt. It
is recorded as having been issued to Gellis, Gillis or Jellis, Melchior
or Melchor, “ the German carpenter, now in his possession and occu-
pation.” The portion retained by his family descended to Jacob
Gillis, as the name came to be written, who held it by right of primo-
geniture until about the commencement of the war of the Revolution.
The patent to Peter Johnson* is not of record, but depends for its
existence upon the reservations in the Harrison patent. With the
Gulch patent, which it adjoined, it was the first occupied land in the
north-east part of the town. There is no record of its transfer.
The patent for 300 acres to Harrison and Company was to supply
a deficiency in the first patent.
The increase in population resulting from the settlement of these
patents, brought with it a change in the organization of the precinct.
The old precinct of the Highlands, after serving the purpose of its
creation for fifty years, gave way, in 1762, to the precincts of New-
burgh and New Windsor, into which it was divided f—-the latter being
constituted substantially as the town now is; while the former embra-
ced the towns of Marlborough and Plattekill, in Ulster county, as, well
as the present town and city of Newburgh. Under the act establish-
ing this division, the first annual meeting for the election of precinct
officers was held at the house of Jonathan Hasbrouck (now known as
Washington's Head-quarters), in the parish of Newburgh, on the first
Tuesday in April, 1763,J when the following officers were chosen, viz:
Samuel Sands, clerk; Jonathan Hasbrouck, supervisor; Richard Har-
per, John Windfield, and Samuel Wyatt, assessors; Daniel Gedney and
Benjamin Woolsey, poor-masters; John McCrary, John Wandel, Burras
Holmes, Isaac Fowler, Umphrey Merritt, and Thomas Woolsey, path-
masters; and Nathan Purdy and Isaac Fowler, fence-viewers and
appraisers of damages. After continuing for ten years, the precinct
was again divided, and the Marlborough and Plattekill settlements
erected as the precinct of New Marlborough. This division left to
* Pjeter Jansen and <c Peter Jansen’s estate,” on Tax-rolls 1714-17. f Ante p. 38, 39,
$ The records of the town of Newburgh begin with this election.134
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
the precinct of Newburgh the territory covered by the patents already
named, and its date (Dec. 11,1772,) is practically that of the organiza-
tion of the subsequent town of Newburgh. John Flewwelling, super-
visor, and Samuel Sands, clerk, were its first principal officers chosen
at the election in April, 1773.
Such was the condition of the precinct of Newburgh when the
discussions which preceded and produced the Devolution, fixed the
attention and engaged the sympathies of the people. When the news
of the Boston massacre was wafted hither from New England, followed,
as it was, by the tidings that patriot blood had been shed at Lexing-
ton—when the shock came
* ‘ That hurled
To dust, in many fragments dashed and strown,
The throne, whose roots were in another world ”—
a large majority embraced with unflinching zeal the cause of their
country. Yet few localities in the province were more immediately
under the influence of officers of the crown than was Newburgh.
Lieut. Governor Oolden had his residence within a few miles of the
village, and in the vicinity there were other persons intimately con-
nected with the government whose influence tended to secure a degree
of favor for the British ministry that would not otherwise have been
obtained. After Colden’s death, his son, Cadwallader, became the
leader (if he was not so previously) of the opposition, and was re-
garded by the whigs as especially “ mischievous.” * Aside from the
influence exerted by the Coldens, other causes contributed, more or
less, to divide the people of Newburgh on the great issue presented
for their consideration; and it is a matter of surprise that in a popu-
lation like that which then occupied the precinct, so many were found
ready to peril life and fortune in the seemingly desperate strife.
The drama of the Devolution opened in Newburgh, as in so many
other places, on the passage of the non-importation resolutions by
the continental congress in 1774, which resulted in the formation, in
every city, town and precinct, of a “ Committee of Safety and Obser-
vation.” The city of New York took the lead by organizing a com-
mittee of one hundred, of which Isaac Low was chairman, and by
sending circulars to all the towns and precincts in the province urging
the formation of similar committees. About the same time a pamphlet
entitled “ Free Thoughts on the Desolves of Congress,” made its
appearance and was scattered broadcast over the land. The people
thus had the question fairly before them, and in their local meetings
discussed the points involved. The result was soon apparent. The
* “ In the midst of our troubles with these rebels, we are greatly satisfied to hear that
their leader, the mischievous Major Golden, has been arrested,”—Palmer, March, 1777,REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS.
135
precincts of Shawangunk, Hanover, Wallkill, New Windsor, and New-
burgh, in January, 1775, publicly burned the pamphlet, and at the
same time organized the committees proposed. In Newburgh, a
meeting was held at the house of Martin Weigand, on the 27th of
January, 1775, when Wolvert Acker, Jonathan Hasbrouck, Thomas
Palmer, John Belknap, Joseph Coleman, Moses Higby, Samuel Sands,
Stephen Case, Isaac Belknap, Benjamin Birdsall, John Robinson, and
others, were appointed a “Committee of Safety and Observation.”
The first duty devolving upon this committee was to attend a con-
vention at New Paltz on the 7th of April, for the purpose of selecting
delegates to a provincial convention to be held at New York on the
20th of the same month. Newburgh was represented in the New
Paltz meeting by Col. Jonathan Hasbrouck, Thomas Palmer, Wolvert
Acker, and John Belknap, who voted to send Charles DeWitt, George
Clinton, and Levi Pauling to the provincial convention, with full power
“ to declare the sense of this county relative to the grievances under
which His Majesty’s American subjects labor.”
On the 29th of April following, the committee of New York drew
up and signed a pledge to observe and maintain the orders and reso-
lutions of both the continental and provincial congress, and sent it
for signatures to all the precincts and counties in the province.*
Immediately on receiving the proceedings of the New York committee,
the Newburgh committee placed a copy of the pledge at the hotel of
Martin Weigand for signatures. The great mass of the people came
forward voluntarily and subscribed their names; but a few timid ones,
anticipating that the result of the controversy would be disastrous,
or unwilling to risk the displeasure of the crown, shrank from the
test, and the committee found it necessary to adopt energetic measures
to induce them to unite in the movement. For this purpose a meeting
was held at the house of Martin Weigand (May 15), and Wolvert
Acker appointed chairman, and Cornelius Hasbrouck clerk. Resolu-
tions were passed instructing the committee to visit those who had
“ neglected or refused to sign the association, and in the most friendly
manner invite them to sign the same; f that those refusing to sign “ on
or before the 29th of this instant” should be “deemed enemies of
their country;” that, in the opinion of the committee, “no person or
persons whatsoever” should “ have any kind of connection or dealings
with ” those who withheld their names, and that whosoever should
have “any such connection ought to be treated in like manner, and
* American Archives, Vol. II, 471, 4th series. Ante p. 85.
f Coercive measures to induce persons to sign the association were forbidden; “ the pro-
priety of the measure, and the necessity of maintaining a perfect union in every part of
the colony,” being regarded as sufficient to induce signatures. Freedom of opinion was
distinctly recognized.136
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
be considered as an enemy of his country, notwithstanding he may
have signed the association.”* Tn other words, social ostracism was
pronounced against a few well-known individuals, as the sequel shows,
who were occupying the common ground of loyalty to the king—
which even the members of the association professed—but who were
also already quite active in inviting hostility to the movement for a
“tedress of grievances,” and were especially instigating the negro
slaves of the precinct to take part against their masters, f
On the 19th of May, the provincial congress directed the committees
holding the pledge to return the same before the 15th of July “ with
the names of the signers and those who refused to sign;” and in
accordance with this requirement, Wolvert Acker, the chairman of
the Newburgh committee, made, on the 14th of July, the return called
for on behalf of the precinct, embracing the names of one hundred
and seventy-four persons who had signed the association, and fifty-four
who had refused to do so, as follows:
Col. Jona. Hasbrouck,
Thomas Palmer,
Isaac Belknap,
William Darling,
Wolvert Acker,
John Belknap,
John Robinson,
Sami. Clark,
Benj. Birdsall,
Benjamin Smith,
James Waugh,
Abel Belknap,
Moses Higby,
Henry Cropsey,
Wm. Harding,
Joseph Belknap,
John Stratton,
Lewis Holt,
Sami. Hallock,
Samuel Sprague,
Burroughs Holmes,
Samuel Bond,
Thomas Campbell,
James Cosman,
Lewis Clark,
Jonathan Sweet,
Reuben Tooker,
David Belknap,
Daniel Birdsall,
Robert Lockwood,
Benj. Knap,
SIGNERS OF THE PLEDGE.
Nicholas Stephens,
Johannis Snider,
Benjamin Robinson,
Andrew Sprague,
Thomas Beaty,
Solo. Buckingham,
Wm. Bowdish,
Jona. Belknap,
Jacob Tremper,
Abraham Smith,
Cornelius Wood,
John Lawrence,
George Hack,
John Shaw,
Corns. Hasbrouck,
Isaac Demott,
David Smith,
John Stratton,
Absalom Case,
Joseph Dunn,
Daniel Morewise,
Jonathan Owen,
Jehiel Clark,
Reuben Holms,
Nath’l Coleman,
George Leonard,
Elnathan Foster,
Neal McLean,
Wm. Palmer, .
Martin Weigand,
Wm. Foster,
John Tremper,
Charles Willett,
Jeremiah Dunn,
Wm. Lawrence,
Robert Waugh,
Wiggins Conklin,
Robert Beatty, Jr.,
Abr’m Johnston,
Silas Sperry,
James Clark,
David Mills,
Caleb Coffin,
James Harris,
Theo. Hagaman,
Wm. Dunn,
Nehemiah Carpenter,
Leonard Smith,
Wm. Day,
JohnWandel,
Abel Thrall,
Phineas Corwin,
Moses Hunt,
Samuel Sands,
Jacob Concklin,
Joseph Price,
John Saunders,
George Westlake,
Burger Weigand,
Tunis Keiter,
Hugh Quigly,
Daniel Darby,
* Archives 606, Yol. II, 4th series.
t Very stringent measures were adopted to hold the negroes from assisting the king.
At the meeting referred to (May 15), it was resolved, “that any person owning negroes
in this precinct shall not, on any account whatever, suffer them to be absent from his
dwelling-house or farm after sundown, or send them out in the daytime off their farm
without a pass; and in case any negroes be found abroad, contrary to the above resolve,
they shall be apprehended and caused to receive thirty-five lashes, or any number less,
as the said committee shall deem proper.” At a later period, when the militia was called
away, a guard was maintained to prevent the negroes from insurrectionary violence.
Slavery, always a source of weakness to the republic, was especially so during the struggle
for independence; although to the honor of the slaves be it said that the majority of them
were faithful to their masters.REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS.
137
Sami. Westlake,
Josiah Ward,
Silas Gardner,
Jacob Gillis,
Wm. Kencaden,
James Denton,
John Foster,
Hope Mills,
John Co'sman,
Wm. Wear,
Thomas Fish,
Wm. Lawrence, Jr.
John Kernoghan,
Robert Hanmer,
Robert Ross,
John Crowel,
Obadiah Weeks,
Francis Hanmer,
William Bloomer,
Abraham Garrison,
James Marston,
Samuel Gardiner,
Anning Smith,
Richard Albertson,
Benj. Lawrence,
Richard Buckingham,
Jacob More wise,
Nehemiah Fowler,
Stephen Wiggins,
Isaiah Purdy ,
♦Gilbert Purdy,
Nathan Purdy,
*John Wiggins,
* James Leonard,
*Morris Flewwelling,
♦Anthony Beatlebron,
♦Daniel Hams,
♦Daniel Denton,
Daniel Denton, Jr.,
♦George Merritt,
Adam Patrick,
♦Gabriel Travis,
John Wiggins, Jr.,
Joseph Gedney, Jr.,
George Devoll,
Wm. Wilson,
Wm. Stillwell, Jr.
Peter Donally,
Charles Tooker,
Leonard Smith, Jr.
Henry Smith,
James Wooden,
Thomas Smith,
Caleb Case,
David Green,
John Stillwell,
Luff Smith,
John Gates,
Benj. Darby,
Israel Smith,
Thads. Smith,
Jacob Myers,
Sami. Concklin,
Isaac Brown,
Peter Tilton,
John Douaghy,
Ste. Stephenson,
John Griegs,
Sami. Smith,
Jeremiah Ward,
Wm. Ward,
Wm. Russel,
PERSONS REFUSING TO SIGN.
Thomas Fowler,
Stephen Wood,
♦Abel Flewwelling,
Jonathan Pine,
♦Samuel Fowler,
Joseph Cope,
Hazael Smith,
Jona. Brunbridge,
Joseph Headley,
Benj. Lewis,
Peter Aldrige,
♦John Flewwelling,
Jacob Fry,
James Perry,
Jas. Patterson,
David Gedney,
George Elms,
> Nathan Purdy, Jr.,
Isaac Brown, Jr.,
Hezekiah Wyatt,
Wm. Whitehead,
Daniel Goldsmith,
Gabriel Travis,
Nathaniel Weed,
John Weed,
Daniel Duboise,
Arthur Smith,
Isaac Fowler,
Stephen Outman,
Sami. Stratton,
Joseph Carpenter,
Daniel Thurstin,
John Fowler,
Daniel Clark,
Isaac Donaldson,
Wm. Concklin,
Charles Tooker,
John Smith,
Isaac Fowler, Jr.,
William Wright,
Wm. White,
Daniel Kniffen,
Rob. Morrison,
John Dolson,
Leonard Smith,
Daniel Purdy,
Daniel Purdy, Jr.,
John Hendrick,
♦Isaac Barton,
William Roach,
David Horton,
Theophilus Mozer,
♦Jonas Totten,
Daniel Dorland,
Daniel Rounds,
John Morrel,
Moses Knap,
David Wyatt,
Samuel Denton,
Thomas Orr, Jr.,
♦Daniel Gedney,
John Elms,
Joseph Penny.
On the day on which this return was forwarded, the persons whose
names are marked in the preceding list with an asterisk, came before
the committee and made affidavit of their intention to abide by the
measures of the continental congress, being convinced that they had
“ no other alternative but to repel force by force, or submit to be
slaves;” that they would “discourage the spirit of opposition” which
had prevailed, and bear and pay their “ quota of all expenses ” that
. might be incurred in the struggle; and that this their declaration
was of their “own free will and voluntary consent.” This increased
the number of signers to one hundred and ninety-five, and reduced
the number who sustained the king and his ministry to thirty-nine.
With the return of the signatures, the organization of the “ Com-
mittee of Safety and Observation” of the precinct of Newburgh was
perfected, and that body installed as its revolutionary government.
The history of the revolutionary committees and tribunals of France138
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
has been written; the preceding committees and tribunals of the
American Revolution are yet to be assigned the place which is due
to them in the annals of the nation. The government of New York
differed from that of the New England colonies. The people of the
latter, under their several charters, elected their own governors and
legislatures; while those of the former had no such power, the gov-
ernor being appointed by the king, and the governor’s council com-
posed of members of his selection.* In New England, therefore, the
revolution could be carried forward without disturbing the existing
order of things, while in New York the government had to be set
aside, and, as in the case of the nation, a new one created. Pending
this change, common law was maintained as far as practicable, while
to these committees were assigned the powers inferentially declared
in the pledge of association: “The necessity of preventing anarchy
and confusion, which attend the dissolution of the powers of govern-
ment,” and “ the preservation of peace and good order, and the safety
of individuals and property.” At first responsible only to the general
committee of the city of New York, the local committees were subse-
quently recognized by the provincial convention and its subordinate
committee of safety, and invested with the control of the minute men,
and all the duties of local revolutionary administration.*)* If not
always wise in their action, they were vigorous in the enforcement of
order and in promoting the means employed to secure the indepen-
dence of the nation.J
Scarce had the organization of the committee been perfected when
active duties devolved upon it. A portion of those who had refused
to sign the pledge, as well as a few who had signed the subsequent
affidavit, were guilty of acts which, in its opinion, deserved punish-
ment, and which it was determined should be administered. The first
instance of this character is reported to the provincial convention
of New York in a joint letter from the committees of Newburgh and
New Windsor, and read at a session of the committee of safety on the
18th of July. The report is signed by Wolvert Acker and Samuel
Brewster, and states that John Morrel, Adam Patrick, and Isaiah
* Ante p. 30.
f The power to appoint assessors and collectors was given to the local committees,
while the county committees were to be “considered as supervisors according to the
police of the city, county, town or precinct ” in which they had been chosen, and, with
the assessors and collectors, were directed to assess, raise and collect the quotas to be
raised for the support of the revolutionary government, and were empowered to enforce
collection “by distress upon the goods and chattels of the defaulters, as heretofore prac-
tised.”—Pro. Prov. Conv. 15, 18, 131, etc.
$ The powers of these committees were very greatly enlarged under the resolution of
the continental congress of 1777, directing the state to “ forthwith apprehend and secure
all persons who have in their general conduct and conversation, evinced a disposition in-
imical to the cause of America ”—a measure deemed necessary, and which explains many
of the subsequent, arrests,REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS.
139
Purdy, were not only “possessed of principles very inimical to the
grand cause in which we are embarked, but whose conduct, ever
since the commencement of these unhappy times, has been such as to
disturb the public tranquility.” * * * § The persons named were arrested
and taken to New York under guard, where they were examined by
the committee of safety. They admitted many of the charges against
them, and were ordered to be confined in the barracks; but were sub-
sequently released “ upon their contrition and promise of amendment,”
and the Newburgh committee instructed to treat them kindly unless
they should commit further unlawful acts.
Under date of October 27, 1775, it appears that Stephen Wiggins
and David Purdy, being deemed guilty of unlawful acts, were arrested
by order of the committee and sent to New York; j* but the final dis-
position of their case does not appear. In January, 1776, Samuel
Devine J was arrested and confined. He was subsequently released,
but for some offense was again arrested in 1777, tried by court martial
and sentenced to be hung. He was pardoned “ under the gallows ”
by Governor Clinton. Samuel Fowler and Daniel Denton, who were
among the signers of the affidavit, were also arrested and confined.§
The Flewwellings were disaffected; and one of them joined Claudius
Smith’s band of cow-boys and was hung at Goshen in 1779. Rene-
gades were also found among those who had signed the pledge of
association,* of whom Silas Gardner, || Benjamin Smith, Elnathan Fos-
* “We herewith send you three persons, who not only possess principles very inimical
to the grand cause in which we are embarked, but whose conduct, ever since the first of
these unhappy times, has been such as to disturb the public tranquility and destroy that
unanimity so necessary for the preservation of our liberties. Their names are John Mor-
rel, Adam Patrick and Isaiah Purdy. Herewith, gentlemen, you will also receive several
depositions taken before John Nicoll, Esq., relative to the matter, which is all we have
time to take at present; these we submit to the judgment of the honorable Congress,
whether either or all of the persons accused be worthy of confinement or not.”—Archives.
t “ This is to certify, that we, the Committee of Safety and Observation for the Precinct
of Newburgh, for the apprehension of two persons, viz: Stephen Wiggins and David
Purdy, did request and command Capt. Samuel Logan, of the minute company at New
Windsor, to assist with eleven of his men in apprehending the said persons, he having
' attended and assisted one day and a half, with himself at the head of the following per-
sons, viz: John Robinson, ensign: David Mandevill and John Schofield, sergeants; one
corporal; one clerk, and six privates. Capt. Logan’s account, signed by Mr. Acker, our
chairman, for the expenses of himself and men, for the time above certified, is just; and
for his own and men’s wages, we refer to be calculated by you.”—Archives.
t Samuel Devine was arrested on testimony that he had “repeatedly drank damnation
to the congress and all the whigs; and furthermore had called the whigs a pack of rebels.”
§ Aug. 18,1788—Samuel Fowler, arrested as a person of “ equivocal and suspected char-
acter ”—refused the oath of allegiance and was confined by the committee. Sept. 4,1778
—Daniel Denton arrested as a person of “equivocal and suspected character”—refused
the oath and was confined.—Clinton papers.
|| Silas Gardner was arrested in April, 1777, charged with “levying war against the
United States of America, holding correspondence with and assisting the enemies of the
said states.” He appears to have been guilty of correspondence with the enemy and to
have associated with others in what has been modernly termed an “underground rail-
road ” for passing through the country those who wished to join the British either in
Canada or New York. His last act in this line was the safe conduct of the wife of Sir
John Johnston to New York, for which service Sir John sent him a ring. He was tried by
court martial at Fort Montgomery, and sentenced to be hung; but was pardoned under
the gallows and confined, but released on parole in 1778,—Proc. Prov. Conv.140
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
ter, David Wyatt, and others were arrested and confined for indefi-
nite periods,* and subsequently released on parole.
Without pursuing the inquiry, the fact will be recognized that
there were in the precinct a number of persons who were known as
tories, embracing those, who had consistently maintained their alle-
giance to the king and those who, although willing to unite to secure
reform on “ constitutional principles,” were opposed to the separation
of the colonies from the English government—the latter class spring-
ing up after the adoption of the declaration of independence, a meas-
ure which brought indeed a sifting time, and threw into the ranks of
the king’s friends some of the early* leaders of the original move-
ment^ Had they been left to themselves perhaps the great majority
of them would have remained neutral, but they were constantly under
the spur of association with the officers of the discarded government
who required proof of the sincerity of their fidelity to the crown.
That they were troublesome and vicious under this influence no one
will doubt; that the indignation of their neighbors which was kindled
against them was not justified, cannot be conceded. That the whigs
committed excesses, or were too hasty and severe in their punish-
ments, may have been true in some cases yet the whigs themselves
discriminated between their opponents, driving one class from the
country, but suffering the other to enjoy their possessions, and their
descendants to stand as the peers of their own children in the national
temple which they erected. It is not for the present or for future gen-
erations to appeal from the justice of that discrimination.
The reorganization of the militia of the precinct received the early
attention of the committee, and was conducted in conjunction with
the general committee of the county of Ulster, for the southern dis-
trict of which a new regiment was, constituted (Sept. 2, ltI5), com-
posed of the following field officers: Jonathan Hasbrouck, colonel;
Johannes Hardenbergh, Jr., lieutenant colonel; Johannes Jansen, Jr.,.
* The parties referred to were apprehended and arrested, it is said, while on their way »
to join the enemy, and were: James Flewwelling, Elnathan Foster, John Flewwelling,
David Wyatt, Solomon Combs, Benjamin Smith, Stephen Wood, John Moffatt, Benjamin
Darby, Timothy Wood, Bobert Denton, James Cosman, and Amos Ireland. They were
sentenced to confinement in the jail at Kingston.—Proc. Rrov. Conv., 872.
t The sentiment expressed by John Alsop, in resigning his seat in the continental con-
gress, was shared by a respectable but not numerous class of the community, viz: “As
long as a door was left open for a reconciliation with Great Britain, upon honorable terms,
I was willing and ready to render my country all the service in my power; but as you
have, by that declaration, closed the door of reconciliation, I must beg leave to resign.”
j: The late Mr. James Donnelly related the case of George Harding, one of the signers
of the affidavit, who visited New York, soon after the English obtained possession of the
city, and was detained there three or four weeks. On a report that he had joined the
enemy, the committee seized his goods and turned his family into the street. On his
return and discovery of the wreck made in his possessions, he resolved to follow the per-
petrators of the act with his vengeance; and joining the loyalists, he acted as a spy during
the whole war, causing the whigs no little trouble. His course, however, is rar from
being justified by the circumstances related.REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS.
141
and Lewis DuBois, majors; Abraham Schoonmaker, adjutant; and
Isaac Belknap,* quartermaster. Two companies were organized for
this regiment in Newburg’h, the first commanded by Sami. Clark, and
the second by Arthur Smith, f In December following a regiment
of minute men was constituted, of which Thomas Palmer, of New-
burgh, was colonel; Thomas Johnson, lieutenant colonel; Arthur
Parks, of Hanover, and Samuel Logan, of New Windsor, majors;
Severyn T. Bruyn, adjutant, and Isaac Belknap, quartermaster. On
the 23d of July, 1176, the convention directed the general committee
of the county to organize three companies (in all 201 men) of
rangers to be employed “as scouting parties to range the woods”
and prevent attacks by the Indians, and in such other service as
might be required. Of one of these companies Isaac Belknap was
appointed captain; J — Schoonmaker, first lieutenant; Petrus Roosa,
second lieutenant; and David Clark, corporal. In addition to these
regiments and companies, the committee was constantly engaged in
promoting enlistments in the state and continental regiments, and in
the discharge of their duties found little leisure time.
The history of the services of the militia of the precinct cannot
now be fully written; but the records preserved, and which have
been already quoted, show that they were repeatedly called out §
* Through a clerical error, Belknap was not commissioned. The commissions of the
other officers bear date October 25,1775. The regiment was included in the fourth brig-
ade with other regiments of Ulster and Orange county, under command of Brigadier-
general George Clinton.
f “Honorable Gentlemen:—Agreeable to your direction of the 9th inst., the Militia
Company of the South-east district of Newburgh assembled on the 17th inst., at the
house of Col. Jonathan Hasbrouck, and chose by a plurality of voices of the soldiers of
said District, the following gentlemen for their Militia Officers: Samuel Clark, Captain;
Benjamin Smith, 1st Lieutenant; James Denton, Senr., 2d Lieutenant; Martin Weigand,
Ensign. We are, &c.	SAMUEL SANDS, } Two of
August 22,1775.	MOSES HIGBY, \ Committee.
“Honorable Gentlemen:—Agreeable to your directions of the 9th inst., the Militia
Company of the North District of Newburgh Precinct, assembled on the 26th inst., at
the house of Lemuel Concklin, and choose, by a majority of voices of the soldiers be-
longing to said District, the following persons for their Militia Officers, viz: Arthur Smith,
Captain; Isaac Fowler, Jr., 1st Lieutenant; John Foster, 2d Lieutenant; Daniel Clark,
Ensign. We are, &c.	MOSES HIGBY, ) Two of
August 26, 1775.	•	JOSEPH COLEMAN, f Committee.
t The second company was placed under the command of Capt. Jacob R. DeWitt, the
third under Capt. Elias Hasbrouck. They were discharged, March, 1777.—Ante p. 87.
§ Ante p. 88, 89, etc. How frequently the militia of Newburgh was called out is shown
by the following return made of the services of Col. Hasbrouck’s regiment:
Dec. 12,1776-
Jan. 7,1777
“ 28, “
66	(C
Mch. 7, “
66 66
July,
August, “
October, “
(( 66
Novr. “
April, 1778
—Clinton Papers.
-Alarm and service at Ramapo,
300 men 27 days.
Fort Montgomery, -
66 _
Peekskill,
Fort Montgomery, -
66
Fort Constitution, -
Burning of Esopus,
New Windsor,
West Point,
100
200
150
130
250
460
500
200
460
120
420
14
40
12
90
40
8
8
10
30
45
8142
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
during the war, and rendered important service. Even the aged
were not exempt from duty. The provincial convention, in 1718,
invited those “ who, in ordinary circumstances, would be exempts,” to
form companies to repel invasions and suppress insurrections.* This
call was responded to by Martin Weigand, Humphrey Merritt, Sami.
Stratton, William Bloomer, Joseph Albertson, William Carscaden,
Isaac Fowler, Reuben Holmes, William Ward, Jr., James Denton,
Jas. Waugh, and others, and a company—of which Samuel Edmonds
was captain; Nathaniel Wyatt, first lieutenant; John Stratton, second
lieutenant, and Michael Lewis, ensign—organized and held in readi-
ness for service.*)*
But it was not merely by their services as militia that the people
of Newburgh contributed to the war. A depot for stores, under the
charge of Andrew Taylor, deputy quartermaster-general, was estab-
lished here in 1777, and was maintained until the peace. Of course
it devolved upon the inhabitants of the district, in the absence of
regular troops, to collect the various stores needed by the army, and
to convey them to distant points. When the tidings of the terrible
sufferings at Valley Forge were received, they came forward with
every mode of conveyance in their possession, eager to' transport pro-
visions, and the extent of their services may be inferred from a letter
of Col. Taylor to Gov. Clinton, in which he states that “every sleigh
and horse in the neighborhood is completely used up in this duty.”
Nor was this all. The inhabitants of Newburgh were subjected to
great inconveniences and privations from the fact that the militia of
other sections were located here, the place being made a point of
rendezvous by general orders,J and the billeting of soldiers on the
people was of frequent occurrence. To supply them with food in-
volved a heavy tax on the inhabitants, and their own families were
often reduced to want by complying with the demands thus made
upon their stores.
On the reduction of Forts Montgomery and Clinton, in 1777, the
people living near the river removed their families and goods into
the interior, in accordance with the suggestions of the committee of
safety, expecting that the expedition under Vaughan and Wallace
would lay waste the village; but in this they were fortunately disap-
pointed. The expedition passed by, bestowing no other attention on
* During the entire war the exempts were assessed to supply men in their places in the
ranks of the militia.
t The persons named in the return had previously served in some one of the companies
composing Col. Hasbrouck’s regiment .—Clinton Papers.
t “Newburgh, Dec.. 18,1775.—Pursuant to the orders of Congress to the Begiment
under my command, to be in readiness upon any proper alarm, I have appointed the
place of general rendezvous to be at the house of Martin Weigand, in Newburgh Precinct.
—Archives IV., 307, 4th Series.	J. HASBKOUCK, Col.”REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS.
143
the settlement than the discharge of a few cannon. What was then
the village, was shielded from the passing shot by its position on
the hill beyond the range of ship guns, as well as by a dense
growth of trees in many places along the river bank, and hence
escaped injury from that source. When the fleet returned, a continual
cannonade was kept up from its transports, by which one man was
killed on the ferry boat;* * * § but the presence of the militia deterred the
predatory boat expeditions by which its presence was marked at
Kingston. After passing the chevaux-de-frise, one of the frigates
was anchored and remained for some time in taking soundings.—
The militia meanwhile was posted at Newburgh, New Windsor, and
other points in the vicinity, and kept wakeful watch of the enemy’s
movements.*)"
But the precinct had not passed the ordeal unscourged, although it
escaped direct devastation by the enemy. In the defense of the
Highland forts many of its men had been killed, and others taken
prisoners. They had been summoned from their homes but a single
day previous to that of the fatal battle; had left their families, as
they had many times before, expecting an early return, but to their
homes returned not. How great the anxiety, as the progress of the
conflict was watched from the hill-tops—how great the mourning, as
the flames which had been lighted on the vessels of war proclaimed
the result—we may not know; we only read the expressive record
that the poor taxes of the precinct rose from <£50 to £800, and that
special donations were collected for “such poor whose husbands or
parents were killed or taken prisoners at Fort Montgomery.” J
From this brief survey of local revolutionary services and suffer-
ing, let us turn to the events of more general interest that cluster
around the precincts of Newburgh and New Windsor. W7hen in the
spring of 1719, Washington was thrown on the defensive, he concen-
trated the continental army in the Highlands and in Smith’s clove,
and established his head-quarters in the WHlliam Ellison house on
the hill immediately south of the village of New Windsor.§ Here
* On the 18th of October, 1777, Gen. James Clinton, writing from his head-quarters at
the house of Abel Belknap, says: “Five of the British ships returned this day down the
river and fired many shots, but only killed one man on the ferry boat.”
f In a letter dated “ Abel Belknap’s, October 23d,” Gen. Clinton writes: “The enemy’s
frigate still lies below the chevaux-de-frise, and it was my opinion she was stationed there
to prevent our sinking any more; but Gen. Winds informed me yesterday he thought she
wanted to get higher up, as she had boats constantly sounding the channel. Gen. Winds’
Brigade consists of about 500 or 600 men, and is still increasing. They are stationed at
New Windsor. Capt. Nicolls and his company at the creek. Col. Thurston’s and Col.
Woodhull’s Regiments from the County line to Butter Hill, and* thence along the Clove
road to Francis Smith’s. Col. McLaughry’s Regiment at Hasbrouck’s Mill, keeping their
main guard at Newburgh. Major DuBois with his company from Newburgh along the
river North.”
$ Precinct records.
§ The house was removed many years ago.144
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
he concerted measures to counteract the campaign of the'enemy, who
by moving on New London and the Connecticut coast, hoped to draw
the continental forces in that direction and render the Highland forts
an easy prey. Instead of meeting these anticipations, Washington
sent Wayne to attack Stony Point, and the decisive action there com-
pelled the enemy to abandon the Connecticut expedition and with it
the reduction of West Point. Although found to be untenable and
hence abandoned, the capture of Stony Point was one of the boldest
and most successful strategic movements of the war. Finding that
Washington could not be induced to leave West Point defence-
less, Sir Henry Clinton organized a campaign against the southern
states. Retaining his head-quarters at the Ellison house, Washington
remained in comparative idleness. It was the darkest period of the
war; without assistance from European powers, the cause of inde-
pendence was acknowledged to be hopelessly lost. Ultimately that
assistance was secured; France furnished an army and a fleet; Hol-
land sent money; confidence revived: the continental forces were
recruited and under the drill of Steuben, rivaled in discipline the
armies of Europe. Threatening an attack on New York, and thereby
obliging Sir Henry Clinton to retain his re-enforcements at that place,
Washington changed his plans, and before Sir Henry was aware of
it, had moved his forces from New Windsor and was far on the march
toward Yorktown.
Soon after the successful termination of the siege of Yorktown
(October *1, 1781), the main portion of* the American army returned
to the Hudson river; and Washington (April, 1182,) made his head-
quarters at the Hasbrouck house in Newburgh. For a short time in
the autumn of 1182, the army was encamped at Verplanck’s Point,
where a junction was effected with the French army, which, until
that time had remained in Virginia. Immediately after this junction,
the latter marched to Boston, and the. ximerican army crossed the
Hudson and went into winter quarters above the Highlands—portions
being stationed at New Windsor,* at Fishkill, and in the vicinity of
Walden. Generals Knox and Greene were quartered at the house of
* October 30,1782.—At reveille, on the 26th inst., the left wing of the army, under the
command of General Heath, decamped from Verplanck’s Point and marched to the High-
lands; took up our lodgings in the woods, without covering, and were exposed to a heavy
rain during the night and day. Thence we crossed the Hudson to West Point, and
marched over the mountain called Butter hill; passed the night in the open field, and the
next day reached the ground where we are to erect log huts for our winter quarters near
New Windsor.—Thacker's Journal, 323.
The Rev. Mr. Gano writes in his journal: “ On my return to the army we encamped at
Newburgh, and erected some huts, and a place for public worship on the Lord’s day. We
, had three services a day and preached in rotation.”
The Camp ground at New Windsor can still be distinctly traced by the ruins of the huts
occupied by the soldiers. The troops stationed there were the New England line, Yan
Cortland’s New York Regiment, and the Maryland and part of the Virginia line. Part of
the ground had probably been previously occupied by the New York militia.REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS.	145
Mr. John Ellison (late Capt. Charles Morton’s), Generals Gates and
St. Clair were quartered at the Edmonston house, near Ellison’s;
Wayne at the old hotel of Martin Weigand, in Newburgh; and the
Baron Steuben at the house of Mr. Samuel Verplanck, in Fishkill.*
During the summer of 1783, a portion of the army was in tents on
the plain now occupied by the upper streets of the city, and passed
through the usual exercises of camp life under the careful drill of
Baron Steuben. The army remained in camp here until the 3d of
November, when it was formally disbanded.
For a long time prior to the breaking up of the army, discontent
had prevailed among the soldiers and officers respecting the arrear-
ages in their pay. On the 30th October, 1780, congress had passed
resolutions granting half-pay for life to the officers, but these resolu-
tions stood on the faith of a government with no funds to enable it to
perform its engagements; and after their passage, the articles of
confederation had been adopted which made the consent of nine
states necessary to give validity to any act appropriating public
money; and nine states had never been in favor of the half-pay reso-
lutions. Under these circumstances, and, considering the very scanty
supplies that were furnished to the army, it was quite natural that dis-
content should prevail.
Complaints were frequently made to Washington, who was fully
sensible of the sufferings of his companions in arms, and the most
earnest appeals were made by him to congress to satisfy their claim;
but congress depended entirely on the states, and thus was powerless
to accomplish the end desired. The army now resolved to take the
matter into their own hands, and Colonel Nicola, an experienced
officer and a gentleman of high character, was selected to communi-
cate to Washington their wishes and fears. In May, 1782, Nicola
addressed a letter to Washington at Newburgh, in which, after some
general remarks on the deplorable condition of the army, and the
little hope that their services would be rewarded by congress, he dis-
cussed the different forms of government with a view to show that
republics were, of all others, the least stable, and the least adapted
to secure the rights, freedom and power of individuals—and then
made a formal tender to Washington, on behalf of those for whom he
acted, of the title of King. “In this case,” says the writer, “it will,
1 believe be uncontroverted, that the same abilities that have led us
through difficulties apparently insurmountable by human power, to
victory and glory—those qualities that have merited and obtained the
* With the exception of the house occupied by General Wayne, these buildings are now
standing. It may be of interest to add that the Life-guard of Washington occupied
tents where the old malt-house, on Liberty street, now stands. The store-house of the
Commissary-general was where the Union Presbyterian church stands.
oio146
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
universal esteem and veneration of the army—would be most likely
to conduct and direct us in the smoother paths of peace. Some
people have so associated the idea of tyranny and monarchy as to
find it difficult to separate them. It may, therefore, be requisite to
give the head of such a constitution as I propose some title appar-
ently more moderate; but, if all other things were once adjusted, I
believe strong arguments might be produced for admitting the title
of King, which I conceive would be attended with some advantage.”
We are aware that it has been denied that this was an offer of the
title of king, yet the whole tenor of the letter leads to the opposite
conclusion. That it was so regarded by Washington, is evident from
his reply, in which he says: “ With a mixture of surprise and aston-
ishment, I have read with attention the sentiments you have sub-
mitted to my perusal. Be assured, Sir, no occurrence in the course of
this war has given me more painful sensations than your information
of there being such ideas existing* in the army, as you have expressed,
and which I must view with abhorrence and reprehend with severity.
For the present the consideration of them will rest in my own bosom,
unless some further agitation of the matter shall make a disclosure
necessary. I am much at a loss to conceive what part of my conduct
could have given encouragement to an address which seems to me
big with the greatest mischiefs that can befall my country. If I am
not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could not have found a'
person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable. At the same
time, in justice to my own feelings, I must add, that no man possesses
a more serious wish to see ample justice done to the army than I do;
and, as far as my power and influence, in a constitutional way, extend,
they shall be employed, to the utmost of my abilities, to effect it,
should there be any occasion. Let me conjure you, then, if you have
any regard for your country, concern for yourself, or posterity, or
respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your mind, and never
communicate, as from yourself, or any one else, a sentiment of the
like nature.” *
This rebuke effectually checked monarchial tendencies, but it did
not remove the evils under which the army suffered; on the contrary,
the grounds of discontent continued rather to increase. Congress pro-
posed to reduce the army, and to discharge many of the officers.
Washington, fearing the result of the measure, urged the compensa-
tion of the officers and men. “ When I see,” he adds, “such a num-
ber of men, goaded by a thousand stings of reflection on the past, and
of anticipation on the future, about to be turned into the world, soured
by penury, and what they call the ingratitude of the public; involved
* Sparks’ Washington, viii., 300, 302.REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS.
147
in debts, without one farthing of money to carry them home, after
having spent the flower of their days, and, many of them, their patri-
monies, in establishing the freedom and independence of their country;
and having suffered everything which human nature is capable of en-
during on this side death; I repeat it, when I reflect on these irritable
circumstances, unattended by one thing to sooth their feelings or
brighten their prospects, I cannot avoid apprehending that a train of
evils will follow of a serious and distressing nature. *	* You may
rely upon it, the patience and long-suffering of this army are almost
exhausted, and there never was so great a spirit of discontent as at
this instant.” This letter explains fully the situation and motives of
the army, and the power of the restraining influence of Washington.
The negotiations for peace were now in the hands of commis-
sioners; and, in view of the speedy dissolution of the army, the
officers determined upon one more effort to secure that which they
claimed as their right. Previous to going into winter quarters (De-
cember, 1782), they presented a petition to congress, proposing to
accept, instead of the money actually due to them, a commutation of
the half-pay stipulated by the resolutions of October, 1780, which,
they flattered themselves, would be less objectionable than the half-
pay establishment. Some security that the engagements of the
government would be complied with, was also requested. But in
consequence of the divisions in congress upon other subjects, the
important point in this petition—the commutation of the half-pay of
the officers—remained undecided in March, when intelligence was
received of the signature of the preliminary and final articles of
peace between the United States and Great Britain. Soured by their
past sufferings, their present wants and their gloomy prospects; and
exasperated by the neglect with which they believed themselves to be
treated, and by the injustice that they supposed was meditated against
them, the ill-temper of the army was almost universal, and seemed to
require only a slight breath to cause it to burst forth into a flame.
Early in March, a letter was received from the committee in atten-
dance upon the session of congress, stating that they had failed to
accomplish the object of their mission. On the 10th of the same
month, an anonymous paper was circulated, requesting a meeting of
the general and field officers at the public building* on the succeeding
day; and stating that an officer from each company, and also a dele-
gate from the medical staff, would be expected. The object of the
* The “public building ” here referred to was sometimes called the “ new building ” and
“ the Temple.” The title of “new building ” is understood to have been used to distin-
guish it from a building which had been erected in the early part of the war in connection
with the barracks of the militia of the district. It was situated on what is now the farm
of Mr. William McGill, in New Windsor, and was used for public assemblies.148
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
convention was avowed to be, “to consider the late letter from their
representatives in Philadelphia, and what measures (if any), should
he adopted to obtain that redress of grievances which they seemed to
have solicited in vain.”
On the same day an address to the army was circulated, admirably
adapted to work on the passions and to excite the most desperate res-
olutions. In this paper, the writer reviewed the services of the army
—the toils and privations that had been encountered in securing the
independence of the states; adverted to the injustice with which the
army had been treated, and urged the necessity of some decisive
action. “I would advise you, therefore,” he concluded, “to come to
some final opinion upon what you can bear, and what you will suffer.
If your determination be in any proportion to your wrongs, carry
your appeal from the justice to the fears of government. Change the
milk and water style of your last memorial—assume a bolder tone—
decent, but lively, spirited and determined, and suspect the man who
would advise to more moderation and longer forbearance. Let two
or three men who can feel as well as write, be appointed to draw up
your last remonstrance; for I would no longer give it the sueing, soft,
unsuccessful epithet of memorial. Let it be represented, in language
that will neither dishonor you by its rudeness, nor betray you by its
fears, what has been promised by congress and what has been per-
formed—how long and patiently you have suffered—how little you
have asked, and how much of that little has been denied. Tell them
that, though you were the first, you would wish to be the last to en-
counter danger, and though despair itself can never drive you into
dishonor, it may drive you from the field; that the wound often irri-
tated and never healed, may at length become incurable; and that the
slightest mark of indignity from congress now, must operate like the
grave and part you forever; that in any political event, the army has
its alternative. If peace, that nothing shall separate you from your
\arrns but death; if war, that, courting the auspices and inviting the
directions of your illustrious lender, you will retire to some unsettled
country, smile in your turn, and “mock when their fear cometh on.”
But let it represent, also, that should they comply with the request of
your late memorial, it would make you more happy and them more re-
spectable; that while war should continue, you would follow their
standard into the field, and when it came to an end, you would with-
draw into the shade of private life, and give the world another sub-
ject of wonder and applause; an army victorious over its enemies—
victorious over itself.”
Persuaded as the officers generally were of the indisposition of the
government to remunerate their services, this passionate address madeREVOLUTIONARY EVENTS.
149
a profound impression; and nothing seemed wanting but the assem-
blage fixed for the succeeding day to produce the most disastrous
results. “ Fortunately,” says Marshall, “ the commander-in-chief was
in camp; and his characteristic firmness did not forsake him in this
crisis. The occasion required that his measures should be firm, but
prudent and conciliatory; evincive of his fixed determination to oppose
any rash proceedings, but calculated to assuage the irritation which
was excited and to restore a confidence in government.” This course
he at once adopted; and in the general orders of the next day he
noticed the anonymous paper, and expressed the conviction he felt
that the good sense of . the officers would guard them against paying
any “attention to such an/irregular invitation;” but his own duty, he
conceived, “ as well as the reputation and true interests of the army
required his disapprobation of such disorderly proceedings. At the
same time, he requested the general and field officers, with one officer
from each company, and a proper representation from the staff of the
army, to assemble at twelve o’clock, on Saturday the 15th October, at
the new building, to hear the report of the committee deputed by the
army to Congress. After mature deliberation, they will devise what
further measures ought to be adopted as most rational and best calcu-
lated to attain the just and important object in view.”
These orders changed the whole aspect of affairs, and the meeting
called by the anonymous writer was not held. By a master-policy,
Washington had placed himself, as it were, at the head of the move-
ment for redress, and had appointed in regular form a time and place
of meeting. On the day succeeding the publication of these orders,
a second anonymous address made its appearance, from the same pen
which had written the former, in which the writer affected to consider,
the orders in a light favorable to his views. “Until now,” said he,
“the commander-in-chief has regarded the steps you have taken.for
redress with good wishes alone; his ostensible silence has authorized
your meetings, and his private opinion has sanctioned your claims.
Had he disliked the object in view, would not the same sense of duty
which forbade you from meeting on the third day of the week, have
forbidden you from meeting on the seventh ?” *
On the 15t.h, the convention of officers assembled at the new
* The writer of these letters was Major John Armstrong, at that time a young man of
twenty-six, and aid-de-camp to Major General Gates. Some years after the letters were
written, Armstrong acknowledged their authorship; but insisted that they were written
“ at the solicitation of friends, as the chosen organ to express the sentiments of the
officers of the army, and were only an honest and manly though perhaps an indiscreet
endeavor to support public credit, and do justice to a patient, long-suffering and gallant
army.” Although entertaining a different opinion at the time the letters appeared,
Washington, in 1797, writes: “ I have since had sufficient reason for believing, that the
object of the author was just, honorable and friendly to our country, though the means
suggested by him were certainly liable to much misunderstanding and abuse.”—Sparks’
Life of Washington.150
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
building, and General Gates took the chair. There was a full atten-
dance of officers; and defcp solemnity pervaded the assembly as the
commander-in-chief stepped upon the platform to read an address that
he had prepared for the occasion. Amid the most profound attention
Washington commenced reading: “Gentlemen: By an anonymous
summons, an attempt has been made to convene you together. How
inconsistent with the rules of propriety, how unmilitary, and how
subversive of all order and discipline, let the good sense of the army
decide.” Pausing for a moment, he drew out his spectacles, carefully
wiped and adjusted them, and while doing so remarked: “These eyes,
my friends, have grown dim, and these locks white in the service; yet
I have never doubted the justice of my country.” * The effect, was
electrical. The whole scene, when we consider the time, the place,
the man, the object of the convention, was hardly surpassed in in-
terest by any other event of those eventful days.
Resuming his address, Washington exhibited the anonymous letters
as “designed to answer the most insidious purposes,” while their
ostensible object was simply to secure the redress of grievances. He
then noticed more particularly the remedies proposed in the letters for
the assumed injustice of congress. The alternative presented, said "he,
of “either deserting our country in the extremest hour of her distress,
or turning our arms against it, which is the apparent object, unless
congress can be compelled into instant compliance, has something so
shocking in it, that humanity revolts at the idea. My God! what
can this writer have in view, by recommending such measures? can
he be a friend of the army ? can he be a friend to his country ? rather
is he not the insidious foe plotting the ruin of both, by sowing the
seeds of discord and separation between the civil and military powers
of the continent.”
He then explained what appeared to him to be the causes of delay
in the action of congress—pledged himself to exert whatever abilities
he possessed in order to obtain the demands of the army; and assured
them that, previous to their dissolution as an army, congress would
cause all their accounts to be fairly liquidated, and that they would
“adopt the most effectual measures in their power” to render ample
justice to the army “ for its faithful and meritorious services.”
Concluding with a direct appeal to those present, he exclaimed:
“ Let me conjure you in the name of our common country, as you
respect the rights of humanity; and as you regard the military and
national character of America; to express your utmost horror and
detestation of the man who wishes, under any specious pretences, to
overturn the liberties of our country; and who wickedly attempts to
* Am. Biol, Die. 827. Irving’s Washington, iv.liE VOL UTIONAR Y EVENTS.
151
open the flood-gates of civil discord, and deluge our rising empire in
blood. By thus determining and acting, you will pursue the plain
and direct road to the attainment of your wishes; you will defeat the
insidious designs of our enemies, who are compelled to resort from
open force to secret artifice; you will give one more distinguished
proof of unexampled patriotism and patient virtue, rising superior to
the pressure of the most complicated sufferings; and you will, by the
dignity of your conduct, afford occasion for posterity to say, when
speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to mankind—
had this day been wanting the world had never seen the last stage of per-
fection that human nature is capable of attaining/”
These sentiments, says Marshall, from a person whom they had
been accustomed to love, to reverence, and to obey; the solidity of
whose judgment, and the sincerity of whose zeal for their interests
were alike unquestioned, could not fail to be irresistible. No sooner
had the commander-in-chief withdrawn from the room, than General
Knox moved, and General Putnam seconded, a resolution tendering
the thanks of the convention to “His Excellency, and assuring him
that the officers reciprocated his affectionate expressions with the
greatest sincerity of which the human heart is capable.” This reso-
lution was unanimously voted; and, on motion of General Putnam, a
committee, consisting of General Knox, Colonel Brooks, and Captain
Howard, was appointed to prepare resolutions on the business before
the convention, and report in half an hour.
The committee, after consultation, reported a series of resolutions
which were passed unanimously. These resolutions expressed un-
shaken confidence in the justice of congress; and that the represen-
tatives of America would “not disband or disperse the army until
their accounts” were “liquidated, the balances accurately ascertained,
and adequate funds established for payment;” and that in this arrange-
ment the officers expected “that the half-pay, or commutation for it,
should be efficaciously comprehended.” It was further resolved,
“ that the officers of the American army view with abhorrence and
reject with disdain the infamous propositions contained in a late
anonymous address to the officers of the army, and resent with indig-
nation the secret attempts of some unknown persons to collect the
officers together, in a manner totally subversive of all discipline and
good order.”
The triumph of right was complete. The storm which had threat-
ened to overwhelm the infant Republic, was hushed. Washington
immediately enclosed to the president of congress the proceedings,
accompanied by a letter in which he again urged prompt attention to
the subject. Not only did he assume the entire justice of the claims.152
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
of the army; but, for the first time in his history, he asked a personal
favor of congress. “Having,” he wrote, “from motives of justice,
duty, and gratitude, spontaneously offered myself as an advocate for
their rights, it now only remains for me to perform the task I have
assumed, and to intercede in their behalf, as T now do, that the sov-
ereign power will be pleased to verify the predictions I have pro-
nounced of, and the confidence the army have reposed in, the justice
of their country.”
Immediately on the reception of Washington’s dispatches, congress
passed, with the concurrence of* nine states, the resolution commuting
the half-pay of the officers into a sum in gross equal to five years full
pay; and the result was received by the army with great satisfaction.
Meanwhile the peace commissioners had concluded their labors, so
far as arranging the articles between Great Britain and the United
States was concerned; but the exchange of ratifications was contin-
gent upon a similar exchange between the contending European
powers. It was feared for some time that the obstacles to a general
pacification would not be overcome. These fears, however, were
entirely dispelled by a letter from La Fayette, in March, announcing
a general peace. In April, official notification was received of the
exchange of preliminary articles, and the cessation of hostilities; and
the commander-in-chief announced the joyful intelligence to the army
in his orders of April 18th. “The commander-in-chief,” reads this
interesting paper, “orders the cessation of hostilities, between the
United States of America and the King of Great. Britain, to be pub-
licly proclaimed at the new building, to-morrow at twelve o’clock;
and that the proclamation which will be communicated herewith, be
read to-morrow evening at the head of every regiment and corps of
the army; after which the chaplains, with the several brigades, will
render thanks to Almighty God for all his mercies, particularly for his
over-ruling the wrath of man to his own glory, and causing the rage
of war to cease among the nations.”
Although the proclamation referred to extended only to the cessa-
tion of hostilities, yet it was regarded as the sure precursor of an
event to the accomplishment of which had been devoted the toils and
sufferings of a long and doubtful contest; and as the morning sun of
the 19th tinged the mountain tops it was hailed with reverberating
peals of rejoicing. In this feeling Washington joined. “The com-
mander-in-chief” continues the orders, “far from endeavoring to stifle
the feelings of joy in his own bosom, offers his most cordial congrat-
ulations on the occasion, to all the officers of every denomination, to
all the troops of the United States in general, and in particular to
those gallant and deserving men who have resolved to defend theREVOLUTIONARY EVENTS.	153
rights of their invaded country so long as the war should continue;
for these are the men who ought to be considered as the pride and
boast of the American army, and who, crowned with well-earned
laurels, ma}^ soon withdraw from the field of glory to the more tran-
quil walks of civil life. While the General recollects the almost
infinite variety of scenes through which we have passed with a
mixture of pleasure, astonishment and gratitude—while he contem-
plates the prospect before him with rapture—he cannot help wishing
that all the brave men, of whatever condition they may be, who have
shared in the toils and dangers of affecting this glorious revolution,
of rescuing millions from the hand of oppression, and of laying the
foundation of a great empire, might be impressed with a proper idea
of the dignified part they have been called to act, under the smiles of
Providence, on the stage of human affairs; for happy, thrice happy,
shall they be pronounced hereafter, who have contributed anything,
w’ho have performed the meanest office in erecting this stupendous
fabric of Freedom and Empire, on the broad basis of independency;
who have assisted in protecting the rights of human nature, and
establishing an asylum for the poor and oppressed of all nations and
religions.” *	*	“ The adjutant-general will have such working
parties detailed to assist in the preparations for a general rejoicing
as the chief engineer, with the army, shall call for; and the quarter-
master-general will also furnish such materials as he may want.”
The details of the “general rejoicing” at Newburgh, New Wind-
sor, and other points of encampment, on the 19th of April, 1783, have
not been preserved. The order of Washington, and the notes by
Thacher and Heath,* indicate, however, that it was conducted with
the most imposing military and civil ceremonies; that, as had been
done on a former occasion,*)* the army lined the banks on both sides of
the river, with burnished arms and proudly floating banners, and, at
a given signal, paused and presented arms. The pealing of thirteen
guns from West Point now awoke the echoes of the hills, and was fol-
lowed by &feu dejoie which rolled along the lines from West Point
to the utmost limits of the camp. The “ thrilling fife-note and drums
heart-kindling beat,” then called the hosts of freedom to the assembly,
* April 19,1783. At noon the proclamation of congress for the cessation of hostilities
was proclaimed at the door of the new building, followed by three huzzas; after which a
Ser was made by the Rev. Mr. Gano, and an anthem (Independence, from Billings,) was
)rmed by vocal and instrumental music.”—Heath's Memoirs, 371.
“April 19,1783. On the completion of eight years from the memorable battle of Lex-
ington, the proclamation of congress for a cessation of hostilities was published at the
door of the public building, followed by three huzzas; after which a prayer was offered
to the Almighty Ruler of the world, by the Rev. Mr. Gano, and an anthem was performed
by voices and instruments.”—Thacker's Journal, 343.
t The celebration of the birth of the Dauphin. Tradition affirms that- the army exerci-
ses were the same on both occasions.154
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
where patriot knees bent low in prayer with Chaplain Gano; and at
its conclusion, voices and instruments joined in Billings* anthem:
May His blessing descend,
World without end,
On every part of this continent. ■
May harmony and peace
Begin and never cease,
And may the strength increase
Of the continent..
May American wilds
Be filled with His smiles,
And may the nations bow
To our royal King.
May Rome, France, and Spain,
And all the world proclaim,.
The glory and the fame,
Of onr royal King.
God is the king. Amen.
The Lord is His name. Amen.
Loud, loudly sing,
That God is the King!
May His reign be glorious ;
America victorious;
And may the earth acknowledge
God is the King!
Amen. Amen. Amen.” *
These services concluded, the army returned to quarters and united
in festivities suited to the occasion. As the day closed, the signal
guns from West Point again called the soldiers to arms, and the feu
dejoie again rang along the line. This was three times repeated,
accompanied by the discharge of cannon, “ and the mountain sides
resounded and echoed like tremendous peals of thunder, and the
flashing from thousands of fire-arms in the darkness of evening was
like unto vivid flashings of lightning from the clouds.** Then the
beacons on the hill-tops, no longer the harbingers of danger, lighted
up the gloom and rolled the tidings of peace on through New England
and shed their radiance on the blood-stained field of Lexington.
Released in a great measure from the cares and anxieties which
had so long pressed heavily upon the commander-in-chief and the
army, the discipline of the camp was relaxed; officers and men desir-
ing them were granted furloughs, while the facilities for social inter-
course were improved to the fullest extent by those who remained in
camp. Entertainments were given by all the principal officers; at
head-quarters Mrs. Washington was surrounded by all the court of
the camp. In the reception and dining hall, a dinner and supper
were daily served as plentiful as the country could supply and as
* The music of this anthem is to be*found in the “Singing Master’s Assistant,” by Wil-
liam Billings. Boston: 1778. The words were kindly sent to the editor of this work by
Dr. Lowell Mason a short time before his death.
“ The States, O Lord, with songs of praise
Shall in Thy strength rejoice,
And blest with Thy salvation raise
To Heaven their cheerful voice.
To the King they shall sing: Halleluiah!
Thy goodness and Thy tender care
Have all our foes destroyed;
A covenant of peace Thou mad’stwithus,
Confirmed by Thy word;
A covenant Thou mad’st with us,
And sealed it with Thy blood.
To the King they shall sing: Halleluiah!
And all the continent shall sing:
Down with this earthly king!
No king but God!
To the King they shall sing: Halleluiah!
And the continent shall sing:
God is our rightful king! Halleluiah!
And the continent shall sing :
God is our gracious king 1 Halleluiah!
They shall sing to the King : Halleluiah!
Let us sing to the King : Halleluiah!
God is the king! Amen.
The Lord is His name! Amen.REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS.
155
good as could be made by continental cooks. The repast ended,
French wines for our French allies and those who affected their tastes,
and more substantial Madeira for Americans of the old school, circu-
lated freely, and were served with little silver mugs or goblets, made
in France for Washington's camp equipage. In the summertime, the'
guests soon withdrew from the table to the open grounds; but in the
autumn, the long evenings were frequently passed around the table,
beside the blazing 'fire. On such occasions apples and hickory nuts
mingled with the wine; and the amazing consumption of the former,
by Washington and his staff, was a theme of boundless wonder to the
French guests.*
In July, accompanied by Governor Clinton, Washington made the
tour of northern New York, and discussed the question of internal
navigation by a system of canals, which was subsequently developed
by DeWitt Clinton. On his return he was requested, by the president
of congress, to attend the session of that body at Princeton. In con-
sequence of the illness of Mrs. Washington, however, he could not
comply with the request until the 18th of August, on the morning of
which day he took his departure from Newburgh.
The definite treaty of peace was signed on the 23d of September.
After its ratification by congress, that body issued a proclamation
(October 18,by which “that part of the army which had stood en-
gaged to serve during the war, and by several acts of congress had
been furloughed, should be absolutely discharged after the 3d of No-
vember from said service; and the further service in the field of the
officers on furlough, dispensed with, and permission given to them to
retire from service, no more to be called to command." J On the pas-
* Yerplanck relates the following anecdote, in connection with this subject, as occurring
in Paris: “ The American minister (we forget whether it was Mr. Crawford, Mr. Brown, or
one of their successors,) and several of his countrymen, together with La Fayette, were in-
vited to an entertainment at the house of a distinguished and patriotic Frenchman, who
had served his country in his youth in the United States, during the war of our Indepen-
dence. At the supper hour the company were shown into a room fitted up for the occa-
sion, which contrasted quite oddly with the Parisian elegance of the other apartments,
where they had spent the evening. A low, boarded, painted ceiling, with large beams;
a single, small, uncurtained window, with numerous small doors, as well as the general
style of the whole, gave at first the idea of the kitchen, or largest room of a Dutch or
Belgian farmhouse. On a long rough table was a repast, just as little in keeping with the
refined kitchen of Paris, as the room was with its architecture. It consisted of large
dishes of meat, uncouth-looking pastry, and wine in decanters and bottles, accompanied
by glasses and silver mugs, such as indicated other habits and tastes than those of modern
Paris. “ Do you know where we are ?” said the host to General La Fayette and his com-
panions. They paused for a jew moments in suspense. They had seen something like
this before, but when and where ? “Ah, the seven doors and one window,” said La Fay-
ette, “and the silver camp-goblets, such as our marshals of France used in my youth 1
We are at Washington’s head-quarters on the Hudson, fifty years ago.”
f By a proclamation of congress, adopted October 18th, all officers and soldiers absent
on furlough, were discharged from further service; and all others who had engaged to
serve during the war, were to be discharged from and after the 3d of November. A small
force only, composed of those who had enlisted for a definite period, were to be retained
in service until the peace establishment should be organized.—Irving, iv, 4M.
X When the army was disbanded, Washington was at West Point, moving from thence
to New York on the evacuation of that city by the British, Nov. 25th, 1783.156
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
sage of this proclamation, Washington, then at Rocky Hill, N. J.,
prepared his Farewell Orders to the Army of the United Slates, which
were dated in advance of their delivery (November 3d,) that they
might be read at the same hour at all the points of encampment. In
these orders he briefly reviewed the events of the past, and suggested
the general line of policy which, in his opinion, should be pursued by
the army in the future; promising his recommendations to congress
in its behalf, and invoking “the choicest of Heaven's favors” upon
all its members, whose efforts had secured “innumerable blessings
for others!”—with this benediction drawing the curtain of separation
and closing the military scene to him forever.
On the morning of November 3d, 1783, the patriot army encamped
at Newburgh and New Windsor assembled for the last time. At the
head of each regiment and corps the proclamation of congress and
the farewell orders of Washington were read, and the formal and last
word of command passed along the lines. “Painful,” says Thacher,
“was the parting scene; no description can be adequate to the tragic
exhibition. Both officers and soldiers, long unaccustomed to the af-
fairs of private life, turned loose on the world to starve and become
a prey to vulture speculators. Never can that melancholy day be
forgotten when friends, companions for seven long years in joy and
sorrow, were torn asunder, without the hope of ever meeting again,
and with prospects of a miserable subsistence in future.” *
Major North, who was also a participant in this parting scene, thus
writes: “ At the disbandment of the revolutionary army, when inmates
of the same tent, or hut, for seven long years were separating, and
probably forever, grasping each other’s hand in silent agony; I saw
the Baron Steuben’s strong endeavors to throw some ray of sunshine
on the gloom—to mix some drop of cordial with the painful draught.
To go, they knew not whither; all recollection of the art to thrive
by civil occupation lost, or to the youthful never known. Their hard-
earned military knowledge, worse than useless; and with their badgef
* Thacher’s Journal, 346.
t “ Head-quarters, Newburgh, Wednesday, August 7th, 1782. Honorary badges of
distinction are to be conferred on the veteran non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the
army who have served more than three years with bravery, fidelity and good conduct: for
this purpose a narrow piece of white cloth of an angular form is to be fixed to the left arm
on the uniformed coats—non-commissioned officers and soldiers who have served with equal
reputation more than six years are to be distinguished by two pieces of cloth set in paral-
lel to each other in a similar form. Should any who are not entitled to these honors have
the insolence to assume the badges of them, they shall be severely punished. On the other
hand, it is expected those gallant men who are thus designated will on all occasions be
treated with particular confidence and consideration. The General, ever desirous to cher-
ish a virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of
military merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the
author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a
heart in purple cloth or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of
unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way, shall
meet with due reward. * * This order is also to have retrospect to the earliest stages
of the war, and to be considered as a permanent one.”,DISBANDMENT OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY, NOV. 3, 1783.REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS.
157
of brotherhood, a mark at which to point the finger of suspicion—ig-
noble, vile suspicion!—to be cast out on a world long since by them
forg’otten. Severed from friends, and all the joys and griefs which
soldiers feel! Griefs, while hope remained—when shared by num-
bers, almost joys! To go in silence and alone, and poor and hope-
less ; it was too hard! On that sad day how. many hearts were
wrung! I saw it all, nor will the scene be ever blurred or blotted
from my view. To a stern old officer, Lieutenant Colonel Cochran,*
from the Green Mountains, who had met danger and dffiiculty almost
at every step from his youth, and from whose furrowed visage a tear
till that moment had never fallen; the good Baron said what could be
said to lessen deep distress. ‘For myself/ said Cochran, ‘I care not;
I can stand it; but my wife and daughters are in the garret of that
wretclied tavern. I know not where to remove) nor have I means for
their removal!7 ‘Come, my friend/ said the Baron, ‘let us go; I will
pay my respects to Mrs. Cochran and your daughters, if you please.7
I followed to the loft, and when the Baron left the poor unhappy cast-
aways, he left hope with them, and all he had to give! A black man,
with wounds unhealed, wept on the wharf; there was a vessel in the
stream bound to the place where he once had friends. He had not a
dollar to pay his passage, and without it the vessel would not take
him. Unused to tears, I saw them trickle down the good Baron7s
cheeks as he put into the hands of the black man the last dollar he
possessed. The negro hailed the sloop, and as he passed from the
small boat on board, ‘ God Almighty bless you, master Baron!7 float-
ed from his grateful lips across the parting waters.77
Amid these tragic scenes, the scanty record of which is so touch-
ing, the army of the Revolution passed away from the precinct of
Newburgh, and the new era of national independence was ushered in.
The poverty of the departing soldiers scarcely exceeded that of its
people; money they had in abundance, but it was almost worthless;
lands they had, but not the means for their successful cultivation;
business, they had none—they were very poor; so poor indeed that in
1785, they petitioned the legislature for relief, reciting in their me-
morial: “That by reason of the necessary supplies which we have
afforded for the support of the late war, as likewise from the depre-
ciation of paper currency, and the unavoidable losses incident to the
said war, added to the large quantity of personal service, which
rendered it impossible for us to cultivate our farms as usual, we are
become so impoverished that we are unable to pay our just debts,
and, through the scarcity of specie, we are unable upon the credit of
* Robert Cochran, of Cumberland county (now in Vermont), was commissioned Major
of 3d N. Y. Battalion, Nov. 21, 1776; Lieut. Col. of 2d N. Y., July 1st, 1780.158
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
our lands to hire money for the purpose aforesaid; the frequent and
many law suits in justice’s and other courts, the enormous costs that
accrues.on small debts, issuing executions, taking effects and selling
the same for not near the value, oppresses and reduces many poor
families to the want of the necessaries of life, that nothing remains
to us in prospect but unavoidable ruin, unless we are relieved by the
wisdom of the legislature.”* But though poor, it had a vigorous pop-
ulation, which had been increased in number by refugees from New
York, who had been compelled to remove from that city on its occu-
pation by the British forces in 1776, and whose property there had
been confiscated by the officers of the crown. Among these persons,
Adolph DeGrove, Derick Ainerman, Daniel Niven, and others, became
permanent residents after the peace.j* Besides these refugees, quite
a large number of persons who had been in the army, took up their
residence in it, among whom were Major Joseph Pettingale, Major
Phineas Bowman, Major Levi Dodge, and others, who engaged in com-
mercial and business enterprises. Up to the commencement of the
war, New Windsor (through the Ellison’s) had mainly absorbed the
commercial business of the district, but the shipment of stores to the
army demonstrated that Newburgh possessed much greater natural
advantages for commerce, besides being nearer the center of popula-
lation. The opportunities for occupation and the facilities for devel-
opment were also greatly in favor of Newburgh, having been much
enlarged during the war. The old “ Town of Newburgh Plot,” which
had been opened by the Coldens in 1743, was of limited extent, and
without easy access to the river, a fault which had compelled Alex-
ander Golden to buy the south-east corner of the Kockerthal farm
through which to sweep a winding road to his wharf at the foot of
First street, and which had also compelled the officers of the conti-
nental army to push the public or continental wharf, which they were
obliged to establish, as far north as Third street, where a considerable
village of hotels, barracks and other buildings for army use, was
established, for the accommodation of which Mr. Benjamin Smith, in
1782, laid out in streets and lots, that portion of his (the Kockerthal)
farm lying east of Montgomery street, between South and First
streets. This plot, to which he gave the name of “The Township of
* This petition is dated Feb. 19th, 1785, and is one of two petitions from the precinct
“of one tenor and date.”. It is signed by sixty-eight persons. It was this, and similar
petitions from other places, that gave rise to the law of April 18, 1786, entitled “An Act
for emitting the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Pounds in Bills of Credit,” under which
individuals were enabled to obtain the bills which were issued by mortgage on real estate.
By this measure universal individual bankruptcy was avoided, and the people enabled to
resume their long-suspended business avocations. The law expired in 1806.
f The Clinton papers, in the State Library, contain the petitions of these and other refu-
gees, asking for the restoration of their confiscated lands. Under the treaty of peace,
however, restoration was not possible.TOWNSHIP PLOTS.
159
Washington,” embraced seventy-two lots, and Montgomery, Smith,
and Water, and First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth streets from
Montgomery street to the river.* These lots were rapidly taken up,
as well as adjoining plots on the Glebe and in the#township of New-
burgh; and from the position of the lowest, in 1780, the precinct
passed to the fourth, in 1790, and, in a quarter of a century, to the
first in rank of population.
TOWNSHIP OP WASHINGTON.
Streets designated by letters and figures. C—Golden’s Dock. L—Continental Dock.
But for some years the village was a disjointed settlement. The
three township plots of which it was composed, had no connection
except through Liberty street and a few “ cross-lot” roads. In 1790,
however, the streets which had been dedicated in the plots were con-
nected and opened by the road commissioners of the town, under a
general act of the legislature, and an order entered establishing “ a
street called Wagon street, running from the S. W. corner of Lot 31,
on Western Avenue, easterly on that avenue to the S. W. corner of Lot
16; thence N. E. to the N. W. corner of Lot 9, in the Newburgh town-
ships thence easterly until it intersects Water street in the township
of Washington. Also, a road beginning at the S. E. corner of High
* The names of owners of lots entered on the first map of this plot are: John Anderson,
No.’s 1 and 6; James Denton, No. 2: Mr. Menge, No.’s 3 and 13; E. C. Lutherloh, No.’s
4, 10,11, 23, 24 and 35; Jacob Reader, No. 5; A. Fairchild, No.’s 7 and 20; Hugh Walsh,
No.’s 8, 21 and 36; Wm. Forbes, No.’s 9 and 22; Mr. Crosby, No. 12; Wm. Quackenbush,
No.’s 14 and 15; S. Clark, No. 16; B. Palmer, No. 17; Wm. Thurston, No. 18; Adolph De
Grove, No. 19. The remaining lots were held by Mr. Smith, and the streets conveyed
by him to the public by deed. This deed and the map of the plot are still preserved.
t Old town of Newburgh Plot. See ante page 33. The peculiar angles in all of our
principal streets arose from this fact: Colden and his associates in laying out the Old
Town of Newburgh Plot, commenced their streets on the natural plateaus. The Trustees
of the Glebe laid out their streets parallel with the river. When Smith came to open his
land, Water street was placed nearer the river and a corresponding division carried back
in Smith and Montgomery streets. When the road commissioners took the duly in hand
of joining together the streets thus dedicated in the three distinct original divisions of
the present city, an angle was formed in Water street at the junction with Wagon (now
north end of Colden), and with South street; and also at the'junction of High and Smith
streets and of Montgomery and Hasbrouck streets. The angle is necessarily followed in
Grand street, and mars Chambers and other streets more recently opened. The citizens
of Newburgh thus have a perpetual memorial of the “ Township Of Newburgh,” the
“Township of Washington” and of the “ Glebe.”160
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
street and running N. E. along that street to the N. W. corner of Lot
19, in the township of Newburgh; thence N. E. to First street in the
township of Washington; thence across said street intersecting Smith
street, and thence northerly to South street. Also, a street called
Montgomery street in the township of Washington, beginning at the
S. E. corner of a lot given by Benjamin Smith for the use of the Pres-
byterian congregation, and thence northerly to South street.” Also,
roads called First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth streets. Also,
a road beginning in. the S. W. corner of Lot 1, in the township of
Washington, and running southerly across the lands of the heirs of
Richard Nicolls Golden in a direct course to the end of Watdr street
in the township of Newburgh, between Lots 1 and 9.
This order, it will be seen, opened Water street from South street
to Western avenue; Colden or Wagon street from Water street to
Western Avenue; High street; Smith street; Montgomery street; and
First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth streets, the latter from the
river to Montgomery street. Wagon street intersected the “ Wall-
kill road,” as it was called. The streets on the Glebe, were, in the
main, easily connected. South street, the dividing line, originally
laid out directly west to the west bounds of the patent, was first
opened from Liberty street to the river; west of Liberty street its
course was subsequently changed* and what is Gidney avenue formed.
North street was also opened from Liberty street to the river. Such,
with the addition of Liberty street, already noticed, were the opened
streets of the present city of Newburgh, in 1791.
The precinct of Newburgh continued to be recognized by that name
until 1788, when, by an act of the legislature “fordividing the Coun-
ties of the State into Towns,” passed March 7th of that year, the title
of “precinct” gave place to that of “town.”f The boundaries, how-
ever,, remained unchanged, and as they at present exist.
The history of the Glebe has been brought down to the period of
the Revolution. The Rev. John Saver, the successor of Mr. Watkins,
resigned the charge in 1775, and during the war the church had no
minister. The school, however, was continued by Mr. John Nathan
Hutchins,J who, in addition to his duties as teacher, read prayers in
the old church on the Sabbath. On the death of Mr. Hutchins, in
* Minutes of Trustees of Glebe, Sep. 22,1791. “ Whereas, there is a vacancy of eight
rods left on the south side of the Minister’s lot for a street, which, running through wet
ground and over a high hill, is impracticable—agreed, to enclose said road, and allow a
road of four rods wide to run through the lot from opposite Martin Weigand’s to the
northward of a piece of swamp land adjoining said high hills.’’
t Ante p. 39
$ The fact here stated is from a MSS. found among the papers of Isaac Belknap. The
paper recites, that owing to the scarcity of money and other difficulties in collecting the
Glebe rents, Mr. Hutchins’ salary had not been fully paid, there being due him at the
time of his death the sum of eighty-two pounds one shilling and sixpence.GLEBE DIFFICULTIES.
161
1782, Mr. Richard King* was selected as teacher; and in 1790, the
Rev. George H. Spierin performed the duties of minister and school-
master. Changes had also occurred in the trustees. Mr. Alexander
Colden died in 1775, and his place had been filled by Isaac Belknap;
and on the death of Mr. Albertson, Mr. Henry Smith was elected his
successor.
It was during the year 1790, that the discussions commenced which
subsequently terminated the control of the Episcopal church over the
Glebe. In June, of that year, Col. Cadwallader Colden, was elected
trustee,* to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Henry Smith;
and almost immediately after his election, those opposed to the church
raised the question of his eligibility, he being a non-resident although
a freeholder on the patent. To meet the difficulty, Colden proposed
an amendment of the charter so as to permit the election as trustees
of persons residing within twelve miles of the patent who were free-
holders thereon; and the trustees adopted a petition to the legislature
to that effect.
The opponents of the churcH-immediately drew up a counter petition,
asking the legislature “that no act relative to the premises be passed
until the collected sense of the parish be taken.” This petition, or
remonstrance, was very numerously signed; and led to the calling of
a meeting, by the trustees, to take the whole subject into considera-
tion. The call was issued on the 7th, and the meeting held on the
10th of February, at the house of Martin Weigand, at 2 o’clock P. M.
The inhabitants of the patent, regarding the affair as an attempt on
the part of the church to divert the revenues of the Glebe from the
support of a school, to which they had been wholly applied since
1775, were thoroughly aroused and attended the meeting in large
numbers. After a turbulent discussion of considerable length, the
proposition to amend the charter was rejected, f
The result of this meeting led to, in May following, the resignation
of Colden as trustee, and of Spierin as school-master. J Colden’s re-
signation was accepted; and, on the 16th May, Isaac Hasbrouck was
* June 4,1790. Col. Cadwallader Colden elected trustee. Thirty-six votes were cast,
thirty of which were for Colden, and six for Isaac Hasbrouck.—Minutes.
f Feb. 10,1791. A motion was then made and seconded, whether there shall be an al-
teration of the charter or not. . After some debate upon the question, it was agreed that
the sense of the people should be taken by ballot, and was carried in favor of those against
the alteration by a majority of thirty-four.—Minutes.
+ May 3,1791*. The Trustees met at the house of Martin Weigand, and being opened,
Col. Colden observed that upon consideration of the difaculties that seemed to attend the
trusteeship since he was elected, and in all probability were likely to be continued, it ap-
peared that the inhabitants of said patent were very much divided; and therefore con-
cluded that it might tend to restore peace and harmony among them, and so be for the
public good of the parish, for him to resign his office as trustee; and accordingly he de-
livered his resignation. The Rev. Mr. Spierin proposed not to have anything to do with
the Glebe school any further, Which the trustees agreed to. Agreed, also* by said trus-
tees, that the income of the Glebe lands be equally divided between Mr. Spierin and the
school-master.—Minutes.
on162
BIS TO BY OF NEWBURGH.
elected his successor, haying received fifty-one votes and William
Seymour sixteen. The resignation of Spierin produced no other
action than a resolution to divide the income of the Glebe equally as
compensation for the duties of minister and school-master respective-
ly, until the 28th of May, when the trustees conferred with Spierin
on the subject, and obtained his consent to be inducted.*
Mr. Spierin continued to serve as minister and school-master until
1793 or *94. Meanwhile the subject of the disposal of the revenues
of the Glebe was more or less discussed. The membership of the
Episcopal church had dwindled away until very few of that denomi-
nation remained; and the inhabitants belonging to other churches,
as well as those who were opposed on principle to even an inferential
association of the church with the conduct of the public schools,
renewed their efforts to get the revenues exclusively applied to the
support of a school-master. The old trustees insisted upon maintain-
ing their agreement with Mr. Spierin; and, having no other alterna-
tive, the people held a meeting and elected William Seymour and
Phineas Howell trustees, and voted that the Glebe rents should be
paid to them. This action led to a compromise, in virtue of which
both the old and the new trustees resigned their places, and Timothy
Hudson and Phineas Howell were chosen their successors.*)'
In this way the revenues of the Glebe passed from the control of
the Episcopal church. History repeated itself. The very means—
the elective franchise conferred on the inhabitants by the charter—
which the Episcopalians had employed to wrest the privileges of the
patent from the Lutherans, had been successfully used for their own
overthrow in the hour of similar numerical weakness. The Glebe
now passed wholly into the hands of the people, and its limited but
useful system of free education was divested of sectarian control.
; The concluding years of the ceiitury were marked by the formal
incorporation of the Presbyterian and the Associate Reformed churches;
and by the establishment of the Newburgh Academy. An attempt had
been made to organize the latter institution in 1791, and for that pur-
pose authority was asked from the legislature to establish a lottery
—a mode of raising money for subh purposes very, common at that
time. This petition failed, and during the pendency of the difficulties
in regard to the Glebe, little was done. In 1795, however, the project
was again taken in hand by the trustees of the Glebe, and the present
Academy building was erected.
Meanwhile the progress of the town had not been confined to the
German patent. As lands were cleared and planted, grist and saw
* Minutes, May 28,1791.
f Minutes, Sept. 22, Oct. 13 and 27,1794.TOWN SETTLEMENTS.
163
mills were erected, and the ancient forests, “ through which one coul<J
not see the sunshine,” were filled with the hum of industry. The first
mill,, by authenticated records, was erected by Alexander Colden about
1743; was subsequently known as Hasbrouck’s, and more recently as
Dickson’s mill. The second was erected, by Abel Belknap, situated
west of the present New Mills, and known subsequently as Niven’s
mill. From thence west on the Quassaick, in successive order, were
Foster’s saw mill, Gardner’s grist mill, Gardner’s saw mill, Belknap’s
saw mill, and Burr’s grist mill, the latter occupying the site and privi-
lege of a mill erected by Captain Thomas Machin in 1786-’87, for the
coinage of copper. On the Tent Stone Meadow creek, Penny’s grist
mill, Hartshorn’s mill, Penny’s saw mill, and Hasbrouck’s saw mill,
were early erections, as were also Denton’s sawmill and Smith’s saw
mill on the Fostertown creek. On Denton’s (now Powelton) brook,
Nehemiah Denton established a grist mill and a store and a landing
on the Hudson; further north, William Bloomer had a blacksmith
shop, and Michael Demott a hotel, and, with the neighboring farmers,
made, prior to the Revolution, a village at Balmville nearly if not fully
as large as that on the Glebe. Daniel Smith went there subsequently
and built a store and a wharf from which he sailed a sloop to New
York; while on Jew’s or Acker’s creek, in the extreme north-east
part of the town, were Tooker’s mill and Acker’s mill. In the
vicinity of all these mills were hamlets—in most cases a smith’s
shop, and occasionally a “ store ” of goods of all kinds “ for cash or
barter,” but principally the latter for of the former there was little in
circulation. Besides in mills and hamlets a hundred years of pioneer /
labor exhibited its results in many well-cultivated farms, and in sub-
stantial dwellings which had supplanted rude log cabins. The lum-
ber business of the town was especially heavy, and large quantities
of ship timber, planks and staves were forwarded to market. The
public landing which the trustees of Glebe had established at the foot
of North street, was almost entirely devoted to the shipment of lum-
ber, and vessels were loading and rafts forming there almost con-
stantly. Ship-building was also carried on to a considerable extent
at different points, by William Seymour and others; and Newburgh
ships entered into the Liverpool trade, and her smaller vessels en-
gaged in coasting and in trade with the West India islands. A more
thriving town was not found on the banks of the Hudson, nor one in
which the industry of the people had more substantial reward.
In 1797, the village had attained to such size that it was found
necessary to establish a Fire Department; and for this purpose a law
was passed by the legislature defining the fire limits of the village,
and directing the election of five trustees, “to be called the Trustees164
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
gf the Fire Company in the Village of Newburgh.” The fire limits
defined by this act included that portion of the town lying south of
an east and west line running six rods north of the Academy; and
the district thus defined was “ to be called the village of Newburgh,”
the freeholders in which were empowered to elect annually not less
than three nor more than five trustees, who should have the appoint-
ment of firemen and the control and management of a fire depart-
ment.* This was the first crude form of village authority.
. In September, 1797, the publication of The Mirror—the second
newspaper published in Newburgh—was commenced by Philip Van
Horne, and, in 1799, passed into the hands of Joseph W. Barber.
In 1798, The New Windsor Gazette was published at New. Windsor
by Jacob Schultz, but was soon after removed to Newburgh and
called The Orange County Gazette. This paper was subsequently
sold to David Denniston, the name being changed to The Citizen. It
was afterwards merged in The Rights of Man,f a paper established
by Elias Winfield, for Vhom it was printed by Benoni H. Howell.
The Mirror gave place to The Recorder of the Times, and the latter
to The Political Index.
These papers are mentioned in their order, for the purpose of intro-
ducing the facts in the religious history of the town which led to
their publication. As the Revolution had severed the old connection
between church and state, the people of America were naturally led
to consider what should be the future political relation of the church.
These discussions finally subsided on the adoption of the federal con-
stitution, as that instrument expressly declared that congress should
“make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof.” But besides these debates, there were
other and mightier agencies operating in the direction of scepticism.
Voltaire and his friends had already begun the work of unsettling
the religious faith of Europe; they shook, as it were, the very pillars
* The third section of this act reads as follows: “ The said trustees, to be chosen as
aforesaid, or a major part of them, shall have full power and authority to nominate and
appoint a sufficient number of firemen (willing to accept), not exceeding twenty to every
fire engine now provided, or hereafter to be provided, for the use of the said village, out
of the inhabitants being freeholders or persons renting property to the value of one
hundred dollars per annum, to have the care, management, working and using the said
fire engines, and other tools and instruments now or hereafter to be provided for the ex-
tinguishment of fires within the said village, which persons so to be nominated and
appointed as aforesaid, shall be called the firemen -of the village of Newburgh, who are
hereby required to be ready at all fires, as well by night as by day, to manage, use and
work the other tools and instruments aforesaid.” .
By other sections of the act, firemen were exempted from service as constables or as
jurors of inquest; and the trustees had power to remove firemen for cause, to make all
necessary rules and regulations, and, in case of fire, to command the assistance of all
“ able-bodied inhabitants in said village ” to:extinguish the same. The inhabitants of the
village were also required to furnish their houses with suitable fire-buckets.
f In the Autobiography of Rev. Doct. Johnston, a paper under the title of The Temple
of Reason is mentioned.—(p. 94). The paper referred to was probably The Rights of
Man, which was the only infidel paper published at that time.INFIDELITY.
165
of the church, and desolated France with the terrible revolution of ’98.
The doctrines taught by Voltaire and Paine were accepted by many
prominent and able men in the United States; but at no place did
these anti-religious sentiments prevail to a greater extent than in
Newburgh. The Citizen first, and'subsequently The Rights of Man,
hoisted the infidel flag; there was a regularly organized society of
infidels, and a blind man, by the name of Elihu Palmer,* was induced
to visit the village weekly and deliver lectures at the Academy in
opposition to the Bible. Besides the above named newspapers, Paine’s
“ Age of Reason,” Tyndal’s “ Christianity as Old as the Creation,” and
works of a similar character, were re-published under the auspices of
the society and circulated with all diligence.
“ That there was infidelity, and organized infidelity,” says Doct.
Johnston,f “ I have no reason to doubt. Nay, I have my information
from one who was a member of what was styled “ The Druid Society.”
It was one of the branches of the “ Illuminati Society,” at the head
of which was Weishaupt, of Germany, the leading object of which,
according to his representations, was, destruction to all organized
governments, ‘ civil and divine.’ Hence the Bible was the avowed
object of their hatred, as well as all that pertained to the church of
God and her institutions. I have a number of facts, dates and par-
ticulars on this subject, which would help posterity to know more of
the sad effects of infidelity in Newburgh, the latter end of the last
and the commencement of this century, than is generally known at
present. A clergyman informed me, that after preaching here, he was
attacked in the evening by a fierce dog, set on by several who were
reputed members of the Druid Society. The place where the attack
was made was near the large elm tree on Liberty street. I presume
many have heard it stated (and I have never heard it controverted),
that in the afternoon or evening of the day in which the ordinance of
the Lord’s supper was dispensed by our officiating clergyman, a mock
administration was performed at a spring J within the limits of the
corporation, by formally presenting to a little dog a cracker and a
small quantity of water, using the words of our blessed Redeemer
when he instituted the holy supper.”
“It ought to be known,” continues Dr. Johnston, “ that the principal
actor in this impious transaction did not long survive. On the follow-
* The Rev. Elihu Palmer was born at Norwich, Conn., about the year 1763, and gradu-
ated at Dartmouth College in 1787. He was early settled as a minister of the Gospel; but
he subsequently changed his faith to Universalism, and from that passed over to Infidel-
ity. In 1793, he was attacked by Yellow Fever which left him entirely blind. He died at
Philadelphia in 1805.
t Autobiography of Rev. John Johnston, D. D., 92, etc.
± The place referred to is said to have been a spring on the premises lately owned by
Edward R. Johns, Esq., south of the Iron-works. It was destroyed by excavations.166
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
ing Sabbath evening he was found in his room, with the door locked,
apparently in a fit, convulsed with awful spasms, and he died without
being able to utter a word. Whether he had taken anything with a
view to self-destruction, or. whether it was the immediate act of God,
without his voluntary agency, we know not. This occurred in July,
1799. In the grave-yard there is a stone with the following inscrip-
tion: “The Tomb of ------------------, who died July 2d, in the year of
the Christian Era, 1799, aged 34 years.” For a time it seemed as if
these infatuated men had determined that there should not remain in
Newburgh and its vicinity a vestige of Christianity.”
Dr. Johnston’s account of the objects and doings of the infidels of
Newburgh, comes to us somewhat colored perhaps by religious preju-
dice; but the main facts are generally conceded to have been as he
states them. Mr. James Donnelly, a member for a short time of “ The
Druids,” and Mr. Jacob Schultz, the editor of the first anti-infidel
paper, the last living witnesses of the events referred to, agreed, that
the accounts given by Dr. Johnston and by Abner Cunningham* were
exaggerated, especially in reference to the deaths of several of the
participants in the scenes described. Mr. Donnelly stated that the
Druids “first organized as a debating society, and were composed
of the best men in the place. Many of the members became infidels
after they had joined the society, and then changed the association
into an infidel club,” when a good many withdrew, including himself.
He regarded it as “ a great mistake to assert that all the members
were bad men and came to violent deaths.” Mr. Schultz stated that
Dr. Phineas Hedges, whose sudden death Dr. Johnston refers to, “it
was always understood, died in a fit brought on by nervous excite-
ment. The circumstances were these: I printed an article in my
Gazette in which Dr. Hedges and the infidels were handled severely.
The Dr. was very much excited over it, and came down to New
Windsor to ask the privilege of a reply. I told him that I must see
his reply before I would agree to print it; but that if it was couched
in proper terms, he might expect its publication. The next I heard
was that the Dr. had died in a fit. Some of the ardent anti-infidels
said it was a visitation of God; but this was not generally believed.f
* “ Fate of Infidelity,” by Abner Cunningham, in which the author professes to reveal
the fate of several of the leading Newburgh infidels. The files of the village papers
show that the statements which he makes are incorrect in many instances. “ D. D.”
says Cunningham, referring to David Denniston, “a printer, three days after, fell in a fit,
and died immediately.” This is not true, for Denniston edited The Mights of Man after
this, and was subsequently connected with the American Citizen and Watch Tower, a
paper printed in New York. He died Dec. 13,1803, of a malignant fever. He was a man
of considerable ability.
t The Mirror, of July 9th, thus speaks of Dr. Hedges: “In justice to his memory, it
ought to be observed, that he was a man possessed of a strong mind, and this mind
highly improved and cultivated by the principles of general science and the knowledge of
the philosophy of nature.”RECOLLECTIONS.
167
The discussions of that period will always be remembered by me; and
after a lapse of sixty years I have come to regard the acts of my
contemporaries in a softer light than that in which I then looked
upon them.”
While these corrections are due to the memory of the dead, the
files of The Rights of Man and of The Recorder of the Times—the
first the advocate, and the latter the opponent of the doctrines taught
in Paine’s “ Age of Reason ”—give ample evidence of the violence of
the discussion, and of the efforts made to overthrow all religious
worship. According to a statement in The Recorder of the Times,
these efforts gradually subsided after the close of the century.
—Of many of the incidents which have been narrated.and of most
of the men who were active in the affairs of the village during the
war of the Revolution and immediately following its close, the late
Mr. James Donnelly, a resident from his birth, prepared (1858) the
following recollections:
“ When I look back almost eighty years and think of our village
as it was then and compare it with the present, I can scarcely realize
the change. It certainly was one of the most forlorn looking places
that I ever saw. It had but one street—a very good one to be sure
—along which was scattered a few old-looking brown houses; and
that was the village, for below the hill you could hardly set your foot
for the mud. Water street was not worthy to be called a street, as
it only extended from about opposite where the steam mills are nearly
to where the Bank of Newburgh is. I have often seen the continen-
tal wagons pried out of the mud with rails when four large horses
could not draw them out. The side hill was covered with orchards
principally. A strip of land along the river, commencing where the
upper malt houses stand and reaching to the west side of Water
street and north to Major Pettingale’s, was called the Dismal Swamp.
It was a deep swamp, covered with a dense thicket of black alders
and alive with pilots (snakes). No one thought of going there,
except in the winter when the boys sometimes caught rabbits there,
and they were plenty.
“ On the hill were the old church, the parsonage and the school-
house; Martin Weigand’s hotel, which stood just opposite Gidney
Avenue, and a few houses on the Glebe. At the south end of Liberty
street was Hasbrouck’s house, and on beyond him were the residences
of Henry Smith and his brother Thomas. Hasbrouck’s and Smith’s
were considered quite out of town.
“I believe that I was born in the first frame house that was built
here, from facts that I noticed when I demolished the old house,
although I had forgotten them for many years until you roused my168
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
memory by your inquiries about Albertson’s tavern. Now I recollect
all about it. It was very old at the time I took it down, but could
have been repaired by putting in new sills. It had a poor foundation,
and bore the appearance of having been built in a hurry. The rea-
sons why I think it was the first frame house, and built before there
were any saw mills in this part of the country are, that there was
not an inch of sawed stuff in the whole house in its original state,
that is before the kitchen, piazza and window-shutters were added.
One side of the frame was hewed smooth enough to nail the sidings
on, but the bark was left on in the garret. The siding was split oak
about three feet long—shingles the same, only not so long, and lapped
lengthways like the siding. The chimney was flat stone laid in loam
mortar. It was completely cemented when removed. The walls
were loam and not a particle of lime, hair or bristles in it. Whoever
built it made the loam mortar adhere better than we do lime and hair
mortar. It was the only frame house in the place that had no sawed
stuff in it. It had beams over-head and a floor water tight. The
kitchen was built by Albertson I believe—at least I was told so.
The piazza and shutters were made at the same time, I presume, for
they were the same style of workmanship. The piazza was a smart
affair for those days—it had a cornice and neat posts. I see by my
old deeds that the lots were designated as No. 6 and 18, on the Glebe,
and were conveyed in 1768 by Cad. Golden to Joseph Albertson; and
by Joseph Albertson, cordwainer, to my father, Peter Donnelly,* of
New York, currier, in 1774. It is over sixty years since I took down
the main building.
“ After Albertson sold to my father, he built an addition to Harry
Bend’s house, on lot No. 4, and kept a public house there. Jeremiah
Smith, father of Daniel Smith of Balrnville, bought the place of Albert-
son and kept a tavern there sometime after the war. John Maudeville
afterwards bought it and built an addition to it.
“During the war the fife and drum were heard almost constantly,
and soldiers were quartered on us nearly all the time. When they
came, the sergeant would open the door and tell you that you must
take in the soldiers, while the soldiers stood dripping in the snow or
rain, anxiously waiting for shelter. My father frequently gave up the
whole house to them; and when the out-kitchen and house were full,
I have known him to be at the barn until ten o’clock at night making
places for them to sleep. They were compelled to lie on the floor to
sleep, and I thought no more of walking over them, than I now do of
walking on a carpet. The soldiers were generally militia men called
* Peter Donnelly married Eleanor Magragh, Aug 19,1763. He died in Newburgh, Nov.
29, 1782, aged 62 yrs., 3 mos.; and his wife Eleanor,. May 17,1819, aged 71 yrs., 11 mos.RECOLLECTIONS.
169
out on alarms. Sometimes they remained a long time, but generally
only a night or so. My father always tried to make them comfort-
able; he gave them potatoes, apples and cider. They never would
steal from him, but would go to the fences of the neighbors and take
rails and burn them; but they were regarded as privileged to take
such things. It was a tight fit for some of the king’s folks to take in
American soldiers, but they had to do it. We had no trouble with
the soldiers from bad conduct. They were a little mischievous, and
to amuse themselves one would hold me up and tell me to kick another.
1 expect I kicked, for I am told that I was a good boy to mind.
Father would say, “ Boys, boys, you are spoiling that child,” and then
they would stop; but as soon as his back was turned, I would be
hoisted up again for the same trick.
“At the time the British sailed up the river and burned Kingston,
those that had anything worth preserving hid it in the woods. My
mother had some things hid away across King street. Almost all the
male portion of the population was off to the defense of the forts,
and my father among the number. My mother took us children down
cellar to avoid the shots, two or three of which lodged in the bank
opposite the house. The British fired a good many shot. I do not
recollect being taken down cellar, for the reason, I suppose, that I
was used to going there, and there was nothing unusual in it to make
me remember it.
“ I recollect distinctly, however, the Hessian prisoners who were
brought here after the surrender of Burgoyne. The officers wore long
blue cloaks. They were in charge of a company of Morgan’s rifle-
men, a part of whom were billeted at my father’s house. The riflemen
were certainly the wickedest men that it was ever my lot to see or
hear for profanity. Ask them their pedigree, and their reply was,
“ My father was high Dutch and my mother Irish,” or “ My father was
Irish and my mother Dutch.” So it ran through the company.
“ One blessing was, that provisions were plenty; but clothing was
difficult to obtain. A wool hat was a fine affair. I never went without
shoes; but I remember being without a hat, from the fact of hiding
once with some other boys, when we saw General Washington coming,
so as to burst out when he came by and throw up our hats and hurrah
for him. Those of us who had hats threw them up, and those who had
none threw up their hands, which done just as well. Every family
made their own clothing, but they could not make hats very well.
“ The Hard Winter of 1779, made a very deep impression on my
mind. . We were fourteen days without bread. Owing to the severity
of the weather, the mills could not run much of the time, and when
they did run it was on flour for the army. We had plenty of every-170
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
thing else, but missed the bread. Wheat was so plenty that the
horses were fed with it; but we could not get flour. My father sent
over the river to DePeyster’s mill and had a barrel brought over on
a hand-sled. In three days it was all gone—l'ent out—for the neigh-
bors devoured each other, like the Kilkenny cats. The destitution
was universal. After that there came a thaw, and we never wanted
for bread again. The mills were poor affairs. There were only two
—Hasbrouck’s and Neheiniah Denton’s; the latter on one of the
streams north of the village. For forty days that winter the water
did not drop from the eaves. It snowed almost every day. We did
not see the sun until ten o’clock in the morning, and then it was only
visible for a short time, and looked as if it was wallowing through a
snow bank. The snow was even with the roof of our piazza. Be-
tween the war and the weather, we had such times as we would not
be likely to forget.*
“The appearance of General Washington is familiar to me. He
seemed different from any one else. He was of a commanding form,
and calm, majestic countenance. He was a splendid rider; and we
boys reverenced him, and extended a due share of respect to his horse
and his servant Will. Will was a handsome black, somewhat in
years, and always rode a short distance behind his master on a brown
horse. The General rode a bay horse. Mrs. Washington was short
and stout. I thought she was homely, and that she never could have
been a handsome woman.
“ General Wayne had his head-quarters at Mrs. Wool’s house, which
was near my father’s, and I saw him almost every day. He was short
and heavy set, and had red eyes. I remember his eyes because we
had a cross dog that had red eyes, and the soldiers said that he had
Mad Anthony’s eyes. They called the dog Mad Anthony altogether.
Trip was a tory in feelings, for he hated the sight of a soldier because
they teazed him.
“ The Life-guard often visited at my father’s house to discuss the
events of the war, and after the peace those who had been soldiers
used to gather there and talk and tell stories. When the news of
peace came, my mother said, “Peace, blessed peace.” “Mother,
* In a diary kept by Col. Abraham Hasbrouck is the following entry: “The winter
began the beginning of December, 1779, and continued until the latter end of March,
1780. A very deep snow, above three feet, driven up in heaps in many places six and
seven feet high, and so severe a cold for most of the winter that the like has not been
known by the oldest living in this country. People rode with sleighs from New York to
Staten Island with loads of fire-wood, and did ride from New York to Paulus Hook and
Bergen, and also to Long Island; and did ride from New York to Albany with horses and
sleighs upon Hudson’s river; and also crossed the Sound upon the ice from New London
to Long Island with carriages of burden, which never has been done before.” * * The
snow was not so deep as in the hard winter of 1740—’4:1 (of which Mr, Hasbrouck was a
witness), but much colder and of longer continuance.” It was during.^he winter of 1779
that the terrible sufferings of the American army at Valley Forge occurred. (Ante p. 142)RECOLLECTIONS.
171
what is peace ?” I asked. I thought times had always been as they
were then.
“Mrs. Wool’s house, which must have been Martin Weigand’s old
hotel, was torn down by Benjamin Darby, who built part of the house
subsequently known as the Downing house. Darby was a tanner and
had one vat under #n apple tree. I suppose he was frightened away
from here, as he hall been a tory during the war. At all events he
went away and left his wife destitute. My father took her to his
house, and finished and sold the leather for her that Darby left, and
she went away with the proceeds. Richard Hudson owned the place
afterwards and enlarged Darby’s house. It was afterwards owned by
Samuel Downing, and subsequently by Andrew J. Downing.
“Martin Weigand, Col. Palmer and Col. Ilasbrouck each had a
wagon, and these were all there was in the place. A few‘persons
had ox-carts in and about the village; and Capt. Coleman, up at the
brook, had a Nantucket calash. Those who had horses had sleighs;
but the usual mode of traveling was on horseback and on foot. I
don’t remember when I first saw umbrellas used. When I was a boy
the men had hoods on their over-coats to wear over their heads; but
there was not much business then to call people out in the rain.
“ Those who had beef to sell, used to drive it under an apple tree,
and kill, dress and sell it there. The best cuts sold for six coppers
(twenty-four coppers to a shilling,) a pound. These coppers were
made by Capt. Machin, out at the Big Pond. I took about a peck of
them once down to Schultz’s mill and got two bushels of flour. I
remember it because Schultz sat down on the floor to count them, and
I had to wait until he was done. The very highest price for mutton
was six shillings a head for a large fat sheep of the old-fashioned
breed. Good horses averaged seventy-five and eighty dollars. My
father bought one of Hugh Stevenson and paid one hundred dollars
for it. This was an extraordinary price, but it was an extraordinary
horse, and had been taken from the Indians. We called him the
Sturdy Beggar. This purchase was during the war; but the butcher-
ing business was long after it.
“ Broad street only extended about three hundred feet below Grand.
It was there fenced in and Mr. Guthries had his blacksmith shop in
the middle of it. There was no house below Grand street, on the
Glebe, when I first remember it. There might have been one or two
before the war. The houses that were standing after the war were
poorly built, and being generally without foundations, didn’t last
long. The old Ward house stood in the hollow.* It must have been
* The hollow ran from west of Grand street (north of Clinton), to the river. It is now
principally filled in, although its course can still be traced.172
HISTOR Y OF NEWB URGH.
as old a house as ours,* but I don't remember whether it had any-
sawed stuff in it or not. The Wards had a cider mill of very primi-
tive construction. The apples were pounded in a trough and the
cheese pressed by placing a heavy beam on it. The elm tree in Liberty
street* is about my age. I remember it when it was a mere whip
and so slender that it could scarcely bear the weight of the mower’s
scythes while they rested from their work in the meadow.
“ The old story of the seizure of the Palatine church, and the carry-
ing off of the bell, I have heard repeated a good many times years
ago. It was always said that it was Burger Meynders that was
buried under the falling door during the fracas. The old bell was
the smartest little bell that I ever heard. You could hear it ring clear
down to Murderer’s creek. Burger Meynders owned the head-quar-
ters property, and I always understood that he built the oldest part
of the house. The old Lutheran church was used as a cooper’s shop
by'Morgan Cole before it was fitted up for a school-house. Once
during the war the soldiers stabled their horses in it. After the war,
Martin Weigand, who had a deep regard for the old church, proposed
to have it repaired. . The project was agreed to by others, and a bee
was held and the repairs made. After that the Methodists and
preachers of other denominations held service there. The school-
master’s house was taken down, and Mr. Mandeville made a black-
smith’s shop out of part of the frame.
“The first dock was called Denton’s landing, and was probably
built by Alexander Colden long before the war. It was afterwards
George Gardner’s dock, and is now owned by Mr. Kamsdell. The
next dock was built during the war, and was called the continental
dock. The continental ferry used to land there. It was where
Mailler’s dock now is. Where the north-east corner of Water and
Third streets now is, were barracks for the soldiers, and across the
street, back of the Orange Hotel, were more barracks. They were
subsequently removed to the .west side of Smith street, and were
burned down some years ago. What was known as Oakley & Davis’
dock was built during the encampment here expressly for the use of
the army; and north of it was an enclosure for cattle, and a slaughter-
house, &c. After the war, Major Pettingale established what was
called Pettingale’s landing. It was near the foot of North street,
which was then a good road. Large quantities of ship-timber, staves
and shingles were sent off from this landing. There was no dock-—
vessels were loaded from scows. Pettingale moved a building from
the neighborhood of Powell’s down there and a man by the name of
* This tree (now removed) had many historic associations. It stood in front of the pres-
ent Trinity M. E. Church. (See engraving of that church).RECOLLECTIONS.
173
Hogan lived in it. The landing was in the cove just north of the
Powder magazine, and the road to it is yet there. John Peter De
Wint built the dock between Mailler’s and Oakley & Davis7, and also
the brick house opposite the Bank of Newburgh. It was the first
brick house built in the village. A road ran down to the dock and
the brick house was on the corner of it. Front street was not here
then. The river ran up in places nearly to Water street, and the
docks were small affairs. Water street, north of Fourth, ran up the
hill in an angular direction, and intersected South street nearly oppo-
site the First Baptist church; and just west of its junction was the
Blue Bell tavern.
“There were but five houses below the hill (south of Second street),
beside the continental blacksmith shop which extended from the corner
of Second street north. David Howell finished it and lived there after
the war. One of these houses was Mr. Denton’s, afterwards Judge
Gardner's, and is still standing on Water street near the Whaling
house. Another was where Isaac Belknap lived, nearly opposite the
Gardner house. The third was a house on the west side of Denton’s
dock, where John Harris afterwards commenced the hatting business.
vicinity of First street probably from the fact that Colden’s old ferry
boats landed there. Colden’s house was a two-story frame building,
with dormer windows. It was thirty or thirty-five feet square, and
had four rooms on the first floor and a hall through the center. It
stood fronting the river. Benjamin Roe, the first harness-maker in
town, lived there. The Square, as it is now called, used to be known
as Colden’s Gore. It was formed by the opening of Water and First
streets, and the prior course of Wagon now Colden street. Wagon
street ran down about as far as the intersection of Colden and Water
streets and then wound down the hill south to Denton’s dock. While
the army was here, Adolph DeGrove built a tavern on the west side
of Water street, corner of Third, and several other buildings were
put up about the same time. Not long after the war, John Anderson
built a store on the south-east corner of Water and Third streets.
The fourth was the residence of
Alex, Colden, and was called
the Newburgh House. It stood
at the head of the gore between
Colden and Water street. The
fifth, was a house where Benj.
pp Smith lived, built by his father,
THE COLDEN HOUSE.
y on Smith street, near the cor-
ner of Second. The houses be-
low the hill clustered in the174
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
Robert Ludlow afterwards bought the place. Adolph DeGrove sold
his place to John McAuley, and built a house on the east side of the
street, about half-way between Second and Third streets, where he
kept a tavern, and where he opened the first bakery in the place.
John and Joseph Hoffman afterwards carried on the baking business
in the same place. They subsequently dissolved partnership, and
Joseph started a new shop on the north-west corner of Water and
Second streets.* Daniel Niven, Jr., and Marsh & Ferris were the
principal tailors. John Shaw kept a store on the east side of Third
street, opposite the market; and Hugh Walsh kept a store on the
west side of the market. The market stood at the foot of Third
street, and the street ran down to the dock on each side of it. Robert
Gourlay, John McAulay, George Monell, and Denniston & Abercrom-
bie had stores in Water street, the latter firm on the corner where the
Orange Hotel now stands. John McAuley kept his store in DeGrove’s
old tavern. Matthew DuBois was the first tobacconist. His shop was
'in Smith street, and the business was continued after his death by
David M. DuBois. Jonathan Carter was the next tobacconist. But
time would fail to enumerate a tithe even of the changes that have,
occurred in the progress of the village.
“James Johnson built the first house on the corner where the
Orange Hotel stands. Benjamin and Daniel Birdsall opened the first
regular store in the village. It was on Denton’s dock. It was
robbed, and I found the stolen goods down by the river in a clump of
bushes—about ten dollars worth of thread, tape, Dilworth’s spelling
books, and other articles.
“I have said that the river ran up to nearly where Water street
now is. The bank of the river formed a curve, setting in south of
South street, arid the water, at about Second street, was within a
hundred feet of Water street, f I have rowed boats on the beach
where the United States Hotel stands. The channel was very abrupt,
and at high-tide sloops sailed almost up to Water street.
“ The Druids first organized as a debating society. I joined the
society under the impression that it was to be conducted for the
benefit and instruction of the members. The laws said that neither
politics nor religion were to be discussed. I met with the society
four or five times, and finding that politics were discussed, 1 quietly
withdrew and never troubled myself about them afterwards, as I did
* “Joseph Hoffman, baker, respectfully informs the public and his Mends that he has
removed from the house owned by Mrs. Adolph DeGrove, where he formerly lived, to the
corner of Water and Second streets, two doors south of John Brown’s store.”—Adv. in
Recorder, May 7,1804.
f In advertisement of mortgage foreclosure, dated January 1,1805, we find Lot No. 5,
in the Township of Washington, now the north-west comer of Water and Second streets,
described as “in depth from the east line of Water street to the river, 100 feet.”RECOLLECTIONS.
175
not approve of a secret political society. Perhaps two-thirds of the
members were infidels. Dr. Johnston makes a sweeping charge that
they were all infidels, and all came to violent deaths. It is a great
mistake. I have heard of vile acts attributed to some of the mem-
bers, as well as to some who were not. A great many withdrew
after I left. They are all gone now but myself. When I met with
the society it held its sessions in the upper part of William L. Smith’s
house, now (late) Eli Hasbrouck’s, in a room that had been occupied
by a Masonic lodge. Mr. Smith was a member. Alexander Falls was
secretary of the society for some time.* When I joined there was no
initiation form or fee. I understood afterwards they used a ceremony
similar to the Masons—administered an oath, &c. The society after-
wards met in a room finished off for it in the building (which stood)
on the south-west corner of Smith and Third street. .1 don’t know any-
thing about the society holding meetings in the old McIntosh house,
although it might have done so after I withdrew. I never knew how
the society broke up, but always supposed it died out with the infidel
movement. It may have broken up in a quarrel, as you say you
have heard it stated; but if so it must have been a quarrel got up
for that purpose.
“I see that the house occupied by Richard Rikeman, adjoining
Doct. Morrison’s old place, is still standing. 1 do not know whether
Rikeman built it or not—it was built before my recollection. Rike-
man was a shoemaker.
“ During the war salt was very scarce. I have seen farmers who
were wealthy obtain salt from my father; and they would wrap it
up and carry it home more carefully than they would money. My
father obtained salt, and many other things that others could not get,
from his intimacy with Hugh McConnel, who had charge of the public
stores at Fishkill.
“The first Pest-house stood near where residence of the late John
W. Brown now is. It was a building erected by Capt. Coleman for
his Nantucket trade, as I have understood. It stood in a grove of
pines, and was a solitary place. The people then regarded the small-
pox, and other contagious diseases, with great horror, and when
persons were attacked they were immediately removed to the Pest-
house. Speaking of the small-pox reminds me, that I have often heard
it stated that the first case of that disease here was in the Birdsall
* The “ Society of Ancient Druids ” was organized September 22,1803, as appears by
a notice in the Recorder of the Times of that year, and also by the following advertise-
ment in the Rights of Man of September, 1804:
“Society op Ancient Druids.—The members are requested to meet at the Lodge
Room on Saturday, the 22d inst., at three o’clock in the afternoon, to celebrate their anni-
versary festival; at which time and place an Oration will be delivered by one of the mem-
bers. Sept. 7,1804.	ALEXANDER FALLS, Secy.”176
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
family. It was during the war, and caused no little alarm among the
inhabitants. The circumstances of the case I do not remember.*
“ Martin Weigand’s tavern, during my recollection, stood on Liberty
street just north of the grave-yard.
It was a frame building, two stories
high, and had a stoop in front. I
don’t know when it was built.—
The soldiers used to gather there
during the war, and it was a sort
of rendezvous for old people to meet
and tell stories. The Justices of the
Peace had their courts there, and the
town meetings were held there for a
weigand’s tavern—1780.	long time. It was the best tavern
in the place for a good many years. Weigand was a good citizen,
although not a man of any education. His wife was Susan, daughter
of Joseph Albertson. I believe they never had any children.
“ My father, Peter Donnelly, was the first person who manufactured
leather here. He commenced in 1774, and had a currying shop only.
Man}r of the farmers tanned their own leather and brought it to him
to finish. He worked during the war at dressing leather for the army
whenever they needed it, and received no pay until after the peace.
Phineas Howell was the first tanner. He had a shop back in the lot
on the north-west corner of Smith and Third street. I sunk my tan-
yard (late Jennings & McKinstry’s,) forty-eight years ago. It was
then a'part of the Dismal Swamp partially reclaimed. I used to
jump from bog to bog to get to it, and have helped to lift many a cow
out of the mud there. When the village was laid out, Water street
reached as far as Mr. Barclay’s morocco factory, where there was a
gate not fifty years ago. Robert Gardiner was the first man who
worked the street through.
“The building of ships and other vessels was quite actively prose-
cuted here both before and after the war. The vessels owned by
George Gardner were built at his yard, just north of First street. I
believe he had three sloops built—two 1 know. His ship-wright was
William Holmes. Jason Rogers established a ship-yard between
* We find the following letter among the Clinton papers in the State Library:
Newburgh, Feb. 26, 1778.
“ I think it proper to inform you, that one Birdsall, who was taken prisoner and brought
to Poughkeepsie goal, but had liberty to come to Newburgh to his brothers, some way or
other has got the small-pox, upon which Isaac Belknap’s and two other families became
innoculated in that neighborhood, near the dock a little south of the Continental ferry.
As soon as I heard it I endeavored to prevent it, but I understand their Committee has
consented to it, though they have promised not to suffer any more to be innoculated in
Newburgh town, or near it, where the troops might be exposed; but I am informed they
have not complied with that promise. Dr. Higby is the person who innoculates.
“ To Governor George Clinton.	JAS. CLINTON.”RECOLLECTIONS.
177
Fourth and Fifth streets, where he built a brig of two or three hun-
dred tons burden. The stocks for this vessel were laid on Water
street north of Fifth. When she was launched, the hill was so steep
that when she struck the water she went taffrail under. She was
built for a company of farmers, of whom Isaac Fowler, I believe,
was one, and sailed to the West Indies. William Seymour—Mr.
Bailey, ship-wright-—built one ship and other vessels at the same yard.
David and Walter Burling afterwards built a ship there and called
her the Robert Burns. Richard Hill had a ship-yard where the Man-
sion House stood (Water street, north of Third). He contracted to
build ships and Other vessels. This was about 1800. After that the
building of vessels became too common to attract much attention.
“ I knew all the principal men of the town who were living seventy
years or so ago. The Rev. Mr. Sayer, the last minister who occupied
the parsonage, was imprisoned during the war—whether in New York
or Goshen, I don’t know for certain, but I am under the impression
that it was in Goshen. While he was there the dysentery broke out
among the soldiers somewhere in the vicinity, and, being a skillful
physician, they gave him his liberty in order that the soldiers might
have the benefit of his attendance. He afterwards went over to the
British. This is the substance of conversations between my mother
and others when I was a boy. As my parents were Episcopalians, I
would be likely to hear the truth on the subject.
“The Rev. Mr. Spierin, the last Episcopal minister under the old
Glebe charter, was a good preacher, a fine reader, very pleasant and
social in his disposition, and a man of noble appearance; but he was
as ignorant of household affairs as any one could be. One day when
I was going to mill, he asked me if I could get some meal for him.
I told him I would. He immediately called to his wife for a bag.
Said he, “James is going to mill and will get us some Indian meal,
and we will have some nice Buckwheat cakes.” His wife laughed
heartily, and exclaimed, “A bull! a bull! an Irish bull!” His look
of astonishment was amusing; but we did not explain the matter to
him, and he turned on his heel, saying that we both acted like fools.
Mr. S. and his wife were natives * of Ireland. He lived in the house
now occupied by C. F. Y. Reeve, on the corner of Grand and South
street, where he taught a few scholars preparatory for college.
William Ross was one of his pupils.
“The first Methodist minister who preached here was a Mr. Mc-
Olaskey, an Irishman by birth. He was rather a fine looking man,
although he wore a very unclerical red handkerchief around his neck.
The first Methodist meeting was held in the old clothing storehouse,
then occupied by the Presbyterians. After that they held meetings
012178
mSTOitY OF NEWBURGH.
in the old Glebe church, except when the weather was very cold
Their meetings were well attended, as it was not only a privilege to
hear preaching, but a Methodist parson was a curiosity in those days.
Ezekiel Cooper was the next preacher on the circuit, and John Cooper
next. They were a source of annoyance to Mr. Close, the Presbyterian
minister, who complained to deacon Reeve that the Methodists were
gaining ground very fast. ‘“Yes,” replied Reeve, “and if you do not
preach better than you have done, they will have all the ground.”
“Mr. Close was a very dry preacher. I have been told that he
preached to the soldiers during the war, but where I do not know.
Mr. Graham, a Presbyterian minister, came from Fishkill and preached
sometimes during the war and after. He preached in High street
after the war. His son married a daughter of Elnathan Foster. Mr.
Lewis was stationed here before Mr. Johnston. Deacon Lawrence
was a leading man in the Presbyterian church. He was chorister in
the old storehouse, and wore a white cap, as did all the very old
men at that time. He continued to sing until some Yankees came
here aJnd introduced singing by note, which caused great dissatisfac-
tion and opposition. He was a very good man. He lived in the old
house‘still standing on High street, near the corner of First street.*
“Mr. Hartwick, of Hartwick’s patent,f was the last Lutheran min-
ister here. He preached in the old church, by permission, before the
war, and a few times afterwards. One of his sermons was declared
monarchical. He preached until he was very old—ninety years or
so. He used to go to church and cry like a child. One day he met
the Methodist minister at Mr. Foster’s. “ Come,” said he, “ take the
Bible and let us go into the church.” They went, and the Methodist
preached and he listened.
“ Mr. Penny, the teacher in the Glebe school, was a native of
Yorkshire, England. He came to this country with thirteen children,
and had another born here which he called his “ Ameracan.” He
must have been a very odd teacher, as he spoke the Yorkshire dialect.
He taught before my remembrance, but I knew him well when he
lived at Rossville. He brought from England a recipe for the pre-
vention of hydrophobia, which is still preserved among his descend-
ants of the Everett family of Modena, Ulster county.J Some one
found a nest of caterpillars on a tree and asked Mr. P. what they did
* Dr.-Johnston says of Elder Lawrence (Auto. 145), Newburgh’s first Chorister: “ When
I took charge of the congregation, an old gentleman, one of the elders, was leader; he
was ignorant of all rules of music, and his performance was sufficient evidence of all this.”
t Doc.. Hist. N. Y. iv., 294. Mr Hartwick died July 17, .1796, at Clermont, N. Y., aged
about 90 years. He spent 62 years in the ministry, and left a large estate for the promo-
tion of religious purposes. The Hartwick seminary, in Otsego county, was founded from
his estate. He was not located in Newburgh, but made occasional visits.
t This recipe was copy-righted by Mr. Penny’s heirs. It is still obtainable, and has
very high testimonials of its efficiency.RECOLLECTIONS.
179
with them in England. “ Whoy," said he, “ we call them rabels, ond
we just tak' them ond crash them onder our feet, just soo," stamping
his foot on the ground. I have known several instances where his
medicine has prevented hydrophobia. There was a great deal of
hydrophobia here during the war and after its close. Animals went
mad without number, and even the foxes went mad. It was attributed
to the severity of the winters, animals being unable to procure water.
“Mr. John Nathan Hutchins lived in the parsonage house during
the war and taught school in the back room. He founded what was
long known as “ Hutchins' Family Almanac," for which he made the
astronomical calculations. He was a learned man; but he would
read the church of England prayers literally. This gave olfense to
some of the whigs, who did not like the idea of praying for the king,
Major Isaac Belknap took him to task on the subject. “Tut, tut,
friend Isaac," replied Hutchins, “ does not the Bible command us to
pray for our enemies." “Yes," said Belknap, “I know that, but I
don't believe in it."
“Mr. King succeeded Mr. .Hutchins in the Glebe school, and also
lived in the parsonage. He was a very grave man in his manners, tall
and light complexioned, of English descent but a native of Bermuda.
“I do not recollect seeing Col. Jonathan Hasbrouck, but I have
often seen Mrs. Hasbrouck. They kept a store, and I was sent there
sometimes to make purchases. Mrs. Hasbrouck waited on customers.
She was tall, thin, and dark, and laced herself up in stays. She
always carried a great bunch of keys by her side, and held all. her
conversation with her servants in Hutch. The old head-quarters
house had a post and rail fen'ce around it, and an orchard on the west
and south side. A large barn and monstrous hay-barracks stood
south-west of the house. The Life-guard used to parade in the door-
yard west of the house. They were a fine body of men—every one
six feet or over in height.
“ Wolvert Acker was a large, dark complexioned man, and spoke
with a Dutch accent. He was a zealous whig, and, together with
John Simpson and Brom Johnson, was noted for hunting tories. The
boys had a song commencing—
“Gallus Brom Johnson rides up and down,
Bringing the poor tories to Newburgh town.”
“ Major Isaac Belknap was a staunch whig, and was one of those
who entered into the agreement not to use goods of British manufac-
ture. He was a generous, open-hearted man, hasty to a flash to
resent an insult, and as quick to do a kind act. I remember an
anecdote that illustrates the Major's disposition. It was the custom
for the people during the winter to take turns in breaking the roads180
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
after a heavy fall of snow. On one occasion, while the Major was
thus engaged, Joseph Albertson came along and the Major reminded
him that it was his turn to work the road. Albertson replied very
deliberately, “Major—you—lie”—a blow from the Major laid him
floundering in the snow, but on regaining his feet he completed the
sentence, “under—a—mistake.” “I am very sorry I struck you,”
said the Major, extending his hand, “ but you must learn to put your
words closer together.”
“ Major Pettingale, the proprietor of Pettingale’s landing and of a
farm adjoining, was one of the officers who took leave of Washing-
ton at Fraunce’s tavern in New York. He was a Massachusetts man,
large and rather fine looking, very jocose hnd pleasant, but, like many
of our officers, army life had injured his habits. He lived where the
old poor-house now stands,* and died there. His son sold the farm to
William Seymour. His wife was a very amiable woman, small in
person, fair complexion and blue eyes, and looked too delicate to bear
the fatigue of camp life, which she did with her children during the
war. The}^ had three sons, Joseph, Henry and Fry, and three daugh-
ters. One of the daughters married Ool. Price, who had charge of
West Point at the time. The other two married Thomas Carscaden
as his first and second wife.
“Mr. Ward—the first and only one of that name that owned any
Glebe land, except his sons, to my knowledge-^lived and died in the
hollow. I have already spoken of the Ward house. He left four
children, two sons and two daughters. One of his daughters married
a Mr. Whitehead, of Marlborough, and the other married Doct. Mor-
rison. The sons, William and Jerry, died bachelors. They moved
from the hollow into a house on Liberty street, where they lived when
I first knew them. They were quite old men then, and I think they
were both over eighty at the time of their death. Affairs did not
prosper with them in their old age—by some means they lost all their
property They were kind and easy in their disposition. Jerry was
fortunate to die at home. William lived alone about three years after
Jerry’s death, and then had a room at Weigand’s tavern where he
died. They were in all probability the children of William Ward, Jr.,
although I never knew their father’s name. Doct. Morrison had three
children, two daughters and one son. One of his daughters married
a ship-carpenter named Bradley and lived here—the other married a
Hawkins and removed to Ballston. His son, Hugh, was a physician.
“ Col. Bowman was one of the first lawyers who settled here. He
had been a colonel in the army during the war. In person he was
short and rather corpulent, large head and face, and a mouthful of
* Corner of Water and North streets. His farm contained about ten acres.RECOLLECTIONS.
181
teeth as black as ebony. He always wore a cocked hat. He was a
man of fine talents and gentlemanly manners; but was very intem-
perate during the last years of his life. His principal competitor was
Mr. Sleight, and afterwards Judge Fisk. Bowman’s only child, Mary
married Ben. Anderson, a lawyer but a worthless fellow.
“ The first tailor that had work done at his shop or house, was Mr.
Cooper, father of Gilbert Cooper, and grandfather of Mrs. Stephen
Hyatt. He removed from New York, at the close of the war, and
took up his residence in High street. We had tailors before his time,
but, like the shoemakers, they used to whip the cat around the country
—that is, they traveled from one house to another as their services
might be required. Mr. June was our first fashionable tailor. A
lawyer friend of Col. Bowman’s lost some buttons from his vest, and
asked him where he should go to get them put on. “ Go down street,”
said Bowman, “ and the first man you meet that looks like a gentle-
man and wears a cocked hat, ask him and he will do it for you.” He
referred to Mr. June, who was exceedingly neat in his dress.
“ George Gardner was a blacksmith by trade, and a man of much
force of character. He married a widow Wyatt. They had three
children—two sons and a daughter. William married a sister of
Capt. Henry Robinson. The other son (I forget his name,) married a
Miss Crissey. The daughter married Doct. Smith, and, after his death,
Rev. Dr. Luther Halsey. Capt. Henry Robinson obtained the Gardner
farm, and improved the property.
“ Edward Howell kept the first tavern where the Orange Hotel now
stands. It was a frame building, two stories high and had a side
entrance by stairs on Third street. Benjamin Case kept a tavern on
the south-east corner of Water and Fourth streets. Benj. Case, Jr., I
believe, had a hotel there afterwards. The Mansion House was the
next principal hotel, and was built by Hugh Walsh
“ There was quite a settlement at Balmville both before and after
the war. William Bloomer* had a blacksmith shop there, and Michael
Demott a tavern. Isaac and Jacob Demott were sons of Michael.
Bloomer lived in the house now the residence of H. K. Brown, and
his shop stood in the south part of the garden opposite. Denton’s
grist mill was in the hollow back of Col. Hathaway’s barn. He had
a store and a wharf on the north side of the brook. The Flewwel-
lingsf lived in that neighborhood. After the war Daniel Smith open-
* Joseph Bloomer is the first of the name on record in the town. He bought part of lot
No. 9, of the German patent, in 1754, and sold a portion of it to Morris Flew welling in
1764. William Bloomer was located on the remainder.
f James, John, Abel, and Morris Flewwelling were early residents of the town. Abel
married Abigail, daughter of Samuel Fowler; John was the first supervisor of the town
(1772); Morris was supervisor in 1774, They appear to have been positive loyalists from
the first. James joined Claudius Smith’s band and was executed at Goshen in 1779.182
HISTORY OR NEWBURGH.
ed a store there;* he afterwards built the large brick house on the
east side of the road, and had a wharf on the south side of the brook.
“ In regard to the Balm of Gilead tree, my own observation con-
firms the statement given by Isaac Demott, in Eager’s Orange County,
page 200. Mr. Demott says that “ the tree grew there naturally—
that when it had grown large enough for a rail, he cut it down and
used it for that purpose—that it sprouted from the root and he let it
grow.” Mr. Demott owned the place on which the tree stands, and
hence would know more about it than any one else. I first saw the
tree when I was between eight and nine years of age, which is
seventy-six years ago. The trunk was then six or eight inches in
diameter, and the top large and spreading. I remember the tree, and
visited it often, as there was considerable talk then about its medicin-
al virtues, but I have no recollection of their ever being tested.*)*
“ The Demott tavern stood a short distance east from the Balm of
Gilead tree; it was a small affair, as were all the taverns of those
days. The Butterworths done business at Balmville for some years,
and had a store and a large distillery; but this was later.
“The old Arthur Smith and Jehiel Clark farms were about half-way
to Marlborough. Smith had a tavern (afterwards kept by his son
Arthur), and there was a smith shop in the neighborhood. The place
was then called “ Middletown.” There were fourteen taverns on the
road to Marlborough, and Smith’s was in the center of the line.J
There was a great deal of dram-drinking in the town after the war,
and many were ruined by it.
“I might give you some more information, perhaps, if I knew just
what you wanted, but without prompting the past comes back slowly.
It seems but a little while ago since our village was almost nothing,
and I can hardly realize that it is the same place where I played
when a boy.	Yours, &c.,	JAMES DONNELLY.”
* Daniel Smith purchased from William Bloomer, in 1791, and from Catharine Demott
and William Bloomer, executors of James Demott, in 1792. The latter purchase is describ-
ed as lands “lying' along the south line of the five patentees,” i. e. the Harrison patent.
Demott purchased from Daniel Darling.
f In regard to this remarkable tree—which is certainly the “ oldest inhabitant ” of the
town—Mr. Gilbert Williams, now (1875) in his 80th year, and who became a resident in its
vicinity in 1808, relates, that when in Nova Scotia (where he resided for nine years prior to
1832), he became acquainted with John Cosman, who was an apprentice to Wm. Bloomer
before the Revolution, who stated that while he was an apprentice 'he had shod horses
under it many a time, and that it was a large tree then. Mr. Williams measured the tree
in 1832, and Its circumference (two feet from the ground) was fifteen feet two inches. He
measured it again in 1868, and found it to be nineteen feet five inches, showing its growth to
have been four feet and three inches in thirty-six years. His own recollection of the tree
added to Cosman’s carries it back at least a hundred years, from which data and that of
its rate of growth he is convinced that its age is much greatef than that given to it by
the Demott tradition. The tree was evidently planted by some person, as it is not an in-
digenous one. The first settlers were there in 1709, and may.have brought it with them,
but the probabilities favor a later period. It is decaying now and will soon be gone,
% The Smith house is now owned by John S. Purdy; it has been rebuilt, and its original
proportions are unrecognizable. Its age (1875) is about 120 years.VILLAGE INCORPORATION.
183
CHAPTER IX.
VILLAGE OF NEWBURGH---AMENDED GLEBE CHARTER—SECOND WAR WITH
ENGLAND---BUSINESS REVIEW-WAR OF THE REBELLION—CITY
ORGANIZATION--GENERAL SUMMARY.
T the opening of the present century the inhabitants of the Ger-
man patent threw off the township titles into which it was
principally divided, and, for the purpose of securing better municipal
government, united in an application to the legislature for an act to
incorporate the village of Newburgh, a title which had been adopted
in the act of 1797, organizing the fire department. In response to the
application, the legislature passed, on the 25th of March, 1800, an
act of incorporation, defining the bounds of the village and author-
izing the election of trustees and other officers. The act further pro-
vided that the trustees should have power to make, ordain and publish
such by-laws, rules and regulations as should be deemed meet and
proper, particularly in reference to public markets, streets, alleys and
highways; to abate slaughter-houses and nuisances generally; to
determine the number of inns or taverns, and grant licenses to the
same; to restrain the running at large of geese, cattle, hogs and
other animals; to erect and regulate hay-scales, and to have general
powers “relative to anything whatsoever” that should concern the
“public and good government” of the village thereby created.*
The act took immediate effect, and on the first Tuesday in May after
its passage, seven trustees, three assessors, three fire-wardens, a col-
lector, and a treasurer, were elected; and the board of trustees
organized under the presidency of John Anderson.f The immediate
duties devolving upon them were comparatively light, and beyond the
erection of a public market and the leasing of the stalls, the partial
grading of Water street, and the adoption of a few general regula-
tions, very little was done.
Immediately after the incorporation of the village, an act was
* Newburgh was the second incorporated village in the state. The village of Lansing-
burgh was the first.
t The records of the board from 1800 to 1804 have not been preserved; but from pub-
lished reports it appears that John Anderson was president from May, 1800 to 1802; Levi
Dodge from May 1802 to 1803; Jacob Powell from May 1803 to 1804, when George Monety
was elected,184
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
passed (March 20, 1801,) constituting and appointing Robert Bowne,
John DeWint, William Seymour, Levi Dodge, Johannes Miller, Hugh
Walsh, George Clinton, Jr., Jacob Powell, John McAuley, Charles
Clinton, William W. Sackett, George Gardner, and all such others as
should associate for that purpose, a body corporate and politic by the
name of “The President, Directors and Company of the Newburgh
and Cochecton Turnpike Road,” with a capital of $126,000, for the con-
struction of a road from Newburgh to the Delaware river.* The
stock was soon taken and the road constructed. In its effect upon
the prosperity of the village, it. was of far greater importance than
that of municipal organization, opening as it did an avenue of trade
extending for many miles into the interior, and connecting the southern
tier of counties with the city of New York, via Newburgh.
Meanwhile the affairs of the Glebe demanded attention. The trus-
tees under the charter were acting, in a measure, in defiance of its
provisions by denying to the church any participation in the revenues,
and by appropriating the whole income to the support of schools. To
remove the legal disabilities under which the trustees labored, the
legislature passed, in 1803, “ an act to alter and amend the charter of
the Glebe lands in the German patent, in the village of Newburgh,”
by the terms of which the inhabitants on the patent were empowered
to elect, on the second Tuesday in May, annually, three persons to
“officiate as trustees of the aforesaid Glebe.” The act also ordered,
that the moneys arising from the annual income should forever there-
after be appropriated solely to the support of schools; that $200
should be paid annually to the trustees of the Academy, and that the
remainder of the income should be paid to other schools which were
then, or should be thereafter, established on said Glebe: “Provided,”
that if at any time thereafter, “ a minister of the Episcopal church
should be inducted on said patent,” then the trustees should have
power to “pay annually for the support of said minister” such pro-
portion of the moneys as should be “reasonable, according to the
true intent and meaning of the charter.” Under this act, an election
was held at the house of Edward Howell (May 10,1803), when Danl.
Smith, William H. Smith and John Harris were chosen trustees.
Thus the matter remained until 1805, when the members of the
Episcopal church determined, if possible, to regain possession of the
income of the Glebe, and to reestablish the provisions of the old
* The arched bridge at Bridgeville, Sullivan county, which was completed in 1807, bears
the only monument to the Directors of this road, now remaining on its line. In the para-
pet on the eastern abutment of this bridge, a marble slab was inserted with the inscrip-
tion: “ Jacob Powell, President; George Monell, Treasurer; William H. Weller, Secretary;
Jonathan Hedges, Charles Clinton, Levi Dodge, Daniel Stringham, Jonathan Fisk, Cyprian
Webster, Beuben Neely, Daniel C. Verplanck, Hamilton Morrison, David Crawford—Direc-
tors, 1807.”—Quinlan's Sullivan County, 537.AMENDED GLEBE CHARTER
185
charter. With a view to accomplish this, the bishop appointed the
Rev. Cave Jones agent for the church, and Messrs. Jonathan Fisk
and Walter Case were employed as counsel. To allay public excite-
ment, a card was issued by the agent and the counsel for the church,
in which they pledged themselves that in case the church should
succeed in establishing her claim to the Glebe, the income therefrom
should be appropriated according to the true intent and meaning of
the charter for the support of. a free school for the children of the poor
residing on the patent; and that in renewing leases, all things should
be made “ commodious and agreeable to the parties concerned.”
To this card was appended a call for a meeting of the male inhabi-
tants of the patent, who were members of the Episcopal church and
entitled to vote at other elections, to be held* at the old Episcopal
church building, on Monday, November 4, for the purpose of choosing
“two Trustees of the Parish of Newburgh, according to the true intent
and meaning of the charter granting the Glebe on the said Patent.”
The meeting was held—the votes offered by^ those who were not
members of the Episcopal church were rejected—eleven votes only
were received, and Jonathan Fisk and Joseph Hoffman were chosen
trustees. They then proceeded to reorganize the church, by the
election of wardens and vestrymen, so that it might be in a proper
position to maintain its authority by an appeal to the courts.
For the purpose of determining the legality of the law of 1803, an
action of ejectment was immediately brought by the church against
Michael Nestle, who held a portion of the Glebe by virtue of a lease
from the trustees elected pursuant to that act. The cause was tried
November 26th, 1806, at the Orange Circuit Court, before Mr. Justice
Tompkins, and the church was nonsuited. At the succeeding term, a
motion was made to set aside the nonsuit, and argument was made
before Justices Van Ness and Spencer. Mr. Fisk, on the part of the
church, held, that the original intention in granting the patent evi-
dently was, that members of the Episcopal church alone should be
permitted to vote at elections for trustees, and that to deny this
position would be to defeat the intention of* the charter. The act of
1803, he held, was void, as the legislature had no power to divest the
church of any rights vested by the charter in the original grantees of
the Glebe. J. Radcliffe and T. A. Emmet, on the part of the trustees
under the act of 1803/held that the original charter was to “German
Lutherans. On their removal from the tract, the remaining inhabi-
tants being of the church of England or Episcopalians, met together,
elected trustees, surrendered the original patent and obtained a new
charter to them and their successors. If none but persons of the
same religious denomination with those named in the original grant186
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
had a right to vote, then the Episcopalians, in 1750, had no right to
elect trustees;” that there was as “much ground to object to the
charter of 1752, under, which the plaintiff claims as to the act of 1803,
under which the defendant holds;” and that the Episcopalians, in 1750,
acted in the same manner towards the Lutherans, as the Presbyte-
rians, in 1803, acted towards the Episcopalians.”
But while in the argument of counsel the case was made to depend
entirely upon the question of the right of the inhabitants of the
patent, irrespective of church membership, to vote at elections for
trustees, the point raised was not decided by the court. In his
opinion, Mr. Justice Nan Ness avoided the .issue presented, for the
avowed purpose of leaving the matter open to a compromise; but held
that the trustees elected under the act of 1803, were the trustees de
facto, and were hence clothed with competent authority to grant the
lease to Nestle, and that a new trial ought to be denied.
Mr. Justice Spencer, however, met the question presented, and held,
that “right of election” was “expressly given by the charter, to all
male inhabitants of the German patent who were above the age of
twenty-one years;” and that, “ the plaintiff having failed to show any
title,” the defendant could not be disturbed in his possession. Al-
though not regarded as a decision on the merits of the case, these
opinions destroyed all hope of reestablishing the jurisdiction of the
church over the Glebe, and further proceedings were stayed.*
The records of the trustees of the village contain many proofs
that they were not neglectful of the duties devolved upon them by
the charter. In 1804, a public meeting was called by them for the
purpose of adopting a plan for supplying the village with water; and
during the same year a night-watch was organized. In 1806, public
hay-scales were erected; and several improvements made in the
streets. Private enterprise, too, began to yield its fruits. Turnpikes
were opened in different directions,f thus increasing the commercial
facilities of the town; and the Bank of Newburgh was established in
1811. The results of these, and kindred enterprises, are forcibly
illustrated in the fact that, from the overwhelming indebtedness,
which rested like an incubus on the town at the close of the war of
Independence, in thirty years it had attained such a position of wealth
that it paid one-fourth of the tax of the entire county.
But while the citizens of Newburgh were thus engaged in these
* The case may be found at length in 3 John. Eep. 115. No further legal proceedings
were taken.
t In 1808, the Newburgh and New Windsor turnpike was chartered, connecting at New
Windsor, with turnpikes to Cornwall and Monroe. In 1810, the Newburgh and Sullivan
turnpike penetrated the heart of the present county of Sullivan; and, in 1812, the New-
burgh and Plattekill turnpike opened to the Newburgh market a rich agricultural section
of southern Ulster,SECOND WAN WITH ENGLAND.
187
various enterprises, the cloud of war again darkened the national
horizon. The stirring up of the Indian tribes to the commission of
hostilities, and the impressment of American seamen, were followed,
on the part of England, by the famous Orders in Council, which
declared that all American vessels going to and from the ports of
France and her allies, without first touching at or clearing from an
English port, should be considered lawful prizes. These orders pro-
voked the Berlin and Milan Decrees, on the part of France, by which
all vessels .that had touched at an English port, or submitted to be
searched by an English cruiser, were pronounced to be the property
of France; while British goods, wherever found, were made subject
to seizure and confiscation.
Under such circumstances the American government could not
remain inactive, or allow its commerce to be ruled or ruined by the
policy or the pride of Britain or of France. Accordingly in Decem-
ber, 1809, congress resolved to retaliate by laying an embargo upon
all American vessels and merchandise. This embargo prohibited
American vessels from sailing from foreign ports, and all foreign
ships from carrying away American cargoes; and its effect was sud-
denly to suspend commerce, to expose thousands of merchants to the
risk of bankruptcy, and to check at once the flow of produce from the
interior to the sea-board—results which were severely felt by the
people and which tried their patriotism to the utmost.
But while these measures—so disastrous to our trade in all its
branches, and which issued in the Second War of Independence with
England—were in progress, the citizens of Newburgh never wavered
in their devotion to their country. From first to last, by resolutions
passed in conventions, by the expression of their sentiments through
the ballot-box, by the prompt offer of volunteers and by the contri-
bution of men to actual service, they evinced their unflinching pur-
pose to resist the “attacks of domestic enemies, and the insolent
aggressions of foreign powers.” The first formal manifestation of
their sentiments occurred in 1807, when the local militia tendered
their services to the governor of the state, as volunteers.* This was
followed by the overwhelming defeat of the federal party, which was
charged with being in sympathy with the English ( though perhaps
without other reason than its hostility to the war), at the election in
1808. In March, 1809, the republicans held a county convention at
Goshen, preparatory to the state election—Genl. Hathorn, chairman,
and Jonathan Fisk, Esq., Col. John Nicholson, Genl. Reuben Hopkins,
Capt. Josiah Brown, and Judge White, committee on resolutions—and
* Reference is made to the “ Republican Blues,” a company of Light Infantry, com-
manded by Alex. Denniston.HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
188
resolved, ‘‘That we view the laying of an embargo as a wise and
patriotic measure, imperiously demanded by the exposed condition of
our seamen, shipping and trade, to the audacious outrages of foreigii
powers—that it has saved thousands of our seamen from imprison-
ment and slavery, and millions of property of our countrymen from
capture and confiscation/’
The convention was followed by another representing the federal
party—Daniel Niven, chairman, and John Barber, Alex. R. Thompson,
Alanson Austin, John Bradner, G. N. Phillips, John Morrison, John
Duer, Samuel Sayer, Jonas Storey, Solomon Sleight, John Decker and
Samuel B. Stickney, committee on resolutions—which resolved, “ That
the act for enforcing the embarg’o, passed Jahuary 9th, 1809, in our
deliberate opinion, is unjust, illegal and oppressive—subversive of
the rights and dangerous to the liberties of the people.”
The issue was thus fairly joined, and the electors of Newburgh
responded by a vote of three hundred and twenty-seven for the repub-
lican, and one hundred and twenty-one for the federal candidates.
When war was declared, even a larger majority approved the act,
holding it to be “just and necessary to redress our grievances and
avenge our violated rights;” and this position they continued to
maintain until peace was restored.
Soon after the declaration of war, the local military companies
were ordered on duty and stationed at Staten Island;* and, at a later
period, Newburgh was temporarily made the rendezvous of the com-
panies of Grenadiers, Light Infantry and Riflemen of the 34th
Brigade.*)*
Among the many facts which showed the temper of the people of
Newburgh during the war, may be noticed the contribution of clothing,
by the ladies of the village, to the volunteers in service on the northern
frontiers;! the detestation expressed, on all public occasions, of those
who sympathized with the common enemy, or who esteemed the
* The company of Artillery under the command of Capt. Henry Butterworth, and the
uniform companies of Light Infantry under the command of Captains Alexander Den-
niston and Charles Birdsall, of this town, have been ordered by his excellency the Gov-
ernor, to be in readiness to march to New York on the 15th inst.—Index, Aug. 11, 1832.
t General Orders—Albany, Sept. 1, 1813.—The companies of Grenadiers, Light In-
fantry and Riflemen of the 34:th Brigade, will rendezvous for service at Newburgh, on the
8th September inst., at ten o’clock in the forenoon. * *
+ Newburgh, Dec. 5, 1812.—“Sir: Accompanying this, your Excellency will find a
package of two hundred and eighty woolen stockings and eighty mittens. They are for-
warded to you by the Ladies of this village, with the request that you will send to those
of the Volunteer corps now on duty on our northern frontiers whom your excellency may
suppose to be most in want of them. The unremitting attention which has marked your
excellency’s conduct since the declaration of war, towards the protection of our northern
frontier and maratime coast, and your constant endeavor to alleviate the situation of bur
fellow citizens who are in the military service, will, I hope, sufficiently apologize for
troubling you with the disposition of this small tribute of respect to .vthose brave and
patriotic defenders of their country’s rights. With considerations of much respect, and
esteem, I am yours, sincerely,	W. ROSS.
His Excellency, Gov. Tompkins.”SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND.
189
blessings of peace paramount to national honor;* and the very spir-
ited celebration of Perry’s victory on Lake Erie. On the latter
occasion, the trustees of the village united .with a committee of
citizens, viz: Solomon, Sleight, William Ross, Isaac Belknap, Jr.,
John S. Hunn, John Anderson, John Mandevill, Seth Belknap, John
W. Morrell, Joseph Reeve and Hezekiah Belknap. The national flag
was displayed in all public places in the village and from the masts
of the vessels lying in the harbor; there was a public collation and
sundry patriotic toasts at'the Newburgh Coffee House, and a pro-
cession and a very general illumination in the evening. These
arrangements were entered into heartily by all classes of citizens,
and the exercises on the occasion were long held in remembrance.f
But sadness as well as joy entered into the history of the town
during the war. The embargo act detained in foreign ports many
American vessels manned more or less by, Newburgh men, whose
uncertain fate caused solicitude in no small circle of friends; on the
ocean x\merican merchantmen were captured, and among their crews
who languished in Dartmoor prison Newburgh also had its represen-
tatives; mourning for his untimely fate and plaudits for his heroic
exam pie followed the announcement of the death of Lieutenant Ludlow,
who, standing beside the gallant Lawrence, on the deck of the Chesa-
peake, fought the English ship Shannon (June, 1813), and who, twice
wounded and a prisoner, followed the body of his commander to its
grave in Halifax, and on his return fell from his chair, a lifeless corpse.
* One of the resolutions adopted in 1813, is as follows: “ Resolved, That we consider the
tories of the present war as having a much better title to the halter than the tories of the
revolution, having had a longer time to get weaned from their unnatural mother.”
t The Political Index of September 30, 1813, contains a lengthy account of this celebra-
tion. “ Never,” says that paper, “ did such universal joy pervade the breasts of American
citizens, as has been manifested on a recent occasion; and never has that joy been more
distinctly, unequivocally and universally expressed by the citizens of Newburgh and'its
vicinity, than has been done on receiving the official letters announcing the late affair on
Lake Erie. * * On the arrival of the news, a federal salute was fired from the U. S.
corvette John Adams, moored opposite the village, which vessel was decorated with the
flags of different nations during the progress of the celebration. * At one o’clock, P.
M., the trustees with upwards of one hundred citizens, partook of a collation at the New-
burgh Coffee House, after which, Joseph Morrell being chosen president, and Solomon
Sleight, vice president, toasts were drank, and a song written for the occasion by the
editor of the Index, was sung by Joseph Eeeve. * * At seven o’clock P. M., at the
signal of a cannon, all the windows in the village were brilliantly illuminated, some were
ornamented with transparent paintings designative of the occasion; others inscribed with
the names of our naval heroes, whose deeds are destined to illume the historic page: all
of which had a handsome effect, and, connected with the occasion, fired the soul with a
proud satisfaction of being an American, and made the conscious heart to swell with fore-
bodings of the rising glory of America. A numerous procession of citizens, headed by
the band of music, now marched through the principal streets of the village. At nine
o’clock, the lights were extinguished and the village enrobed in darkness.”
A tradition connected with this celebration relates, that the official news of Perry’s vic-
tory was brought to Newburgh by the corvette John Adams, referred to by the Index, and
that the vessel arrived in the bay on Sunday morning, and immediately fired a salute.
The people, many of whom were in attendance upon divine service, were in great con-
sternation and rushed into the streets, fearful that an enemy’s vessel had passed the
Highlands and had commenced a bombardment of the village. Presently, the Adams ran
up the u stars and stripes,” and sent a boat on shore with the news, which was received
with cheer after cheer. In the general joy the Sabbath was forgotten.190
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
The history of the village and of the town were marked by many
incidents of more or less moment in a local and temporary point of
view, during the early part of the century; those which may be
regarded as of historical significance, however, were few. Among the
more important were the introduction of the Baptist arid the Metho-
dist churches, the reorganization of the Episcopal church, the estab-
lishment of the Theological Seminary, and the visit to the village of
La Fayette. The latter event was the occasion of public exercises in
which the people of a large district of country participated. For the
purpose of making suitable arrangements for his reception, a meeting
was held at the Orange Hotel on the 17th August, 1824, and a com-
mittee appointed, composed of the “ members of the corporation of
the village of Newburgh, together with William Ross, Selah Reeve,
John D. Lawson, Ward M. Gazlay, John S. Hunn, Francis Crawford,
David Ruggles, Samuel Williams, John W. Brown, Abraham M. Smith,
Isaac N. Seymour, Walter Case, Samuel R. Betts, Leonard Smith,
Daniel Smith, Levi Dodge, John Mandevill, Luther Halsey, Edmund
Griswold, Thurston Wood, Joseph Morrell, William Belknap, John
Belknap, Eleazer Gidne}^ John P. Dodge, and Jonathan Noyes.” From
this committee a delegation was sent to New York to consult the Gen-
eral, and, in pursuance of arrangements for that purpose, beacon fires*
on the mountains, on the evening of the 13th of September, announced
that the visit would be made the next day. The streets were deco-
rated with arches and evergreens, and strewn with flowers; inscrip-
tions suspended, and the village crowded to its utmost capacity with
people; four companies of cavalry, and five companies of infantry
(under command of Col. John W. Brown,) performed escort duty.
The General arrived about six o’clock in the .evening- on the 14th, and
was escorted to the Orange Hotel, where the addresses of welcome
were delivered. At about 9, P. M., he attended a banquet by his
Masonic brethren of Hiram Lodge, where he was received with
Masonic honors and was addressed by the Rev. John Brown. Supper
was served at 12, M., and at 2, A. M., the General took his departure
for Poughkeepsie.f The lateness of the hour of his arrival and the
shortness of the time of his remaining, prevented the more extended
demonstrations which had been designed.
The general progress of the town and village, from 1782 to 1820,
is shown in the statement that the increase in population during that
period averaged a fraction over one hundred annually, or about eleven
hundred each decade. This increase may be regarded as the result of
* The pyres of which these fires were made were thirty feet high, and their appearance
is described as Vesuvian—“ reflected from shore to shore in the still waters of the Hudson,
in two long, trembling columns.”
t Gazette, Sept. 18,1824.BUSINESS REVIEW.
191
the natural advantages of position which the town enjoyed. It was
a period during which not only the trade of the large district adja-
cent to Newburgh, but a very considerable portion of that of the
southern tier of counties, found here its natural mart. No impulse,
comparatively speaking, was given to this trade; it sprung from and
was the result of the laws of commerce. In 1819, the trade of the
village had extended itself as far west as Canandaigua, with which
place Newburgh was connected by turnpikes over which passed stage-
coaches conveying passengers, and freight wagons laden with goods.
During the summer of this year, a company was organized for the
purpose of constructing a steamer on Cayuga lake, with a view to
extend the route southward to Ithaca. The first meeting of the stock-
holders of this company was held at Ithica, December 20th, and David
Woodcock, Oliver Phelps, James Pompelly, Joseph Benjamin, and
Lewis Tooker, were chosen directors, who appointed David Woodcock,
president; Chas. W. Conner, treasurer; Chas. Humphrey, secretary,
and Oliver Phelps, agent. To this enterprise the people of New-
burgh were asked to contribute the sum of one thousand dollars.
Thirteen hundred dollars, however, were immediately subscribed and
paid; and, in 1820, the first steamer on Cayuga lake plied in connec-
tion with stage lines from Newburgh, “ performing the route to Ithica
in two days.”*
This western trade, however, was almost wholly cut off by the con-
struction of the Erie canal, although considerable travel by stage-
coach continued until the opening of rail-roads through the center of
the state. In common with other towns on the river, an effort was
made by the citizens of Newburgh, in 1825, to secure the construction
of a Macadamized state road from Buffalo to the Hudson, through the
southern tier of counties. The proposition was favorably received by
the legislature, and commissioners were appointed to survey the
different routes. Strenuous efforts were made by the people of Cats-
kill and Poughkeepsie to secure a terminus of this road on the Hudson
which should be favorable to their interests, and similar steps were
taken by the people of Newburgh ;f but the commissioners reported^
* This line was subsequently (1834) extended from Newburgh to Geneva and Buffalo,
and the entire route from New York to Buffalo was performed in sixty-five hours—“ the
shortest and most expeditious route from the Hudson river to the western country.”—
Adv. in Gazette.
f At a meeting of a number of gentlemen of the town of Newburgh, held at the Orange
Hotel, on the 18th of January, 1826, pursuant to previous notice, Thomas Powell was
chosen chairman, and Ward M. Gazlay, secretary.
After the meeting was called to order, the Hon. Jonathan Fisk addressed it in an able
speech demonstrating the propriety and expediency of the state road terminating at this
place. Mr. Buggies and other gentlemen addressed the meeting on the same subject, and
after some consultation, it was resolved: That a committee of five, consisting of David
Buggies, Selah Beeve, Jonathan Fisk, Ward M. Gazlay, and Thomas Phillips, Jr., be
appointed to take charge of the interests of this place in relation to the state road.—Index,
Jan. 20,1826.192
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
in favor of Catskill. The bill authorizing the making of the road,
however, was defeated in the legislature in March, 1826.
The effect on the prosperity of Newburgh of the construction of
the Erie canal, and the opening of other new routes of travel to the
west, is shown in the census returns, whieh exhibit a reduction in the
average increase in population to six hundred and twelve during the
decade ending with 1830. Notwithstanding this loss, a large trade
still remained with the south-eastern counties of the state and the
north-eastern counties of New Jersey and Pennsylvania; but, like the
approaching trenches of a besieging army, the influence of internal
improvements was again felt—the Hudson and Delaware canal pene-
trated this district and bore off another source of Wealth upon which
much reliance had been placed. Efforts were made to repair the loss
thus sustained by the organization of a company for the purpose of
engaging in the whale fishery, and by endeavoring to secure the
establishment here of a government navy-yard. The former enter-
prise, however, met with limited success, and was abandoned; and
the latter failed to receive the attention desired at the hands of the
federal authorities.
The principal trade now remaining to the village was that drawn
from north-eastern New Jersey and from the nearer district embracing
the counties of Orange and Ulster; but this trade was rapidly increas-
ing and very valuable. The years 1834, ’35, ’36 and ’37 were marked
by more than usual business activity. Speaking of this period, the
Rev. James R. Wilson, in an address delivered before the Newburgh
Literary Association remarked: “ The average arrivals and departures
daily, estimated together, cannot fall much short of three hundred, or
eighty-four thousand in one season. The sections of country in the
interior, occupied by these travelers, are generally connected with
this village by some commercial ligament. Great numbers of them
transact much business here. From late estimates of the amount of
daily exports, from Newburgh, it would seem that in one season, they
cannot fall much below four and a half millions of dollars.”*
Perhaps no event of this period aroused so much local attention as
the organization of* the Highland Bank. At that time (1832-34,)
banks were chartered by the legislature, and were regarded as part
of the legitimate spoils of political parties—charters being given to
members of the party in power, who in turn apportioned the stock
among their associates. The charter of the Highland Bank was
* Records like the following frequently occur in the village papers from 1834 to 1840:
“ Yesterday, Water, street was blocked up with country teams for four or five hours, and
twice during the afternoon they were so jammed in that it was impossible to pass.’’—Tel-
egraph, Nov. 13,1834.
“ We learn that $300 per foot are offered for vacant lots on the new street (Front street),
extending north from the whale dock, in this village.”—Tel., Nov. 5, 1836.BUSINESS REVIEW.
193
measurably within the limits of this rule, although the petitions for it
were based on an apparent local necessity for additional banking
capital. The Bank of Newburgh, established twenty years before,
and, with the exception of the Bank of Orange County at Goshen, the
only bank in the district, enjoyed a monopoly of the banking business
of a large section of country. Its stockholders were naturally oppo-
sed to an encroachment on the privileges which had been granted to
them, and did not hesitate to remonstrate—assuming that it was
amply able to supply all the legitimate commercial discounts that
were required; that no further banking capital was necessary, and
that the “ sole object of many of the petitioners was to obtain direc-
torships.”* But the petitioners were active and sent from New-
burgh, Glenham, Matteawan, Walden, Cornwall, and Monroe a formid-
able list of advocates. The bill was vigorously fought in the legisla-
ture—passed the assembly and was defeated in the senate (April,
1833). At the succeeding session the application was renewed by the
petition of two thousand persons. In the meantime the granting of
the charter was made a question in the choice of members of the
assembly. The democratic and the “ national republicans”f were
theii the parties of the day; but the introduction of the question of
rechartering the Bank of the United States changed the political
associations of many, among others that of Isaac E. Van Duzer, a
rising and somewhat distinguished politician of the county. After
having been twice returned to the assembly, he was dropped by
the democrats and immediately ‘taken up by the opposition. J A
close canvass succeeded. The town of Minnisink, which had given
Jackson 417 majority, followed Van Duzer’s lead and gave him 426.
Newburgh, on the other hand, which had only given Jackson a small
majority, cast 686 votes for Gilbert 0. Fowler and the democratic
ticket and only 260 for Van Duzer—a result which was due almost
entirely to the Highland Bank question, and which secured the return
to the legislature of Genl. Fowler, its principal advocate. With a
shrewdness quite common in later days, Fowler made the granting of
the charter a political privilege. Opposition thus became hopeless;
the Bank of Newburgh quietly withdrew an application which it had
made for an increase of capital, and ‘the charter passed the assembly
by a vote of 109 to 4, and the senate by 27 to 3. The institution was
soon successfully organized, and proved the necessity for its creation
in the demands for accommodation which it was enabled to supply to
the business of the place.
* Communication in Telegraph, Jan. 1882.
t The opposition to the democratic party assumed the name of “ whigs” in 1836.
t Hammond’s Political History of New York, ii. 435.
013194
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
The expansions and speculations which swept over the country in
1835-37, and in the origin of which, viewed from one stand-point, the
organization of the Highland Bank was an element, were not without
their influence on the village; real estate advanced to prices which, in
many instances, have not since that time been realized, and hundreds
of citizens found themselves4suddenly comparatively rich by a process
which they did not understand; but neither the business of the banks
nor of the village was materially speculative, and when the suspen-
sions of 1837 came on, they were little felt except, of course, in the
immediate channels of association with the universally depressed
trade and commerce of the nation, and in the locking up of banking
capital in suspended paper and extensions. In another form, the his-
tory of 1786 repeated itself: instead of loaning bills of credit, the
free banking law gave to individuals the power to convert their real
estate into active capital by its mortgage for bills of circulation, and
Mr. Thomas Powell and others associated under it and established, in
1838, the Powell Bank, which afforded relief to trade.
It was during this period that the construction of the New York
and Erie railroad was commenced, and the legislature was asked to
aid the project by a loan of the credit of the state. Previous to this
application, the citizens of Newburgh had secured a charter for a
road from the Hudson to the Delaware river, with a view to reach the
coal beds of Pennsylvania; but this charter had been permitted to
become void. When the loan was proposed, an effort was made to
connect the Delaware and Hudson road with the Erie, and thus give
to Newburgh the eastern terminus. Through local jealousies and
bickerings between the leading capitalists of Newburgh and of
Goshen, in regard to the route which should be given to the road,
Newburgh lost the prize which her people hoped to grasp.* The
road to the Delaware, however, was rechartered, and a portion of the
route was graded.
Under the financial revulsions of 1837, work was suspended on both
the Erie and the Delaware; but on the former it was soon resumed
and the road completed from Piermont to Goshen. The effect of the
opening of this section was even more disastrous to Newburgh than
had been anticipated. The census returns, which, for the decade
ending with the year 1840, had exhibited an increase in population of
twenty-five hundred and nine, gave only sixty-eight as the increase
* They have a tradition in Goshen that Mr. Thomas Powell insisted that the road should
come to Newburgh without passing through Goshen; that Genl. Wickham held that it
should pass through Goshen and should not come to Newburgh ; that Mr. Powell refused
to compromise, and that Genl. Wickham carried his point through the aid of William H.
Seward. For the truth of the tradition we do not vouch; the Piermont and Goshen
route was certainly adopted—the Piermont terminus most unwisely; a result that might
perhaps have been averted had the people of the county acted in harmony.BtfSIKESS REVIEW.
195
for the five years ending with 1845. Real estate fell off one half in
value, and depression pervaded all branches of business.*
At this time difficulties arose in the prosecution of the work on the
Erie road, and fresh efforts were made to secure to Newburgh some
of the advantages of its construction. This was accomplished by
an agreement on the part of the Erie company—confirmed by an act
of the legislature releasing the company from its liabilities to the
state—to construct a branch road to Newburgh. This road was com-
pleted in 1849, and, with the Erie, was the beginning of the .railroad
system which now so completely bisects and intersects the county—
literally covering it with a net-work of iron rails—the second link in
which was the Warwick Branch road, a feeder of the Erie and of
the Newburgh Branch; the third, the Montgomery and Erie, con-
necting with the latter at Goshen; the fourth, the Pine Island and
Erie, connecting at Goshen; the fifth, the Newburgh,and New York,
(Short-cut), connecting with the Erie in Monroe; the sixth, the Wall-
kill Valley, connecting with the Montgomery and Erie; the seventh,
the Unionville Branch, connecting at Middletown ; the eighth, the
Crawford and Erie, connecting at Middletown; the ninth, the Oswego
Midland, connecting at Middletown; the tenth, the Monticello and Port
Jervis, connecting at Port Jervis; and the eleventh, the N. J. Midland,
sweeping the south-west border of the county. With the exception of
the Warwick and the Short-cut, this system, while affording unsur-
passed facilities for intercourse between most of the towns of the
county, has been detrimental to the business of Newburgh—the Wall-
kill Valley and the Crawford roads especially so, the former repeating,
with reference to the .trade of southern Ulster and a portion of east-
ern Orange, the experience of the Erie with that of western districts.
While to some extent this loss has been replaced from other sources,
the ancient trade of the place has as certainly ceased forever as has
the ancient mode of transit. The lines of farmers’ wagons and their
stores of butter and pork, have alike entered the domain of history.
Without the financial ability to so control the enterprise of other
communities as to render the modern avenues of communication which
they have constructed tributary to the interests of Newburgh, the
capitalists and business men of the place have made a bold struggle
for years against the combinations which have threatened its over-
throw. At each successive stag’e of the changes growing out of the
general development of the country, successive generations have met
the requirements which have been laid upon them. The labor, the
* Mr. Eager, writing at this period, remarks: “Such were the deadening influences of
the construction of this road, for a few years, that it prostrated the business of the place.
Houses were tenantless, men shut up their shops ana removed to more favorable locali-
ties, and the whole trade of the mechanic arts stood still.”196
HIS TOR T OF NEWB TJRGH.
liberality, and the capital which was necessary in 1801, to carry the
Cochecton turnpike to completion, was, considering the comparative
value of capital and labor, equal to that involved in the construction
of any railroad in the county. But it was not the only undertaking
of that character: its capital of $126,000, was followed by a capital
of $5,000 in the New Windsor turnpike, $90,000 in the Newburgh
and Ulster turnpike, $35,000 in the Newburgh and Sullivan turnpike,
$14,000 in the Newburgh and Plattekill turnpike, and $14,000 in the
Snake-hill turnpike—making a total of $284,000 expended for roads
prior to 1820. This sum was, of course, shared to some extent by
residents along the lines of the roads, but the greater part was drawn
from Newburgh. The expenditure on the abandoned Delaware rail-
road was undertaken single-handed; and was followed by a subscrip-
tion to the construction of the Erie Branch of one-third its cost, and
an additional sum of $145,000 by loan or endorsements. Scarce had
this requirement been met when the construction of plank-roads to
Ellenville and to Shawangunk were undertaken, involving an expen-
diture of about $150,000; and further capital was drawn out for the
Warwick Branch and for the Duchess and Columbia railroad. On all
this expenditure but a single bonded debt ($10,000) remains. The
wonder is not that so little, but that so much has been done; that in
the struggles of half a century the place has not been remanded to
the comparative desolation which has overtaken other communities,
rather than to have maintained a certain and substantial growth.
Sharing to some extent in the ventures which were* followed by the
panic of 1857, the business of the village was more or less affected
by the revulsions of that period; but this was due to outside associa-
tions, rather than to local causes, and though for a time the embar-
rassment of a single firm, largely interested in several commercial
and mechanical enterprises, threatened general disaster, that result
was happily averted. A single wreck, if such it may be called, of
any considerable magnitude, was thrown upon the shore—the Powell
Bank—not because of its insolvency, but through the necessity of
employing its capital in other channels, a change which was effected
without loss to the public. The general business of the village soon
resumed its activity, and the decade closed with prosperity.
The local incidents of the succeeding decade, embracing principally
the war of the rebellion, have their record in the publications of the
times, and need not be repeated. For over four years, in the going
hence and in the return of volunteers,
“In the town—through every street,
Tramp, tramp, went the feet;”
every church-spire became a staff from which floated the national flag,WAR OF THE REBELLION.
197
and every pulpit its forum; the duties, the anxieties which the conflict
imposed entered into the daily life of the community. In their con-
tributions to the prosecution of the war, it cannot be said that the
people of Newburgh faltered in sustaining the constitutional govern-
ment. Growing out of political issues which had divided parties in
some degree for half a century, the discussion of the questions which
the war evolved was more or less tinged with political associations
during its entire progress, and many men were prejudiced or ex-
alted at the behest of factions; but the underlying sentiment of the
great mass of the community was with the government. Before
the drums of the conflict had begun the call for volunteers, the first
company of men in the subsequent forces of the state was in organi-
zation,* and in rapid succession other organizations followed, anticipa-
ting or redeeming the fullest requirement of the national and state
authorities. Briefly recapitulated,*!'these organizations were: 1. Com-
pany B, 3d regiment, recruited in March and April, 1861; 2. Company
B, 36th regiment, recruited in May and June, 1861; 3. Company I,
list regiment militia, recruited principally from company L, 19th
regiment; 4. Companies A and B, and parts of C, D, and G, 56th regi-
ment, recruited between July and October, 1861; 5. The Seventh
Independent Battery, in part, recruited with 56th regiment; 6. Com-
panies D, E, F, I and L, 19th regiment militia; miscellaneous enlist-
ments, prior to July, 1862, one hundred and eleven. Under the calls
of July and August, 1862, 410 men were required from the town, and
501 furnished, 211 of whom were enrolled in the 124th, and 166 in
the 168th regiment. The call of July, 1863, required 443 men, of
whom 90 were furnished; but it was merged in the calls of October,
1863, and of February, March, and July, 1864, requiring 156—num-
ber furnished, 821, of whom 11 were not credited. The total of
enlistments (including reenlistments) was 2250—the total of men
required 1226. The public subscriptions and loans of the town (in-
cluding at that time the village), for the promotion of enlistments and
for bounties, were: 1861, by individual subscriptions $1,385, bonds of
the village $5,000; 1862, individual subscriptions $11,512; 1864, town
bonds $115,100—total, $204,991. In addition to this sum, the town
expended for special relief (1863-?4), $1,015.50; expended by aid
* The following is a copy of the first recruiting handbill issued in Newburgh. The vol-
unteers enlisted under it were included in Co. B, 3d regiment, Capt. S. W. Fullerton, Jr.
“ To Aravrs J To Arms ! A recruiting officejias been opened at the office of Fullerton $
Van Wyck,-corner Second and Water streets, Newburgh, for the purpose of enlisting a
company of Volunteers, in pursuance of the provisions of the act passed April 16,1861,
entitled"* ‘An Act to authorize the equipment of a Volunteer Militia and to provide for the
public defense.” Two hundred able-bodied men wanted, who will be armed, equipped
and paid by the state.	JAMES A. RANEY, Recruiting Officer.”
Dated April 17,1861.
t Details are reserved for a subsequent chapter, not only in regard to military organi-
zations but other matters connected with the war.198
HISTORY OP YEWRURGH.
society and in contributions to the Christian Commission, $12,881.81
raising the total to $218,459.81, and the further sum of $821,820* for
special income and internal revenue taxes to January 1, 1865—a
grand total of $539,119.81.
The sacrifices imposed on the town by the war were not without
their compensations. The depressions in business incident to the
suspensions of trade and the derangements of mechanical and com-
mercial enterprise, were succeeded by activity in the channels which
the war developed; speculation became rife; the prices of real estate
and the compensation of labor were greatly enhanced; the expan-
sions or inflations of the times, illegitimate and unsubstantial though
they may have been, marked their career in monuments of substantial
progress. Born of the impulses of the new era, the village passed
(April 22,1865,) to incorporation as the City of Newburgh, and elected
its first mayor and a common council; a visible police was estab-
lished ; the streets were given location and bounds by commissioners
for that purpose; the facilities for public education were multiplied;
the abodes of mechanics and artisans were made to vie with those of
the wealthy of preceding generations; the homes of the wealthy to
emulate the palaces of Europe. Perhaps many of these results were
in advance of the necessities of the day and inflicted subsequent detri-
mental burdens on the community; nevertheless were they the out-
growth of the war.
Old things have indeed'passed away, and all things have become
new. The old Bank of Newburgh, and the building immediately
opposite, are the only structures that remain of those which graced
Water street half a century ago. One by one, by removal or by
fire, the wooden buildings of the Orange Hotel block, and those on
the same side of the street as far as the old stand of Joseph Hoffman,
which was the last to fall before the march of improvement^ gave
place to those of the present; while fire swept off the stores on the
east side from Third street south to the middle of the block, and from
First street north to the brick building south of the Highland Bank.J
Reviewing these changes in general terms, it may be remarked that
the vicinity of Colden’s gore was the original business center of the
city; and when the Bank of Newburgh was chartered, an effort to
* Partly estimated. The totals in some other instances are less than the actual amounts.
f That venerable old wooden building, on the corner of Water and Second streets, with
its humble front and moss-covered roof—its sign of a sheaf of wheat, denoting its occu-
pant as one who furnishes the staff of life—has been knocked into rubbish under the
impulse of improvement. After having served nearly half a century as a place of
business to that patriarch among our citizens, Joseph Hoffman, it has had to move the
way of many sublunary things, to make room for a more costly and elegant specimen of
art. Workmen are now employed in laying the foundation of a substantial brick edifice
on a spot which so long sustained the old yellow wooden building and around which were
clustered so many associations connected with the history of Newburgh.—Tel. July 15,1841
^ The account of these and other fires will be given in a subsequent chapter.GENERAL SUMMARY.	199
locate the banking house there, was only defeated by a majority of
one vote in the board of directors. In 1812, the stores on the west
side of the gore were erected and were occupied—counting from
First street north—the first by James Denniston, the second by Selah
Reeve, the third by Lott & Chambers, the fourth by John Anderson,
Jr., the fifth by Samuel Williams,* and the sixth by William H. Smith,
beyond which came the old stand of James W. Miller. On the oppo-
site side of the street was the brick store of Jacob Carpenter, then
occupied A. Gourlay & Co.,f now the corner of Water and Carpenter
streets, and beyond this, on the corner of the old road to Gardner's
dock, was the brick store of Chauncey Griswold, while at the head
of the gore stood the old Colden house. Water street was then ex-
tended south, and the Colden house falling partly within its line, was
WATER STREET FROM COLDEN’S GORE—1859.
removed; and about the same time the old road to Colden's dock
was closed, and First street opened. Soon after, John D. Lawson
erected, on the north-east corner of First street, a block of wooden
buildings, which were destroyed by fire and were succeeded by the
ware-house of Daniel Farrington and other stores. These buildings
* American Manufactured Goods.—The subscriber respectfully informs the public
that he has opened a store in Colden street, where he has a general assortment of Cotton
Goods, which he will sell at the factory prices for cash or approved credit—among which
are, Bed ticking, Ginghams, Stripes of‘different kinds, &c. Nitting, twist and colored Yarn
from No. 5 to 40, a general assortment of European, East and West India goods, which he
will sell on advantageous terms to the purchaser.	S. WILLIAMS.
Newburgh, June, 1812.—Adv. in Political Index.
t A. Gourlay & Co., have removed to Capt. Jacob Carpenter’s brick store, in Water
street, where they are now opening a very general assortment of Dry Goods.—Adv,200
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
were also destroyed by fire, and the present block took their place.
About 1835, the Colonnade Row was erected by Col. James Denniston,
and the banking house of the Highland Bank by John Ledyard. fThe
fine building adjoining the Highland Bank on the south was erected
by John Flanagan. The buildings on the east side of Water street,
south of Third, were erected by Messrs. Reeve & Falls, John Lawson,
John Jamison, John Clugston, and Samuel G. Sueden, and the block
was completed in its present form by Benjamin Tyler. On the west
side of Water street, between Second and Third, the first brick house
was built by John Brown, an Irish refugee of the rebellion of 1798,
and was subsequently occupied by his sons, John and James S.
Brown; the buildings from thence north to Third street, including the
old store of John McAuley, gave place to the present structures,
erected by William Walsh, C. A. Jones, and others. On the east side
of the street, the Messrs. Crawford erected, in 1827, the buildings now
standing on the north-east corner of Third street, the upper part of
the second of which was occupied as part of the Mansion House
adjoining on the north; the brownstone front was erected by A. K.
Chandler on the site of a portion of the original Mansion House.*
The succeeding brick stores were erected by Fli Hasbrouck, John
Farnam (1832), and William L. Smith; John P. DeWint filled up the
street leading to his wharf with the building, now 102 Water street;
the old Farmer’s Hotel of Benjamin Case, corner of Water and Fourth,
gave place to the present structure erected by Cornelius C. Smith. On
the opposite side of the street, John P. DeWint erected the buildings
between the Orange Hotel and the Bank , of Newburgh, in place of
the wooden block destroyed by fire in 1837; Jacob and Sebring
Fowler erected the Fowler drug store, and Gardiner’s old Newburgh
Coffee House f gave place to the more substantial structure on the
corner. Between Fourth and South streets, on the west side, there
was but one brick house as late as 1837; that was owned and occu-
pied by John D. Lawson. A blacksmith shop succeeded; a stone-
* The Mansion House was erected by Hugh Walsh (ante p. 181) about 1798. It was one
of four buildings erected by him, the second being now No. 100 Water street, the third
that on the north-west corner of Water and Fifth street, and one on Western Avenue.
They were all of the hipped-roof style of architecture. The Mansion House is now rep-
resented by Nos. 86 and 88 Water street. Its original bar-room is now No. 84. Its use as
a hotel was discontinued in 1834, when it Was offered at auction sale, as appears from the
following notice in the Telegraph in March of that year: “ Col. David Crawford offered at
auction sale, Jan. 29th, 1834, three lots on Water street, 17x75 feet (the old Mansion House
property). The north lot brought $4,900, the next $4,525; the sale of the third was stop-
ped, the owner regarding the price too low.”
f An advertisement in the Rights of Man, Jan. 6, 1800, offering this property for sale,
supplies the following description of it and its surroundings at that time: “An elegant
well built three story house, and another adjoining it, known by the name of the New-
burgh Coffee-room and Coffee-house; also, a commodious kitchen round the corner, a
good well of water with a pump before the front door. Said houses are situated on the
corner of Water street and Fourth street, opposite to the public ferry.” There were no
buildings on the opposite side of the street, and the river flowed over Front street.GENERAL SUMMARY.
201
yard, and the residences of Uriah Lockwood and Mr. Purdy, the
latter on the corner of Water and Fifth; two or three frame buildings
came next, and the barn of David M. DuBois, and a high garden
wall filled out the corner of Water and South. The present struc-
tures were placed there by Jacob Brown, who also erected the block
on the opposite side of the street; from whence south to Fifth no
material change has been made for years. The building on the south-
east corner of Fifth and Water is a modern structure, and soon after
its erection the upper part was finished for a lodge room, at very con-
siderable expense, by Orange County Lodge, I. 0. of 0. F. An old
wagon-wright’s shop adjoining was removed soon after by Edward
Wait; James McCann’s hotel is now a store; Robert Gardiner’s con-
fectionery remains; the north-west corner of Fourth and Water was
the residence of William Seymour.
Front street was opened in 1833, and was mainly the river front
filled in except where covered by docks, which, by its construction,
were extended to the east side. Prior to that time the extensive
brewery of Law, Beveridge & Co. had been erected on the river
side; the Messrs. Crawford erected their large store-house in 1828,*
and a similar building was put up by Benjamin Carpenter in 1829.
The latter is now included in the store-house of Homer Ramsdell &
Co., and the former was destroyed by fire in 1873. In 1833, Isaac R.
Carpenter commenced the erection of the United States Hotel and the
construction of the long wharf;f the latter was graced with a pas-
senger house and the most famous bell on the river. Previous to that
time the landing was near the east line of Front street; it was here
that the Chief-justice Marshall horrified the town by the explosion of
her steam-chest. South of First street was the old Colden,-Denton,-
Gardner,-Powell store-house and wharf, the birthplace of the steamers
Highlander and Thomas Powell, whose reputations have been pre-
served, while those of the Baltimore, the Legislator, the Providence,
the William Young, the James Madison, the Superior and the Wash-
ington, have passed away with the purpose which they filled. The
original store-house was destroyed by fire; its successor was removed
* “Among the improvements of the present season, we ought not to forget the substan-
tial and commodious ware-house erected by the Messrs. Crawford, as it seems to indicate
that the increase of business in the village requires extended accommodations.”—Index,
Oct. 18,1828.
f “The improvements on the Ferry Wharf are on the most extensive, and, we might
almost term it, magnificent scale. This wharf is being constructed by Col. I. R. Carpen-
ter, and is to be extended to the utmost limits warranted by the State grant of the land
under water, that is to say five hundred feet from high water mark. Its increased breadth
at the outer extremity, one hundred feet, will add much to the convenience and safety of
passengers going on board, or landing from the steamboats; while the splendid new hotel
which Col. C. is also erecting at the junction of the wharf with the main land, will not
only offer a noble object to all who pass the village on the river, but will be of essential
comfort to persons waiting for steamboats, or whose business confines them to the water’s
side.”202
HISTORY OF NRWRURGE.
and incorporated with that, of Carpenter’s in the establishment now
of Homer Ramsdell & Co. South of the Powell wharf was that of
the Newburgh Whaling Company, whose massive store-house in the
rear on Water street is now a brewery. Adjoining the latter the
river front was unoccupied except by a single fisherman’s dwelling
and reels; then came the docking venture of John W. Wells; then
the large brick house (destroyed by fire a few years ago) known as
the Bath Hotel, built by Thomas Colden as a resort for invalids in
quest of the pure air north of the Highlands; then the old “Red
Store-house,” on a wharf in part constructed by Jonathan Hasbrouck
SOUTH-EAST VIEW OF NEWBURGH—1833.
prior to the war of the Revolution, and at which the barges of Genl.
Washington were moored while he occupied the Hasbrouck house;
and finally the brewery of James Renwick, on the Bigler wharf, whose
proprietor founded there a small city, with a church and a few dwell-
ings, and an innumerable number of lots and streets now mainly
traced in legal records. Neither Western Avfenue nor Colden street
were opened through until after the commencement of the present
century. The former was first occupied by the Cochecton Turnpike
Company, who cut a road-bed four rods wide through the bluff west
of Colden street. This cut was long known as the “dug-way,” and
the plateau on either side was unoccupied until the Carpenter foundry
was erected on the corner of Grand street. A frame hotel and stable
occupied the corner on Colden street for nearly half a century, and on
the opposite side of the avenue was a steam grist mill and a black-
smith shop. Near the north end of Colden street was the rude stone
tavern kept by Thomas Gardner—a building as old as head-quarters,
and the birthplace of Genl. Gardner of the Confederate service in com-
mand at Port Hudson in the war of the rebellion. None of the busi-GENERAL SUMMARY.
203
ness streets of the city have been more improved, during the past
twenty-five years, unless it be Front street.
But without further specification, the assertion is justified, that the
resident of even forty years ago would now fail to recognize Front
street, Water street, or Colden street, except by a few ancient land-
marks whose proprietors have not responded to the spirit of change;
the plain old farmer with his Jersey wagon loaded with pork or butter,
long since lost to trade, would himself be lost in the magnitude of
the single freighting establishment which has taken the place of its
progenitors; the lad who cast his fortunes on the Pacific in 1847,
and carried with him visions of the orchards and open lands west of
Liberty street, would find, in the new streets and the many dwellings
which to-day sweep from north to south, and shut out the sun from
his old play-ground, no realization of the pictures on the walls of his
memory.
For the beauty of its private residences, the city had not a high
reputation fifty years ago, thoug’h perhaps its standard was quite
up to the requirements of the age. The Ruggles house, in Wash-
ington Place, and the residences adjoining on the north, were, when
erected, regarded as the most elegant, and views from the former
found their way into the sketch-books of the times. Then came the
Storms house (late Edward R. Johnes, south of the iron-works), and
the residences of William Roe and David Crawford on Montgomery
street; Francis Crawford (now Harvey Weed); John W. Knevels,
north of the Washington street school-house; Daniel Rogers,* be-
tween High and Grand streets, and Benjamin Carpenter adjoining,
and those of Isaac R. Carpenter, Odell S. Hathaway, John W. Brown,
and Frederick J. Betts (at Balmville). Now, charming cottages and
sumptuous villas are to be seen in every direction, and year by year
the hills and plateaus in the city and vicinity are more and more
crowded with the abodes of wealth, not only of modern structure but
those whose walls have been rebuilt and enlarged—among the latter,
the former residence of Jacob and Thomas Powell, now of Homer
Ramsdell; that of Samuel Downing, now of William W. Carson, and
that of William Leach, now of S. R. Van Duzer, the latter mainly the
result of the skill of the late Dr. Hull. While on Water street may
be readily detected the prevailing architecture of places of business
at different periods—the building on the corner of Water and Second
streets representing the earliest,—on Grand, Liberty, and indeed on
almost all of the upper streets may be seen that of residences, the
head-quarters house representing the earliest. More creditable to the
* The residence of Daniel Rogers, the two Crawford mansions, and that of James S.
Brown, were erected about and prior to 1834.204
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
city are those of the later period, from the fact that they are a per-
petual tribute to the memory of Andrew J. Downing, who, born amid
the scenes which have been so briefly sketched, grafted his pure and
artistic perceptions not only upon the community in which he lived,
but upon the nation.
In the architecture and appointment of its churches, its schools,
and its public buildings, improvement is every where apparent in the
city. The years are but few since it could with truth be written: “ In
Newburgh are many very ugly places of worship; and as the city
rises abruptly from the river, their ungainly proportions are, of
course, prominent in every directionbut it can be written with
truth no longer, for since it was penned (1857), not less than $250,000
have been expended by different denominations in the building and in
the improvement of church edifices. Perhaps in no class of buildings
is the change more marked, unless it be in those which have been
erected for free schools.
Not the least in the evidences of progress are the dispositions
which have from time to time been made of the Glebe. Covering
nearly one-half of the territory of the city, it has necessarily entered
into much of its history. Each half-century has brought its changes.
Under the act of April 10, 1855, by which persons holding its lands
by lease were enabled to obtain titles in fee simple, by the payment
of such sums of money as would yield an annual interest equal to
the annual rent, a very considerable portion of the tract has been
converted into fee simple titles. The annual income, which, until
1869, was expended yearly in the support of schools, has, since that
time, been funded to establish an income upon which to found a
School of Design, an object which, when accomplished, will indeed be
a monument to the ancient bequest, from which will flow, if not the
temples and the mighty works of ancient Rome, generations of
mechanics converted by its instrumentality into thinkers as well as
practical workers.
KillllHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
NEWBURGH FROM THE NORTH-EAST.LOCALITIES.
205
CHAPTER X.
LOCALITIES—CENSUS RETURNS--SUPPORT OF POOR^—TURNPIKES AND PLANK-
ROADS--RAILROAD ENTERPRISES-BANKING INSTITUTIONS-
INTRODUCTION OF WATER--STOCK COMPANIES, ETC.
LOCALITIES.	*
THE town of Newburgh is in the extreme north-eastern part of
the county. It has a river front of seven miles, and extends
westward from eight to eleven miles. It is about sixty miles in a
northerly direction from New York, eighty-three miles south of
Albany, fifty miles east of the Delaware river, one hundred and
twenty miles from the head of Cayuga lake, and two hundred and
fifty miles from lake Erie in a straight line. It contains 26,870 acres
of land, and had, iii 1875, a population of 3,543. The surface of the
town is stony, and is broken into high hills which run north-east and
south-west. The soil is composed of deposits of clay, sand and loam,
and, along the river, is warm, productive and well cultivated. In the
western part of the town the soil is not so deep and warm, and re-
quires more laborious culture. The rock formations are principally
slate and lime.
The city of Newburgh lies in the south-east part of the original
town of Newburgh. It contains 1,570 acres of land, and has a popu-
lation of 17,433. It has a river front of about two miles. Its harbor
is the best on the Hudson, extending (including the frontage of the
town) a distance of about eight miles, with a width from one mile to
one mile and a quarter, and a depth of from five to seven fathoms,
and is protected from storms by ranges of mountains which, extend-
ing from the river in a northerly and westerly direction, describe
nearly a semi-circle.
The city and the town are alike remarkable for their healthfulness
of climate, and for the variety and beauty of their natural scenery.
As has been already stated, the city was originally settled by German
Palatinates; the town by English emigrants from the eastern prov-
inces and from the county of Westchester. The character of the
population of the former was gradually changed, and that of the
latter became divided into English, Scotch, and Irish nationalities.
The site of the city was first called by the Algonquin title Quassaick,206
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
from the root terms qussuh signifying stone or rock, and ick—literally,
stony land. The present name was first applied by Alexander Golden
in 1743, and is from Newburgh, a town in Scotland, on the river Tay,
whic^ it resembles in many of its physical features.*
Balmville.-—A small collection of houses two miles north of the
city of Newburgh, and named from a large tree growing there com-
monly called Balm of Gilead, which is remarkable for the strong bal-
samic scent of its leaves and buds.f The place was part of the
original German patent; was formerly called Hampton, and was one
of the commercial centers of the town as early as 1767.J In later
times, the freighting business was conducted here by Daniel Smith,
and subsequently by the Messrs. Butterworth. The village has a
district school, a burying ground, and one or two shops. In the
vicinity are several fine country seats. §
Middlehope.—A small hamlet four miles north of the city of New-
burgh, and formerly called Middletown because half-way between
Newburgh and Marlborough. It has a post-office and a store; a Meth-
odist and a Presbyterian church; a district school, and a cemetery
under the title of “ Highland Cemetery,” owned by an association
organized under the general statute of the state. After the estab-
lishment of a post-office here, considerable difficulty arose out of the
fact that there was another of the same name in the county ; and,
at the suggestion of the Postmaster General, a meeting of the resi-
dents in the neighborhood was held for the purpose of changing’ the
title. At this meeting, several names were proposed and rejected,
until finally the late Mr. James P. Brown, recollecting that there was
a village in Scotland, the land of his' birth, by the name of Hopeton,
proposed that of Middlehope, which was adopted.
The Dans Kamer.—“De DuyfeFs Dans Kamer !” (the Devil’s Dance
Chamber), so the point of land forming the north-western head of
Newburgh bay was described by some Dutch skipper more than two
centuries ago. It has ever since borne the title of The Dans Kamer.
The first notice of it occurs in the journal of DeVries, under date of
April 26th, 1640; and as DeLaet, in his very minute description of
the river, written in 1624, makes no mention of it, the name must
have originated between 1624 and 1640. An explanation of the
origin of the name is found in certain religious rites of the Indians,
which were often performed here. These rites consisted in the wor-
* See ante p. 105,110,126, 127. Also, Harper’s Gazetteer. The first application of the
present name was by Alexander Colden to that portion of the patent owned by him, and
which was long known as the “ Old Town of Newburgh Plot.” It was next applied to
the parish (1752), then to the precinct (1763), then to the town (1788), to the village at
its incorporation (1800), and retained in the,title of the city.
f Ante p. 182. Also, Eager’s Orange County, p. 199.	$ Ante p. 181.	§ Ante p. 203.LOCALITIES.
207
ship of their God Bachtamo, and was denominated “devil worship,”
by the Dutch. For the celebration of this worship, the Indians held
meetings prior to starting on expeditions of hunting, fishing, or war,
to ascertain whether they would be successful or not. “'At these
the Esopus Indians, in 1663.* The spot was dedicated to this rude
worship, and was so occupied for perhaps a hundred years after the
discovery of the Hudson. In point of fact, there were two dance
chambers—the first being the rocky point which juts out into the
river, called in the original deed, “the little dans kamer;” and the
second, the plateau occupied by the Armstrong residence, which is
specified in the same instrument as “ the large dans kamer.” The
little dans kamer has a level surface of perhaps half an acre, and is
separated from the main land by a marsh over which the water flows
at times, while the large dans kamer embraces a plot of ten acres.
Hampton.—This name was given by William Acker, son of Wolvert
Acker, to the farm of his father, now the residence of Mr. Alexander
Young, and is said to mean, “ a house or farm on a hill.” It is in the
extreme north-eastern part of the town, and has a landing* on the
Hudson, from which Wolvert Acker established a ferry (known as
Acker’s Ferry) soon after the Revolution.
Fostertown—Is a hamlet about four miles north-west from the city.
* Documentary History of New York. The dances were discontinued under an order
of the English government.
meetings,” says a paper de-
scribing the natives of New
Netherland, written in 1611,
“conjurors act a wonderful
part. These tumble, with
strange contortions, head
over heels; beat themselves,
leap with a h i d e o u s noise
through and around a large
fire. Finally they all raise
a tremendous caterwauling,
when the devil appears (they
say) in the shape of a raven-
ous or a harmless animal—
INDIAN DEVIL-WORSHIP.
i .the first betokens something
1 bad, the second something
t good.” Lieut. Couwenhoven
witnessed an exhibition of
this character at the Bans
Kamer, during the war with208
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
The patent on which it is located was first settled in 1768, by John
Foster, William Foster, Richard Ward and John Griggs.* The lands
of John Foster were sold by him to James Innis, the father of William
Innis; and the place owned by William Foster is now or lately occu-
pied by David Wyatt. The descendants of Richard Ward and John
Griggs continue to hold the lands of their fathers. The Fostertown M.
E. Church is in this neighborhood. There is also a district school.
Rossville.—This is the name of a section of the town about six
miles north-west of the city of Newburgh, and was originally covered
by the Wallace patent. As previously stated, this patent was pur-
chased by Joseph Penny, who sold about two hundred acres to Robert
Ross, and divided the remainder among his sons. Mr. Ross is said
to have been the first to settle on the patent,
where he established a tannery. As early, proba-
bly, as 1770, he built a substantial stone house,
which is still standing and forms a part of the
residence of John L. Aderton, who now owns the
place. The sons of Robert Ross—Alexander and
William—subsequently attained distinction in the town, and their
birthplace was called Rossville. There is a M. E. Church here, a
district school, and a post-office and store. The post-office address is
Savill, a name of no local significance; it was bestowed by the late
Chauncey F. Belknap in honor of his son, Savill.f
Luptondale—Is a district and not a hamlet. It lies in the north-
west part of the town, about seven miles from the city, and is not
unfrequently called “ Quaker street.” Mr. Birdsall, who bestowed the
name, states: “They called the road west of the lake Rocky Forest,
the name given to it by Mr. Kipp, and I gave this road the name of
Luptondale in honor of William Lupton, who owned this part of the
old patent.”’
Rocky Forest.—This district embraces the western part of the pat-
ent to Jacobus. Kipp and Company. Orange lake adjoins it on the
east, arid from its elevation the views from many of its dwellings are
unsurpassed in extent and variety. The name was conferred from
the physical features of a portion of the district, which was origin-
ally and emphatically a rocky forest. Henry W. Kipp, son of Jaco-
* Ante p. 132.
f The name and the post-office had their origin in Mr. Belknap’s office. The circum-
stances were these: An old gentleman from Rossville called at Mr. Belknap’s office, and in
conversation on neighborhood matters, Mr. B. jokingly asked him why they did not have a
post-office there ? The gentleman replied he did not suppose one could be obtained.
“Nothing easier,” said Mr. B., and turning to his desk he drew up $ petition, which was
signed by himself and Mr. Thomas George and forwarded to Washington, expecting that
that would be the last of it. The Department, however, regarded the application as
having been made in good faith, and established the office and appointed a postmaster.LOCALITIES.
209
bus, was the first settler here,* and continued his residence as late as
1778, when he was enrolled as an exempt for military tax.
Gardnertown—Is a small settlement four miles north-west of the
city of'Newburgh, so called from Silas Gardner, one of the first
settlers. There is a neat M. E. Church here, also a store or tavern,
a district school, and one or two shops. A short
distance south of the church, stands the old resi-
dence of the original proprietor—a massive stone
structure of a style of architecture quite preva-
lent a century or so ago. In the same vicinity
the Gardner house, is the mill owned for many years by David Bond,
but originally established by Gardner.
Gidneytown.—The settlement known as Gidneytown originally em-
braced the patent to John Spratt, which was purchased about the year
1760 by Eleazer Gidney, whose four sons, Joseph, Daniel, David, and
Eleazer, about that time settled upon it. A part of the original pur-
chase remains in the possession of the family.
DuBois’ Mills.—The water power of the Quassaick creek was first
applied to practical use at the place long known as DuBois’ Mills,
about one mile and a half west of its confluence with the Hudson.
Alexander Golden erected a mill here as early, probably, as 1743.—
This mill was one of the oldest, if not the first built, in this region.
Colden sold it, and parts
of lots No. 1 and No. 2 of
the German patent, to
Jonathan Ilasbrouck by
deed dated May 3, 1753. f
It remained in the posses-
sion of the Hasbroucks
until after the Devolution,
and during the war was
frequently occupied by the
militia when called out on
alarms. The Hasbroucks
Dubois’ mills.	. sold it to a Mr. Van Keu-
ren. From him it was bought by a Mr. Dickonson, who occupied
it in 1798. Subsequently it became the property of Genl. Nathaniel
DuBois, who erected in connection with it a saw mill and a fulling
mill. It remained in his hands upwards of forty years. After his
* Ante p. 131.
t The price paid by Hasbronck was $1050 for 100 acres, “ together with the grist mill
and the appurtenances thereof, the mill house, the mill dam and dams, also the bolting
chests or boxes, bolts, bolting cloths, wheat screens, and all other implements and uten-
sils.”— Ulster Record of Leeds, E. E., 501.
014210
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
death it was purchased by a Mr. Weygant, who sold it to James R.
Dickson. Mr. D. removed it (Oct. 1859), enlarged the water power
by a substantial stone dam, thus forming a lake covering some twenty-
nine acres, and erected a large brick flouring mill with six run of
stone. Messrs. Enoch Carter and Wm. B. Sanxay purchased from Mr.
Dickson, and conveyed the property (1871) to the Messrs. Chadwick,
who converted it into a bleachery of cotton cloths, and erected ad-
ditional buildings.
New Mills.—The second enterprise of this sort, in the vicinity of
DuBois’ Mills, was Abel Belknap’s (subsequently Daniel Niven’s) grist
mill, about a mile and a quarter west of the city, south of the Co-
chepton turnpike—now reconstructed and occupied as a woolen mill.
It was erected by Mr. Belknap some years prior to the Revolution,
and was continued by Mr. Niven until his death in 1820. The third,
was undertaken by Chancy, Joseph, Thomas, and Daniel Belknap,
under the firm of C. Belknap & Co., wTho erected, in 1802, a large
flouring mill, and constructed a canal—the first, probably, in the state
—to supply the water power. This mill soon came to be called
the “ New Mills,” and the name was extended to the hamlet which
grew up around it. At the time of its erection it was one of the
largest mills in the country; and, for several years, its proprietors
were the only Newburgh firm represented on ’change in New York.
It is said that when it was built there was but one dwelling—a log
house—between it and the then village, and a considerable portion of
what is now Western Avenue was still covered with heavy timber.
It Was purchased from the Belknaps by the late James Halstead, from
whom it passed to William H. Beede. It was destroyed by fire (Oct.
6,1846,) and a new mill was erected on its site, by Mr. Beede, in 1847.
Mr. James Ross is its present owner. The district is now known as
West Newburgh.—A fine school building, erected by the Board of
Education of the city, is located here; the Third (or Grace) M. E.
Church; a fire engine and house; the lime kilns of Messrs. W. R. & C.
L. Brown; several stores and manufacturing establishments, the latter
including two tanneries; and also a considerable number of improved
dwellings. The Highland Hat Works are a short distance west.
Powder Mills.—About four miles north-west of the city, in the town
of Newburgh, are the Powder Works of Lafflin & Rand. The mill
privilege here was originally occupied by Foster’s saw mill. It was
purchased by Asa Taylor in 1816, who erected mills for the manufac-
ture of powder. Mr. Daniel Rogers purchased the property in 1817,
improved the mills and converted them into over thirty substantial
stone structures. He continued the manufacture of gun-powder untilLOCALITIES.
211
1888. Mr. Rogers* sons subsequently conducted the works for a few
years. The present owners enlarged the works, which are now, as
they were under Mr. Rogers, among the most complete and extensive
in the country.
Belknap’s Ridge—Is about four miles west of the city. Its name
is in honor of the Belknap family, who purchased and settled here in
1749-’50. *
Coldenham—A name originally given by Governor Colden to his
settlement in the town of Montgomery, and still retained there; but
subsequently extended to the hamlet in the south-west part of the
town of Newburgh, about six miles from the city. The Coldenham
post-office is located here; there is also a hotel and one or two shops.
Orange Lake.—This body of water lies in the north-western part of
the town, and covers about four hundred acres. Its aboriginal name
was Qussuk, or stony pond, from the large number of boulders on its
western shore. The present name was conferred by the Rev. Dr.
James Wilson, who resided in its vicinity. It is fed by internal
springs, and by small streams which flow into it. Its outlet is the
Quassaick creek.f The principal fact of historical interest in con-
nection with it is the erection of a coinage mill, near its outlet, by
Capt. Thomas Machin, about the year 1787-88. Capt. Machin began
to build a grist and saw mill here in 1784, and gave the name of New
Grange to the place. In 1787, he formed a co-partnership with several
residents of the city of New York, for the purpose of coining money.
The firm was soon after incorporated with a similar company char-
tered by the state of Vermont, { and continued business for a few
years. The mill and the manner in which coins were manufactured,
* Ante p. 130.	t Ante p. 62.
^ On the 18th of April, 1787, Captain Machin formed a co-partnership with Samuel
Atlee, James F. Atlee, David Brooks, James Grier, and James Giles, all of New York.
The term specified for its continuance was seven years, with a capital of £300. The firm
seems to have been formed for the avowed purpose of coining copper, provided congress,
or any of the state legislatures, enacted a law allowing individuals to coin money. As the
object was to make money, a small capital was considered sufficient for the undertaking.
On the 7th of June following, that firm formed a co-partnership with one then existing,
which consisted of four partners—Reuben Harman, Esq., William Coley, of Bennington
county, Vermont, Elias Jackson, of Litchfield county, Connecticut, and Daniel Van Voor-
his, goldsmith, of the city of New York,—for a term of eight years from the first of the
following July, that being the limitation of an act of the legislature of Vermont to said
Harman, for the coinage of copper.
At Machin’s mills perhaps a thousand pounds of copper was manufactured, as appears
by his papers, in the year 1789; previous to which time little seems to have been done.
The business appears to have been discontinued in 1790, for in a letter from J. F. Atlee to
Mr. Machin, dated Vergennes, October 14, 1790, he expresses a wish that the concern
might arrive at a settlement on equitable terms, and compromise their matters without a
tedious and expensive law suit.”—Simms' History of Schoharie County, 596.
Capt. Machin died at Charleston/ Schoharie County, April 3d, 1816,, aged 72 years.
During the Revolution, he superintended the construction of the chain and other obstruc-
tions to the navigation of Hudson’s river, and rendered other important service. He
settled in Newburgh at the close of the war, and subsequently removed to Schoharie
county. 1 ‘ In the camp and in retirement, his qualifications were holden in very high con-
sideration.”212
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
were described by Thomas Machin, a son of the proprietor,.to Doct.
F. B. Hough, of Albany, who furnished the following particulars:
“ The coinage mill was from forty to fifty rods below the pond, on a canal dug for the
purpose. The building was of wood, thirty by forty feet, and two stories high. The
metal used was copper, obtained by melting up cannon and leaving out the zinc in -the
alloy. The copper was then run into moulds, and rolled into flat sheets of the thickness of
the coin and from one to two feet wide. It was then punched with a screw, moved by a
lever,, so adjusted that half a revolution would press out a disk of the size of the coin.
The blanks were then put into a cylinder and revolved with sand, saw-dust and water.
They were generally left revolving through the night; and the coiners circulated the story
that the devil came by night to work for them. They also sometimes worked in masks to
create a terror in the neighborhood. One night in the cylinder would wear the edges of
the blanks smooth. The coining press was a screw, with an iron bar about ten feet long
through the top. On each end of this bar was a leaden weight of perhaps five hundred
pounds. The threads of the screw were large and square and worked through an iron
frame. Ropes were attached to each end of the bar, and it was swung about half way
around by two inen pulling upon the ropes; two other men pulled the lever back, and a
fifth laid oh the blank and took off the coin with his fingers. The last operative named
sat in a pit so that the lever would not touch his head. The coinage was about sixty per
minute. A little silver was coined, but mostly copper, and the work was continued four
or five years. Atlee, the engraver wore a horrid mask, and frightened some boys who
came to fish so that they never ventured near the mill again. The machinery was removed
to New York, and the building was afterwards used as a grist mill. Machin abandoned
the enterprise probably about 1790,” on the adoption of the Federal constitution.
The coins of this mill are to be found in specimens of Vermont
currency of 1787, etc., and are probably those known as “Vermon
Auctori.” No coins of other states were issued, as operations were
conducted solely under the Vermont charter.
Quassaick Creek.—This stream is composed of the outlet of Orange
lake and of the Fostertown and Tent Stone Meadow creeks. Though
sometimes called Chambers’ creek, from the fact of its having been
the north bounds in part of the patent to Chambers and Sutherland,
its Indian name now prevails. Its water power is very durable and
has been largely employed from an early period. The question of the
right of the creek to be regarded as the natural outlet of the lake, was
made a subject of legal controversy in 1825, it being assumed by the
contestants that that outlet was a small stream further west; but this
assumption wras not sustained by the court.
Fostertown Creek.—This stream rises in Ulster county, flows
through Fostertown and Gidneytown and empties into the Quassaick
creek. At Gidneytown it takes the name of Gidneytown creek.
Tent Stone Meadow Creek.—This creek rises in a large swamp in
Ulster county, known many years ago as the Tent Stone Meadow. It
flows through Rossville and empties into the Quassaick at the Powder
mills. The name of the creek is given as recorded on a map of the
town made by W. W. Sackett, in 1798, now on record in the office of
the secretary of state, Albany.LOCALITIES.
218
Bushfield’s Creek.—This creek has its source in a swamp in the
town of Plattekill, known as the Stone Dam Meadow from the fact
that across the south end of the swamp is a stone dam about one hun-
dred and fifty yards long, three feet high, regularly built and now in
good preservation. Neither the period at which it was erected, nor
by whom it was built, are known.* The creek issues through a sluice
way in this dam and empties into Orange Lake. Its original name
was Beaver Dam creek—the present name was given in honor of
James Bushfield.
Denton’s Creek.—A small stream having its source west of Middle-
hope and flowing south and east to the Hudson south of Balmville.
It formerly furnished power for a lathe near the public highway, and
also for the grist mill of Neherniah Denton (from whom its name was
given), near its confluence with the Hudson.
Powellton Brook—Is the outlet of Powellton spring. It flows to
the Hudson a short distance north of North street.
Acker’s Creek.—A small stream which runs through the northern
part of the town for a short distance and joins the Hudson in the town
of Marlborough. It was formerly called Jew’s creek from a Mr.
Gomoz, a Jew, who held a portion of the Harrison patent. The pres-
ent name is a memorial of Wolvert Acker who had a grist mill and
a saw mill upon it.
Trout Brook.—This brook flows north through Middlehope and
empties into Acker’s creek.
Poll Rose’s Pond.—A sheet of water on Western Avenue near the
New Mills; more recently called Taggert’s pond. The outlet at the
south end formerly furnished power for a turning lathe. The original
name was from a woman who lived many years at the head of the
pond on the avenue.
Springs.—Powellton spring is on the Powell estate north of North
street. Ledyard’s spring is on the Ledyard farm west of New Mills.
Cold spring is south of Washington street near the public school.
The latter was for some years the principal source of supply of water
for the village; and the former were examined in connection with the
increase of the supply in 1852.
Fitzpatrick’s Pond—Known to some extent as Carpenter’s pond—is
west of Powell Avenue and north of Gidney Avenue. It originally
covered about half an acre.
King’s Hill.—An eminence in tbe north-west part of the town, over
the crown of which passes the boundary line between the towns of
* The early settlers attributed the erection of this dam to the beavers. The work Js
certainly not beyond the skill of those ingenious animals.History of kfwburgr.
2l4
Newburgh and Montgomery. The name is derived from a Mr. King,
an old settler, whose descendants still reside in the town.
Racoon Hill—Is north of King’s Hill, and is so called from its
having been infested with racoons.
Cronomer’s Hill—Is about three miles north-west of the city, and
is so called from having been the residence of an Indian named
Cronomer, prior to the Revolution. One of the lots on the farm late
of J. Cornish is still known as “ the hut lot,” where Cronomer had his
cabin. Tradition affirms that Cronomer once pointed out a deposit of
lead ore on this hill, and that, during the Revolution, it was examined
with a view to opening it. The tradition is in part sustained by the
fact that Col. Thomas Palmer had what was claimed as a lead mine in
Newburgh, which was examined as stated; but where it was located
does not appear.*
Lime Stone Hill.—A ridge of lime stone, about two miles north-
west of the city of Newburgh.
Muchattoes Hill—Extends from the southern part of the town into
New Windsor. The Newburgh Alms-house is situated on the north-
eastern spur, and along its eastern base are several finely cultivated,
farms and vineyards. The north-east front of the hill is almost per-
pendicular, while the west side is smooth and of gentle declivity. It
was known for many years as Snake Hill, from the fact of its being
infested with snakes at the early settlement of the town.
The Yale.—Originally a beautiful valley extending up the Quas-
saick creek for half a mile from its mouth. A few' years ago it was
a favorite resort, and frequently visited by strangers,f but is now
mainly occupied by the Branch railroad and the Pennsylvania Coal
. Company. There is a tradition that, in the house once occupied by
Mr. Richard Trimble, and more recently by Mr. Hale, Mr. Roe, and
others, but which was known in the days of the Revolution as Ettrick
Grove, an attempt was made to betray Washington, whose head-
quarters were then at the Ellison hopse, New Windsor. Ettrick
Grove was then occupied by Col. Ettrick, a zealous tory. The story
* “ Ordered, That John McDonald be furnished with five dollars to enable him to pro-
ceed to Thomas Palmer’s at Newburgh, to examine the lead mines claimed by the said
Palmer or belonging to him.”—Jour. Com. of Safety.
t The following in reference to a visit of the National Grays, of New York, is from the
Telegraph of July 25,1839:
“One of their numerous marches in the neighborhood of our village, was to Ettrick
Grove, the beautiful seat of Mr. Hale, a mile below the village, taking in their way
“ Washington’s Head-quarters,’’ to which the company wished to pay a last visit before
their departure. The entire march was over consecrated ground—Washington himself
had known and traversed every foot of it—in the neighborhood was the ground where the
army was stationed, and in the ravine below, was the revolutionary cannon foundry,
traces of which are still visible. These were all pointed out, as also the remaining por-
tion of the house (now Mr. Hale’s kitchen) to which Washington was invited to an enter-
tainment, in order to his betrayal by a band of conspirators against his life and his
country’s hopes.”CD >
WASHINGTON’S HEAD-QUARTERS-From the East.
—Sitting Room.
—Family Room.
(oldest part of building.)
C—Kitchen.
D—Hall.
E—Washington’s Parlor,
p—Washington’s Private Room.
(communicating with)
G—Washington’s Bed-room.
H—Store-room.LOCALITIES.
215
goes, that Washington had accepted an invitation to dine with Col.
Ettrick, who had, meanwhile, made arrangements with a company of
tories to take him prisoner. Washington, warned of the design,
ordered a detachment of the life-guard, dressed in the English uni-
form, to be on the ground before the arrival of the tories. When this
detachment, made its appearance, Washington’s host, supposing them
to be his tory friends, stepped up to him and accosted him as his pris-
oner. Washington looked at his troops for a moment and replied,
“I believe not, sir, but you are mine.” The treacherous host was
spared his life, through the intercession of his daughter, who had
betrayed her father’s intention, and he was permitted to remove to
Nova Scotia. The story has some elements of probability.
Washington’s Head-quarters.—The building now so generally known
as “ Washington’s Head-quarters at Newburgh,” is situated on Liberty
street in the south part of the city. It is constructed of rough stone;
is one story high, fifty-six feet front by forty-six feet in depth, and is
located on what was originally Lot No. 2, of the Herman patent.
The title to the lot was vested, by the patent referred to, in Herman
Schoneman, a native of the Palatinate of Germany, who sold, in 1721,
to James Alexander, who subsequently sold to Alexander Colden and
Burger Meynders, by whom the property was conveyed by Jonathan
Hasbrouck. The south-east corner of the building, more particularly
shown by the walls and the timbers of the roof remaining in the attic,
is the oldest portion, but by whom erected is not positively known.
The north-east corner was erected by Hasbrouck in 1750, and the
west half was added by him in 1770, and one roof thrown over the
whole. The dates of the additions are cut upon stones in the walls.
The building was made the head-quarters of Washington in the spring
of 1782, and remained in his occupation until August 18th, 1783. The
general incidents occurring during that period have already been nar-
rated. • As is shown by the account which he rendered to the govern-
ment, Washington maintained here his own household.* While in
his occupation the large rooiii, which is entered from the piazza on the
east, known “ as the room with seven doors and one window,” was
the dining and sitting room; the north-east room was Washington’s
bedroom, and the room immediately adjoining on the left, his private
office.f The family room was that in the south-east; the kitchen was
the south-west room; the parlor the north-west room, and between the
latter and the former was the store-room,J hall and stair-case. The
* No part of the building was occupied by the Hasbroucks, as has generally been sup-
posed, during Washington’s residence.
f Tradition has assigned this room to Hamilton; but it is now conclusively known that
that officer was not a member of Washington’s staff at the time, nor even a visitant,
$ So called from having been used by Col. Hasbrouck as a store.HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
216
property remained in the Hasbrouck family until 1849, when the title
became vested in the people of the state under the foreclosure of a
mortgage given to the commissioners to loan certain moneys of the
United States. By act of the legislature, passed April 10, 1850, it
was placed in the care of the board of trustees of the village of
Newburgh, to be preserved as nearly as possible as it was at the time
of its occupation by Washington. The building was at once restored,
by a committee appointed b}^ the board of trustees, and the place
formally dedicated on the 4th of July, 1850. The care of the prop-
erty passed to the city authorities, by the city charter, where it
remained until 1874, when the legislature appointed, by act of May 11,
a board of trustees to hold and maintain it. A large, and in some
departments valuable, collection of manuscripts and relics are now
deposited in the building, for which, as well as for the initiatory steps
by which the state authorities were induced to purchase the property,
the public are mainly indebted to the late Enoch Carter, although
many articles of value have been added by other parties, and espe-
cially by the state and the federal authorities.* The trees now grow-
ing were planted by residents of Newburgh and vicinity.
Public Stocks.—By colonial law, minor offenses were punished by
confinement in the public stocks, or by public whipping, and each
town and precinct had its whip-
ping-post and stocks. Those
erected in Newburgh were in
Water street, opposite the High-
land Bank, and were standing
after the commencement of the
present century. A map of the
property of Thomas Golden, made
in 1791, shows the location of the
public stocks.	stocks, and an outline represen-
tation, from which, as well as from a description by the late Mr. Benj.
Carpenter, the accompanying engraving was drawn. The stocks con-
sisted of a frame resembling a heavy square box, on the edge of which
were seats. The bar for confining the feet of prisoners was about four-
teen feet in length and was secured by heavy padlocks. Near the
center of the frame stood the whipping-post, which was some ten feet
high with arms placed in an angular position. The stocks were pro-
bably removed in 1810 or ’12.
Newburgh Market.—The act incorporating the village gave the
board of trustees power to establish a market and lease the stands,
* The state contributed trophy and other guns from the old Arsenal. Thirty trophy
guns were added by order of Hon. W. W. Belknap in 1873.LOCALITIES.
217
NEWBURGH MARKET.
and a building for that purpose was erected at the foot of Third, now
the west line of Front street. The first leasing of stands occurred in
1811, when Jas. Lyon, Ed. Griswold, Chas. Birdsall, and David Tice,
were licensed as butchers—Birdsall and Griswold occupying two
stands each. Wm. Mathew-
son also occupied one for
several years. The build-
ing was of wood, one story
high and open as represent-
ed in the engraving. Third
street divided and ran on
the north and south sides
of the market to the ferry
and public landing. During
the winters, when the stands were not occupied, the lads had merry
times in riding down “ McAuley's hill/7 as Third street was called,
and shooting through the market. The building was removed in 1822
or 723, and about the same time a new market of improved architect-
ure was erected by John Neely, on the north side of Third street, east
of Water. The amended charter of 1836 relieved the trustees from
the duty of providing a market building, and that then in use was
removed or converted to other use.
Hay-scales.—The Hay-scales were a landmark on Western Avenue
for over a quarter of a century. They
were erected in 1806, and by the sub-
sequent opening of Grand street were
left standing on a small triangle at the
junction of that street and the avenue,
where they remained in use until the
8th of January, 1838, when they were
prostrated during a remarkably heavy
gale of wind.* The scales were of pecu-
liar construction, and were composed of
a beam from which chains were sus-
pended for raising the teams which i
were to be weighed. The north end
was enclosed for a weighing room, and
the roof was extended south to cover the beam. It will be inferred,
of course, that the structure was the approved pattern of the times;
platform scales were then unknown. The accompanying engraving
is from description by Mr. John H. Corwin.
HAY-SCALES.
* This gale was the most severe of any on record. It occurred in the afternoon.218
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
CENSUS RETURNS.
Although enumerations of the inhabitants of the several precincts
of New York were made at an early period, the returns are very
imperfect. The early tax rolls give more complete statistics, and in
those relating to the precinct of the Highlands is the following:
“The Freeholders, Inhabitants, Residents and Sojourners of the County of Ulster, theire
real and personal estates are Rated to be assessed by the Assessors (on theire Oath)
chosen for the same on the 20th day of January 1714-5, and are to pay after the rate of
one penny half per £ to discharge this years payment of said County’s Quota* Layd by
an Act of the P. Assembly, Entitled an Act for Levying the sume of Ten Thousand
pounds, viz:
		Precinct of Highlands.			
	Rated.	Tax.	Rated.		Tax.
Peter Magregorie,	£30	£ 3s 9d	Wm. Elsworth’s widow,	£5	£ 0s 74
Swerver,	5	0 74	Dennis Relje,	3	0 4
William Sutherland,	45	5 7}	Alexander Griggs,	35	4 4
Michael Wynant,	15	1 10	Thomas Harris,	5	0 74
Burger Myndertsen,	10	1 3	Capt. Bond,	15	1 104
Jacob Weber,	15	i m	Melgert the Joyner,	15	1 104
Peter LaRoss,	10	1 3	Christian Henrick,	3	0 44
John Fisher,	10	1 3	Jacob Decker, Jun,	10	1 3
Andres Volck,	12	1 6	Cornelis Decker,	5	0 7\
George Lockstead,	10	1 3				
Pieter Jansen,	10	1 3		293	1 16
Henry Rennau,	25	3 li			
With the exception of Peter MacGregorie and William Sutherland,
who held lands in New Windsor, and the Deckers, Griggs, Bond, and
Harris, the persons named were residents or freeholders in the present
town and city of Newburgh, and, with the exception of Myndertsen,
Ellsworth, and Relje, were Palatinate settlers. Similar returns for the
years I'll MS, 1724-’5, and 1726-,9> exhibit the increase of residents
and freeholders in the precinct, as follows:
1717-8
Peter MacGregory,
Wm. Sutherland,
Michael Wynant,
Jacob Weber,
John Fischer,
Andries Volck,
Wm. Chambers,
John Lawrence,
His Ex. William Burnett,
Widow Elsworth,
Phineas McIntosh,
Thos. Ellis (on),
George Lockstead,
Jeurian Quick,
William Bond,
Burger Minders,
Thomas Brainer, widow,
William Ward,
Geo. Waggont,
Wm. Sanders,
Alexander Mackel,
Henry Rennau,
Widow Elsworth,
Denis Relje,
Wm. Bond,
Alexander Griggs,
Melgert de Schrynwerker,
1724-5
Doct. Colden,
Geo. Elmes,
Tobias Waggont,
Valentyn Breasure,
John Humphrey,
David Sutherland,
John Davids,
John Wilson,
Old Denes,
William Fountain,
Gomoz the Jew,
Christopher Febb,
John Askell,
John Armtyne,
Thomas Edwards,
Col. Mathews,
Mr. Gomoz,
Burger Myndertsen,
A. Graham,
Mr. Chambers,
Peter Jansen’s estate.
Z. Hoffman,
Michael Bolls,.
Henry Wileman,
Daniel Denes,
John Slater,
John Filips,
Robt. Kirkland,
John Alsop,
Peter Long,
Peter Mulhner,
Melcher Gillis,
Henry Hedsel,
Benj. Elsworth,
Nathaniel Foster.
* The tax laid on the precincts of the county are given in this return as follows:
Kingston,
Foxhall Manor,
Hurley,
Marbletown,
Rochester,
Valuation.
£9176
1322
4398
5142
3523
Tax.
£57 7s Od
8
27
32
22
New Palles,
Shawangonck,
Wagackkemeck,
Highlands,
Valuation.
£2(175
848
105
293
Tax.
£12 19s 44
5 6 0
0	13 14
1	16 7}
168 0 3
Totals,
26882CENSUS RETURNS.
219
Wm. Chambers,
Phineas McIntosh,
Thomas Ellison,
James Elsworth,
Jurie Quick,
Wm. Bond,
Gomoz the Jew,
Burger Meynderse, Jr.,
Moses Elsworth,
John Haskell,
John Alsop, Esq.,
William Ward,
John Vantine,
1726-9.
John Davis,
Melgert Gillis,
Geo. Speedwell,
Benj. Elsworth,
Nathl. Foster,
Francis Harrison,
J. Mackneel, Jr.,
James Gamwell,
Stephen Bedford,
Thomas Shaw,
Joseph Gale,
Henry-----,
John Mond,
Geo. Wagagont (Weigand).'
Burger Meynderse,
Wm. Saunders,
Alex. Mackie,
Cad. Colden,
John Slaughter,
George-----,
Tobias Wagagont,
Robert Strickland,
John Umphrey,
Peter Long,
David Sutherland,
Peter Muliner,
Christain Chevis.
The names of persons enrolled for military duty in 1138, which will
be given hereafter, represents the residents of the precinct of the
Highlands at that time; while the male population of the precinct of
Newburgh, over sixteen years of age, in 1115, is probably correctly
represented in connection with the pledge of association heretofore
quoted.* The militia rolls of the precinct (1118^9), are perhaps the
best record of male population at that time. An enumeration of the
inhabitants of the precinct was taken in 1182, pursuant to an act of
the provincial convention entitled “An Act for taking the number of
white inhabitants within this State,” passed March 20, of that year.
It gave a population to Newburgh of 1,481, divided as follows: Males
under 16, 429; over 16 and under 60, 252; over 60, 31. Females under
16, 368; over 16, 311. Number of persons making Newburgh their
place of abode “by reason of the invasion of the enemy,” 154, viz:
Males under 16, 36; over 16 and under 60, 26: over 60, 6. Females
under 16, 42; over 16, 44.f In 1185, the precinct was divided into
road districts, and a record made of the persons assessed for high-
way labor. This list embraces three hundred and nineteen names.
The several census taken since 1182, exhibit the following results:
Tear.	Population.	Increase.	Year.	Population.	Increase.
1790	2,365	878	1840	8,933	1,150
• 1800	3,258	893	1845	9,001	68
1810	4,627	1,369	1850	11,425	2,424
1814	5,107	480	1855	12,773	1,348
1820	5,812	705	1860	15,196	2,423
1825	6,168	356	1865	17,389	2,193
1830	6,424	256	1870	20,563	3,174
1835	7,783	1,359	1875	20,996	433
These returns include the population of the town and of the village
prior to, and of the town and city since, 1865. An enumeration taken
in the year 1814, gave the population of the village as 2,323; in 1811,
2,464; in 1821, 2,811; in 1822, 3,566; in 1855, 9,256. / The population
of the city in 1810 was 11,021; in 1815, 11,433. The population of
the town in 1810 was 3,542; in 1815, 3,543.J While the increase in
population has been slow, it has not receded in any decade.
* Ante p. 136.	f Documentary History of New York, iii, 996.
t The figures for 1875 in this statement are not official.220
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
NEWBURGH POOR SYSTEM.
Provision for maintaining the poor was included in the act creating
the precinct of Newburgh.. The first record in relation to the subject,
aside from the annual election of overseers of the poor, occurs in
1769, when £30 were raised “for the support of the poor for the year
ensuing.” In 1711, the following rules were adopted at the annual
precinct meeting, viz:
“Rule first.—Voted, as an encouragement to all succeeding Poor Masters, the more
faithfully to discharge their duty in their office, by preventing all unnecessary charges and
needless costs on the inhabitants of the Precinct, and also as a reward for their good ser-
vices, we freely vote them the sum of £10 each, to be paid out of the money voted to be
raised for the use of the poor or out of such fines as may be raised for the same use.
“ Rule third.—Voted, that no Poor Master for the time being shall for any cause
whatever, relieve or cause to be relieved, or made chargeable, any person or persons what-
ever, that may by law be transported; or any private person who can be made account-
able according to law; on pain of perjury, and making themselves liable to pay all such
charges, and forfeit to the use of the poor twenty shillings and charges of prosecution, to
be recovered before any of his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace.”
In 1775, £50 were raised for the poor; in 1777, £100; in 1778, £200.
At the annual meeting in the latter year, it was
“ Voted, That donations be collected in this Precinct to be applied to such poor whose
husbands or parents were either killed or taken prisoners at Fort Montgomery.”
1780.—“ Voted, That £800 be raised for the poor.”
1800,—“Voted, To hire a house for the accommodation of the Poor.”
1805—“Voted, That the Overseers of the Poor be authorized to contract with one or
more persons to take the whole of the poor, and to put out the children as they shall see
best for the town. ”
The increase of population made it necessary to provide larger
accommodations for the poor; and, in 1814, an act of the legislature
was passed authorizing the construction of a town poor-house. The
town voted (April 1,) a tax of $1,500 for that purpose; and appointed
John Mandevill and Benoni H. Howell, overseers of the poor, to act
with Andrew DeWitt, John D. Lawson, Eleazer Gidney and Henry
Butterworth, commissioners, “ to direct the building of the house and
to take the whole management of the same.” A site was selected on
the north-east corner of Water and North street, and a building com-
pleted in the course of the year. The system was conducted with
success and economy, as the following figures from the annual report
will show, viz:
1827—House expenses:
Victualing, Clothing, &c.,	$297	71
Wood,	81	87
Doctor’s bill,	68	19
Keeper’s wages,	50	00
Temporary relief,	651	75
Tax,
On hand,
Fines, &c.,
Receipts:
$750 00
385 m
17 81}
1,153 23
1,144: 52
In 1830, the receipts were $2,172.64£, and disbursements $1,158.58J
In 1831, receipts, $3,160.69|; disbursements, $1,648.64; expenses of
alms-house, $872.72f.
In 1830, the Orange County Poor-house was erected at a cost of
$12,000; and on the 22d April, 1831, the legislature authorized the
sale of the Newburgh Poor-house and lands, which was soon afterNEWBURGH ALMS-HOUSE,POOR SYSTEM.
221
effected, and the proceeds were applied to the payment of the county
poor tax. Connection with the county system was continued until
1852, when the rapidly increasing charges for temporary relief arous-
ed public attention and investigation. The subject was first brought
before the board of supervisors by Mr. Enoch Carter, supervisor, and
the abuses of the county system were thoroughly exposed. At the
instance of Mr. Carter, the board adopted the following resolution, viz:
Resolved, That in the opinion of this Board of Supervisors, it would be for the mutual
interest of the citizens of Newburgh and of Orange County, that an application be made
to the Legislature by the citizens of the town of Newburgh for the passage of an Act.
paying to the town of Newburgh her proportionate interest in the present county house,
and also empowering said town to provide a town house for her own poor, the expenses
of which shall be borne by the town of Newburgh.
The inhabitants of Newburgh immediately responded to the action
of the board of supervisors by a public meeting held at Crawford’s
Hall, on the evening of the 11th of December, Mr. George Cornwell,
chairman, and James W. Fowler, secretary. The subject was dis-
cussed by Messrs. N. Eeeve, J. J. Monell, Wm. C. Hasbrouck, and
G. C. Monell; and a series of resolutions, offered by J. J. Monell, were
adopted. A committee of twelve persons,—viz: Messrs. John W.
Brown, David W. Bate, Wm. C. Hasbrouck, J. J. Monell, John Beve-
ridge, Homer Ramsdell, Gilbert C. Monell, Lewis W. Young, Charles
Drake, Enoch Carter, Charles U. Cushman, and Ke.v. Jno. Forsyth,—
was appointed to prepare, and report at a subsequent meeting, an act
to be passed by the legislature to reestablish a town system for sup-
porting the poor.
At a meeting held December 80th, Mr. Brown, from the committee
for that purpose, submitted the draft of a law, accompanied by an
able report illustrating the necessity of the movement, stating, among
other facts, that
“Previous to 1840, the sums expended for temporary relief seldom, if ever, exceeded
$1600, for the county, and $600 for this town. The Superintendent’s Report for 1838 ex-
hibits this item at $1589.27, for the county, of which $560.90 was for the town of New-
burgh. The report for 1839 exhibits the same item at $1658.45 for the county, of which
$585.90 was for the town of Newburgh. This item of expenditure has grown with a
steady and rapid growth, until we find it set down in the Superintendent’s Report for the
year 1852, at $12,802.13 for the county, of which $6,451.90 is set down as expended in the
town of Newburgh. But it is due to the occasion to say, that notwithstanding the figures
of this report, and the known integrity of its authors, the committee have good authority
for saying that the expenditure for temporary relief for the last year was little short of
$14,000 for the county, and $8,000 for the town of Newburgh.”
The act applied for passed the legislature, March 23, 1853. By its
terms the town of Newburgh was established as a separate and dis-
tinct poor district, and a corporation created by the name of “the
Commissioners of the Alms-house of the town of Newburgh.” The
commissioners named in the act, viz: Henry Wyckoff, David W.
Bate, David H. Barclay, George Gearn, Alfred Post, and Eugene A.
Brewster, immediately entered upon the discharge of their duties, and
a farm was purchased and the erection of suitable buildings com-222
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
menced under contract with Mr.John Little, Jr. The building was
completed and opened Dec. 10th, 1853, and was occupied by six per-
sons from the town of Newburgh and forty-nine (exclusive of insane),
from the County Poor-house, being the number apportioned to New-
burgh under the act of separation. By the act incorporating the city
(1865), the town and the city are united in the system.
The operation of the system, during the first fifteen years of its
existence, is stated in the 15th annual report of the commissioners,
from which it appears, that during that period the receipts from all
sources was $152,332.81, and the expenses, including buildings, etc.,
$149,365.81; average yearly cost by tax, $4,558.11; average yearly
cost of each pauper, $53.82—weekly, $1.03; estimated saving, as
compared with the county system, in fifteen years, $108,318.93.
TURNPIKES AND PLANK-ROADS.
The organizations of the Newburgh and Cochecton, Newburgh and
New Windsor, Newburgh and Sullivan, Newburgh and Plattekill, and
the Snake Hill turnpike companies, have already been referred to.* In
the autumn of 1849, the construction of a plank-road from Newburgh
to Ellenville was proposed. In January (14th), 1850, a meeting of
citizens was held at the United States Hotel,—Homer Ramsdell, presi-
dent, and Robert Proudfit, Jr., secretary,—and on motion of David
Crawford, a committee of twenty-five was appointed “ to go out to
Ellenville, in company with engineers, and inquire into the practica-
bility of constructing a plank-road thither, and the best route for the
same.” The committee employed Mr. W. A. Perkins, engineer, to
make a survey of the route, who, on the 13th March, submitted a
report at a public meeting. The report presented a survey of three
routes, southern, northern, and middle, with an estimate of the cost of
each; and, on motion, it was resolved, that “measures be taken to
organize a company for the construction of- a plank-road to Ellenville
with a capital of $100,000.” Committees were appointed to ascertain
the amount of stock that would be subscribed, and the land dama-
ges claimed, by persons residing on each of the proposed routes. On
* The Newburgh and Cochecton turnpike company was organized in 1801. (Ante p.
184). The Newburgh and New Windsor turnpike company was incorporated by Act of
the legislature passed April 2d, 1806. Capital $5,000 Charles Clinton, Daniel Strmgham,
John McAuley, George Monell, Hugh Walsh, Isaac Hasbrouck, Selah Reeve, Joseph
Monell, Abraham Schultz, Richard Trimble, Jonas Williams, John D. Nicoll and Samuel
Lockwood, first directors. The Orange and Ulster Branch turnpike company was incor-
porated March 30, 1810. Capital $35,000. Cornelius Bruyn, James Rumsey, Abraham
Jansen, John D. Lawson, John McAulay, Moses Rosekranse, Nicholas Hardenburgh,
Johannes T. Jansen, directors. The route was through Rocky Forest and New Hurley to
Sullivan county by way of Sam’s Point. The Newburgh and Plattekill turnpike company
was incorporated April 5, 1810. Capital $14,000. Jacob Powell, Daniel Smith, John
Wells, Jonathan Bailey, Justus Cooley and Henry Butterworth, directors. The Snake
Hill turnpike company was incorporated March 24, 1815. Capital $14,000. Jonathan
Hasbrouck, William Taylor, Hiram Weller, Nathaniel DuBois! and Jonathan Hedges, direc-
tors. With the exception of the Newburgh and Cochecton and Newburgh and New Wind-
sor, these turnpikes have been abandoned and opened as common highways.TURNPIKES AND PLANK-ROADS.
223
the 24th March, a meeting of subscribers to the stock of the ‘‘New-
burgh and Ellenville Plank-road Company,” was held at the United
States Hotel,—Homer Ramsdell, president, and E. Pitts, secretary,—
and, on motion, proceeded to the election of nine directors, when the
following named gentlemen were chosen:
Newburgh—Homer Ramsdell, E. W. Farrington, David Crawford, Thornton M. Niven,
William Fullerton; Ulstervitte—A. R. Taylor; Walden—A. F. Schofield; Shawangunk—
James G. Graham; Bruynswick—Richard Jackson.
At a subsequent meeting of the directors, Homer Kamsdell wTas
elected president; E. W. Farrington, vice president; T. M. Niven, sec-
retary; and David Moore, treasurer. At a meeting of the directors,
held April 5th, it was resolved to adopt the southern route; and at a
meeting on the 11th, it was agreed to put the work under contract as
soon as $100,000 should be subscribed.
Immediately after this action, those in favor of a northern route
organized the “Newburgh and Shawangunk Plank-road Company,”
and, at a meeting held on the 18th April, elected Robert A. Forsyth,
Cornelius C. Smith, John B. Jamison, Odell S. Hathaway, Richard A.
Southwick, Jacob V. B. Fowler, of Newburgh, and James G. Graham,
S. M. Bruyn and Jas. N. Mitchell, of Shawangunk, directors; Jacob
V. B. Fowler was elected president; Robert A. Forsyth, treasurer;
and R. A. Southwick, secretary.
Both companies were organized under the general statute of May
7, 1847, and the roads were completed in December, 1851.* The
capital stock of the Ellenville road, paid in, was $79,770. To com-
plete the work and pay existing indebtedness, the legislature passed
an act authorizing the issue of $44,000 in preferred stock, and fixing
the whole capital at $124,000. The capital stock of the Newburgh,
and Shawangunk road, paid in, was $30,000. Both roads were subse-
quently converted into turnpikes.
RAILROAD ENTERPRISES.
The organization of a company for the construction of a railroad
to connect Newburgh with the coal mines of Pennsylvania, was first
proposed in 1829, and an act was passed by the legislature, on the
19th of April, 1830, constituting and appointing David Crawford,
Christopher Reeve, John P. DeWint, Thomas Powell, Joshua Conger,
Charles Borland, William Walsh, John Forsyth, and their associates,
“ a body corporate and politic by the name of the Hudson and Dela-
ware Railroad Company,” for the purpose of constructing a single or
double railroad or way, from any part of the village of Newburgh,
through the county of Orange to the Delaware river. The capital of
the company was fixed at $500,000, with power to increase the same
* The opening of the south plank was celebrated at Ellenville, Dec. 22. A large delega-
tion from Newburgh was present.	*224
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
to $1,000,000, if necessary; and David Crawford, Charles Borland,
Peter Cuddeback, Thos. Powell, J.. P. DeWint, Jos. Kernochan, Peter
H. Schenck, and John W. Knevels were appointed commissioners to
open subscriptions.
This act, however, became void—no effort having been made to
build the road “within three years” after the time of its passage.
Nothing more was done until the 30th of September, 1835, when a
meeting of citizens was held at the Orange Hotel (pursuant to a call
signed by David Euggles, John Forsyth, Nathaniel DuBois, Chas. H.
Bellows, Oliver Davis, and David Crawford), of which Gilbert 0. Fow-
ler was chosen president; Nathaniel DuBois, vice president, and John
W. Knevels, secretary. The subjects discussed at this meeting were,
mainly, these two, viz: What course should be pursued in reference
to an application to the legislature for a subscription on the part of
the state to the New York and Erie railroad company; and the feasi-
bility of uniting the Hudson and Delaware road with that of the New
York and Erie. The meeting
“ Resolved, That we will unite in the application to the legislature for a subscription on
the part of the state to the stock of the New York and Erie railroad company. That we
will also join in a petition to the legislature for the grant of a charter upon liberal terms in-
corporating a company to construct a railway from this village to the Delaware river, and
that we will bear our proportion according to our several means in subscription to the stock.
1 ‘ Resolved, That a committee of five persons be appointed to communicate with the
directors of the New York and Erie railroad company, and present to them a proposition
(as detailed to the meeting) for uniting the efforts of the inhabitants of this vicinity with
that company in the successful prosecution of the project for constructing a railroad from
Lake Erie to the Hudson river.”
On this committee the following persons were placed, viz: John
W. Knevels, Nathaniel DuBois, Oliver Davis, and G. 0. Fowler. The
following resolution was also unanimously concurred in, viz:
“ Resolved, That a committee be appointed whose duty it shall be to give the required
legal notice in the public newspapers of our intention to apply for an act of incorporation
for the construction of a railway from the village of Newburgh to the Delaware river; to
prepare and circulate petitions to the legislature in behalf of this application; to draft
the act of incorporation, and report their proceedings to the meeting at the time to which
it shall stand acyourned.”
The following persons were appointed upon the last mentioned
committee, viz: John W. Knevels, Abraham M. Smith, John Forsyth,
John Thayer, Benjamin H. Mace.
Now began the struggle to secure the eastern terminus of the Erie
road at Newburgh; and the interests of the Delaware road, as a dis-
tinct project, awaited the issue. When it became known that those
active in the Erie company had decided in favor of the Piermont
route, the citizens of Newburgh again took up the Delaware project,
and, on the 21st of April, 1836, the legislature passed an act “to re-
new and amend” the original charter. By this act, “ David Crawford,
Christopher Reeve, Oliver Davis, John Forsyth, Thos. Powell, Joshua
Conger, David Ruggles, Benjamin Carpenter, and their associates,”
were constituted a body politic and corporate, by the name of “ TheRAILROAD ENTERPRISES.
225
Hudson and Delaware Railroad Company,” for the purpose of con-
structing a road “commencing in the north part of the village of
Newburgh, and running from thence along the Hudson river in front
of said village as far as the trustees of the said village ” should deter-
mine, and thence to the Delaware river. The capital stock of the com-
pany was fixed at $500,000, and Gilbert 0. Fowler, Charles Borland,
John Forsyth, Thomas Powell, Benj. H. Mace, John P. DeWint, Abra-
ham M. Smith, Jas. G. Clinton, and John W. Knevels, were appointed
commissioners to open subscriptions.
On the 15th June, 1836, the first election for directors, under the
amended act, was held at the Orange Hotel, when Thomas Powell,
'John Forsyth, David Crawford, Benjamin Carpenter, John P. DeWint,
John Ledyard, Christopher Reeve, Gilbert 0. Fowler, James G. Clinton,
Nathaniel DuBois, Samuel G. Sneden, David W. Bate, and Oliver Davis,
were chosen. At a subsequent meeting of the directors, Thomas
Powell was elected president; David W. Bate, vice president; John
Ledyard, treasurer; and James G. Clinton, secretary.
A survey of the route was made soon after by John B. Sargeant,
who reported the length of the proposed road as thirty-eight miles,
and the cost as $10,000 per mile. Stock to a sufficient amount having
been subscribed,* steps were taken to grade the section between
Washingtonville and the Quassaick creek. Ground was broken on
the 3d of November, 1836, with appropriate ceremonies, and the
auspicious event was celebrated by a general illumination of the
village.f In response to a petition on the part of the citizens in-
terested in the road, the legislature, in the early part of the session
* The Telegraph of August 26, says: “Great liberality in ceding lands for the track we
understand is manifested in many instances. A large landholder in one instance, whose
extensive lands are traversed for some distance by the line, (we allude to the Hon. R.
Denniston), gave the company permission to take without price, any route except through
his house. Such a spirit as tHis will build the road speedily.”
t A general illumination by the citizens of the village took place on Thursday evening
last, to celebrate the commencement of the Hudson and Delaware railroad—the notice for
which, to many was first announced by the blazing of tar barrels throughout the streets;
but no sooner was it generally known than every window in the village from the cellar to
the garret which could show a light was filled with blazing candles. The spirit with
which the storekeepers vied with each other on the occasion was well displayed, for having
placed candles in every pane of glass in their windows, they paraded them in rows on the
awning jails—which gave to the closely populated part of the village a most splendid
appearance. The private residences of'the merchants and wealthy residents on the upper
streets are also deserving of notice; among those who had something extra both in point
of position and brilliancy of effect, were Thomas Powell, Esq., W. Roe, Esq., H. Robin-
son, Esq., and in a most eminent degree James S. Brown, and Samuel Noyes, Esq., who
with all the enthusiasm with which his liberal spirit is endowed kept up two bonfires on
the end of his dock and continued the firing of cannon from early in the evening till after
ten o’clock. John Ledyard, Esq., with his usual promptitude, was most active in the dis-
charge of his official duty, and continued till the last at the bonfire ; to him, for his imme-
diate compliance with the wishes of the citizens, and Mr. Jonathan Hasbrouck, in grant-
ing the use of his ground, are the inhabitants particularly indebted. J. P. DeWint, Esq.,
of Eishkill Landing, had his residence most brilliantly illuminated, which had a most beau-
tiful appearance from the heights on the south of the village.
On the mountain south of the village of Canterbury there was a large bonfire early m
the evening, and we believe throughout the whole county a general rejoicing has taken
place.—Qaz., Nov. 10, 1836.226
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
of 183*7, passed an act enabling the trustees of the village to purchase
at par $150,000 of the stock. The subscription was made in accor-
dance with the provisions of the act; and on the 10th of January,
1838, the trustees paid their first and last installment of $10,000.
The financial reverses of 183*7 prostrated the enterprise; and,
although a considerable portion of the section placed under contract
in August, 1836, was graded, the work was not continued. However,
in 1840, the Erie company having asked the aid of the state, the
whole influence of the citizens of Newburgh was exerted to compel
that company, as a condition of aid, to construct a branch road to
Newburgh.* The effort was unsuccessful—the Erie company received
a loan of the credit, of the state to the amount of $3,000,000. The*
embarrassment of the Erie company culminated in 1842, and its
affairs were placed in the hands of assignees. In 1845, the com-
pany having again applied to the legislature for aid, the citizens of
Newburgh again, and this time with success, pressed the proposi-
tion for a branch road. Their efforts led to a conference with the
Erie company, which resulted in the submission of bills to the legis-
lature—the first releasing the company from the payment of the
$3,000,000 loan, on condition that a bona fide subscription to that
amount should be secured within eighteen months; the second, re-
quiring the company to construct a branch to Newburgh within six
years after the passage of the act. To more certainly secure the
latter, a written agreement was made, on the 19th of March, between
the directors of the Hudson and Delaware company and the direc-
tors of the Erie company by which the former conveyed to the latter
“ all the grants, lands, immunities, franchises, improvements, rights,
privileges, maps and charts, and all of the real and personal estate
of every .kind whatsoever belonging” to that company under and by
virtue of its charter, in consideration of the sum of not less than
forty thousand dollars; the Erie company agreeing as a further con-
sideration, that on the passage of the bill then before the legislature
authorizing the company to construct a branch road to Newburgh,
and also the bill releasing the company from the payment of the three
millions loaned to it by the state, that then, upon the bona fide sub-
* At a meeting of the citizens of Newburgh, held March 4th, 1840,—Moses H. Belknap,
president, and Solomon Tuthill, clerk,—it was
Resolved, That if the legislature shall grant further aid to the New York and Erie rail-
road company by any former or future law, to be passed for that purpose—in such case the
expenditure thereof shall be made under the more immediate supervision of the state—
and upon the middle and western Sections of said road, where the same would connect
with works already constructed, such as the Delaware and Hudson, the Chenango and
Chemung canals, and the Ithaca and Owego railroad, and yield an immediate profit, which
cannot be effected by constructing the eastern end of said road in the first place, as is now
being done.
Resolved, That no such further aid be granted, unless it be accompanied by legislative
provision for the construction of a branch of said road terminating at Newburgh.RAILROAD ENTERPRISES.
227
scription of the Hudson and Delaware company of one hundred thou-
sand dollars to the capital stock of the Erie company, the latter
would construct the branch to Newburgh and issue to the Hudson and
Delaware company stock to the amount of $140,000. On the pay-
ment of twenty-five per cent, of the subscription of $100,000, “the
same together with a sum equal to twice that amount” to be fur-
nished by the Erie company, was to be “ actually expended” upon the
branch “simultaneously with and as rapidly” as that company should
progress with its main line; and this ratio of payments and expendi-
tures was to continue until $800,000 was expended. In case that sum
did not complete the branch, then further subscriptions, by the Hud-
son and Delaware company, if made, should “be immediately applied
to the construction of said branch and the putting of the same in
operation.” The interests of the roads being thus harmonized, the
bills referred to were passed by the legislature on the 14th of May
following. The stock subscription required from the Hudson and
Delaware company under the agreement was soon raised, and $15,000
in addition—in all $115,000. The following are the names of the
subscribers, and the number of shares taken by each, as nearly as can
be ascertained:
Atwood, William Shs. 1
Agnew, William	25
Barclay, David H. * 5
Belknap, A. & M. H.	5
Betts, Frederick J.	20
Belknap, Aaron	10
Beveridge, J. & Co.	100
Brennan, Patrick	5
Bennett, Hiram	10
Brown, John W.	5
Buckingham, B. F.	2
Buchanan, H. P.	2
Bouton, Lewis S.	5
Barker, John	3
Chambers, James	15
Chambers, John	5
Calyer, Daniel K.	2
Crawford, David	50
Crawford, Mailler & Co., 50
Cleary, William	3
Cornwell, George	5
Corwin, Halsey & Co.,	8
Clugston, John	3
DeWint, John P.	100
DeGroff, James	3
DuBois, Nathaniel	20
Falls, Hiram	3
Farrington, Daniel	20
Felter, Theron	2
Fowler, Jacob V. B.	5
Fowler, M. V. B.	5
Gardner, Silas D.	2
Gerard, Franklin	3
Gowdey, James	1
Gorham, John B.	3
Hasbrouck, Wm. C.	5
Harris, John	10
Halsey, Walter	10
Hasbrouck, Eli	5
Halstead & Co.	5
Hathaway, Odell S.	10
Hawkins, Wm. H.	1
Horton & McCamly,	10
Johnes, Edward B.	10
Kemp, Bobert D.	3
Kernochan, Joseph	50
Lander, Tobias D.	2
Little, John	2
Little, Thomas	2
Mecklem, George	5
Miller, C. B.	15
Monell, John J.	5
Moffat, D. H.	5
Niven, T. M.	10
Nicoll, Wm. C.	1
Oakley, Isaac K.	4
Powell, Thos. & Co.,	250
Purdy, Henry L.	2
Bobinson, Capt. Henry 50
Stanton & Clark,	3
Sneed, George	3
Spier & Wilson,	2
Smith, Corns. C.	10
Smith, Wm. P. C.	5
Smith & Booth,	5
Smith, Orville M.	3
Storm, Garret	50
Tyler, Benjamin	10
Yan Nort, Benj. W.	10
Weed, Harvey	50
Williams, Samuel	3
Walsh, Henry	5
Zabriskie, A. G.	3
Wiley, John	5
Waugh, Jas S.	2
Whited, J. J. & Co.,	3
On the fulfillment of this stock subscription by the citizens of New-
burgh, it was their prerogative to be represented in the board of the
Erie company by a local director, and Homer Kamsdell was accord-
ingly nominated by the subscribers and elected as such director, in
the summer of 1845. The first contracts made by the Erie company,
upon its reorganization under the amended act of 1845, were those
for constructing the Newburgh branch, and that part of the main line228
HISTOBY OF NEWBURGH.
between Middletown and Otisville. The work was carried forward
under the agreement until in 1847, when, by reason of enormous ex-
penditures upon the main line between Otisville and Binghamton, and
when only about $115,000 (the amount subscribed at Newburgh) had
been expended upon the branch, the Erie company was so pressed for
money that a suspension of the work upon the branch was deemed
imperative. To prevent this, and to bridge over the necessities of
the hour, the Newburgh director agreed to negotiate the acceptances
of the .company for each successive monthly estimate until January,
1849, at which time all were to mature. During this, time the further
sum of $180,000 was expended upon the branch.
The opening of the main line of the Erie to Binghamton, on the
27th of December, 1848, was attended by a cost far exceeding the
estimates, and the finances of the company were correspondingly
embarrassed; added to this were heavy drains for work then being
vigorously pushed upon the Susquehanna division, so that the direc-
tory, ill January, 1849, deemed themselves forced to discontinue the
expenditures upon the branch. At this juncture the Newburgh direc-
tor proposed to raise the sum of $145,000 upon the acceptances of the
company, to mature May, 1851, and to pay the same to the company,
provided responsible parties in Newburgh would endorse the accept-
ances, and also provided the company would execute a mortgage
upon the branch as security for the amount. In view of the compul-
sory clause of the act of 1845, releasing the company from the pay-
ment of the $8,000,000 loan, conditioned upon finishing the road to
Dunkirk and also the Newburgh branch, in May, 1851, and as a
financial measure, the board of directors accepted the proposition
and adopted the following preamble and.resolution:
At a meeting of the directors of the New York and Erie Railroad Company, the following
preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted (January 10th, 1819): *
“Whereas, there has already been expended upon the Newburgh branch, in conformity
to agreement, about the sum of two hundred and forty-five thousand dollars, which, to-
gether with the sums necessary to complete the present contracts, say twenty thousand
dollars, Will nearly make up the amount required to be advanced by this company toward
the construction of said branch road, as per agreement of 19th March, 1815; and whereas,
the inhabitants of Newburgh, in order to secure the completion of the said road by the
first day of September next, propose to advance upon the acceptances of this company
$115,000 for that purpose: and whereas, upon the extension of the main line of our road
to Elmira, if not earlier, said branch road will be of great value if completed; therefore
“Resolved, that the superintending engineer upon the Newburgh branch is hereby
authorized to draw upon the treasurer of this company in sums not less than $500 to an
amount on the aggregate of one hundred and forty-five thousand dollars, which drafts
shall be payable m May, 1851 (the time prescribed by the law of this state for the com-
pletion of said branch road), and bear interest at seven per cent, per annum payable half
yearly; and that Homer Ramsdell be authorized to procure the money upon said accep-
tances and deposit it with the treasurer to be applied toward the purchase of iron rails
and completion of said branch road as aforesaid; and that the president is hereby author-
ized to issue such orders as shall be necessary to carry out the intention of the foregoing
preamble and resolution.”	A true copy, NATHANIEL MARSH, Secy.
“In consideration of and in conformity to” this preamble and
resolution, the following persons made written agreement, on the.HA ILBOAD ENTERPRISES.
229
15th January, 1849, to endorse the acceptances of the Erie company
for the sums set opposite their names:
T. Powell & Co.,	$4:5,000
J. Beveridge & Co.,	25,000
John P. DeWint,	25,000
B. Carpenter & Co.,	10,000
Adam Lilburn,	1,000
Crawford, Mailler & Co.,	20,000
J. Y.B. Fowler & Co.,	1,000
F. Gerard and Jas. DeGroff,	1,000
Wm. C. Hasbrouck,	1,000
N. Reeve,	1,000
Corns. C. Smith,	1,000
Stanton, Clark & Co.,	1,000
Benj. Tyler,	1,000
Daniel Farrington,
A. & M. H. Belknap,
Jno. J. Monell,
Corwin, Halsey & Co.,
Richard C. Smith,
George Mecklem,
Spier & Wilson,
Enoch Carter,
Odell S. Hathaway,
Christopher B. Miller,
Aaron B. Belknap,
$1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
500
500
500
3.000
2.000
1,000
$145,500
These acceptances were also all endorsed by Thomas Powell & Co.
On the 23d of February following, Messrs. Powell, Ramsdell & Co.
and J. Beveridge & Co. purchased 2,000 tons of railroad iron, then in
in the hands of Davis, Brooks & Co., at $40 per ton and duties there-
on, for which the notes of Powell & Co. were given for $55,000, and
the notes of Beveridge & Co. for $23,000. In addition to the iron,
Homer Ramsdell purchased the depot grounds—embracing the river
front between the Whaling company’s dock and the north line of
Western Avenue, and also a lot south of the dock of John W. Wells,
fronting 165 feet on Water street and the river—paying for the same
$20,000. The property of John W. Wells, 91 feet on the river, with
a quit claim to one half of Western Avenue, was condemned and
taken on the award of commissioners at $40,000. On settlement in
June, it was found that Powell & Co. were at that time, through en-
dorsements, acceptances, and advances, responsible for $202,219. The
capital thus furnished completed the branch, and on the 9th of Janu-
ary, 1850, its opening was celebrated with appropriate festivities. '
The first depot building of the branch was erected a short distance
south of those now occupied. The present buildings were erected by
Mr. Ramsdell in 1870, and leased by him, together with the dock (for-
merly the Whaliug company’s wharf), to the Erie company, the com-
pany having the option to purchase them and the land upon which they
are located. The original track of the road was laid in Front street
as far north as Fifth. It was once passed over, and then abandoned
by common consent; its rails remain bedded under the pavement.
The old Delaware and Hudson company left behind, as the only
memorials of its existence, a-partly graded track, and the stock sub-
scription of the village of Newburgh ($10,000), upon the debt for
which the interest has been annually paid since 1838. The details of
its history, as well as those of the construction of the branch, now
serve as monuments to the memory of those who were its projectors
and supporters. The effort of 1837 is now an accomplished fact: the
coal mines of Pennsylvania are in connection with Newburgh by rail;230
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
but the advantages of the earlier enterprise passed away, to a very
large extent, with its opportunity.
WARWICK VALLEY RAILROAD.
Although not strictly a Newburgh enterprise, the Warwick Valley
railroad—constructed in part by Newburgh capital and constituting
a portion of the proposed line extending from the Delaware (Water
Gap) to a connection with the Newburgh branch at Chester—miters
into intimate relation with the history of its railroad enterprises.
Immediately following the completion of the Newburgh branch, the
project of its extension to the Delaware was considered, and a survey
and maps made; but nothing further was accomplished. In 1859,
Mr. Grinnell Burt, and other residents of Warwick, practically revived
the project by organizing the “ Warwick Valley Railroad Company”
under the following board of directors: Grinnell Burt, John Ruther-
ford, Thomas B. DeKay, Ezra Sanford, James B. Wheeler, Milton
McEwen, James Burt, John H. Brown, John L. Welling, Wm. Herrick,
James P. Houston, and Nathan R. Wheeler. On organization the
directors elected Grinnell Burt, president; Milton McEwen vice presi-
dent; James B. Wheeler, treasurer; Wm. Herrick, secretary. The
capital stock was $100,000, of which Newburgh furnished $10;500.
When the road was completed the bonded and floating debt amounted
to a little over $100,000, forty per cent, of which has since been paid
out of the earnings of the road, and a surplus of an equal amount
has been expended to extend the road to the New Jersey state line.
In consideration of these payments and to create a surplus fund, a
stock dividend of one hundred per cent, was declared to the stock-
holders in 1861. Regular annual dividends of seven per cent, have
been paid from the earnings of the road, showing that, aside from the
advantages which it has conferred upon the district which it traverses,
it has been a pecuniary success. Mr. Grinnell Burt has been the
president and superintendent since the organization of the company.
John L. Welling has served for many years as secretary and treas-
urer. Robert A. Forsyth and Wm. L. F. Warren, of Newburgh, were
early members of the board of directors, and subsequently Homer
Ramsdell. On the death of Mr. Forsyth, Isaac C. Chapman was
elected his successor.
NEWBURGH AND NEW YORK RAILROAD.
The Newburgh and New York railroad company was organized in
the city of New York, December 20tli, 1864—Samuel Marsh, Daniel
Drew, John Arnot, Isaac N. Phelps, Robert H. Burdell, Dudley S.
Gregory, Ambrose S. Murray, J. C. Bancroft Davis, H. L. Pierson,
Alexander S. Diven, Thomas W. Gale, John J. Monell, Thomas H.
Bate, directors; J. C. Bancroft Davis, president; Horatio N. Otis, sec-RAILROAD ENTERPRISES.
231
retary. The capital stock was fixed at $500,000, of which over
$1000 per mile was immediately subscribed and paid up. The project
was based on a proposition for a west shore road from New York to
Albany, which, by its construction, would only lack sixty miles of.
completion. Aside from the directors named, who subscribed ten
shares ($100) each, George Clark, and Enoch Carter, of Newburgh,
subscribed one share each; F. A. DeWint of Fishkill, one; and John
Hilton, H. N. Otis, Chas. Minot, L. E. Tillotson, J. W. Guppy, Wm. R.
Barr, N. Finch, E. W. Brown, and J. D. White, of New York, each
one. The road being less than fifteen miles in length, the number of
directors was reduced to seven, in conformity with the general rail-
road law, in December, 1861, when John S. Eldridge, Jay Gould, J. C.
B. Davis, Daniel Drew, A. S. Diven, Henry Thompson, and Homer
Ramsdell, were elected. On the 1st of August, 1868, Mr. Ramsdell
was elected president. He resigned July 1, 1869, and James Fisk,
Jr., was elected. The line was surveyed by John W. Houston, engi-
neer; the contract for construction was awarded to Peter Ward and
'William Leary, of Newburgh, Aug. 1, 1868, and the work completed
Sept. 1,1869. The road was subsequently leased to the Erie company,
that company supplying the capital required for its construction.
The understood willingness of the company to second any effort to
extend the connections of the road, gave rise to what have been called
“ the Newburgh paper railroads,” the first of which, the
NEWBURGH AND WALLKILL VALLEY RAILROAD,
took the form of a company to construct a road from Newburgh to
Walden, connecting at Vail's Gate with the Erie branch and with the
Newburgh and New York road. The company was organized in the
winter of 1861-'68 by the election of directors and officers. In May
following (May 9), the legislature passed an act making it lawful
“for the common council of.the city of Newburgh to borrow, on the
faith and credit of said city, the sum of three hundred and fifty
thousand dollars ” to aid in the construction of the road, and to issue
the bonds of the city therefor—on condition that the consent should
first be obtained, in writing, of a majority of the tax payers of the
city, who should also own or ^represent more than one half of the tax-
able real and personal property of the city. At the time the project
was undertaken, the disposition of the Newburgh and New York
company to second the enterprise was not generally understood as a
tangible agreement, and this fact, coupled with an expressed oppo-
sition to the Vail’s Gate route, on the part of several leading citizens,
led to a failure in obtaining the consent required to bond the city,
and necessarily to a suspension of the further prosecution of the un-
dertaking.232
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
NEWBURGH AND MIDLAND RAILROAD.
The proposition to construct a road from the vicinity of West New-
burgh to Walden and thence to Fair Oaks, there to connect with the
Midland, was the outgrowth of the effort on behalf of the Newburgh
and Wallkill Valley road, and took definite form in the organization
of the “Newburgh and Midland Railway Company”—George Clark,
president; Odell S. Hathaway, vice president; Alfred Post, treasurer;
John Dales, secretary; George Clark, Abram S. Cassedy, A. T. Rand,
Bradbury C. Bartlett, Odell S. Hathaway, Seth M. Capron, David
Moore, James W. Taylor, Alfred Post, William R. Brown, William J.
Roe, Jr., Lewis M. Smith, Wm. 0. Mailler, directors.
To build this road effort was made to bond the city for $500,000,
under the general act authorizing municipal corporations to aid in the
construction of railroads. What was presumed to be the consent of
a majority of the tax payers, and also of a majority of the taxable
property of the city, was obtained. On examination of the list before
Hon. Thomas George, county judge, it was held by him that while the
petition for consent to bond was signed by a majority of the tax
payers, the signatures did not represent a majority of the taxable
property of the city—$555,099 of the amount being held by execu-
tors, administrators, etc., whose right to thus represent the trusts
which they held, was denied. An appeal was taken to the supreme
court, which, at general term, January, 18*72, affirmed the decision of
Judge George—Justices Tappen and Gilbert concurring, Justice Bar-
nard dissenting. This decision ended the undertaking, and with it
the last of the Newburgh railroad enterprises.	-
BANK OF NEWBURGH.
The Bank of Newburgh was incorporated by act of the legislature,
passed March 22, 1811, on the petition of Jacob Powell, John McAulay,
Chancy Belknap and Jonathan Fisk.* The capital named was $120,-
000, in shares of $50 each; and the state reserved the right to sub-
scribe to the stock any amount not exceeding one thousand shares.
The first directors were: Isaac Belknap, Jr., Jacob Powell, Selah
Reeve, Chancy Belknap, Freegift Tuthill, Leonard Carpenter, Sami.
S. Seward, Jonathan Hedges, Francis Crawford, James Hamilton,
John D. Lawson, and Richard Trimble, elected by the stockholders;
and William Ross and Jonathan Fisk appointed on the part of the
state. The stock was all taken soon after the passage of the act of
incorporation; and on the 15th June, the corner-stone of the pres-
—---------------:-------- %
* Notice is hereby given, that the subscribers and others, intend to petition the legisla-
ture of this state, at its next session, tor a law of incorporation to establish a bank in
the village of Newburgh, in the county of Orange, the capital stock to consist of Four
Hundred Thousand Dollars. Dated1, Newburgh, January 1st, 1811.
CHANCY BELKNAP,	JACOB POWELL,
JONATHAN FISK,	JOHN McAULAY,BANKING INSTITUTIONS.
233
ent banking1 house was laid.* The building was completed and the
bank was opened for business on the 9th of September.
The charter of 1811 continued until 1830, when the stock held by
the state was withdrawn, the bank was reorganized under the safety
fund law, and the capital increased to $140,000. In 1851, the capital
was further increased to $200,000, when the bank was reorganized
under the general banking law. In September, 1852, the capital
was increased to $300,000. j*
The first president of the bank was Isaac Belknap, Jr., and the first
cashier, John S. Hunn. Wm. Walsh succeeded Mr. Belknap in 1821,
and served until his death in 1839, when John Chambers was elected.
Mr. Chambers served until his death in 1854, when George W. Kerr
was elected. Mr. Hunn was succeeded in the cashiership by Freder-
ick W. Farnum; Mr. Farnum by Wm. M. Vermilyea; Mr. Vermilyea J
by Levi Dodge; Mr. Dodge, in 1836, by George W. Kerr; and Mr.
Kerr, in 1854, by Francis Scott. On the 5th of July, 1864, the bank
was organized as a national bank—George W. Kerr, president, and
John J. S. McCroskery, cashier—and its capital raised to $800,000.
BRANCH BANK OF NEWBURGH.
In 1818, the directors of the Bank of Newburgh determined to es-
tablish a branch at Ithaca; the arrangements for which were perfected
and the institution went into operation on the 15th of February, 1820,
under the following officers: Luther Gore, president; Charles W. Con-
nor, cashier; Benj. Johnson, Joseph Benjamin, Levi Leonard, Calvin
Burr, Herman Camp, and Charles A. Morrell, directors. The branch
continued in operation until 1830, when, on the expiration of the old
charter, it was discontinued.
HIGHLAND BANK. .
In 1833, application was made to the legislature to incorporate the
Highland Bank; but the bill was lost in the senate. This result was
followed by a meeting of citizens at the Mansion House, April 20,
1833, “ to ta,ke into consideration such measures as might be deemed
necessary to obtain an increase of the banking capital of Newburgh.”
Of this meeting Selah Reeve was chosen president; Daniel Farring-
ton and Robert Lawson, vice presidents; and Abraham M. Smith and
Aaron Belknap, secretaries. After the passage of a resolution regret-
* On Saturday, June 15th, 1811, the president and directors of the Bank of Newburgh,
assisted by the master mason, laid the corner-stone of the banking house, in Water street.
The building is to be of brick, thirty feet front, forty-six deep, three stories high, and
finished in a handsome style.—Index.
f The increase of the capital of the bank, here referred to, was made by the sale by
auction of the stock, on Tuesday, Sept. 2d, 1852. The increase was mainly taken by the
old stockholders, and yielded a premium of $14,130.75.
^ Mr. Vermilyea tendered his resignation for the purpose of accepting the appointment of
cashier of the Merchant’s Exchange Bank of New York, which commenced business in
September, 1831,234
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
ting the defeat of the bill, committees were appointed to renew and
circulate petitions to the next legislatyre. The second application
was successful; the charter passed the legislature April 26, 1834.*
The charter capital of the bank was $200,000. Nathaniel Jones,
Egbert Jansen, Robert Fowler, Nathl. P. Hill, John Forsyth, James
Belknap, Aaron Noyes, Noah Mathewson, and Christopher Reeve
were appointed commissioners to receive stock subscriptions. In a
few weeks nearly double the capital required was subscribed, and a
pro rata distribution of the stock became necessary.
The bank was organized on the 21st of July, 1834, under the fol-
lowing officers: Directors—Gilbert 0. Fowler, Samuel Williams, Jack-
son Oakley, Thomas Powell, Charles Borland, Jr., Daniel Farrington,
Benj. H. Mace, James Belknap, Benj. Carpenter, Nathl. Jones, Abm.
Vail, Robert Fowler. Gilbert 0. Fowler, president, and James Belk-
nap, cashier. Mr. Belknap subsequently resigned, and Thos. C. Ring
was elected. Mr. Ring resigned in 1838, and Robert Burnett held the
office until his death in 1840, when (May 10) Alfred Post was elected.
Mr. Fowler served as president until his death, when George Cornwell
was elected. On the death of Mr. Cornwell (Nov. 1861), Mr. Post
was elected president and M. C. Belknap, cashier. Directors in 1861:
Alfred Post, John W. Brown, David Moore, Ed. R. Johnes, Jas. W.
Taylor, Peter V, B. Fowler, Robt. Denniston, Thaddeus Hait, John
Lomas, Walter S. Vail, George A. Elliott.
The capital of the bank was increased to $350,000 ($100,000 from
surplus and $50,000 new stock), Jan. 1, 1865. It was organized as a
national bank, April 22, 1865, and its capital increased to $450,000.
POWELL BANK.
The Powell Bank was organized December 12, 1838, as an associated
bank—with a capital of $135,000. The first directors and officers
were: Directors—Thos. Powell, Samuel Williams, Daniel Farrington,
Benj. Carpenter, Charles Halstead, Homer Ramsdell, Wm. L. F.
Warren. Thomas Powell, president; Sami. Williams, vice president;
Thos. C. Ring, cashier; Nathaniel R. Belknap, teller. The capital
stock was held by Hiram Bennett, A. & M. H. Belknap, Benj. Carpenter
& Co., Daniel Farrington, A. P. Johnes, H. Ramsdell, Roe & Darby,
Thos. Powell, George Sneed, and Samuel Williams.
In January, 1843, the stockholders, with the exception of' Thos.
Powell and Homer Ramsdell, withdrew their stock, and the institution
became an individual bank, with a capital of $110,000,—Thos. Powell,
president; Homer Ramsdell, vice president; and T. C. Ring, cashier.
Messrs. Powell and Ramsdell subsequently increased the capital to
$115,000. The bank was discontinued in 1851.f
* Ante p. 193, f Ante p. 194,196.BANKING INSTITUTIONS.
235
QUASSAICK BANK.
The organization of the Quassaick Bank was based on the assumed
necessity for a larger banking capital to accommodate the business of
the village. The directors of the Bank of Newburgh endeavored to
supply this want by increasing the capital stock of that institution
$100,000; but this addition proved inadequate to the demand. On
Thursday evening, September 4th, 1851, a meeting of citizens was
held at the Orange Hotel for the purpose of considering the subject.
David Crawford was chosen chairman, and 0. M. Smith secretary.
After addresses by Wrn. Fullerton, W. E. Warren, S. W. Eager, T. M.
Niven, and others, a committee was appointed to name, suitable per-
sons for directors, and also to suggest a title for the institution. On
the report of this committee, a board of directors was nominated, and
“The Quassaick Bank,” adopted as the title.
On the 31st of March, 1852, the bank was formally organized by
the adoption of articles of association, and commenced business with
a capital of $130,000 in the spring of that year. The first officers
were: Directors—E. W. Farrington, J. I. Crawford, I. R. Carpenter,
Asa Sterling, Isaiah Townsend, Charles U. Cushman, John Jamison,
W. K. Mailler, Jas. Patton, John J. Monell. A vacancy in the board
was filled, at the ensuing election in May, by the election of David
Moore. At the organization of the bank E. W. Farrington was chosen
president; Jonathan N, Weed, cashier, and W. H. Gerard, teller. D.
Gillis Leonard succeeded Mr. Farrington in May, 1862, and Odell S.
Hathaway was elected in September, 1864, to fill the vacancy occa-
sioned by the death of Mr. Leonard in May of that year. James N.
Dickey was elected teller in 1863. The capital of the bank was in-
creased to $200,000, Sept. 1852; and to $300,000, March, 1854. It
was organized as a national bank June 3, 1865, the capital remain-
ing unchanged.
NEWBURGH SAVINGS BANK.
By act of the legislature passed April 13, 1852, E. W. Farrington,
John J. Monell, Charles U. Cushman, Robert L. Case, Robert A. For-
syth, Richard A. Southwick, Odell S. Hathaway, Gilbert C. Monell,
David H. Barclay, Adam Lilburn, Sami. W. Eager, Corns. C. Smith,
Robert Sterling, Robert D. Kemp, Charles Drake, David Moore, John
H. Waters, James I. Crawford, James Patton, Wm. K. Mailler, Benj.
Carpenter, T. M. Niven, and their successors, were constituted “a
body corporate and politic, by the name of The Newburgh Savings
Bank.” The bank commenced business January 1, 1853, with the fol-
lowing officers, viz: Robert L. Case, president; 0. S. Hathaway and
E. W. Farrington, vice presidents; Chaides U. Cushman, secretary and
treasurer. In 1854, E. W. Farrington was elected president; Charles236
HISTORY OR NEWBURGH.
Halstead, Jr., treasurer; G. C. Monell, secretary. In 1858, Daniel B.
St. John, president; Thos. C. Ring, treasurer; J. R.Wiltsie, secretary.
These officers were continued until 1872, when the Rev. John Forsyth
was elected president. He was
succeeded by J. DeWitt Walsh,
who served until January, 1873,
when Mr. St. John was reelect-
ed, and Mr. Ring entered upon
his seventeenth year as treas-
urer. The deposits on the 1st
July, 1859, were $124,000; July
1st, 1875, $2,467,700.
In the summer of 1866, the
directors commenced the erec-
tion of the building now occu-
pied by the bank—Vaux, With-
ers & Co., architects; Franklin
Gerard, mason ; McClung &
Deyo, carpenters. It was com-
pleted in 1868, and occupied by the bank in October of that year.
Its cost was about $130,000, which was paid from the earnings of
the bank.
BANK SUSPENSIONS.
The Bank of Newburgh and the Highland Bank suspended specie
payments May 12, 1837. On the morning of that day, the directors
and officers held a meeting and passed the following among other
resolutions:
“Resolved, That during the suspension of specie payments by the New York city banks,
it will be prudent and necessary for the village banks to retain their specie for the use of
the town and county, to be used in the ordinary business of the county.
“ Resolved, That the banks will, therefore, for the present, suspend paying specie for
the redemption of their bills—other than such as may be offered by our citizens to obtain
small sums for the prosecution of their accustomed business.”
At 11 o’clock, the same day, a meeting of citizens was held at the
Orange Hotel—John Ledyard, chairman; Christopher Reeve and David
Sands, secretaries. After reading the resolutions adopted by the
banks, their course was approved.
In consequence of this action, the banks were able to supply specie
to the public during the whole of the period of suspension. On the
1st of September, 1837, the Bank of Newburgh held $23,921 in specie,
and the Highland Bank $15,450. The suspensions of 1857, were made
in a similar manner. While amply prepared to redeem their circula-
tion in gold and silver, the suspension of New York city banks ren-
dered the same course necessary on the part of those of Newburgh.
The suspension of specie payments growing out of the war of theINCORPORATED COMPANIES.
237
rebellion practically began on the 30th of December, 1861, when the
New York city banks suspended, and has continued since that time,
under the substitution for gold and silver of an irredeemable national
currency.
NEWBURGH WHALING COMPANY.
The precise date of the organization of this company cannot now
be ascertained, but the first entry of stock was made on the 31st De-
cember, 1831. On the 24th of January, 1832, the legislature passed
an act incorporating the company, by the terms of which “ William
Roe, John P. DeWint, Abraham M. Smith, John Harris, Benoni H.
Howell, Samuel Williams, Benj. Carpenter, Christopher Reeve and
Augustus'F. Schofield,’7 and such others as were then or might there-
after be associated with them, were empowered to engage “ in the
whale fishery in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and elsewhere, and
in the manufacture of oil and spermaceti candles.” The capital stock
was fixed at $200,000 in shares of $50; but the company was author-
ized to commence business as soon as $50,000 should be subscribed
and paid in. The persons named in the act were to be the first direc-
tors of the company, and were also to act as commissioners to re-
ceive subscriptions to the stock. Directors were to be elected on the
first Tuesday in January of each year; the company authorized to
purchase and hold real estate to an amount not exceeding twenty-five
thousand dollars, and to have and perform all the rights and privi-
leges of an incorporated company, with the only restriction that “ no
foreigner” should “ever be a stockholder, or anywise interested in
said company.” *
The company was immediately organized under this act, and William
Roe appointed president; Aaron Belknap, secretary, and Abraham M.
Smith, agent. The books were opened for subscriptions and $109,000,
or 2186 shares, of the capital stock taken. On the 1st of April, the.
company purchased the ship Portland, for $15,250; in August, the
ship Russell, for $14,500, and in May following, the ship Illinois, for
$12,000. During the same year, they also erected a large store-house
on Water street, near First street, and a commodious wharf. The
ships purchased were fitted out and made two voyages each. The
Portland was under command of Capt. Cook; the Russell, under Capt.
Brock; and the Illinois, first voyage, Capt. Leonard—second voyage,
Capt. Merchant.
The business of the company was continued until 1837. In 1834,
* The act encountered considerable opposition in the assembly, as appears from the
debate on the 18th January. Mr. King, in reply to Mr. Myers, said, that “the reason why
an act of incorporation was asked for, in this instance, was because the present stock
company in Newburgh was unable in any other way, to collect the necessary capital for
the prosecution of their business on such a scale as they could wish, or as would be advan-
tageous to the company.”— Telegraph, Jan. 26, 1832.238
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
Charles Ludlow, David W. Bate, John Harris, Edmund Sanxay, Abra-
ham M. Smith, Janies G. Clinton, Daniel Farrington, David M. DuBois
and John Chambers were chosen directors. In the presidency, John
D. Lawson succeeded Mr. Roe in 1833, and Charles Ludlow succeeded
Mr. Lawson in 1834. Uriah Lockwood succeeded Mr. Belknap, and
James Belknap, Mr. Lockwood, as secretary. The last voyage made
was by the ship Portland, Capt. Cook, which arrived in New York in
March, 1831, with 2100 barrels whale oil, 350 barrels sperm oil, and
19,000 pounds of bone. The cargo sold for about $40,000.
The enterprise, however, failed to yield the profit anticipated and
was abandoned. Receivers were appointed, the ships and other prop-
erty sold, and the stockholders paid back their original subscriptions
with the addition of a small dividend. The existence of the company
ceased in 1840; and in 1846, its books, with the exception of an im-
perfect day-book, were destroyed by the fire which consumed the store
of Daniel Farrington, in which they were deposited.*
NEWBURGH STEAM MILLS.
In the early part of the year 1844, a stock company was formed
for the purpose of erecting mills for the manufacture of cotton goods.
The capital agreed upon was $100,000,f and the subscriptions to the
stock were completed on the 25th of May. On the 5th of June, the
company was formally organized, and John Forsyth, Hiram Bennett,
David Crawford, Aaron P. Johnes, Homer Ramsdell, Benjamin Car-
penter, Christopher Reeve, Uriah Lockwood, and Daniel Farrington,
elected directors; Hiram Bennett, president; Homer Ramsdell, vice
president; Daniel Farrington, treasurer; and Uriah Lockwood, secre-
tary. On the 12th of June, the directors selected the site and soon
after commenced the erection of the necessary buildings.^ The works
were completed and the manufacture of cotton commenced in 1845,
since which time the mills have continued in operation, and partial
time kept during the most trying revulsions. A large portion of the
original stockholders have disposed of their interest, and a majority
* In addition to this company, an act was passed by the legislature, on the 29th of
April, 1833, “to incorporate the North River Whaling Company.” The capital of this
company was fixed at $300,000. John Forsyth, Alexander Falls, John Ledyard, James
Halstead, Jonathan Hasbrouck, Edmund Sanxay, John W. Knevels, John D. Phillips and
William C. Hasbrouck, were named as directors in the act. This company, it is said, owed
its origin to Jonathan Hasbrouck. Beyond incorporation, however, nothing was ever done
in its name.
f $100,000 additional was obtained by loan from H. & D. Parish of New York.
$ The trustees of the “Newburgh Steam Mills” held a meeting on Tuesday last to
select a site for their cotton factory from the several locations offered. We learn that they
unanimously accepted the proposals of Messrs. J. Beveridge & Co., and have taken their
lot at the north part of the village on the immediate bank of the Hudson. It is 205 feet
in front on Water street and 750 feet on the river. The trustees have secured an advanta-
geous site for their works, and obtained the property for the trifling consideration of
$3,000—Messrs. Beveridge & Co., in connection with the other holders of real estate in that
vicinity, engaging to build a sufficient road on the shore and a suitable wharf for the estab-
lishment—Gazette, June 15,1844.supply of Water,
239
of the stock is now held by Thos. Garner. The main building is two
hundred and fifty feet long by fifty feet broad, and has five floors
beside the basement—one floor being devoted to each of the proces-
ses of cotton manufacture. In addition to this building is another
ninety by forty feet.
NEWBURGH GAS-LIGHT COMPANY.
This company was organized in May, 1851, with a capital of
$65,000. The following gentlemen composed the first board of direc-
tors, viz: Homer Ramsdell, David Crawford, E. W. Farrington, and
John J. Monell, of Newburgh, and J. A. Sabaten, of Albany, and S.
Sabaten, of Newark, N. J. David Crawford was elected president,
and J. J. Monell, secretary and treasurer of the board. Gas was first
lighted in the latter part of September, 1852.
SUPPLY OF WATER.
Prior to 1.811, the village of Newburgh was mainly supplied with
water by wells; but, as population increased, it became necessary to
procure a supply from other sources. Private enterprise, for a time,
relieved the more pressing demand.* In 1840, the board of trustees
took the subject in hand, and submitted to the inhabitants a plan for
forming a stock association^ which resulted in the incorporation, by
* Under date of August 3d, 1803, appears the following advertisement of the first
water-works:
“ Water.—The proprietor of the works on the tenement formerly the property of Fran-
cis Brewster, of this village, hereby informs his neighbors, that water may be had at the
works until other arrangements are made, on the following easy terms, to wit—For every
5 pails of water, or less quantity, 5 cents; for each barrel filled at the works, 6 cents. All
persons who come to the works for water, will, in future, be soobliging as to call on some
of the family, in order that an account may be kept. Prompt payment will be expected
at the end of every month. For workmen to drink, who are employed in erecting any
building in the town, or such as are at work improving the streets, or other public labor,'
water gratis.”
t“A meeting of the inhabitants of the village of Newburgh is requested at the house
of Edward Howell, in said village, on Saturday next, at 7 o’clock in the afternoon pre-
cisely, to devise a suitable plan to supply this village with good and wholesome water for
all family purposes, and to supply the engines with water in case of fire.
In the meantime the following plan is submitted to their consideration:
That the amount of the expense of the proposed measure (estimated not to exceed 3000
dollars) be divided into 600 shares, of five dollars each; that each inhabitant shall be at
liberty to subscribe as many shares as he may think fit, not exceeding 20 in number, during
the first ten days after opening the subscriptions; that none but inhabitants of the village,
or persons holding real estate in the same, shall be permitted to subscribe any shares
during the first ten days aforesaid; that subscription books be provided by the Trustees
of the village, and the subscriptions be made payable to the Treasurer of the Corporation
at such times and in such proportions as the board of trustees may from time to time
direct, and emergencies require; but to be appropriated only to the object of the institu-
tion; that the purchases of springs and sources of water, and the soil necessary for this
purpose be made by the trustees in their corporate capacity, and be held by them and
their successors, in trust for the exclusive benefit of the subscribers, their legal representa-
tives, or assigns, until the income of the works shall be equal to the amount of the sub-
scriptions, and interest after the rate of fourteen per cent, per annum; that the works
shall be carried on and when completed be, and always remain, under the sole direction
and control of the trustees for the time being, and that they may at all times make and
ordain such prudential by-laws and regulations concerning the same, as shall be just and
right; and that the whole interest, rights and emoluments of the institution shall be vested
in the trustees for the time being, for the use of the inhabitants, when the subscribers
shall have received the amount of their subscriptions and interest after the rate of 14 per
cent, per annum. By order of the Trustees.	G. MONELL, President.
Newburgh, June 30,1804.240
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
an act of the legislature, passed March 1th, 1806, of the “Newburgh
Aqueduct Association.” Beyond this, however, nothing appears to
have been done until 1809, when, on the 21th of March, the legisla-
ture passed an act empowering the trustees to procure a supply of
water for the use of the village, and for that purpose to enter upon
the possession of any springs or streams of water within the corpo-
rate bounds; provided, that there should, “in all cases, be left a
sufficiency of water in said spring or springs so taken, for the use of
the owner of the lands wherein the said spring or springs are situ-
ated, and his heirs and their assigns forever;” and further, that com-
pensation should be made for the property so taken. Two hundred
and fifty dollars were to be raised annually by tax to meet the expen-
ses incurred, and the act of 1806 was repealed. The sum named in
this act proved to be insufficient, and no further proceedings were
had until 1812, when a meeting of the citizens was held (Feb. 29),
who sanctioned the levying of a higher tax, by the trustees; but the
latter regarded a compliance with the wishes of the former as illegal,
and directed the raising of only the amount specified. This was the
first water tax levied.
In May, 1818, the trustees determined to contract with Jonathan
Hasbrouck, the owner of Cold Spring, and Walter Case and Jacob
Powell were appointed a committee for that purpose. No arrange-
ment, however, was made with Mr. Hasbrouck, and the subject rested
until the 20th of June, 1814, when the trustees “Resolved, That we
will proceed with all convenient speed to supply the inhabitants of
the village of Newburgh with pure and wholesome water;” and as
Water street was about to be paved, that water-logs be laid before
that w’ork was done. In 1815, the difficulties under which the trus-
tees labored were partially removed by an amendment to the charter
of the village by which two thousand dollars could be raised annually
by tax, for contingent expenses and for the introduction of water.
An effort was then made to purchase a spring owned by Mr. Mande-
vill, late the property of Jno. J. Monell; but it was not successful.
Nothing further was done till 1816, when the trustees appointed a
committee to examine the water lots of Jacob Ritchie, in the vicinity
of Grand and Third streets, for the purpose of ascertaining the extent
of the supply which could be obtained from that source. Experi-
ments were made by this committee, who subsequently reported that
the yield was not sufficient. The proposition to take the Cold Spring
was then renewed, and an agreement was made with Mr. Hasbrouck
for that purpose. The water was to be taken from a “ pen-stock,”
which had been erected on Liberty street for supplying the brewery
of Robert Dunlop, and conveyed “ from thence down Ann street toSUPPLY OF WATER.
241
Colden street, thence through Colden and Water streets as far. north
as the store of Harris & Miller.” * *
At this stage of the proceedings, the court of chancery (Aug. 26,
1816), on the application of George Gardner, through whose lands the
outlet of the spring passed, granted an order restraining the trustees
from further action, as, under the act of 1809, they were required to
leave sufficient water in the spring for the use of those interested in
it as a source of private supply. The trustees referred the subject to
their counsel, Mr. Henry, of Albany, who, after examining the act,
advised them that he considered it inexpedient to make a motion to
dissolve the injunction. The trustees then agreed (Jan. 10, 1811,) to
ask the legislature to “ repeal the act of 1809, and substitute, in lieu
thereof, a law for the same purpose based upon more just and consti-
tutional principles as to the mode and extent of contracting* for or
taking the water to be introduced into the village.” This action was
approved by the citizens, at a public meeting held on the 29th of
March, and the act applied for passed the legislature on the 1th of
April. This act authorized the trustees to take, for the use of the
village, such sources of supply as they might deem necessary. In
case of disagreement with the owners of the property so taken, the
subject of damages was to be referred to Wm. Thompson, Daniel C.
Verplanck and Abm. H. Schenck, who should fix the amounts to be
paid. The trustees immediately made application to Jonathan and
Eli Hasbrouck, George Gardner, and Patrick McGahey (the guardian
of the heirs of Charles Mackin), for the sale of their several rights in
the Cold Spring. Jonathan Hasbrouck demanded $10,000; Eli Has-
brouck, $5,000, Geo. Gardner, $5,000, and the heirs of Charles Mackin,
$500. The trustees regarding the sums as altogether too large, ap-
plied to the commissioners named in the act, who awarded to Jona-
than Hasbrouck, $2,000; to Eli Hasbrouck, $100; to Geo. Gardner,
$1,500, and to the Mackin heirs, $50. The award was accepted by
the trustees, and the several sums paid. The deed from Jonathan
Hasbrouck, however, was made subject to a previous contract with
Robert Dunlop, then held by James Law, for supplying his brewery
with water, f The construction of the works was resumed, and,
*	“ Resolved, That a committee be appointed to contract with Jonathan and Eli Has-
brouck for the right of entering their pen-stock, which contains the water from the Cold
Spring, with an inch auger, and to agree with them for the quantity of water to fill said
hole for the purpose of supplying the village with water, for the term of seven years or
longer; and that Erancis Crawford, Jonathan Carter and John Anderson, Jr., be that com-
mittee.”—Minutes, July 6, 1816.
“ Proposals for digging the ditch for the logs of the aqueduct by the rod, from the place
contemplated in the contract with the Messrs. Hasbrouck, read. Resolved, That the pro-
posals of William Hill be accepted.”—Minutes, July 13,1816.
•	‘ Resolved, That a contract be made with Mr. J. Gilcrist for preparing and laying down
water logs.”—Minutes, July 15,1816.
f A release was subsequently obtained from J. Beveridge & Co., for the sum of $2,000.
016242
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
in addition to those already named, logs were ordered laid through
Smith and Liberty streets. In 1819, the legislature passed an act
enabling the trustees to fund the water debt, then amounting to
$5,000.* In 1821, a larger supply of water being deemed necessary,
the trustees purchased theJ Ritchie lots, on Grand street, from John
Ledyard, for the sum of $450; and, in 1829, sold the property, with
the exception of the spring,f for $4,115. Subsequently, an additional
source of supply was found on the lands of Wm. P. C. Smith, and a
reservoir built near the residence of the late Rev. Doct. Johnston.
Such—with the addition of several large reservoirs—were the New-
burgh water works prior to the introduction of a supply from the
Little Pond. In regard to this source, it may be remarked, that the
proposition to secure it was first made in 1885, and was renewed, in
various forms, until its final adoption in 1852. To trace the several
plans which were, from time to time, submitted to the public on the
subject, is unnecessary. It is sufficient to say, that after a full exami-
nation of the Powellton Springs, the Gidneytown Creek, and the Little
Pond, the people of the village almost unanimously approved the latter
as a source of supply; and, in March, 1852, an act appointing com-
missioners for the purpose of constructing the works, was passed by
the legislature.^ In accordance with the terms of this act, on the
report of the commissioners, an election was held (Nov. 15, 1852),
when eight hundred and twenty-one ballots were cast for, and sixteen
against, the plan of supplying the village with water from the Little
Pond. The works were put under contract in 1853, and $98,916.91
were expended by the commissioners. In addition to this sum, the
trustees expended in 1852, $950.16; in 1854, $1,001.81; in 1855,
$2,118.60; in 1856, $150.16; in 1851, $1,646.88; in 1858, $4,196.01;
in 1859, $1,541.36; and from March 1st, of the latter year, until Jan-
uary 1st, 1860, about, $2,000—making a total of $115,448.15. The
act, however, contemplated an outlay of only $100,000, for which
sum bonds were issued.
The works have been materially enlarged since the introduction
of the supply, viz: In 1861, by the connection of Silver Creek with
* The reason assigned in the petition to the legislature for the passage of this law, was,
that “the general pecuniary embarrassment ” of the citizens rendered it “ extremely op-
pressive to raise the money by tax,” as required by the law under which the debt had
been created. The original debt, however, was subsequently largely increased by expen-
ditures for other purposes. Having no power to issue any other bonds, when money was
required a “ Water Bond ” was issued, until the debt reached some $20,000.
f Ritchie’s spring is situated in Third street, between Grand and Liberty streets. At
the time of its purchase, the lots in the vicinity were covered with a pond which it sup-
plied; When the lots were filled in and Third street opened, the spring was arched and
covered over and its outlet conducted to a reservoir in Liberty street. The water from it
is now conducted into the sewer in Third street.
$ The commissioners named in the act were Lewis W. Young, George Cornwell and
James Belknap. Mr. Cornwell subsequently resigned, and Eli Hasbrouck was appointed
to fill the vacancy.NEWBURGH POST-OFFICE.
243
Little Pond, and in 1872-’3, by the laying of a new main connecting
directly with the pond. The total of expenditures for construction,
etc., from 1852 to 1875, were $381,031.16. In 1855, the water rents
were $8,369; in 1875, $29,307.71. Of all classes of distributing pipes
(exclusive of service pipes) there is a fraction over eighteen miles.
The annual report of the commissioners, and of Major E. C. Boynton,
the superintendent, for the year 1875, supplies complete details of
receipts and expenditures.
NEWBURGH POST-OFFICE.
From the destruction by fire of the records of the post-office depart-
ment at Washington in 1836, it is impossible to ascertain the date of
the appointment of the first postmaster, or of the establishment of the
office at Newburgh. From the records of the auditor’s office, in which
the accounts of the postmasters are kept, the books of which were pre-
served, it is ascertained that the office at Newburgh commenced ren-
dering accounts on the 1st of January, 1796, and that Ebenezer
Foote* was the first postmaster. It is, therefore, presumed that the
office was established sometime during the month of December, 1795.
A list of all the postmasters, prior to 1810, is annexed, each ap-
pointee holding the office up to the time of the rendering of accounts
by his successor, to wit:
Ebenezer Foote, from 1st Jan. 1796. i Daniel Birdsall, from 1st Oct, 1802.
Harry Caldwell, from 1st Oct. 1797.	| Chester Clark, from 1st July, 1810.
The following have been appointed since 1810:
Aaron Belknap, March 26, 1812.
Tooker Wygant, Nov. 26, 1830.
A. C. Mulliner, May 23, 1833.
Benj. H. Mace, Nov. 23, 1836.
Oliver Davis, June 17, 1811.
James Belknap; May 18,1813.
Samuel W. Eager, Aug. 6,1819. *
Joseph Casterline, Jr., May 1,1853.
Ezra Farrington, May 22,1861.
Jas. H. Reeve, Nov. 1, 1866.
Henry Major, May 7,1867.f
Jos. Lomas, Aug. 22,1867.
Ezra Farrington, July 19,1869.
John C. Adams, April 1,1875.
The early mails of the district were carried and letters received
and delivered by post-riders, who, for their own convenience, as well
as for the convenience of those wishing to send letters, appointed
stations for that purpose. The Newburgh station was, for many
years, at the tavern of Michael Weigand; the New Windsor station,
at the “ Glass House ” in the village of New Windsor. Letters were
left at these stations until called for. The Newburgh office was the
first in this section of the county; its delivery included letters for
Marlborough, Plattekill, Montgomery, New Windsor, etc.
* Ebenezer Foote was an officer of the continental army, and receiver of cattle at Fish-
kill and Newburgh. After the war he located in Newburgh and was one of the repre-
sentatives from Ulster county, in the assembly, from 1792 to 1797. He removed to Lan-
singburgh, and was elected to the senate from the middle district, 1799 to 1802. He was
a leading member of the masonic fraternity, and a P. M. of the first lodge located in New-
burgh.
t A special officer of the post-office department who held the place in consequence of
the refusal of the senate to confirm the appointments of President Johnston.244
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
COMMERCIAL RECORD.
As early as 1^161, it is written in regard to the commerce of New-
burgh, that “many people from the back parts of the country bring
their produce to send to New York, having at least three boats be-
longing to the place that constantly go from thence to New York and
return back again with goods, which creates a very considerable
trade” The late James Donnelly stated in his recollections: “I
know nothing about events before the war of the Revolution; but I
have been informed, by those who were old men when I was young,
that Major Isaac Belknap sailed a sloop prior to that time. Another
sloop was sailed by a Captain Donoughue, or Donaghy; and another
by William Harding. Richard Buckingham and Lewis Clark each
owned a sloop during the war, but I presume they were not in the
New York trade. Their sloops and Harding’s, however, were fre-
quently in the public service; and just before the British sailed up
the river, they were sent to Albany to carry troops to reenforce Genl.
Gates. It was a fortunate occurrence for their owners, as the British
would have destroyed them if they had found them here. Their sloops
were built at- Albany, were of Dutch model, fast sailers and easily
managed. They were built of red cedar, and were subsequently
planked and re-planked until they were so spike-eaten that nothing
more could be done with them. There was also a sloop sailed from
here to Nantucket, commanded by Captain Coleman, a native of that
place; and Major Belknap and others were engaged in some trading
ventures with the West Indies.* Belknap’s sloop sailed from Colden’s
dock, and it was here that my father landed on his removal to New-
burgh in 11/14. One of the sloops received part of her cargo at
Denton’s landing near Balmville, and the* other at what was after-
wards Pettingale’s landing near the foot of North street.
During the Revolution the business was, of course, suspended; and,
although resumed at the close of the war, probably was not prosecuted
to any considerable extent until after 1790.
The docks which were first built were small and were principally
located on the west side of what is now called Front street. The
first dock was unquestionably that built by Alexander Colden at the
foot of First street ; and the second, that afterwards owned by Daniel
Smith at Balmville. Mi*. Donnelly stated that, “ prior to the war, the
dock at Balmville was owned by Nchemiah Denton;” and that “ the
Colden dock was then occupied by Isaac Belknap. After the war,
* The papers of Major Belknap confirm Mr. Donnelly in reference to the sloops of
William Harding, Richard Buckingham and Lewis Clark; and also show that on the 28th
of Jan. 1771, the sloop Newbern, Isaac Belknap, captain; Edmond Jones, mate, and Silas
Howell, mariner, while on her passage to the Island of Antigua, was driven on the rocks
on the west coast Of the Island of Bermuda, but, although considerably injured, succeed-
ed in reaching Mangrovet bay.COMMERCIAL RECORD.
245
Benjamin Birdsall occupied the Colden dock, and, Subsequently,
George Gardner. Col. Jonathan Hasbrouck built a small dock—after-
wards known as the red storehouse—on his own property, just below
the Head-quarters, for the purpose of receiving grain and shipping
flour. During the war, the continental dock, near the foot of Third
street, was built for military purposes. During the year in which
peace was proclaimed, the dock afterwards known as Oakley &
Davis's was built, together with a storehouse for provisions for the
army. After the close of the war, David Howell built a dock near
the foot of Second street. Then came Walsh's dock, now Mailler's,
and afterwards the dock of Jacob and Leonard Carpenter, (now occu-
pied by Homer Ramsdell & Co.) The Oakley & Davis dock was first
owned by a Mr. Crosby, I believe. DeWint's dock was the old conti-
nental dock; and John Anderson's dock was just south of Walsh's.* * * §
The docks were such as we now see occasionally along the river at
some old brick-yard. A great depth of water was not required, for
the vessels employed were generally flat-bottomed. " f
From 1198-'99 to 18*15, the names of forwarders, captains, and
vessels are fully set forth in their published advertisements, from
which the following facts appear: From Colden's dock, foot of First
street—Geo. Gardner, 1198 J to 1809; Geo. Gardner & Son, 1810-'15,§
Geo. Gardner & Son, 1822; Henry Robinson, 1823-'26; T. Powell &
Co., 1835-'44; || Reeve, Moore & Co., 1845; Powell, Ramsdell & Co., fall
of 1845-'51; H. Ramsdell & Co., 1858-'65. From Walsh’s dock, foot of
Third street—Hugh Walsh, Derick Amerman, Crawford & Harris and
others until 1808, F. Crawford and C. Belknap & Co., 1809-'ll; F. & D.
Crawford, 1811-'30; D. Crawford & Co., 1831-'3l; Crawford, Mailler &
Co., 1838-'54; W. K. Mailler & Co., 1855-'51; W. K. Mailler & Son,
* Mr. Donnelly’s statement does not entirely correspond with the map of the township
of Washington, given on page 159, but the discrepancy probably arises from the fact that
the property subsequently changed hands. For example, lot No. 8 was the original pur-
chase of Hugh Walsh in 1782, and covered what must have been the continental as well
as the Oakley & Davis dock. Lot No. 7, immediately south, was owned by Aaron Fair-
child and covered what was the Walsh dock (now Mailler’s). John McAuley purchased it
from Fairchild in 1791, and kept store in one of the old army buildings until 1793, when
he sold to Walsh. Anderson’s dock was the next, on the south side of Third street. The
Crosby property was immediately north of Fifth street. It would be impossible to locate
the old docks precisely from present landmarks. The army buildings appear to have been
the first storehouses. ‘ The docks were all west of Front street, and the old storehouses
were nearly on the present east line of Water street.
f Ante p. 172,173.
% The advertisements of 1798, announce that “ Caleb Coffin will continue to sail George
Gardner’s sloop on alternate Fridays : ” that “ Daniel Smith and William Wilson, owners,
Daniel Smith, master, will sail the sloop Morning Star, from Daniel Smith’s dock, on alter-
nate Fridays; that “John Anderson will sail the sloop Eliza on alternate Tuesdays;”
and that “ Derick Amerman will sail the sloop Ceres on alternate Tuesdays.” The Ceres
was owned by Hugh Walsh.
§ Removed to DeWint’s dock in consequence of difficulty in access to the dock, but re-
turned to it in 1822, when its facilities were improved.
|| Mr. Powell erected the storehouse and dock, which subsequently bore his name, the
old storehouse having been destroyed by fire in June, 1835.246
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
1858-’9; W. 0. Mailler, 1860-769; W. 0. Mailler & Co., 1870-’73.* * * § From
Anderson’s dock, foot of Third street—John Anderson, 1798 to 1808.
From Ludlow’s dockf (formerly John Anderson’s)—Alexander Falls
and Jonathan Hedges sailed sloop Favorite, Benj. Case, Jr., master,
in 1199. Their successors were: Jacob & Thomas Powell, 1802-’13;
Selali Reeve and Wm. H. Falls, 1814-’24; Selah Reeve & Son, 1825-’26;
Christopher and Geo. Reeve, 1827-’29; C. Reeve, 1831, who sold to D.
Crawford & Co. From DeWint’s dock, north of Third street—Geo.
Gardner, 1815-’21; Miller & Smith, 1822-’24; E. Case, 1835; Houston,
Johnston & Co., 1838; Christopher Reeve, 1842; Reeve, Moore & Co.,
1843-’44. J From dock foot of Fourth street—Farmer’s Company,§
1806-’13; B. & I. Case, 1814-’20; Abm. Stagg & Co., 1820-’24; John
Mount & Co., 1825-’26, and by Oakley & Davis, 1827-’39. From Car-
penter’s dock, south of Second street—Caleb Coffin, 1800; Jacob &
Leonard Carpenter, and B. Carpenter & Co., 1802-’64; Homer Rams-
dell & Co., 1865-’76. From Balmville—Daniel Smith and others until
1818; H. & J. Butterworth, 1819; Selah Tuttle & Son, 1820, who
were the last occupants. In 1845, the firm of Wardrop, Smith &
Co. was organized and commenced business from a dock and store-
house erected by J. Beveridge & Co. at the foot of Fifth street.—
This firm was continued until 1858, when C. C. Smith sold his interest
to Hiram Falls. On the death of Mr. Wardrop, the firm was dissolved
and Falls & Johnston became its successors. On the death of Mr.
Falls, Johnston & Alsdorf continued the business until 1870, when it
passed to Alsdorf & Skidmore, who sold to Homer Ramsdell, in Feb-
ruary, 1872, and retired from the trade. On the 1st of February,
1865, Homer Ramsdell bought the dock property and barge of B.
Carpenter & Co., and consolidated the business of that firm with the
firm of Homer Ramsdell & Co. During the season the large store-
house of the firm was removed to a new foundation, and the store-
house of Ramsdell & Co. removed and united with it, forming by far
the largest and most complete structure on the Hudson. || The firm of
* The barge Newburgh, then owned by this firm, together with a full cargo of freight,
and also their storehouse, etc., were destroyed by fire in June, 1873, and at the close of
season the firm retired from the freighting business.
t Robert Ludlow, father of the late Mrs. Thomas Powell, bought the property from
Water street to the river in 1796, and built a store on Water street and a new dock in the
rear. During its ownership by the Powells it was called Powells’ dock, and subsequently
Reeve’s dock. The old storehouse was moved to Crawford’s dock and consolidated with
that of D. Crawford & Co., and was destroyed in the fire of 1872.
$ The DeWint storehouse and the Oakley & Davis storehouse adjoining, were destroyed
by fire December 18,1848.
§ This company appears to have been a regularly organized association; its busi-
ness was conducted by directors who were generally changed annually. After the disso-
lution of the company, a similar association was organized by an act of incorporation,
passed by the Legislature, April, 1825. This company orginated, it is said, with Mr.
Jonathan’Hasbrouclt, who was its principal manager. The “ Chancellor Livingston ” was
run for a few trips, in the name of the company, from the old red storehouse ; and then
the project was abandoned.	|| Ante p. 203.GEO, GARDNER’S STOREHOUSE, 1798,
Front-st., West side, South of First Street'. See p. 172, 173, 201, 246.
HOMER RAMSDELL & CO.’S STOREHOUSE, 1875.
Front-st , East side, bet. Second and First. Ante p. 2C1, 203, 246,COMMERCIAL RECORD.
247
Homer Ramsdell & Co. is now the only freight line between New-
burgh and New York; their barges have a carrying capacity of 500
tons each; their daily freights probably exceed the weekly freights
of twenty years ago, being greatly augmented by the trade of the
entire eastern division of the Erie railroad.
The business was conducted entirely by sloops until 1830. The
introduction of steam vessels, however, was proposed in 1825, at a
meeting of sloop owners (June 6), and a committee appointed for the
purpose of making inquiry “ relative to the building of a good and
sufficient steamboat or boats, for the purpose of conveying freight or
passengers from this village and landings adjoining.”* This action
was doubtless intended to allay the feeling against sloop navigation
which had grown out of the disaster to the “Neptune,” in November
of the previous year.f Here the matter rested until the winter of
1829-’30, when Mr. Christopher Reeve purchased the steamer Balti-
* A meeting of sloop owners was held June 6,1825,—Selah Reeve, chairman, and David
Crawford, secretary,—to consider the expediency of placing a steamboat on the Newburgh
line. After discussion, it was “Resolved, That a committee, consisting <?f James Wiltsie,
John P. DeWint, Uriah Lockwood, John Wiltsie, Christopher Reeve and David Crawford,
be authorized to make the necessary inquiry and obtain all the information in their
power relative to the building of a good and sufficient steamboat or boats, for the pur-
pose of conveying freight or passengers from this village and landings adjoining.,,—Index,
June 7.
f Loss of the sloop Neptune.— On Nov. 24, about noon, the sloop Neptune on her
way from New York to this village, a short distance below Pallopel’s Island, was upset,
filled and sunk. At the time of this melancholy event, it is understood she had on board
from fifty to fifty-five passengers, a majority of whom were drowned. It appears that the
vessel left New York under the command of her first hand, Mr. John Decker, (Capt. Hal-
stead being detained in the city,) with from forty to fifty tons of plaster and some eight
or ten tons of merchandise on board. About half of the plaster was put in the hold, and
the remainder piled on the deck. In the Highlands the wind was high, which induced
the commander, when below West Point, to take a double reef in the mainsail, and other
measures of caution for the safe delivery of his charge. When off Little Stony Point,
with very little way on the vessel, a flaw struck her and hove her down. This caused the
plaster on deck to shift from windward to leeward. Most of the male passengers were
on deck, and one or two of the females, and some ten or twelve women and six or seven
children in the cabin. The shifting of the plaster created the utmost 'confusion on board.
The water rushed into the scuttle of the forecastle, which was to leeward, then into the
cabin; and consternation, dismay and death presented their appalling features to all on
board. In a few minutes she filled and plunged headlong to the bottom. All in the cabin
perished. Those on deck were plunged into a cold and turbulent element or had been
carried down with the vessel. The boat was afloat, and when the sloop was going down
was occupied by Decker and Woolsey, but without oars—they were supplied by Mr.
Storm, whose oyster boat was just ahead of the sloop ; and they made utmost exertions
to save the unfortunates. Seventeen persons were rescued by them and the other boats
which came to their assistance ; but the rest perished.
The following are the names of those who were saved John Decker, Levi D. Wool-
sey, Mr. Thorne, of Newburgh; Joseph Mullock, A. Carey; Jesse Green, of Minnisink;
Alfred Crawford, Alexander Crawford, John Rose, of Crawford ; Mr. Sprague, Mrs. Bow-
ers, Mr. Smiley, Mr. Anderson, of Sullivan county; Lewis Broom, Patrick Kelly, of Wal-
kill; A. Pierson of Montgomery, and a lad from Blooming-Grove—total, 17.
The following persons were known to have been on board the sloop Mrs. Couch and
two children, J. Loveland aud J. Smiley, of Sullivan county; Mrs. Graham and two
children, of Crawford ; John Leader, of Blooming-Grove ; Sami. Carlisle, Jacob Polhemus,
Mrs. McClaughery, of Newburgh; Mrs. Rush, of Wallkill; Messrs. McCurdy, Weed,
Hensler, Mrs. Churchill and Cochrane, of Montgomery; John Greenleaf, George Evert-
son, Matilda Helms, William Kelly and child, of Minnisink; Mrs. Dean, of Cornwall, F. W.
DeCondres and Mrs. Trout of New York—total, 26. It is supposed that a number of others
were on board, which would make the whole equal to the number stated, whose names
and connections have not yet been discovered. The sloop sunk in fifty or sixty feet water.
The owners, Messrs. Miller & Smith, succeeded in raising her.—Index, Nov. 1824,248
msTon y op nfw& malt. * * * §
more, which was placed on the Newburgh line in the spring of 1830,*
and ran from the wharf of the Messrs. Reeve and that of D. Crawford
& Co. Rude in model as was this steamer, her appearance was
hailed with every demonstration of popular re-
gard;, the newspapers recorded her advantages,
and the brush of the painter traced her outlines
the Baltimore. on many sign-boards. But her triumph was short;
her purchase had not been made when Mr. Benjamin Carpenter laid
the keel, at the ship-yard of Cornelius Carman, Low Point, of the
steamer William Young. This vessel was launched July 11,1830,
and commenced running in September of the same year.f Though of
nearly the same appearance as the Baltimore, she was regarded as of
better model, and her owner claimed that she had “ power sufficient
to make her average trips in about six hours7’; but his anticipations
were very far from being realized.
Messrs. Reeve and Crawford continued the Baltimore one year,
when, some dissatisfaction arising, Mr. Reeve sold his interest to Mr.
Crawford, who continued her on the line until 1835, when she was
transferred to the route between Newburgh and Albany. The Messrs.
Reeve (1832) supplied the place of the Baltimore in their line, with
the steamer Legislator; and during the same season Oakley & Davis
put on their line the Providence.^ In the summer of 1833, D. Crawford
& Co. built the steamer Washington and commenced ninning her in
November of that year.§ This boat was far superior to any in the
trade, and the competition which she created aroused the energies of
Mr. Carpenter, who built, in 1835, the James Madison, a boat supe-
rior in many respects to the Washington; she was the first beam-
engine steamer in the trade. During the same season, Oakley &
Davis changed the Providence for the Superior; and Mr. Powell, who
for several years had been living in retirement, now again entered
the list of competitors, and built the steamer Highlander, which com-
* Half of the excellent steamboat Baltimore, has been purchased by D. Crawford &
Co., and we understand that she will start alternately from Reeve’s and from Crawford’s
docks, towing a sloop and taking passengers from each dock twice a week. We have
already spoken of a steabmoat in a state of forwardness, owned by Benjamin Carpenter ;
and probably the other sloop owners will make similar arrangements.—Gaz. Feb. 7,1830.
f Though not the first steamboat in the Newburgh trade, as has been claimed, the
William Young was the first built expressly for that trade. She was more complete in her
accommodations for passengers than her predecessor, the Baltimore, and had more of the
character of what was then regarded as a first-class steamer.
X Farmers and freighters will be abundantly accommodated with steamboats this sea-
son. In addition to the William Young, which will continue to run from Carpenter’s, and
the Baltimore, which will run this season from Crawford’s dock, will be added the Legis-
tor, which will tow from Reeve’s dock, and the Providence from Oakley & Davis’s. We
understand vessels will depart from this village on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays,
Fridays, and Saturdays. The enterprising spirit evinced by these arrangements deserves,
and we confidently hope will meet with a corresponding liberality from the public.—
Gazette, Feb. 26,1832.
§ The Baltimore and the Washington were run by this firm during the season of 1834.COMMERCIAL RECORD.
249
menced running in September. She was a boat of the first class in
speed, her only rival being the Rochester, then on the New York and
Albany line. As their days of sailing from New York were the same,
racing was always in order; and the story is, that in order to settle
the point of speed, a bet of $1000 a side was made. The race came
off and the Highlander lost by half a minute on a straight run from
New York to the Newburgh wharf. The Oseola, a neat and swift
craft, next attacked the Highlander. Both boats ran on the morning
line—the former from Poughkeepsie, and the latter from Newburgh
and Fislikill; but the Highlander was victorious. In 1846, Powell,
Ramsdell & Co. built the Thomas Powell and placed her on the morn-
ing line.* She was subsequently sold to Capt. Anderson and placed
on the morning line between Rondout and New York, and was the
last of the Newburgh steamers.
The first barge—the Minnisink—was placed on the line by Craw-
ford, Mailler & Co. in 1841, in lieu of the Washington, which was
put on the New York and Albany line as an opposition boat, and sub-
sequently sold to the Peopled Line. In 1842, Christopher Reeve re-
entered trade with the barge Union. In 1845, Wardrop, Smith & Co.
put on the steam-barge Caledonia, and in 1851, the barge Wallkill.
Johnston & Palls took out the boilers and engine of the Caledonia
and changed her name to Union, and Alsdorf & Skidmore exhanged
her for the propeller Thomas McManus, and made three trips a week
during the season of 1870-’7l. B. Carpenter & Co. sold the James
Madison in 1846, and purchased the barge Superior. In 1848, Powell,
Ramsdell &Co. built the barge Newburgh and substituted her for the
Highlander; in 1851, they built the barge Susquehanna and run her in
connection with the Newburgh. Subsequently the Newburgh was
transferred to Wm. K. Mailler & Co., and the Minnisink to B. Car-
penter & Co. In 1870, Homer Ramsdell added the barge Charles
Spear to the line of Homer Ramsdell & Co., who run her in connec-
tion with the barges Susquehanna and Minnisink, each boat making
two trips a week, forming a daily line. The latter was withdrawn in
1873, and daily trips made with the Spear and the Susquehanna.
The early steamboat captains were: Baltimore, Robert Wardrop,
1830-’32, Samuel Johnson, 1833; William Young, Seth Belknap, 1830,
Whitehead Halstead, 1831, Charles Halstead, 1833; Providence, Levi
D. Woolsey, 1831-’33, Samuel R. Logan, 1834; Washington, Robert
Wardrop, 1834; Superior, James H. Leeds, 1835; Madison, Eli Perry,
1835; Highlander, Robert Wardrop, 1835. In nearly all cases the
persons named were previously in command of sloops.
* On the 16th July, 1846, the Thomas Powell made the trip from New York to Newburgh
in two hours and forty minutes running time.250
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
The commerce of the city has not been confined to the lines specially
engaged in the New York trade, although that interest has entered
more directly into its general business. Sloops and steamers have
been the Albany trade for many years, and also in connection with
other points. The first steamer on the Albany line was the Baltimore,
Captain Wm. A. Bullis, in 1835. She was succeeded, in 1839, by the
Balloon; the latter by the American Eagle, in 1846, and the Eagle by
the Saratoga. The Constitution ran about eighteen months and then
formed a daily line with the Eagle. She gave place to the Magenta;
the latter to the M. Martin, which with the Eagle now compose the line.
A large number of vessels have been engaged in the lumber and coal
trade and .in general freighting, while the transportation of sawed
lumber by ships to foreign ports, has taken the place of the ancient
traffic by which the district was stripped of its pvrimal forests.
NEWBURGH FERRY.
On the 24th May, 1143, Alexander Colden presented a petition to
the Hon. George Clark, lieutenant-governor of the province, and coun-
cil, for letters patent enabling him to establish a ferry between New-
burgh and Fishkill. This petition, after reciting the patent to the
Palatinates, states: “ That as there are now many settlements on both
sides of the Hudson river, persons frequently have occasion to cross
over from one side of the river to the other, but are often obliged to
wait a considerable time for a passage over the same, there being no
ferry established on either side thereof: That your petitioner is willing
to provide proper boats and persons constantly to attend for the trans-
portation of passengers, horses and goods across the said river to and
from the aforesaid tract of land, now commonly called the Newburgh
Patent; and has obtained liberty of the owners of the land on the
easterly side of the said river to land or take on board any passen-
gers that shall have occasion to cross the said river with their horses
and goods, which will be of great use and benefit to travelers and
other persons that may have occasion to cross said river.” The pe-
titioner asked that the letters patent be issued to himself, his heirs
and assigns forever, for “all the soil under the water one hundred
feet into the river from the high-water mark, the whole length of the
patent (219 chains), that he may be enabled to make proper wharves
and landing places;” and also that “His Honor and the Council”
should establish “ such ferriage fees ” as they should deem reasonable.
The petition was accompanied by a statement showing the “Rates
heretofore taken by way of Ferriage for crossing Hudson’s river
above the Highlands,” as follows:
“ For every Man and Horse,..........*.......................£0 6s Od
For every person without a Horse,......................... 0	2 0
And if bad weather, a Man and Horse,...................... 0 10 0 ”NEWBURGH FERRY.
251
The following* were the “ Rates proposed to be taken:
“For every Man and Horse,.....................................   £0	2s	6d
But if three or more together, for each Man	and Horse,....... 0	2	0
For a single person only,...................................   0	1	0
For each footman, (if three or more	together,)............... 0	0	9
For every Horse or single beast,............................ 0 16
But if three or more together, for each,.................... 0 13
For every Calf or Hog,....................................... 0	0	6
For every Sheep oV Lamb, .................................... 0	0	4
For every full Barrel,.....................:................ 0 1	0
For every empty Barrel,...................................... 0	0	4
For every Pail of'Butter,.................................... 0	0	3
For every Firkin or Tub of Butter,........................... 0	0	6
For every bushel of Salt or Grain,........................... 0	0	3
For every hundred weight of Iron, Lead, &c.,................. 0	0	9
For every Chaise, Kitterin or Sleigh,........................  0	4	0
For every Wagon and Cart,.................................... 0	6	0
and so in proportion for all tilings according to their bulk and weight.”
At a meeting of the council, May 24th, the patent asked for was
granted, and the petitioner thereby invested with the “ sole keeping
of a ferry between any and every part of the said tract, and for the
soil under water (so far only as his own land run,) 100 foot into the
water from high-water mark, under the yearly quit rent of five shil-
lings ” at the “ rates proposed to be taken.”
Immediately after receiving the patent, Colden complied with its
provisions, and continued for several years in the exercise of its privi-
leges. Sail and row boats were used for the purpose of ferriage; a
landing place was constructed at the foot of First street, and the en-
terprise conducted with considerable system. What became of the
ferry during the Revolution does not appear, but it is presumed that
it was taken in charge by the quarter-master of the army and was
known as the continental or public ferry, at which time its place of
landing was changed from the foot of First street to the north side
of Third street.* In 1182, the continental ferry appears to have been
removed to New Windsor, and that this removal, coupled with the fact
that the Colden charter, as well as all similar grants, was regarded
as void in consequence of the Revolution, was the occasion of the
establishment of a new ferry “at Fishkill and Newburgh landings,
where the public (or continental) ferry was formerly kept,” by Peter
Bogardus of Fishkill, and John Anderson and James Denton of New-
burgh, who announced that they had “ built boats for the purpose of
attending said ferry, of the best construction for the transporting of
wagons and horses, and a good scow for the convenience of trans-
porting loaded wagons,” and that the prices of ferriage would be as
they were before the war, viz:
“For a footman,....
Man and horse,___
Two horse Wagon,
Loaded do........
Riding Chair, ___
____one shilling,
----two shillings,
----ten shillings,
twelve shillings,
. six shillings,
Four horse Wagon,.
Loaded do---------
Phaeton and pair,...
Ton of Iron,......
Hogshead of Rum,.
and so in proportion tor every other article.” f
fourteen shillings,
.......one pound,
.. twelve shillings,
... eight shillings,
.....five shillings,
t Adv. N. Y. Packet, July 4,1782.
* Ante p. 172—note p. 176, 200.m
HISTORY OR NRWBTJRGH.
This ferry was continued until after the commencement of the
present century, when, by virtue of the treaty of peace, the exclu-
sive right of the Golden charter was recognized, and the new ferry
merged in that running from Fishkill and New Windsor. The latter
was established by the proprietors of New Windsor in 1155, and was
subsequently owned by Martin Wiltsie and Daniel Carpenter.*
The Col den charter was sold by the heirs of the patentee (Dec. 15,
1802,) to Leonard Carpenter for the sum of $2,500. On the 24th of
October, 1804, Leonard Carpenter sold to Jacob Carpenter one half
of the charter for the sum of $1,250. In August, 1805, the New
Windsor and the Golden ferries were combined, the joint owners being
Leonard and Jacob Carpenter, Martin Wiltsie, Martin Wiltsie, Jr.,
and Peter Bogardus. On the 26th October, 1825, Ann and Catharine
Bogardus, heirs of Peter Bogardus, sold their interest in the ferry to
Benjamin Thorne for $200; and on the 9th of November, Mr. Thorne
sold the interest thus purchased to J. P. DeWint, for the same sum.
On the 1st of April, 1826, Bridget, widow of Leonard Carpenter, sold
to Alexander R. Carpenter her right in the ferry for the sum of $300.
On the same day, Alexander and Jane B. Carpenter sold to Isaac R.
Carpenter their interest—the former for the sum of $2,800, and the
latter for $2,500, the difference in the sums being made by the addi-
tion of the third held by Mrs. Carpenter to that of Alexander. Isaac
R. Carpenter was now the owner of the entire interest held by his
father; to which he added, by purchase, on the 1st of March, 1821,
from Henry B. Carpenter, the interest formerly held by Jacob Carpen-
ter. On the 25th February, 1832, Mr. Carpenter purchased from the
heirs of Martin Wiltsie, senr., all the right, title and interest of their
father, for the sum of $8,000; and sold (Nov. 21,) to John P. DeWint
one half of the interest purchased, for $6,000. On the 1st of March,
1833, Martin Wiltsie, Jr., sold to Mr. DeWint and Isaac R. Carpenter,
by whom the ferry was now conducted in partnership, all his right,
title and interest for the sum of $5,000; and on the 26th of March, of
the same year, Carpenter purchased the entire right of DeWint, and
became sole proprietor. On the 1st of May, 1835, Mr. Carpenter sold
the ferry to Mr. De Wint for the sum of $52,000; and on the 30th of
May, of the same year, Mr. DeWint sold the whole to Thomas Powell
for $80,000. Mr. Powell remained the owner until 1850, when, on the
15th of October, by deed of gift, the property passed to his daughter,
Mrs. Frances E. L. Ramsdell.
Sail and row boats alone were used until 1816, when a horse-boat
was launched at Newburgh (July 16), and commenced her trips on
the 8th of August. The Political Index of August 10th, says: “The
* N. Y. Packet, July 18,1782.FIRE DEPARTMENT.
253
team-boat Moses Rogers, passed from this village, on Wednesday last,
to Fishkill Landing with the following load—one coach and horses,
a wagon and horse, seventeen chaises and horses, one horse, and fifty
passengers.” The Rogers was succeeded by a horse-boat called the
Caravan, a flat-bottomed vessel with a wheel in
the center. She was run in connection with the
sail-boat Mentor and the horse-boat Duchess,*
and was subsequently converted into a steamer
under the name of the Jack Downing In 1828
the steamer Post-Boy was built at Low Point
and placed on the line. Her engine was made in Philadelphia,f and
was a very unique affair. Her name was subsequently changed to
Phoenix. She gave place to the Gold Hunter, which was built by
Mr. Powell on a yard just south of the Bath Hotel. The Fulton, the
Williamsburgh, and the Union, were successively purchased by Mrs.
Ramsdell, by whom also the present ferry houses were erected. The
deed from Mr. Carpenter requires the proprietors of the ferry to con-
tinue the landing at the foot of Second street, and to preserve an
open and free passage to and from the public street. ,
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department of Newburgh was organized under an act of
the legislature, passed March 24, 1197, by which the inhabitants of
the town residing east of Liberty street and south of an east and west
line running six rods north of the Academy, were authorized to elect
five trustees, “ to be called the Trustees of the Fire Company of the
Village of Newburgh,” who should have full power “to nominate and
appoint a sufficient number of firemen, not exceeding twenty to every
fire engine ” then provided or thereafter to be provided for the use of
the said village, “out of the inhabitants being free-holders or persons
renting property to the value of one hundred dollars per annum, to
have the care, management, working and using the said fire engines
* The Gazette of August 30,1828, has the following: “ The owners of the ferry have built
a commodious boat to ply between this village and Fishkill. A steam engine is in prepa-
ration at Philadelphia, and we are informed that the boat will be in operation about the
first of October.”
f The Duchess was run from the upper landing at Fishkill to the DeWint dock at New-
burgh at this time. The Index of August 15,1826, says: “ The ferry between this village
and Fishkill has been greatly improved the present season. The double team-boat Cara-
van continues to ply between the above wharf and the long wharf of Mr. DeWint, and is
well managed. A new team-boat, the Duchess, has been put in operation from the upper
landing, and appears also to be well managed. With these two boats and the sail and row
boats attached to each of the establishments, passengers passing either way can be ac-
commodated at any moment at reduced prices.”
$ The foot of Second street was selected as the landing place in 1833, as appears from a
notice in the Gazette: “It must be gratifying to our citizens to learn that arrangements
are now making to put the ferry between this village and Fishkill Landing upon a more
effective footing, and also to make a material reduction in the rates of toll. Another cir-
cumstance which will have a favorable influence in the communication between the two
shores, is the confining the running the boats between the Ferry Wharf on this shore, and
the Long Wharf on the Fishkill side.”254
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
and other instruments.” The persons so appointed were to be called
“the firemen of the village of Newburgh;” they were required “to
be ready at all fires, as well by night as by day,” and were exempted
from service as constables or as jurors of inquest.* Prior to the
passage of this law, there is no record of the existence of an engine,
or apparatus, or of any organization for the extinguishment of fires,f
nor is there record of any proceedings under the law, although it is
probable that an organization was made in accordance to its #terms.
The act was superseded by the act of incorporation (1800), under
which the powers which it conferred were vested in the trustees of
the village. The minutes of the latter body make no reference to the
department until May, 1806, at which time two fire companies are of
record, both fully organized and supplied with engines.J At what
precise date these companies were organized cannot be shown; but
from a certificate issued by the board of trustees in 1802,§ both com-
panies were clearly in existence at that time, from which fact it may
be inferred that the trustees of the village found the department
organized, and simply accepted the work which had been done.
From May, 1806, the record of the department is essentially com-
plete. The two companies which were in existence at that time were
composed of the following members:
NO. l.
Wm. L. Smith,
Enoch E. Tilton,
Walter Burling,
Henry Tudor,
Ward M. Gazlay.
Gilbert N. Clement, Geo. E. Hulse,
Minard Harris,	John Coleman,
John Carskaden, John Hoagland,
Caleb Sutton,	Wm.	Adee,
NO. 2.
Andrew Preston,
Nicholas Wright,
John Forsyth,
Walter Case.
John Harris,
Jonathan Fisk,
John Richardson,
Selah Reeve,
Joseph Reeve,
John Anderson, Jr.
Leonard Carpenter,
Jas. Hamilton,
Sami. I. Gregory,
William Gardiner,
Nathl. Burling,
Solomon Sleight,
Jonathan Carter,
Hiram Weller,
Sami. Wright,
Hugh Spier,
Thomas Powell,
Cornelius DeWitt,
Joseph Hoffman.
Cadwallader Roe,
Daniel Niven, Jr.
Benoni H. Howell,
Sylvanus Jessup.
The house of company No. 1, was ordered established (July It,
* Ante p. 164.
t The Newburgh Packet, the first newspaper printed in Newburgh, in its issue of Feb.
20,1795, gives an account of a fire which “broke out in the store of John McAuley,” and
urges the necessity of having an “ engine in town.” The absence of an engine is also in-
ferred in the account of a fire which occurred in the Academy in 1796.
t There was also an independent organization under the title of “ Bagmen,” (organized
in 1805), the members of which company were required to attend all fires for the purpose
of taking charge of goods, for which purpose each member was to furnish himself with a
bag. The uniform of the company consisted of a “hat, the crown thereof to be painted
white, and the rim or brim thereof black, and a large letter B, black, in front of the
crown, standing for Bagman.” The officers of the company were: John McAulay, Fore-
man; Wm. H. Smith, Secretary; Alexander Falls, Collector. Private members: Thomas
S. Lockwood, John Shaw, Robert W. Jones, John Chambers, Jacob Powell.
§ This certificate bears date May 3d, 1802, and is as follows:
“To Jonathan Fisk—With the consent of a majority of the Trustees of the Village of
Newburgh, I do hereby appoint you a Fireman in the Company of which Selah Reeve is
Foreman—according to the direction of the Act of the Legislature of the State of New
York in such case made and provided. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand
and the seal of the Village of Newburgh, the third day of May, in the twenty-seventh year
of American Independence.	LEVI DODGE, P. B. T.”FIRE DEPARTMENT.
255
1806,) “near the house of Robert W. Jones, on Eight-rod street;” and
the house of No. 2 (May It, 1810,) was located on “the north-east
corner of the Presbyterian church lot.” *
No further reference to these companies appears in the minutes of
the trustees—except lists of their officers—for several years. On the
9th of December, 1823, a meeting of citizens was held at Crawford’s
hotel, and a resolution adopted requesting the trustees to “purchase
a new engine for the protection of the village against fire.” In
compliance with this request, the trustees, on the 1st of January
following, contracted with E. Force, of New York, for a new engine
at a cost of $150. On the 20th of the same month, they purchased
the lot on the corner of Montgomery and Second street for the sum of
$92, and subsequently laid a tax of $1200 for the erection of an en-
gine house thereon and to pay for the engine. In addition to this
sum, the Washington Insurance Company of N. Y., contributed $100;
the Fulton Insurance Company, $100; and the North River Insurance
Company, $50, towards the purchase of the new engine. The new
engine was completed in March, 1824, and the question at once arose
among the firemen, which company should be honored with its use
and preservation. After a sharp discussion, the question was decided
by the trustees (March 18,) in favor of company No. 1, by the casting
vote of the president of the board. The company immediately reor-
ganized under the title of No. 3, and anew company was soon after
raised for the old engine. During the same year, the engines were
removed to the new engine house..
The first hook and ladder company, if such it may be called, was
organized on the 3d of March, 1810, by the addition to the two fire
companies of eight men,*)" viz: Joseph Carpenter, Elijah Boardman,
James Donnelly, Benj. Anderson, Thos. Phillips, Jr., William Thayer,
Nathl. Boyd, and Sami. Burtis. This organization continued until
August 5th, 1828, when three persons were selected from each com-
pany and a more independent organization effected. The implements
of the company were housed in a shed which was erected in the rear
of the engine house.J New ladders, etc., were procured in 1852, and
* The places designated were the south-west corner of Water and South streets, and
the north-east corner of what is now the Union Presbyterian Church lot. The buildings
were of wood and little if any better than common barns.
f Resolved, That an addition of eight men be made to the two fire companies, which
eight men shall be under a foreman and vice foreman, and it shall be their duty to take
in charge the fire hooks and ladders, and exercise with them each and every day that the
fire company No. 2, exercises with their engine—and further, it shall be their duty to
attend at all fires with their hooks; and submit, when on duty, to the directions and
orders of the trustees.—Minutes of Trustees, March 3, 1810.
i The original engine house did not occupy the full lot, and a long narrow shed was
built in-the rear, just wide enough to cover the truck, which was a two-wheel affair. The
meetings of the company were held on the sidewalk. The village authorities were very
economical and made the most of their room. Under the engine house they constructed
a reservoir for use in fires. The building was subsequently enlarged.256
i
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
a suitable house (now the police station) erected on First street. The
company has borne, at different times, the names of “Clinton,”* and
“Brewster,” the latter since April, 1861, in honor of Hiram S. Brew-
ster, for several years its foreman.
In 1835 (May 6), on the petition of John McClelland, Jas. G. Clin-
ton, Francis Bolton, and others, the trustees organized Washington
engine company, No. 4, and ordered a new engine from James Smith.
On the 1st of July, they
purchased a lot on Western
Avenue, for $300, on which
a small, but then regarded
as suitable, building was
erected for the company.
The new engine was de-
livered in a rough coat of
paint, and was subsequent-
ly finished in a very coin-
washington engine.	plete manner at the expense
of the company. More modern and of more power than No. 3, it took
the rank to which it was entitled. Songs and music were written
in its honor; its company overflowed with the most vigorous element
in the community.
In 1831 (July 4), Niagara engine company, No. 5, was organized
by the trustees, on the petition of Samuel J. Farnum, Albert Noe, C.
A. Gardiner, and others. On the 22d of August, a lot was purchased
on South street, a house was ordered erected thereon, similar in every
respect to that occupied by No. 4, and a contract made for the con-
struction of an engine. This machine was a duplicate of No. 4, and
the question of superiority led to many spirited contests.
In 1840, the membership of several of the companies exceeded the
number fixed by the trustees, and it was proposed that the surplus
should be permitted to act as volunteers. The trustees referred the
subject to a committee, who reported (July 18) against the plan.
This result led to an “indignant parade,” on the part of the volun-
teers of company No. 5; but the excitement soon subsided, and the
cause of complaint was removed by the adoption (Sept. 14), on the
part of the trustees, of a resolution permitting each company to have
a membership of fifty.
In 1844 (Aug. 22), a meeting of citizens authorized the purchase'
of a new engine for company No. 3; and the trustees (Dec. 2) con- V
tracted with James Smith, of New York, for its construction. The
* “ Faughlaballa ” was painted on the old truck in contempt of the apparatus of the
company, hut was not an established name.FIRE DEPARTMENT,
257
engine was delivered in the spring of 1845, and was finished in an
elegant manner by the company. It was the first “ piano ” machine.
In 1849, a new engine was purchased for company No. 4; and, in
1850, one for company No. 5; both of the improved style. The engine
of No. 4 was again exchanged in 1861.
The first hose company was organized in 1840. Its officers (Jan. 1,
1841) were: William Scott, foreman; Rensselaer Whited, assistant,
and Abel Belknap, Jr., secretary and treasurer. At this time the only
hose carriage was a “jumper7’ attached to engine No. 8. The occa-
sion of its organization was the prior organization by a number of
boys of a hose company, of which Maxwell Wiley was foreman,
Cornelius 0. Madden, assistant, and E. M. Ruttenber, secretary, whose
purpose it was to perform, in this way, the taking of the “jumper” to
and from fires, to which duty they were invariably generously assign-
ed by the members of the engine company. The sages of the corpora-
tion had “no power” to recognize boys as members of the depart-
ment, and, lest they should do some mischief, appointed men who, if
too old to run with the machine, could see to it that due decorum and
solemnity was observed in the discharge of that duty. Columbian
hose is the offspring of this company.
The introduction of water from Little Pond brought with it several
changes in the apparatus of the department. Engine company No. 1
became Excelsior hose company, No. 1,* and, in September, 1852, Co-
lumbia hose company, No. 2. Ringgold hose company, No. 1, was
organized February 1, 1854. Neptune hose company was organized
September 6, 1858; name changed to Leonard hose company, No. 3,
and in 1813, to Leonard steam fire-engine company, No. 2. Chapman
hose company, No. 4, was organized in September, 1859. Cataract
Engine company, No. 3, was changed to Lawson hose company, No.
5, in 1811, when the engine purchased in 1845 was sold. Washing-
ton engine company, No. 4, was changed to Washington steam fire-
engine company, No. 4 (now No. 1), in 1812, and the first steam fire-
engine purchased by the city assigned to its care. The hand engine
purchased for the company in 1861, was rebuilt and transferred to
West Newburgh in charge of Highland engine company, No. 3. The
engine of No. 5, was sold in 1812, the company having been disbanded
sometime previously. The department is now composed of one hook
and ladder company, one hand engine company, two steam fire-engine
companies, and four hose companies. The estimated value of the
property of the department is $60,000. The steamers now in use
cost $4,200 each.
The first engines are remembered by many of our citizens. No. 1
* This change was in part effected in 1810, as above stated.
017258
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
was a plain old-fashioned machine of veiy limited power. No. 2 was
what was called a Philadel-
phia engine; it was manned
by a double rank of men at
each end, one rank standing
in part on the deck and in
part on a folding platform.
The maiming force was about
sixteen, but as the deck men
engine number two.	could not be relieved when
the engine was in motion, they were of limited usefulness. The forte
of the engine was in throwing a small stream at what was then re-
garded as a great distance; it was able to send water and spray
about ninety feet. No. 3 was a heavy machine and the only suction
engine of the three.* It was the fancy engine of the village, and the
first to bear a specific name, that of “Cataract.”
The houses now occupied by the department are modern structures.
The first was erected for Neptune hose company (now Leonard steam-
er), in 1859; the lot costing $400 and the house, $1,247.75. It is of
brick, two stories, and located on North-Water street. Hook and
Ladder company and Ringgold hose company were granted new
buildings in 1862. A lot for the former (on Western Avenue) was
purchased for $600, and for the latter (on Colden street) for $950.f
The plans of the buildings were by John D. Kelly, architect; the
contract for erection was awarded to Little & Kelly (June 21, 1862,)
for $2,835. The house of Hook and Ladder is of brick, two stories;
that of Ringgold, two stories with basement and brown-stone front
—the latter a contribution by the company. Chapman hose company,
exchanged tlie shed on Liberty street, in which it was organized, for
a new house on South street, in 1863. The lot was purchased (Aug.
17) for $400; the building was from plans by J. 1). Kelly, and cost
$1,975.33. Washington company’s house was enlarged, under con-
tract with J. 1). Kelly, architect, in June, 1868, at a cost of $608.48.
The house occupied by Highland company was erected in 1867, under
contract with Brown & McMeekin, for $2,990; the lot cost $350. The
original engine house, so long occupied by engines 1, 2, and 3, though
enlarged and improved, yielded to the demand for a more fitting struc-
ture in 1875. The plans for the new building were by E. K. Shaw,
architect, and the work executed under contract with Wm. McMeekin,
* To supply the non-suction engines with water, every householder was required to have
and keep in readiness for use a certain number of fire-buckets. When a fire occurred these
buckets were brought out and double lines of men formed to pass them to and from the
engines to the source of water supply. It was not uncommon to see ladies in the ranks
engaged in this work.
t The lot extended to Water street; the lower part was subsequently sold.LAWSON AND COLUMBIAN HOSE HOUSE-1876.RINGGOLD HOSE HOUSE-1876.FIRE DEPARTMENT.
259
for $5,494. The lot was enlarged by the purchase of adjoining prop-
erty at a cost of $1,600. The building is two stories and basement;
pressed brick and Ohio-stone trimmings. It supplies accommodations
for Columbian and Lawson hose companies.
The members of the fire department have, for many years, been its
most liberal patrons. Though not contributing for the purchase of
apparatus and the erection of houses a sum equal to that raised by
tax, the amount of their expenditures has been no small item. As
already shown, all save the first engines, were more or less improved
by the members of the companies; all have furnished their houses
with more or less elegance. Full details cannot be supplied; but it
may be stated in illustration that Ringgold hose paid from its own
funds, over $1,800 for brown-stone front, furniture, etc., and more re-
cently gave to the service a carriage for ordinary use; Washington
company gave $550 towards the cost of their engine in 1861—the tax
payers $600, the old engine $450. Lawson hose has its own service
carriage, and has expended about $1,200 for furnishing its new rooms.
Most of the old customs of the department have fallen entirely into
disuse. Monthly meetings were held for practice for forty years. On
these occasions the engines were worked, ladders erected, and imagi-
nary fires extinguished, with all earnestness. To vary the pro-
gramme, the engines tested their powers with each other in “ wash-
ings,” i. e. one received the water of the other and when overflowed
was beaten; the time was taken in which the result was accomplish-
ed, and the foundation for a month’s discussion and another trial duly
laid.* Then the distance to which water could be thrown was perpet-
ual strife. The venerable James Powell declared old No. 2 the victor
in many contests, and would insist that his engine, standing at the
United States hotel, could wet the ground nearly to First street,
though no one believed it. But these contests and the sometimes
heated discussions which they engendered were swept away and a
new leaf turned over on the eve of every new year.f Wisely, per-
* The last contest of this character was between No.’s 3 and 4, in First street, opposite
the old Presbyterian church, in 1850, and came near terminating in a riot.
t After the election of officers and the transaction of the business incident to the occa-
sion, the members of the different companies repaired to our hotels, and other places of
entertainment, and celebrated the departure of the old, and the coming of the new year,
in partaking of excellent suppers. With other gentlemen as guests of company No. 4,
it was our good fortune to have a place among the recipients of the elegant entertain-
ment provided by “ our worthy host” of the Orange. The best feeling prevailed, and the
wit and sentiment which the occasion elicited were peculiarly appropriate and happy. An
excellent song with music, composed expressly for the occasion by S. C. Parmenter, of
this village, was performed with fine effect. Civilities and compliments were interchanged
between the different companies through committees who passed from one festive board
to another. Company No. 4, in answer to a polite invitation, made a call in a body on No.
5, at their quarters at Mr. J. June’s, and after the most friendly salutations and senti-
ments had passed, No. 5 in turn called on No. 4 at the Orange. We are not particularly
advised as to the enjoyments of the other companies, but presume that everything passed
off with the highest satisfaction and pleasure.—Tetegraph, Jan. 7,1841.260
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
haps, have these customs of our “rude forefathers” passed away,
and, doubtless, after us, some purer than those which now prevail,
“ will be shaped out by wiser men than we.”
CHIEF ENGINEER.
The duties of chief engineer, for several years after the organiza-
tion of the fire department, were performed by the president of the
board of trustees and by the fire wardens. Benoni H. Howell, it is
said, was the first engineer; the date of his appointment is not re-
corded. He was succeeded by James Belknap, and he by Benj. F.
Buckingham, who filled the station for six years prior to 1850, when
William Lisle was appointed. In 1851, the trustees gave to the fire
department the power to nominate an engineer and two assistants;
and (May 1), Cicero A. Gardiner was elected chief; and Isaac Wood,
Jr., and John W. Thomas, assistants. On the 1st of May, 1853, Isaac
Wood, Jr., was elected chief; and John W. Thomas and J. A. Mc-
Cartney, assistants. In 1853, the department failed to elect, and the
trustees appointed Benj. F. Buckingham, chief; and Aikman Spier
and Jas. T. Hamilton, assistants. In December, 1854, the trustees
adopted more strict regulations for conducting the nomination, under
which, in January following, the department elected John K. Lawson,
chief; and J. A. McCartney and John Proudfbot, assistants. In 1857,
John D. Kelly was elected chief; J. H. H. Chapman, 1st assistant,
and J. J. S. McCroskery, 2d assistant. In 1859, J. H. H. Chapman,
chief; J. J. S. McCroskery, 1st assistant, and Hugh McCutcheon, 2d
assistant. Cliancey M. Leonard was elected chief in 1861, and served
until 1874, when he was chosen mayor of the city. His assistants
were: 1861, H. S. Brewster, James C. Taggart; 1863, John B. Stans-
brough, John W. Forsyth; 1865, John DeLancy, James C. Farrell;
1866, James T. Van Dalfsen, Archibald Hays; 1869, Archibald Hays,
Patrick Herbert; 1873, Archibald Hays, John Fitchey. In 1874,
Archibald Hays was elected chief; and John Fitchey and 0. S. Hatha-
way, Jr., assistants. In 1875, William Nixon, chief; and Elkanah K.
Shaw, Kobt. W. Hamilton, and Michael Barry, assistants.
FIRE DEPARTMENT FUND.
In 1851, an incorporation of the fire department became necessary,
in order to make available the provisions of an act of the legislature,
passed the previous year, requiring the payment by insurance compa-
nies of a certain per centage of their receipts for the benefit of local
local fire departments. To accomplish this object, the several com-
panies appointed committees, who agreed to the terms of an act of
incorporation, which was submitted to the legislature and became a
law, July 1, 1851. This act directed the organization of a board of
trustees, composed of representatives from each company, to “ managePRINCIPAL PIRNS.
26l
the affairs and dispose of the funds of the corporation ;” 'and the cor-
poration, by its by-laws, established a “ Fire Department Fund,” the
income of which should be appropriated to the relief of indigent or
disabled firemen, or their families, if such cases should arise. This
fund, on the 24th of July, 1851, amounted to $115.68; and, although
repeatedly drawn upon for the purposes for which it was constituted,
is now about $1,000.
FIRES.
The earliest fires of which there are either written or printed records,
were in the old Academy and in the store of John McAuley. The for- •
mer occurred in 1194, and damaged the building to a considerable ex-
tent, as appears from the minutes of the trustees of the Glebe; the
latter is briefly referred to in the Newburgh Packet of Feb. 20, 1195,
and is stated to have been extinguished “without any material dam-
age to the building.” The annexed particulars, in reference to the
principal fires which occurred prior to 1860, are copied from the files
of the papers to which they are credited:
Aug. 21,1817—About two o’clock, on Thursday morning last, a fire accidentally broke
out in the book-bindery of Mr. B. F. Lewis, in a block of wooden buildings—nearly all of
it, which fronted on Water street, was consumed. The following is as accurate an ac-
count of the loss sustained as we have been able to collect.
Commencing then, at the corner of Water and Third streets, the first four stores were
owned by Messrs. Beeve & Falls, and were entirely consumed—the first was occupied by
them as a store, and dwelling house for Mr. Falls.* A large portion of their goods in store
and Mr. Falls’ furniture was saved—their loss altogether is estimated at about five thou-
sand dollars ; a part of this loss was insured. The next store was occupied by Mr. Bobert
Lawson as a saddler’s shop—nearly all his goods were saved—he lost about three hundred
dollars. The next store was occupied by Mr. B. F. Lewis as a book store and bindery.
As the fire commenced in the bindery on the second floor, every article in it was con-
sumed ; in the story below nearly all the bound books*- were removed and saved; a quan-
tity of sheet work consumed—amount not ascertained. The last store of Beeve & Falls
was occupied by Messrs. Lawson & Babb as a hardware and grocery store ; a large por-
tion of their goods removed—loss about three hundred dollars.
The next fifty feet of building was occupied by Mrs. DeGrove, and in part occupied by
her as a dwelling, the whole of which was lost—amount not ascertained. Jonathan Cartel-
occupied a part of this building as a tobacconist shop and dwelling house—the principal
part of his goods saved—his loss about five hundred dollars. Mrs. Bandol and Miss Mer-
ritt occupied a room under Mrs. DeGrove’s roof, as a milliner’s shop—goods removed and
very little loss sustained. The next house was owned by Messrs. Forsyth & Bryam, and
occupied by the latter as a bakery; there was little property in the house—the building
and all destroyed together. The next house was occupied by Mr. E. Sanxay, as a tailor
shop—his goods were saved and the house pulled down. The next house, owned by Mi*.
Owen McGahey, and occupied by George Mecklem as a shoemaker’s shop, was nearly
pulled down. And here, in the midst of a solid block of wooden buildings fronting on
Water street, with a number of valuable stores in the rear, by the extraordinary activity
of the firemen and citizens, the flames were allayed and finally extinguished.—Index.
Feb. 15,1821.—A fire broke out about 1 o’clock on Wednesday morning last, in the row
of wooden buildings N. W. corner of Water and First streets, in this village, owned by
Mr. John D. Lawson, which were entirely consumed. They were tenanted by William
King, band-box maker; Lawson & Buckingham, saddlers; David Wright, tailor; John
Van Nort, baker ; Messrs. Belltnaps, tallow chandlers ; James B. Beynolds, tailor; Adna
Treat, looking-glass maker; Michael Bird and John Pope, Jun,, grocers. The fire acci-
dentally originated in the shop of Lawson & Buckingham, from which nothing was saved.
The Messrs. Belknap saved nearly all their goods, as did Mr. Wright and Mr. Beynolds;
from the other tenements very little was saved. The buildings were all of wood, and the
fire had made such progress before it was discovered, that it was impossible to save any
part of them.—Index.
* Industry.—Only seven days had elapsed after the fire before we were called upon to
witness the laying of the corner stone of two brick stores, by Messrs. Beeve & Falls. The
stone was laid on Thursday, Aug. 28, with appropriate ceremonies, and contains an in-
scription in commemoration of the fire.—Index, Sept. 2,1817.m
HISTORY OF MWRVROH.
Feb. 25,1835.—George Gardner’s old storehouse was destroyed by fire on Wednesday
evening, Feb. 25,1885. It was occupied by Stephen Hayt and William Teller for the storage
of lumber in connection with their lumber yard adjoining.
Oct. 11, 1836.—On Tuesday morning last, at about half-past 1 o’clock, a fire broke out
in this village in the Steam Grist Mill, at the south end of Golden street, belonging to and
just erected and put in operation by Edward Haslehurst. The mill, machinery, &c., were
consumed, with the two buildings which they occupied, and a blacksmith’s shop and
many of its tools, adjoining, belonging to Mr. J. M. Smith. Mr. Smith’s loss has been es-
timated at about $500—no insurance. The mill fixtures, grain, &c., of Mr. Haslehurst,
may have been worth $1600—insurance only $300. The buildings occupied by the mill
were owned by Richard Williams, and were probably worth $500—insurance $300.—Tel.
Jan. 19,1837.—On Friday night last, a fire broke out in the store of William Danskin,
toy and fancy dealer, near the center of a wooden block belonging to J. P. DeWint, Esq.,
between the Orange Hotel and the Newburgh Bank. Mr. Danskin barely escaped with
his family, leaving clothes and all else to the devouring element. Partly insured. Dr.
Wm. Johnson’s office and drug shop adjoining on the south—all lost. No insurance. Wm.
B. Jarvis, hatter, next south, escaped with his family and the largest portion of his stock,
but with the loss of all his furniture, clothing, and $100 in cash. Partly insured. John
McCroskery, grocer, lost his whole stock of goods, fixtures, &c., save $60 or $70 worth.
No insurance. N. P. Emmett’s bakery and dwelling, with almost their entire contents,
were destroyed. No insurance. Mrs. Harrison, toy and fancy dealer, saved nearly her
entire stock. Teller & Bloomfield, leather dealers, saved most of their stock. Wm. G.
Gillespie, cabinet-maker, adjoining the Bank, saved most of his stock.—Tel.
Aug. 27,1847.—Our village was visited by a disastrous fire on the morning of Saturday
last. It broke out at half-past 2, in the stables south of Blizard’s hotel, in Front street,
and spreading to the adjoining buildings soon consumed the south end of the block on
First, between Front and Water streets. The loss amounts to some $30,000, on which
there was an insurance of $13,900. The buildings destroyed were owned by Thos. Pow-
ell, A. & M. H. Belknap, Daniel Farrington and John Ledyard. Those of the Messrs.
Belknap and Farrington were valuable. Several shop-keepers and mechanics have met
with, for them, heavy losses, among whom are Daniel,Farrington, Jr., painter; J. McFar-
lan, chair maker ; J. B. Grummun, hardware; A. Dezendorf, carpenter; J. Lynch, black-
smith ; Mrs. Strachan, millinery.—Tel.
Oct. 8, 1848.—About 9 o’clock on Tuesday evening last, a fire broke out in this village,
in the stables of the Union Hotel, in Front street, owned by D. Crawford and occupied by
John Richards. Mr. R. loses upwards of 500 bushels of oats and several tons of hay,
upon which there was no insurance. The loss on the stables is fully covered by insur-
ance. From the stables the fire communicated to the rear of the buildings contiguous on
Water street, occupied by Chas. H. Hasbrouck, dry goods; C. W. Post, dry goods: Mr.
Jarvis, hat store : Jno. W. Warren, shoe store; and Sands & Raymond, superintended by
Chas. Erwin, hat store ; and their stocks of goods were materially injured by water and
by removal. The whole amount of damage, we presume, will not reach $8,000, and is
covered by insurance, except the loss sustained by Mr. Young. Stephen Hayt and seve-
ral others were put to some loss and a great deal of inconvenience by a removal of their
effects, among whom were Fullerton & Fowler, law office, and the proprietor of this paper.
—Tel.
Dec. 17,1848.—A large frame building on Front street, in this village, formerly occupied
by Oakley & Davis, but at the time in part by Mr. Charles Barnes as a grocery, and in part
by Capt. Bullis as a storehouse, was destroyed by fire on Tuesday morning.* The build-
ing belonged to the Highland Bank, and was insured for $2,400, which fidly covers the
loss. Mr. Barnes was insured for $1,500. Several persons had articles on storage in the
building, most of which they losjj, amounting perhaps to $500.—Tel.
The principal fires of more recent date* have been:
Mabch 1, 1865—Washington Iron-works; loss $35,000. The fire originated in the tool-
room of the boiler shop; the whole structure, covering a space of nearly two hundred
feet, was burned to the ground in about an hour.
Dec. 15,1865—Washington Iron-works; loss $45,000. This fire also consumed the old
Bath Hotel and the carpenter shop of T. Shaw & Sons.
April 11, 1867—Washington Iron-works ; loss $100,000.
July 11, 1869—Plaster mill of Brown & Embler; loss $14,000.
Dec. 17,1870—Washington Iron-Works ; loss, to Homer Ramsdell, owner, $150,000 ; to
Alex. Cauldwell, boiler shop, adjoining, $17,000; Geo. L. Monell, brass castings works,
$8,500, and $200 to the ship-yard of A. Bullman.
July 15,1871—Saw Mill and three dwellings of James Bigler, South-Water street; loss
$65,000.
Sept. 22,1871—Boiler shop of Alex. Cauldwell, 102 and 104 Front street; loss $25,000.
The fire extended to 106 and 100 Front street, with a loss of about $3,000.
* Since 1870, a record of fires has been published in the reports of the chief engineer of
the fire department, to which reference may be had.REGATTA ASSOCIATION:	263
Dec. 1,1871—United States Hotel, Front street; loss to Mr. Ramsdell, owner, $6,000 ;
to Goodsell Brothers, lessees, $5,800; Victor Scharps, clothing, $2,218 ; Thos. Jessup,
teas, $1,000.
Dec. 2,1871—Stables, Ferry street; loss to Mr. Ramsdell, owner, $1,500 ; Beede & Van
Duzer, lessees, $4,500.
• May 9, 1872—Foundry of Clark & Kimball; loss $4,000.
June 9,1873—Building, stock, barge, etc., of W. O. Mailler & Co.; loss $76,700. Losses
on buildings, etc., adjacent, $36,248.97.	*
July 16, 1873—Building, etc., of J. H. Matthews, corner South and Water; loss $3,500.
July 17,1873—Erie R. R. company’s work-shop; loss $3,000.
Nov. 8,1873—Second M. E. Church; loss $2,500.
July 17,1874—Haigh & Mellor’s mills; loss $17,000.
July 26,1874—Wright Engine-works (Homer Ramsdell owner); loss $77,000.
April 28, 1875—Homer Ramsdell, out-storehouse; loss $4,286. Losses on goods in
store by different parties, $12,016.
The losses by fire and the amounts received for insurance, for years
ng April 1st and June 1st, since		1861, have been as follows:
YEAR.	LOSS.	INSURANCE.
1862....			$24,359.00		. .$10,744.00—Year ending April 1st.
1863...:			 15,932.88		.. 9,124.00
1864				 3,512.00		.. 3,082.00
1865			 52,918.00		.. 26,753.00 “
1866			 72,966.00			.. 41,071.00—To June 1st.
1867			113^252.00		.. 58,152.00—Year ending June 1st.
1868				 3,620.00		.. 1,837.00
1869			 9,850.00		.. 2,420.00 “
1870				 27^950.75^		.. 15,638.08
1871		.....187,871.00		.. 92,011.00
1872		.....140.701.50		.. 85,454.50 “ ‘v
1873			 11,971.40	 		.. 6,674.95 “ “
1874			205,300.00.		..128,892.21
1875			136,777.00....		..118,260.00
Total, 15 yrs.	$1,006,981.53	$600,113.74
NEWBURGH REGATTA ASSOCIATION.
The Newburgh Regatta Association was organized in the spring of
1837, through the exertion* of Capt. Henry Robinson. Capt. Charles
Ludlow was elected president, and J. J. Monell, secretary. The first
regatta took place June 27, 1837, when the following four-oared boats
were entered, viz:
1.	Gazelle, scarlet, red and white dress, red and white cap, New York.
2.	Highland Wane, black, white dress, blue and white cap, Newburgh.
3.	Gull, blue, blue and white dress, straw hat, New York.
4.	Wave, black, blue and white dress, blue and white cap, New York.
5.	Halcyon, green, green and white dress, blue and white cap, New York.
6.	Pearl, white, blue and white checked dress, straw hat, New York.
7.	Minerva, East India Particular, red and white dress, red and white cap, New York.
8.	Gorsair, black, green and white dress, red cap, Newburgh.
The distance rowed was five miles, and the time made by the win-
ning boats as follows, viz: Wave, 32m. 38s.; Gull, 33m. 38s.; Corsair,
35m. The prizes were awarded by J. J. Monell, who delivered an
appropriate address on the occasion.
The regatta of 1838 was for the benefit of the Newburgh Library
Association. The following were the boats entered, viz: Galatea,
Highland Wave, Corsair, and Scilla. Time: Galatea, 24m. 35s.;
Wave, 24m. 50s.; Corsair, 25m. 46s.; Scilla, 27m. Another regatta
was held in 1839, but the record has not been preserved.264
HISTORY OF NFWRtJRQit.
The Association was reorganized in 1856, and a regatta was held
July 4th, of that year. Three races were run, viz: By four-oared
boats; double-scull boats, and single-scull boats. For the first race,
the W. H. Terboss, the Jacob Swartzer, and the Whitehall, of New
York, and the Witch of the ^Wave, of Cold Spring, were entered.
The first prize was taken by the Terboss in 21 minutes; the second
by the Swartzer in 2?\ minutes, and the third by the Whitehall. For
the second race, the Enoch Carter, the T. C. Ring, the Geo. W. Shaw,
the S. Roach, and the Fanny Fern, were entered. The first prize was
won by the Carter in 30 minutes, the second by the Ring and the third
by the Shaw. The third race was won by the Gale in 36 minutes.
The regatta of the Association on the 4th of July, 185*1, was one
of more than usual historic interest from the fact that it was the
occasion of the debut of the famous oarsmen, Joshua and William H.
Ward. The race was a double-scull, and the distance full four miles.
The Wards rowed in the Fanny Fern, and carried off the first prize;
time 33 minutes and 30 seconds. The regattas of the Association
were among the first on the Hudson, and from them and the oarsmen
which they developed sprang, in a great measure, all the principal
contests which have occurred in this country, whether local or inter-
national.*
NEWBURGH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The first Horticultural society of Newburgh was organized Jan-
uary 13, 1829—Rev. John Brown, president; Selah Reeve and William
Roe, vice presidents; Aaron Belknap, treasurer; Jno. W. Knevels,
corresponding secretary; Tooker Wygant, recording secretary. The
first exhibition of the society was held August 28, 1829, when pre-
miums were awarded for twenty-four different kinds of culinary veg-
etables, and also for melons, grapes, peaches, and twenty specimens
of flowers. The officers for the succeeding year were: Rev. John
Brown, president; David Ruggles and Charles Ludlow, vice presi-
dents ; the other officers remaining as during the previous year. The
society continued annual exhibitions for several years, but ultimately
ceased. Its successor, the Newburgh Bay Horticultural Society, was
organized in 1862—H. W. Sargeant, president; Odell S. Hathaway,
and Robert Sterling, vice presidents; Alfred Post, treasurer; E. W.
Gray, recording secretary; J. C. Rennison, corresponding secretary.
The society has held annual and semi-annual exhibitions since its
organization, and developed a previously latent interest in the higher
branches of garden culture.
* The Ward brothers, William H., Joshua, Gilbert and Ellis F., defeated two picked
English crews in the international regatta at Saratoga, Sept. 11, 1871. Joshua was the
winner of the champion belt in the contest off Staten Island, October 11th, 1859. Walter
Brown and John Hancon were also pupils in the regattas of the Association.MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES.
265
MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES.
Newburgh received its first carpenter, its first blacksmith, its first
weaver, and its first stocking-maker, with the Palatine immigrants.
Their successors and those who were engaged • in other mechanical
pursuits prior to about the commencement of the present century, are
buried with the records of the pioneer era, except as here and there
preserved by tradition. Beyond that of carpenters, blacksmiths, and
a few other trades, however, the number of mechanics was limited.
Great Britain, the mother country, would not permit the colonists to
engage in manufacturing to any extent; whatever the settlers re-
quired they were obliged to import or supply by domestic substitutes.
The wives and daughters spun the yarn and the flax, wove and colored
the cloth and made the clothing; the leach-tub was more familiar in
the door-yard than the rose bush, and, with the refuse fats of the
tables, furnished the soaps; candles were also the product of the
household. Shoes were wrought by shoe-makers who visited the
houses of their customers. The farmer made his own sleds and
carts, and in most cases was the architect and the builder of his own
dwelling and outhouses. Passing this era . and considering that by
which it was succeeded, we have, since It95, an approximately cor-
rect record of the introduction of mechanical industries.*
John Harris had the first shop for the manufacture and sale of
hats. He rented the old Belknap house (adjoining the whaling com-
pany’s storehouse on the north) in It95; his shop was in the basement
on the east side, which then fronted the thoroughfare leading to the
dock. Jonathan Butler was the next, in 1801. Harris sold his busi-
ness (1810) to Minard Harris and David Sands, who continued it for
several years. It then passed to David Sands, who may be claimed
as the founder of the more modern order of hat stores; in 1830, he
was selling “Symm’s splendid satin beaver hats for five dollars, and
a beautiful hat at four dollars.” David M. H. Sands continued the
business of his father for some years. While hat stores are now
abundant, but one practical hatter remains.
Shoe making passed from Richard Rik email and Joseph Albertson,
in the days of the Revolution, to Welch & Pierson (Henry Welch and
Caleb Pierson) in 1198. Their shop was the first in which shoes were
kept for sale. Joseph Norman and James Curry commenced, in 1803.
The former made a specialty of ladies’ shoes, which he supplied “ by
the dozen at New York prices,” but the business of the place was so
light that his shop was not kept open in winter. Sami. 0. Gregory
was in the business soon after, and Samuel McCartney, George Meck-
* It is not designed to embrace the names of all persons who have been engaged in
mechanical business ; such a record would be impossible.m
tmronr of mw.BVM£L
lem, Miles Warren and Thomas Bartlett, were subsequently &tnong the
principal makers and dealers; the latter commencing in 1832.
Marsh & Ferris were the first tailors (about 1798); Daniel Niven
came next, in 1799. James B. Reynolds, David Wright, Edmund
Sanxay, Isaac Egbert, and Reuben S. Close, were in the business soon
after the commencement of the century, and after trying it alone,
united in partnership in 1811, under the title of Reynolds, Wright &
Co. They afterwards dissolved and went their several ways. Ed-
mund Sanxay subsequently (1832) established himself in the store
now kept by his grandson, W. B. Sanxay, where he carried on tailor-
ing and sold groceries and liquors. William Ho}de was in business
in 1830, and was succeeded by his son, Mark C. Hoyle. William
Sterling, as a tailor and dealer in second-hand clothing, founded the
establishment of A. & R. Sterling. Ready-made clothing was brought
in by Levi Hart in 1832.
Watches and clocks came in 1800, when George Gordon, who sub-
scribed himself “from Ireland,” commenced watch making in a build-
ing on the site now occupied by Chapman’s drug store; he removed to
the south-west corner of Water and Second street, where he remained
for a quarter of a century. Ebenezer B. Ayres also commenced the
business in 1800, and Joseph Reeve in 1804. The latter continued for
a short time and then took up the manufacture of whalebone whips
in connection with it; he also sold military goods and groceries.
His son, Chas. Reeve, was his successor; he removed the business to
“ his new store, 55 Water street, next door south of Brown’s hardware
store,” in 1832, where he continued until his death. Henry B. Myer
(father of the distinguished chief of the Signal Bureau at Washington)
was in business in 1820; his shop was on the north-west corner of
Water and Second street. His successor was Benoni H. Howell, and
Nelson Haight succeeded Mr. Howell. Tobias D. Lander was in the
trade here in 1826; in 1835, he occupied part of what is now No. 74
Water street.
Henry W. Crissey was a “Fancy and Windsor chair maker,” in
Second street, “ two doors west of Hoffman & Roe’s drug store,” in
1809. Hugh Spier was the first cabinet-maker (1788) and also the
first undertaker; he was in business in 1801, on the corner of Smith
and Second street, “ at the sign of the cradle and coffin.” William
Scott and Thomas A. Powell were next; the business of the latter
has come down to the present generation.
Selah Reeve started in business life in 1799, as a manufacturer of
earthen wares, and subsequently continued it under the firm of Reeve
& Burling (1803). He established a crockery store in Water street
soon after; the latter business has come down by regular successionMtieBAmcAL immTtim,	267
to .James E. Horton. The pottery of the firm (on Smith street near
South) was continued for a quarter of a century.
John Patterson was the first tin-plate worker and copper-smith in
1797. The copper-smithing branch of the trade was for many years
a principal item, as it embraced the manufacture and repair of the
vessels and apparatus in use in distilleries in the district. Pell &
Wood, David Phillips and Phillips & Lomas, were the next.
Robert Ferguson commenced the stone-cutting business on Ren-
wick’s dock in 1798, and John Currie on Gardner’s dock* in 1802; and
furnished the grave-stones for their contemporaries. Thornton M.
Niven and Peter Kay performed the same duty in later years.
The baking business runs back to 1799, when John and Joseph
Hoffman opened a shop on the east side of Water street near Second,
and sold nuts, fruits and confections in connection with cake and
bread. In 1804 the partnership was dissolved, and Joseph started on
his own account on the opposite side of the street, and remained there
until his death. During the later years of his life his son-in-law,
Paddock Chapman, was his associate. After Mr. Hoffman’s death,
Mr. Chapman continued the business in company with his son, J. H.
H. Chapman, who subsequently became the successor of the firm of P.
Chapman & Son. Mr. Bryam was the successor of John Hoffman at
his old stand. John Van Nort was the next baker.
Peter Barmen had a shop for the manufacture of soap and candles,
“in the north part of Water street,” in 1804; but it is said that an
earlier one was founded by Abel Belknap near or on the corner of
what is now Water and First street. Mr. Belknap’s successors, on his
death in 1804, were his sons, Abel and Moses H., who continued the
business until 1855, when, on tlieAeath of the latter (his brother Abel
having died the previous year), the property passed to his heirs. It
is now conducted by his grandson, Moses C. Belknap, in partnership
with Mr. McCann. Robert and John McCutcheon engaged in the
business on Colden street, and James McConkey on Western Avenue,
some years after the Belknaps. The business of the former descended
to Hugh McCutcheon, and that Mr. McConkey was purchased by John
McCutcheon and continued until his death.
The manufacture of tobacco was commenced by Matthew DuBois in
May, 1799, “in Smith street, next door south of Henry Brewster’s
tavern;”* and in July of the same year, by Jonathan Carter in Water
street, “next door to the Hoffmans.” The latter has had regular
succession on the original site—Win. M. Wiley, Enoch Carter, Carter
& McCann, Alex. McCann, and J. W, McCullough.
* The north end of Smith street was quite a business place at this time. It had a tavern,
a pottery, a tobacconist, and a wagon-wright.268
bistort of mwRimm
John Cooper was the first brewer of ales. He commenced the busi-
ness in 1804, in “ Water street, near Lawson & Donnelly’s tan-yard.”
James Dunlap was the next; he erected the malt-house on Liberty
street, corner of Washington. James Law was the associate of Mr.
Dunlap for some time prior to 1816, and became his successor during
that year. John Beveridge was Mr. Law’s associate in 1822. John
Forsyth was added to the firm in 1825, and its title changed to Law,
Beveridge & Co. On the death of Mr. Law, the business was continued
by his surviving partners and E. Ward Farrington under the title of
J. Beveridge & Co. Robert A. Forsyth, Thomas Beveridge and Jonas
Williams succeeded the old firm; the business is now conducted by
the two last named gentlemen. The malt-house at the foot of Clinton
street was occupied by Ledyard & DuBois in 1822, and constituted one
of the three breweries of that time. John Howard started a brewery
in the old whaling storehouse about 1860. He made a small fortune
during the war of the rebellion, and abandoned the trade and returned
to England. Others have been in the business, but without success.
Wm. P. Dodge was the first saddle and harness maker, in 1799,
and Henry Tudor was his successor. John D. Lawson was their con-
temporary. Robt. Lawson (1810), B. F. Buckingham, Lewis Jennings
and John R. Wiltsie brought the trade down the present generation.
The first tanner was Phineas Howell; the first currier Peter Don-
nelly. The former had his shop on the north-west corner of Smith and
Third street. In 1804, John D. Lawson and Jas. Donnelly conducted
(in partnership) the business of tanners and curriers at the yard
subsequently owned by David H. Barclay. The partnership was dis-
solved soon after, and Mr. Donnelly established a new yard; William
Mathewson was his associate in 1811, and James Wood in 1816.
The latter sold to Jonathan Faulkner in 1820; Donnelly & Faulkner
sold to Samuel J. Farnum and George South wick about 1829; South-
wick sold his half to Lewis Jennings in 1882. Mr. Jennings subse-
quently purchased Mr. Farnum’s interest, and at a later period had
Mr. McKinstry for his associate. The original Lawson & Donnelly
yard was purchased by Sami. G. Sneden and David H. Barclay in the
spring of 1824, and continued as a morocco factory. Mr. Sneden died
in 1886, and Mr. Barclay sold to James Dickey in 1870. Their prede-
cessors in the trade were Enos Randol and Josiah Brackett, in 1816.
Very few of the ancient houses of Newburgh were painted; that
luxury could not be afforded by the inhabitants generally, nor was it
the fashion of the times. What painting was done was usually per-
formed by carpenters, who also made the doors and sash and “ set the
glass.” Painting and glazing, as a distinct branch of mechanical in-
dustry, was first conducted (1804) by Sylvester Roe, who, in 1810,MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES.
269
in company with Thomas Phillips, under the firm name of Poe &
Phillips, opened a store “ on the corner of Second street, opposite to
the ferry,” where they carried on “ the painting business in all its
various branches,” and kept for sale Rennselaer and Bristol glass,
and also oils and paints. Their old store is still standing on the
corner, but is no longer “opposite to the ferry” in the sense that it
was then. Phillips & Seymour were their successors in 1816, and
subsequently John D. Phillips; the shop of the latter was back on the
river bank immediately adjoining the United States hotel, where it
stood until about 1840, when it was eclipsed by the log cabin which
was erected by the whig party. Phillips & Farrington were the
successors, in 1816, of Thomas Allen, who commenced business some
years previously. Farrington & Lander (Daniel Farrington and Ben-
jamin Lander) were their successors and the contemporaries of John
D. Phillips; their store and shop in 1830 was on the site of the present
No. 10 Water street. • Daniel Farrington continued the business after
the death of Mr. Lander in 1839, and Ezra and Daniel Farrington, Jr.,
after the death of their father until 1815. Around these pioneer shops
others sprang up, of which that of James 8. Young was the first.
George Clark was associated with him in 1841, under the title of
Young & Clark. Mr. Clark with-
drew and went to New York, and
Mr. Young was succeeded by Or-
ange Webster. Adam Lilburn,
who learned the trade with J. D.
Phillips, was contemporary with
Young & Clark. He sold to E. T.
Comstock, who subsequently had
Levi L. Livingston for his associ-
ate. Meanwhile C. M. Leonard
and Ed. Post started a shop ad-
joining Comstock & Livingston,
on Front street. Peter Ward bought Mr. Post's interest in 1860, and
established the firm of Ward & Leonard, now Ward & Logan.
William Bloomer, at Balmville, was perhaps the first wagon-wright;
but the more modern order came in with Samuel Downing whose shop
was in Liberty street (old town). He sold to Jennings & Arcularius
in 1810, and devoted his attention entirely to the nursery business,
which he had previously established. Lewis DuBois commenced in
1824. James W, Powell, Benj. B. Gardner, and Selah T. McCollum
were of later periods, and were succeeded by Atkinson & DeGroff.
Lewis J. Bazzoni, representing the advanced processes of production,
entered the business in 1850, in association with J. DeForest and A.270
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
W. LaTour, whose separate branches he purchased in 1856. Since
that time his payments for labor have reached $1*1,000 per annum.
The manufacture of iron and brass, which of late years lias consti-
tuted an important element in the mechanical industries of the city,
had its beginning about the }^ear 1821, when Mr. Henry B. Carpenter
erected a building for foundry purposes in Front Street, south of the
United States hotel, and entitled his concern “ The Newburgh Iron
and Brass Foundry.” In 1882 he removed from this building to one
which he erected on the north-east corner of Western Avenue and
Grand street, and which now constitutes the southern portion of the
establishment of Whitehill, Smith & Co. After being here a short
time, Mr. Carpenter died, and the property passed to John W. Wells,
one of his heirs. The business was continued by Mr. Wells until
1884, when John H. Corwin became associated in its management.
The firm continued for four years under the title of Wells & Corwin,
when Mr. Wells withdrew. Mr. Corwin continued the business with
different associates—Mr. Halsey, Mr, A. R. Wood and others—until
1864, when his sons, Isaac and Edward, in association with Sami.
Stanton, under the title of Corwin, Stanton & Co., purchased it.
Whitehill, Smith & Co,, are now its proprietors.
In 1848, Stanton, Clark & Co. (Isaac Stanton, E. H. Clark, Nicholas
Wilson, and Jas. Robinson), erected a foundry and machine shop, of
brick, 30x80 feet, at the foot of South street on Front, to which the
title of “Highland Furnace” was given. Sami. G. Kimball bought
an interest in the works in 1846. The business was continued by the
firm for eight years, when, on the expiration of the lease to them
(April 1, 1851), from J. Beveridge & Co,, the latter firm leased the
property to Samuel A. Walsh & Co. Mr. Walsh sold to George A.
Elliott, who sold to Homer Ramsdell, by whom the business was
transferred to the Washington Iron-works. In 1862, Jas. H. Mallory
and Isaac Stanton leased the property, but continued business for
only a year or two. The works were quite extensive at one time;
they are now occupied for the manufacture of paints.
Wright, Mallory & Smith established in 1852, on the corner of
Water and Washington street, the “Washington Iron-works.” Their
successors were Mallory, Raines & Co., until 1860, when the property
passed into the hands of an incorporated company—Homer Ramsdell,
president; George M. Clapp, secretary and treasurer. The property
of the company, in 1865, covered an area of about twenty acres with
nearly twelve hundred feet of water-front, and included the manufac-
ture of engines, boilers, car wheels, etc. An approximate idea of the
extent of its business may be obtained from the fact that its pay-roll
reached $60,000 a month, or $700,000 a year. A company of whichMECHANICAL INDUSTRIES.
271
Mr. Glapp was president, succeeded the one which was organized in
1860, and occupied the property (in part) under lease from Mr. Rams-
dell; the boiler shop was leased by Alex. Cauldwell. This company
failed, and the property was sold to the Messrs. Carson, who soon re-
turned it to Mr. Ramsdell. The boiler shop was burned in 1871, and
also the building adjoining on the north, which had been leased to Mr.
J. Severance for the manufacture of paper-making machinery. The
foundry and machine shop were leased to Wm. Wright & Co., in 1870.
A smaller but more pecuniarily successful foundry than any of its
contemporaries, was established by Clark & Kimball, on Washington
street, in 1851, the firm being composed of E. H. Clark and Sami. G.
Kimball of the original Highland Furnace. Mr. Clark withdrew in
1874, leaving his associate sole proprietor. The Spier & Wilson
foundry has been in existence for many years on Western Avenue.
Its business has been confined to stove and other light castings.
Brush making was first conducted by Daniel Berrian, but the date
is not of record. Richard P. Phillips (1831) was the next; he manu-
factured “brushes of every description” and had them for sale; his
establishment was called the “Newburgh Brush Manufactory.”—
Donald McIntosh entered into the business in Colden street in 1842,
and remained a few years. S. H. Tift came from Waterford in 1846,
and in 1849 took William McCord (who had learned the trade with
McIntosh) in partnership with him. James and Wm. McCord were
the successors of this firm in 1852, and after continuing thirteen years
in Front street, built their present factory on Lander street.
The business of manufacturing fancy and family soaps was intro-
duced in 1852, by Henry B. Ames, who occupied a small basement in
in Front street and made half a million pounds annually. In 1853,
Mr. Jesse Oakley became associated with him, and the concern was
removed to Ann street. It was soon found necessary to use more
room, and the firm purchased a site on Washington street and erected
on it what now constitutes a part of the main building. Mr. Oakley
became sole proprietor in 1.855; but more recently has had for his
associates John A. and E. B. Oakley.
' "While so much that relates to mechanical industries has been pre-
served, the names of the carpenters and masons who built the houses,
and stores, and churches of the ancient town, have very imperfect
record. Melchior Gulch was the first carpenter in 1709; Arthur Mc-
Kinney was in that avocation in 1745, and Zenas Conger and John
Abrams in 1784. The more modern carpenters were John Forsyth,
Oscar Marsh, William Marsh, and Thomas Shaw, prior to 1824. Syl-
vanus Loud, Aaron Dezendorf, William Hilton, and Andrew Little,
represent later periods. Henry Yeltman and Nathl. Gerard were the272
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
masons of 1824. The latter had succession in his son, Franklin Ge-
rard, who was associated with Samuel Halsey in 1885, and remained
in the trade until 1875. John Little and John Hilton date from about
1840. The business of which Thomas Shaw was the founder in 1824,
and which has been conducted in association with his sons, George
W. alid Charles B. Shaw, since 1850, was established in a small shop
on Carpenter’s dock. Subsequently the red storehouse was taken,
and their shop was removed with that building to South-Water street,
north of the iron-works. The property was burned in the fire of De-
cember, 1865, following which the structure now occupied by the firm
was erected. The manufacture of sash, doors, moldings, church fur-
niture, etc., and also ship-joinery, have been added to the original
business and successfully prosecuted.	/
The following table, compiled from reliable local record, represents
the number of mechanical establishments in 1822 and in 1875. The
product of the former year cannot be ascertained; it is presumed that,
as work was then performed by hand, $500,000 would amply cover
the amount. The products given as for 1875, are from previous offi-
cial reports and do not represent a specific year.
Principals. No. 1822		1875	Product.	Principals. No. 1822		1875	Product.
Bakeries,	1	6	$55,054	Malt Houses,	’ 2	2	$.	
Barbers,	3	8		Masons,	4	8	
Blacksmiths,	5	11		Marble Workers,			3	
Bleacheries,	—	1		Milliners,	6	11	
Book Binders,	1	2	2,800	Molding and Planing,—		3	
Brass Works,	—	1		Morocco Factories,	2	1	36,666
Breweries,	3		395,000	Oil Cloths,			2	66,000
Brick Kilns,	1	—		Painters,	2	8	
Brush Makers,	—	1	28,000 9,000	Paint Factory,			1	
Cabinet Makers,	3	5		Paper Hangings, Plaster Mills,	2	3	
Carpet Weavers,	1	4					1	8,200
Carpenters,	10	13		Potters,	1			
Carvers,	_	2		Piano Makers,				1	10,000
Cement Pipe,	—	1	15,960	Printing Estab.,	2	5	15,000
Chair Makers,	2	1		Reed Makers,	1	—	
Coach Makers,	3	4	13,600	Roofers, Slate, etc.,			3	
Coffee and Spice,	—	1		Saddle and Harness.	► 3	8	27,200
Confectionery, Comb-plate Makers,	—	9		Sail Makers,			1	
	1	1	2,700	Sash and Doors,			6	14,000
Coopers, Cotton Mills,	6	3	5,155	Saw Mills,	1	1	133,900
	—	1	338,255	Shoe Makers,	15	22	28,083
Dentists,	—	10		Soap and Candles,	2	3	245,267
Gas Manufacturers,	_	1	15,940	Silver Smiths,	1	1	
Gas Fitters,	—	2		Steam Boilers Mfs.,			1	.47,000
Glove Makers,	2	—		Steam Engines Mfs.	, 	.	7	1,500,000
Grist Mills,	4	1	3,500	Stone Cutters,	2	1	18,000
Gun-powder,	1	1	45,000	Tailors,	5	17	17,876
Gunsmiths,	1	2		Tanneries,	1	4	74,520
Hatters (all classes),	3	10		Tin Smiths,	3	9	34,775
Iron Foundries,	1	4	8,400	Tobacconists,	2	11	28,250
Iron Fences,	:—	1		Umbrella Makers,	_	1	
Kindling Wood, Lawn Mowers,	—	2	2,700	Undertakers,	1	5	
	—	1		Upholsters, Woolen Mills,			4	23,790
Lime Kilns,		1	17,250		4 117	2 281	75,000 $3,369,175
mini i tti ti i ii i niiiiimiiiiii ii ntiiiii 111 ii i ii i ii i in ii iiuttiti in nitiit miTEE PROVINCIAL MILITIA.
.273
CHAPTEE XI.
THE MILITIA PRIOR TO AND DURING THE REVOLUTION-SPECIAL ORGANIZA-
TIONS AND CONTINENTAL REGIMENTS------------THE MILITIA SINCE THE
REVOLUTION—REBELLION RECORD.
THE first military organization in the district of which the city
and the town of Newburgh, as well as the town of New Wind-
sor, now form a part, was made prior to 1738, and was known as “the
foot company of military of the precinct of the Highlands.” It was
one of the companies of the Ulster regiment, of which A. Gaasbeck
Chambers was colonel, Wessel Ten Broeck lieutenant-colonel, Coen-
radt Elmendorf major, and Cornelius Elmendorf, quartermaster,* and
was composed, in 1738, of the following .officers and privates, viz:
Capt. Thos. Ellison,
Ensign John Young,
Serg. David Davids,
Serg. Moses Garitson.
Serg. P. McCloghery’
Corp. Jacobus Bruyn,
Corp. Jas. Stringham,
Corp. Jona. Hazzard,
Clerk, Clias. Clinton,
John Umphrey,
Alexander Fails,
David Bedford,
William Coleman,
Joseph Sweezer, .
Thomas Coleman,
John McVey,
John Jones,
Patrick Broderick,
Joseph Shaw,
Caleb Curtis,
William Sutton,
Jeremiah Foster,
Charles Beaty,
Amos Foster,
Alexander Foster,
James Young,
James Nealy,
Robert Feef,
Joseph Butterton,
Samuel Luckey,
John Markham,
J ohn Read,
Joseph McMikhill,
David Umphrey,
James Gamble,
John Gamble,
Cornelius McClean,
John Umphrey, Jr.,
James Umphrey,
Peter Mulinder,
Robert Burnet,
Archibald Beaty,
Daniel Coleman.
David Oliver,
Arthur Beaty,
Matthew Davis,
John Nicoll, Jr.,
Alexander McKey,
Robert Sparks,
Jeuriah Quick,
Thomas Quick,
Jacob Gillis,
Joseph Simson,
James Clark,
John Clark,
Lodewick Miller,
Peter Miller,
George Weygant,
William Ward,
William Ward, Jr.,
John Mattys Kimberg,
William Smith, Jnr,
James Edmeston,
Tobias Weygant,
Jerry Manse, •
Thomas Johnston,
Casparis Stymas,
John Monger,
James Luckey,
Thomas Williams,
Johannis George,
Jeremiah Tompkins,
Isaac Tompkins,
William Watts,
Josiah Elsworth,
James Elsworth,
Anthony Preslaer,
Jonathan Tomkins,
Robert Banker,
Thomas Fear,
Frederick Painter,
, Moses Elsworth,
John Marie, '
Jonathan Owens,
Andrew McDowell.
Total, 86.
The regiment was divided in 1756, into two regiments, the first (or
northern) embracing Kingston, etc., and the second (or southern) em-
bracing Newburgh, New Windsor, etc. In September, 1773, the
southern regiment was under the following officers, viz: Thomas
Ellison, colonel; Charles Clinton, lieutenant-colonel; Cadwallader
Colden, Jr., major, and Johannes Jansen, adjutant. The first com-
pany in the regiment was located in Newburgh and was composed as
follows, viz: Jonathan Hasbrouck, captain; Samuel Sands, 1st lieu-
* The regiment was composed (1738) of nine companies which were located as follows:
Kingston, 3; Marbletown, 1; Wallkill, 1; Hurley, 1; Rochester, 1; New Paitz, 1, and the
precinct of the Highlands, 1.—Doc. Hist. N. Y., iv., 226, etc. Ante p. 218.
018274-
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
tenant; Wolvert Acker, 2d lieutenant; Cornelius Hasbrouck, ensign;
four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, and one hundred and
forty-one privates.* * * §
On the 22d of August, 1775, the provincial congress of New York
passed a law under which the militia of the Eevolution was organized.
This law provided that counties, cities and precincts should be divided,
by their respective local committees, so that in each district a com-
pany should be formed “ ordinarily to consist of about eighty-three
able-bodied and effective men, officers included, between sixteen and
fifty years of age;” the officers to consist of one captain, two lieuten-
ants, one ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, one clerk, one drum-
mer and one fifer. The several companies so formed were directed
to be “joined into regiments, each regiment to consist of not less than
five nor more than ten companies,” which should be commanded by
“ one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, two majors, an adjutant and a
quartermaster.” The regiments were to be classed in six brigades,
under “ a brigadier-general and a major of brigade,” and the entire
force was to be under .the command of one major-general.f
When the organization was perfected, the counties of Ulster and
Orange formed the fourth brigade, under brigadier-general George
Clinton. J	This brigade was composed of five regiments in Orange
county commanded respectively by William Allison of Goshen, Jesse
Woodhull of Cornwall, John Hathorn of Warwick, A. Hawkes Hay of
Orangetown, and Abm. Lent of Haverstraw; and of four regiments
in Ulster county, commanded respectively by Johannes Hardenbergh
of Kingston, James Clinton of New Windsor, Levi Pauling of Mar-
bletown, and Jonathan Hasbrouck of Newburgh. The officers in the
latter regiment were: Johannes Hardenbergh, Jr., lieutenant-colonel;
Johannes Jansen, Jr., and Lewis DuBois, majors; Abraham Schoon-
maker, adjutant, and Isaac Belknap, quartermaster. § In March, 1776,
the regiment was composed of eleven companies, || three of which
were located in Newburgh and were commanded respectively by
Samuel Clark, Jacob Conkling, and Arthur Smith. The following-
are the returns of these companies for the years named:
* The names of non-commissioned officers and privates are not embraced in the report.
t Proc. Prov. Conv., 104, 114, etc.
$ This brigade should not be confused, with the special brigade which was organized
under Genl. Clinton in Aug. 1776, which was composed of “ all levies raised and to be rais-
ed in the counties of Westchester, -Duchess, Orange and Ulster ” (Proc. Prov. Conv.,563),
nor with the commission issued to him by the continental congress in March, 1777.
§ Ante p. 86, 87. Through a clerical error Belknap was not commissioned.
|| “ Newburgh, March 20th, 1776. A true state of the regiment of Militia in the County
of Ulster, whereof Jonathan Hasbrouck is colonel, consisting of eleven companies. My
whole regiment consists of six hundred and eight men, officers included; likewise four hun-
dred and fifty firelocks; two hundred and ninety-three swords; one hundred and eighty-eight
cartridge boxes; thirty-two pounds of powder, one hundred and twenty pounds of lead.—
A true state of my regiment after every fourth man was selected as a minute man.”THE PROVINCIAL MILITIA.
275
A LIST OF CAPT. SAMUEL CLARK’S COMPANY*
of Officers and Soldiers in Col. Hasbrouck’s
Samuel Clark, captain.
James Denton, 1st lieut.
Martin Wygant, 2d lieut.
Munson Ward, ensign.
William Albertson, sergt.
Isaac Brown, sergt.
Ebenezer Gidney, sergt.
Hope Mills, sergt.
Hugh Stevenson, corporal.
Isaac Demott, corporal.
John Simson, corporal.
William Palmer, corporal.
Joseph Brown, lifer.
Sol. Buckingham, drummer.
John Stillwell,
Elijah Townsend,
Stephen Albertson,
Daniel Gillis,
Daniel Holly,
James Demott,
Nathaniel Denton,
John Beckett,
Silas Leonard,
Henry Smith,
Benjamin Smith,
Benjamin Birdsall,
Harmanus Rikeman,
Solomon Lane,
Thomas Patterson,
Richard Ward,
William Ferguson,
William Carskaden,
Isaac Hasbrouck,
James Harris,
William Bloomer,
John Schofield,
Benjamin Kamp,
Hugh Ferguson,
Regiment, June 8th, 1778:
William Lewis,
Richard Albertson,
William Foster,
Jeremiah Ward,
George Jackson,
Joseph Gidney, Jr.,
John Wiggins,
George Lane,
Samuel Fowler,
Daniel Gidney,
Joseph Coleman,
Gilbert Edwards,
Samuel Gardner,
Jacob Wiggins,
Richard Drake,
Jesse Smith.
Albertson Smith,
John Becket.
A list of the Exempts of
Jonathan Hasbrouck, col.
Moses Higby, doctor,
Samuel Fowler,
John Staples,
William Lupton,
Nehemiah Denton,
Thomas Ireland,
Samuel Denton,
James Harris,
William Bowdish,
Isaac Brown, doctor,
Thomas Palmer,
Benjamin Coffin,
William Collard,
Joseph Gedney,
Nathaniel Coleman,
Burger Wigant,
Samuel Bond,
Thomas Denton, captain.
Robert Car scad den,
Simon Crozier,
Joseph Gidney,
Hugh MacLean,
ipt. Samuel Clark’s company,
Jeremiah Howell,
Samuel Clark,
Abel Belknap,
Cornelius Wood,
Jacob Miars,
Thomas Smith,
Cornelius Hasbrouck,
Isaac Belknap,
Thaddeus Smith,
William Wilson,
Joseph Albertson,
Peter Donley,
Daniel Aldredge,
Samuel Sands,
Thomas Rhodes,
Leonard Smith,
Mr. Trumpoor,
William Lawrence,
Thomas Brinkley,
John T. Staples,
John Stilwilliam,
Elias Burger,
William Ward.
April 30, 1778 and 1779:
Duncan Duffle,
Daniel Denton,
James Denton, lieut.
Martin Wygant,
Monson Ward, ensign.
Samuel Weed, '
Adolph DeGrove,
Aaron Linn,
John Nathan Hutchins,
Isaac Belknap, Jr.,
James Burns,
David Cetch,
William Sobe,
JohnHoldrum,
James McMasters,
Jacob Reeder,
William Thurston,
Thomas Ireland, Jr.
Jeremiah Wool,
Thomas Harris,
Robert Morrison, doctor.
Benjamin Harris,
A LIST OF CAPT. JACOB CONKLIN’S COMPANY
of Militia of Col. Hasbrouck’s Regiment, Newburgh, Ulster county, May 4th, 1778
Jacob Conklin, capt.	Samuel Tarepening,	James Penny,
Cornelis Terwilliger,
Hazael Smith,
Daniel Burnells,
Barent Cole,
Joshua Camwell,
Jonas Totten, corporal.
James Totten,
James Mills,
William Erwin, Jr.,
William Cope, Jr.,
Stephen Jones,
Isaac Barton, Jr.,
Nathaniel Guion, corporal,
Robert Aldrich.
A list of Exempts of Capt Jacob Conklin’s Company, April 23,1779:
Jacob Conklin, capt.	James Denton,	Lewis Slut,
Jacob Lawrence, ueut.	Ebenezer Raimond,	Johannes Snyder,
Jacob Lawrence, 1st lieut.
David Guion, 2d lieut.
John Crowell, ensign.
Robt. Erwin, sergt.
Robt. Ross, sergt.
John Lawrence, sergt.
Abm. Strickland, sergt.
Abm. Smith, drummer.
Jacob Strickland corporal.
Ebenezer Strickland,
Jonathan Brundige,
John Killpatrick,
Peter Aldrich,
William Penny,
John Dolson,
Joseph Simmons,
Tunis Kiesler,
Jacob Tremper,
John Tremper,
John Thomas,
Johannes Snyder,
Stephen Stevens, corporal.
William McBride,
Gerrit Yan Benschoten,
Peter Tarepening,
Hermanus Terwilliger,
Abm. Cole, Jr.
* These returns are not of official record. The original rolls from which they are taken
were accidentally discovered in a quantity of old paper sent to market in 1864. Of their
genuiness there is not the slightest doubt.276
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
David Guion, lieut.
lohn Crowell, ensign.
Cornelius Polhamus,
David Horton,
Isaac Barton, Senr.,
Peter Aldredge,
Henry W. Kipp,
Michael Redmon,
Joshua Brush,
Caleb Lockwood,
William Erwin,
James Quigley,
Isaac Benscouten,
Ebenezer Strickland,
Joel Campbell.
William Wear,
Jacob Halstead,
Tunis Keysler,
----Brush,
Israel Brush,
Nicholas Stephens,
William Roach,
A LIST OF CAPT. ARTHUR SMITH’S COMPANY
of Militia of Col. Hasbrouck’s Regiment, Newburgh, April 24,1779:
Arthur Smith, capt.
Isaac Fowler, 1st lieut.
John Foster, 2d lieut.
William Conkling,
John Kniffin,
James Clark,
Reuben Holmes, sergts.
William Smith,
William Michael,
Samuel Griggs, corporals.
Jonathan Cosman.
Joseph Hallett.
William Place,
Daniel Fowler,
Charles Kniffen,
Tunis Dalson,
George Merritt,
Dunkin Campbell,
John Owen,
Thomas Campbell,
Burroughs Holms,
Solomon Comes,
James Warring,
William Ward.
John Fowler,
Jonas Southerd,
John Allen.
Jacob Wiggins,
Stephen Ireland,
Gilbert Aldridge,
Francis Smith,
Henry Cropsey,
John Kniffen,
Jacob Gillis,
Samuel Fowler,
John Davis,
Reuben Tooker.
John Randle,
Nicholas Watts,
James Clark.
A list of the Exempts of
Arthur Smith, capt.
Isaac Fowler, lieut.
John Foster, lieut.
Wolvert Acker, ensign.
Nehemiah Fowler,
Charles Tooker,
Joseph Calffenter,
Henry Cropsey,
Thomas Orr,
H^ns Cosman,
Capt. Arthur Smith’s Company,
John Stratton,
John Griggs,
Jonathan Owens,
Richard Osburn,
Daniel Kniffen,
Isaac Fowler, Senr.,
Daniel Purdy,
Daniel Rugards,
Daniel Thurston,
Jehiel Clark,
William Michael.
April 23d, 1779:
Thomas Bosworth,
Thomas Ward,
Elijah Ward,
Samuel Stratton,
George Merritt,
Jeremiah Howell,
John Fowler,
David Smith,
Gilbert Barton,
Thomas Burling.
The duties specially assigned to the active members of the militia
were, “ in case of any alarm, invasion or insurrection,” to immediately
repair, “ properly armed and accoutred,” to the habitations of the
captains of the companies to which they belonged, or to a duly ap-
pointed rendezvous. Captains were required to march their compa-
nies, when thus assembled, “to oppose the enemy, and at the same
time send off an express to the commanding officer of the regiment
or brigade,” who was in turn required “ to march with the whole or
part of his command,” as he should judge necessary. The services
of the militia, and the duties which devolved upon exempts, have
already been detailed.*
SPECIAL ORGANIZATIONS AND CONTINENTAL REGIMENTS.
The first of the special militia organizations of the Revolution was
that known as minute men, which was formally recommended by the
continental congress to the several provinces for adoption, in May,
1775. Under the militia bill of August 22d, the provincial conven-
tion of New York accepted the plan, and provided “that after the
whole militia” was formed, in the manner already detailed, “every
Ante p. 87, 88,141,142, etc.SPECIAL MILITIA ORGANIZATIONS.
277
fourth man of each company ” should “ he selected for minute men ”
of such persons as were willing to enter into that “ necessary service.”
The persons thus selected were to he organized in companies and elect
officers, except in cases where an entire company of any regiment
should offer its services, when it was to he commanded hy the officers
already chosen. The companies were to he organized in regiments
under officers corresponding with those of the regular militia, and
the manner in which they were called out was similar; hut they
were required to meet in subdivisions for military drill at least four
hours in each week, and in companies for the same purpose at least
four hours every fortnight, and when in service were subject to the
orders of officers of the continental army, and entitled to the “ same
allowance, as to pay and provisions, with the continental forces.”
The plan, however, was not satisfactory in its operation, and it was
abolished in June, 1776.* In the meantime the provisions of the law
were generally complied with. In the southern district of Ulster,
three companies were raised, one in Newburgh, one in New Windsor
and one in New Marlborough, the former under command of Uriah
Drake, captain; Jacob Lawrence, 1st lieutenant; William Erwin, 2d
lieutenant; and Thos. Dunn, ensign. From these and other companies
a regiment was organized of which Thomas Palmer of Newburgh was
colonel, and was on duty in the Highlands in the winter of 1775-’6.f
The second special organization of the militia included the several
drafts made to reenforce the army at different times. The first draft
occurred in June, 1776, when four battalions were organized for ser-
vice in the vicinity of New York city, to which Orange county sent
three companies and Ulster four, as part of Genl. John Morin Scott’s
brigade. The second draft was made in July, 1776, and embraced
one-fourth of the militia under command of colonels Isaac Nicoll and
Levi Pauling, the whole constituting a brigade under G-enl. George
Clinton. The third draft was in September, 1776, for six hundred
men to reenforce the garrison at forts Clinton and Montgomery, of
which number sixty-two were drawn from Col. Hasbrouck’s regiment,
and the whole placed under command of Johannes Snyder. Details
in regard to the officers and privates in these and subsequent drafts
are not of record, but it is known that under them the militia were
in varying numbers almost constantly employed.
On the 23d of July, 1776, companies of rangers were authorized
for the protection of the inhabitants of the northern and western
frontiers of the province. These companies were to hold themselves
in constant readiness for service, with a view especially to prevent the
incursions of Indians and Tories; but were to be confined entirely to
* Journal Prov. Conv., 114,479, etc. Ante p. 87.	f Proc. Prov. Conv., 381.278
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
the counties in which they were raised, unless by mutual consent of the
committees of adjoining counties, or unless otherwise directed by the
convention. Three companies were organized in Ulster county under
captains Isaac Belknap, Jacob B. DeWitt, and Elias Hasbrouck. Capt.
Belknap's company was composed (Oct. 7, 1776,) as follows:
Isaac Belknap, captain,
Henry Schoonmaker, 1st
Petrus Roosa, 2d lieut.,
David Clark, corporal,
Samuel Falls,
Thomas Jackson,
Corns. Vanderburgh,
Marcus Wackman,
ChristianDupont,
Isaac Utter,
Aaron Roosa,
John Hisson,
John McNeal,
;., Abraham Garrison,
Robert Harris,
John Caverly,
Jonathan Chatfield,
Stephanus Ecker,
Matthew Robinson,
Jas. Dailey,
Wilhemus" Roosa,
George Hack,
Darius Worden,
Sami. Chard,
James Humphrey,
James Carscaden,
Philip Aing,
Petrus Roosa,
Ed. McClannon,
Elisha Willard,
Robert Gillespy.
John Mallot,
Thos Patterson,
John Willard,
John Christie,
Joshua Griffen.
The first active service of the company was under the direction of
the committee of safety at Eishkill. In February, 1777, it was attach-
ed to Governor Clinton’s brigade, and was thereafter kept busy in the
Highlands.* The organization was abandoned, March, 1777.
The first New York or “ continental ” regiments as they were called,
were constituted in 1775 for the term of six months. These regi-
ments were four in number and were commanded respectively by Alex.
McDougall, Goose Van Schaick, Jas. Clinton, and Jas. Holmes. Col.
Clinton’s regiment (the third) was largely composed of Orange and
Ulster county men,f and, with its contemporaries, was in service in the
expedition against Canada in the fall and winter of 1775. On the 8th
of January, 1776, the continental congress issued its first formal call
for troops for the purpose of reenforcing the army in Canada. Under
this call New York furnished one battalion of which Col. Yan Schaick
was continued in command. J On the 19th of January, of the same
year, the second call was issued, under which New York was required
to furnish four battalions “ to garrison the several forts of the colony
from Crown Point to the southward, and to prevent depredations
upon Long Island, and promote the safety of the whole.” These bat-
talions were assigned to the command of Alex. McDougall, James
Clinton, Budolphus Bitzema, and Philip Yan Cortlandt. The quota
of Orange county was two companies, and that of Ulster three com-
* Ante p. 87. Jour. Prov. Conv. 586, 813, etc.. The names of the members of Capt. Bel-
knap’s company are from a memorandum book found among his papers, and are no doubt
correct. The same book contains a diary of the services of the company during the
month of October, 1776, from which it appears that its first muster for duty was at the
house of Mrs. Ann DuBois, in Marlborough, on the 7th of that month. It marched from
thence to Fishkill, and reported to the convention on the 17th, when it was placed “under
the direction of the committee for trying tories.” It was still at Fishkill in J anuary, 1777.
f Orange county furnished two companies^—Capt. Daniel Denton’s of Goshen, and Capt.
Robt. Johnston’s of Orangetown. Ulster furnished four companies—Capt. John Nichol-
son’s of New Windsor, Capt. Lewis DuBois’ of Marlborough, and Capt. Elias Hasbrouck’s
and Capt. Jacobus Bruyn’s of Kingston. Capt. Nicholson was promoted Lieut. Colonel
while in Canada, and Capt. DuBois was promoted Major,
j; Ulster county furnished one company—Capt. William Martin’s of Marlborough.CONTINENTAL REGIMENTS.
279
panies, which, were filled in April following.* Gn the 16th of Septem-
ber, the continental congress issued its third call for troops, under
which New York was required to furnish four battalions “to serve
during the war.” These battalions were the first of their class, and
were placed under the command of colonels Goose Van Schaick, Philip
Yan Cortlandt, Peter Gansevort, and Henry B. Livingston. *)* In July
previous, the continental congress authorized a commission to Major
Lewis DuBois, of Colonel Hasbrouck’s regiment of militia, to raise a
battalion “for three years or the war,” J but the convention of New
York objected, and the matter was held in abeyance. Now, however,
the convention asked authority to recruit a fifth battalion of which
Major DuBois should have the command, and, the request being grant-
ed, the battalion was commissioned. § While more or less mixed by
general recruiting, this battalion was regarded as the battalion of this
district. It was ordered to garrison Fort Montgomery in March, and
was on duty there in the action of October, 1777, when it sustained a
heavy loss in killed, wounded and prisoners. Its field-officers were:
Lewis DuBois, colonel; commissioned June 25, 1776; resigned Dec. 29,1779.
Jacobus Bruyn, lieut. col.; commissioned June 25, 1776; taken prisoner at Port Mont-
gomery, Oct. 6, 1777.
Marinus Willett, lieut. col.; commissioned July 1,1780.
Samuel Logan, major; commissioned June 26,1776; taken prisoner at Fort Montgomery;
exchanged Dec. 21,1780; served to the end of the war.
Henry DuBois, adjutant; commissioned Nov. 21, 1776; promoted captain July 1,1780.
Nehemiak Carpenter, quartermaster; commissioned Nov. 21, 1776; taken prisoner at
Fort Montgomery ; exchanged and promoted lieutenant.
Samuel Townsend, paymaster; commissioned Nov. 21,1776.
John Gano, chaplain ; commissioned Nov. 21,1776; promoted brigade chaplain ; served
to the end of the war.
Samuel Cook, surgeon; commissioned Nov- 21, 1776; served to the end of the war.
Ebenezer Hutchinson, surgeon’s mate; commissioned June 12, 1778. ||
The battalions authorized under this call, and Col. Lamb’s artillery,
were the only three years’ regiments raised in the state during the
Revolution, and were kept in the field by levies and by recruiting for
shorter periods to supply vacancies in their ranks.
The uniform which was worn by the continental regiments varied
with the ability of the authorities to purchase the materials. The
regiments raised in 1775, were clothed in the same general style but
in different colors. The first had blue broadcloth dress coats with
* Cor. Prov. Conv., 172. The companies were: Capt. Daniel Denton’s of Goshen, Capt.
Amos Hutchins’ of Orangetown, and Capt. William Roe’s of Cornwall, from Orange coun-
ty; and Capt. John Belknap’s of New Windsor, Capt. William Jackson’s of Montgomery,
and Capt. Cornelius Hardenburgh’s of Hurley, from Ulster county. Capt. Roe’s company
was in excess of the quota. Hutchins’ and Denton’s companies were in Ritzema’s regi-
ment, and the other companies in Clinton’s regiment.
f The officers of the previous regiments were retained as far as possible. Ulster county
furnished three companies to Col. Gansevort’s regiment—Capt. Thomas DeWitt’s, Capt.
Cornelius T. Jansen’s, and Capt. James Griggs’ (New Windsor); and one company, Capt.
William Jackson’s (Montgomery) to Col. Livingston’s regiment. Orange county sent one
company (Capt. Amos Hutchins’) to Col. DuBois’ regiment.
$ Proc. Prov. Conv., 510.	§ Proc. Prov. Conv., 712.
|| A list of the officers and privates of the regiment, as it stood at White Plains, July
22,1778, is given in Saffell’s “ Records of the Revolutionary War.”280
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
crimson cuffs and facings; the second had light brown coats with blue
cuffs and facings; the third had gray coats with green cuffs and facings;
the fourth had dark brown coats with scarlet cuffs and facings. Their
breeches (as they were called) and waistcoats were of Russia drilling;
the former were short (to the knee) and the latter long (to the hips).
Their stockings were long (from the knee) of “ coarse woolen home-
spun”; low shoes, linen cravats, and round low-crowned broad-brim-
med felt hats.* The regiments raised in January, 1776, were supplied
with hunting frocks in lieu of coats, and in June, the Russia drillings
gave place to “brain-dressed deer’s leather sufficient to make each
soldier one waistcoat and one pair of breeches.” The established
uniform of the troops, however, so far as there was one, was the hunt-
ing frock, which came in under the order of the continental congress
in 1776. These frocks have the same description wherever spoken of.
“ The uniform of the South Carolina rebels,” says one English writer,
“is a hunting shirt such as the farmers’ servants in England wear”;f
and another, referring to the continental soldiers who were killed at
Fort Montgomery, says, “they had on frocks such as our farmers’
servants wear,” from which fact it was presumed they were militia-
men, instead of members of Colonel DuBois’ regiment as they were.
The description by the Hessian officer, Briefwechsel, of the army
under General Gates at Saratoga, which was composed of over nine
thousand regular troops, may be accepted as applicable to the entire
army of the Revolution at that time. The rank and file, he writes,
“ were not equipped in any uniform.” A few of the officers wore
regimentals; and those fashioned to their own notions according to
cut and color. Brown coats with sea-green facings, white linings and
silver trimmings, and grey coats in abundance, with buff facings and
cuffs, and gilt buttons; in short every variety of pattern. The briga-
diers and generals wore uniforms and belts which designated their
rank, but most of the colonels and other officers were in their ordi-
nary clothes; “a musket and bayonet in hand, and a cartridge-box or
powder-horn over the shoulder.” The continental uniform, now gene-
rally accepted as such, was not adopted until 1780, when, by general
orders (June 28), all officers were directed “to wear their coats with
buff facings and linings, yellow buttons, white or buff under-clothes,
and a black and white feather in their hats.”
The equipage of the militia, as well as of the early continental
regiments, consisted of “a good musket or firelock and bayonet,
sword or tomahawk, a steel ramrod, worm, priming wire and brush
fitted thereto, a cartouch box to contain twenty-three rounds of car-
tridges, twelve flints and a knapsack, one pound of powder and three
t Penns. Ledger, Feb. 14, 1778.
* Proc. Prov. Conv., 149, etc.MILITIA SINGE THE REVOLUTION
281
pounds of bullets.” The muskets were of a variety of patterns; the
long gun of the old French war, the shorter standard musket of the
English army, and a scant assortment of rifles. The convention of
New York endeavored, in its contracts,* to secure uniformity by pro-
viding that the musket barrel should be “ three feet and a half in
length, and of three-fourths of an inch bore, well fortified at the
breech,” and that bayonets should be “ one foot and nine inches from
the shoulder;” but as there were few gunsmiths in the province at
that time (1776), it was not until after arms were received from
France that there was a perceptible regularity or a sufficient quantity
to supply the troops. Meanwhile spears, spontoons, and tomahawks
were called into use and became effective weapons, f	#	.
THE MILITIA SINCE THE REVOLUTION.
Immediately following the war of the Revolution very little atten-
tion was given to the militia. The enrollment was of course preserved
and embraced the name of every able-bodied male resident between
the ages of sixteen and fifty. After the adoption of the federal
constitution, more attention:was given to the matter; and prior to 1806,
five uniformed militia companies were organized in the regimental dis-
trict J of which Newburgh was a part, viz:
1.	The Orange"Hussars.—This company was organized in 1798. At
that time it had its head-quarters in the town of Montgomery, but
subsequently removed them to Coldenham in Newburgh. It was
organized under the auspices of Joseph Barbour; was for many years
under the command of William Wright; was on duty in 1812, and
was again called to the field during the anti-rent troubles in 1846. It
was detached from the 2d regiment of cavalry, August 30, 1844, and
attached to the 14th (19th) regiment, and disbanded in 1863, at which
time it was under the command of William C. Brewster. .
2.	Ga.pt. Acker's Company of Cavalry.—A company of cavalry was
organized under the command of William Acker, about the year 1804,
and continued in existence until 1837 or ’38. It was composed of
members residing in the north part of the town and in the adjoining
towns of Ulster; and was in service on Long Island in 1812-T3.
* Robert Boyd established; in June, 1775, a forge in New Windsor, just south of Quas-
saick creek, for the manufacture of muskets and bayonets. The convention voted to pay
him “ three pounds fifteen shillings, New York money, for each good musket with steel
ramrod, and bayonet with scabbard.” In February, 1776, he was able to write that he had
“the best gunsmiths’ shop in the coloniesbut nevertheless its capacity was limited from
the difficulty in obtaining workmen.
f The Provincial Convention of New York ordered (Sept. 1, 1776,) the manufacture of
four thousand lances or spontoons to arm the militia for whom no guns could be obtained.
Eight hundred were sent to Orange and the same number to Ulster county. (Proc. 607.)
Tomahawks were a favorite implement and many thousands were furnished the troops. As
a whole the equipage of the army was not ineffective.
X Several changes have been made in the boundaries of the district, and the regiment
has been numbered the 4th, the 14th, and the 19th.282
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
Capt. Acker was succeeded by Nathaniel DuBois, who served for seve-
ral years. The last captain of the company was Robert D. Mapes of
Marlborough. The uniform of the company consisted of red coats
with buff facings, and buff pantaloons.
3.	The Republican Blues.—This company was probably formed about
the commencement of the present century. It appears to have been
in a very flourishing condition in 1807 (when it stood on the roll of
the regiment as company No. 1), and to have continued so until 1814.
It was composed almost entirely of natives of Ireland or their descend-
ants, and hence was familiarly known as the Irish Blues. Very few
companies in the state exhibited a more patriotic spirit than did the
Blues. In 1807, during the discussions which eventuated in the
second war with England, it tendered its services to the Governor to
aid in the public defence, and from that time until 1812, when it was
ordered to Staten Island, it stood ready to take the field. From the
time of its organization until 1813, it was under the command of
Alexander Denniston.* Its officers, in 1809, were: Alex. Denniston,
captain; George Gordon, 1st sergeant; James Alexander, 2d; Paul
Stewart, 3d; Thomas Kelso, 4th; William Camack, 1st corporal;
John Kernochan, 2d; James Coleman, 3d; Isaiah Titus, 4th. From
1813 to 1815, it was under the command of James Hamilton. Its
uniform consisted of a blue dress, and caps made in the form of a
Roman helmet. The organization of the company was so broken up
during the war, that its disbandment took place June 3,1815, “ in con-
sequence of not having a complement of men agreeable to the statute.”
4.	Capt. BirdsalVs Company.—The date of the organization of this
company cannot now be ascertained. In 1809, it stood on the roll of
the regiment as company No. 2, and was then under the command of
the following officers, viz: Chas. Birdsall, captain; Abel Belknap, 1st
sergeant; John Polhamus, 2d; Jere. Albertson, 3d; Briggs Belknap,
4th; George Marvin, 1st corporal; Wm. P. Hatch, 2d; David Sands,
3d; Joseph Albertson, 4th. These officers served until 1814, when
Robert Gardiner was elected lieutenant, and Sylvester Roe, ensign.
The uniform of the company was the same as that of the Republican
Blues, with the exception of the facings of the coat; and like its con-
temporary, it was in service on Staten Island in 1812.f The same
causes which led to the disbandment of the former, struck the latter
from the roll of the regiment, June 3d, 1815.
t In 1812 (Nov. 30), Capt. Denniston proposed the organization of a company of volun-
teers, to serve for one year or during the war, and succeeded in enlisting about fifty men,
who elected Jonathan Gidney captain. The company went to New York, and there formed
part of a detached regiment of riflemen. Denniston was appointed major in this regi-
ment, and the vacancy thus created in the captaincy of the Blues was filled by James
Hamilton.
f Ante p. 188.MILITIA SINCE THE REVOLUTION
283
5. Capt. Butterworth’s Artillery Company.—This company was organ-
ized November 2d, 1804, and had its head-quarters at the McIntosh
house on Liberty street. It was first under the command of William
Boss, who served as captain until 1810 or Tl, when he was succeeded
by Henry Butterworth. Its head-quarters were then removed to
Balmville, where an artillery house was erected. In 1812, while under
the command of Captain Butterworth, the company was stationed on
Staten Island. Positive facts in reference to its subsequent history
cannot be obtained, but it is said that Charles Clinton was its captain
in 1819 or ’20; in 1822, James Kelso, captain; Bobt. Lockwood, 1st
lieutenant; Gilbert Holmes, ensign; 1829, John B. Cromwell, captain;
and afterwards Thornton M. Niven. As the artillery was embraced
in a separate regiment (of which T. D. Lander was colonel), the
roster of the 19th contains very little in reference to this company.* * * §
In addition to the uniformed companies, there were three companies
of militia which, in 1812, were known as follows, viz: No. 4, or Capt.
Daniel T. Smith’s Company—Daniel T. Smith, captain; Daniel Tooker,
1st sergeant; Nathl. Tooker, 2d; James Waring, 3d; Henry Cosman,
drummer. No. 5, or Capt. Seth Belknap’s Company—Seth Belknap,
captain; Charles Humphrey, 1st sergeant; Sovreign B. Anderson, 2d;
James Crawford, 3d; Wm. Belknap, 4th; Hezekiah Fairchild, 1st cor-
poral; Jas. Wayland, 2d; Bobert Gourlay, 3d; John Wood, Jr., 4th.
No. 7, or Capt. Falls’ Company—William H. Falls, captain; Bobert
Lawson, lieutenant; James Belknap, 1st sergeant; James M. Gardiner,
2d; Wm. W. Sackett, 3d; Stephen Belknap, 4th; Gilbert W. Crissey,
1st corporal; Samuel G. Sneden, 2d; Gardiner Thompson, 3d; Daniel
Gidney, 4th. These companies continued in existence until 1846. f
In 1817, James Belknap, John W. Brown and others effected the
organization of a company of infantry subsequently known as The
Bell-Button Company. Its first officers were: James Belknap,J cap-
tain; William Smith, lieutenant; John W. Brown, ensign. In 1822,
William Smith § was captain; Samuel G. Sneden, lieutenant; and
Fred. W. Farnam, ensign. In 1824, Charles Niven, captain; Thomas
Smith, lieutenant; and E. Ward Farrington, ensign. The uniform of
the company consisted of a blue short jacket ornamented with bell-
buttons, blue pantaloons, and a cap with ornament and plume. It
* The cavalry were also organized in a separate regiment, which will explain the ab-
sence of those companies from the roll of this regiment and the difficulty of procuring
authentic information.,.
f The uniformed companies failed to make up the quota required from the regiment, in
1813, and the militia were ordered out to supply the deficiency. Under this order, these
companies were stationed at Harlem Heights for three months.
t Mr. Belknap was appointed Adjutant in 1812, and held the commission until the close
of the war. In 1821 or ^22 he was appointed Brigade Inspector.
§ William Smith was the son of Daniel Smith of Balmville. He was captain of the Black
Hawk when the difficulty occurred between that vessel and the Cuban authorities.284
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
was disbanded in 1824, and its active members united with the other
military associations of the town, viz:
1. The Village Guard.—This company was organized in 1822, under
the command of Henry B. Myers. Its uniform consisted of a blue
cloth coat, white vest and pantaloons, a black stock or cravat, white
webbing cross and waist belts, a leather cap trimmed with an armor
or scale chain plate, with a black vulture plume and cockade. It pre-
served its organization until 1846, when it was disbanded under the
militia law of that year. The following list of the officers of the com-
pany is from the roster of the regiment:
Rate.	Captain.	Lieutenant.	Ensign.
1822	Henry B. Myers,	John D. Phillips,	Ezra B. Sweet.
1825-6	do	Nathaniel Vail,	do
1827/	do	William C. Hasbrouck,	David Harris.
1827|	William'C. Hasbrouck,	Alanson Randoll,	do
1828	do	David Harris,	William Butterworth.
1829	do	William Butterworth,	Odell S. Hathaway.
1881-33	do	0. S. Hathaway,	Walter W. Weed. *
1834-35	Odell S. Hathaway,	Walter W. Weed,	Cyrus S. Hawkins.
1836	Walter W. Weed,	Cyrus S. Hawkins,	Thos McCullough.
1839	do	Thos. McCullough,	Wm. H. Roberson.
1840	Adam Lilburn,	Richard J. Whitney,	Chas. H. Ball.
1843	Richard J. Whitney,	Chas. H. Ball,	Wm. I. Underhill.
1844-46	Addison W. Brown,	Benj. B. Hawkins,	do
2. The Newburgh Volunteers.—This company was organized October
80th, 1824—John D. Phillips, captain; John Johnson, lieutenant; and
Thomas Smith, ensign. Its uniform was the same as that adopted by
the Village Guard, with the exception of the plume which was white.
It was disbanded under the militia law of 1846, at which time it
numbered about seventy muskets. The following list of its officers is
from the books of the company:
Rate.	Captains.	Lieutenant.	Ensign.
1824	John D. Phillips,	John Johnson,	Thomas Smith.
1829	do	do	Orson Tarbell.
1§3 0-31	John Johnson,	Orson Tarbell,	John McAuley.
1831	Cicero A. Gardiner,	do	do
1832-33	do	do	Oscar Marsh.
1834-35	Orson Tarbell,	Oscar Marsh,	Nelson Kelley.
1836	Oscar Marsh,	Nelson Kelley,	Alanson Miller.
1837-38	do	Alanson Miller,	Moses Camack.
1839-41	do	Adam Lilburn,	Selah T. McCollum.
1842	Oscar Marsh.	Lewis W. Gardiner,	Joseph A. Starr.
1843	Lewis W. Gardiner,	N. P. Emett,	do
1844	do	John E. Baldwin,	Westlake Cannon.
1845-46	do	Westlake Cannon,	John S. Wear.
The operation of the law of 1846, was disastrous to uniformed
companies. This law provided for the organization of only one com-
pany in each company district; and, by its rearrangement of the regi-
mental districts, confined the 19th to the county of Orange, thereby
cutting off such members of the Newburgh companies as resided in
Ulster. The Orange Hussars alone survived the measure. The law
of 1854, however, was more favorable, and led to the organization of
five companies, viz:MILITIA SINCE THE REVOLUTION
285
1.	The Washington Continental Guard (Co. D).—The organization of
this company was perfected by Mr. Robert D. Kemp and nineteen
others^ on the 22d November, 1855. It adopted the continental
uniform of 1780, which was procured at a cost of $3,400; but was
subsequently compelled to substitute on general parade, the regular
uniform of the militia. Its original roll embraced the names of forty-
two members. Its officers have been:
Captains—R. D. Kemp, Isaac Wood, Jr., Michael Doyle, Thos. S. Marvel, Jr., Isaac Jen-
kinson, Isaac M. Martin, Jas. T. Chase.
First Lieutenants—G-eo. M. Van Nort, Isaac Wood, Jr., Isaac Jenkinson. Wm, M. Hath-
away, Wm. B. Marvin, Archibald Ferguson, Jas. T. Chase, Geo. W. Hawkins, John S.
Terwilliger.
Second Lieutenants—Isaac Jenkinson, Michael Doyle, Wm. M. Hathaway, Wm. B. Mar-
vin, John Bocock, George C. Marvin, George W. Hawkins, Nathaniel Jackson, John S.
Terwilliger, Christian F. Dietzeroth, James F. Niel.
2.	Powell Corps (Co. E).—The Powell Corps was organized Decem-
ber 1st, 1857. Its officers have been:	*
Captains—J. N. Arnold (1857), Eli H. Evans, (1859), John S. Watts (1860).
First Lieutenants—Wilson Bruyn, E. J. Roos, D. A. Mabie, W. H. Tice.
Second Lieutenants—E. G. Fowler, W. C. Oakley, W. H. Tice, J. P. Vought, E. D. Hayt.
3.	The Newburgh Guard (Co. E).—This company was organized De-
* cember 23d, 1858. One of the features in its history was the erection
of the monument to Uzal Knapp, at Washington's head-quarters,
which was inaugurated with public ceremonies on Monday, June 18,
1860. The officers of the company have been:
Captains—John D. Kelly, James A. Raney, John H. Toohey, Timothy Donoghue, Fran-
cis Rose.
First Lieutenants—James O’Neil, John H. Toohey, Patrick Day, Patrick Brennan, Robt.
H.	Brown, Patrick J. McDonald.
Second Lieutenants—Joseph Wilson, Patrick Day, Robt. H. Brown, Patrick J. McDon-
alh, Patrick McArdle.
4.	The Parmenter Riflemen (Co. L, subsequently C).—This compa-
ny was organized in December, 1858, and took its name in honor of
the colonel of the regiment, Stephen C. Parmenter. Its officers were:
Captains—R. D. Kemp, Egbert Alsdorf, James Smiley, Robt. H. Kernochan.
First Lieutenants—E. A. Jones, James Smiley, Robt. H. Kernochan, E. J. F. Marsh.
Second Lieutenants—H. F. Adams, Alex. Mann, J. W. Stevenson, John H. Brooks.
5.	Ellis Guard (Co. I).—This company was organized September
12, 1865, and named in honor of Col. A. V. H. Ellis of the 124th N.
Y. Y. Its officers were:
Captains—James C. Taggart, Sami. McQuaid, David A. Mabie, Jr., Alex. McMeekin,
B. B. Moore.
First Lieutenants—Sylvester Lawson, B. B. Moore.
Second Lieutenants—Sami. McQuaid, Wm. C. Carmichael, Geo. Wallace, T. J. Collins.
In 1873, companies C and I were consolidated and the united com-
pany named C, under the following officers: B. B. Moore, captain;
E. F. J. Marsh, first lieutenant; John H. Brooks, second lieutenant.
Companies D, E, F, and L, and a company specially recruited called
I,	were in the service of the United States, as part of the 19th regi-
ment militia, for three months from June 4, 1862. In the spring of286
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
1861 (June 28), company I, 71st regiment militia, was recruited prin-
cipally from the Parmenter Riflemen, company L, for three months’
service, and was in the first battle of Bull Run, where Sami. O. Bond,
one of its members, was hilled. It was again recruited for three
months’ service in the 71st, in the spring of 1862, and many of its
members passed directly from the field into the 124th N. Y. Y. Not
less than ninety officers of the volunteer service, from colonel to
second lieutenant, were drawn from the active and honorary members
of the uniformed companies of Newburgh.*
REBELLION RECORD.
The totals of quotas and credits of the town of Newburgh (then
including the city), during the war of the rebellion, were:
Quotas under all calls prior to Dec. 19th, 1861,.....:*........1226
Quota under the call of Dec. 19th, 1861,....................... 122
-----1318
Credits under all calls prior to Dec. 19th, 1861,.............. 1257
Credits under the call of Dec. 19th, 1861,..................... 122
-----1379
On settlement with the state authorities, under the bounty act of 1865,
the town was allowed for an excess of 237 years, or for 78 three years’
men over the quotas required, amounting to $47,400; and in the same
settlement received $49,800 for bounties. The official record of quotas
and the response which was made to them, however, fails to accurately
represent the number of men furnished under the several calls, nor
* The field-officers of the Regiment have been:
Bate. 1792 1798 1804 1808-12 1813	Colonel. George Denniston, Leonard Smith,	Lieut. Colonel. Geo. Denniston, command. Leonard Smith, do command. Isaac Belknap, Jr., do command.	Major. —— Sly, Chancey Belknap, Edmund Griswold,
1814-16	Isaac Belknap, Jr.,	Chancey Belknap,	
1817	Chancey Belknap,	Edmund Griswold,	William H. Falls,
1818	do	William H, Falls,	James Butterworth,
1819-20	William H. Falls,	James Butterworth,	Daniel Tooker,
1821-23	do	Daniel Tooker, Gardiner Thpmpson, Isaac R. Carpenter,	Zadoch Lewis,
1824-26 1829	John W. Brown, Gardiner Thompson,		Charles H. Sly.
1830	do	do	John D. Phillips,
1831-33	do	do	do
1834-35	Isaac R. Carpenter, John D. Phillips,	John D. Phillips,	Wm. C. Hasbrouck.
1836-37		Odell S. Hathaway,	Orson Tarbell,
1838-40	Odell S. Hathaway,	Nelson Houston,	do
1841	do	do	Stephen C. Parmenter,
1842	do	Stephen C. Parmenter,	Adam Lilburn,
1843	Stephen C. Parmenter, Adam Lilburn,		Peter M. Jones,
1845-57	do	do	William R. Brown,
1858-59	do	William R. Brown,	James Low,
1860	William R. Brown,	James Low,	George Waller,
1864	Isaac Wood, Jr.,	do	
1865	Chas. H. Wygant, Everett J. Roos,	do	Wm. M. Hathaway,
1866		William D. Dickey,	Daniel Torbush,
1868	William D. Dickey,	Daniel Torbush,	James C. Taggart.
Brigadier Generals.—1798, Joseph Hasbrouck ; 1808, Josiah Robinson; 1813, Leonard
Smith; 1816, Isaac Belknap, Jr.; 1819, Chancey Belknap; 1823, John Jansen; 1825, Gilbert
0.	Fowler; 1827, Daniel LeFever; 1830, Charles Borland; 1837, John McBride; 1843, Moses
1.	Decker; 1845, Alfred D. Hurtin; 1846, William C. Little ; 1854, Henry A. Samson; 1857,
William W. Scrugham; 1860, Stephen C. Parmenter; 1864, William R. Brown.REBELLION RECORD.
287
are the enlistments prior to July, 1862, entered in the account. The
quota under the call of July, 1862, was 470; the number furnished,
501. The quota under the call of July, 1863 (draft of October 7th),
was 443, which number, with an addition of 50 per cent, (total 552),
was drawn, of whom 90 commuted, entered the service personally, or
furnished substitutes. The total of quotas under the merged calls of
July and October, 1863, and of February, March and July, 1864, was
756; the number furnished (including 90 credited by draft of 1863),
827, of whom 71 were not credited. The volunteers in the two
years’ regiments, and in the militia for three months, prior to July,
1862, reached the aggregate of 1078 men. The enlistments, there-
fore, may be summarized as follows:
Enlistments prior to July, 1862,................................ 1078
“ under call of July, 1862,.................................. 50l
“ under calls of 1863, ’61,...................... .*.........827
“ under call of December, 1864,.............................. 122
showing a total of 2410,* an excess of 1033 over the number credited
and of 1062 over the quotas required; or, reducing the enlistments
prior to July, 1862, to three years’ men and adding the number (78)
allowed under the settlement of 1865, an excess over quotas of 518.
The volunteers recruited in the town were for every branch of the
service, but were mainly embraced in the army of the Potomac. The
following general enumeration is from official recprds:
3d Regiment, Co. B................................................ 96
36th	“	“ B................................................. 82
56th	“	“ A, B,	etc...................................... 228
124th	“	“ A, H,	etc...................................... 223
166th	“	consolidated with 176th............................. 41
168th	“	................................................... 166
63d	“ . •	................................................... 36
98th	“	Co. C............................................... 71
71st	“	Militia,	Go. 1,1861................................. 58
71st	“	“	“	1862 ............................... 65
19th “	“	......1862 ............................... 357
7th Independent Battery........................................   131
5th Regiment Artillery...........................................  11
6th	“	“	..................................... 4
7th	“	“	..................................... 37
15th “	“ Co. M...................................... .... 16
16th	“	“	..................................... 10
2d	:c	Cavalry..........................................   57
15th	“	“	Co. I................................... 72
18th	“	“	..................................... 6
Colored Regiments................................................  56
Navy.........................................................    .116
Miscellaneous, including substitutes, etc........................ 471
Total,.....................................................    2410
* The* names of militia and volunteers representing this aggregate are of permanent
record in the second annual report of the Bureau of Military Statistics (1865), and in the
books of the town. It may be added that, with the exception of a few volunteers and
substitutes brought in by recruiting agents, the quotas of the town were filled by legiti-
mate recruiting from its own population. In this connection it may be stated that the
first volunteers recruited in the state were by James A. Raney for Captain Fullerton’s com-
pany, mustered as Company B, 3d Regiment. The company was in service during the
entire war, although a number of its original members were discharged at the expiration
of two years.288
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
Three public subscriptions were raised during the war for equip-
ments, bounties, etc. The first, in the spring of 1861, was for the
purpose of furnishing equipments for the nineteenth regiment militia,
and amounted to $7,385. The second was raised in August, 1862, for
the purpose of paying a bounty to every person enlisting under the
call of July of that year, and reached the sum of $17,521—of which
amount $16,443 was paid for bounties and the balance ($1,078) con-
tributed to the Soldiers5 Aid Society for the relief of families of vol-
unteers. The third subscription was raised in the spring of 1865, and
was known as “the ten dollar bounty fund.55 Its object was to in-
crease the bounty offered by the town to recruits, with a view to fill
the quota and avoid a draft. About $1,200 was raised and disbursed.
In addition to these subscriptions, there was raised for the Soldiers5
Aid Society and for other purposes:
Hospital Fund, year ending July 31, 1862,............. $ 156.71
“	“	“ 1863,................ 1,750.67
“	“	“ 1861,................. 2,167.91
“	“	“	1865,...............	1,175.65
----------$6,150.67
Family Relief Fund, from Jan. 1,1863, to Aug. 1,1865, ..	3,229.62
Less amount from Bounty Fund,.............-....... 1,078.00
---------- 2,151.62
Contributions to Christian Commission, 1861,....................   5,010.00
Hall of Military Records, 1865, (through David Moore, Esq.)....... 1,190.00
Total general contributions,................................$11,532.29
The subscriptions for special purposes were not limited in number
or of small amount, but were necessarily without public record. The
sums raised by the issue of town bonds, for the payment of boun-
ties, etc., were:
Village bonds for equipments, 1861,................... $5,000.00
Town bonds, 1861, first issue,........................ 21,250.00
“	1861, second issue,.......................151,850.00 '
“	1865,......................... ........... 81,600.00
----------$275,700.00
Special relief of families of volunteers,....................... 2,123 89
278.123.89
Less amount refunded by the state, 1865,...................... 97,200.00*
180.923.89
Add subscription, 1861........................................     7,385.00
“	1862,.......................................... 17,521.00
1865,........................................    1,200.00
“	Soldiers’Aid Societies, etc. (preceding table),. 11,532.29
Assessment for proportion of $121,000 county bounty bonds,______ 116,082.76
Total of expenditures, aside from general taxes,f etc.,.........$367,611.91
* The town failed to realize the full amount of the bonds.
t The general taxes were increased from $15,671.68, in 1861, to $131,716.21, in 1866—or,
deducting for county bonds, to $111,802.87.CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
289
CHAPTER XXL
NEWBURGH CHURCHES--RELIGIOUS AND LITERARY ASSOCIATIONS—SCHOOLS-
NEWSPAPERS, ETC.
rT^HE ecclesiastical history of Newburgh properly commences with
-1 the first settlement of it by the German Palatines. They were
all Lutherans, or at least protestants; they had a pastor, and meas-
ures were taken for the support of religion by the infant colony.
The facts connected with the religious history of the Palatines have
been given in an earlier chapter and need not be again narrated. In
process of time the English portion of the population of the town
exceeded the German in point of number; and as the principal men
on the German patent sympathized more or less with the Church of
England, the property originally given for the support of Luther-
anism, was appropriated to the maintenance of the former church.
The planting and development of that denomination is especially
shown in the annals of
st. george’s episcopal church.
In 1701, the “ Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign
Parts,” was formed in England, by members of the established church,
and obtained a royal charter from William XIX. Its special object was
to extend Episcopacy, and its chief field of operations, at the time of
its origin, was the American colonies. From its records it appears
that application was made for a missionary, by the inhabitants of
New Windsor, in the county of Ulster, in 1728. It was referred to
the Rev. Mr. Vesey, of New York, who, in 1729, reported that the
district which it was proposed to embrace in the New Windsor mis-
sion, included that settlement and “ parts adjacent, 20 miles from
north to south and 16 from east to west;” and further, that the popu-
lation amounted to about 400. The society immediately commissioned .
the Rev. Mr. Charlton, at a salary of £50 per annum, who served the
mission until 1731.* He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Kirkpatrick,
who remained in the field until 1734. During the next ten years the
mission was unoccupied.
About 1734 “ the English and Dutch new inhabitants,” as they are
* Mr. Charlton removed to the city of New York, where he served as assistant minister
of Trinity church. In 1747 he was appointed missionary of Staten Island, where he re-
mained until his death in October, 1777.
019290
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
styled in the old records, began to settle at Newburgh, and in 1747
they had become so numerous that they were enabled to elect trustees
of the Glebe, and even went so far as to shut the doors of the Pala-
tine church against the Lutheran minister, who occasionally visited the
German families. The Rev. Mr. Watkins, who had been appointed in
1744 to the New Windsor mission, preached on Sunday, 19th July,
1747, in the Palatine church; and on that day performed divine wor-
ship, according to the Episcopal form, for the first time within the
limits of the German patent.* In 1753, the governor and council
issued letters patent to Alexander Colden and Richard Albertson, as
trustees of the Glebe, and confirmed the use of it, and of the church
of the Palatines, to the Church of England.
From the reports of the Society for Propagating the Gospel, it
appears that, in 1753, the inhabitants of Newburgh parish had re-
paired the church, and had erected a house for the minister, f Mr.
Watkins, who had “good hopes of seeing the Newburgh parish pop-
ulous and flourishing in a short time.” Mr. Watkins occupied the
mission until 1765, and during his incumbency, he is reported to have
baptised 199 persons; the number of communicants being about 100.
He is said to have been “ a single man, of an easy disposition, so that
he lived happily with his people until his death; but his talents as a
preacher were not of a popular cast.” J
In 1769, the Rev. John Sayre was appointed to the vacant charge;
and in November of that year, the “ Minister, Church Wardens and
Vestrymen” petitioned the governor (Colden) and council for a char-
ter for the Newburgh mission. This petition states, “that by the
pious donations of several persons, the mission is already in posses-
sion of tracts of land, which, for want of a royal charter constituting
them, the minister, wardens and vestrymen, a body corporate, are now
held for the church by deeds of trust only. The inconvenience arising
from this and sundry other matters in which the good of the Episco-
pal church is essentially concerned and which might be obviated by a
royal charter, have induced your petitioners humbly to pray, that your
Honor would be pleased to grant—His Majesty’s Charter of Incorpo-
* Documentary Hist. N. Y. iii, 593. Ante page 123.
f Views of the church and of the parsonage are given on ante p. 120,128.
X Hezekiah Watkins, of Newburgh, published in a paper printed by I. Parker and W.
Weymans, 15th March, 1765, “ Observations on the circumstances and conduct of the peo-
ple in the counties of Orange and Ulster,” in which the provincial assembly was taken to
task. The printers were summoned to appear at the bar of the assembly; but, after a
short confinement,> they were reprimanded and let go. Watkins, however, was not libe-
rated until the next year, when, having acknowledged the authorship of the article, he
was reprimanded and set free. (Doc. Hist, iv.) “ Of this faithful and laborious servant
in the Gospel,” says Dr. Brown, (Historical Sermon p. 15,) *‘ there are now in this county
many respectable friends and relatives bearing the same name.” The late Hezekiah
Watkins, of Gardiner, Ulster county, was a relative of the Newburgh minister, and the
same remark may be made of Dr. John D. Watkins, of Liberty, Sullivan county. (History
Sul. Co., 357.)CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC
291
ration,” &c. - Dated, Coldenham, Nov. 17th, 1769. The petition is
signed by John Sayre,* missionary; Chas. Bobie, Cad. Colden, Jr.,
Sami. Fowler, and Joseph Watkins, vestrymen; and Bobert Carskad-
den, Andrew Graham, and Josiah Gilbert, wardens. It is endorsed:
“1769, Dec. 12. Bead in council and granted.” The charter, how-
ever, for some reason was not issued, and, on the 16th of April, 1770,
another petition was sent to the governor, by the Bev. Mr. Sayre, and
Messrs. Samuel Fowler, William Ellison, Stephen Wiggins, Leonard
Smith, Samuel Winslow, and Nathan Purdy. This also is endorsed:
“1770, May 2d. Bead in council and granted.” On the 30th of
July, 1770, a charter was issued, which is still preserved, incorpo-
rating the church as St. George’s.
The prosperity of the church was very seriously affected by the
Bevolution. In 1775, Mr. Sayre resigned his office, and many of his
parishioners conscientiously adhered to the cause of the king and thus
excited against the church the popular feeling. When the war was
ended, the St. George’s parish of 1770 had neither minister, nor war-
dens, nor vestry, and practically it had ceased to exist. No attempt
to resuscitate the church appears to have been made until 1790, when
the Bev. George H. Spierin was elected to discharge the double duty
of minister and school-master; but his election was resisted by a large
portion of the inhabitants of the German patent, and he only served
until 1793,f when the station again became vacant and so remained
for more than ten years.
On the 4th November, 1805, the church was reorganized under the
old name of St. George’s. “So fearfully small,” says Dr. Brown,
“was the number of her friends here, that it was found necessary to
resort to the neighboring parishes for a sufficient number even to form
an incorporation.” At this time, the special purpose of the reorgani-
zation was a legal one, such a step being deemed necessary in order
to a recovery of the old church and Glebe. Of the trial at law which
ensued it is unnecessary to speak, as a full account of it is given in a
previous chapter. The following is the record of the reorganization:
“ Nov. 4, 1805. At a meeting of the persons attached to the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the United States of America, it was unanimously agreed, that the Protestant
Episcopal Church of the Parish of Newburgh, should be known, as heretofore, by the
name of St. George’s Church; and that the election for Church Wardens and Vestrymen
of said Church should be held annually on Tuesday in Easter week at the Protestant Epis-
copal Church, on the German patent, in the said Parish of Newburgh.
“ The following wardens and vestrymen were elected: Arthur Smith and George Merritt,
wardens; Wm. W. Sackett, Gilbert Colden Willet, Sami. Floyd, Thos. Carskadden, John
* Mr. Sayre was a man of talent and a popular preacher. He was very successful in
his ministrations, and gathered large congregations at the different stations where he
preached. He succeeded in obtaining a charter of incorporation for each of the three
churches under his care, viz: St George’s church, of Newburgh; St. Andrew’s church, of
Montgomery; and St. David’s church, of Goshen (now in Hamptonburgh).
f Mr. Spierin accepted a call from the congregation of Poughkeepsie, and removed to
that place in 1798.292
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
Garrit, David Fowler, Henry Caldwell, and Jnstin Foot, vestrymen; and Jonathan Fisk
and Joseph Hoffman, Trustees of the Glebe.”
“Jan. 28,1806. On motion, Resolved, That Mr. Sackett, Mr. Fisk, and Mr. Carskad-
den be a committee to wait on Mr. Foster for his consent that our minister, next time he
preaches in this Parish, preach in the Academy.
“ On motion, Resolved, That Mr. Fisk, Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Carskadden be a com-
mittee to open and repair St. George’s Church in this Parish.” (The old Lutheran church.)
“ April 8,1806. At a meeting of the Wardens and Vestrymen of St. George’s Church,
in the Parish of Newburgh, held on Tuesday, the 8th day of April, 1806, at the house of
Robt. R. Dolph, in the Parish of Newburgh, for the purpose of electing two Wardens and
eight Vestrymen: George Merritt in the chair; J. Fisk, clerk. The following were chosen:
Henry Caldwell and David Fowler, Wardens; Wm. W. Sackett, G. C. Willet, Sami. Floyd,
Thos. Carskadden, Justin Foote, Francis Smith, John Garrit, and Wm. Taylor, Vestrymen.
“ On motion, Resolved, That Mr. Fisk be Clerk to the Vestry and Wardens.
“ On motion, Resolved, That Henry Caldwell be Treasurer of this Church.
“ On motion, Resolved, That Messrs. Floyd, Hoffman, Fowler, and Willet be a com-
mittee to procure subscriptions and solicit donations for the purpose of enabling this
Church to support a clergyman.	•.
‘ ‘ Mr. Graham and Mr. Colden, a committee from St. Andrew’s, applied to St. George’s
to ascertain if this Church will unite with them in the support of a clergyman. On mo-
tion, Resolved, That this Church will unite with St. Andrew’s in the support of a clergy-
man; and that Mr. Fowler, Mr. Caldwell, and Mr. Fisk, be a committee to confer with the
said committee from St. Andrew’s, and conclude the terms on which such clergyman shall
be employed by our united support, and that the said committee also confer with the
Episcopal Church at Goshen and ascertain if that Church will unite with this and St. An-
drew’s to support a clergyman.”
“ July 28, 1806. Committee on Pastor reported, that they had not been able to meet
with committees from St. Andrew’s and Goshen.”
“Aug. 4, 1806. Committee reported that the Church at Goshen, St. Andrews, New
Windsor, and Newburgh, had agreed to unite in supporting a clergyman.”
The pastor whose services were secured under the agreement of
August 4th, above quoted, was the Rev. Frederick Yan Horne, who
resided at St. Andrew’s (at the time probably the strongest con-
gregation in the proposed circuit), who continued in that capacity
until 1809, when he removed to Ballston,. The Rev. Mr. Mackin
succeeded him, but remained in the field only a few months; and
during the next year (1810) an agreement was made with Rev. Mr.
Powell, rector of St. Andrew’s, Coldenham, by St. George’s church,
for the one third of his time. This state of things continued until
1815, when the Rev. Dr. John Brown entered upon the duties of rec-
tor of St. George’s church, having preached his inaugural sermon on
the 24th Dec. of that year. Dr. Brown, then only in deacon’s orders,
had just commenced his ministerial labors in Trinity church, Fishkill.
By the advice of the late Bishop Hobart, he was induced to perform
a third service in Newburgh for many Sundays in succession, during
which period “ the Holy Communion was administered for the first
time in the parish since the revolutionary war to the small number of
three.” During the first year of Dr. Brown’s imcumbency, the num-
ber of persons confirmed was thirty-seven, and twenty-eight were ad-
mitted to the holy communion. Dr. Brown continued in full charge
of the work of the parish until January, 1859, when Rev. Caleb S.
Henry, D. D., was engaged as assistant minister, and served until
March, 1861. In October, 1859, Rev. Hobart Chetwood was engaged
in the same capacity, and served until June, 1860. He was succeeded
in October by Rev. John W. Clark, who served until November, 1862,CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
293
when the office was discontinued. Revs. T. M. Riley, John F. Potter,
John Downie, and Alex. Davidson^ successively served as assistants to
the rector until October, 1868, when the Rev. Octavius Applegate was
elected assistant minister with duties involving the active rectorship.
The first edifice occupied by the congregation of St. George’s was,
as before mentioned, the one erected by the Lutherans, and long-
known as the old Glebe school-house. When the Episcopalians
ceased to occupy this church is uncertain, but it was probably very
soon after the war of the revolution began. In 1815, the congrega-
tion was temporarily accommodated, through the kindness of the late
Mr. Thomas Ellison of New Windsor, in a building on Liberty street,
known as the McIntosh house. Here it remained for some years.
The church edifice (St. George’s) was begun in 1816, and was conse-
ST. GEORGE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
crated by Bishop Hobart, November 10, 1819. The increase of the
congregation rendering more room necessary, a gallery was put up in
1826, and at the same time an organ was purchased. In 1834, the
building was enlarged, and the steeple was added, in which a fine
toned bell was hung. The church was again enlarged and beautified
in 1853, at an expense of $9,000. At that time the tasteful and com-
modious Sunday-school room and vestry was built on the south side
of the church. The church edifice is the doric style of architecture.
It has a front on Grand street of 45 feet, and is 90 feet in depth. Its
pews furnish accommodations for 650 persons.
The accommodations furnished by the enlargement of the church,
however, failed to meet the requirements of the congregation, and in
March, 1859, the rector and vestry of St. George’s purchased the edi-294
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
fice originally erected by the congregation of the Union A. R. church.
This building was thoroughly refitted and improved in its architect-
ure, and in the following May it was consecrated for Episcopal wor-
ship under the name of St. John’s chapel. The enterprise failed of
success, and the building was (1864) sold for other purposes. In the
meantime the necessity which its purchase was designed to supply,
had found accommodation in
st. Paul’s episcopal chubch,
the organization of which sprang from a desire, on the part of several
members of St. George’s parish, to extend the influence of the Epis-
copal faith over a field wider than that which it was thought could be
successfully embraced under a single church jurisdiction. The propo-
sition to divide the old parish and erect an additional one, was made
in 1858, but no steps were then taken to accomplish that object. On
the 12th May, 1860, the proposition was renewed, and a formal appli-
cation was made to the rector of St. George’s, in accordance with the
laws of the Episcopal church, for his official consent to the organiza-
tion of a new congregation within the limits of his parish.
The application received the consent of the Rev. Dr. Brown, and
the congregation of St. Paul’s church was soon after informally organ-
ized. On the 5th of June, the members of the proposed new congre-
gation extended a unanimous call to the Rev. Hobart Chetwood, at
that time assistant minister of St. George’s church, to be their pastor.
This call was accepted by Mr. Chetwood—the acceptance to take
effect at the termination of his engagement to the old parish, Nov. 1st,
1860. By the subsequent action of the vestry of St. George’s, Mr.
Chetwood’s connection with that parish ceased on the 23d of June;
and, on the 25th of June, he consented to enter at once upon his du-
ties as minister of St. Paul’s. The organization of the church was
completed on the 11th September, by the election of David M. Clark-
son and William E. Warren, wardens; and F. C. Withers, Hiram
Falls, H. H. Bell, Wm. Bogert, R. Y. K. Montfort, John Gordon, E.
W. Gray, and G. J. Appleton, vestrymen. Mr. Chetwood exchanged
with Rev. H. P. C. Melville, during the winter of 1866. Rev. Dr.
Lundy served as assistant minister from Sept. 1st, 1867, to his death
in April, 1868. Rev. Dr. Irving was his successor for six months. In
June, 1872, Mr. Chetwood resigned the rectorship, and in September
following, Rev. Rufus Emery became his successor.
The first service of the church was held in the Highland Academy
(now the Home for the Friendless), on Sunday, July 1st. Within a
fortnight after that date, a lot was purchased on Grand street, at a
cost of $4,100, and a contract entered into with Mr. Jno. Little for the
erection of a chapel. The building was opened for divine worship onCHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
295
the first Sunday in October (Oct. 7, 1860). Its cost, including furni-
ture, was about $2,300. On the 1st June, 1864, the erection of a
church edifice was formally inaugurated, with the expressed intention
of prosecuting the undertaking to enclosure, leaving the nave, tower,
etc., to the future. The corner-stone was laid on Thursday afternoon,
August 24th, 1865, by Rev. John Brown, D. D., under appointment
of the bishop of the diocese. The building, although in occupation
and supplied with an organ, etc., awaits completion in the respects
already mentioned. The expenditure so far made is about $35,000.
st. george's mission.
St. George's Mission was begun June 4th, 1871, in an upper room,
called McConkey’s hall, on Western Avenue. In October following
two floors of a tenement were engaged and fitted up for service as
well as Sunday-school, which were continued from October 29, 1871,
until February 16, 1872, when the chapel, which had been erected in
the meantime, was occupied. The cost of the chapel, including lot, .
furniture, etc., was $4,353.16. Revs. Boss, Smith, and G W. Hinkle
have been the ministers in charge.
THE CHURCH OF THE CORNER-STONE.
On the 8th of August, 1875, Bishop Cummings, of the Reformed
Protestant Episcopal Church, held service in the American Reformed
Church, and on the evening of the 25th “The Church of the Corner-
stone” was organized under the general statute of the state of New
York, and the following officers elected: Wardens—Daniel T. Rogers
and Walter C. Anthony; Vestrymen—James G. Graham, J. Wilson
Stratton, William J. Roe, Jr., George Middleton, Robert L. Case, Jas.
G. Birch, Edward Haigh. Benjamin F. Clark, secretary and treas-
urer; James G. Birch, superintendent of Sabbath-school. Regular
services were subsequently held in the lecture room of the Associate
Reformed Church. Rev. Dr. Leacock was called to the rectorship in
October, and entered at once upon the discharge of its duties. In
November ground was broken for the erection of the church edifice
on South street; and on the 24th of that month the contract for
building was given to Thomas Dobin at $4,969. The structure is of
Gothic style and has a frontage of thirty-three feet. Seating accom-
modations are provided for about two hundred and fifty persons. It
was first occupied on Easter-Sunday (April 16), 1876.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The adherents of the Presbyterian faith who first came to New-
burgh were connected with the Bethlehem church in Cornwall, which
was founded about 1726. From this parent stem sprang the church
of New Windsor, which was organized September 14,1764, when the
sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Moffat, and Jos. Wood, Wm,296
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
Lawrence, Samuel Brewster, and Henry Smith were chosen elders.
The Bev. Timothy Johnes,* afterwards and for many years pastor of
the church of Morristown, N. J., was appointed stated supply of the
church by the Presbytery of New York, and served in that capacity
from the 5th of May, 1766, until October, 1767, when he was succeed-
ed by the Bev. Francis Peppard, who remained until 1773. During
the pastorate of Mr. Peppard, the district was divided into four parts,
viz: Bethlehem or New Cornwall, Murderer’s creek, New Windsor, and
Newburgh, in each of which trustees were appointed for the purpose
of raising funds and taking charge of the temporal affairs of the
church in their respective neighborhoods, thereby creating, as it were,
four informal societies. The withdrawal of Mr. Peppard left the sta-
tion vacant, and measures were taken to secure the services of the
Bev. John Close. While these arrangements were pending, however,
the Marlborough Society invited the trustees of the Newburgh district
to unite with them in temporarily settling the Bev. John McCallah
over both districts. This invitation was accepted, and Mr. McCallali
entered upon his duties September 26, 1773. J But his labors in
Newburgh could have been only for a few weeks, as in November of
the same year, the arrangements for that purpose having been per-
fected, Mr. Close was invited to take the vacant charge, and soon after
entered upon the duties of pastor. The war of the Bevolution, how-
ever, prevented his formal installation, and, a large portion of his time
being occupied as chaplain in the militia, the public services of the
church were very irregular. In consequence of these facts, the infor-
mal society in Newburgh appears to have maintained a separate or-
ganization during the war, elder William Lawrence performing the
pastoral duties.
Immediately after the war, this informal society, strengthened by
* The Rev. Timothy Johnes was the grandfather of Edward R. and Aaron P. Johnes,
of Newburgh.
t At a meeting of the Elders and several of the members of the congregation of New
Windsor, the 22d August, 1773, for setting on foot a subscription for raising a salary for
the Rev. John Close, in order to the calling of him as the stated Teacher and Pastor of
the united congregations of Bethlehem ana New Windsor—
“ It is agreed,' that the congregation stand divided into four districts, as in Mr. Pep-
pard’s time (i. e. 1767): That Trustees be appointed in each district in whose names the
subscriptions shall be taken for the use of the said Mr. Close ; and the following persons
were named as Trustees, viz :
“ New Cornwall District—Joseph Wood, Reuben Clark, Joseph Smith, Daniel Wood,
Jeremiah Clark.
“ Murderer's Greek District—Francis Mandevill, Samuel Brewster, William Roe, Benja-
min Case, William Williams.
“ New Windsor District—John Nicoll, James Clinton, David Halladay, Sami. Brewster,
Leonard Nicoll, George Clinton, Judah Harlow, Sami. Logan, Charles Booth.
“ Newburgh District—Jonathan Hasbrouck, Abel Belknap, Moses Higby, Elnathan
Foster, Isaac Belknap.”—Clinton Papers, State Library.
^ “ Sept. 24, 1773. This day hired the Rev. Mr. John McCallah for six months, to
preach one half of the time in the meeting house and the other half at Newburgh, the
two trustees accountable to him for the sum of £20—12s, and the Lower or Newburgh
Society accountable for the remainder of his salary.”—Min, Marlb. Society,churches, schools, etc.
297
the addition of several persons who became permanent residents on
the disbandment of the army, obtained the building which had been
erected by the army as a store-house for clothing, where it appears to
have held public worship in the winter of 1783, or spring of 1784.
The records of the church state that divine service was held here in
1784,	and that the congregation was formally organized in the same
year. The minutes of the meeting held for the purpose of organiza-.
tion, are as follows, viz:
“ In pursuance of an act entitled “ An Act to enable all Religious Denominations in the
State to appoint Trustees, who shall be a body corporate for the purpose of taking care of
the Temporalities of their respective congregations, and for other purposes,” passed the
6th day of April, 1784, the congregation or Religious Society desirous of forming them-
selves into a regular well-constituted congregation or society, agreeable to the Canon of
the Church of Scotland, at Newburgh, did, on the 12th day of July last past—being stated
attendants on Divine worship by Elder William Lawrence—advertise a meeting of the
said congregation, agreeable to the said Act, to meet at the house of Adolph DeGrove, for
the purpose of electing, according to the true intent and meaning thereof, Trustees for
the good purposes intended and mentioned in the said Act; and being convened at the time
and place aforesaid, did, in the first place, by plurality of voices, nominate and appoint
Mr. Asa Steward to act with the said William Lawrence as Returning officers, who pro-
ceeded to open the poll, and after taking that part of the said congregation or society con-
vened on the occasion and present agreeable to said Act—Adolph DeGrove, Daniel Hud-
son, Thomas Palmer, Joseph Coleman, and Isaac Belknap, were appointed and legally
elected Trustees for the said congregation or society, agreeable to the said Act. 2d. We
then proceeded to elect a Clerk to insert the certificate of the Returning officers.
Be it remembered, that we, William Lawrence and Asa Steward, having been legally
elected and appointed the Returning officers at the election held at the house of Adolph
DeGrove, at Newburgh, the ,12th day of August, 1784, for the purpose of electing Trus-
tees for taking care of the Temporalities of the congregation or Religious Society at New-
burgh, aforesaid, agreeable to an Act entitled “An Act,” &c., do hereby certify, that
Adolph DeGrove, Daniel Hudson, Thomas Palmer, Joseph Coleman, and Isaac Belknap,
were legally and unanimously elected as Trustees for the purposes aforesaid, and that the
said persons so elected, and their successors forever hereafter, shall be known by the name,
style and title of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Congregation at Newburgh. In wit-
ness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals the 12th day of August, in the
year of our Lord, 1784.”
As the congregation was quite too feeble in means and member-
ship for the support of a pastor, it was resolved* at a meeting held
8th Feb., 1785, to unite for this purpose with the church of New
Windsor. The records declare that, “ the congregation assembled at
the meeting house, William Lawrence, ruling elder, being moderator.
It was agreed
1.	To join in union with the congregation of New Windsor.
2.	That the Trustees for the congregation of Newburgh be empowered to form a union
with the Trustees of New Windsor congregation, for promoting the preaching of the Gos-
pel, not exceeding seven years, nor under five.”
A joint meeting of the trustees named was soon after held (Feb. 11,
1785,	) at the house of Adolph DeGrove, at which Abel Belknap pre-
sided. Daniel Hudson, Joseph Goleman, Isaac Belknap, and Adolph
DeGrove, represented Newburgh; and Abel Belknap, Samuel Logan,
Leonard NicoU, Silas White, Benjamin Birdsall, Isaac Schultz, and
Samuel Brewster, represented New Windsor. After conversation it
was “ unanimously agreed between the trustees of the said congrega-
tions for joining the union for seven years.”
In April, 1785, application was made to the Presbytery for the298
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
appointment of Mr. Close to be the stated supply of both churches.
The request was granted, and he continued to labor here until 1796.* * * §
During the first year of his service, Mr. Close preached in Newburgh
one third of his time, for which he was paid £23. He was succeeded
by the Rev. Isaac Lewis, who served the congregation as stated supply
until the spring of 1800, when he became the pastor of the Presby-
terian church of Cooperstown.f On the 6th of May, 1800, the Rev.
Jonathan Freeman was installed pastor of the united church, and the
first pastor of that of Newburgh. J He resigned the charge in 1804.
His successor was the Rev. Eleazer Burnet, who was ordained and
installed pastor, 20th Nov. 1805,§ and who held the station until his
death, in 1806. The Rev. Dr. John Johnston, then a licentiate, first
preached in Newburgh about the time of Mr. Burnet’s decease, and
occasionally supplied the united churches during the winter of 1806-7.
He was ordained and installed as pastor on the 5th August, 1807. ||
In the spring of 1810, the connection between the two churches
was dissolved; and the services of Mr. Johnston were henceforth con-
fined to Newburgh. Here he continued to labor with unwearied dili-
gence and great success until February, 1855, when he was pros-
trated by severe illness which subsequently terminated his life.
The congregation was supplied during Dr. Johnston’s illness and
* Rev. John Close was a native of Greenwich, Conn. He was horn in 1737, graduated at
Princeton in 1768, was licensed by the Presbytery of Duchess county in 1765, and ordain-
ed as colleague of the Rev. Eben Prime at Huntington, L. I., in 1766. He removed to
Waterford in 1796, and died there in 1813.—Bolton's Westchester County, ii, 510.
f In i806, Mr. Lewis was called to the pastoral care of the church at Goshen, where he
remained until 1811 or ’12. After laboring in sundry places as a stated supply, he was
settled as the successor of his father, over the church at Greenwich, Conn., in 1818. After
a successful ministry of a few years, he resigned this charge and became pastor of the
church in Bristol, L. I. He lost his voice in 1831, and though he occasionally preached,
he was never again a pastor. He died in New York, 2d September, 1854, in his 82d year.
Sprague's Annals, i, 667.
i Mr. Freeman was pastor of the church of Hopewell (Crawford, Orange co.), from
August, 1793, until April, 1798, where his labors were very successful. (Eagei^s Orange
County, 341.) He was a man of more than ordinary ability, as his published sermons
attest; but the tone of his preaching was perhaps more polemic than it should have been,
and he is said to have excited the bitter hostility of the skeptics who were then somewhat
numerous and influential. He resigned his charge in 1804. In connection with Silvanus
Haight, he conducted “ The Cliosopliic Hall,” an educational institute, at his residence in
Montgomery street (subsequently the residence of Samuel Williams), which was organ-
ized in 1799. He was afterwards for many years pastor of the Presbyterian church of
Brighton, N. J., where he died in 1824 or ’25.
§ The sermon on this occasion was preached by the Rev. Ebenezer Grant, from Malachi
ii, 6. Mr. Burnet was a graduate of Princeton college (1799), an amiable, pious, and de-
voted young man, but feeble in health at the time of his settlement. Indeed, he was even
then laboring under the disease — consumption—which soon ended his labors and his life.
He was compelled to seek a more congenial climate, early in the autumn of 1806. On his
way South, he was taken so ill as to be obliged to stop at the house of a Mend in New
Brunswick, where he died on the 22d Nov., 1806.
|| “On Wednesday, 5th inst., Mr. John Johnston was ordained to the work of the holy
ministry and installed over the united congregations of Newburgh and New Windsor. The
exercises were as follows : Rev. Isaac Yan Doren made the prayer: the Rev. Isaac Lewis
delivered the sermon from Col. iii, 11, “But Christ is all in all.” The Rev. Methuselah
Baldwin gave the charge to the ordained minister; and the Rev. Ebenezer Grant gave the
charge to the people. The several exercises were appropriate and were conducted with
great solemnity.—Political Index, Aug. 15, 1807.CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
299
until the summer of 1856, by Mr. S. H. McMullen, a licentiate of the
Presbytery of Philadelphia. On the 20th September of that year, the
Rev. W. T. Sprole, D. D., was chosen pastor, and on the 28th October
following, was installed.* * * § He resigned in July, 1872, and was suc-
ceeded by Rev. W. K. Hall, who was installed in October of that year.
The building in which public worship was first held, was one erected
by the commissary-general, as a clothing store-house, while the army of
the revolution was encamped here. It stood on the site subsequently
occupied by the old first church, and was destroyed by fire about the
year 1790. Dr. Johnston says it was burnt on a Sabbath day, after
service had been held in it. From an inventory of their corporate
property in a return made to the legislature,f the building appears to
have belonged to the congregation in 1787, and, from the statement
in the records that the “ congregation assembled at the meeting house ”
(1785), it is probable that it was transferred to them soon after the war.
There seems to have been some difference of opinion in regard to
the location of the church, after the old building was burnt; but, in
February, 1791, the trustees voted that “ the lot of land where the
house formerly stood, with the addition that Mr. Smith proposes to
make, be accepted in preference to any other location” as the site for
a new church. On the 20th December of the same year, the trustees
agreed to erect a church 50x55 feet, with the addition of a steeple. J
The ground was staked out on the 25th May, 1792, and on the 31st
of the same month the deed for the lot was executed by Mr. Benja-
min Smith. § During the interval between the destruction of the old
building and the occupation of the new church, the minutes state
that the meetings of the congregation were “held at St. George’s
church”—i. e. the old Lutheran church. The new building must
have been occupied in 1793, as it is of record that during that year
pews were erected and sold. But the interior of the building re-
* The services were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Bowers, Moderator of the Presbytery.
The discourse was delivered by Rev. Mr. Phillips, of Rondout, from Exodus xxxii, 15,16.
The charge to the pastor was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Jagger, of Marlborough, and the
charge to the people by the Rev. Mr. Smuller, of Kingston.
t The inventory is as follows, viz:
“ Meeting house church out of repair,...............................£40
Land belonging thereto, 200 by 160 feet,.......................... 60—£100.”
$ This steeple was at first simply a square tower which stood on the south side of the
church, and formed the entrance into the gallery until 1828. A rude drawing of the
building, on a map of the property of Thomas Colden, made in 1797, represents an en-
trance to the main building near the center of the east side; but whether this was the
main entrance or not is not known.
§ The deed referred to shows the grant by Benjamin Smith to Christopher Van Duzer,
Selah Reeve, John DuBois, Daniel Smith, and Derick Amerman, “for and in consideration
of the sum of five shillings,” of a part of the farm whereon the grantor then resided,
bemg a lot one hundred and thirty-eight feet by one hundred feet, on the corner of Mont-
gomery and First streets, “for the proper use, benefit and behoof of the Presbyterian
Church at Newburgh, provided that they shall erect a building thereon for the use and
accommodation of the Presbyterian church and congregation at Newburgh, and to no other
use whatsoever, unless the Ministers and Elders of said church shall thereto consent.”300
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
mained in a half finished condition until after the settlement of Dr.
Johnston, who says that it was without gallery, plastering, or pulpit,
“a mere shell.” “I often preached standing on a carpenter’s bench
with a few boards standing in front on which to rest the precious
Bible.”* Very soon after Dr. Johnston was settled, the interior was
properly fitted up, and made more tenantable. In 1828 an unsuc-
cessful effort was made
to erect a new church of
stone, 66x70 feet, at a
cost not exceeding $9,-
000. Finally, as more
accommodation was im-
peratively demanded, it
was determined to repair
the old building, which
was done in 1828. For-
merly the pulpit was at
the north end, and the
pews were old fashioned
square ones. Though
the audience room was
unchanged in size, the
introduction of slips en-
abled it to hold a larger
inumber than it did be-
fjkst pbesbyterian church—1828.	fore.*j* binder this alter-
ation the building remained until its removal in July, 1871.
On the 25th July, 1857, the trustees, at a regular meeting, adopted
the following preamble and resolutions:
“Whereas, The circumstances of the church and congregation render it imperative that a
new edifice be erected for their accommodation, and having the assent and concurrence of
the pew-holders and members, as appears from the subscriptions for said object, therefore
“Resolved, That we proceed to accomplish the same, according to the plan and speci-
fications drawn by Mr. F. C. Withers, which has been submitted for the consideration
and adoption of the subscribers; and that the following persons be a Building Commit-
tee to supervise the same and carry it forward, viz: S. R. Van Duzer, E. R. Johnes, J. J.
Monell, Henry Ball, Isaac Stanton, and George Clark.
“ Resolved, That the church edifice be erected, upon the lot on the north-west corner of
Grand and South streets.”
* Mr. Eager relates (Hist. Or. Co., 1M), that at the time of the erection of this church
the congregation “ was too poor to finish and place pews in it,” and that the plan devised
to seat it was, “ that every person who chose to do so should have the privilege of putting
up their own pews with a choice of location for so doing. The first person availing him-
self of this privilege was Mr. John McAulay, whose example was soon followed by Mr.
Hugh Walsh and Mr. Richard Wood. Others at intervals, did the sajne, and received
deeds. This erection of seats went on for some time, and pews were scattered around the
building without reference to order or taste. Finally the congregation took hold of the
matter and completed and systematized the work.”
f The Session House or Lecture Room was built about 1812, (Memorial, 105), but it was
not fitted up with permanent seats until 1828. It was removed after the completion of
the present Union Church.CHURCHES,, SCHOOLS, ATG
301
The site fixed upon was purchased, and a contract was made with
Mr. George Yeitch, builder, for the construction of the new edifice for
$27,500. The work was begun on the 8th of August, 1857. The
building was dedicated November 4th, 1858,* and on Thanksgiving
morning (Nov. 10), the iron cross was fixed on the spire.
The building is in the early geometrical style of Gothic art, and
is composed of a
nave with clere-
story, north and
south aisle, a
tower and stone
spire at the east
end of the north
aisle, and a porch
on the south.—
A lecture room
and a minister’s
room are provi-
ded at the west
end of the build-
ing. The walls
are of blue stone
laid in random
courses, and
gray stone dres-	first PRESBYTERIAN church—1858.
sings to the copings, windows, doorways, buttresses, water-tables, &c.
The pews are of yellow pine, and afford comfortable accommodations
for 830 persons. The principal dimensions of the building, internally,
are as follows, viz: nave, 97 feet long, 60 feet high, and 25 feet wide.
The aisles are 84 feet long and 17 feet wide. The lecture room is
42 feet long and 26 feet wide. The tower is 20 feet and 8 inches
square at the base, and its height is 63 feet, making, with the spire
and cross, a total of 135 feet from the ground. The extreme length
of the building, including lecture room, is 159 feet; and its width, in-
cluding porch, 85 feet. The total cost of the building, with interior
* Tlie dedicatory services were conducted by the Presbytery of North River, and were
opened by the Rev. B. F. Phillips, of Rondout, in a short Invocation, which was followed
by the sentence, “ Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth,” by the choir. The Rev. John Lillie, D.
D., of Kingston, then read the 132d Psalm; after which the choir sang the Anthem. “ And
it shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the Lord’s House shall be es-
tablished.” The Rev. Mr. Lillie then addressed the Throne of Grace in an earnest prayer;
and the congregation joined in singing Hym 509, “How beautious are their feet,”*&c.
The Rev. Mr. Phillips then delivered the dedication sermon from the text, Mat. xxvi, 8,
“ To what purpose is this waste?” Rev. Doct. Sprole followed in a few brief remarks,
showing the necessity that had compelled the erection of the new edifice; and after con-
cluding, made an impressive dedicatory prayer. The choir then sang the anthem, “ How
beautiful in Zion,” and the audience was dismissed with the benediction.302
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
fittings complete, including land, iron fence, bell, &c., was about
$43,750. An organ, built by Geo. Jardine & Son, of New York, and
costing $3,000, was obtained in September, 1860. It only remains to
add, that the congregation resolved to sell their old place of worship,
which was accordingly done to the Union Church in March, 1859.
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The proposal to organize a Second Presbyterian Church was first
discussed in 1837, but nothing was done until April, 1838, when Ur.
Johnston preached an earnest and forcible sermon on the subject. At
his suggestion, a meeting was held to consider the propriety of send-
ing a colony from the old church. The meeting was held in the first
church, May 15,1837, William Walsh being chairman, and J. H. Wells,
secretary. After discussion, it was unanimously “ Resolved, That
measures be immediately taken to forward the enterprise.”
Accordingly Messrs. J. H. Corwin, Abel Belknap, and O. M. Smith,
were appointed a committee to ascertain the number of persons willing
to unite for this purpose. On the 22d May, at an adjourned meeting,
the following named persons were reported as ready to associate and
walk together as a church, viz:
0. M. Smith,
Helen M. Smith,
Sami. Tuthill,
Sarah Tuthill,
Jefferson Roe,
Mary Roe,
Eliza C. Boice,
Wm. H. Wells,
Robert Sterling,
Isabella Sterling,
Asa Sterling,
John H. Corwin,
Cyntha Corwin,
Jas P. Buchanan,
Sarah Buchanan,
Daniel D. T. Blake,
D. McDowall,
Abigail Waters,
J. R. Hardenburgh,
Wm. M. Johnson,
Jane E. Johnson,
Eli Corwin, Jr.,
Abel Belknap,
Sarah M. Belknap.
Henry Tice, Jr.,
Charlotte Tice,
Edgar Perkins,
Ann Forsyth,
Abigail Wells,
William Waller,
Henry Vail,
Seth Belknap,
Geo. M. Gregory,
Hiram K. Chapman,
Jane Chapman,
Peter H. Foster,
Mary S. Foster,
Wm. Townsend,
Lydia C. Parkham,
George T. Hoagland,
Betsey Harris,
Mary E. Waterfield,
Jas. H. Reynor,
Job Clark.
It was immediately and unanimously resolved to apply to the Pres-
bytery, which was to meet on the 9th of June, for an organization
as the Second Presbyterian Church of Newburgh. Mr. William
Sterling was deputed to present the application and to ask for sup-
plies for six months from the Presbytery. The request was granted,
and the church was organized on the 15th June, by a committee of
the North River Presbytery, consisting of the Rev. Messrs. Johnston,
Prime, and Ostrum. The following persons were chosen riding
elders, viz: J. H. Corwin, Hiram K. Chapman, Abel Belknap, Jas. P.
Buchanan. Mr. Ostrom gave the charge to the church, and Mr. S. I.
Prime to the elders.
The first public service was held in the court room in the academy,
when Rev. S. I. Prime preached from Amos vii, 5, “By whom shall
Jacob arise, for he is small.” The pulpit was for some time supplied
by the Presbytery. On the 20th August, Messrs. Peter H. Foster,
Jefferson Roe, Edgar Perkins, Samuel Tuthill, O. M. Smith, and
Henry Tice, Jr., were chosen trustees.CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC
303
During the greater part of 1838 and ’39, the Rev. Abram C. Bald-
win supplied the pulpit. In the former year the prospects of the
infant church were very seriously affected by the disruption of the
Presbytery. Most of those concerned in starting it, who had strong
Old School affinities, returned again to the old church, which adhered
to the O. S. Assembly. The second church recognized that which
styled itself the constitutional. Though weakened by this cause, the
church made vigorous efforts to grow. The Rev. William Hill was
the first pastor, and filled the office until the winter of 1843, when he
was deposed by his Presbytery for what was deemed heretical doc-
trine on the subject of Christian perfection. After a vacancy of some
months, the Rev. John H. Lewis became the pastor, and discharged
the duties of the office very acceptably until called to Bethlehem in
1845. He was succeeded, for a short time, by the Rev. J. C. Beach,
and next by the Rev. John Gray who remained as supply until the
spring of 2851, when a division arose in the congregation on the ques-
tion of his settlement as pastor. Before this matter was adjusted, a
vote of the church was taken, and, by a majority of one, it was re-
solved no longer to receive sup-
plies. This vote closed the doors
of the meeting house and virtu-
ally disbanded the society, which
had never become strong.
In 1840-41, the society erect-
ed the meeting house at the
comer of High street and West-
ern avenue, at a cost of $6,600,
in which divine worship was ob-
served until the church ceased
to exist. The building was de-
signed to accommodate about
six hundred persons. It was second PRESBYTERIAN church—1841.
sold, in 1852, to the Second Methodist Episcopal church.
CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The circumstances which led to the organization of this congrega-
tion, as well as its subsequent history, are briefly stated in a historical
sketch which was published by the trustees, in connection with their
annual report, August 1857. In this paper it is said that the Rev.
S. H. McMullin, who had served as supply during the illness of the
pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, performed the duties of his
engagement until about three months after Dr. Johnston’s death.
After hearing several other candidates for the vacant pastorate, “ a day
was fixpd,” says the sketch to which reference is made, “ on which, ac-304
HIS TOM Y OF NEWBURGH.
cording to notice given, the congregation were to select a pastor.
When, however, all had assembled, a question arose as to whether
females should be permitted to vote, which was decided in the affirm-
ative. The vote was taken and resulted, one hundred for Mr. McMul-
lin and seventy-four for another person. Messrs. William K. Mailler
and Robert Sterling were then appointed commissioners to prosecute
the call before the Presbytery; and the meeting adjourned.
“ At the meeting of the Presbytery, when the call was considered,
a remonstrance was presented, by the minority of the congregation,
against the settlement of Mr. McMullin. In consequence of this re-
monstrance, the Presbytery intimated to the commissioners that they
would not, in all probability, permit the call to be prosecuted; and it
was withdrawn without any formal action being taken.
“Immediately after the return of the commissioners, a meeting of
the congregation was held to hear their report; when it was resolved,
by a majority of votes present, “that the commissioners be*directed to
prosecute the call.” The Presbytery, however, continued to regard
the call as inexpedient; and a meeting, called for the purpose of its
consideration, failed to accomplish the result desired.
“The situation of affairs becoming known, the following paper
asking for certificates of membership and dismission, was presented
to the Session of the Church on the 27th day of August:
“ To the Session of the First Presbyterian Church of the Village of Newburgh:
The undersigned, members in full communion of the First Presbyterian Church of the
Village of Newburgh, do hereby respectfully request you to grant them certificates of
membership and dismission, for the purpose of being organized into a Church, to be
known as the—-----Presbyterian Church of the Village of Newburgh:
John McClelland, Mary Albertson, . E. L. Spalding, Eliza Rogers,
Abigail W. McClelland,Alexander Hargrave, Catharine Sly,	Jerusha Gerard,
James C. McClelland, Mary Ann Hargrave, M. W. N. Johnston, Sarah Ludlow,
Sally R. Logan,
Abby L. Scott,
J. Ferguson,
Sarah McElrath,
Anna Pettie,
AnnaM. Clugston,
Margaret Strachan,
Amanda L. DuBois,
Amelia BirdsaU,
Wm. G. Gillespie,
Wm. McClughan,
Mary D. McClughan,
Hannah Andruss,
Mary Burnett,
Catharine Hamilton,
Anna E. Roe,
Robert Wallace,
Mary Ann Wallace,
Mary G. Starr,
Eliza. P. Spier,
Sarah Waugh,
L. Bradford,
Eunice McKune,
Rebecca Brown,
Elizabeth Blake.
Delia Smith,
Hugh S. Banks,
Rosalie H. Banks,
Hugh McKissock,
Agnes McKissock,
Laura A. Gorham,
Rachael Clugston,
Sarah Hildreth,
“ On the first day of September, 1856, the church Extension Com-
mittee of the Presbytery of North River, met in the session room of
the First Presbyterian church: Present—B. T. Phillips, Wm. H. Kirk,
F. T. Williams, ministers; and Peter V. B. Fowler and Benj. Tyler,
elders. The petition of the persons above named was presented,
asking to be organized into a Presbyterian cfiurch, to be known as
“ The Calvary Presbyterian Church of Newburgh;” and, after the ex-
amination of their certificates, it was, on motion, “Resolved, That the
request be granted.” The applicants then formally agreed and cove-
nanted to walk together in a church relation, according to the ac-CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
305
knowledged doctrine and order of tlie Presbyterian church. Messrs.
Wm. G. Gillespie and John McClelland were then unanimously elected
ruling elders, by the congregation. Mr. Gillespie was duly ordained;
and Mr. McClelland and Mr. Gillespie (the former having previously
served as an elder in the First Presbyterian church) were formally
installed as elders of the Calvary Presbyterian church of Newburgh.
“ On the 15th day of September, Rev. S. H. McMullin was unani-
mously elected pastor of the church. The call was presented to him
at a meeting of the Presbytery, held at Buttermilk Falls on Tuesday,
October 7th, and accepted by him; and, on the 16th day of the same
month, he was ordained to the work of the Gospel ministry, and in-
stalled pastor of the church, in the Court-house at Newburgh. The
services on the occasion were conducted by Rev. Dr. Jones of Phila-
delphia, who preached the sermon; Rev. E. K. Brower, who offered
the ordaining prayer and proposed the constitutional questions; Rev.
B. T. Phillips, who gave the charge to the people; and Rev. F. R.
Masters, who gave the charge to the pastor.
“ On the 20th October, an election for trustees was held in the Court- '
house—elders John McClelland and Wm. G. Gillespie presiding—
which resulted in the choice of Messrs. Moses Upright, Wm. K.
Mailler, Walter H. Gorham, Wessel S. Gerard, Peter Ward and
Charles Johnston.
“ The first meeting of the Session of the church was held on Friday
evening, October 17th, at the residence of Mrs. C. Sly, in High street.
At the meeting of the Session, on the 31st October, the following per-
sons were admitted on profession of faith: Mrs. E. C. Gillespie, Mrs.
M. A. Casement, Miss M. Casement; and the following by certificate:
Asa Sterling,	Wm. K. Mailler,	Susan A. Jessup,	Julianna Tyler,
Phoebe E. Sterling,	Hannah P. Mailler,	Margaret Shields,	Mary Boyd,'
Margaret Sterling,	Mary E. Halstead, Jane Shields,	Manetta'Watkins,
Mary Sterling,	Zipporah Clark,	John Little,	Jane Ellen Roe,
Nancy Sterling,	Ann Barr,	Ann Little,	Maria Minor,
Robert Sterling,	Jphn L. Westervelt,	Isabella M. McMullin, Deborah Blake,
Maria Sterling,	Catharine Westervelt, Benj. Tyler,	Wm,and Sarah Gervin.
“The first communion of the church was celebrated on the first
Sabbath in November, 1856, at which time the membership had
reached eighty-one.
“ Soon after the organization of the church, it was determined to
erect a suitable edifice—the public services, in the meantime, being
held in the Court-house. A subscription was opened and a sufficient
sum subscribed, during the winter of 1856, to justify the trustees in
purchasing a site on Liberty street, and procuring a plan for the
building. From different plans which were submitted, one drawn by
Messrs. Gerard & Boyd was selected; and estimates having been in-
vited, the contract for erecting the building was awarded to Mr. John
020306
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
Little. A building committee of three trustees, viz: Messrs. Mailler,
Gorham and Ward, was appointed; and Mr. Withers, architect, was
engaged to superintend the work. The ground was broken in the
month of April, 1857 ; and the corner-stone laid, with appropriate
exercises, on the 9th of July following, at 2 P. M. The services com-
menced by singing the hymn entitled, “Beyond the starry skies.”
Rev. Dr. McLaren followed with a very appropriate address to the
Throne of Grace, and a portion of the Scriptures was read by the Rev.
Dr. McCarrell. Chas. Johnston, on behalf of the trustees, then read
a statement showing the organization and progress of the church,
which was followed by the hymn, “Let every heart rejoice and sing.”
The Rev. Mr. Crowell, of Philadelphia, then delivered an address,
which was followed by the laying of the corner-stone by the Rev. Dr.
Forsyth, who, on
account of the ill
health of Mr. Mc-
Mullin, had been
selected by the
trustees for that
duty. Dr. For-
syth introduced
the ceremony by
a short address,
and was followed
by Rev. Alex. R.
Thompson. The
exercises closed
with an anthem
by the choir, and
the benediction
by Dr. Forsyth.
The building was
dedicated on the
24th of February,
1858. The servi-
ces were opened
by an anthem by
the choir, and in-
vocation by the
CALVARY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH—1858.	pastor. The ReV.
Dr. Sprole then read a selection from the Scriptures, which was follow-
ed by singing the": 504th hymn. Prayer was then offered by Rev. Dr.
McCarrell, and the 502d hymn sung. Rev. Dr. Murray, of Elizabeth,CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
307
N. J., then delivered a discourse from 1st Kings, vi :4, and vii:63. At
the conclusion, the congregation arose, and, with impressive words,
the speaker dedicated the house to the worship of God. The services
were concluded with prayer by the pastor, and the singing of a hymn.
“The style of the church edifice is that sometimes known among
architects as Flemish, having, however, many of the peculiarities of
the Gothic. It has a front of 56 feet on Liberty street, running back
to the depth of 96 feet, with a lecture-room in the rear. The audi-
ence room is 72 by 52 feet—the lecture-room 62 by 22 feet. The
aspect of the interior is that of severe simplicity. A trestle-work
supports the roof, obviating the necessity of pillars, thus affording an
unobstructed view from every part of the house. All the wood-work
is grained, the pews being of chestnut oiled and grained so as to re-
tain the natural color and grain of the wood; and the finish through-
out has a pleasing effect. The cost of the building, lot, fencing, fur-
niture, &c., was about $21,500.”
Mr. McMullin continued in pastoral relation with the church until
January 24, 1860, when, in consequence of ill health, he tendered his
resignation, to take effect May following. On the 19th December, of
the same year, Bev. Judson H. Hopkins was installed, and subse-
quently served until July, 1864, when, at his request the relation was
dissolved. He was without a successor until March, 1866, when the
Bev. George S. Bishop, of Trenton, N. J., was installed, and contin-
ued in the relation until October, 1872, when, at his own request, and
by consent of the church, he was relieved of the charge by the Pres-
bytery. His successor, Bev. Jeremiah Searle, of Peekskill, was elected
in February, and installed May 6, 1873.
To its real estate the society added, in 1867, a parsonage at4 a cost
of $9,000; and, to its appointments, during the pastbrate of Bev. Mr.
Bishop, an organ and a bell.
UNION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This church was founded July 13, 1837, by a colony of twenty-
seven persons who belonged to the First Associate Beformed Church.
Their names are as follows:
E. W. Farrington,	Mrs. Farrington,
Thornton M. Niven,	Mrs. Niven,
John Wise,	Mrs. Wise,
John Beveridge,	Mrs. Beveridge,
Arnold McNear,	Mrs. McNear,
James Johnson,	Mrs. Johnson,
Matthew Sims,	Mrs. Sims,
James Blacklaw,	Mrs. BlacSlaw,
James Danskin,	Mrs. Danskin,
Stewart Kelly,	Mrs. Kelly,
John James Monell, Miss E. Cypher,
Mrs. E. Purdy,	Miss C. Anderson.
Mrs. Catharine Stewart
Mrs. N. Barclay,
The meeting for organization was held in the First Associate Be-
formed church (July 13), and was conducted by Bev. Dr. McJimpsey
and Bev. James Mairs, constituting a committee of the Presbytery.
The sermon was by Dr. McJimpsey from John xvi:7. The following308
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
persons were elected as ruling elders, viz: John Beveridge, E. Ward
Farrington, Thornton M. Niven, John Wise. „On the 5th of Decem-
ber following, the Bev. John Forsyth, Jr., was installed pastor—the
services being held in the Academy, where the congregation met for
worshipluntil the completion of the church edifice. The Bev. Dr.
McJimpsey preached the sermon; the Bev. Drs. Wallace and McLaren
gave the charges to the people and the pastor.
A church edifice was
erected on a lot at the
corner of Water and
Clinton streets, which
had been given to the
congregation for this
purpose. Ground was
broken on the 27th July,
1837, and the building
was dedicated on the 1st
day of May, 1838, when
a suitable sermon was
delivered by the Bev. Dr.
M. N. McLaren, then of
Hamptonburgh. Here the congregation continued to worship until
March, 1859, when the property was sold to the rector and vestry of
St. George’s church. The last time it was used by Union church,
the sermon was preached by the first pastor, Dr. Forsyth.
Dr. Forsyth was elected to a professorship in the College of New
Jersey at the end of the year 1848, but he did not retire from the pas-
torate until near the autumn of 1847. He was succeeded by Mr.
Abraham B. Van* Nest, a recent graduate of the Theological Seminary
at New Brunswick, who was ordained and installed pastor on the
20th of June, 1848. Mr. Van Nest ermained here about a year. He
was called by the Beformed Dutch church, 21st street, New York, and
having accepted the invitation he removed thither in the spring of
1849. Almost immediately upon his departure, the Bev. Dr. Bobert
McCartee, formerly of Canal street church, but at this time of Goshen,
was called, and, having accepted the invitation, was installed Aug. 17,
1849. Dr. McCartee labored here with great acceptance and success
until 1855, when he removed to New York to take the pastorate
of the 25th street A. B. church. Union church was supplied by
various persons during the first six months or more after Dr. Mc-
Cartee’s removal, particularly by the Bev. Mr. Cunningham. Finally,
the Bev. Mr. Jack—who had graduated in the Seminary in the spring
of 1856—was called, ordained, and installed June 2d, 1856, “by theCHURCHES, SCHOOLS,, ETC.
309
Presbytery of New York. On this occasion the sermon was preached
by the Rev. John Brash, of New York, who also proposed the usual
questions to the candidate, and offered the ordaining prayer. The
charge to the pastor was given by the Rev. G. M. McEachron of Mon-
gaup Valley; and that to the people by Rev. Dr. Forsyth. Mr. Jack
was succeeded in 1869, by Rev. Wendell Prime, and the latter by Rev.
C. C. Hall who was ordained and installed December 2d, 1875.
In October, 1859, in consequence of the union of the Associate Re-
formed and the Associate churches, out of which the United Presby-
terian church grew, the congregation of Union church was induced
to unite with the Old School branch of the Presbyterian church, and
is now a component part of that body.
The old First Presbyterian edifice was purchased in March, 1859,
by the Union church, and was occupied by the society until July, 1871,
when it was removed to give place to the present edifice. The work
of removal was begun on the 5th of July, 1871, and on the 13th the
last timbers of the old house were prostrated.* The corner-stone of
the new edifice was laid on Friday, Sept. 15th, following. The exer-
cises were conducted by the Masonic fraternity, G. Fred Wiltsie
officiating as Grand Master of the “ Grand Lodge of Ceremony.’5
The dedication was on Tuesday, Sept. 24th, 1872, on which occasion
the service was opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Forsyth. Rev. Dr.
Ormiston read the 48th Psalm, and the Rev. Wendell Prime the ded-
icatory prayer. The discourse was by the Rev. Dr. Hall, from 2 Peter
iii-—2; the closing prayer by Rev. J. B. Wakeley.f
The edifice is of Gothic architecture from plans by Elkanah K.
Shaw, of Newburgh. It is in the form of a T, and embraces an aud-
itorium with gallery and Sabbath-school and lecture rooms. The
auditorium fronting on First street, is 61 feet wide by 68 feet deep,
30 feet ceiling, and has, with the gallery, a seating capacity of 1000.
The Sabbath-school room, fronting on Montgomery street, is 33 by
81 feet, 22 feet ceiling, with seating for 600 pupils. The lecture-room
is 27 by 57 feet, 15 feet ceiling, seating 300—total seating capacity
1900. The windows throughout are of stained glass; the painting is
in fresco; the pews of chestnut-walnut oiled, and the entire finish
cheerful. The walls of the building are of hard smooth brick with
brown-stone trimmings. The First street front has two towers 18x18,
the east 100, and the west 75 feet in height; the former contains the
* “ On Thursday, July 13th, 1871, at precisely 10 o’clock in the morning, our old church
yielded its last “ bent ’’ to the workmen engaged in its removal, and it is now numbered
with the things that were.”—Index.
t While the procession was entering the church the quartet choir sang J. Ernest Per-
ring’s ordination anthem, “How beautiful upon the mountains.” The organist was Chas.
B. Ruttenber, of St. George’s church, and the following vocalists: soprano, Miss Julia
Alexander, of Poughkeepsie; alto, Miss Josephine Hoase, of Newburgh; tenor, Prof,
Cromwell, of Fishkill; basso, Mr. J. W. Stratton, of Newburgh.”—Journal.310
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
bell and the city clock. The contracts for construction were executed
by Thos. Shaw & Sons, carpenters, for $18,000, and Thomas Dobbin,
mason, for $23,000; in addition to which sums about $19,000 was
expended for furniture, carpets, furnaces, gas and water fixtures,
etc., making the total cost $60,000. The organ (Eeuben Midmer,
builder,) was the gift of John Galt and John G. Wilkinson. Its cost,
including painting, was about $5,000.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MIDDLEHOPE.
The project of building a Presbyterian church at Middlehope was
proposed in January, 1859, and was readily embraced by several of
the active members of the Presbyterian church at Marlborough. The
enterprise having received sufficient encouragement to warrant further*
proceedings, a meeting was held (March 12,) at which Nathaniel T.
Hawkins, Peter Y. B. Fowler, Jas. Bodman, and Jas. O. Conklin, were
appointed “to contract for
and build a church, and to
take such measures to raise
funds and to carry out and
finish the work as they may
think proper.” This com-
mittee soon after awarded
the contract for building to
Jas. D. Purdy, and that for
painting to Ward & Leon-
ard. The building was com-
pleted in September, 1859,
and dedicated on the 6th
of October, at an adjourn-
ed meeting of the Presby-
tery of North Liver. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Rev.
W. T. Sprole, D. D., reading of the Scriptures by Rev. B. T. Phfllips,
and the dedicatory prayer by Rev. S. H. Jagger. The building is 30x
40 feet, with a lobby 8x20 feet. Its cost, including furniture, was
about $2,500.
FIRST ASSOCIATE REFORMED CHURCH.
Until near the close of the last century, the adherents of the Asso-
ciate Reformed church resident in Newburgh, were connected with
the church of Little Britain, which was founded in 1758. Measures
were taken to gather a congregation in 1797; and a church was
formed consisting of the following persons, viz: Hugh Walsh, and
his wife, Catharine Walsh; Daniel Niven, and his wife, Jane Niven;
Robert Royd, and his wife, Eleanor Boyd; Janet Boyd; Robert
Gourlay, and his wife, Margaret Gourlay; Derick Amerman; RobertCHURCHES, SCHOOLS. ETC.	311
W. Jones; Elizabeth Belknap, wife of Isaac Belknap; Samuel Bel-
knap; Hugh Spier; Alex. Telford, and George Telford. The exer-
cises in connection with the formal organization of the church were
probably conducted by the Rev. Thos. G. Smith, at that time pastor
of Little Britain.
The legal incorporation of the congregation did not take place
until Eeb. 7th, 1803, when Messrs. Derick Amerman, Hugh Walsh,
Daniel Niven, Robert Gourlay, Robert Boyd, John Brown, Isaac Bel-
knap, Jr., John Colter, and Robert W. Jones were elected trustees.
The ruling elders at this period were Daniel Niven, Samuel Belknap,
Hugh Spier, John Shaw, and Derick Amerman.
The first pastor of the church was the Rev. Robert Kerr, who is
reported to have been a preacher of more than usual ability. He was
a native of Ireland, and had been settled in the ministry in that
country. He came to the United States in 1797, and was received by
the Associate Reformed Presbytery of New York, on the 10th of Oc-
tober, 1797, and probably began his labors in Newburgh at that time,
as steps were taken at that meeting of Presbytery to give him a reg-
ular call. He was installed pastor on the 6th of April, 1799. Here-
signed his charge on the 14th January, 1802. He subsequently re-
moved to the south, and labored C£ with great diligence, approbation
and success ” within the bounds of the Associate Reformed Synod of
Carolina, until his death, which occurred in Savannah, 11th June,
1805, when on his way to the General Synod.
Mr. Kerr was succeeded by the Rev. James Scrimgeour, who was
installed as pastor on the 11th August, 1803. He was a native of
Scotland, and had been settled in the ministry for seven or eight
years at North Berwick. The loss of health obliged him to resign his
charge and the work of his profession for some years. Up to this
time he had been one of the most popular preachers in Scotland.
Having recovered his health in a good degree, he was induced by the
Rev. Dr. John M. Mason to emigrate to America in 1802. He re-
mained in the pastoral care of the church of Newburgh until 1812,
when he accepted a call to Little Britain and was installed there on
the 24th of June of that year. In this charge he remained until his
death in 1825.*
* The following obituary is from the Political Index of February 15, 1825:
“ Departed this life on Friday morning, the 14th of Feb., Rev. James Scrimgeour, minister
Of the gospel at Little Britain, in the 68th year of his age. He studied theology under the
direction of John Brown, of Haddington, and was settled as pastor of a congregation in the
Burger connexion, at North Berwick. He was one of the ministers that came to this
country with Dr. Mason, at the instance of the Associate Reformed Synod in the year
1802. In August, 1803, he accepted a call from the Associate Reformed congregation at
Newburgh, and was for some time pastor of that congregation. The last twelve years of
his ministry and of his life, were spent in Little Britain, having been called by that con-
gregation, and installed in this charge, the 24th of Jan., 1812. As a man he was frank,
sincere and friendly—as a son, a husband and a father, faithful and affectionate,”312
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
A vacancy occurred after Mr. Scrimgeour’s removal, of about four
years, during which time various unsuccessful efforts were made to
obtain a pastor. Calls were addressed to Rev. Robert McCartee, and
to Rev. John Knox, then licentiates and graduates of the Theological
Seminary; but finally an invitation was given to the Rev. Arthur I.
Stansbury, which he accepted, and he was installed 4th December*
1816. Mr. Stansbury’s pastorate was very brief. He resigned his
charge in April, 1818, having accepted a call to the First Presbyterian
church of Albany. The Rev. James Chrystie, minister of the Re-
formed Dutch church of Union Tillage, Washington county, having
been invited to succeed Mr. Stansbury, accepted the call, and was in-
stalled 20th September, 1818. He remained as pastor, winning the
warm attachment of the congregation, until October, 1821, when he
joined the Reformed Presbyterian church and removed to Albany.
His successor, the late Rev. Dr. McCarrell, commenced his labors here
as a supply on the 4th Dec. 1822. He was ordained and installed pas-
tor, 14th March, 1823. The sermon was by the Rev: Dr. John
McJimpsey; the ordination prayer was offered by the Rev. James
Scrimgeour; the charges to pastor and people were delivered by the
Rev. James Mairs, of Galway, N. Y. Dr. McCarrell faithfully dis-
charged the duties of his office until his death. His successor, the
Rev. Thomas T. Farrington, began his labors the 1st of July, 1869,
and continued until his death, June, 1875. He was succeeded by the
Rev. Jno. McNaughton, December 24th, 1875. .
The first edifice occupied by the church was erected on a lot given
by James Renwick, of New York, and which now forms part of the
farm of the late Capt. Henry Robinson. The church stood a little to
the north and west of the gambrel-roofed house—with its side to the
river—which forms so conspicuous an object on the hill west of the
ship-yards. It was surrounded by magnificent old apple and pear
trees, and in form was very similar to the First Presbyterian church
at that time—having a square tower on the south end. Mr. Renwick
deeded the lot, which was 200 feet square, to William Renwick, Dr.
John Kemp, Rev. John M. Mason, Alexander Robertson, Alexander
Hosack, John Turner, Jr., George Lindsay, Robert Gosman, of the
city of New York; and Hugh Walsh, George Gardner, Robert Gour-
lay, Daniel Niven, Robert Boyd, Robert Ferguson, Thomas Tait,
Robert W. Jones, and Alexander Murray, of Newburgh as “Trustees
appointed by the said James Renwick, for the Presbyterian church of
Newburgh in connection with the Associate (Reformed) Synod in the
U. States of America,—for the sole use and intent that the trustees
and members of said church should erect a church for Christian wor-
ship, and also a school-house for the instruction of youth.” TheCHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC,
313
church was completed in 1798,* but no effort was ever made to erect
a school-house, the locality being wholly unsuited for such an edifice.
As the growth of the village was more towards the north than the
south, the church came to be quite out of town, and very inconveni-
ently located for the great mass of its members. Accordingly, in
1821, measures were taken towards the
erection of a new church within the vil-
lage; the old building was taken down
in the year just named, and while the
new one was being built the congrega-
tion met for worship in the old court-
room in the Academy. The present edi-
fice was dedicated with appropriate ser-
vices on the 4th of January, 1822, on
which occasion the Rev. James Scrim-
geour preached from Hosea viii :17. The
lot on which the church was erected was
the gift of Hugh Walsh, one of the foun-
ders of the society, who also gave the	associate kef. church—1835.
largest portion of the lot on which the parsonage stands and which
was erected upon it in 1820. Internally, the church is unaltered, but
externally some change has been made since its erection. The cupola
was completed in 1834 and a bell procured. The lecture-room on the
north side of the church was built about 1840.
FIRST REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The origin of this congregation may be traced to the self-denying
exertions of a few individuals in the communion pf the Reformed
Presbyterian church, who settled in the village of Newburgh and
vicinity during the early part of the century, among whom were
James Clark, O. Gailey, and Robert Johnston. A society for prayer
and other devotional services was formed and regularly attended as
early as 1816 or T7, which proved the means of gathering together
and combining the efforts of a sufficient number to warrant an appli-
cation for occasional preaching. Prom 1817 until 1824, the society
was supplied with preaching by the Rev. J. R. Willson, D. D., at that
* There is an anecdote connected with the building of this church edifice, which, as it
shows a heart to have been in the right place, we relate. When the building was beings
finished, the trustees and others could not agree about placing a window in the garret:
some wanted it on the ground of appearance; some that it would ventilate and preserve
the building; others objected to the expense and that it was not needed—one suggested
that a blind or fgjse window would answer all purposes of appearance and cost compara-
tively nothing. Daniel Niven, Esq., in reply to this last proposition said, “ that as long as
he had anything to do with the church there should be no more hypocrisy outside than
inside of it.” The argument was closed, and a very large window, more expensive than
any in the building, placed in the garret. When this edifice was taken down, the large
window was preserved, and it now lies in the garret of the new church, embalmed in the
pious fragrance of the above remark.—Eager's Orange County, 213.314
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
time pastor at Coldenham. Increasing in numbers, and desirous of
obtaining a fuller supply of ordinances, the members of the New-
burgh branch of the Coldenham congregation, as it came to be called,
were, by deed of Presbytery, separated from the Coldenham congre-
gation and, in 1824, organized as a distinct church, of which Samuel
Wright and John Lawson were elders, and William M. Wiley and
John Crawford, deacons. Soon after the organization, Matthew Duke
was added to the elders, and William Thompson to the deacons.
The first pastor of the church was the Rev. Jas. R. Johnston, who
was ordained and installed in 1825. His connection with it was dis-
solved in 1829. On the 8th of June, 1830, the Rev. Moses Rooney
became his successor, and served with great acceptance until 1848,
when he was compelled to resign on account of failing health. On
the 14th November, 1849, the present pastor, the Rev. Samuel Car-
lisle, was installed.
The society held its first public ser-
vices in the Academy. Arrangements
were made for the erection of a church
edifice in 1818, which was completed
the following year and is still occu-
pied by the congregation. In 1852,
it was rebuilt, during which time the
public services of the congregation
were held in the Court-house. It af-
first ref. pres, church—1852.	ords accommodations for about five
hundred persons. It is without architectural features of special note.
SECOND REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Second Reformed Presbyterian church of Newburgh was organ-
ized by a commission of the New York Presbytery, on the 12th De-
cember, 1854. The original membership was composed of William
Thompson, James Frazier and William Johnston, elders; John Law-
son and James Hilton, deacons, and twenty-six private members.
In accordance with a call made by the congregation, the Rev. J.
Renwick Thompson, the present pastor, was installed Dec. 19, 1855.
The public services of the church
were first held in the Court-house. Ar-
rangements for the erection of a church ^Y
edifice, however, were made soon after
the organization, and the building was |
completed in November, 1855, and dedi-
cated on the 25th of that month. The '	___________
rnomiug services were conducted by the	SE0*REF- fres. church—1855.
Rev. Dr. Christy, of New York, who delivered an able lecture on theCHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
315
12th chapter of Isaiah. In the afternoon, the discourse was by the
pastor of the church, from Genesis xxyiii:17; and the evening services
were conducted by Dr. Christy. The church building, originally
without much architectural character, was improved by the addition
of a tower, etc., in 1872, at a cost of $3,400 It is of brick, and has
accommodations for six hundred persons.
FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
On the 25th May, 1858, a union, with reference to which negotia-
tions had long been pending, was consummated at Pittsburg, Pa.,
between the two branches of the Presbyterian family known as the
“Associate” and the “Associate Reformed” churches, under the title
of the “United Presbyterian Church of North America.” The two
Associate Reformed congregations of Newburgh declined to enter this
union. The friends of the united church, in these congregations, be-
lieving that the union was right, and an important step toward the
unity of the church, petitioned (Nov. 9,1859,) the New York Presby-
tery of the United Presbyterian church, for the constitution of a
congregation to be known as the “First United Presbyterian Church
of Newburgh.” This petition having been granted, Rev. Alexander
McWilliams was appointed by the Presbytery to organize the church,
which then embraced 36 members.. George Gearns, George Lendrum,
John Geddes, Sr., and Dr. Matthew Stevenson, were elected ruling
elders, and Andrew Johnston, B. W. Chambers, Thomas M. McCann,
Jas. S. Strachan, Robert Hyndman, George Lendrum, George Gearns,
John Geddes, Sr., and John Brown were chosen as trustees, and the
society organized Dec. 6th, 1859. On the 31st December, the trustees
purchased the edifice then occupied by the Baptist church, situated
on Montgomery street (comer of Fourth), where the congregation
has since held public worship. It was enlarged and improved during
the summer of 1871, at a cost of about eighteen hundred dollars.
The first pastor of the church was Rev. Robert Armstrong, formerly
of Philadelphia, Pa. He was installed March 12, 1861, and contin-
ued in the office until Oct. 21, 1868, when he was released from the
charge. The present pastor, # Rev. J. G. D. Findley, was ordained
and installed on the 14th of October, 1869. On the 21st April, 1862,
Messrs. George Guy, Thomas M. McCann and Andrew Johnston,
were ordained and installed as ruling elders in the congregation.
AMERICAN REFORMED CHURCH.
The history of this church dates from October, 1834, when the Rev.
Wm. Cruiekshank, on the application of some of the members of the
Reformed Dutch church in the city of New York, was induced to visit
Newburgh and undertake the establishment of a church. His efforts
were successful, and, on the 24th February following, the church was316
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
formally organized by the Classis of Orange, at which time Isaac Bel-
knap, Thomas G. Stansborough, Isaac A. Knevels, and John. W.
Knevels, were ordained elders; and Cornelius Bogardus, Thos. Jessup,
Daniel Corwin, and Albert Wells, deacons. Eighteen persons were
then received into its communion by certificate.
On the 13th of April, 1835, the Consistory invited the Bev. William
Cruickshank to become their pastor; and the call having been ap-
proved by the Classis of Orange, he was installed as the first pastor
of the church on the 22d October of the same year. In December,
1837, Mr. Cruickshank resigned; and, on the 13th of June, 1838, a call
was addressed to the Bev. Isaac M. Fisher, which was accepted, and
he was installed in July. He remained pastor only until the 5th of
October of the same year, when he resigned, on account of failing
health. On the 17th of May, 1833, the Bev. F. H. Yanderveer was
called, and continued the pastor of the church until the 19th August,
1842, when he resigned. On the 13th September, 1842, a call was
made upon the Bev. A. B. Yan Zandt, and he was installed by a depu-
tation of the Classis of Orange on the 14th of December following.
He resigned in June, 1849; and was succeeded by the Bev. Malcolm
N. McLaren, who was installed Nov. 12th, 1850.* He resigned the
charge Feb. 5th, 1859, and on the 14th of June, a call was made upon
the Bev. G. H. Mandeville, of Flushing, L. I., who entered upon the
duties of pastor August 21st, of the same year.f He resigned Nov.
1st, 1869. Bev. W. H. Gleason, the present pastor, was called on the
9th of April, and installed in May, 1870.
The church was organized in the First Associate Beformed church J
edifice; and its subsequent meetings, until the completion of the build-
ing now occupied by it, were held in the Academy. Mr. Cruickshank,
the first pastor, devoted all his energies to the interests of the infant
* The Key. Malcolm N. McLaren was installed as Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church
in this place on Tuesday evening last. The introductory exercise was the chanting of the
i9th Psalm; this was followed by reading of the Scripture and a very appropriate prayer
by the Rev. Mr. Schoonmaker. The hymn, “ Go preach my gospel, saith the Lord,” was
sung; and the sermon was then delivered by the Rev. Mr. Alliger from 1st Cor. 2:4—“ My
preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit
and of power.” The choir then sung,
“ Come in, thou blessed of the Lord,
Oh come, in Jesus’ precious name;
We welcome thee with one accord.
And trust the Saviour does the same.”
The installing form was read by the Rev. Mr. Lee, after which was sung a quartette and
chorus, “ How beautiful are them that preach the gospel of peace; that bring glad tidings
of good things. Let thy priests, O God, be clothed with salvation and let thy saints rejoice
in goodness.” Then followed the Doxology, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow,”
and the exercises closed with the benediction.— Gazette, Nov. 19,1850.
f During the vacancy between the resignation of Dr. McLaren and the installation of
Mr. Mandeville, and subsequently during the vacancy between Mr. Mandeville’s resignation
and Mr,. Gleason’s installation, the pastoral duties of the church were performed by the
Rev. John Forsyth, D. D.
j: The services on this occasion were conducted by the Rev. F. H. Yanderveer, who de-
livered the sermon, and by the Rev. Samuel Yan Yechten, who addressed the members
and congregation.CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
317
church, and its early success was due, in a great measure, to his inde-
fatigable exertions. He obtained from his congregation, and from
New York, a handsome subscription for the erection of a church edi-
fice; the site for which was selected on the corner of Grand and Third
streets. The building was commenced about October 1st, 1835; the
corner-stone was laid Oct. 22d.* Mr. Warren, of New York, was the
architect, and Gerard & Halsey, masons, and A. Whitmarsh, carpen-
ters, were the
contractors. —
Service was
first held in
the basement
on Sunday,
Nov. 13,1837,t
and on the 7th
December fol-
lowing the edi-
fice was dedi-
cated. % The
financial diffi-
culties of 1837,
seriously affec-
ted the tempo-
ral interests of	AMERICAN reformed church—1860.
the church; and the Consistory were compelled to submit to a sale
of the church property (April, 1839), which was purchased by Mr.
* Rev. Wm. Cruickshank was installed October 22d, 1835. Key. J. H. Bevier, of Sha-
wangunk preached from Isaiah lxii—6. The services were held in the Academy building,
then occupied by the church for its regular worship. After the installation, the congre-
gation moved in procession to the foundation walls of the church, preceded by the archi-
tect, builders, clergy, &c., presenting a handsome sight. The corner-stone was then laid.
Rev. Wm. Cruickshank first read a history of the organization of the Church, and a list
of papers, &c., which had been placed in the box prepared for the occasion. Rev. Wm.
S. Heyer offered prayer. The box was then put into the place made for it by Elder Isaac
Belknap, who made some feeling remarks. Rev. Doct. Brodhead then delivered an ad-
dress, standing on the top of the stone buttress. Rev. Thomas DeWitt, D. D., followed in
an address which called up the deep feelings of the heart and carried the imagination
from the earthly to the heavenly temple. Services concluded by prayer and benediction
by Rev. Seymour Landon of the M. E, Church.—Christian Intelligencer, Oct. 31,1835.
t The basement room of the noble and imposing edifice erected by the Reformed Dutch
congregation of this Village, was opened for public worship last Sunday morning. The
services were performed by the pastor, the Rev. Mr. Gruickshank, who, in the early part
of the services, solemnly dedicated it to the service of Almighty God, as a place of social
grayer, for Sabbath School instruction, and for lectures, or the" exposition of the sacred
cnptures. — Telegraph, Nov. 17, 1837.
X The Reformed Dutch Church of this Village was, on Thursday last, dedicated with ap-
propriate and interesting ceremonies. The beautiful edifice—interior and exterior—was a
subject of admiration to a very large concourse of people assembled on the occasion.
The services consisted of a dedicatory address by Rev. Wm. Cruickshank; and a sermon
by Rev. Thomas DeWitt, D. D., from Psalms lxxxvii: 3. Rev. R. P. Lee, Rev. Wm. S.
Heyer, and Rev. F. H. Vanderveer, engaged in other parts of the services of the day.
Yesterday a sale of pews took place, the proceeds of which amounted to about $3,000.—
Telegraph, Dec. 14, 1837.318
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
Daniel Farrington, on behalf of the creditors for the sum of $10,053.
An arrangement, however, was soon after effected by which Matthew
V. B. Fowler became the purchaser of the property in trust for the
church. The debt was greatly reduced, and, in 1849, the Consistory
was enabled to resume the title.
The church edifice is of Grecian architecture. It is built of stone
stuccoed and was originally 50x80 feet with a portico of 20 feet,
making a total depth 100 feet; the roof was surmounted by a massive
dome, which formed a prominent feature in the landscape. The style
of architecture was continued in the interior and gave to the audito-
rium a cold massive grandeur. The first cost, including lot, etc., was
about $20,000. The dome proved troublesome and was removed; the
acoustics of the auditorium were bad, and led to a recessed pulpit.
During the year 1851, the parsonage was built on the east side of the
lot on Third street, at a cost of $3,277. It has since been enlarged
and improved at a cost of about $5,000. The church edifice was en-
larged, in the fall and winter of 1867-’68, by the addition of a tran-
sept in the rear 15x22 feet on each side and 20 feet high, giving an
audience room 100 feet in depth and 82 feet in width at transept.
The improvements were from plans by J. E. Harney, architect, and,
including frescoing, grading, &c., involved an expenditure of about
$20,000. It was reopened for service April 19, 1868. Its seating
capacity (including gallery) is now about 1000.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first Baptist church of Newburgh was the offspring of the
Baptist church at Fishkill. From 1740 to 1780, the Kev. Mr. Hal-
stead, then pastor of the church at Fishkill, performed missionary
labors at different places in Duchess and Ulster counties; and, in
1782, succeeded in organizing a branch of the society in the precinct
of New Marlborough, then recently a portion of the precinct of New-
burgh. At a regular meeting of this branch church, held oh the
24th of May, 1785, at the house of Keuben Drake (Elder James
'Phillips presiding), a petition was presented by Nathan Ellet and
William Purdy, on behalf of themselves and others, asking that “the
society be constituted a separate church, and that Jonathan Atherton
be ordained pastor.” The application was granted. The ordination
as well as the services constituting the church were held on the 27th
of May. The minutes state that Elder Dakens preached the ordina-
tion sermon from Timothy iv:8. After prayer by Elder Cole, Elder
Dakens gave the charge to the pastor and to the church. “ Elder
Phillips gave Bro. Atherton the hand and said, in presence of the
whole congregation, that he owned him as an elder; and so Elder
Phillips went to prayer. When done, they sang a Psalm, went out,CHURCHES, SCHOOLS,, jETC.
319
and now we are left to ourselves.” The new organization was called
the “ Baptist Church of Pleasant Valley/’ and was composed of the
following members, viz:
John and Mary Lester,	Barth, and Hannah Baker, Jediah Atwood,
John and Hannah Coller,	Jonathan Atherton,	Thankful Mackey,
Nathan and Mary Ellet,	John Gian,	Billaga Jones,
Josiah and Sarah Baker,	Phebe Drake,	Abraham Strickland.
David and Hannah Martain, William Purdy,
The membership increased rapidly, and, in 1789, a branch church
was established at Latintown, and another at New Paltz. On the 24th
April, 1790, “a number of members were set off by themselves,” and,
on the 2d of June following, were constituted the “ Church at New-
burgh,” the members of which were:
William Brundage, Elder,	Gilbert Knilfen,
Nathaniel Wyatt,	Phebe Merritt,
Matthew Oropsey,	Elizabeth Ellet,
Elizabeth Cosman,	Rachel Cropsey,
Anna Wyatt,
Anna Bloomer,
Oliver Cosman,
Archibald Ellet.
The Church at Newburgh continued in existence until 1817. In the
meantime (1803) Elder Luke Davis, a Baptist missionary, raised a
small congregation at Eostertown, which was incorporated with the
original society. William Brundage served as pastor from 1790 to
1795; Levi Hall from 1796 to 1799, holding service one-third of the
time; Jethro Johnson from 1799 to 1803; Luke Davis* from 1803 to
1811; Wm. C. Thompson, a licensed preacher but not an ordained
minister, from 1812 to 1815, and John Ellis from 1815 to 1817, whose
time was equally divided between the Newburgh and the Pleasant
Valley church. On the 18th November, 1817, the two churches were
united under the title of the Union Church of Pleasant Valley and New-
burgh, and continued in existence down to Dec. 5th, 1840, when the
last entry is made in the minutes. From 1817 to 1832, meetings
were held alternately at Pleasant Valley, where a church edifice had
been erected in 1786, and in the “Stone Meeting House,” as it was
* Elder Luke Davis was born in the city of London, where he studied medicine and be-
came a druggist. After he emigrated to New York, he engaged in the drug business, pre-
scribed for the sick, and was a preacher connected with the Mulberry street Baptist church.
From New York he removed to Newburgh, and became the minister of the First Baptist
Church. At the time he had three brothers residing in Newburgh, George, Joseph, and
Samuel Davis, who subsequently removed to the town of Thompson, Sullivan county. In
. their new home they were visited by him and while there preached for them and their
neighbors. He was so well liked that he was induced to preach for them once in three
weeks during the years 1809,1810 and 1811. He continued to visit Thompson regularly
until the summer of 1817, when he became one of its residents. He also labored at Peen-
pack, Mamakating Hollow, and Forestburgh.
The Baptist church in Thompson was informally organized in the log-house of Enoch
Comstock (subsequently and for many years a resident of Newburgh), on the 29th of
April, 1811. Its formal organization took place on the 16th of July succeeding, in Nehe-
miah Smith’s barn. Elder Davis was the pastor of the flock until 1823, when a difficulty
arose with his people, he having permitted the Rev. John Brown, for so many years Rec-
tor of St. George’s church, Newburgh, to occupy his pulpit and conduct the service, and
committed some other trivial offences against the rules of the church, which led to a sepa-
ration. He then returned to New York, became again a preacher of the Mulberry street
Baptist church, and resumed his old business of selling drugs. He died .in New York.
Dec. 9th, 1852, aged 92 years, leaving two sons Baptist preachers.—Quintan’s History of
Sullivan County, 625, etc.320
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
called, in Newburgh. After 1832, meetings were held at Pleasant
Valley only, and practically the Newburgh branch of the society
closed its existence. The stone meeting house which it occupied, and
its burial ground, were on the farm late of John Rodman, near Lup-
tondale, on the Newburgh and Shawanguhk plank-road. ‘ The build-
ing was about thirty feet square with walls
about twenty feet high, ten feet of which
were stone, and covered by what is called a
barrack roof, rising to about twenty-five feet
in the center. It was erected about the year
1806, aud abandoned in 1832. The pulpit
was on the west—the entrance on the east. In the adjoining burying-
ground liead-stones mark the resting place of many of the founders
and supporters of the church, among others of deacon Joseph Cauld-
well and of deacon Wm. Winterton. A parsonage house was also a
part of the property, and Orange Lake was the baptismal font.
No effort appears to have been made to organize a church in the
village of Newburgh until 1821. Baptist missionaries, however, fre-
quently visited the place, and among others the Rev. Mr. Price,
Charles Mais, and Thomas Powell, the latter afterwards or at that
time (1820) pastor of the church at Cornwall. In 1817, the Hudson
River Baptist Association made, arrangements to supply the village
with missionaries for one year. The Rev. Rufus Leonard held the
first service under this arrangement in the Academy on the 14th De-
cember.* From the records of the present church, it appears, that
on Wednesday evening, February 21st, 1821, a meeting was held at
the residence of Lydia Ann Hill, for the purpose of consulting in ref-
erence to the organization of the church. “ As the result of this
meeting, an invitation was sent to Elder Daniel C. Stears to visit the
brethren and give them such counsel as circumstances required. On
the fourth Wednesday in March following, a committee was appointed
to draft articles of faith and covenant, which were presented and
adopted at a meeting held on the 11th of April. On the 16th of May,
the church was formally organized—Wm. Pierce acting as moderator,
and Lewis Leonard as clerk. There were fourteen members at the
time of its constitution, five of whom were brethren. This church
survived, with all the attending difficulties usual to weak churches,
* At a meeting of the Hudson Biver Baptist Association, the following gentlemen agreed
to supply their brethren and others who may wish to attend their improvement in the vil-
lage of Newburgh, with preaching for one year, viz: Eevds. John Williams, Archibald
Maclay, Johnson Chase, Jacob Brouner, Mr. (John) Ellis, Aaron Perkins, Lewis Leonard,
Avery Briggs, Joshua Bradley, Chas. G. Somers, Mr. Wiley.
Agreeably to the above resolution, the inhabitants of this village are informed that Mr.
Leonard will preach in the Court-house (Academy) on Lord’s Day, the 14th of the present
month. Exercises to commence at 10 o’clock, A. M. Newburgh, Dec. 9, 1817—Ado. Po-
litical Index.CHURCHES,, SCHOOLS, ETC.
321
until July 12, 1828. During its existence forty-four persons united
with it, of whom only four were by baptism. The members attached
to the church at the time of its dissolution removed their member-
ship, and gradually all trace of it vanished.”
From 1828 until 1834, there was no Baptist church organization in
the village. On the 23d of December, 1834, however, a meeting was
held “in the brick meeting house, then owned by the Methodists, for
the purpose of organizing a church. There were four ministers pres-
ent, viz: Parkinson, Bernard, Martin, and David James. Having re-
solved to constitute a church, it was agreed that Elder Parkinson
preach the sermon. Elder Martin was appointed clerk. Elder Ber-
nard gave the charge, and Elder Parkinson the right hand of fellow-
ship. Elder David James was the first pastor of this church, it having
been formed under his charge. The number of members at the time
of its constitution is said to have been thirteen. At the first church
meeting, held Jan. 10, there were present three brethren and seven
sisters. The three brethren were David James, the pastor; Wm.
Mitchell, deacon, and Joseph Chase, clerk.”
Mr. James continued to serve as pastor until January, 1838, when he
resigned. The church does not appear to have gained much, in point
of numbers, during his ministry. In April, 1838, Elder Spencer accept-
ed a call to the pastorate, and served in that capacity until August fol-
lowing, when he resigned. The pulpit was temporarily supplied by
Elder James until December, when Elder Van Gilder took the charge.
He served until July, 1839, when Elder Daniel T. Hill accepted an
invitation to supply the pulpit every Sabbath morning. This arrange-
ment continued for only a few months. In July, 1840, Elder George
Phippen accepted the pastorate and remained in the charge until
Nov. 1st, 1842, when he resigned. During his ministry the condition
of the society considerably improved. “Some old difficulties were
removed, some prejudices which had long existed were broken down,
and, as a denomination, some progress was made in gaining a more
favorable opinion on the part of the community.”
The Rev. C. A. Raymond succeeded Mr. Phippen, and entered upon
his duties on the first Sabbath in November, 1842. He was a young
man of superior talent and great energy, and under his ministry the
church rapidly increased in membership. He resigned the charge in
1844, The Rev. W. S. Clapp, and the Rev. Thos. Applegate,* served
the church as supplies until April, 1847. In November of that year,
a call was extended to the Rev. James Scott, who entered upon the
duties of the pastorate in December, and held the station until Sep-
tember 11,1855, when he was removed by death. On the 4th of May,
* Father of Rev. Octavius Applegate of St. George’s.
021322
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH—1850.
1856, the Rev. J. H. Castle accepted the vacant pastorate and served
until March, 1859. His successor, Rev. Isaac Wescott, entered upon
the charge May 1st, 1859, and continued pastor until September 13,
1861. He was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Lasher, who became pastor
in March, 1862, and resigned April 25th, 1864. In October of the
same year, Rev. Lyman Wright entered upon the pastoral work, con-
tinuing in the office until Dec. 31, 1868. His successor was Revi E.
W. Bliss, who accepted the pastoral office April 1st, 1869, and re-
signed April 1st, 1872. The present pastor, Rev. John Quincy Adams,
entered upon his duties April 1st, 1873.
After its reorganization _____
in 1834, the church held
services in the old McIn-
tosh house (formerly in use
by St. George’s), and from
thence it removed to the
old Methodist church on
Liberty street, which was
purchased by the society.
This building was sold, in
the spring of 1842, for $925, and on the third Sabbath in May of the
same year, the church commenced worship in Washington Hall. In
1849, an edifice was erected on the corner of Montgomery and Third
streets (now occupied by the First
United Presbyterian society), and
opened for public worship in the
spring of 1850. In the fall of
1859, the society purchased a site
on South street and commenced
the erection of the edifice which
it now occupies. It is 52 by 90
feet, and is in the Roman style of
architecture. The tower and spire
are 175 feet high; audience room,
50 by 72 feet in the clear; height
of ceiling, 32 feet. The audience
room has 156 pews, and will seat
about 800. The lecture-room in
the basement is 50 by 55 feet, and
has 100 pews; it was renovated
in 1875. The cost of the build-
first baptist churoh—1860.	ing and lot was about $19,500.—
It is supplied with a baptistery and other modern appointments. ItCHURCHES, SCHOOLS, FTC.
323
was dedicated on Wednesday, August 15,1860, on which occasion Dr.
Hague, of New York, preached in the morning, from Ephesians iii:19,
and Dr. Gillette in the evening, from Luke ii:49.
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.
In the summer of 1860 (Aug. 12), Mr. John Hagan, Jr., opened a
Sunday-school in what was known as the Crystal Palace building, on
the north side of Washington street, and immediately thereafter a lot
was procured, on the opposite side of the street, and a small frame
building erected at a cost of $700. This building was opened Sep-
tember 1st, 1860, under the name of the “ Scott Mission School.” In
the fall of 1867, a larger building of brick was erected, at a cost of
$5,000, and was opened for service on Tuesday, January 14, 1868.
Missionaries were employed by the First Baptist church to labor in
connection with this mission until June 10th, 1871, when forty-one
members were, at their own request, dismissed for the purpose of
forming the Second Baptist church, and on September 6, 1871, that
body was formally recognized by a Council as an independent church.
Rev. John Gray, who had acted as a missionary, was soon after called
and ordained to the pastorate, which office hq has filled up to the
present time. The church now numbers 45 members.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
The history of the origin of Methodism, and that of its founders,
John and Charles Wesley and their associates, is too well known to
require notice in these pages. A brief review of the progress of the
society in this country, and of the system which was adopted to carry
forward its missionary labors, is, however, perhaps necessary to a
proper understanding of the manner in which it was introduced in
Newburgh. In 1766, a company of Irish emigrants, of whom Philip
Embury was one, organized a society in New York; and, in 1768, they
erected in that city the first Methodist church in America.* About
the same time Robert Strawbridge, who was also a native of Ireland,
organized a society in Maryland, and built a log meeting-house near
Pipe creek, in that province. Other emigrants from the British Isles
who had settled in Philadelphia, laid the foundations of a society in
that city, which soon rivaled, in point of numbers and active zeal, the
one in New York. Encouraged by the progress of the sect in Amer-
ica, Mr. Wesley sent over two additional laborers, in 1769, viz: Rich-
ard Boardman and Joseph Pilmore, the former being stationed at
New York, and the latter at Philadelphia.f In 1771, Francis Asbury
* This building was then called “Wesley chapel.” It subsequently became known as
the “ John Street church.”
t After his arrival at Philadelphia, Asburv wrote to Wesley that he had found 300 mem-
bers of the society in New York, 250 in Philadelphia and a few in New Jersey, in all about
600, without including those in Maryland, of whose numbers at that time he was ignorant.324
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
and Richard Wright were added to the work ; and in 1773, Thomas
Rankin aild George Shadford. Rankin was appointed by Mr. Wesley
“General Assistant of the Societies in America,” and soon after his
arrival he issued a call for “a conference of all the preachers in
America,” with a view to systematize the work. The meeting was
held at Philadelphia, July 4, 1773, and was the first “conference”
that ever assembled in this country. The society then embraced 1160
members, of whom 500 were in Maryland.
During the war of the Revolution, the society gradually decreased
in New York and Philadelphia, but continued to spread rapidly in the
southern states, so that while its total membership at the close of the
war was 13,740, only about 1100 were resident north of Philadelphia.
After the peace, Wesley suggested to his followers in the United
States that they should make an organization independent of the
society in England. This was accordingly done in 1785, and the title
of the “ Methodist Episcopal Church ” was adopted to designate the
new denomination.* Thomas Coke and Philip Asbury were ap-
pointed bishops, or superintendents, and the society was divided into
districts over which “ elders” were stationed under whose charge two
or more preachers were placed. The preachers were then styled “ as-
sistants,” and the fields in which they labored were called “circuits.”
The itinerant principle, which is still one of the distinctive features of
the Methodist church, was adopted, and the preachers held their “ cir-
cuits ” only for a year. In this way the work was zealously prose-
cuted, often amid extreme hardships, and the society regained the
ground which it had for a time lost, and won new triumphs in the
north as well as the south.
In 1786, New York and New Jersey were divided into two “ elder dis-
tricts,” one of which embraced the East Jersey, Newark, NewYork city,
and Long Island “ circuits,” and formed the extreme northern limit of
the society in the United States at that time. The East Jersey “cir-
cuit” bordered on Orange county, and had stationed on it as “assis-
tants,” John McClaskey and Ezekiel Cooper, f While Mr. Cooper was
on this circuit (1786), one of his public services was attended by
Col. David McCamley, who invited him to preach at his residence in
the town of Warwick. Mrs. Arthur Smith, a sister of Col. Mcr
* Therefore, at this Conference, we formed ourselves into an independent church; and
following the counsel of Mr. John Wesley, who recommended the Episcopal mode of
church government, we thought it best to become an Episcopal church, making the Epis-
copal office elective, and the elected superintendent, or bishop, amenable to the body of
ministers and preachers.—Min. Am. Con. J, p. 22.
t Ezekiel Cooper was born Feb., 22,1763, in Caroline county, Maryland. His name first
appears in the Conference minutes in 1785, though he was previously employed by Bishop
Asbury. He was the first “ editor and general book steward ” of the society, having re-
ceived that appointment in 1800. Sixty-four years of his life was spent in the ministry,
and he was long regarded as one of the brightest lights of the American pulpit. He died
on the 21st of February, 1847, at the age of 84 years.CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
325
Camley, was visiting her brother at the time of the service there, and
at her solicitation Mr. Cooper accompanied her to her residence in
Middlehope, where he held the first Methodist service in the town of
Newburgh. The date at which it was held cannot now be ascer-
tained, but it was probably in October, 1786. Mr. Cooper, accompa-
nied by Samuel Purdy, also visited at this time John Woolsey, near
Milton, and having established here an outpost for missionary labor
far beyond the bounds of his circuit, he returned to New Jersey. Six
weeks later, John McClaskey and John Cooper passed over the same
route, and extended the new circuit to the Paltz, where they held ser-
vice at the residences of Hendrick Deyo and Andries DuBois. They
also stopped in the village of Newburgh, and preached in the house of
Elnathan Foster, where a “class” was soon after formed. In Janu-
ary, Ezekiel Cooper again visited the district, and held service in the
house of Sami. Fowler in Middlehope, which was henceforth a regu-
lar preaching station until 1813. From 1813 to 1822, the meetings
were held in the summer in a barn owned by Daniel Holmes, and in
the winter in Mr. Fowler’s house.
The success which had attended the efforts of Mr. Cooper and his
associates, led to the organization, in 1788, of the Flanders (N. J.) cir-
cuit, which embraced this section of country. The preachers on this
circuit were Jesse Lee, Aaron Hutchinson, and John Lee, and it had
543 members. In 1789, it was again divided and the Newburgh cir-
cuit established, its preachers being Nathl. B. Mills and Andrew Har-
pending. It embraced 261 of the membership of Flanders circuit,*
and was divided into the following “classes” or informal societies, viz:
‘ Sami. Fowler’s Class,
Elnathan Foster’s Class,
Munson Ward’s Class,
Geo. Stanton’s Class,
Daniel Holmes’ Class,
Jacob Dayton’s Class,
Latintown Class, '
Samuel Wyatt’s Class,
Schultz’s Class,
Widow Allison’s Class,
at Middlehope.
at Newburgh,
at Fostertown,
at Gardnertown.
at Middlehope.
near Latintown.
at Latintown.
at Keytown.
at Dolsentown.
at Pochuck.
Warwick Class,	at Warwick.
John Ellison’s Class,f at New Windsor.
Luff Smith’s Class, near Marlborough.
David Ostrander’s Class,	at PlatteMll.
David Stephens’ Class,	in the Clove.
Richard Garrison’s Class,	in the Clove.
Sami. Ketcham’s Class, near Sugar Loaf.
Arter’s Class,	Barton’s	Class,
John McWhorter’s Class,
Long Pond Class.
These classes continued to be visited by the circuit preachers until
they ripened into societies of sufficient strength to support located
ministers, or until that end was attained by the union of two or more
classes in a short circuit, in the following order:
• * The Flanders circuit was left with a membership of two hundred and eighty-two per-
sons, which fully corroborates the statement that the Newburgh circuit was previously
embraced in its bounds.
+ This Class held its services in the upper part of a house which Mr. Ellison erected ex-
pressly for the purpose in 1790 or ’91. The building is still standing, and is situated about
three hundred feet west of the residence of the late Chas. F. Morton. In 1807, the Class
was organized into a regular society under the title of the “ Methodist Episcopal Church of
New Windsor.” A suitable edifice was erected during the same year. This was the first
Methodist church in the present county of Orange, and is still occupied by the New Wind-
sor society. Several changes, however, have been made in its appearance.326
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
FIRST OR TRINITY M. E. CHURCH.
In 1808, the “Newburgh/5 or “Elnathan Foster’s class,” as it was
originally called, was organized into a church under the title of the
“Methodist Episcopal Church in the Parish of Newburgh.” Its trus-
tees were Morgan Cole, Lewis Carter, Wm. Baker, Joseph Cole, and
Geo. "Westlake.* It continued to be supplied by circuit preachers
until 1820, when Samuel Fowler,f its first located pastor, was ap-
pointed to the charge. Since that time the following ministers have
held the station, viz:
Hate.
1820
1821-22
1823
1821-25
1826-27
1828-29
1830-81
1832-33
1831
1835-36
1837-38
1839-10
1811-12
1813
18H-15
Name.
Samuel Fowler.
Tobias Spicer.
William Jewett.
John D. Moriarty.
Thomas Mason.
Robert Seney.
Stephen L. Stillman.
James Coveil.
William Thatcher.
Seymour Landon.
John Kennedy.
Robert Seney.
Edmund E. Griswold.
Friend W. Smith.
Davis Stocking.
Hate.
1816-17
1848-49
1850-	51
1852-53
1851-	55
1856-57
1858-59
1860-61
Nov.'61 to Ap,
1862-	1 year
1863-	66
1866-69 .
1869-72
1872-75
1875
Name.
Zephaniah N. Lewis.
John L. Gilder.
Abiathar M. Osbon.
Charles B. Sing.
Luther W. Peck.
Edwin R. Keyes.
John W. Beach.
Charles Shelling.
’62 John Parker.
M. D. C. Crawford.
Geo. S. Hare.
John Miley.
Wm. P. Abbott.
Andrew Longacre.
Geo. S. Hare.
The class from which the society sprung held its first meeting
(1786) at the house of Elnathan Foster, which occupied the site on
which the first Presbyterian church edifice now stands. The old Lu-
theran church and the old clothing store-house were also used when
the circuit preachers visited the station, and after the erection of the
Academy the services were held in the upper room of that building. J
Subsequently the old McIntosh house was occupied. Immediately
after the organization of the society, it was resolved (June 8, 1808,)
to erect “a house of worship, 45 by 35 feet,” and George Westlake
and Morgan Cole were appointed to “ circulate subscription papers, as
well as to have the general direction in erecting the building.” The
sum of $773 was subscribed for the purpose, and a lot on the corner
of Gidney avenue and Liberty street was purchased from Elnathan
Foster for a nominal consideration. The trustees note their first
* The records of this church, under date of March 14, 1808, are as follows:
“By a resolve this day of the members of the society of the Methodist Episcopal
church in Newburgh, in order to take into consideration the election of five trustees,
agreeable to an act of the Legislature of this state, to take charge of the temporal con-
cerns of a house for religious and divine worship, to be known by the name of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church—
“Resolved, therefore, That one of the official members do publish, on Thursday even-
ing next, being the 17th day of March, instant, and the stated night for public worship,
that a meeting will be held at the house of Morgan Cole on Friday, the 1st day of April
next, at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, to elect five trustees for the above purpose.”
t fjamuel Fowler was the son of Samuel Fowler at whose residence the first “ class ”
was formed. He was admitted to the ministry in 1791, and continued in active service un-
til his death, which occurred on the 2d of February, 1831, at the age of 74 years.
% There is a tradition that Elnathan Foster, in subscribing to the finishing of the upper
rooms of the Academy for the use of the courts, made a condition that the Methodists
should be permitted to occupy them, which was accepted.TRINITY M. E. CHURCH-1861.
p327CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, J^TO.
327
meeting in this building, which was called the “ Brick Chapel,” under
date of February 18th, 1811, but it was undoubtedly occupied at an
earlier period. Even then, however, the interior of the edifice was not
finished, nor was it completed until 1816 or ’17.
In 1833 (Dec. 23), the trustees of the church resolved to build “a
new meeting house, to be 50 by 62 feet, after the plan of the Wash-
ington street M. E. Church, Brooklyn, capable of accommodating
100Q persons.” A suitable site was purchased on Second street, and
on the 29th July, 1834, the cor-
ner-stone of the edifice was laid
with appropriate ceremonies. *
The building was completed in
1835, and was dedicated April
1st of that year. Its cost was
about $10,000. A parsonage on
Montgomery street was subse-
quently added to the property.
In the spring of 1860, the society	first M. E. chukch-isgo.
determined to build a new edifice, and for that purpose the trustees
purchased a site on the corner of Liberty and Third streets. Plans
by R. Lockwood, architect, were adopted and the contracts awarded
to Little & Kelly, carpenters; John Little, mason, and Madden &
Fitzgerald, stone-work. The corner-stone was laid Nov. 14th, 1860,
by Bishop Janes.')' One year from that date (Wednesday, Nov. 13,
1861), the building was dedicated, in the usual form, by Bishop Simp-
son, of Indiana. It is in the decorated style of the thirteenth cen-
tury Gothic, and has a front on Liberty street of 73 feet 6 inches by
140 feet on Third street. The chief features of the exterior consist
of three towers with their entrances, the transept and the lecture-
room front. The center tower and spire rises to the height of 180
feet; the side towers to 63 feet. The interior dimensions are: Nave,
85 feet long by 62 feet wide; transept 78 feet long, terminating at the
ends with .large enriched windows. The ceiling of nave and transept
is 40 feet, and is richly groined and ribbed. The auditorium contains
150 pews; the lecture-room, on the second floor in the rear, will ac-
commodate about four hundred persons, and the class-rooms on the
first floor are large and convenient. The cost of the building and
lot was about $35,000. An organ was added in February, 1870, at a
cost of $5,000. It only remains to add that the title of the church
* The building was erected by Sylvanus Loud, builder, and Henry Yeltman, mason.
The trustees of the church at that time were Levi P. Dodge, Robert Phillips, Sylvanus
Loud, Allen Lockwood, and Alanson Randol. The original entrance was by a flight of
steps extending nearly the full width of the front.
t The stone used was taken from the old church on Second street; the original papers,
etc., which it contained were redeposited with those of the later period.328
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
was changed from “First” to “Trinity” in 1871. The property of
the church on Second street was sold to private parties, and subse-
quently converted into an opera house.
MIDDLEHOPE M. E. CHURCH.
The original “Samuel Fowler’s class” and the “Daniel Holmes’
class,” were organized into a church, Dec. 14, 1821, and Wm. Smith,
Daniel Holmes, David Wyatt, Gilbert
Holmes, and Daniel Merritt, were
elected trustees. Arrangements were
soon after made for erecting a church
edifice, which was dedicated Dec. 29,
1822, under the name of “ Asbury
Chapel.” * It has always been sup-
asbury chapel—i860.	plied by circuit preachers, and is now
associated with the M. E. church at Fostertown, the two churches
forming the “North Newburgh circuit.” Its building has undergone
some slight architectural changes since 1860.
GARDNERTOWN M. E. CHURCH.
In 1825, the “George Stanton’s class” was organized into a church
and (Dec. 15) Burroughs Westlake, Joshua Marston, David W. Gid-
ney, Silas B. Gardner
and Robt. Lockwood
were chosen “ Trus-
tees of the Methodist
Episcopal Church at
Gardnertown.”— A
house of worship was
erected the next year
and was dedicated on
the 20th November.
It remained in occu-
pation Until NOV. 24,	gardnertown m. e. church—1859.
1858. The present edifice was from plans by E. K. ShavT. It was
erected in 1858, under contract with Thomas Shaw & Sons, at a cost
of $2,750, and was dedicated Nov. 24th. It is a simple Gothic chapel
accommodating about four hundred persons. The society was for
some years associated in a circuit with that at Little Britain.
ROSSVILLE M. E. CHURCH.
The M. E. church at Rossville was organized Oct. 8, 1830, when
* “ Dedication.—The Methodist Meeting-house, to he known by the name of the As-
bury Chapel, lately erected about three miles north of this village, was dedicated to the
worship of Almighty God, on Sabbath, 29th inst. During the day three very appropriate
discourses were delivered. Rev. E. Smith, Rev. A. Scolefield, and Rev. S. Arnold officiated
on the occasion.—Political Index, Dec. 31,1822.CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, J5TG
329
-Thomas Aderton, Alvah Waring, Wm. Penny, John Bushfield, Nehe-
miah Fowler, Thomas Bushfield, and Gilbert Lockwood, were elected
trustees. The edifice now occupied by the
society was erected in 1831. It is 30 by 42
feet, and cost originally about $600. It was
considerably improved and refurnished and
painted in 1876. The society cannot be
satisfactorily traced to any of the original
classes. It is now associated with the M. E.
church at Pleasant Valley, Ulster county, rossville m. e. church—1859.
in the support of a minister. The parsonage is at the latter place.
FOSTERTOWN M. E. CHURCH.
On the 31st Dec., 1833, the “Munson Ward’s class” was organized
as the M. E. church at Fostertown; and
David Wyatt, Jethro Allison, John F. Wil-
liams, Jacob Gillis, and Wm. S. Holmes,
were elected trustees. In 1834, the build-
ing now occupied by the society was erected
and was dedicated in September of that
year. Like its contemporaries of the pri-
fostertown m. e. church—1859. mitive Methodistic era, it has been improv-
ed since its original dedication, but has no architectural claims.
SECOND OR ST. JOHN’S M. E. CHURCH.
The organization of this church was effected through the instru-
mentality of Joseph Longking, Henry Cornell, and James Martin,
who proposed to the trustees of the 1st M. E. church (1851) that
that body should hire for the use of such a society the building for-
merly occupied by the second Presbyterian church—the applicants
agreeing to pay the interest on the debt then existing on that build-
ing for one year. The trustees, however, declined to take any steps
in the matter. After further consideration, and with the approval of
the presiding elder of the district and of Kev. A. M. Osbon, the
preacher stationed in Newburgh, Mr. Longking and his associates de-
termined to prosecute the enterprise; and in compliance with their
request the presiding elder appointed Rev. Aaron F. Palmer, a local
deacon, preacher in charge until the ensuing session of the New York
Conference. The society was formally organized on Sunday, May
23d, 1852, at the residence of Mr. Cornell, at which time certificates
of membership were received from seven persons.
Previous to this time, however, arrangements had been made for the
use of the second Presbyterian church edifice, and, on the 9th of
June following, Henry Cornell, James Martin, John H. Waters, Nelson
Austin, and Joseph Longking, were unanimously elected trustees,330
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
and the articles of corporation were formed. At the annual session
of the New York Conference for 1852, Rev. Kufus C. Putney was
appointed to the charge! The church edifice was dedicated on the
13th of June, and on the 25th of that month the society had a mem-
bership of 129 persons, nearly all of whom had been previously con-
nected with the First church.
The building which had been rented for the society at the time of
its organization, was purchased by its trustees in March, 1853, for
$5,000, which was principally paid by subscriptions; and at about
the same time arrangements were made for erecting a parsonage and
also a building for lectures and class meetings. These buildings were
completed Sept. 12th, 1853—the former at a cost of $2,349, and the
latter at $2,109. The building was badly injured by fire in the fall of
1873,	and in the summer following was repaired and materially im-
proved at a cost of about $7,000. It was reopened for service in Oc-
tober, 1874, Bishop Peck conducting the exercises. In the spring of
1876, the present front of thirty-six feet with towers, was added (from
plans by E. K. Shaw, architect,) at a cost of $10,000. The edifice is
now one of the most thoroughly modern in the city. The principal
floor has seats for 650 persons and the Sunday-school gallery over the
vestibule for 300. A recess in the rear of the pulpit accommodates
the choir and organ, and was part of the improvements of 1874.
The society adopted the title of “St. John’s” at its reopening in
1874.	The following have been its pastors:
Bate.	Name.
1864-66 Thos. B. Smith.
1867-68	DeLossLull.
1869-70	H. H. Birkins.
1871-72	W. E. Clarke.
1878-74	George H. Corey.
1875-76	L. H. King.
Bate.	Name.
1852-58	Rufus C. Putney.
1854-55	L. W. Walsworth.
1556-57	David Buck.
1858-59	E. L. Prentice.
1860-61	John P. Hermance.
1862-63	Chas. S. Brown.
1864 (3 mos.) G. H. Gregory.
THIRD OR GRACE M. E. CHURCH.
This church is at West Newburgh, on Western Avenue. It was the
outgrowth of the Second or St. John’s church, and especially of a
mission Sunday-school established under its auspices in 1848. The
society or school was legally organized in June, 1865, when P. S.
Haines, James Harrison, C. H. Bond, Jos. W. Bond, F. Klaproth,
David Gibb, Chas. Estabrook, John Haskins, and Chas. L. Brown
were elected trustees. The regular church organization, however,
dates from April 25th, 1868, when thirty members from the Second
church united for that purpose. The building of a church edifice
was commenced in May, 1866, and the basement completed and occu-
pied by the Sunday-school and by a free school, the latter under the
charge of the Board of Education. The corner-stone was laid in the
autumn of 1867, Kev. J. B. Wakely delivering the address, and theCHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
331
edifice was completed under plans by J. D. Kelly, architect. It was
dedicated Sept. 2d, 1868, on which occasion the sermon was by Rev.
Dr. Fletcher from Mark ix., 18, 19. Dr. McAllister preached in the
evening. Rev. Dr. A. M. Osbon, presiding elder, had principal charge
of the exercises at both services. The structure is of brick and in-
cludes basement, auditorium and choir gallery; it is in neat but plain
finish, and has seats for about 400 persons. It is 35 by 61 feet; lot
66 by 105 feet—the latter presented by Messrs. W. R. & C. L. Brown;
its cost was about $10,000. A parsonage was added to the property
in 1874, at a cost of $3,500. Rev. Yan Ness Traver (1868) was the
first minister in charge. He was succeeded by Rev. D. W. C. Yan
Gaasbeck, and the latter by Rev. Dr. Osbon.
st. Paul’s german m, e. church.
A meeting for the purpose of introducing the organization of a
German Reformed church, was held in the lecture-room of the Asso-
ciate Reformed church on Sunday, January 5th, 1868. The exercises
were conducted by Rev. A. Rahn, and resulted in the constitution of
a society (Feb. 7) under the title of “St. Paul’s German Reformed
Church.” Mr. Rahn was elected pastor, and was installed on Sunday,
March 29th, by Rev. Dr. Schaff. At a subsequent meeting the society
resolved to unite with the Presbytery of North River, and it was duly
received by that body under the title of “St. Paul’s German Presby-
terian Church.” Soon after organization the society purchased a site
on Johnston street near Western Avenue, for the erection of a church
edifice, the corner-stone of which was laid September 10th, by the
Masonic fraternity in Grand Lodge of Ceremony. The building was
completed and dedicated in the summer of 1869. Its cost, including
lot, was about $12,000, and its capacity sufficient for the accommoda-
tion of about four hundred persons. Mr. Rahn resigned the charge
and was succeeded, in July, 1870, by Rev. E. Lubkert, who served as
supply until September following, when he was installed pastor and
continued in that relation until the 28th of July, 1872. His resigna-
tion was mainly in consequence of a union which was effected, in
April of that year, with the Conference of the M. E. church, under
which it was agreed by the trustees of Trinity church that that body
would assume the mortgage debt of St. Paul’s, amounting to about
$4,500. The title of the society was then changed to “ St. Paul’s Ger-
man M. E. Church,” and its pulpit supplied by the appointment of
Rev. G. Meyers. A subsequent board of trustees of Trinity church
refused to carry out the agreement which had been made, on the
ground that the action which had been had was illegal, it not having
been in compliance with a vote of the congregation. This conclusion
compelled St. Paul’s to submit to a sale of its property, under mort-332
HIS TOR Y OF NEWB TJRQH.
gage foreclosure, in 1876. The society maintains its organization, but
its permanency is problematical.
st. Patrick’s catholic church.
Tradition and written testimony give the date of the first service
held by Catholic priests in Newburgh as 1817, when the Rev. Dr.
Ffrench said mass at the house of Mr. Gilmore on Western Avenue.
The attendants upon his ministrations, which were only occasional,
were as follows, viz: Mark McIntyre, John Fitzpatrick, Henry Gil-
more, Daniel Devlin, Dennis McCool, Enos McAllister, Michael Bird,
George McCahill, Charles Mackin, Owen McGahey, Patrick McGahey,
and Thomas and Hugh Riley, and their families.
Missionary labors were continued here until 1826, when the present
church was formed. The number of Catholics did not then exceed
thirty, and mass was said every six months. Soon after this time the
Rev. Philip O’Reilly was stationed on the Newburgh district and said
mass here once every month. In 1836, the Rev. Patrick Duffy was
appointed to the station, and for seventeen years remained Catholic
pastor of Newburgh. He died in 1853. After an interval of one
year, during which time the church was ministered to by the Rev. Mr.
Gallagher, the Rev. E. J. O’Reilly was appointed pastor, and served
until June 1st, 1867, when he was succeeded by Rev. E. S. Briady.
The service of mass was first said in Mr. Gilmore’s house, as already
stated. Afterwards, and for a number of years, the McIntosh house
was used by the congregation. In 1838, the preliminary steps were
taken for the erection of a church edifice, and the site now occupied
was purchased by subscriptions from resident Catholics, aided by out-
side collections and contributions from members of other denomina-
tions. The building was completed and opened for service in Decem-
ber, 1842. Its value was then estimated at about $12,000. It was a
stone structure, about 100 by 60 feet, with no architectural features.
It was neatly fitted up with pews and a small gallery, had an organ,
and two fine oil paintings about 14 by 9 feet, representing the birth
and the entombment of the Saviour, painted by Rembrandt Lockwood.
In 1852, a field was purchased, at the comer of First and Stone
streets, and a Cemetery opened. In 1854, a lot was purchased ad-
joining the church and a pastoral residence erected thereon—the
house and lot costing about $10,000. The year 1858 was signalized by
the erection of a commodious school-house, situated immediately west
of the church, which was completed and opened on the 29th of No-
vember of that year. The school was instituted in 1850. In 1855, a
Library Association was organized, and some 600 volumes collected.
For four years, ending with August, 1860, this association published
a very spirited monthly magazine, edited by the late John Ashhurst.CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
333
A Sabbath-school and other organizations peculiar to the Catholic
faith, are also connected with the church.
In 1860, the church made extensive alterations and additions to its
house of worship, rendering it one of the finest ecclesiastical struc-
tures on the Hudson. Its plan is in the style known as the decorated
Gothic of the 13th century. The building is cruciform, the front or-
namented with pinnacles and, parapets of rich crochet and quatrefoil
work. A tower, surmounted by a spire of open tracery work, adorns
the front. The windows are of heavy carved work and filled with
richly stained glass. The ceiling is arched and ribbed, and the finish
throughout of the highest order. The plans were furnished by Bem-
brandt Lockwood, and the work executed under his direction by J.
Gill, mason, and Little & Kelly, carpenters. The following are the
dimensions of the building, viz: length, 150 feet; length of transept,
75 feet; front, 55 feet 3 inches; height of ceiling, 29 feet; spire 135 feet.
During Father Briady’s administration the church edifice and the
school-house have been thoroughly repaired and refurnished, and the
parsonage rebuilt—the latter in 1869, at a cost of $13,000. In 1871,
the property on Grand street, near Washington, was purchased and
improved at a cost of about $15,000, and opened (1872) as St. Pat-
rick’s Orphan Asylum, under the management of Sisters of Charity.
It is now occupied in part for that purpose and in part by a select
school for young ladies. In the spring of 1875, a plot of fifteen
acres, near Muchattoes hill, was purchased for cemetery purposes, at
a cost of $7,200.
st. mary’s catholic church.
In March, 1875, on the application of a number of members of St.
Patrick’s, Archbishop McCloskey granted an order dividing the origi-
nal parish and constituting, from the northern part of its territory,
St. Mary’s parish. Bev. M. J. Phelan, formerly of Port Ewen, was
appointed pastor, and said his first mass in the parish on Easter-
Sunday, 1875, in the opera house. Property was soon after purchas-
ed on Gidney Avenue and South street, for $20,000, and mass cele-
brated in the mansion on the premises. In May following, a tempo-
rary frame building for church purposes was erected, costing $3,500.
Embraced in St. Mary’s parish is the Academy of Our Lady of
Mercy (a branch convent of the Sisters of Mercy of New York),
which was opened at Balmville in the summer of 1875.
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The facts relative to the early efforts for the introduction of Univer-
salism in Newburgh, are almost wholly traditional. It is said that
thirty or forty years ago, the Bev. Mr. Mitchell, of New York city,
preached here a few times. He occupied the ball-room of the old Man-334
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
sion House, and it is remembered that he always had a medallion hung
on the wall behind his pulpit, on which was inscribed, in letters of
gold, “God is Love.” His meetings were well attended, but no soci-
ety was formed, and the effect of his labors was only transient. Sub-
sequently the Bev. Mr. Parker, of Troy, as well as the Bey. Mr. Lyon,
of New York, are said to have preached to small audiences here.
In 1858, a few friends of Universalism resolved to make an attempt
to establish the ministry of that faith in Newburgh, and for that pur-
pose they invited the Bev. T. Borden, then of Hudson, to hold service
here. He accepted the invitation, and preached his first discourse in
Newburgh on the 21st November, at the Court-house. The services
were well attended; and on the 22d, a meeting of those friendly to the
movement was held and a committee appointed to secure a regular
supply of ministerial labor. The informal organization continued to
gain strength, and, on the 21st of February, 1859, the society was
regularly organized, in accordance with the statute, under the title of
thfe “First Universalist Congregational Church of the Village of New-
burgh.” In October, the Bev. W. B. Cook was chosen pastor.
The society failed financially in 1862. In 1863, the church edifice
was purchased by the German, Catholics, who conducted service and
held a school in it, but failed in effecting a permanent organization.
In the fall of 1864, the Board of Education purchased it, with a view
to convert it to school purposes; but, after temporary occupation, sold
it (1865) to private parties, by whom it was removed.
The services of the socie-
ty were held in the Court-
house until July, 1860. In
July, 1859, a lot was pur-
chased on Liberty street,
north of Farrington, and
the erection of a church
edifice was commenced. It
was completed in 1860, and
dedicated on Wednesday,
Aug. 1st, of that year. It
was in the Italian style of
architecture, and was con-
structed from plans drawn
by John D. Kelly, of New-
burgh. It was neatly fin-
ished and furnished accom-
modations for about three
hundred persons.CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.	335
CHURCH OF OUR FATHER.
The Church of Our Father may be denominated the successor of
the Universalist society, formed Feb. 21st„ 1859. On the last Sunday
of July, 1867, Rev. Wm. R. G-. Mellen commenced Unitarian worship
at the Court-house with an audience of twenty-five in the morning
and thirty in the afternoon. Subsequent services were held by Mr.
Mellen and other preachers, until Feb. 15th, 1868, when the Rev. C. B.
Webster was elected pastor. On the 7th of July following a Unita-
rian society was organized. A building lot was soon after purchased,
at the corner of South and Johnston streets, at a cost of $3,000, and
in the summer of 1869, a church edifice was erected at a cost of
$12,300. This building is in the early Gothic style—of brick with
blue-stone borders and granite caps; the roof is supported by iron
pillars resting on brick piers. It is 40 feet by 60, and provides seats
for four hundred persons. A small pastor’s room and a choir gallery
are furnished in the rear. The dedication took place July 17th, 1870.
Mr. Webster resigned the pastorate in 1871, and Rev. F. W. Holland
became his successor in June of that year. The principal patrons and
founders of the society were the late Josiah S. Young, and the late
John P. DeWint, the latter a resident of Fishkill.
—In addition to the societies already enumerated, the First Pres-
byterian church maintains the Bethel Mission on North-Water street,
and the American Reformed church the Gleason Mission on Western
Avenue. There are also two societies of colored people—the Shiloh
Baptist church and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion church.
The latter has a neat edifice on Washington street.
COMPARATIVE STATISTICS;
			Value of	Seating	Average	Commu-	Salaries
Church.	Year.	No.	Property* Capacity		Attend..	nicants.	Ministers
Baptist,					.... 1855.	...1.	...$7,000		... 450...	... 250..	.... 167	... $700
	1875.	...2.	...35,000...	.. 1300...	... 600..	.... 402..	... 3,300
Methodist Episcopal,	... 1855.	...6.	.. .22,400...	...3200...	...1900..	.... 833..	... 3,750
	1875.	...8.	.. 115,000....	...4000...	.. .3000..	....1531$.	... 7,600
Presbyterian,						... 1855..	..1.	... 8,000....	.. 600...	.. 400..	.... 247..	... 1,000
	1875.	...4.	. .no;ooo....	...3500.:.	...2000..	....1215..	... 9,000
Assoc. Refd. Presb...	.... 1855.,	...2.	...15,000...	... 900...	... 600..		 431..	.'. 2,000
	1875.	...1.	...10,000...	... 600...	...-300,.	.... 150..	... 1,500
Reformed Presbyterian,.. 1855..		...2.	.. .14,000....	...1200...	... 480..	.... 250..	... 1,100
	1875.	...2.	...20,000....	...1200...	... 600..	.... 416..	... 3,300
United Presbyterian,.	... 1875..	..1.	...8,000....	.. 475...	... 300..	..,.218..	... 1,500
Protestant Episcopal,	... 1855.	..1.	...15,000...	... 750...	... 600..	.... 180..	... 1,200
	1875.	...2.	.. .60,000....	..1500...	.. 800..,	.... 547.:	... 7,000
Refd. Prot. Episcopal	,... 1875..	..1.	... 7,000....	... 300...	... 100...	... 31§..	.. 1,500
American Reformed,.	... 1855..	...1.	.. .15,000....	.. 600...	... 250...	,... 180 .	... 800
	1875.	...1.	...60,000....	...1000 ..	... 600..	.... 509..	.., 3,000
Roman Catholic,		.... 1855..	..1.	...15,000....	.. 800...	... 700..	.... 600..	... 1,000
	1875.	...2.	.. .70,000...	..1500...	...2500..	....4000..	... 2,800$
Unitarian,			.... 1875!,	...1.	.. .12,000....	;. 400...	... 200..	.... 100§.	... 1,200
		RECAPITULATION.					
Property.			Capacity.	Attend.	Commun.		Salaries.
1855...				$111,400...		. 8,900......	... 5,180.		 2,888 			.. $11,500
1875..			507,000..		.15,775 		.. .11,000 :	....... 9,113.			.. 41,700
* Estimated. f. 891 Probationers in addition.				t Additional from fees.			§ New.336	HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
The Theological Seminary of the Associate Reformed church was
the first institution of the. kind in the United States. There were
indeed Professors of Divinity (most of whom were connected with
colleges) who were accustomed to give lectures on the science of
Theology to such students as pleased to attend; but there was no
institution expressly designed for the training of candidates for the
ministry, and formally organized on an academic basis, in existence
in this country previous to the erection of this Seminary.
The first steps towards its establishment were taken by the Asso-
ciate Reformed Synod, in 1796, on the suggestion of one of its young-
est members, Mr. afterwards Dr. John M. Mason, of New York, then
in the early dawn of his brilliant career. At the meeting of Synod,
in 1796, an act was adopted “concerning a Synodical Fund,” the
main object of which fund was to aid poor and pious youth in their
studies for the ministry, and to maintain a Professorship of Theology.
The church was small, the country was very poor in those days, and
the growth of the fund was necessarily slow; but the ideas thrown
out by Dr. Mason had taken root in the minds of his brethren, and
at the meeting of Synod in 1801, it was resolved, after much discus-
sion, to erect a Theological Seminary on a peculiar plan, and of a
higher order than any “ school of the prophets ” then in being. Dr.
Mason was sent to Great Britain to ask help from the churches of the
father land, and he obtained the handsome sum of $5,500, which was
chiefly expended in the purchase of a noble library. Dr. Mason re-
turned in 1802, and was unanimously chosen to preside over the in-
fant institution, which was at first located in New York, where it was
opened in 1805. The number of students rapidly increased, and con-
sidering the size of the denomination, it continued to be comparative-
ly large, until the suspension of the Seminary in 1821. This result
was mainly owing to the failing health of Dr. Mason, which had com-
pelled him to retire from a sphere in which he had spent the best
years of his life, and to which he was enthusiastically devoted. By a
vote of the General Synod of the church in 1822 (which was judicially
declared a few years afterwards to have been illegal), the library was
transferred to the Seminary at Princeton.
The operations of the Seminary were suspended until the summer
of 1829, when the A. R. Synod of New York determined to resusci-
tate the institution and to locate it at Newburgh. The Rev. Joseph
McCarrell, D. D., of Newburgh, was elected Professor of Theology,
and the Rev. Drs. John McJimpsey, Alex. Proudfit, Robert Forrest,
and D C. McLaren, were chosen Superintendents. During the fol-
lowing year, the necessary steps were taken (after sundry fruitlessCHURCHES, SCHOOLS. £T(7.
337
appeals to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church) for the
recovery of the library and funds removed to Princeton in 1822, and
after a protracted lawsuit, they were restored to their old owners.
Another important movement was made in 1835, viz: for the erec-
tion of a suitable edifice for the accommodation of the students and
professors. For so small a body as the Synod of New York, the un-
dertaking was an almost herculean one. Money was collected from
various sources, an admirable site covering thirteen acres of land was
purchased, and a charter of incorporation was granted by the legisla-
ture of this state on the 25th May, 1836. The trustees named in the
act were Hon. John Willard of Salem, Hon. Wm. M. Oliver of Penn
Yan, Hon. Archibald C. Niven and Alpheus Dimmick of Monticello,
Hon. Robert Denniston of Salisbury, Hon. John W. Brown, and D.
W. Bate, and Daniel Farrington of Newburgh, James Waugh and
William Wear of Little Britain, James D. Bull of Hamptonburgh,
and Benjamin Parker of Kortright. The foundation of the Seminary
was laid in 1837,* and the building was completed in 1839, at a cost
(including land) of about $25,000.
In 1858, an organic union was effected between the Associate Pres-
byterian church of North America and the Associate Reformed church,
under the title of the United; Presbyterian church. A few congrega-
tions of the Associate Reformed Synod of New York refused to enter
into this union. These laid claim to the Seminary; but by a suit at
law it was decided that the property rightfully belonged to that por-
tion of the Synod, the great majority, which had assented to the union.
In 1865, the Associate Reformed Synod of New York, the legally re-
cognized owners of the property, took measures, in cooperation with
the United Presbyterian Synod of New York, for reopening the insti-
tution, and elected as professors therein Rev. J. B. Dales, D. D., of
Philadelphia, and James Harper of New York. On the 2d October,
1867, accordingly, the building was opened again for the training of
young men for the ministry, and now has students from nine or ten
states. The number of bound volumes in the library is nearly 3600.
The professors have been as follows:
Systematic Theology.—Rev. John M. Mason, D. D., 1805—1821. Bev. Alex. Proudfit, D.
D., 1820—1821. Bev. Joseph McCarrell, D. D., 1829—1860. Bev. James Harper, D. D.,
1867—now Professor.
Biblical Literature.—Bev. James M. Matthews, 1809—1816. Bev. James Arbuckle, As-
sistant, 1820—21. Bev. John Forsyth; Jr., 1837—1815. Bev. David L. Proudfit, 1840—12.
Bev. Robert Stewart, D. D., 1872—now Professor.
Church History, <fcc.—Bev. John Forsyth, D. D., 1852—1859. Bev. J. B. Dales, D. D.,
1867—now Professor.
♦ The Theological Seminary, under the auspices of the Associate Beformed church, is
now permanently located in Newburgh, and a splendid building for its accommodation is
about to be erected here. The plan of the building—which is to be 101 feet front by 10
deep—is by Mr. T. M. Niven, and the site selected is an eminence on the farm lately owned
by Henry Walsh, west'of the vi&tige.—Telegraph, Feb. 23,1837.
022338
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Glebe School.—The first public school in Newburgh was that contem-
plated in the charter to the Glebe, and was known for many years as
the Glebe school. The time at which it was first opened can not now
be ascertained, but it was probably soon after the settlement of the
Rev. Hezekiah Watkins. Nor is it possible to determine who was
the first school-master. The offices of minister and school-master, how-
ever, were not combined in one person, as has been generally supposed.
This is evident from the setting apart of a lot for the minister and
another for the school-master, and the erection of dwellings* * * § thereon
respectively, as well as from the books of the trustees of the Glebe.
During a portion of the time that Mr. Watkins held the office of min-
ister, a Mr. Palmer performed the duties of school-master.f In 1768,
Lewis Donveur conducted the school;J in 1769, Joseph Penny; and in
1773, Thomas Gregory. § In 1774, John Nathan Hutchins was em-
ployed, and continued in the school until a short time prior to his
death, which occurred in 1782. His successor was Richard King,
who served from September 18,1782, until the settlement of the Rev.
Mr. Spierin, in 1790. Mr. Spierin’s engagement contemplated the
combining of the two offices of minister and school-master, and gave
rise to the difficulties which eventually terminated the jurisdiction of
the Episcopal church over the Glebe. || He resigned in 1793. The
records of the trustees fail to show the name of Mr. Spierin’s succes-
sor, or indeed that of any teacher for several years. It is probable,
however, that the school was conducted in the Academy from 1796 td
1804, during which time the latter school was under the charge of
the trustees of the Glebe. The “act to amend the charter of the
Glebe,” passed by the legislature in 1803, directed that “the sum of
$200, of the revenues arising from the Glebe,” should be “paid an-
* Engravings of the buildings referred to, will be found on page 128. In 1778, “the
house and. barn, and that part of the school lot next to the road,” were rented to
Richard Albertson. At the commencement of the present century, the old parsonage was
rented to the town, and was occupied as the poor-house.—Account Booh of the Glebe.
t “ Sept, ye 18,1765. Then settled the above account with the Executor of Hezekiah
Watkins, deceased, and with the school-master, Palmer, in full,” &c.	(£19. 8. 6.)
% “ Sept. 16, 1768. Then paid Lewis Donveur, school-master, ye sum of £1717s lOd.”
§ “ Paid the above half sum to Mr. John Sayres, and the other half to the school-
master, Thomas Gregory, for me,” &c.—Account Booh of the Glebe.
|| “Agreed, that the Rev. Geo. H. Spierin shall be entitled to receive the whole of the
rents and benefits arising from the Glebe Lands, while he continues to officiate as minis-
ter, and teach the children of the inhabitants of the German patent on the following terms,
viz: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, History, and English Grammar, at 12s per
quarter; Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, at 8s per quarter. Provided always, that no chil-
dren incapable of studying the above branches shall be admitted or received into the
school. And, that should a poor child come properly recommended as such, he shall be
received into the English school gratis. And if a youth of strong natural abilities of the
like description offer, he shall be received into the Classical school also gratis. Provided
also, that should the rents and,privileges of the Glebe hereafter become more valuable,
that then, in such case, the terms of teaching the children living on the patent shall be re-
duced in such manner as to be equivalent to said advantages, so, far as may relate to-
wards the supporting of a school, and as the trustees shall deem proper.”—Min. Trustees.CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
339
nually to the trustees of the Academy;” and that “the remainder of
the money arising from such annual income,” should he “paid to the
trustees of the other schools which are, or may hereafter be, estab-
lished on the Glebe,” as the inhabitants should direct. The jurisdic-
tion of the trustees of the Glebe being thus terminated, the old Glebe
school ceased to exist.
No division of the revenues from the Glebe, as required by the act
of 1803, appears to have been made until 1809, when what was called
“the juvenile school in old town,” was established. This school was
subsequently known as the Glebe school, from the fact that the trus-
tees of the Glebe were directed by the inhabitants of the patent to
pay to it that portion of revenues not appropriated to the Academy.
It also received one half of the public money after the creation of
the common school fund. It was conducted for several years by
Ebenezer Adams;* and for a few years prior to 1830, by John P. Tar-
bell. Mr. John Goodsell succeeded Mr. Tarbell and continued the
school until 1846 or ’47.
The first building occupied by the school was that previously spoken
of as the “ school-master’s house.” All the teachers appear to have
occupied this building prior to 1774. Mr. Hutchins and Mr. King
(the latter at least part of the time) held the school in the “ parsonage
house.” In 1789, the trustees rented a house for the school from
James Van Orsdall;f and Mr* Spierin held it in a house which now
forms part of the late residence of Charles F. V. Reeve. The school
(under the title of “the juvenile school of old town”), subsequently
occupied the old Lutheran church, where it was continued down to
1846 or *47, when it was removed to the Academy.
On the 6th of April, 1848, the legislature passed an act to divide
school district No. 13, and to erect No. 15. The law also directed the
levying of a tax of $5,000 upon district No. 13, as it existed prior to
the passage of the act; and that $3,000 of the money so raised should
be applied to the extinguishment of a debt on that district* and that
the remainder should be expended in the erection of a school building
in district No. 15. The trustees of the new district were also em-
powered to receive such portion of the Glebe moneys as the inhabi-
tants should direct and apply the same to the reduction of rate bills.
* Ebenezer Adams came to Newburgh in 1807. He taught at the Glebe school-house,
partly on the Lancaster system, where he continued for ten years, giving general satisfac-
tion. After leaving the school he opened a grocery store in Water street, between John
Brown’s and John McAuley’s store, where he continued until his death in 1824. He was
married twice and had six children, three sons and three daughters.
t The trustees purchased new furniture for the school at this time. The account of the
treasurer contains the following items, viz:
“To cash paid D. Howell for boards,&c., for a writing table for the school, £0 5s Od
“	“	Geo. Gardner for 1 lb. nails for the school,	0	Is	Od
“	“	David Howell for 1 lb. nails for the school,	0	0s	lid
“	“	William Nicols for 5 slabs for seats for the school,	0	7s	6d”340
HIS TOBY OF NEWBURGH.
The new district was immediately organized under this law; and a
site was selected and the erection of a school building commenced.
Before the building was completed, the inhabitants were called to de-
termine what disposition should be made of the Glebe revenues be-
yond the amount directed by law to be paid to the trustees of the
Academy. The trustees of the Glebe at that time, viz: John Bev-
ridge, Samuel J. Farnum, and T. M. Niven, proposed that the unap-
propriated balance should be devoted to the payment of scholarships
in the Academy; but the suggestion was not favorably received, and,
at a public meeting held on the 13th of April, 1849, it was rejected.
At the same meeting a resolution was adopted directing the trustees
of the Glebe to pay to the trustees of school district No. 15, whatever
revenue might be derived from the Glebe, “ over and above the sum
required by law to be paid to the Academy.55 The resolution also
declared, that “the said district school, No. 15, shall hereafter be
known as the Glebe school;55 and this designation continued until the
adoption of the present free school system.
Newburgh Academy.—The Newburgh Academy was erected in 1795-
56. On the settlement of the Rev. Mr. Spierin, in 1790, he announced
his intention to open “an Academy for the instruction of youth in the
Greek and Latin languages, and the different other branches of liter-
ature;” and with a view to encourage the establishment of a school of
the character proposed, the trustees of the Glebe stated that “ a sub-
scription would be set on foot for the building of a convenient house
for a Seminary.”* In 1791, an effort was made to carry this promise
into effect, and to that end an application was made to the legisla-
ture for permission to establish a lottery; but for reasons already
stated, the application failed. The trustees again took up the matter
in 1795; and succeeded in completing the building in 1796.*)*
The institution continued under the charge of the trustees of the
Glebe until 1804, when a meeting of the inhabitants of the patent
* To the Public.—The Rev. George H. Spierin having lately settled at Newburgh, in the
county of Ulster and state of New York, on the lands formerly granted by the govern-
ment for the support of a Minister and School—this is therefore to inform the public that
he proposes opening an Academy for the instruction of youth in the Greek and Latin lan-
guages, and the different other branches of literatiire, so soon as a sufficient number of
pupils shall offer themselves. Proper accommodations for their reception will be prepared.
Boarding, washing, and lodging, at £20 per year, (or $1 per week), and £6 for tuition. A
subscription will be set on foot for the building of a convenient house for a Seminary, and
in the meanwhile convenient rooms for the purpose will be provided. The agreeable and
healthy situation of the town of Newburgh, its easy communication with every state in
the Union, with various other concurring circumstances, render it a most desirable spot
for such an institution. Gentlemen inclining to encourage this undertaking, will be kind
enough to signify the same by sending their names to the Rev. Mr. Spierin, or to Isaac
Belknap and Cadwallader Colden, Trustees of Glebe.—Ado. Goshen Bepos., July 13,1790.
t It has been generally supposed that the Academy was erected by individual subscrip-
tions, but the records of the trustees of the Glebe do not confirm this tradition. If sub-
scriptions were made, they Were very limited in amount. The account of Andrew Lyons,
the builder, only reached £350, and of this sum Hugh Walsh advanced £215, and was not
fully paid in several years, as appears by his ledger account.CHUROIIES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
341
was held (June 2d), at which the following persons were elected
“trustees to take charge of the school in the Academy,55 viz: James
Bate, Anthony Davis, William W. Sackett, Daniel Birdsall, James
Coulter, William Boss, Bichard Hudson, Charles Clinton, and Edward
Howell. In 1806, it was incorporated under the general statute of
the state. The trustees named in the charter were Daniel Niven, Jas.
Scrimgeour, Danl. Birdsall, Jonas Storey, Abm. Schultz, David Eowler,
John Johnston, John McAuley, John Brown, Hugh Spier, Derick
Amerman, Wm. Boss, and Daniel C. Yerplanck.
The names of the first and of several of the succeeding teachers of
the Academy, cannot now he ascertained. In 1799, Sami. Nicholson
was principal, and John Gillespie was assistant; 1802, James Lawre-
more, principal; 1803-4, Nathan H. White; 1805, Joel Cooper; 1806,
Mr. Brackett; 1807, B. W. Thompson; 1809, Jabez Munsel.* The
more recent principals were Luther Halsey* Bev. J. T. Halsey, E. C.
Benedict, f E. Burt, J. Stark, Edgar Perkins, Bev. Dr. Prime, and Bev.
B. B. Hall. The school was especially successfully conducted during
the administrations of Mr. Halsey, Mr. Perkins, and Mr. Prime.
The Academy building is located on the west side of Montgomery
street, a short distance north from South street. When it was erected
only the principal floor
was finished for school
purposes. In 1798, the
courts of the county were
directed by law to be held
at Newburgh and at Go-
shen alternately, and for
their accommodation the
upper floor was finished.
A stairway was placed on
the north side, and two
jury rooms, a hall, and	newbuegh academy—1857.
court-room occupied the floor. Courts were held here from 1798 until
1843, or about forty-five years. The court-room was also used for pub-
lic meetings; the general and town elections were held there, and, as
has been already shown, it was the cradle of several of the churches
of the city. A few changes have since been made in the external ap-
pearance of the building, as well as in its internal arrangement. It
is now held by the Board of Education, and is occupied by the senior
or academic department of the public schools.
* Mr. Munsel removed to Kingston, in 1812, and was principal of the Academy there.
t E. C. Benedict studied law with Betts & Belknap. He removed to New York; was one
of the members of Assembly in 1861, and ^a,s a leading member of the Board of Educa-
tion of that city.	f342
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
High School—This institution was incorporated April 23d, 1829,
and was constituted the common school for district No. 13, which
then embraced the whole village of Newburgh. For the erection of
a school building, $1,400 was raised by a tax on the inhabitants of
the district, and $3,600 by a loan which was divided into shares of
$25 each. The building was completed and opened for scholars in
February, 1830, at which time John P. Tarbell and Miss Mary Ross
were employed as teachers. The following persons composed the first
board of trustees, viz: Wm. M. Wiley, Edmund Sanxay, and James
Belknap; Thos. C. Ring, clerk, and David M. DuBois, collector.
Orville M. Smith succeeded Mr. Tarbell in 1834, and held the position
of principal with great credit until the close of the December term in
1848, when he resigned. His successor, James P. Brown, served until
March, 1852, when S. G. McLaughlin was appointed principal and held
that position until the system of free schools was established and the
old organization dissolved The building was removed in 1872.
Free Schools.—The movement which resulted in the adoption of the
present free school system, was commenced in the spring of 1851,
when, by the passage of the general free school law, the necessity of
furnishing increased school accommodations was thrown upon the
trustees of the several school districts. With a view to meet the re-
quirements of the new system, and to extend the principle upon
which it Was founded beyond the provisions of the state law, so far
as the village of Newburgh was concerned, Moses H. Belknap, Nelson
Haight, and Robt. Sterling, trustees of district No. 13, and John Bev-
ridge, A. Gerald Hull, and Nathan Reeve, trustees of district No. 15,
held a joint meeting in May and passed the following resolution, viz:
“ Resolved, That the inhabitants of the village of Newburgh be invited to attend a
meeting, to be held at Washington Hall on Monday evening, the 12th inst., to consider the
propriety of applying to the next Legislature for a law to unite the whole village in one
district—to make all schools in the district free schools—the same to be under the charge
of a Board of Education to be elected by the people, in manner similar to other cities and
villages in the state.”
At the meeting held pursuant to this resolution, Mr. Haight and
Mr. Reeve united in a report showing the necessity for increased
school accommodations, and proposing a system of free schools and
the establishment of a free academy. The report was accepted, but
definite action was postponed until the 23d, for the purpose of ascer-
taining the probability of securing the cooperation of the trustees of
the Academy, with a view to make that institution the free academy
suggested. Mr. Reeve then submitted the draft of a law for the pur-
poses embraced in the report, which was referred to a committee for
examination.
The meeting held on the 23d adopted the plan proposed, and the
trustees of the Academy signified their willingness to unite in theCHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
343
movement. In this shape the subject remained until February 27,
1852, when it was again considered at a public meeting and the law
prepared in 1851 approved. On the 6th of April, the “ Act to provide
for the establishment of Free Schools in the village of Newburgh,”
passed the legislature; and the Academy, the High school, and the
Glebe school, ceased their separate organizations.
The first election under the law of April 6th, was held on the 3d of
May, when John Bevridge, John J. Monell, Nathl. Jones, Chas. F. V.
Beeve, Geo. W. Kerr, D. G. Leonard, L. B. Gregory, Bev. John
Brown, and Thos. C. Bing, were chosen “ trustees of common schools,”
and constituted “The Board of Education of the Village of New-
burgh.” The first meeting of the board was held May 12th, when
its organization was completed by the election of John Bevridge pre-
sident, and Nathaniel Jones clerk.
The schools were soon after reorganized under what is known as
the graded system. The Academy was made the senior or highest
department, and intermediate and primary schools were opened in
the High school and ,in the Glebe school. The accommodations for
the attendance of pupils were soon after materially increased by the
erection of a commodious building on Washington street; the Glebe
school building was enlarged, and a building for a primary school
fitted up adjoining the Academy; a school for colored children, and a
system of evening schools, were also established. Several changes
have since been made. The senior department is now substantially
academic, the intermediates are grammar schools, the grade of the
primaries has been raised, and the colored school abolished. Three
modem buildings have been erected, and two enlarged. Six build-
ings are now in occupation, with accommodations for 3000 pupils.*
The value of school property in 1860 was $40,000; in 1875, $185,000.
:—In addition to the free schools of the city, there are in the town
fourteen school districts under the general school law of the state.
A free school is also maintained by St. Patrick’s church, to which
more extended reference has already been made.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
Very creditable private schools have been conducted at different
periods. The first of thj$ class, with the exception of that opened by
Mr. Spierin, was established by Bev. Jonathan Freeman and Silvanus
Haight, April 17, 1802, under the title of Cliosophic Hall. It was a
boarding and day schopl, and was held in the building now No. 169
* The South street building was erected in 1866, and cost (including furniture) $35,830.
The West Newburgh building ^7as erected in 1867, at a cost of $16,795.60. The Washing-
ton street building was enlarge^ in 1869 and again in 1873, and (with original expenditure)
cost $25,639.36. The, Grand5 afreet building was erected in 1872, at a cost of $37,072.91.
The Clinton afreet school was enlarged in 1870, at a cost of $6,738.92. The Library build-
ing (now erecting) has an estimate cost of $25,000. Total, $147,076.35.344
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
Montgomery street. Miss Heffernan succeeded Mr. Freeman in 1804,
and established the first purely female school, A private school con-
ducted by Robert Gardiner, about the same time, attracted a fair
patronage. Mrs. DeVendel followed Miss Heffernan in 1820, and
subsequently similar schools by the Misses Phillips, the Rev. Mr. Ray-
mond, Mr. A. Barker, and others; one of some note is now con-
ducted by Miss Mackie. Joel Turrill, subsequently distinguished in
politics in western New York, had a select school for young men in
1816. Rev. Sami. Phinney, Mr. Alzamora, and M. L. Domanski, had
similar schools subsequently ; the latter was succeeded by H. S. Banks.
A mixed school on Smith street, known as the Newburgh Institute was
conducted for several years by John J. Brown. In 1858, Mr. W. N.
Reid purchased the building erected in 1837, for a boarding house in
connection with the Academy, and established a boaiding and day
school, which he continued a few years. The most prominent of the
private schools at the present time (1876) is that established by Prof.
H. W. Siglar in 1863, and known as the “Newburgh Institute.” It
occupies the stone school-building erected some years since oh the
Theological Seminary property, and first occupied by Mr. Saunders.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
Newburgh Library Association.—The Newburgh Library Association
was organized December, 1835, by stock subscriptions. A. J. Down-
ing, Abm. M. Smith, John W. Knevels, J. J. Monell, M. Y. B. Fowler,
D. G. Leonard, and Allred Post were the first trustees. A. J. Down-
ing, president; Alfred Post, treasurer; Chas. U. Cushman, librarian.
The first books held by the association were donated to it by indi-
viduals. Subsequently funds were raised by fairs. In 1838, a regatta
for the benefit of the library yielded $300; and during the same year,
Abm. M. Smith, by will, gave $500 to the association. It continued
in existence until 1847, when it was united with the Mechanics' Li-
brary Association.
Newburgh Mechanics' Library Association.—This association was or-
ganized Nov. 27, 1838, by the joint exertions of a few individuals who
felt deeply the necessity for an institution which should combine the
advantages of a Well-selected library with that of a debating society.
A plan of organization having been agreed upon, a meeting of the
mechanics of the village was called at Nicholson's hotel, on Wednes-
day evening, Dec. 5th. At this meeting, which was well attended, a
constitution was adopted and officers for the association elected.
The minutes of the association date from Dec. 4, 1839; hence the
names of its first officers do not appear. The officers elected in 1839
were as follows: President, Miles Warren; vice presidents, Charles U.
Cushman, D. H. Barclay; recording secretary, John R. Wiltsie; cor-CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, J?TC.
345
Responding secretary, John Caughey; librarians, Robt. Sterling, John
Little, Jr.; treasurer, John B. Jamison; executive committee, Robert
Sterling, John Filkins, E. G. Woolsey, C. S. Russell, Jas. S. Young.
On the 29th March, 1842, the association was incorporated, by an
act of the legislature* under the name of the “Newburgh Mechanics’
Library Association,” for the “purpose of establishing and main-
taining a library, reading room, literary and scientific lectures, and
other means of promoting the moral, intellectual and mechanical im-
provement ” of its members.
The association established its first course of public lectures Janu-
ary 5th, 1846, and continued them annually until 1858. The library
of the association was collected by the contribution of books, and by
purchases made from the proceeds of several fairs. On the 23d Sep-
tember, 1847, an arrangement was effected with the stock-holders of
the Newburgh Library, by which the books and property of the asso-
ciation were transferred to the Mechanics. This arrangement estab-
lished a library of upwards of 3000 volumes, which was continued
until 1861, when, public attention having been called to the subject
in a series of articles in the News* it was, by the unanimous concur-
rence of the members, united with the school library and the founda-
tion of the present free library established.
Newburgh Free Library.—By the act establishing the present system
of free schools, the several school district libraries of the village were
consolidated, and a single library established. The collection embra-
ced some 2000 volumes, principally standard works. By subsequent
purchases the number was increased to about 5000. In 1861, a union
was effected with the Mechanics’ Library Association, by which a ma-
terial addition was secured; and in 1865, by an amedment to the free
school law, the library thus formed became the Newburgh Free Li-
brary, with power in the Board of Education to provide for its main-
tenance by tax. During the year 1860, a very neat library building
was erected, on Grand street, by the Board of Education, and was
occupied until its removal in 1874. A more costly and commodious
building is now (1876) in process of erection.
—In addition to the public libraries named, there are in the town
fourteen school district libraries; and the Sunday-school libraries of
the several churches probably embrace not less than 6000 volumes.
The library of the Theological Seminary, embracing some 3600 vol-
umes, is also located here. A small library in connection with St.
Patrick’s church has been referred to elsewhere.
NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS.
The first paper published in Newburgh was the Newburgh Packet;
* Files of Daily News; also report of Board of Education for 1865.346
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
’ it was printed by Lucius Carey in 1795.* * * § It is said to have been pur-
chased by David Denniston in 1797, who changed its name to The
Mirror, of which Philip Yan Horne (1797) and Jos. W. Barber (1799)
were the printers. In 1799, Jacob Schultz removed to Newburgh the
New Windsor Gazette, the name of which he changed to the Orange
County Gazette.f This paper was purchased by David Denniston, and
its name changed to The Citizen.% In 1799, the Rights of Man was
established by Elias Winfield, § for whom it was printed by Benoni
H. Howell. || This paper was also purchased by David Denniston
and The Citizen incorporated with it. The Recorder of the Times was
commenced by Dennis Coles, in 1803. The Mirror was absorbed by
the Rights of Man in 1804; and the latter by the Recorder in 1805.
On the 10th of April, 1806, the Recorder was purchased by Ward M.
Gazlay and the name changed to the Political Index, under which it
was continued until 1829.
The Mirror and the Citizen were the advocates of Paine’s infidel
teachings. The Gazette was anti-infidel. The Rights of Man was more
especially devoted to the interests of that branch of the republican
party of which Jefferson was the representative. The Recorder of the
Times claimed to be republican, but was generally regarded as rep-
resenting “the Federalists and Burnt es.”The Political Index appa-
* It has hitherto been supposed that the Mirror was the first paper printed in Newburgh.
The publication of the Packet was revealed accidentally. In 1850, a family of strangers,
while moving through the village, dropped a bundle from their loaded wagon. The pack-
age was not observed until after the family had crossed the river on the ferry. On exami-
nation it proved to be a file of the Packet. The thoughtless hands into which it had fallen
soon divided it up among friends, and scattered it beyond the possibility of recovery.
The copy which was preserved was dated Tuesday, Feb. 20, 1795. It contained an ac-
count of a fire which “ broke out in the store of Mr. John McAuley, but by the exertions
of the citizens the flames were happily extinguished without any material damage to the
building;” and forcibly urged the necessity of having an “Engine in town.” Among the
advertisers were the names of John Harris—then but a short time in business—Robert R.
Burnet, Levi Dodge, Wm. Miller, Gen. James Clinton, Isaac Hasbrouck, and Hugh Walsh,
f The publication of this paper was commenced Nov. 10, 1797, in the village of New
Windsor. Abraham Lott was the printer for Mr. Schultz. The title of the paper was re-
vived and its publication re-commenced by Gabriel Denton, at Goshen, in 1805.
X This statement is on the authority of the late Jacob Schultz. It is possible that his
recollection was confused with the title of Mr. Denniston’s New York paper.
§ Elias Winfield, the first editor of the Rights of Man, was a physician and druggist,
and made himself somewhat notorious, in 1803, by his advocacy of the theory that the
yellow fever was of “ domestic origin,” and that it was “ not a contagious disease.”
David Denniston, his predecessor as well as successor in editorial life, was a man of
strong character, and a radical in religion as well as politics. He became notorious
through his writings in The Mirror in opposition to Christianity, and subsequently through
the Rights of Man in political literature. He seems to have been a very busy man in
printing newspapers, having at different times held The Mirror, The Citizen, and the
Rights of Man, in the local field, and for a time (1802) had editorial connection with the
American Citizen and Watch Tower of New York. His occupation was- that of a printer
and book-binder. His office was located on the north-west half of lot No. 5 of the town-
ship of Washington (now about No. 74 Water street). The building was burned in 1817.
It was then occupied by B. F. Lewis as a bookstore and bindery. He died in Newburgh,
Dec. 13,1803, of “malignant fever.”
|| Dennis Coles printed it in 1802; Robt. Hinchman in 1803, and Thos. Wilson in 1804.
The precise date of its discontinuance is not known.
IT “The pretended republicans of Orange County, not satisfied with the Rights of Man,
published at Newburgh by Mr. Denniston, have established a new paper called the Recor-
der of the Times.”—Friend of Truth, Aug. 1803.CHURCHES. SCHOOLS, ETC.
347
r.ently consolidated the interests of the republican party. It gave a
hearty support to the administration of Jefferson and of Madison,
and to the war of 1812. Its political articles were mainly from the
pen of Jonathan Fisk, one of the most able men of the period. Its
only competitor was the Orange County Patriot and Spirit of 'IQ, a
paper of federal or anti-war politics, a new series of which was com-
menced at Newburgh, in 1812, by Lewis & Crowell. It was subse-
quently removed to Goshen, from whence it came.
The Political Index was purchased, in 1829, by Charles U. Cushman,
who changed its name to the Orange Telegraph, and, subsequently, to
the Newburgh Telegraph. It continued under the management of Mr.
Cushman until October, 1839, when it passed into the hands of Henry
H. Yan Dy^ck. In the winter of 1840, Elias Pitts became the editor,
and continued the publication of the paper until May 1, 1850, when
it was purchased by E. M. Buttenber. Mr. Buttenber sold the estab-
lishment to Joseph Lawson, Oct. 1, 1857; re-purchased it May 1,1859,
and sold it in 1861 to E. W. Gray, who sold to Geo. M. Warren (1864),
who sold to Isaac Y. Montanye (1864), who sold to E. M. Buttenber
(1865), who sold to A. A. Bensel (1867), who sold to J. J. McNally
(1869), who sold to Dr. Cooper (1874), who sold to N. H. Schram.
The latter was succeeded by E. J. Horton in 1875.
The publication of the Newburgh Gazette was commenced by John
D. Spalding, June, 1822. Its subsequent publishers were as follows:
Spalding & Parmenter,* from 1825 to 1832; Knevels & Spalding,
1832 to 1836; Knevels & Leslie,f 1836 and 1837; Wallace & Sweet,
1837 and 1838; Samuel T. Callahan, 1838 to 1852; William L. Alli-
son, 1852 to 1855; Boyal B. Hancock, 1855 to February 1856, when
Eugene W. Gray, became the proprietor. In the summer of 1856,
Mr. Gray commenced, in connection with it, the publication of the
Daily Neivs, mainly designed for political purposes, and continued it
until December. He again resumed it in January, and in February,
1857, united his establishment with the Telegraph. The Gazette and
the Telegraph were continued as weeklies under the consolidation, and
the News as a daily until 1864, when the Gazette was dropped and
the title of News changed to the Daily Telegraph. After a temporary
discontinuance! during the winter of 1864, the daily was resumed
under the titles of. the Daily Union. In 1866, the title of both the
weekly and the daily was changed to the Press. The old title of the
Telegraph was restored in 1869.
In 1833 or J34, Mr. Spalding commenced the publication of the
Newburgh Journal, which he continued until 1843, when he changed
* Samuel Parmenter, father of the late Genl. S. C. Parmenter.
f John W. Knevels and William Leslie. Mr. Leslie was the father of Alex. Leslie.348
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
the name to the Highland Courier. The Courier was continued by
Mr. S. until his death, Aug. 22, 1853, and subsequently by his widow,
Mrs. E. L. Spaulding, who sold it, in 1855, to William E. Smiley. In
August, 1858, Edward Nixon became the proprietor. In 1859, Eufus
A. Reed purchased the establishment and changed the name of the
paper to the Highland Chieftain. Mr. Reed sold to Cyrus B. Martin,
who resumed the title of Newburgh Journal, and commenced, in 1863,
the publication of the Daily Journal.
In addition to these papers, The Beacon, an anti-Jackson campaign
paper, was published in 1828; the late Judge William B. Wright was
its editor. In 1834, Wallace & Sweet published the National Adver-
tiser—subsequently merged in the Gazette. Thos. George commenced,
in 1849, the publication of the Newburgh Excelsior. This .paper was
purchased by E. M. Ruttenber, in May, 1851, and merged in the Tele-
graph. In 1855, the publication of the Newburgh American was com-
menced by R. P. L. Shafer, and continued three or four weeks. In
March, 1856, the Newburgh Times, a temperance paper, was commen-
ced by Royal B. Hancock, as agent for an association of gentlemen.
It subsequently passed into the hands of R. Bloomer & Son, who sold
to Alexander Wilson. Charles Blanchard purchased from Mr. Wil-
son, and commenced (1867) the issue of the Newburgh Daily Dem-
ocrat, but failed in a few months. The establishment was then broken
up. The Daily Penny Post was commenced by an association of
printers in October, 1875; and the Daily Mail by a similar association
in the spring of 1876. The former was discontinued in June, 1876.
There have also been several religious publications. In 1824, the
Rev. J. R. Willson commenced the publication of a monthly magazine
of forty-eight pages, under the title of the Evangelical Witness. It
was devoted to the exposition of the faith of the Reformed Presby-
terian church, and was continued four years. It was succeeded by
the Christian Statesman, which lasted only one year. On the 1st of
March, 1836, by the appointment of the Synod of that church, the
Rev. Moses Roney commenced the publication of the Reformed Pres-
byterian, a monthly magazine of thirty-two pages. Mr. Roney re-
moved this magazine to Pittsburg, Pa., in 1849. Here he published
it until his death in 1854; it was subsequently continued there by
Mrs. Roney, and is now conducted by the Rev. Thos. Sproul. In
October, 1859, the Rev. David L. Proudfit commenced the publication
of the Family Visitor, a monthly Quarto, which he contiuued one year.
In 1845, he published the first number of the Christian Instructor, a
monthly magazine of thirty-two pages, which he continued for two
years. It was then sold to the Rev. J. B. Dales who removed it to
Philadelphia. In 1856, the Catholic Library Association commenced9
CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.	349
the publication of the Catholic Library Magazine, John Ashhurst, editor,
which was continued monthly until August, 1860.
Literary serials have been numerous, but without permanency. In
May, 1832, John W. Knevels issued the first number of a monthly
quarto called Tablets of Rural Economy. It was only continued for a
few months. In 1855, R. B. Denton commenced the Literary Scrap-
Book, a monthly magazine of forty-eight pages; but it failed in a
short time. The Acorn, a small monthly, was commenced by an asso-
ciation of students of Mr* Domanski’s school, in 1857, and was dis-
continued in 1859. The title was subsequently resumed in a publica-
tion by the students of the Newburgh Institute, under the auspices of
Mr. Siglar. In 1867, S. S. Wood commenced the publication of the
Household Advocate, an eight page monthly. Having secured a large
circulation, he changed the form and the title to Household Magazine,
the circulation of which at one time reached sixty thousand. The
publication failed in 1874. Meanwhile Mr. Wood, who retired from
the old publication in 1874 prior to its failure, endeavored to intro-
duce a larger magazine, but without success. In 1869, A. A. Bensel
started the Home, Farm and Orchard, an eight page weekly, and ran
it until the spring of 1876. The Musical Bulletin, a monthly quarto,
was issued by Demorest & Burr during the years 1872 and 1873.
The list of publications is substantially completed with the titles of
a series of what were known as “ amateur newspapers,” from 1871 to
1873—the Comet, by Henri Gerard (1871), the Index, by J. Walker
F. Ruttenber (1871), the Collector, by D. W. Jigger (1871), the
Pajcket, by W. H. Wood and D. W. Corwin (1872), the Laurel, by A.
Milligan (1872), and the Amateur Herald, by T. R. Balf (1872). The
Index survived its contemporaries, and closed its life in the hands of
D. W. Jagger.
LITERARY, RELIGIOUS, AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
Newburgh Lyceum of the Natural Sciences.—This society was organ-
ized Sept. 7, 1824, and had an active existence for several years. Its
officers were as follows: President, Wm. Ross; vice presidents, David
R. Arnell, Albert Christie, A. M. Smith, S. R. Betts, David Fowler;
cor. secretaries, Jas. R. Willson, Luther Halsey, Jr.; treasurer, Wm.
Seymour; curators, John T. Halsey, John Johnston, Geo. Gordon.
Newburgh Lyceum Association.—The first meeting in reference to
the organization of the Newburgh Lyceum was held in the High
School on the evening of Dec. 18, 1837, when a committee, of which
Rev. Dr. Johnston was chairman, was appointed to confer with leading
citizens on the subject. At a meeting held on the evening of the 20th,
Dr. Johnston made a favorable report. A constitution and by-laws
were submitted by S. W. Eager, N. S. Prime, J. W. Knevels, Sami.350
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
Phinney, A. J. Downing, Victor M. Watkins, Jas. H. Perry, A. B. Bel-
knap, and Jno. J. Monell, committee, which was adopted. The first
lecture before the association was delivered by Bev. N. S. Prime, Dec.
27, 1837. An annual course was maintained until 1844 or 1845.
Newburgh Historical Society.—This society was organized in Febru-
ary, 1845, by Rev. John Forsyth, Rev. A. B. Van Zandt, Sami. W.
Eager, Peter F. Hunn, G. 0. Monell, A. J. Prime, M. Stevenson, and
other gentlemen. At its first meeting, Rev. Dr. Forsyth was elected
president; Doct. A. J. Prime, secretary; and Doct. M. Stevenson, S.
W. Eager, and P. F. Hunn, curators. The society had an active ex-
istence for about two years, during which time a considerable collec-
tion of manuscripts, coins, minerals, etc., was made, now mainly pre-
served at Washington’s head-quarters.
Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society.—This society was organ-
ized Nov. 20, 1840, by David C. Ringland, Jno. IL Lawson, Geo. W.
Clarke, and other young men, who took an interest in but were de-
barred from participation in the debates instituted by the Mechanics’
Library Association. The society attained considerable strength and
accumulated a library of about 600 volumes; but after a year or two
disbanded and transferred its books to the Mechanics.
Newburgh Sabbath-school Society.—This society was formed in 1816.
It was one of the first agencies employed to awaken an interest in
Sabbath schools, and to promote their establishment in connection
with the several churches. A union Sabbath-school was conducted
for several years under its auspices in the session-room of the First
Presbyterian church. The society continued in existence until the
object had in view by its founders was accomplished.
Newburgh Bible Society.—This society was organized September 9,
1818, at a meeting held in the First Presbyterian church, when a
constitution was adopted and the following officers elected, viz: Jonas
Storey, president; Isaac Belknap and Jos. Clark, vice presidents; Rev.
John Johnston, cor. secretary; Charles Miller, rec. secretary; Benj. F.
Lewis, treasurer. It still has an active existence.;
Newburgh Mission Society.—The “Newburgh Mission Society,” for
“ aiding missions in the propagation of the Gospel,” was organized
in 1823, and continued in existence for several years.
Young Men's Christian Association.—The first1 association of this
character was organized Sept. 15, 1858—Arthur Potts, president.
The present association is its successor.
Newburgh Home for the Friendless.—This institution was organized
in the autumn of 1861, at a meeting of ladies connected with the sev-
eral churches, under the title of the Newburgh Union Female Guar-
dian Society. At the meeting of the legislature in 1862, the societyCHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC.
351
was incorporated, by special act, under the title which it now bears.
Its object is to provide a home for “friendless or destitute girls, under
fourteen and over three years of age, and boys under ten and over
three years, until permanent homes can be secured for them, by adop-
tion or otherwise/5 The Home was organized in the building on the
north-west corner of Grand and Clinton streets, In 1864, the Acad-
emy boarding-house building was purchased and has since been de-
voted to that purpose. Its cost was about $8,700, which was prin-
cipally obtained from subscriptions. In 1866, from constitution as
residuary legatee of Lewis Jennings, a fund of $13,097.77 was se-
' cured, the income from which, with the addition of subscriptions, has
hitherto been sufficient to meet the annual expenditures.
St. Luke's Home, and Hospital.— This institution was formally organ-
ized by the adoption of constitution Nov. 4th, 1874. The first board
of managers was elected on the 11th of the same month, viz: Mrs.
Haslit McKim, president; Mrs. Smith Ely, vice president; Mrs. John
L. Bogers, secretary; Miss Julia E. LeBoy, treasurer. Soon after or-
ganization a house was leased on DuBois street and has since been
occupied. The object of the institution is “to provide a home for the
aged, the indigent, and the infirm, and a hospital for the sick/5
New England Society.—This society was organized February, 1867,
(Daniel B. St. John, president,) and has since held annual festivals.
Masonic.—The first Masonic lodge in this section of the state was
called American Union Lodge. It was organized under a traveling
dispensation, and usually accompanied the head-quarters of the army.
The first located lodge in Newburgh was Steuben Lodge, No. 18.
Its charter was applied for by F. A. Morris and nine others, June 5,352
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
1788, and it was constituted Sept. 27, of that year. No further facts
in reference to its history or membership can be obtained except that
Ebenezer Foot, Levi Dodge, and Chas. Clinton, were P. M.’s in 1797.
Its charter was probably surrendered soon after the commencement
of the present century. In 1806, Hiram Lodge, No. 131, was constitu-
ted—Jonathan Fisk, M.; Chas. Baker, S. W.; J. R. Drake, J. W. Its
charter was surrendered in 1831. In 1842, (Sept. 7), the charter was
revived and the number changed to 92—Peter F. Hunn, M.; Minard
Harris, S. W.; James Belknap, J. W. It was again surrendered in
1844. In 1853, (June 11), Newburgh Lodge, No. 309, was constitu-
ted; Hudson River Lodge, No. 607, was constituted June 11, 1866;
Highland Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M., Feb. 10, 1864; King Solomon’s
Council, No. 31, Feb. 4, 1868; Hudson River Commandery, K. T.,
Sept. 27, 1865; Adonai Grand Lodge of Perfection, 1872.*
Odd-Fellows.—The following lodges of this order have been located
in Newburgh, viz:
Highland Lodge, No. 65,	Inst. 1842 i Kossuth Lodge, No. 129,	Inst. 1850
Orange County Lodge, No. 74,	“ 1842 Myrtle Degree Lodge, No. 20,	“ 1845
Hudson River Lodge, No. 281,	“ 1847 I Mt. Carmel Encampment, No. 21, “ 1845
The order was in a very flourishing condition about 1851, when it
began to decay through the divisions growing out of the new consti-
tution movement. Highland Lodge alone siirvived the ordeal, and
now has as its contemporaries Bismark Lodge (German), Mount
Olive Encampment, and Van Nort Degree Lodge.
Temperance Societies.—Three divisions of the Sons of Temperance,
viz: Orange, Quassaick, and Fraternal, were organized prior to 1858;
also, Avoca Tent of Rechabites, a Social Union of the order intro-
duced by Col. E. L. Snow; a Section of the Cadets of Temperance;
and a Tent of Good Templars. They all failed after a few years con-
tinuance, and their places are now supplied by Mission Lodge, New-
burgh Lodge, and Union Lodge, Good Templars, and St. Patrick’s
T. A. B. Society.
Miscellaneous.—The Knights of Pythias have two Lodges, Storm
King and Frederick William; the O. U. A. M., a Council; the Ger-
mans, a Mannerchor and Turn Verein; the Hebrews, a Bnai Brith
Lodge and a Kescher Schell Bassel Lodge; and the Catholics an
O’Connell Benevolent Association and a Mutual Alliance and Benevo-
lent Association.
* The oldest located Masonic Lodge in this section of the state was constituted at Fish-
kill, June 7,1786, on the petition of Hugh McConnell and others. It bore the title of St.
Simon and St. Jude Lodge. The second was Steuben Lodge, at Newburgh; the third, St.
John’s Lodge, No..21, constituted at Warwick, March 26,1790; the fourth, Orange Lodge,
No. 45, at Goshen, March 12,1796; the fifth, Montgomery Lodge, No. 61, at Montgomery,
June 14,1797; the sixth, St. James Lodge, at Middletown, Jan. 6th, 1798; the seventh,
Olive Branch Lodge, at Minnisink, Dec. 7,1803; the eighth, Hiram Lodge, at Newburgh.Engfby J.C .M?Rae.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
353
CHAPTER XIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SKETCHES.
N addition to the facts given in the previous pages of this work,
little information has been obtained in reference to the personal
history of any of the members of the company of Palatine immigrants
by whom the settlement of Newburgh was commenced. The record
is clear that they had been reduced to extreme poverty, in the place
of their nativity, “ under the calamity which happened last year (1707)
in the Palatinate by the invasion of the French,” and especially “by
the frequent incursions of the French and Germans near Landau.”
Those of them who have descendants in the city or county were:
Joshua Kockerthal.—Joshua Kockerthal, or “de Kockerthal,” as
his name was sometimes written, was called by the Lords of Trade,
the “High German Minister.” He appears to have been the leader
of the company, but was only a resident of Newburgh a short time
if at all. The larger company of Palatines who came over in 1710,
and who were settled in the present county of Columbia, Deceived his
principal attention, and the last eight or nine years of his life was
almost wholly spent among them. At the time of his removal to
America (1708), his family was composed of himself, his wife, and
three children, whose names and ages are recorded in the return to
the Lords of Trade* as follows, viz:
Joshua Kockerthal,	Minister, Age 39 | Benigna Sibylle Kockerthal, Child, Age 10
Sibylle Kockerthal,	Wife, “ 39 | Christian Joshua Kockerthal, “	“ 7
Susanna Sibylle Kockerthal, -	-	-	-	-	“	“	3
Two other children, Cathalina, and Louisa Abigail, were born to him
after his settlement in this country. He died about the year 1719, and
his wife probably did not long survive him. Christian Joshua, his son
received an appointment as clerk or superintendent of one of the Pala-
tine settlements in Columbia county. He died in 1731, without issue,
and the family name became extinct. Benigna Sibylle married Wil-
liam Christopher Berkenmyer (the Lutheran minister who performed
pastoral services at New York and Newburgh in 1725f), and settled
in Albany county. Susanna Sibylle married William Heurtin, gold-
smith, of Bergen county, N. J., and has descendants in the family of
* Col. Hist., v., 52. Landau is on the Queich in Rhenish Bavaria. f Ante p. 119.354
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
William Heurtin, of the town of WaUlrill. Cathalina married Petier
Lynch, merchant, of New York; and Louisa Abigail married John.
Brovort, goldsmith, of New York. The daughters became the heirs
to the lands in Newburgh, which were patented to the family,-—Be-
nigna and Susanna holding an interest by virtue of the terms of the
patent; Cathalina succeeding to the interest held by her mother, and
Louisa Abigail to that held by her brother,—and they united in a
sale of the property to James Smith, July 13, 1741.*
Michael Weigand.—The family of Michael Weigand, another of the
Palatine immigrants, was composed as follows, viz:
. Michael Weigand, Husbandman, Aged 52 I Anna Maria Weigand,	Child, Aged 13
Anna Catharine Weigand, Wife, “ 511 Tobias Weigand,	“.	“	7
George Weigand, -	-	-	-	-	-	-	“	“	3
Weigand located permanently in Newburgh, and was the owner of
lot No. 2 of the patent. His son, Tobias, was chosen one of the trus-
tees of the Glebe in 1725, and served in that capacity until the elec-
tion of Colden and Albertson. Martin, the son of Tobias, opened the
first principal tavern in the placed and this occupation he continued
to follow until his death in 1792, without issue. George, the second
son of Michael, had several children of whom Michael2 was the father
of Capt. Martin Weigand, who followed for many years the joint occu-
pations of dock-builder and fisherman. From George also descended
the Marlborough families, now represented in Newburgh by J. O. Wy-
gant. Tobias was the founder of the Monroe branch, now represent-
ed by James and Charles H. Weygant.
Charles H. Weygant was born in Cornwall, July. 8,1839. He entered the volunteer
service, during the war of the rebellion, as captain of A company, 124th regiment; was
promoted major, lieutenant-colonel, and colonel; served in nearly all of the engagements
of the army of the Potomac, and was three times wounded in the field. He was elected
sheriff of Orange county in 1870, and retired from that position, as he did.previously from
the army, with the credit of faithful and honest administration.
Melchior Gulch.—The Palatine carpenter, Melchior Gulch, settled
near Middlehope, and his name appears in the tax-rolls of the pre-
cinct down to 1729, but in the meantime was changed to Gillis. J
At the time of their emigration to America the names and ages of the
family were returned as follows:
Melchior Gulch,	Carpenter, Age 39 I Margaret Gulch,	Child, Ago 12
Anna Catharine Gulch, Wife,	“ 43 j Heinrich Gulch,	“	“ 10
Margaret, the daughter, married William Ward, and her descendants
are now to be found in the famous oarsmen, the Ward brothers. It
is presumed that other children were bom in this country. The gen-
* This statement of facts is from the original deed, then in possession of the late Thomas
McKissock. The title to the property has since been questioned by William Heurtin, and
the deed (which is not of record) has been lost.	f Ante p. 129.
| Ante p. 133. The name is written Melchior Gulch in the records of 1708; Melgert the
Joyner in 1715, and Melchior Gillis in the patent granted to him in 1719, since which time it
has been written Gillis. Descendants through Jacob Gillis are still residents of the town.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
355
eaiogy of the family, however, cannot now be ascertained. The state-
ment already made, except that which is of record, is on the authority
of the late Jesse Gillis of Fostertown.
—The other members of the original company did not reside in
Newburgh for any considerable number of years. Their lands, how-
ever, were purchased by others among whom were Burger Meynders,
Zacharias Hoffman, James Smith, Nathan Smith, Alexander Col-den,
and Bichard Albertson.*
Burger Meynders.-—Burger Meynders was a blacksmith by trade,
and first settled at Kingston where he owned a lot, house, and shop,
in 1686. He sold his property there to Frederick Phillipse (1692),
and subsequently (1716) purchased from Peter Bose his interest in
the lands at Newburgh, where he settled. He had two sons, Burger,
Jr., and Frederick. The former was elected one of the trustees of
the Glebe in 1744, and held that position until 1747. He resided on
part of his father’s farm (lot No. 2) for which he received a deed
from his father, March 2,1726. He subsequently became part owner
of lot No. 3. He sold his Newburgh property (1747) to Jonathan
Hasbrouck, and removed to Shawangunk, where he erected the mill,
afterwards occupied by James Bate, at the mouth of the Dwaars kill.
The subsequent history of the family has not been traced.
Zacharias Hoffman.—Zacharias Hoffman, whose name frequently
occurs in the early records of the town, lived and died in Shawan-
gunk, Ulster county. He was one of the trustees of the Glebe from
1722 until his death, which occurred in 1744. He married Hester
Bruyn, Oct. 19, 1707, and had five children, of whom Zacharias, Jr.,
occupied the homestead* property.
Alexander Colden.—Probably none of the early settlers of New-
burgh took a more leading part in its affairs than did Alexander Col-
den. He was the oldest son of Gov. Cadwallader Colden,f and re-
moved to Coldenham with his father in 1728. J He was appointed
ranger of Ulster county in 1737, and soon after took up his residence
in the parish of Quassaick, where he had purchased lands, in compa-
ny with his father, ex-Governor Burnet and others; erected a wharf
and store-house at what is now the foot of First street, as well as the
flouring mill subsequently known as Hasbrouck5s mill, and engaged
in milling, forwarding and mercantile pursuits. In 1743, he obtained
a patent for the Newburgh ferry, by virtue of which the privilege is
* Ante p. 118,121.
f A biographical sketch of Gov. Colden may be found in Documentary History of New
York, iii. 829, with his portrait, autograph, and coat of arms.
| In a letter to Mr. Collinson, of London, dated May, 1742, Gov. Colden writes: “My
family being considerably increased, I left the city at the time Mr. Burnet was removed
from the Government,” &c, Gov. Burnet was removed in 1728, which fixes the date of
Gov. Colden’s settlement in this county.356
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
now held. He was active in the movement to wrest the Glebe from
the Lutheran church, and was instrumental in securing the Colden
and Albertson charter. He erected what was known as the Newburgh
House, at the junction of Colden and Water streets, where he resided
with his family until about 1762, when he was appointed joint-survey-
or-general with his father and removed to New York. He was sub-
sequently appointed postmaster of that city, and held that office until
his death, which occurred in 1775, in the 59th year of his age. He had
four daughters and two sons, but the relations which they sustained
towards the Crown, during the Revolution, compelled their removal
to England, and his family became extinct in this country.*
Richard Albertson.—Richard Albertson was a Hollander by birth
or parentage. He removed to Newburgh from Long Island some-
time about 1740; was elected one of the trustees of the Glebe in
1749; was sheriff of Ulster county in 1752. He is presumed to have
had sons Joseph and Richard. The latter was bom in 1752, and had
1. Grant; 2. Jeremiah; 3. Lucretia; 4. Lydia; 5. Joseph; 6. Maria;
7. Elsie. Jeremiah (2), born Dec. 12th, 1785, died in 1844; married
Roxanna Preston and had Washington, John, Lois, Charles, and Rox-
anna, of whom Washington is a resident of Newburgh. The family
is one of the few that has been continuous since first settlement.
—Several of the principal families who located here at an early pe-
riod, as well as in more modern times, may be noticed more at length.
THE SMITH FAMILY.
James Smith, the ancestor of the Smith family of Newburgh, was a
native of Ireland, and came to this country sometime about the year
1735. He settled temporarily in New Windsor, but subsequently
removed to Newburgh, having purchased from the heirs of Joshua
Kockerthal, in 1741, lot No. 5, in the original division of the German
patent.f He erected a log house fi^ar a spring on what is now Smith
street, between First and Second streets, and engaged in clearing the
land and in the general pursuit of husbandry. On his death, the farm
descended to his son Benjamin, who resided in the old homestead
house for a time and subsequently erected the dwelling on the south-
west corner of Liberty and Campbell streets. He sold the western
part of the farm to Thomas Woolsey, and laid out (1782) the eastern
* Ante p. 121, 122. Cadwallader Colden, the second son of Gov. Colden, resided at Col-
denham until his death. He was also interested in lands in Newburgh, and was active in
many of the local affairs of the town, especially in connection with the old St. George’s
church and the Glebe lands. The Coldens residing in Newburgh at the present time are
his descendants.
f Ante p. 121. “ James Edmonston (of New Windsor) married Margaret Smith in Ire-
land. She was the sister of James Smith, whom she brought to this country, and the
aunt of Benjamin Smith, his son.”—Eager's Orange County, 620.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
357
part in lots under the name of the Township of Washington.* He
appears to have contributed liberally to the establishment of churches
and schools, and to have been a citizen of some enterprise. During
the early part of the controversy with the mother country, he main-
tained the character of a whig, and was one of the first signers of the
pledge of association, and also an officer in the local militia. After
the declaration, however, it is said that he refused to be a party to
separation from royal authority, and while on his way to New York
(1777), in company with several persons who were known to be dis-
affected, he was arrested on a charge of intention to join the enemy
and, with his associates, was confined in the jail at Kingston,f and the
goods found in his possession were confiscated. He was soon after
released on parole, and resumed his residence in Newburgh. He
strongly affirmed his innocence of any intention to join the enemy,
and subsequently brought a suit against the committee of sequestra-
tion to recover the value of the property taken from him at the time
of his arrest; but the legislature passed a law (1782) forbidding the
courts from entertaining actions of that character. |
Benjamin Smith married, June 16, 1761, Elizabeth Leonard. He
died in 1813. His children were: 1. Betsey, who married Aiaron Fair-
child; 2. Mary, who married John Anderson; 3. Jane, who married
Robert Gardiner; 4. William L., who married Maria Cole, of King-
ston; 5. Abigail, who married Thomas Hinds; 6. James, who was lost
at sea; 7. Benjamin, who died unmarried; 8. Bridget, who married
Jonathan Carter; and 9. Catharine, who married Henry Tudor.
William L. Smith (4) was the principal heir to his father’s estate. He erected the
homestead house on the corner of Liberty and South streets, where he resided for several
years, and was engaged in mercantile and agricultural pursuits. He enjoyed the confi-
dence of his fellow-citizens to a high degree, and repeatedly held stations of local official
trust. His children were: 1. Benjamin, b. July 30,1803; 2. Catharine C., b. April 29, 1805;
3. William P. C., b. Dec. 11,1807; 4. John Fletcher, b. Dec. 23,1809 ; 5. Gardinier, b. Nov.
30,1812; 6. Elizabeth L., b. Eeb. 24,1815; 7. Cornelius C., b. Aug. 6, 1817; 8. Maria C„
b. Jan. 1820 ; 9. Richard C., b. Dec. 14,1823 ; 10. Anna Eliza. Benjamin married Caroline
Knox Thacher, granddaughter of Genl. Ki jx; Catharine C., married John E. Parmalee;
William P. C., married Glorianna Butterworth ; JohnE. married Nancy Thompson; Gar-
dinier married Jane Cole, of Kingston; Elizabeth L., unmarried; Cornelius C., married
Margaret DeWitt, of Kingston, where he now resides; Maria C., married Thomas H.
Booth, died July 11,1854, without issue ; Anna Eliza died young : Richard C., resides in
Newburgh. Cornelius G., Richard C., Thomas H. Booth, and John E. Parmelee were for
several years merchants in Newburgh, the former notably as a member of the firm of
Wardrop, Smith & Co.
THE BELKNAP FAMILY.
The Belknap family—or Belknappe,§ as the name was originally
* Ante p. 159.	. t Proceedings Prov. Conv., 872.	£ Laws of New York, 1782.
§ The etymology of the name is Bel (Me), the feminine of beau—fine, beautiful, pleas-
ant (Boyer), and Knap (Tcnappe), or knoll of a hill. Literally rendered, “ the people of
the beautiful hill.”358	HISTORY OF NEWBUBQH.	•
written-—is of Norman origin, and can be satisfactorily traced back
to the time of William the Conqueror (1066). They maintained con-
siderable distinction in England at an early period—Sir Robert Bel-
knappe having been created chief justice in the reign of Edward the
Third (1375). In 1637, Abraham Belknap, from whom the branch
of the family in this country trace their descent, emigrated from
England and settled in Lynn, Mass. He subsequently removed to
Salem, where he died in 1643, leaving four sons and a daughter, viz:
1. Abraham; 2. Jeremy; 3. Joseph; 4. Samuel, and 5. Hannah.
Joseph was born in England about the year 1630. He settled in
Boston, where he was admitted a freeman in 1655. He was one of
* the founders of the “third” or “old South Church/’ in 1668, from
whence he took dismission to Hatfield, where he lived in good esteem
from 1682 to 1696. He returned to Boston during the latter year,
and died in that city Nov. 14, 1712, at the age of 82 years, He had
three wives, viz: 1st. Ruth, by whom he had: 1. Joseph, b. Jan. 26,
1658; 2. Mary, b. Sept. 25, 1660; 3. Nathaniel, b. Aug. 13, 1663; 4.
Elizabeth, b. July 1, 1665.	2d. Lydia, by whom he had: 5. Ruth, b.
Nov. 27, 1668.	3d. Hannah, by whom he had: 6, Thomas, b. June
29, 1670; 7. John, b. June 1, 1672; 8. Hannah, b. June 8, 1673; 9.
Ruth, b. March 17, 1676; 10. Abigail, b. June 27, 1678; 11. Abra-
ham, b. April 26, 1681; 12. Samuel, date of birth uncertain.
Thomas Belknap (6) married Jane, daughter of Thomas Cheney,
of Cambridge, Mass., and settled in Woburn, where he purchased
(June 29, 1698,) a tract of land at a place called “forty pound mead-
ows.” His children were: 1. Thomas; 2. Jane; 3. Benjamin, 4. Han-
nah; 5. Samuel, born May 24, 1707; and, it is supposed, 6. Joseph.
Four of these children, viz: Thomas, Benjamin, Samuel, and Joseph,
removed to and settled in Newburgh, and its vicinity, at different
dates from 1749 to 1763. The first settlement was made by Samuel,
who purchased (1749) nearly all the tract known as the Baird patent,
which he divided with his brother Thomas.*
. . The genealogy of the family is so voluminous that it is necessarily
materially abridged in these pages. Samuel Belknap, the immediate
* Thomas, Joseph, and Benjamin, settled in New Windsor, where Joseph was clerk of
the precinct in 1763, and subsequently assessor. Thomas married Sarah Hill, Dec. 14,
1726, and had: 1. Thomas; 2. Sarah; 3. Joseph; 4. John; 5. Jonathan. Benjamin mar-
ried Hannah Richardson, and had: 1. Abraham; 2. Ruth; 3. Isaac; 4. Hannah; 5. Jed-
uthan; 6. Sarah; 7. Olive. Joseph married Margaret Russell, of Watertown, Mass., April
9,1754, and had: 1. Thomas; 2. Joseph; 3. Phebe; 4. Lydia; 5. Daniel; 6. James. Joseph
(2), son.of Joseph (1), married Sarah Clement, and had 1. James; 2. Harriet, married
Eli Hasbrouck; 3. Ann Eliza; 4. Sarah; 5. Elsie, married Thomas McKissock; 6. Thomas;
7. Amanda, married Lewis D. Lockwood. James (6) was born in the town of Crawford,
March 24,1793. He married Clarissa Ring, daughter of Samuel fling, of Cornwall, June,
1816, and settled in Newburgh where he resided until his death. He served with credit in
the militia during the war of 1812, and filled, with great satisfaction to the public, several
local official stations, including that of postmaster. "John (4) was a captain in the conti-
nental service during the Revolution. (Ante p. 87, 279.)- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
359
ancestor of the principal part of the family in this town, married
Lydia Stearns, by whom he had: 1. William, b. May 27, 1730; 2.
Ruth, b. Nov. 11, 1731; 3. Isaac, b. Dec. 14, 1733; 4. Samuel, b.
Oct. 18, 1735; 5. Lydia, b. Feb. 28, 1737; 6. Abel, b. Jan. 13, 1739;
7.	Mary, b. Jan. 9, 1740; 8. Ruth, b. May 14, 1742; 9. David, b. Jan.
14, 1744; 10. Abigail, b. April 17, 1745; 11. Jonathan, b. Sept. 7,
1748; 12. Olive, b. April 5, 1751. Of these children—
(1) William married first Hannah Flagg, by whom he had: 1. Wil-
liam, 2. Hannah, 3. Abel, 4. Samuel, 5. Josiah (died), 6. Josiah, 7.
Lydia, 8. Gershom and a twin daughter. His second wife was Mary
Flagg, by whom he had: 9. Cyrus, and 10. Mary. The only member
of this branch of the family who settled in Newburgh was William,
(1) who married Martha Carscadden, July 20, 1785, by whom he had:
1. William, 2. Lydia (married Edmund Sanxay), 3. Hannah, 4. Stephen,
5. Robert, 6. George, 7. Nancy, and 8. Susanna.
• (2) Ruth died young.
(3) Isaac married first Bridget Richardson, of Woburn, Mass., by
whom he had: Bridget, Isaac, Mary married Derick Amerman,* Eliz-
abeth married John Warren, Olive, Bridget married Leonard Carpen-
ter, Richardson, Abel, William, and Olive. Mrs. Belknap died Aug.
8,	1777, and he married, second, Mrs. Deborah Coffin,f widow of
Capt. Caleb Coffin, Sept 10, 1778, by whom he had: Amelia married
Charles Birdsall, Alden, Briggs, Judah, Lydia, and Deborah. He
died April 29, 1815, aged 82.
Isaac Belknap was one of the truest sons of America during his whole life, and espec-
ially throughout the dreary struggle for independence. Previous to the war he was en-
gaged in the freighting business between Newburgh and New York, and not unfrequently
extended his commercial ventures to the more eastern ports as well as to the West India
Islands. When the troubles with the mother country came on, he entered into active ser-
vice in defence of the cause of the colonists, and was early appointed captain of a com-
pany of rangers. He was afterwards in the regular service as assistant deputy quarter-
master-general. After the war he resumed the freighting business and continued in it as
long as he was able to follow the arduous occupation.^:
His son, Isaac Belknap, Jr., was born Oct. 3,1761. He married, first, Elizabeth Cole-
man, daughter of Joseph Coleman, of Newburgh, formerly of Sherbum, Nantucket Island,
and had: Elizabeth, Richardson, and Fanny C-, who married David Crawford. Mrs. Belk-
nap died Jan. 9,1816, and he married, second, Mrs. Susan Smith, widow of William H.
Smith. He was a man of great personal worth and high moral character. He died Jan.
26,1845, aged 84 years. From a notice of his life and character, which appeared in the
village papers at the time of his decease, the following is copied: “ The deceased has long
* Derick Amerman was the son of Albert Amerman, a native of Holland. He was born
in New York, and removed to Newburgh at the age of 15 years. After the Revolution he
engaged in the milling business with Abel Belknap, which business he relinquished for that
of freighting, which he followed for forty years. He died March 4,1826, in his 67th year.
f Mrs. Coffin was the daughter of Col. Briggs Aiden, of Duxbury, Mass., and a lineal
descendant from John Alden, one of the pilgrims by the May Flower.
| Isaac Belknap and George Gardner commenced the freighting business in 1790, from
Benjamin Birdsall’s dock (formerly the Colden dock), as appears from a handbill which has
been preserved. They had two sloops which they sailed alternately on Saturdays. Gard-
ner subsequently continued the business. (Ante p. 244, etc.)360
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
been widely known as one of our oldest and most substantial citizens. At an early age he
was engaged in the service of his country during her Revolutionary struggle, and subse-
quently filled with credit many important posts of honor and usefulness. As a member of
the state legislature, judge of the county court, and president of the bank of Newburgh,
he had established in former years a reputation for integrity* sound sense, and good feel-
ing, which secured for him the sincerest respect and esteem of all who knew him. But
as the crowning excellence of his character, he was for many years distinguished as a de-
voted and consistent follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was an accepted and honored
elder of the Reformed Dutch Church from the time of its organization until his decease,
and those who were associated with him in this capacity, as well as Others, can bear hono-
rable testimony to his practical wisdom, piety and worth.”
(4) Samuel, married, first, Mrs. Abigail Lewis, and bad Abigail,
Timothy, and Ruth. His second wife was Abigail Flagg, by whom
he had Raphael, Samuel, Olive, Elizabeth, Lydia, Seth, and Charles.
He died March 31, 1821.
Samuel Belknap, prior to the Revolution, resided at Woburn, Mass, and occupied the
homestead and mills which were erected by his father, and to which was attached a large
and productive farm situated on the public road leading to Concord. In the early part of
the controversy with England, he was active in the cause of the colonists; and, in 1775, he
organized a company, of which he was captain, and took part in the conflict at Concord.
During the following year he was in the engagement at White Plains, and subsequently
rendered much efficient service in the field. After the war he was elected to the legisla-
ture of his native state, where ho served to the ample satisfaction of his constituents. He
afterwards removed to Newburgh where he resided until his death.
His son, Samuel Belknap, Jr., was born Dec. 10, 1765. He married Mary Goldsmith,
April 6,1790, by whom he had Lucinda. Ira, William Goldsmith, Samuel, and Fanny. He
died May 19, 1815. His son, William Goldsmith Belknap, was born Sept. 7,1794. He
married Ann Clark, daughter of Joseph Clark, of Newburgh, and had Anna Mary, Clara,
William Worth, and Frederick Augustus. He entered the military service at the age of
18 years, and took part in the war of 1812, through which he served as ah officer with dis-
tinction to himself and honor to his country. His conduct during the attack by the British
on Fort Erie (Aug. 15,1814), drew from Genl. Ripley the following remarks in his report,
viz: “ The manner in which Lieutenant Belknap, of the 23d, retired with his picquet guard
from before the enemy’s column, excites my particular commendation. He gave orders
to fire three times as he was retreating to the camp, himself bringing up the rear. In this
manner he kept the light advance of the enemy in check for a distance of two or three
hundred yards. I have to regret, that when entering our lines after his troops, the enemy
pushed so close upon him that he received a severe wound with the bayonet.” In the war
with Mexico, he shared largely in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. The
citizens of Newburgh, at a public meeting held on the 27th of June, 1846, caused a sword
to be made and presented to him in their name, as a mark of their appreciation of his dis-
tinguished services. He died near Fort Washita, in the Chickasaw Nation, November 10,
1851. His army record is as follows, viz: Appointed 3d lieutenant, 23d infanfry, April,
1813; 2d lieutenant, October, 1813; 1st lieutenant, August, 1814; transferred to 2d infantry
May, 1815; transferred to 3d infantry, May, 1821; captain 3d infantry, Feb. 1822; major
8th infantry, January, 1842; lieutenant-colonel 5th infantry, 26th Sept. 1847. Brevetted
major, Feb. 1832, for ten years service in one grade; lieutenant-Colonel March 15, 1842, for
general good conduct in the war against the Florida Indians, and for securing by military
operations a great number of prisoners; colonel, 9th May, 1846, for gallant and distin-
guished services in the battle of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; brigadier-general, 2nd
Feb. 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Buena Vista.
His son, William Worth Belknap, was born at Newburgh on the 22d September, 1829,
and after attending the High School and the Academy, entered the College of New jersey
at Princeton, in the year 1846, and graduated from that institution in June, 1848. After
studying law in Georgetown, D. C., and being admitted t6 the bar in the city of Washing-361
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ton, he went, in the year 1851, to Keokuk, Iowa, and commenced the practice of law in
that city* He was a member of the legislature of Iowa in 1857, as a representative of the
democratic party; but being what was known at that time as a Douglas democrat, and
not uniting with the members of that party who favored what was known as the Lecomp-
ton constitution, of Kansas, which was an important and exciting question in the politics
of that party, he joined the republican party.
He was appointed major 15th Iowa volunteers in November, 1861, and participated in
that capacity in the battle of Shiloh. He remained in the army until the close of the war,
rising gradually through all the grades of lieutenant-colonel, colonel and brigadier-gene-
ral, and was brevetted major-general in 1865, for gallant and meritorious services during
the war. Having as brigadier-general of volunteers, commanded the 8d brigade, 4th di-
vision, 17th army corps (Blair’s) of the army of the Tennessee (McPherson’s), he was in
numerous battles, the most important of which were Shiloh (where he was wounded and had
a horse shot under him), the several battles of Atlanta, the battle of Bentonville, N. C.,
etc. He was engaged in the sieges of Corinth, Yicksburgh and of Atlanta, and accompa-
nied Sherman in his grand march from Atlanta to the sea, then to Goldsboro’, Baleigh
and Washington. He was repeatedly mentioned for Coolness and courage, and in the
battle of Atlanta, July 22,1864, he took prisoner Colonel Lampley, 45th Alabama, by pull-
ing him over the works by his coat collar. At the close of the war, being honorably mus-
tered out of service in 1865, he was appointed collector o£4nternal revenue for the first
district of Iowa, and remained in that position until the rntterpart of 1869, when, in the
month of October, he was appointed Secretary of War by President Grant and remained
in that position until March 2,1876, when he resigned,
(5)	Lydia married Edward Riggs, Nov. 25,1782, and settled in New
York, but subsequently removed to Newburgh. She died Jan. 9,1824.
Mrs. Biggs was a school teacher, and it is said that she taught DeWitt Clinton his
letters. She was present at the inauguration of Washington, at the old Federal Hall,
comer of Wall and Nassau streets, New York. She was a woman remarkable for her
piety, education, and virtue; audit is said of her, that she maintained “that distinction
under a democracy which a regal government would confer upon rank.”
(6)	Abel married, first, Molly Richardson, Oct. 4, 1765, by whom
he had: Stephen, Chancey, Sarah, and Molly. He married, second,
Hannah Williams, of Huntington, L. I., June 6,1776, and had Rachel
Fleet. His third wife, was Hannah Williams, of Sharon, Conn., by
whom he had: Abel, Moses Higby, Aaron, Margaret, Edwin Starr,
and Julia Ann. He died Nov. 15, 1804, in the 66th year of his age.
The Rights of Man, of Nov. 19,1804, referring to the death of Abel Belknap, remarks:
“This venerable, useful and truly pious citizen, enjoyed the esteem of all who knew him.
As a magistrate, he conscientiously performed the important duties of his office; as a hus-
band,, parent, relative, and friend, he attained to patriarchal years, not only without re-
proach, but such was the blameless tenor of his life, that his decease is a subject of gen-
eral regret.” His sons—Stephen, Chancey, Abel, Moses Higby, and Aaron,—enjoyed for
many years the high esteem and confidence of the community. The business enterprises
of Stephen and Chancey were extensive, and contributed in no small degree to the early
commercial prosperity of the town. Stephen was born Aug. 4, 1766, and died Oct'28,
1848. He married Mrs. Sarah Mace and had: Dr. Savillian, who died unmarried at Mobile;
Mary C., who married Aaron B. Gardiner; Chancey F., and Bufus B. Chancey was born
March 18,1768, and died in June, 1840. He married, first (July 9,1788), Sarah, daughter
of Jonathan Belknap, by whom he had: Mary, d. unmarried; Stephen, d. in infancy,
Sarah, who married, first, James Black, and second, David Brown; and Bebecca, d. un-
married. By his second Wife, Mercy, Who was also a daughter of Jonathan Belknap, he
had: Bufus B., b. Dec. 9, 1797; Thomas, d. in infancy; Clarissa; Mercy; Cornelia, m. Alsop
Stewart; Clementine; Bachel; Chancey; Jane Ann, m. David E. Fowler; and Lynde, m.362	HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
Sarah Titus, of Jamaica, L. I. He served successively in the military grades of lieutenant,
captain, major, colonel, and brigadier general; was one of the corporators of the Bank
of Newburgh; elector of president and vice president in 1812, and, as already remarked,
was extensively engaged in milling, freighting, and other branches of business. Abel was
born Dec. 30,1785; died Oct. 19, 1854; m. first, Mary, daughter of Samuel Q. Gregory,*;
who died January 19,1838, without issue ; and
second, Sally D. Munn, who died iU 1855, also
without issue. Moses H., was born Sept. 23,
1787; died January 4,1855; m. first, Margaret,
daughter of Sami. O. Gregory, who died Feb.
27,1824, leaving two children, Ruletta G., who
died Aug. 11,1850; and Abel W., who married
Sarah, daughter of Capt. Sami. Johnson, died
June 26, 1847, leaving one child, Abel W. His.
second wife was Ruth P. Cook, who died Oct.
23, 1833, leaving one. child, Moses Cook, now
cashier of the Highland National Bank. He
was a member of the Board Of Trustees of the
village and president of that body for several
terms; was one of the founders of the New-
burgh High School, and held other local po-
sitions with credit. Aaron was born July 20,
1789; died March 14,1847. He married Mary
Josepha L. S., daughter of Samuel Belknap
(4), and had: Ethelbert B., died young; Sam-
uel M., d. in infancy: and Aaron
Betts. He was a lawyer of some
considerable rank, and a mem-
ber of the firm of Betts & Belk-
nap. Edwin Starr, the youngest son of Abel (6) , was born Dec. 11,1794; married Rachel
T. Price, and settled in the city of New York.
(7)	Mary, born Jan. 9, 1739, died July 15, 1820.

(8)	Kuth died May 6, 1745.
(9)	David married Sarah Case, and had: Olive, David, Daniel C.,
Hezekiah,f Sarah, Justin, Fanny, Charlotte, and Oliver. He died
March 11, 1831.
(10)	Abigail married Josiah Talcott, by whom she had: Lydia,
Josiah, Jeffrey, Samuel, Olive, Jonathan, David and Abigail. She
resided in Newburgh only a f§w years after her marriage, but removed
to Hancock, Mass., where, with her husband, she united with the
society of Shakers. She died in May, 1793.
(11)	Jonathan died unmarried, May 9, 1774.
(12)	Olive died unmarried, March 14, 1770.
'* Samuel O. Gregory came from Morristown, N. J., and soon after settling in Newburgh
opened a shoe store. His first wife was Ruletta Cook; his second, Eunice Fairchild. His
children were : Mary, who married Abel Belknap; Margaret who married Moses H. Beik-
nap; Sarah; Jane, who married Elijah S. Sneeden; Ann, who married William Ely; George
W., and Odell. The latter settled in Owego.
f Hezekiah Belknap was born July 26,1781. He graduated at Princeton College in 1805,
with high standing in his class, and was subsequently employed as tutor for the Sophomore
class of that institution. This station he resigned in 1807, and commenced the study of law.
He died May 23,1814. He is spoken of as one who from his youth upward “ sustained a
character worthy of emulation.”BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.	363
THE MERRITT FAMILY.
George Merritt, the ancestor of the Merritt family in this town,
was born in the year 1702, and died Feb. 2, 1750. It is presumed
that he was the son of John Merritt, Senr., a native of England, who
settled in the town of Eye, Westchester county, as early as 1680,
and who was one of its proprietors in 1715.* * * § He married Glorianna
Purdy (who died Sept. 13, 1765, aged 51 yrs., 5 mo$., 13 days), and
removed to Newburgh sometime about the year 1747, in company
with the Purdy and Fowler families, with whom he was connected by
marriage. His children were: 1. George; 2. Samuel; 3. Caleb; 4.
Gabriel; 5. David; 6. Josiah; 7. Humphrey; 8. Elizabeth, married
Thomas Merritt ;| 9. Jane, born Sept. 25, 1747, died March 2, 1807,
married first, Morris Flew welling, and second, Elnathan Foster; 10.
Glorianna, married Joseph Morey. J
(1)	George married first, Mary Fowler (who died July 5, 1799),
and had: 1. George; 2. Gabriel; 3. Samuel; 4. Humphrey; 5. Fowler;
6. John; 7. Charlotte; 8. Jane; 9. Glorianna; 10. Mary. He married
second, Sarah, widow of Wolvert Ecker.
(2)	Samuel married Phila Townsend and had several children. He
died Dec. 26, 1811, in his 74th year.
(3)	Caleb, born July, 1735, died Nov. 29, 1793, married Martha
Purdy (born Jan. 1736, died June 24, 1783,) and had: 1. Abigail,
married George Weygant; 2. Elizabeth, married Dr. David Fowler;
3. Glorianna, married Isaac Fowler.
(4)	Gabriel died in 1776, without issue.
(5)	David married Nelly Weygant and had: 1. Jane, who married
John Hait; 2. Elizabeth, who married Nathaniel Harcourt.
(6)	Josiah died March 12, 1817; married first, Anna Purdy (who
died Jan. 9, 1786, in her 30th year,) and had: 1. Gabriel; 2. Josiah;
3. Esther, who married Zephania Northrop; 4. Nancy, who married
> Mowbray Carpenter; 5. Alathea, who married John Brower. He
married second, Eachel Sherwood, and had: 6. David; 7. Joseph; 8.
Phebe, who married Andrew Cropsey.
(7)	Humphrey,§ born May 17, 1737; purchased (1758) part of the
farm on which his grandson, the late Daniel Merritt, resided at Mid-
dlehope. His children were: 1. Glorianna; 2. Mary; 3. Underhill; 4.
Caleb; 5. Charlotte; 6. Moses. Underhill (3) was born Feb. 7,1769,
* Bolton (Hist. West. Co. ii. 32, 95), gives the names of John Merritt, Senr. (1680), and
contemporaneously with him, that of Thomas Merritt—subsequently stating that the latter
was the son of the former. The original homestead of the family was in the possession,
of one of the descendants of John, Senr., as late as 1848.
f “A Colonel of Cavalry in the Queen’s Rangers, 1780. He died at St. Catharines, in
Canada, May, 1842, aged 82 years/’ He was a grandson of the first John.
$ It is possible that the names here given are not arranged in the order of birth.
§ The names “Humphrey ” and “Underhill,” are from Humphrey Underhill, one of the
original proprietors of the town of Rye, with whom the Merritts were connected.364
HISTOR Y OF NEWBURGE.
and died Nov. 19, 1804.* His children were: 1. Martha, b. July 8,
1794, married Gilbert Holmes, settled in Newburgh, died Sept. 14,
1848; 2. Josiah, b. Aug. 21, 1796, was the father of Caleb Merritt; 3.
Daniel, b. March 10, 1799, d. May 7, 1867,. had four children: Hiram,
Mary J., Daniel H., and Theodore; 4. Elizabeth, b. March 12, 1799
(twin sister to Daniel), married John Goodsell, died Dec. 28, 1824,
leaving Charles W. Goodsell (now deceased,) and Elizabeth M* Good-
sell (married Jonathan N. Weed,) children her surviving;f 5. Char-
lotte, b. Sept. 19, 1801, married Joseph Furman, settled in Plattekilly
died August 24, 1824; 6. Maria, b. April 24, 1804, married Robert
PhillipsJ and had three children, viz: Jeanette Y., married Richard A.
Olmstead; Mary A., married William A. Owen; and Willard M.
THE FLEWWELLING FAMILY.
The Flewwellings were of Welsh origin, and were among the early
settlers of Long Island, from whence John Flewwelling removed to
Newburgh sometime about 1760. He married Elizabeth Smith and
had: 1. John, married Deborah Denton and had ten children, all of
whom died young; 2. Morris, married Jane Merritt and had one
daughter, Elizabeth, who married William Palmer; 3. Abel, married
Abigail Purdy and had Charlotte who married Samuel Purdy, Eliza-
beth who married William Harding, Samuel who married Julia Caul-
field, Clarissa who married John Fowler, John who married Eunice
Palmer, Abigail who married Thomas Fowler, Amelia who married
Richard Taylor, Guilford who married Leah Harding; Jane who mar-
ried George Harding; 4. Sarah, married Nehemiah Denton; 5. Mary,
married Cornelius Polhamus; and 6. Hannah, married George Wins-
low. John (1) was supervisor of the town in 1773, and Morris (2)
held the same position in 1776. James, whose name is not given
above, is presumed to have been a member of the same family. §
* “Mr. Underhill Merritt, the father of Daniel Merritt, Esq., came by accident to a most
horrible death, in November, 1804. His neighbor, Mr. Caleb Fowler, had a frolic, drawing
wood, and Mr. Merritt was among the number assisting him. After being loaded and on
his way to Mr. Fowler’s, he was walking beside his wagon, and in an attempt to get On, as
was supposed, his feet caught in the lines, which started his horses and threw him under
the wheels of the wagon, which ran over his arm and head. His arm was broken in two
places, and his brains crushed so that they laid in the road.’’— Fagw's Orange County, 88.
f “ Mrs. Goodsell was a person of an amiable temper, a pattern of piety, and a worthy
member of the church of Christ. She died in the full triumph of the Christian faith, which
faith she had for years experienced to be the power of God, to the salvation of her soul.”
—Political Index, Dec. 28, 1824.
X Robert Phillips was born at East Bridgewater, Mass., May 20,1802. He removed to
Newburgh in 1816, and learned the trade of tinsmith with his uncle, David Phillips, who
commenced business here about 1814. His father, John Phillips (born at East Bridge-
water, died in Newburgh, Sept. 23,1833, aged 76 years), joined the Revolutionary army, at
Roxbury, Mass., at the age of 19 years. At the organization of Washington’s Life Guard,
at Valley Forge in 1779, he was one of the two chosen from his regiment for service in that
capacity, and remained there until the close of the war, attaining the rank of Sergeant.
The Guard, among other duties, had charge of the quarters, and also of the supplies for
Washington’s table; the latter duty mainly devolved upon Sergeant Phillips. David Phil-
lips, the uncle of Robert, died in Newburgh in 1832, aged 67; he left three daughters
who conducted for several years a select school for young ladies. § Ante p. 137,140.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.	365
THE FOWLER FAMILY.
The Fowler family of Newburgh is of English ancestry. Monu-
mental records at Islington, near London, show the death of John
Fowler, at that place, in 1538, and it is added in the work from which
this fact is taken, that “divers of this family lie here interred, the an-
cestors of Sir Thomas Fowler, Knight and Baronet, living 1630.” *
The oldest branches of the family in this country appear to have de-
scended from Philip Fowler, who was admitted a freeman of Massa-
chusetts colony in 1634, and who settled at Ipswich, and from William
Fowler, who came over in 1637, and settled at New Haven, where,
being one of the few immigrants who had received a classical educa-
tion, he soon became a man of distinction, and is known, historically,
as “the first magistrate of New Haven.” The relationship between
Philip and William cannot now be ascertained, nor can their descend-
ants be positively traced except in a few instances. It is presumed,
however, from the predominant given names in the different branches
of the family, as well as from the proximity of the localities where they
settled, that “ all of this name in Connecticut and New York originated
from William Fowler, of New Haven, the magistrate of 1637.” f
The genealogy of the Fowlers of Newburgh is traced from Joseph,
who is mentioned as a first settler near Mespat Kills, L. I., 1665, and
who is supposed to have been the son of William, Jr., of New Haven. J
Joseph had William, who had: 1. John; 2. Jeremiah. John (1) was
born at Flushing, L. L, in 1686, and was the father of 1. Samuel; 2.
Isaac; 3. John; 4. James; 5. Nehemiah. His sons, Samuel and John,
having purchased a portion of the Harrison patent, § he removed, with
the other members of his family, to Newburgh and continued his re-
sidence here until his death, which occurred in 1768. Jeremiah (2)
settled at Bye, Westchester county, where he died in 1766. The de-
scendants of John (1) were:
(1) Samuel was born in the year 1720; married Charlotte Purdy,
granddaughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Ogden) Purdy, and had: 1.
Mary, married George Merritt, Jr.; 2. Elizabeth, married Samuel
Clark; 3. Charlotte, married Daniel Gidney; 4. Martha, married
Beuben Tooker; 5. Abigail, married Abel Flewwelling; 6. Glorianna*
married John Fowler (nephew of Samuel) ; 7. Samuel. He died Oct.
13, 1789, aged 69 years and 1 day, and his wife, Charlotte, died July
30, 1791, aged 74 years and 10 months.
Samuel Fowler was an influential citizen of the town for some thirty years. His son,
Samuel (7), was for forty years a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his resi-
* Weever’s Funeral Monuments.
f Bolton’s History of Westchester county, ii. 519. See, also, “ Genealogical Memoir of
the Descendants of Ambrose Fowler, of Windsor, Conn.”
t Biker’s Annals of Newtown, L. I.	§ Ante p. 132.	yBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
369
Daniel B. Boice; 3. Cynthia, m. a Phillips of Low Point; 4. Samuel;
5. William; 6. Daniel. The grandchildren of Benjamin, through his
son Charles (5), were: Helen Maria, m. Odell S. Hathaway; Harriet
Amelia, d. unmarried; Deborah Ann, m. Hiram Palls;* Mary, m. Chas.
U. Cushman; Adeline Ferris, d. unmarried; Lydia Riggs, m. William
E. Warren. The resident descendants of Daniel, through Hannah (1)
are the children of the late Eli Hasbrouck.
THE HASBROUCK FAMILY.
The Hasbrouck, or Hasbroinp, family is of French origin^-Abraham
and Jean, or John, the first who bore the name in this country, were
natives of Calais, France. Long before the revocation of the Edict
of Nantes, their father had suffered so much from religious persecu-
tion that he removed, with his two sons and a daughter, to Germany.
In 1673, John came to America; and in 1675, Abraham followed him,
leaving his father with his daughter, who had married one Pierre
Hayaar. In a diaiy kept by Abraham Hasbrouck,f the grandson of
Abraham the brother of John, it is stated that Abraham, with several
of his acquaintances and other followers of Peter Waldus, went from
the Palatinate to “Rotterdam, and from thence to Amsterdam, where
they embarked for England, April, 1675. From England they sailed
to America, and arrived at the town of Boston; from Boston they
sailed to Now York and from New York to Esopus, in Ulster county,
and arrived there July, 1675.” Abraham found at Esopus his brother
“Jean, who had gone to America two years before him, and likewise
several acquaintances.” He married, in 1676, “ a young woman named
Maria DuyouJ (Deyo) the daughter of Christian Duyou, with whom he
had been acquainted in the Palatinate, and who was one of the passen-
gers with him to America.” Having determined to settle in the Esopus
country, Hasbrouck and his associates selected a tract of land to which
they gave the name of the New Paitz and appointed twelve of their
number to extinguish the Indian title and to procure a patent. The
* Alexander Falls, the ancestor of the Falls family, came from Ireland sometime about
1735, and settled in the present town of New Windsor. He had three sons, Samuel, Ed-
ward? and George—of whom Edward had two sons, Alexander and George. Alexander
was a merchant in Newburgh at the; opening of the present century, and was the father
of William H., George, Edward, Hiram, and Alexander Falls, all of whom were residents
of Newburgh and more or less identified with its mercantile and commercial interests for
nearly three-quarters of a century.
f Ante p, 20. Abraham Hasbrouck was born Aug. 21, 1707, died' Nov. 10, 1791. He
married, July 5,1738, Catharine Bruyn, born June 24,1720, died August 10,1793. He re*
moved to Kingston in 1735, where he commenced mercantile business. He was a member
of the Colonial Assembly from 1739 to 1745,1748 to 1750,1759 to 1778 ; was commissioned
Colonel of the Ulster militia in 1757; occupied a leading position in the political history of
his time, and took an active part in the movements of the patriots of the Revolution. His
strife, Catharine Bruyn, was the daughter of Jacobus Bruyn. She was of Norwegian ex-
traction—her grandfather on her father’s side having been a native of Norway, and settled
in the Esopus while the province was in the possession of the Dutch.
t So spelled in the MSS. diary. Doyoux is probably the original French. It is now
written l)eyo, in this country.
024370
BISTORY. OF NEWBURGH.
first was accomplished without difficulty, and in 1677, Gov. Andros
issued the patent. The twelve associates were chosen to act in behalf
of the company not only in obtaining the land, but in managing the
civil affairs of the community. At their head stood Abraham Has-
brouck. The next step was the organization of a religious congre-
gation, which they called the Walloon. Protestant Church, after the
“manner and discipline of the church at Geneva, according to the
tenets of John Calvin.”
This brief sketch of the Hasbrouck family is necessarily confined
to the genealogy of the branches that settled in Newburgh. Abra-
ham Hasbrouck, the patentee, died March 7, 1717, in an apoplectic
fit. His wife, Maria, died March 27, 1741, in her 88th year. His
surviving children were: 1. Joseph; 2. Solomon; 3. Daniel; 4. Benja-
min; 5. Bachel, who married Louis DuBois, 1701—of whom
(1) Joseph married Elsie Schoonmaker in 1706. He died Jan. 28,
1724, aged 40 years and 3 months; and his wife died July 27, 1764,
aged 78 years, 8 months, 3 days. “He was,” says the diary hereto-
fore quoted, “ a gentleman much respected by those with whom he
was acquainted, and he served in several public stations in Ulster
county. He was very affable and agreeable in company, eloquent in
speech, spoke French-Dutch and very tolerable English. He was of
middle stature, of fine physiognomy, black curled hair, fair skin, with
a bloozing color, and dark blue eyes.” He left ten children—six sons
and four daughters—of whom
Jonathan was born April 12th, 1722; died July 31st, 1780. He married, May, 1751,
Tryntje (Catharine) daughter of Cornelius DuBois, and left him surviving three sons and
two daughters, viz: 1. Cornelius, who espoused the cause of the King, after the declara-
tion of independence, and removed to Canada; 2. Isaac; 3. Jonathan, who died unmar-
ried; 4. Rachel, who married Daniel Hasbrouck, son of Abraham (1), and 5. Mary* He
removed to Newburgh soon after his marriage, having purchased (1747) the property and
erected thereon (1750) part of the building now known as Washington’s head-quarters,
where he continued to reside (subsequently completing the building in its present shape)
during the remainder of his life. He was the first supervisor of the precinct (1763), and
held other local offices. “He bore several commissions in his life time-first an Ensign’s
then a Captain’s, and afterwards a Colonel’s commission, which latter he received Oct. 25,
1775.” His regiment was often called out, but from his ill-health was commanded much
of the time by Lieutenant-colonel Johannes Hardenburgh, Jr., and it was under him at the
time of its participation in the defence of Ports Clinton and Montgomery in 1777.* In con-
sequence of continued ill-health he resigned his commission in 1778. His death proceeded
from an aggravated form of gravel. The MSS. diary of his brother Abraham, heretofore
quoted, supplies the following description of his person and character: “He was a loving
husband to his wife, a tender and loving father towards his children, a loving brother to
his brothers and sisters, an obedient and dutiful child to his parents, a kind master to his
servants, a good neighbor, a hospitable man, a good, industrious, sober man, and a very
good liver, and a very good commonwealth’s-man (whig). He was a pious worthy man,
paid a good deal of reverence in hearing and reading the word of God. He was good na-
tured, not soon ruffled or put in a passion, but with a great deal of forbearance. He had
very good sense, and strong natural parts and understanding—especially in divinity, and
*Ante p. 88, 89,141, etc.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
371
very knowing in common affairs of life. He was a man of stature above six feet and four
inches, well shaped and proportioned of body, good features, full visage of face, but of
brown complexion, dark blue eyes, black hair with a slight curl, strong of body, arms,
legs; was inclined to be corpulent and fat in his younger days, but meeting so many sick-
nesses and disorders he was not so fat the last thirty years of his life as he was in his
youth. He had a great many good qualities that I don’t write down here. He died on
Monday morning and was buried on Tuesday in the burying place on his own land, between
his house and the North River, lyirig along side two of his sons who lay buried in the
same ground.”
The descendants of Colonel Hasbrouck now residing in Newburgh are through his son
Isaac (2), who was born Sept. 23,1761; died Aug. 21, 1806. He married (1784) Hannah
daughter of Daniel Birdsall, who died Dec. 27, 1807, aged 45 years. His children were:
1. Jonathan, who occupied for many years the head-quarters homestead; 2. Sarah, who
married Hon. Walter Case; 3. Israel, died unmarried; 4. Eli, who married first, Harriet,
daughter of Joseph Belknap (ante p. 358); 5. Rachel; 6. Mary. The children of Eli (4)
were: 1. Israel; 2. Charles H., married Helen, daughter of John Currie ; 3. James B., now
of New Windsor; 4. Sarah, married Daniel B. Boice; 5. Eli, Jr., married Susan R. Bill;
6. Mary; 7. Alice, married Samuel W. Miller.
(2) Benjamin married Elsie Schoonmaker and left three sons, viz:
1. Benjamin; 2. Cornelius; 3. Joseph. Cornelius (2) married Jane
Kelso in 1799. He left two sons: 1. "William C., and 2. Benjamin C.,
and one daughter, 3. Margaret, who married Captain Eli Perry (for
several years in command of the steamer James Madison)-—of whom
William C. (1), was born Aug. 23, 1800; married Mary E. daughter of William Roe,
June 28, 1831; died Nov. 1870; had three sons, viz: William II., Henry C., and Roe, and
three daughters: Maria H., Emily A., and Blandina. He graduated at Union College at
the same time William II. Seward was an undergraduate, and soon after removed to Frank-
lin, Tenn., where he became principal of the Academy founded by Bishop Otey. Among
his pupils and friends there were many then and since distinguished in the history of the
nation, among whom were John Bell, Sam. Houston, Felix Grundy, Andrew Jackson, and
Matthew F. Maury. Returning to the North, he became principal of the Farmers’ Hall
Academy, at Goshen, in 1822; and commenced there the study of law with Mr. Wisner.
He completed his legal studies with William Ross, in Newburgh; was admitted to the bar
in 1826, and rose rapidly to rank in his profession. He was frequently the candidate of
his party for political honors; but, his party being in the minority in the district, he was
without success. He was, however, elected to the Assembly of 1847, and was chosen
Speaker of that body. He was a man of high bearing, spotless character, and a chivalric
sense of honor and duty; few men enjoyed a more unblemished reputation, both at home
and abroad. In person he whs tall and slender, of attractive presence, and courteous
manners; liberal in his charities; American in every aspiration of his nature.
Mr. Hasbrouck’s oldest son, William H., is a practicing lawyer. His second son, Henry
C., graduated at the West Point Military Academy, May, 1861; served as Lieutenant under
Captain Griffin, 5th Artillery, U. 8. A,, in first Bull Run, also at Miner’s Hill and Newport
News; promoted Captain 4th Artillery, and in service in the Modoc campaign. Roe, his
third son, graduated at Harvard College in 1876.
THE ROE FAMILY.
The Roe family of Newburgh are the descendants of John Roe,
born 1628, emigrated from Ireland in 1641, died in 1711, and his
wife, Hannah Purrer, an emigrant from England. He settled at
Brookhaven, L. I., in 1655. Of his children, Nathaniel married
Hannah Reeve, and had five children, viz: 1. Nathaniel; 2. John; 3.
Elizabeth; 4. Hannah; 5. Deborah. Nathaniel (1) married Elizabeth372
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
Phillips,* and had eight children, viz: 1. Phillips; 2. James; 3. Eliz-
abeth; 4. William; 5. Hannah; 6. Elizabeth; 7. Sarah; 8. Deborah—-
of whom James (2) married Elizabeth Elting,*)* of Esopus, Ulster
county, Oct. 19, 1770, and had: 1. James; 2. Elizabeth; 3. John E.;
4. Sylvester; 5. Ann; 6. William; 7. Nathaniel; 8. Rachel; 9. Peter-
all of whom were bom in Kingston. He removed to Cornwall,
Orange county, after the Revolution, where he married, second, the
.widow of Comfort Sands, and died there in 1815. Of his children
by his first wife—-
William (6), born May 11,1781, died in Newburgh in 1868, married
Maria, daughter of Thomas Hazard, of New York, and had : 1. Thomas
Hazard; 2. Mary Elizabeth, married William C. Hasbrouck; 3. William
James, married Anna Lawrence Clark; 4. Emily Maria. Early in life
he went to New York where he was employed as a clerk by John
Jacob Astor, and in that capacity made a voyage to Canton in one of
Astor’s vessels in foreign trade. Subsequently he became a wholesale
grocer and importer, from which he retired with an ample fortune.
He removed to Newburgh in 1826, but engaged in no other business
here than that of president of the Newburgh Whaling company.
Peter (9), born Sept. 14, 1789, settled in New Windsor, where he
married Susan, daughter of Jonas Williams,J and had: 1. Oswald W.,
died young; 2. Alfred C.; 3. James G.; 4. Susan E.; 5. William W.;
6. Peter; 7. Edward P.; 8. Mary Abigail. His sons, Rev. Alfred C.
(2), and Rev. Edward P. (7), have more than a local reputation, the
latter through his popular works, “Barriers Burned Away,’5 “ Opening
of a Chestnut Burr,” etc. He acquired in political circles, the repu-
tation of the first “abolitionist” in the county of Orange.
A second Orange county branch of the family are the descendants
of William (4), son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Phillips) Roe, who
married Mary Van Duzer, of Cornwall, and whose sister Elizabeth,
married Thomas Coleman of the same town. He became a resident
of Cornwall after his marriage; was an active member of the Presby-
terian church at Bethlehem, and was a captain in the continental ser-
vice in the army of the Revolution. (Ante p. 279.) He subsequently
removed to Danby, Tompkins county, N. Y.
* Daughter of Rev. George Phillips, born at Rowley, Mass., 1664; died at Setauket, L.
I., 1739. He was a graduate at Harvard in 1686; was minister at Setauket in 1697, and
continued until his death in 1739. He was the son of Rev. Samuel Phillips, of Rowley,
and grandson of Rev. George Phillips, of Boxworth, England, and afterwards first minis-
ter of Watertown, Mass., having arrived with Governor Winthrop, in 1630.
t Daughter of John Elting and his wife, Miss Whitaker. Mr. Elting afterwards married
a sister of Col. Abraham Hasbrouck, of Kingston, and had one daughter, who married
Sylvester Salisbury.
t Jonas Williams was born on Long Island. He removed to Cornwall, during the Revo-
lution, where he married Abigail, daughter of Samuel Brewster, who had settled on the
Moodna in 1755 and established a saw-mill, and a forge and anchor shop. His son, Samuel
Williams, was a merchant in Newburgh.BIO GBAPHTGAL SKETCHES.
373
A third branch arc the descendants of John Roe, who is presumed
to have been a grandson of the first John. He settled in the precinct
of Goshen prior to the Revolution, and had sons Nathaniel and Wil-
liam, the former a captain of militia under its first organization, and
of local distinction in other respects. Sylvester Roe, the first painter
in Newburgh of record, was of this stock, and also Jefferson Roe.
WOLVERT ACKER, OR ECKER.
Wolvert Acker, or Ecker,* was the great-grandson of Jan Ecker,
one of the early Dutch settlers of Greenburgh, Westchester county,
and was born there Jan. 17, 1732. f He purchased, in 1772, the ex-
treme northern part of the Harrison patent, and soon after removed
to Newburgh, where he continued to reside until his death, which
occurred on the 17th Jan. 1799, at the age of 67 years. J
Mr. Eckeb was a man of generous heart and patriotic impulses. He entered warmly
into the struggle for Independence ; contributed freely his time and his money to the
cause, and from first to last was one of the most reliable men in the precinct. He was
appointed chairman of the Committee of Safety for the precinct, in 1775, and took espe-
cially under his cognizance the northern part of the town, where a strong feeling existed
in favor of the Crown. His house soon became a favorite resort for the whigs in that sec-
* tion of the country, and especially would they gather there on the Sabbath to learn the
progress of events. On such occasions he would wait until a fair audience had assembled,
and, after reading a chapter from his old Dutch Bible, would detail all the intelligence he
had received ; the New York Packet, the whig paper of the day, was also read, and the
affairs of the country discussed. In this manner he continually strengthened the hands
and hearts of the friends of Liberty during the whole war. The tories he hated intensely;
watched their movements with untiring zeal, and punished many of them for their depre-
dations. After the war he engaged in milling, and in the manufacture of brick. He es-
tablished the landing on the Hudson now known as Hampton, and also a ferry between
that place and Wappinger’s Falls. His death was occasioned by a cancer on the face,
from which he suffered for several years.
Mr. Ecker was married twice. His first wife died without issue;
his second was Sarah, daughter of William Pugsley, of Westchester
county, by whom he had:
(1) Isaac died unmarried.
* It is so written in the early records of Westchester county, and by his son, Capt. Wm.
Ecker. In the previous part of this work the name has been given Acker, as it is usually
so spelled in the records. The name was probably Acker, and the change in the orthog-
raphy evidently had its origin in the fact that the accented A has the sound of E, in Ger-
man." Wol/ert and Wolnert are both used, as in the German v has the sound of our/.
f Bolton, in his History of Westchester County, has the following reference to the Ecker
family, and to the homestead originally held by them but subsequently by Washington
Irving, and known as Sunny Side, viz: “ Van Tassel house occupies the site of ‘ Wolfert’s
Boost, ’ which was built by Wolfert Ecker, an ancient Dutch burgher of this town (Green-
burgh). In 1697, we find recorded the name of Jan Ecker, first accepted deacon of the
Dutch church, Sleepy Hollow, which office he appears to have held for several years. By
his wife, Magdalentje, he left issue Wolfert, Cornells, and others. The will of Wolfert
Ecker bears date 1753, wherein he bequeaths to his ‘ son, Stephen, a cow, or the worth
thereof, more than the others, for his birthright,’ and to his grandson, Wolfert Ecker,
twenty shillings, besides other bequests.” Irving, in his Wolfert’s Boost, has immortal-
ized both the homestead and the name of its ancient proprietor.
. £ Inscription on the monument in the burial ground at Marlborough : “ In memory of
Wolvert Ecker, who died Jan. 17,1779, aged 67 years. ‘A man of sorrows and acquaint-
ed with grief.’”374
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
(2)	Susan married first, Jos. Williams, and had Wolvert A., James,
and Clementine; and second, Leonard Smith, and had William, who
was drowned in the disaster to the sloop Neptune in 1824.
(3)	Deborah married Doct. John Pinckney, of Duchess county, a
branch of the South Carolina stock of that name, and had Isaac,
Caroline, Harriet, Edward, Julia, Theodore, and Deborah.
(4)	William married Sarah Badger, of Poughkeepsie, and had
Theodore M., Clara, Phebe, Susan, William, Belinda, Harriet, Charles,
George and Sarah. He was a man justly esteemed for many virtues;
held several military commissions; served in the war of 1812, and
died while a member of the legislature in 1827, in his 48th year.
The following is the record of his children:
Theodore M., married Harriet F. Brownson, daughter of Hon. Wm. A. Thompson, of
Thompson, Sullivan county, and died in 1886, at St. Louis, leaving one daughter, Augusta
T. Ecker, who married Rev. Duncan C. Niven.' William married in Georgia and died
there, leaving three sons, Wolvert, Edward Badger, and Robert. Belinda marriod Philip
J. Partenheimer, of Ithaca. Harriet resides in San Francisco, where she was married
firpt to Wm. M. Eddy, formerly of New York, and second to George Hawks. George is a
jeweler in San Francisco. Charles resides in San Francisco. Sarah, the youngest, mar-
ried a Mr. Harvey of San Francisco, and resides there.
(5)	Phebe married Hon. John P. Jones, of Sullivan county, and-
had Samuel, died in childhood, William, Perthenia, Mary, Henrietta,
and Phebe. She died April 2, 1840.*
(6)	Sarah married James Lockwood of Norwalk, Conn., and had
Catharine E., Harriet C., William E., Emma C., Helen M. (married
Alex. Bell), Morris W., and John E.
THE PENNY FAMILY.
Joseph Penny was born in Wales, Eng. The time of his emigra-
tion to this country is not known. His occupation was that of school-
master, in which capacity he was employed by the trustees of the
Glebe prior to the Revolution ;f he has also local reputation through
a recipe for the cure of hydrophobia. J He purchased the Wallace
patent, where he settled his sons, William, John, James, Peter, Joseph,
Bobinson, Allen, and Isaac. His oldest daughter married Daniel
Everett, of Ulster county; his second daughter, Polly, married James,
son of Bobert Boss; Betsey married William Wilson, and Nelly died
unmarried. William, the oldest son of Joseph Penny, was born May
29, 1759, and died Dec. 7, 1832. His wife, Hannah, was born June
20, 1761, and died Jan. 20, 1833. His son, William, died Jan. 31,
1849, aged 60 years, 2 months, and 17 days; and his wife, Mercy, died
Nov. 4, 1857, aged 66 years. Descendants of Joseph Penny are now
residents of Newburgh, Cornwall, Deerpark, etc.
* See Quinlan’s History of Sullivan County, 5.52.	f Ante p. 128, 338.
^ This recipe was engraved and copyrighted by Mr, Penny’s heirs, some years ago.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
375
JOHN NATHAN HUTCHINS.
In addition to the facts already stated in the pages of this work,*
in reference to the old teacher of the Glebe school, John Nathan
Hutchins, the following obituary notice from the New York Packet of
July 18,1782, can only be added, viz:
“ Died—On Monday, 8th inst., in the eighty-second year of his age, after a short illness,
greatly lamented, that reputable and useful citizen, noted mathematician and astronomer,
Mr. John Nathan Hutchins. He was a person of excellent understanding, facetious and
cheerful in his temper, charitable to the poor, a faithful husband and an obliging neighbor.
He lived a pious and exemplary life; and as he lived, he died a sincere Christian; and has
left his aged consort, who with his numerous acquaintances, regret his loss. His remains
were decently interred in Newburgh the day following his death.”
THE INNIS FAMILY.
James Innis was brought to this country from Ireland, while an
infant, about the year 1737. His mother and her sisters settled in
Little Britain, where he received an education in the ordinary English
branches, from George and James Clinton. He married Sybil Ross,
of Morristown, N. J., and settled in Newburgh in 1780. His children
were: 1. James; 2. Jane; 3.'Keziah; 4. Lydia; 5. Peter; 6. Benjamin;
7. Elsie; 8. Sarah; 9. William; 10. Aaron. James (1) died unmarried.
He was a soldier in the army of the Revolution, and was in the battle
of Monmouth. Jane (2) married William Irwin and removed to Ohio.
Keziah (3) married James Owen. Lydia (4) married Moses Hanmore.
Peter (5) died unmarried. Benjamin (6) married Margaret Denton.
Elsie (7) married Thomas Aldrich. Sarah (8) married Anthony
Presler. Aaron (10) married Ruth, daughter of Luff Smith. William
(9) married Elizabeth,f daughter of James Warring, and had: Sally,
married Isaac Denniston; Ross, married Catharine Cook; Rebecca,
married Richard Ward, Jr.; Wygant; William, Jr., married Catharine
Jessup; Aaron, married Phebe Ann Warring.
THE EEEVE FAMILY.
“The first of the family of the name of Reeve came to America
from Wales, not far from 1660, and settled at Mattituck, L. I. Tra-
dition says there were two brothers; their names Thomas and James.
James, the progenitor of the Newburgh family, died at Mattituck in
1739, aged 60 years. His children were: 1. James; 2. Selah; 3. Isaac;
4. Nathaniel; 5. Ebenezer.”J Selah (2) settled on a farm near the
old homestead. When the British obtained possession of Long
Island they endeavored to enlist the inhabitants in favor of the king
by offering them the oath of allegiance, accompanied with the assu-
* Ante p. 179, 338.
f Mrs. Innis was killed by being accidentally thrown from a wagon, Jan. 18,1846.
% Griffin’s Journal. First Settlers of Mattituck, L. I., &c., by Augustus Griffin.376
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
ranee that if they would accept it they should not only be exempt
from molestation* but supplies for the troops would be purchased
from them and paid for in gold. If the oath was rejected, however,
the troops would seize whatever they might require* To secure ease
and peace, many of the settlers embraced the terms offered; but there
were those who esteemed the cause in which they were engaged too
sacred to be bartered away thus lightly, and who refused the proffered
terms. Selah Reeve was among the latter class. The British officers
gave him three weeks in which to reconsider his determination, and
intimated that if, at the expiration of that time, he still refused the
oath, they would take possession of his property. During the interval
granted, Mr. Reeve gathered together a small sum of money, obtained
a fishing scow, and placed on board some provisions and clothing, and
informed his family that they must be in readiness to leave their home
at any moment; that when the officers made their next appearance, he
should embark and escape. Prompt to their appointment, the officers
returned at the expiration of the time which they had fixed; but Mr.
Reeve discovered their approach in time to make his escape, reaching
his vessel and casting off from the shore just as the officers had passed
through the house and emerged from the back door. Waving his
hand to his baffled pursuers, Reeve steered for the Connecticut shore,
where he landed, and subsequently purchased an inland farm in that
state, where he settled. After the war, he purchased (1784) a farm
situated about three miles north of the then village of Newburgh, to
which he removed soon after. He died Feb. 21, 1796, in his 55th
year, and his wife died Jan 21, 1829, aged 84 years. His sons were:
1. Selah; 2. James; 3. Joseph.
Selah Beeve (1) was first engaged in the milling business at Hunting-Grove (now Bus-
kirk’s mills), on the Otterkill, in the town of New Windsor, sometime about the year 1798
or ’99* After a few
years he returned
to Newburgh and
began the making
of brown earthen
ware—a new busi-
ness at that time,
and an article of
manufacture in great demand. Mr. Burling was subsequently associated with him in this
business, which was conducted on the east side of Smith street near South, and in con-
nection with it they opened a crockery, glass, and earthen-ware store. He afterwards
entered into the mercantile and forwarding business, associated with William H. Falls, as
the successor of Jacob and Thomas Powell. He died April 11,1837, a few years after he
had retired from business. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Christopher and Julia
(Tusten*) Yan Duzer of Newburgh, in 1795, and had: 1. Millicent, d. in infancy; 2. Chris-
topher; 3. Charles F. V.; 4. Julia Ann; 5. George; 6. Eliza; 7. Jane; 8. Nathan; 9. Harriet
M.; 10. Mary E., d. in infancy; 11. Selah. Christopher (2) married Maria Hasbrouck, and
* Julia Van Duzer was formerly Julia Tusten, a sister of Lieut. Col. Benjamin Tusten
who was killed in the battle of Minnisink.377
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
had Selah V., Sarah E., Hasbrouck, and Louis. He was engaged in the mercantile and
forwarding business in Newburgh for several years, and subsequently in the lumber trade
at Detroit, where he died in 1863. Charles P. V. (3), married Adaline Amor, of New
York; and after her death, Julia Ann Ferguson. He was an importing merchant in
Charleston, S. C., for several years; subsequently engaged in business with his brother
Christopher, in Newburgh, and in milling and farming at Shawangunk, Ulster county. He
died in Newburgh, Oct. 12,1875, in his 76th year. Julia Ann (1) married Daniel S. Tuthill.
George (5) married Caroline Ingersoll. He continued the mercantile business, at the old
stand of his father, until his death in 1853 or ’54. Eliza (6) married Hon. John W. Brown;
she died in 1874, leaving two sons, William B. and Charles P. Jane (7) married Alexander
C. Mulliner. Nathan (8) married Mary, daughter of Selah Reeve Hobbie, of Washington.
He studied law with Hon. John W. Brown, and practiced his profession in Newburgh for
several years. Harriet M. (9), married Rev. Wm. McLaren. Selah (10), married Lilly
Snow, of Providence, R. I.; died in Toledo in 1866.
James Reeve (2) was a mariner from his youth. He was taken prisoner by the British,
during the war of 1812, when within two days sail of New York, and carried to England
and confined in Dartmoor prison. He was in this prison and a participant in the scenes
enacted there on the 4th of July, 1813, and April 6th, 1814, as well as in all the horrors of
that most horrible place. He escaped without injury from the massacre of April 6th, and
on the final release of the prisoners, he returned to Newburgh. Not long after his return,
however, he was seriously injured by the bursting of a lime kiln, and died in the course
of a year. He was never married.
Joseph Reeve (3) commenced the gold and silversmith business in 1804, and afterwards
added to it the manufacture of whalebone whips, of which he was the patentee. He died
in September, 1828, after an illness of several months, from an injury on the head caused
by blows inflicted by two ruffians in the street. His wife was Eunice Sayre, by whom he
had: 1. Charles, married Katura Wilson; was the successor Of his father in the silversmith
business; 2. Decatur, married Frances A. Horton; 3. Anthony D., married a Miss Velt-
mah; 4. Caroline, married Doct. J. D. Sloan, and left one son, James T. Sloan; 5. John,
died unmarried.
WILLIAM SEYMOUR.
William Seymour was the son of Samuel Seymour, of Greenwich,
Conn., where he was horn April 13, 1758. His first wife was Esther
Sands, of Long Island, by whom he had: 1. William, 2. Samuel Sands,
3. Drake,* and 4. Esther. He married, second, Eliza, daughter of
Henry Powell, of Long Island, and had: 5. Margaret, who married
Joseph Kernochan, and 6. Mary Powell, who married James S. Abeel,
of U. S. army. He removed to Newburgh about the year 1790, and
commenced the mercantile business on the north-west corner of Water
and Fourth streets, and soon after opened a branch store at Platte-
kill. He subsequently engaged in ship-building here, and constructed,
first, the Liverpool Packet; second, the William Perm, and third, the
Ontario. These vessels were among the most successful in the Liver-
pool trade. The Ontario was of five hundred tons burthen, and was
the largest ship that sailed from New York at the time of her con-
struction. He was also largely interested in real estate in Newburgh
and its vicinity, and was active in promoting the interests of the town.
In 1805, he accidentally tell into the hold of the ship Ontario, and re-
* Drake Seymour was accidentally shot while on a hunting excursion, June, 1824,
William resides in Brooklyn.378
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
ceived injuries which rendered him unable to walk during the remain-
der of his life. This accident obliged him to withdraw from business.
He died in 1811. It is due to his memory to say, that none of the
early settlers of the town contributed more to develop its business
and commercial interests, or was more highly esteemed by his fellow-
citizens.
THE WARREN FAMILY.
The Warrens, who are supposed to be of Norman origin, were
among the earliest settlers of New England. Richard Warren was
one of the pilgrims by the May Flower, and settled in Plymouth.
John Warren came to America in 1630, and settled in Watertown,
Mass. Another John Warren, supposed to have been a brother to
Richard, settled in Salem in 1630. Peter Warren, who was probably
a son of John of Salem, settled in Salem, and from him Genl. Joseph
Warren, the patriot of Bunker Hill, was a lineal descendant.*
The earliest mention of the name in Newburgh occurs in. the rec-
ords of the First Presbyterian church, where, under date of July 23,
1783, the marriage of “ John Warren of Mass., and Elizabeth Belknap,
of Newburgh/5 is written. In reference to the genealogy of this branch
of the family it appears that John Warren came to America in 1630,
and settled in Watertown, Mass. His children were John, Mary,
Daniel, and Elizabeth, who were probably all bom in England.
Daniel married Mary Barron, Dec. 10, 1650, and had nine children, of
whom the seventh was John, b. March 5th, 1665, and who married
Mary Brown. He had three children, of whom John (b. March 15,
1684 5), had two children, viz: Beulah, b. Aug. 23, 1725, married
John Hobbs, of Brookfield; and Josiah, b. Feb. 17, 1714-15. The
latter married Hepzibah Hobbs, by whom he had ten children, f
John Warren, the youngest child of Josiah Warren, was left an orphan during his in-
fancy, and was taken by his aunt, Beulah, wife of John Hobbs, of Brookfield, where he
resided until he arrived at the age of nineteen years, when he joined the army of the Revo-
lution, and participated in its struggles until the peace of 1783. He was engaged in several
of the most important battles of the war, and received particular commendation for his
bravery at Bunker Hill and at Monmouth, and was subsequently raised to the rank of cap-
tain. He came with the Massachusetts line to the encampment at New Windsor. While
here he became acquainted with Miss Belknap, a lady remarkable for her intelligence and
personal attractions,^ to whom he was married at the date already given. After the dis-
bandment of the army, he engaged in business pursuits in Newburgh; but subsequently re-
moved to Troy, and afterwards to Saratoga Springs, where he died, Dec. 25,1823—his wife
surviving him until June 21,1837. Their children were : 1. John H., b. 1786, died at Mon-
tezuma, N. Y., 1823, married Fanny Kellogg, and had one child, William L. F.; 2. Cynthia
M., b. Aug. 2,1788, married Miles Beach, of Saratoga Springs; 3. Stephen R., born Nov.
* Genealogy of Warren, by J. C. Warren, M. D. f Bond’s Genealogies of Watertown.
$ Miss Belknap is said to have been the partner of Genl. Washington, in the opening set
of the ball given at. the Temple, April, 1783, on the announcement of the exchange of the
preliminary articles of peace.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
379
1790 ; 4. William L. F., b. Feb. 4,1793 ; 5. Elizabeth B., b. 1795, married Doct. R. R. Davis,
of Syracuse; 6. Caroline $., b. 1798, married Benjamin Carpenter, of Newburgh; 7. Mary
A., b. 1800, married James H. Darrow, of Saratoga Springs.
William L. F. Warren (4), the son of John H. Warren (1), came to Newburgh early in
life, and engaged as clerk with his uncle, Mr. Carpenter. In 1837, he became a member
of the firm of B. Carpenter & Co., with which he was associated until its dissolution. He,
filled for several terms, and with marked ability, the post of president of the Board of
Trustees of the village ; was one of the Board of Water Commissioners, and also of the
Board of Alms-house Commissioners ; director in the Savings Bank of Newburgh, and in
the Warwick Yalley Railroad, and prominent in other public and private enterprises, earn-
ing for himself the distinction of one of those rare men upon whom the community rely
for protection against ill-advised and oppressive legislation, rather than that of the politi-
cal charlatan whose thirst for distinction leads him regard lightly the public interests. He
married Catharine, daughter of John H. Walsh.
Another branch of the family is that of Miles Warren, a resident
of Newburgh for many years. His grandfather was James Warren,
of Woodbridge, now Bethany, Conn., who married Abigail Thomas
and had: Jason, Sarah, Rachel, Abigail, Nathaniel, Jemima, Edward,
and Richardson.* His son Richardson, was killed during the Revo-
lution, on board the American frigate Trumbull, by a cannon ball
which passed through both thighs. His son Nathaniel, was bom Jan.
15, 1755, and married Susanna, daughter of Isaac Johnson, of Sey-
mour, Conn., by whom he had six children, viz: Betsey, Charles,
Marshall, Isaac, Miles, Susan. Miles was bom at Bethany, Conn.,
July 4, 1790, died in Newburgh, 18—. He married, first, Sally Coe
(1810) by whom he had: George T., William S., Edward R. (died),
Edward R. M. (died), Sarah A. H. (died), and John W. Mrs. Sally
Warren died April 13, 1855, and he married (1856) Ruth, daughter
of James Miller, of Crawford, Orange county, by whom he had: Anson
Miles, b. May 13, 1858. He was a maker and a dealer in boots and
shoes in Newburgh, and also in Detroit, Mich.
Isaac, the fourth son of Nathaniel Warren, was born in Bethany,
Conn., Dec. 23, 1787. He married, Sept. 12, 1812, Leonora, daugh-
ter of Israel Perkins, and had: Israel P., William E., Susan H., Isaac
W., Harris F., Cornelia A., and George F.
William E. Warren, the second son of Isaac, came to Newburgh in the spring of 1836.
Having previously served an apprenticeship of three years as a clerk in a manufacturing
. establishment at Waterbury, he readily obtained a situation with D. Crawford & Co., as
book-keeper and cashier, where he remained until the spring of 1841. He subsequently
engaged in mercantile business in Newburgh and New York, from which he retired in 1851.
He soon after received the appointment of Auditor of the N. Y. & E. Railroad Co., which
post he resigned in 1853, to accept that of Secretary and Treasurer of the Delaware, Lack-
awanna and Western Railroad Co., of which he was afterwards elected a director. He re-
signed his connection with this company in the spring of 1858; and in 1859, received the
appointment of Deputy Comptroller of the city of New York, which he filled one term,
and subsequently engaged in the occupation of an accountant. He married, March 25,
1840, Lydia Riggs, daughter of Charles and Amelia Birdsall, and has one daughter, Mary
Cushman Warren, married Rev. George D. Silliman.
♦New Haven Records.380
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
THE CARPENTER FAMILY.
The Newburgh family of this name are the descendants of Benja-
min Carpenter, who was born in England in 1730. He emigrated to
this country at an early age, and settled on Long Island, from whence
he removed to Latintown (then in the town of Newburgh), Ulster
county, where he resided until his death. He married (1764) Jane,
daughter of the Rev. Mr. Leonard, of Goshen, and had six children,
“of whom,” says Mr. Eager,* “Jacob and Leonard Carpenter were
two. These gentlemen, when young, were ship-builders, and con-
tributed largely to promote the interests of Newburgh. They were
afterwards the owners of the Newburgh ferry, and were also engaged
in mercantile and commercial pursuits.” Leonard Carpenter married
Bridget, daughter of Isaac Belknap, and had seven children, viz:
(1)	Benjamin, born Feb. 14, 1793, married Caroline S., daughter of
John Warren, of Saratoga Springs, and had: 1. MaryF., who married
Lewis M. Strong, of Northampton, Mass.; 2. John W., died in infancy;
3. Warren, died in 1849 ; 4. Alida Josepha, married Horatio B. Reed.
Mr. Carpenter was engaged in the forwarding business in Newburgh
from 1817 to 1865. He sustained during his whole career an unblem-
ished reputation. He died January 31st, 1871; Mrs. Carpenter died
April 5th, 1856.
(2)	Elizabeth, married Wm. Thayer,*)* April 2, 1812, and had: 1.
William L.; 2. John S., married Catharine, daughter of Jirah Stearns,
formerly of Pittsfield, Mass. ; Elijah C., married Mary J., daughter of
Hamilton Morrison, of Montgomery; 4. George A.; 5. Charles F.,
married Anna F., daughter of Lewis Miller, of New Windsor; Anna
B., married Henry W. Dolson; 7. Caroline M., and 8. Elizabeth C.
(3)	Isaac R., unmarried; was at one time owner of the Newburgh
ferry, and put the first steamer, the Post-Boy, on it; he also erected
the United States hotel, built the “long dock,” and laid out and open-
ed, at different times, more miles of streets than any other citizen of
his own or earlier times. Several dwellings of a superior class and
Other substantial contributions to progress are due to him.J
(4)	Jane Belknap, unmarried.
(5)	Alexander L., married Elizabeth Lawrence, of Fishkill. He died
at his residence in Ohio, October 1, 1848, leaving Sarah L., Isaac L.,
and Lawrence F.
(6)	Sarah Lydia Steams, unmarried.
(7)	Cynthia Warren, married Francis Crawford.
* Eager’s Orange County, 161, &e.
f William Thayer was born in Brooklyn, Windham county, Conn., Sept. 21,1784. He
settled in Newburgh about the commencement of the present century, and, in company
with his brother, J ohn Thayer, was engaged in an extensive and successful business for
several years. He died April 9,1856.	J Ante p. 201, 252, etc.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.	381
Hugh Walsh, whose family was of English origin, emigrated from
the vicinity of Belfast, Ireland, in the year 1764 He settled at Phila-
delphia, Pa., where he was employed in the office of a Mr. Buchanan,
a shipping merchant, but subsequently removed to New York, where
he engaged in business, and where he married (1775) Catharine,
daughter of Mrs. Jane Armstrong. During the closing years of the
Revolution it is presumed that he was engaged in furnishing supplies
to the American army at Peekskill, Fishkill and Newburgh. On one
of his visits to the latter place, he purchased from Benjamin Smith
(Feb. 22, 1782,) lots No. 8, 21, and 36, of the Township of Washing-
ton (ante p. 159)^ being one half of the blocks bounded on the east
by the river, north by Fourth street, and west by Smith street, for
which he paid $130 “in specie.” He made no settlement on his pur-
chase ; but in 1790 (April 26), he purchased from Governor George
Clinton the northern part of the Chambers and Sutherland patent,*
including the farm on which his son, the late John H. Walsh, resided
from 1809 until his death in 1853. Residing for a year on that part
of the tract now known as Windsor Hill, the property of Thos. W.
Chrystie, he removed in 1791 to Newburgh and purchased the north-
east corner of Water and Second streets, including the lands under
water, whereon he built a dock and store-house, “ opposite to the new
market,” (the former known for a time as Walsh’s dock, now occu-
pied by the Maillers,) for a general merchandise and freighting busi-
ness, the latter from Newburgh to New York and Albany, which he
continued until 1804, but sold his store to John Shaw in 1799.
Mr. Walsh also engaged in several other business enterprises. In
1792, with James Craig,f he built the paper mill afterwards owned by
his son, John H. Walsh, and now by his grandson, J. DeWitt Walsh.
About 1794, he erected a dwelling house on Water street (afterwards
the famous Mansion House J), where he resided until 1808, when he
removed to a more retired residence which he had built on a plot
of ground fronting on the north side of Western Avenue and bound-
* The property was purchased from the heirs of William Chambers by Nathan Smith in
1758. After the death of the latter, Clinton was the purchaser. The price paid by Mr.
Walsh was £1500,N. Y. currency. The property included the water front on the Hudson
and the land running west on the south side of Quassaick creek.
f Father of the late Hon. Hector Craig, of Craigville..	$ Ante p. 200.382	HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
ed by Grand and Liberty streets. Surrounded by his family, and
kindly known among neighbors and friends, and especially the clergy
to whom his house was a home, he here spent the evening of his life
He died in 1817, in the 72d year of his age.
Mr. Walsh' was one of the most active citizens of Newburgh in
every thing relating to its improvement, and more especially in ad-
vancing its religious and educational interests. This fact, however,
is so amply shown in other parts of this work that it is not necessary
to do more than refer to it here. His family consisted of eight chil-
dren, viz: 1. Jane; 2. Eliza, married Solomon Sleight (afterwards
Judge of Common Pleas), and left no surviving issue; 3. James, mar-
ried Elizabeth, daughter of Alex. Robertson, settled in New York and
engaged in mercantile business. He died suddenly, while on a visit
to Richmond, Ya., leaving five children, some of whom now reside in
New York. 4. Samuel Armstrong, who was a physician and for seve-
ral years the surgeon of the West Point Military Academy. He mar-
ried Hester G., daughter of Pascal N. Smith, of New York, and died
without issue in 1829.	5. John H., late of New Windsor, whose char-
acter as a man of business, an upright citizen, and a conscientious
Christian, was widely known. He married Elizabeth, daughter of
John DeWitt,* formerly of Duchess county, and left issue seven chil-
dren, some of whom are settled in Newburgh and its vicinity. He
died in 1853, and his widow in 1875.	6. Catharine, married David
Andrews of New York; 7. Mary Ann; 8. Charlotte, married the Rev.
Jas. M. Matthews, first Chancellor of the University of New York.
THE DEGROVE FAMILY.
Peter Adolph DeGrove, the founder of the American family of that
name, was one of the French (Huguenot) settlers of New York, where
he conducted mercantile business in 1737. He had three children, viz:
1. Adolph, who removed to the Island of Jamaica, where he died leav-
ing issue Peter, who returned to America and settled in Boston; 2.
Peter, who married Rebecca----, and had Peter, who died unmarried;
Adolph, who settled in Newburgh; Rachel, who married Capt. John
Anderson (1738) and left no surviving descendants; and Rebecca,
who married an Albertson, and has descendants in the Stryker, Law-
rence, and Crolius families of New York; 3. Aefie, who married Gar-
ret Schuyler, a merchant of New York.
* John T)e Witt (erroneously printed DeWint, p. 184) was of a Holland family and a na-
tive of the county of Duchess, where he was elected to the Assembly in 1786, ’88, and ’94,
and sheriff 1789 to ’97. He removed to Newburgh in 1806, and continued his residence here
until his death. He was especially active in the construction of the Newburgh and Cochec-
ton Turnpike, and previous to the commencement of that work had made large purchases
of land m Sullivan county. It is said that he caused the first land to be cleared and the
first road to be made in the present town of Callicoon, and that his son Andrew built the
first house in that town (1813). He died in 1808.—Quinlan's Sullivan County, 161.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
383
J
Adolph, the son of Peter DeGrove (2) was one of the refugees from
New York, at the time of the occupation of that city by the English
forces.’ He settled in Newburgh in 1777 or ’78, and established a
hotel on the south-west corner of Water iand Third streets, which he
conducted for several years; he subsequently removed to the opposite
side of the street, where he also conducted a bakery. He took an
active part in the organization of the First Presbyterian church, of
which he was a member. He died Nov. 29, 1796, in his 76th year.
He married first, a Miss Lawrence, and had:
(1)	Adolph, Jr., who was an assistant quartermaster at Newburgh
(1780), and had charge of the stores which were accumulated here
from time
to time for
the use of
L+S-*7
the army. He
married (1769) Rhoda
Coles, of Queens coun-
ty, and had: 1. Robert
0., married a Miss Smith and left one son, who died without issue; 2.
Adolph L., married Catharine Gallow, of Newburgh, and had eight
children, viz: Edward W., who had two sons; Stephen C., died un-
married; Charles H., left one child; Adolph L., unmarried; Eliza,
married Dr. Wooster Beach; Catharine, married Noah Tompkins;
Rebecca Jane, married William Clark; and Sarah; 3. John; 4. Coles;
5. Samuel—all of whom died unmarried; and 6. Sarah, who married
John Mitchell, of L. I., and left’no surviving issue.
(2)	William, who left issue
two sons, Michael and Quin-
£6/ /(y u (	sey,and one daughter, Sarah.
Quinsey died without issue,
Dec. 1860. Michael had several children.—
Sarah married a Mr. Sobietes.
(3)	John, who probably married and left issue. (4) Sarah, who
married first, a Mr. Rivers, by whom she had Sarah who married a
Mr. Hartwich; and second, Enoch Carter. (5) Mary, who married a
Captain Smith, and left issue Benjamin and Rebecca.
—The second wife of Adolph DeGrove was Mary, sister of Enoch
Carter, by whom he had no issue.384
HIS TOBY OF NEWBUBGH.
THE CARTER FAMILY.
Enoch Carter, from whom the family in Newburgh of that name
descended, was a native of Philadelphia—a Quaker in creed, raising
his children in that faith, and of English ancestry. He had one
brother, Joseph Carter, who was ah officer in the English navy, and
who died unmarried, and one sister, Mary, who was the second wife
of Adolph DeGrove.* He removed to New York prior to the .Revo-
lution, and prosecuted there the occupation of a tanner and currier.
Although restrained by his religious creed from taking an active part
in the struggle for independence, he made no concealment of his po-
litical sympathies, and hence, when the English obtained possession
of the city, he was compelled to abandon his property there, and to
seek personal safety within the American lines. He located near Fort
Montgomery, where he constructed vats and resumed the manufacture
of leather; but returned to New York, after peace was declared, and
resided there until his death in 1792.
Mr. Carter married Sarah Rivers, a widowed daughter of Adolph
DeGrove by his first wife, and had six children, viz: 1. Jonathan; 2.
Adolph, who married Ann McDowell of New York, and had: George,
Joseph, Sarah, Ann, Mary, Margaret (married Sami. Reeve), Richard,
and Elizabeth; 2. Margaret, who married R. Henry Richards, and who
had two children, viz: Henry, who died at the age of 13 years, and
James, who died at the age of 31 years leaving issue Sarah, who mar-
ried Doct. Chas. Peck, and Henry W. 4. Mary, who married Benja-
min Halstead, eldest brother of the late Capt. Charles Halstead of
Newburgh. She died in her 29th year, leaving one child, Margaret
R., who married Sami. T. Callahan. 5. Enoch, who died at the age
of 20 years, without issue. 6. Rebecca, who married a Mr. Rose, and
who has descendants residing in the vicinity of Fort Montgomery.
_ .	Jonathan (1),
/OiA^tC~0	the oldest son of
Y/	I	Enoch Carter,
^	\^s//	was born in New
York, Nov. 2, 1772. He continued the business which his father had
conducted in New York, and provided for the support of his father’s
* Mrs. Mary (Carter) DeGrove died April 20,1824, in her 85th year. Referring to her
death, the Political Index of April 27, remarks: “ Few persons have sustained a long life
so usefully and irreproachably as the subject of this notice. Mrs. DeGrove was almost the
last of that class of exalted females which adorned the society of our village in former
times. The dames DuBois, DeGrove, Riggs, Carpenter, Bowman, and a few others who
might be named, maintained by their education, piety and virtue, that distinction under a
democracy which a regal government conferred upon rank, Their manners were formed
in the higher, circles before the Revolution, and were admirably maintained. Those who
have enjoyed their society will long remember the high-toned urbanity, the excellent edu-
cation, the exalted piety, the charity of feeling and benevolence of action which marked
all their intercourse with society and commanded its adniiration. But it is a part of our
nature to perish; and they have been gathered to the home of their fathers, full of years,
full of honors, and we hope, crowned with immortal life,’’BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
385
family, until 1798, when the latter was broken up under the panic
caused by the yellow fever. He then came to Newburgh, where, with
the assistance of his aunt, Mrs. DeGrove, he opened (1799) a store
for the manufacture and sale of tobacco, and he continued in that
business until his death. He was thrice married—first, to Elizabeth,
daughter of John Anderson, Jr., who died (1799) in her 17th year,
without issue;* second, to Bridget, daughter of Benj. Smith, who died
in 1803 leaving one child, Elizabeth, who married Ward M. Gazlay;
third, to Jane Linderman,j* who died in 1830, leaving issue: 1. Enoch;
2. Margaret, who married Levi D. Woolsey; 3. Catharine, who mar-
ried Henry Byer, and 4. Charles. Mr. Carter died May 30, 1820, in
his 48th year. He was highly esteemed by the community, and “in
all his relations he sustained an upright and worthy character.”
Enoch Carter, oldest son of Jonathan
Carter, was for several years identified with
the political, social and business history of
Newburgh. In early life he shipped on one
of the Newburgh Whaling Company’s ves-
sels ; and after his return commenced the
tobacco business in a store opposite the
Highland Bank, where he remained until he
had opportunity, through the death of Mr.
Wiley (his father’s successor), to purchase
the stock and take possession of his father’s
old place of business, in which he continued
the trade until a few years before his death.
He took a deep interest in politics; was
frequently the candidate of the Democratic
party for local positions, and represented it
in stato and national conventions, gaining
a reputation more than local. His charac-
ter was two-fold—the outward, springing
associations by sea and land into which he
was thrown ; and the inward, actuated by kindly sympathies and noble purposes. Of the
first it is Hot necessary to speak, as it was that in which he was most frequently met—a
compound of Quaker faith and charity, and of the rudeness of the quarter-deck; but in
the latter, he gave many evidences of a strong, quick and original mind, developed by
habits of thought and observation. Perhaps none of the active men of his generation
evinced a deeper interest in the prosperty of his native place than he, and certainly none
were more self-sacrificing in advancing measures designed to give to it character abroad.
If “a liberal mind deviseth liberal things,” then was he most liberal, for he never wearied
in devising objects designed to confer some lasting good; and if not “by apostolic blows
and knocks,” by equally potent means he succeeded in grafting many of his suggestions
upon public and private policy. He was the originator of the plan for separating the town
* John Anderson and John Anderson, Jr., were early merchants of Newburgh, but it is
not known that they sustained any* relationship. The former married Jane McB-oberts in
1780. His wife died in 1815, in her 45th year; and he died in 1816, in his 52d year. The
latter married Maria., daughter of Benjamin Smith sometime about 1772. His daughter,
Elizabeth, married Jonathan Carter, and his family is represented by Hiram Anderson,
now or late of New York. Mrs. Carter died of yellow fever—the first and, it is said, the
only case of that disease in Newburgh.
t The Lindermans are of German ancestry. They were among the early settlers of the
town of Crawford, and the family is still numerous in this county and in Ulster.
025386	HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
from the county in the support of the poor, which has proved his assumption that there-
by the poor would be better and more economically provided for. The erection of a new
county with Newburgh for its shire-town, he urged as being dictated by the convenience
of the people interested and their due influence in the government; and though not suc-
cessful, the seed sown has a firm rooting. To local improvements of every kind he was a
liberal contributor; while to his antiquarian tastes and to his reverence for the memory of
the founders of the nation, the public are mainly indebted for the valuable collection of
manuscripts and other relics which are deposited in Washington’s Head-quarters, as well
as for the rescue of that property from the grasp of private speculation and the care with
which the mansion has been preserved. He was one of the founders of the Mechanics’
Library Association, and gave to it a large collection of minerals ; manifested a deep in-
terest in the success of free schools and a free library, and at one time prepared his will
for the endowment of a school of design. Indeed, the predominant trait in his disposition
was to be practically useful; to be instrumental in conferring permanent benefits upon the
community, and especially to surround the young with incentives to lead worthy lives and
with advantages and associations of which his own experience had taught him the neces-
sity. His last work was the Cedar Hill Cemetery, in which his remains were the first to
be interred. He died in Newburgh, January 14,1872, after an illness of short duration.
JOSEPH HOFFMAN.
Joseph Hoffman was born in New York about 1*773.
Although very little is positively known in reference to
to the subject, it is believed that he was a descendant of
one of the early Dutch burghers of that city, but it
is equally probable that, he sprung from one of the
Palatine immigrants of 1710.* He came to Newburgh
1793, in the employ of Adolph DeGrove; but subsequently, in com-
pany with his brother, John Hoffman, purchased the establishment
from Mrs. DeGrove, and continued it as a bakery and confectionery.
He remained with his brother until 1804, when he erected a building
on the north-west corner of Water and Second streets, and began
business on his own account,f and continued it until his death.
Mr. Hoffman was eminently a just man. He was educated in the
Lutheran faith, and was attached to that church until he became a
resident of Newburgh. As there was no organization of that denomi-
nation here, however, he united with St. George’s church, at the time
of its reorganization (1805), and held an active and influential mem-
bership in that body during the remainder of his life. He was a
quiet, unassuming man, an upright citizen and a sincere Christian.
Mr. Hoffman was a member of the board of trustees of the village
for several terms, and was also one of the trustees of the Glebe. In
these and in several less important public trusts, he was remarkable
for the faithful manner in which he discharged his duties. He was a
man of good common sense, had a thorough appreciation of right,
* The Hoffmans were of Swedish origin. In the time of Gustavus Adolphus, they re-
moved to Germany and became distinguished in Dutch and German literature. In Scan-
dinavian, the name is Hoppman—in German, Hoffman, or “ Child of Hope.”—Iiolgate.
f Ante p. 174, 198. John Hoffman removed to the province of New Brunswick.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
387
above all he had a disposition that was not easily ruffled. These
traits in his character exhibited themselves in his every act, and won
for him the respect of all. In his personal appearance and in his
habits, especially during the latter part of his life, he was a type of
the ancient Knickerbockers, and had his dress been less modern the
resemblance would have been complete.
Mr. Hoffman married Maria, daughter of Abraham W. Yan Deusen,
of New York, and had: 1. Eliza Ann, who married Robert Reeve and
had Fanny M., Catharine, Adaline H., Henrietta H., Hoffman, and
Robert. 2. Mary, who married Paddock Chapman* and had Mary
E., married William H. Gerard; Joseph H. H., married Lydia W.
Sanxay; Catharine M.; Susan A., married Ithamar D. Phelps; Debo-
rah A.; Thomas P., married Lydia Crist; Isaac C., married Letitia
Kennedy; Charles F., married Agnes Hamilton; James L., died 1840;
William G., married Emetine Welch; Caroline G., married Henry
Hunter; and Louisa. 3. Catharine, who married William Scott,f and
had Maria J., married Calvin Sloat; Harriet L.; Cornelia E.; Sarah E.,
and Anna, married Jas. L, Teller. 4. Abraham Y. D., died in his 14th
year. 5. Susan, died young. 6. Harriet Amelia, married John D.
Phillips, and had Maria H., Joseph H., John D., Adaline, Clark, and
Edmund. 7. Adaline, married David Howell, died without issue.
8. Cornelia E., married Edmund S. Sanxay, J and left issue Frederick
D., Charles D.? and George W. 9. Cecelia A., married Nelson Haight
and had Henry M., Robert W., Joseph H., Abraham, and Charles E.
10. Sarah A., and 11. Jane. Mr. Hoffman died Nov. 16, 1852, aged
79. years, and his wife, Maria, died June 4,1869, in her 94th year.
THE ROBERT GARDINER FAMILY.
James Gairdner, the paternal ancestor of this family, was a native of
Glascow, Scotland. His wife was a Miss M’Nair; and their children
were: 1. Robert; 2. James; 3. Margaret; 4. Cecelia—of whom
Robert Gardiner (1) was born May 31, 1769. He emigrated to America in 1789 or ’90,
and settled temporarily in Duchess county, but soon after removed to Newburgh, where
he was first employed as. a clerk in the store of Mr. Hugh Walsh, and afterwards with
John Anderson and John McAuley. To conform his family name to the American idiom,
he transposed the letter i, placing it after the letter d, rendering it Gardiner. He relin-
quished the occupation of clerk in 1795, and opened, on the. south-west corner of Water
and Fourth streets, a general store, and adjoining it (on the site now occupied by Chap-
man’s drug store) what was then termed a “ Coffee House ”—the latter the first establish-
* Mr. Chapman was a descendant of Ralph Chapman, of Southwark, Eng., who settled
in Duxbury, Mass.., in 1635. He was born in Southeast, Putnam county; removed to New-
burgh about 1810; married Mary Hoffman, May 4,1820; died April 2,1865.
f William Scott married, first, Sarah, daughter of John Spier, who left issue Francis
Scott, who served as cashier of the old Bank of Newburgh, treasurer of the city, etc.
$ Edmund S. Sanxay married, first, Eliza, daughter of Mark McIntyre, who left issue
Edmund S. Sanxay. Mr. Sanxay was the son of Edmund and Lydia (Belknap) Sanxay,
who left issue Charlotte (married a Sandford), Edmund S., John H., Stephen, and Lydia
W. (married Joseph H. H. Chapman.)388
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
ment of the kind in Newburgh—and was first to introduce the drinking of ale beer. His
house soon became a favorite resort; and his pewter pint cups, with their engraved wreath
enclosing the initials, “ R. G..” were a pleasant memory to many old citizens. In 1802, he
became a citizen, and from that time until 1812, was variously engaged as a school-master,
captain of a sloop, painter, and merchant, and finally established a confectionery and toy
store. In 1812, he was ordered, with the company of militia of which he was first lieuten-
ant, to Staten Island, where he remained about three months. Soon after , his return the
reign of shin-plasters commenced, and “ among the many individuals and corporations by
whom they were issued,” remarks Mr. Eager, “none had a greater circulation than Robert
Gardiner’s small bills. Some idea may be formed of the extent of the circulation of shin-
plasters at that time, when the fact is stated, that the average weekly amount taken in
exchange for bank bills and his own, together with what he received in the course of
business, amounted to no less than $2,000.” *
Mr. Gardiner married first (1791), Jane, daughter of Benj. Smith, and had: 1. James
M., born Oct. 21, 1792; 2. Robert S., died young; 3. Robert S., born October 29, 1795; 4.
Cecelia B., born July 11,1799. Mrs. Jane Gardiner died in 1803, and he married, Feb. 19,
1801, Sybil Burr, and had: 5. Jefferson Y. V.; 6. Arabella J. G. Y. Y.; 7. Cicero A., died
Feb. 21,1875; 8. Demosthenes C.; 9. Iduella T. R.; 10. Lawrence L.; 11. Marion A.; 12.
Zelima; 13. Franklin M.; 11. Lewis W., married Frances Emily Ferry; 15. Baron Steuben;
16. Anastesia M., married Lewis H. Stansbrough. He died March 3,1831, on a small farm;
which he had named Mount Airy, situate a short distance west of Newburgh. His wife,
Sybil, died in 1851.
James M’Naib Gardiner (1), the oldest son
of Robert and Jane Gardiner, received his early
education in Newburgh. At the age of 16 years,
he commenced the study of medicine under Dr.
Gidney; and was subsequently a private pupil to
Doct. Mott, of New York, for eighteen months.
He coifimenced practice in 1813, and his services
were ih constant requisition from that time until
Oct. 1st, 1857, when he was confined to his resi-
dence by a chronic illness which terminated his
life (Dec. 8th) the following year. In conversa-
tion with him a short time prior to his death, he
informed the writer that, before he had been a
pupil for one year, so great was the demand for
the services of a physician, that he was thrust forward by his instructor into practice; and
that, before he was 17 years of age, he had attended with success several difficult cases of
child-birth. “ May God forgive me for any errors in practice that I may have committed
then,” said he, “ but I done the best for suffering humanity that I could. And since that
time, how many of the first accents of the living, and the farewells of the dying, have
fallen upon my ear. I have seen suffering in all its forms; have had, what few physicians
can claim, two cases of triplets—one all boys, and the other all girls—pass through my
hands into this breathing world; and, as a general rule, I may claim,—and I am too near
my grave to be accused of boasting,—a most successful practice.”
The concurrent testimony of the community in which Doct. Gardiner practiced for
nearly half a century, establishes beyond question his thorough acquaintance with disease
in all its forms; and the demand for his services, at all times as great as he could respond
to, attests his skill. In his intercourse with society, or with his patients, he was always
pleasant and agreeable; and many instances are related where the sick forgot their pains,
and rallied into new life, as he imparted .cheerfulness to the chamber of suffering by his
queer stories, which few knew better how to relate. He was a man of good literary taste
and cultivation; was familiar with most of the standard writers of Great Britain, as well
* The issue of small bills, referred to by Mr. Eager, was occasioned by the scarcity, of
specie which was drawn from circulation to meet the requirements of the army. The
Board of Trustees of the village printed and circulated several reams of this currency,
ranging from 6| to 50 cents, which was redeemed at the Bank of Newburgh.	tBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.	389
as his own country; quoted with facility from Shakspeare and Scott; and was a frequent
contributor to the literary associations of which he was a member, and to the public press.
He married, first, Maria, daughter of Josiah Vail, of Wallkill, and had: 1. Robert W.; 2.
Lucy Ann Cornelia, married Dr. Daniel Wells, of New York. Mrs. Maria Gardiner died in
1824, and he married, second, Caroline H., daughter of David Havens, of Cornwall, and
had: 3. Maria A., married Charles Smith, of Newburgh, died May 2,1855; 4. James H.,
died young; 5. Walter S.; 6. Caroline H.; 7. James H., died young; 8. Emma Jane, mar-
ried Charles Stewart, of Newburgh; 9. James M.; 10. Henry C. James M. (9), an ama-
ture astronomer, was the discoverer of what is known as Gardiner’s Comet.
THE JOHN BROWN FAMILY.
John Brown was a native of Monaghan, Ireland, where he conduct-
ed business as a dealer in hardware and books and stationery; he also
had printing in connection with his establishment. In the events pre-
ceding the Irish Rebellion of 1798, he expressed his sympathies with
the reforms demanded, and as freedom of opinion was not tolerated
by the English, he soon found the officers of the government on his
track. Knowing his fate if arrested, he slipped a roll of guineas in
his pocket and secured a passage in a vessel on the eve of sailing for
New York. His wife and family remained in Ireland, closed up his
business there, and followed him to America in 1800.
Mr. Brown came to Newburgh almost immediately after his arrival
in this country; and, with the assistance sent on by his wife, opened
what he called an “Universal Store.”* It was the first store of the
kind in Newburgh, and he enjoyed a large trade. He subsequently
erected the building now No. 69 Water street; sold his books and
confined his attention mainly to hardware, in which his sons, John
and James S., were his successors. He died Oct. 1, 1825, in his 67th
year.f His wife was Alice Chichester, a lady of Scotch . parentage;
she died Sept. 14, 1829. Their children were:
1.	Chichester, born Jan. 20, 1783, died August 8, 1849; married
Catharine, daughter of Doct. Graham, of Shawangunk, and had: 1.
John James, married Mary R. Yan Arsdale, who died March 5, 1855,
leaving one son, Chichester; 2. George, died in 1870; married Jeanet,
daughter of George Bruce, of New York, and had Bruce B.
2.	John, married Eliza Case, of Goshen; died in 1852 without issue.
3.	James S., married, first, Sarah Haines; had Hannah, Jane, Ann
* The character of the business which was conducted by Mr. Brown will be better un-
derstood by stating, that he kept for sale “Hardware, Jewelry, Iron-mongery, Nails,
Hollow-ware, Looking-Glasses, Window Glass, Paints and Oil, China, Glass, Delft, Bristol
and Stone-ware, Bibles, School Books, Novels, Histories, Dr. Owen’s Prophetical Sermon,
Groceries, Wines, Brandy, Gin, and Spirits.”	,
4t The Gazette, of concurrent date, remarks: “ The death of Mr. Brown will be sensibly
felt by the community, of which he was an honorable and esteemed member; and the
church to which he was attached has suffered a loss which will long be remembered with
painful emotions. Possessed of ample means and a heart always open to the calls of
charily, he was a father to the fatherless; and the afflicted never called on him in vain.
His grave will be watered with the tears of gratitude, and his memory will be cherished
with respect for his Virtues, and affection for his benevolence. ”366
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
dence (the old homestead of his father) was the cradle of' Methodism in Newburgh.* He
wa,s born in the year 1757, and died Jan. 22,1830. By his first wife, Rebecca Gidney, he
had: 1. Purdy; 2. Mary, married George Wandell; 3. Charlotte. By his second wife,
Mary Clapp, he had; 4. Henry; 5. Rebecca, married George Grove; 6. Electa, married
Dr. James Smith; 7. Samuel; 8. Charlotte, married Henry Cox. Purdy (1) married Char-
lotte Tooker, and had six children; Henry (4) married Eliza Ann Thorne and had one
child. Samuel (7) married Susan Phillips.
(2) Isaac married Margaret Theall, and had Isaac, Jr., who married
Glorianna, daughter of Caleb Merritt, and sister of Elizabeth, wife of
Doct. David Fowler. The children of Isaac, Jr., and Glorianna were:
1. Caleb, born Feb. 8, 1775, died March 8, 1826; 2. Martha; 3. Doct.
Charles; 4. Gilbert; 5. Nehemiah; 6. David; 7. Doct. Francis; 8. Doct.
Isaac. Caleb (1) married Catharine Sebring, a granddaughter of Isaac
Sebring and Catharine Yan Benschoten, and had: 1. Peter Y. B., mar-
ried Eliza DuBois, died April 21, 1875, in his 76th year; 2. Caroline,
married James E. Slater; 3. Dr. Gilbert S., born April 11, 1804, died
April 30, 1832; A Ann Catharine, bom 1806, died 1833; 5. Amelia,
married Wm. D. Weygant, died Dec. 30, 1834; 6. Martha B., died in
infancy; 7. Margaret, died young; 8. Matthew Y. B., married Eliza-
beth F. Seyiiiour; 9. Jacob Y. B., deceased, married first, Susan Jane
Brinckerhoff, and second, a daughter of John Currie; 10. Elizabeth,
born 1819, died 1836; 11. Isaac Sebring, married Mary L. Powell.
The members of this branch of the family have for many years been
among the most substantial citizens of the town, and distinguished
alike for their public and private worth.
It has not been possible to obtain the descendants of John (3),
James (4), and Nehemiah (5), brothers of Samuel (1) and Isaac (2),
nor the descendants of the brothers of Caleb, the son of Isaac, Jr.
It may be mentioned, however, that Doct. Charles, the- third son of
Isaac, Jr., was for many years a physician of high reputation in the
the town of Montgomery, where he left descendants.
' Jeremiah (2), son of William of Flushing, died at Bye, Westches-
ter county, in 1766. He left a son David (born 1728, died 1806,) who
had David, Jr., born Dec. 28, 1755, died Oct. 20, 1835.
David Fowler, Jr., better known as Doct. David, was born at Orom Pond, Westches-
ter county. He received a liberal education, and was engaged in completing the studies .
of hi? profession, in the city of New York, when the war of the Revolution broke out.
After the British obtained possession of the city, he accepted the appointment of surgeon
in the second regiment of loyalists, and served during the continuance of the struggle.
Soon after the war closed he removed to Newburgh where he settled upon lands composing
part of the farm, and built the house now occupied by David E. Fowler, on the road lead-
ing from Newburgh to Marlborough. Here he continued to reside until about 1828, when
he.removed to the village of Newburgh. He was an earnest supporter of St. George’s
church, and served in its Vestry several years ; enjoyed a very considerable reputation as
a skillful physician, and had an extensive practice; while in his social intercourse his libe-
ral and expanded views and varied information were so happily blended with great suavity
and affability of manners, hospitality and kindness of heart, as to stamp him a true gen-
* Ante p. 325, 326.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
367
tleman of the old school, and made his society widely courted. Doctor Fowler married
Elizabeth, daughter of Caleb Merritt, October 9, 1785, and had: 1‘. James, born Jan. 18,
1787, died in infancy; 2. Gilbert Ogden, born Dec. 10,1788, died Dec. 27,1813; 3. Abigail,
born Dec. 27,1789, married Samuel Sands Seymour, diejd May 5,1817; 1. Hannah, born
May 11,1791,■died March 20, 1792; 5. Martha Elizabeth, born December 11,1792, married
Joseph Carpenter, of New Windsor, May 22, 1810, died May 10, 1851.
Gilbert Ogden Fowler, the second son of
Doct. David, graduated with honor at Columbia
College, and subsequently pursued the study of
law at Newburgh, with Solomon Sleight. He
was licensed to practice in 1810; appointed Mas-
ter in Chancery in 1816; Judge of Orange Com-
mon Pleas in 1828, and First Judge of that Court
(in place of Samuel S. Seward, ) in 1833. In. the
autumn of 1833, he was elected to the legislature,
and as a member of that body was instrumental
in securing the passage of the charter of the
Highland Bank, and also of the Delaware and
Hudson Railroad. He was elected president of j
the Highland Bank, on the organization of that'
institution, and occupied that position until hisfj
death. He also held several important military
commissions; was aid-de-camp to Gen. Leonard
Smith in 1813; quarter-master of 34th brigade in
1815; aid-de-camp to the major-general of the
second division of infantry in 1816; brig-
ade major and inspector in 1818; briga-
dier-general 34th brigade in 1826 (elected
in 1825); and major-general of 5th brig-
ade in 1827. The Highland Courier, of
Dec. 30, contained the following para-
graph in reference to his death: “Genl.
Fowler had been somewhat unwell for several days, but was not considered seriously sick,
and was sitting up and conversing cheerfully until about an hour previous to his death.—
Genl. Fowler has been for many years a citizen of Newburgh, and has occupied many
stations of trust and responsibility. He was equally respected and esteemed in private
life, and his death leaves a wide blank in the social circle in this village.” Genl. Fowler
married Rachel Ann, daughter of James and Ann Walker, of the city of New York,. Dec.
21, 1812, and left issue: 1. Ann, married Leonard D. Nicoll, has two sons, Gilbert O. F., and
Edward; 2. David E., married Jane Ann, daughter of Chancey Belknap, has Isaac W.,
Chancey B., Edward, and Annie; 3. Isaac Yanderbeck, died Sept. 28, 1869, unmarried; 4.
James Walker, married Mary Frances Brown, of New York, had Frederic Culbert, died
Jan. 7,1870, and Frances Elizabeth; 5. Elizabeth, unmarried.
THE PURDY FAMILY.
This family are the descendants of Francis Purdy, of Yorkshire,
Eng., who removed to Fairfield, Conn., where he died in 1658, leav-
ing two sons, Francis and Joseph, who were born in Yorkshire, and
who held commissions from the crown as surveyors. Francis, Jr., left
Joseph, the father of David, the father of David and Nathan Purdy,
who settled in Newburgh prior to 1763. Joseph, the second son of
Francis of Fairfield, married Elizabeth Ogden and had: 1. Samuel;
2. John; 3. Francis; 4. Daniel; 5. Joseph.
(1) Samuel married Charlotte Strang and had: 1. Glorianna, mar-368
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
ried George Mejritt, Senr. ;* * * § 2. Samuel, married Winifred Griffing
and had Samuel, Henry, Jacob, Gabriel, and Lavina who married
Captain Eleazer Gidney; 3. Caleb, married Hannah Brown and had
Caleb, Samuel, Josiah, Andrew, Nehemiah, Sylvanus, Elias, Caroline,
Hannah, Lavina, and Anna; 4. Gabriel, married Bethia Miller and had
James, Gabriel, Anthony, Glorianna, Lewis, Henry, and Bethia; 5.
Charlotte, married Samuel Fowler, Senr.;f 6. Henry, married Mary
Foster, granddaughter of Major Paulding, and had Elizabeth, Wil-
liam, Anna, Henry, and Samuel who was born in Yorktown, 1751,
died in Newburgh, 1836, married Charlotte, daughter of Abel Flew-
welling, and had Henry, Abigail, Elizabeth, Mary, Anna, Esther, Mar-
tha, and Abel Guilford; 7. Elizabeth, married Josiah Fowler and had
Glorianna, Gabriel, Esther, and Martha; 8. Josiah, married Charity
Wetmore and had Seth, Alathea, Anna, and Esther.
(2)	John had three sons, Elisha, Joseph, and Nathaniel.
(3)	Francis had a son David, and three daughters, viz: Abigail,
who married Nehemiah Fowler; Elizabeth, who married Arthur Smith;
and Martha, who married Caleb Merritt. He died in Newburgh, June
2, 1760, aged 63 years.
(4)	David had Isaiah, Nathan, David, Gilbert, Samuel, Josiah, Martha
who married Daniel Denton, and Lavina who married Bobert Denton.
■The birdsall family.
Benjamin and Daniel Birdsall were brothers, and removed from
Long Island to Newburgh sometime about 1768. They were inti-
mately associated with the early history of the town, and their names
frequently occur in the pages of this work. Benjamin married Mary,
daughter of Daniel Tooker,J and had: 1. Margaret, m. John Salmon,
Sept. 2, 1785; 2. Samuel; 3. Martha, m. Capt. Edmund Griswold,
Feb. 2, 1792; 4. Hannah, m. first, David Sinsabaugh, and second,
Jonathan D. Ferris; 5. Charles, m. Amelia Belknap, May 2, 1802; 6.
Mary, m. Gilbert Cooper; 7. Cornelia, m. Capt. Apollos Howell; 8.
Asa, lost at sea; 9. Benjamin. Daniel married Tamar, daughter of
Capt. Joseph Coleman,§ and had: 1. Hannah, m. Isaac Hasbrouck; 2.
Mercy, m. first, Col. Thomas Palmer, distinguished in local Bevolu-
tionary history, || and second, John Boice, grandfather of the late
* See sketch of Merritt family.	f See sketch of Fowler family.
X The Tooker family were the descendants of Charles Tooker, who came from Long Island
with the Birdsalls, and who had: 1. Reuben, married Martha,.daughter of Sami. Fowler,
Senr.; 2. Daniel; 3. Mary, married Benjamin Birdsall; 4. Hannah,married Col. Leonard
Smith; 5. Martha, married Isaac Fowler, Jr.; 6. Ruth, married Genl. Nathaniel DuBois.
§ Joseph Coleman came from Nantucket in 1774. His children, by his wife Eunice, were:
Tamar, married Daniel Birdsall; Janet, married a Mr. Watts ; Elizabeth, married Isaac
Belknap; Polly, married Chan cey Griswold. (Ante p. 171.)
|| Col. Palmer was a member of the Provincial Convention of N. Y. 1775-’76; member
of Assembly 1779-80; Senator 1782-’84; colonel of Minute Men; chairman of Committee
of Safety, etc. (Ante p. 135,141, 171.)390
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
Eliza, Sarah, John C., Achsah, and Isabella. His second wife, a
daughter of Washington Wood, was without issue.
4.	Isabella, married Robert Wilson; died in 1821.
5.	Anna Jane, married John Forsyth; died in 1852.
6.	Edward, died in 1820.
Chichester Brown (1) received a liberal education, and entered active life as a teacher
of Latin and Greek in the Newburgh Academy; he subsequently stood at the head of a
large classical school in Albany. The profession of teaching, however, he soon relinquished
for that of physician, and commenced his studies under Doct. Graham, of Shawangunh,
(grandfather of Hon. James G. Graham,) an eminent physician and surgeon. In 1808 or
’9, he entered practice in the western part of the town of Newburgh; and in. 1812 or
’18, removed to the village, where he continued to reside until his death. He was one of
the most devoted physicians that ever practiced in Newburgh. No hardship was too great
for him to encounter, and the voice of suffering always found him ready at its call. Espe-
cially was he kind and attentive to the poor. The wealthy he knew could command attend-
ance and comfort, and that the poor were too frequently permitted to suffer and die with-
out a thought for their condition. This evil he labored to correct; and in his mission of
good never paused to inquire into the pecuniary circumstances of his patient. He fell a
martyr to this noble trait in his character—contracted disease in the humble cabin of the
immigrant, and after a short illness, rested from his labors. If it be true that
----------All our actions take
Their hues from, the complexion of the heart,”
then is his memory justly cherished. * He was, in some respects, what would be called
eccentric; but his face half shrouded in green spectacles, a fan, an umbrella, and a cane,
his usual costume in the street; and the silver drinking cup which he carried in his pocket,
lest through its absence at any time he should take more of refreshing beverages than would
be conducive to his good, are all pleasant pictures in the history of his useful life. His
son, George, was a practicing physician and had many of his father’s traits of character.
His son, John James, was for many years principal of the Newburgh Institute.
PHINEAS BOWMAN.
Among the lawyers who took up their resi-
dence in Newburgh at an early period, was
Phineas Bowman. He had served in a Mas-
sachusetts regiment in the war of the Revo-
lution, and attained the rank of captain, but
^ was usually addressed by the title of colonel.
|| He came here with the army, and either re-
mained here after its disbandment, as was the
case with several of his contemporaries in the
service, or returned here not long subsequent
to that event. He was a man of good legal attainments; was admit-
ted to practice in the courts of Ulster county in 1790; rose rapidly in
his profession, and rendered his constituents valuable service, as a
member of the legislature in 1798, by securing a law erecting the pres-
ent county of Orange. During the last few years of his life, however,
he lost his character and his fortune by habits of intemperance; and
his memory is now preserved only through the medium of anecdotes,
some of them of doubtful authenticity, arising from occurrences inBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
391
which lie is said to have been a principal participant, but which are
also claimed as incidents in the life of Judge Baker. He owned the
property subsequently purchased by the late William Boe, on Mont-
gomery street. His residence, however, was taken down by Mr. Boe,
and removed to the south-west corner of Montgomery and Third
streets. He left one daughter, Mary, who married Benj. Anderson, a
student in her father’s office. His wife, Mary, died March 22, 1813,
universally esteemed by all who enj oyed her acquaintance. *
JONATHAN FISK.
Jonathan Fisk, the most distinguished of the early lawyers of New-
burgh, was born at Amherst, N. H., Sept. 26, 1773. He was the son
of Jonathan Fisk who subsequently resided at Williamstown, Yt., and
became a member of the legislature of that statej and judge of pro-
bate, as well as the founder of that branch of the family of which the
late James Fisk, of Erie railroad fame, was a member. Jonathan Fisk,
Senr., was the son of Major-general John Fisk, of Salem; who was the
son of Bev. Samuel Fisk, of Salem; who was the son of Bev. Moses
Fisk, of Braintree; who was the youngest son of Bev. John Fisk,
who came to Salem in 1637, settled at Wenham, afterwards removed
to Chelmsford, Mass., and died in his charge in 1676.f
Jonathan Fisk, the subject of this sketch,
left the home of his father at the age of 19
years, and commenced the occupation of school
teacher, qualified, according to a letter of rec-
ommendation signed by Moses Bradford, Dec.
12,1792, to teach “ writing, English grammar,
and arithmetic.” We next find him at Ware,
N. H., in 1795, with a certificate stating that
he had lived for several months in the family
of Amos Wood, of that place, where he had
“read Greek and Latin, and attended to other
branches of study, by which he appeared well-
qualified to teach a school;” and that he
‘ maintained a good moral character.” In
1796 or ’97, he entered the office of Peter
Hawes, in New York, and commenced the
study of law. He was without other means
of support than such as his own industry could
furnish, but he was enabled to complete his
studies by occasional remuneration for services as an amanuensis, and by giving instruc-
tion to a class of young men in the evening. In 1799, he was admitted to practice in the
court of Common Pleas of Westchester county; in 1800, in the Supreme Court of the
state, and during the same year, in the courts of Common Pleas of the counties of Orange
and Ulster. In 1802, he was examined by Chief Justice Morgan Lewis, and “regularly
admitted as a Counsellor of Law, in all the courts of the State of New York.” Mr. Fisk
* Ante p. 180,381. The engraving given in connection with this sketch is from a profile
likeness taken in 1798, while Mr. Bowman was a member of the legislature.
t This genealogical statement is from a memorandum found among Mr. Fisk’s papers.—
The family is presumed to have descended froip Robert and Sybil Fiske of Suffolk co., Eng.392
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
removed to Newburgh, Feb. 4, 1800. In 1809, he was elected representative in Congress
from the Ylth District, which was composed of the counties of Orange and Westchester;
and again in 1814.* Parties were then known by the titles of democrats and federalists.
Mr. Fisk was a democrat and an ardent supporter of the administrations of Jefferson and
of Madison. While in Congress, he sustained the war of 1812; opposed the recharter of
the Bank of the United States;f proposed a plan for a national printing office, and during his
whole career he commanded the confidence of his friends and the respect of his opponents.
In 1815 (March 21), he was appointed by President Madison, attorney for the United
States in and for the Southern District of New York, and this appointment was renewed
Jan. 6,1816. Here he was very dilligent and efficient in prosecuting those who evaded.the
law in regard to the sale of foreign merchandise without a license, and so exasperated did
this class of offenders become that they threatened him with personal punishment. Fail-
ing to intimidate him, they appealed to congress on a question of fees, for the purpose of
securing his removal from office. The subject was referred to the Committee on the Ju-
diciary, who reported that while Mr. Fisk’s fees had been large, and in some instances un-
sustained by law, he had nevertheless been governed by the usage of the former incuni-
bents of the office; and the subject died “ on the table.” He remained undisturbed until
the expiration of Madison’s administration, in 1820, when his successor was appointed.
As a citizen, Mr. Fisk was highly esteemed. The town records, the files of our public
journals, and his own manuscripts, bear testimony to the commanding position which he
occupied, and to the superiority of his abilities. The most important legal cases were
submitted to his care; v'hile on the various local questions of the times, his views received
the highest consideration. In 1803 or ’4, he married Sarah Yan Kleeck, of Poughkeepsie,
and soon afterwards erected the mansion recently occupied by Charles Halstead, Senr.,
deceased, in Colden street, where he resided until his appointment as District Attorney,
when he removed to New York. At the expiration of his official term, he returned to
Newburgh, and purchased the farm lately owned and occupied by Lynde Belknap, where
he resided until his death.
In person, Mr. Fisk-was large and of a presence that impressed all with whom he had
intercourse with a sense of his superiority—	-
“ A combination, and a form indeed,
Where every God did seem to set his seal,
To give the world assurance of a man!”
His wife was a lady of more than ordinary personal attractions, lively, witty, and not with-
out fair literary abilities. His family record is as follows: Jonathan Fisk, born Sept. 26,
1773; died July 13,1832. Sarah Yan Kleeck, wife of Jonathan Fisk, born March 18, 1773;
died June 6, 1832. Children: Theodore S., found dead in the street in New York in 1854
or ’55; James L., died at Pensacola in 1835; Delaphine R. E., married J. C. Bisbee, died July
22,1846; Mary M. , died June 8, 1822; and an infant son who died at the age of two months.
JONAS STOREY.
Jonas Storey was born in Norwich, Conn., July 11th 1778. He
early manifested a strong desire for the legal profession, and notwith-
standing the opposition of his father, was enabled by his own exer-
tions to enter William’s college, where he graduated with honor.
While reading law he was at the same time an instructor in the
Poughkeepsie Academy. He was admitted to the bar in 1802, soon
* Mr. Fisk’s opponent, in 1808, was R. Hatfield. The vote in Newburgh was: Fisk, 298;
Hatfield, 27; and in the county, he had 483 majority. In 1814, the vote in Newburgh stood:
Fisk, 324; Storey, 97. In the county, Fisk received 2345 votes, and Storey 660.
t It should, perhaps, be stated, that Mr. Fisk opposed the recharter of the bank in the
form which the bill prescribed. His speech oh this subject was delivered Jan. 18, 1811,
and incurred the displeasure of the eccentric John Randolph, who replied to it in his usual
sarcastic manner. Fisk rejoined and handled his opponent with such force that be won
from him a tribute of respect and secured his friendship.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.	398
after lie removed to Newburgh, where he maintained for forty years
a distinguished place among the members of his profession.
Mr. Storey was one of those old fashioned jurists who regarded law
as a science; he was ever searching for its principles, but he was none
the less skillful in their practical application. With the best of the
old English classics he was familiar. He was also exceedingly fond of
metaphysical studies, and this tendency of his mind, perhaps, led him
to spend too much time speculating about the more abstruse points of
Christian doctrine. So extended were his studies in this direction
that he might be properly called a theologian as well as a lawyer. He
took a prominent part in the discussions on the subject of religion,
which prevailed here at the commencement of the present century.
He had probably heard more sermons preached than any other man
of his age in the village; and he retained for years the outline of any
that had particularly interested him.
Mr. Storey held the office of Justice of the Peace for several years,
and his prompt and even handed administration of the law made his
court a terror to evil doers. He was a candid man, and sometimes
gave utterances to his thoughts with a freedom which bordered upon
bluntness; but beneath this manner there was a heart full of kindly
sympathies. He retired from the active duties of his profession a few
years previous to his death, but the change was disastrous; his mind,
released from its long routine of toil, appeared to turn inward upon
itself, and reason forsook its throne. He died Sept. 22, 1848, in the
77th year of his age.
Mr. Storey married (Oct 18,1804), Mary, daughter of Isaac Schultz,
of New Windsor, and had: 1. Henry E., who married Rebecca Cook,
is now deceased; 2. Edwin,who married Abbey Basset Clark, is now
deceased; 3. Helen E., who married Orville M. Smith, is now deceas-
ed; 4. Mary B., who married Daniel Smith; 5. Nathan S., who mar-
ried Harriet Smith, is now deceased.
THE SCHULTZ FAMILY.
Christian Otto Schultz was bom Jan. 22d, 1712, at Bredenfelt, in
the dukedom of Mecklenburgh, Germany; and his wife, Margaret
Sharpenstien, was born in April, 1713, at Sagendorp, Germany. They
emigrated to America in 1735; settled at Fishkill, Duchess county,
and had: Anna, Abraham, Isaac, Christopher, Margaret,* Christian,
Frederick, Peter, William, Jacob, and John. These children were the
founders of the different families of the name in Duchess and Orange
counties. Those in Orange county are the descendants of Isaac, born
* Margaret married Richard Scliell, and was the grandmother of the present Augustus
and Richard Schell of New York.394
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
July 28, 1740, arid of his wife, Mary Kilbome, whom he married in
1765. He followed the occupation of school-teacher for some years;
subsequently, having saved a small sum of money, he opened a store
in New Windsor, and soon became comparatively wealthy. He after-
wards established what was long known as Schultz’s mill, near the
mouth of Quassaick creek. He died May 25th, 1802, from injuries re-
ceived in falling through a trap-door in his mill. His wife died June
9th, 1811. His children were; Sarah, Elizabeth, Abraham, Peggy,
Jacob, Susanna, Joanna, Mary, Deborah, Abigail, and Isaac. Abra-
ham succeeded his father in the store at New Windsor, and carried on
the forwarding business. * Isaac became heir to the mill. Mary mar-
ried Jonas Storey of Newburgh.
Jacob Schultz, the second son of Isaac (1), was bom April 23, 1776, and married, Feb.
14,1799, Anna, daughter of John Denniston, of New Windsor. His first appearance in
business was as the editor and proprietor of the New Windsor Gazette, the publication
and character of which has been noticed in previous pages. In 1810, he opened a dry
goods and grocery store in Newburgh, in company with Andrew DeWitt, and was engaged
in this trade until 1814, when he purchased from his brother, Isaac, the old mill of his
father; but afterwards sold it to Peter Townsend, came back to Newburgh and entered
business in company with George Betts. He retired, in 1818, to a small farm in the town
of New Windsor, erected a substantial stone house, and in the quiet independence of agri-
cultural pursuits spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1859. His children were :
1. John D., married Sophia Marsh, of New York, and had fifteen children ; 2. Fanny W.,
married John Latham ; 3. Mary Ann, married Thos. J. Fulton, of New Windsor; 4. Cath-
arine M.; 5. Jacob K., married Helen J. Howser.
JOHN FORSYTH.
John Forsyth was born near the city of Aberdeen in Scotland, in
1786 or ’87. His parents were in comfortable circumstances, but the
death of his father in the meridian of life, and the subsequent mis-
conduct of some persons with whom he had been associated in busi-
ness, left his widowed mother with a family of young children, for a
time in a straightened condition. Her son was sent to the grammar
school of Aberdeen, where he had for a school-mate the famous Lord
Byron, but from the cause before mentioned he was deprived of these
educational advantages sooner than he otherwise would have been.
Mr. Forsyth came to this country in 1805, intending to proceed to
North Carolina or Georgia, in both of which states some branches of
his father’s family were settled. But by the advice of Prof. Kemp* of
Columbia College, to whom he had a letter of introduction, and Mr.
Robert Gosman, he was induced to remain in the north; He came to
Newburgh in 1810, simply to visit the Rev. Mr. Scrimgeour, pastor of
the Associate Reformed church, and an old friend of his mother, but
* Abrabam Schultz married Sarah Smith Howell, of Blagg’s Clove, and had ten children
six of whom died young. Those surviving were: 1. Abraham H., a physician in Florida,
Orange county; 2. Fanny H., married William S. Woodhull; 3. Joanna, married Doctor
Robert Sloan; 4. Mary K., married Isaac S. White, son of Judge Nathap White. He died
at New Windsor, May 18, 1830.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
395
with no intention of remaining here. Here, however, he was induced
to settle, and here he spent much the largest portion of his life. He
soon found employment, and until 1825 was largely engaged in busi-
ness as a builder; In the year just named he became a partner in the
firm of Law, Bevridge & Go.—afterwards and more widely known as
J. Bevridge & Co.—in which he continued until his death in 1854.
Mr. Forsyth was a man of singularly robust frame, and for many
years his life was one of great activity. He was a man of presence,—
one of those whose face and form would arrest the attention of a
stranger, and his mental and moral qualities were accordant with the
impression thus made. He was a wise counselor, and there were few
men whose advice was more sought by persons of all classes; and none
who knew him could doubt his unbending rectitude, his large heart-
edness, or his rare sagacity. He was for years a director in the Bank
of Newburgh, and a trustee of the Academy. He had a good deal to
do with the establishment of the Newburgh Steam Mills—of which
company he was president—and of the Branch railroad. Indeed to
every public improvement he was ready to lend a helping hand.
From early manhood, Mr. Forsyth was an exemplary Christian, and
was long a ruling elder in the Associate Reformed church. Catholic
in spirit, he was yet warmly attached to his own denomination, and
was widely known in it as one of its most zealous and generous mem-
bers. He was twice married, viz: 1. To Jane, oldest daughter of John
Currie, who settled in Newburgh in 1802; 2. To Anna Jane, youngest
daughter of John Brown. His children (there were none by the
second marriage) were: 1. John, 2. Robert A., 3. James C.
THE CRAWFORD FAMILY.
There are several branches of the Crawford family in this country,
all of Irish origin, and all more or less remotely connected. The
Newburgh family of that name, are the descendants of James Craw-
ford, who came to America in 1718. He settled at Litfcle Britain, in
this county, soon after the Clinton immigrants located there. His
children were: David, who succeeded to the homestead farm, and had
Francis, for many years a resident of Newburgh; Mary, who married
John Van Arsdale; Jane, who married James Denniston; and James,
who settled in what is now the town of Crawford.*
Francis Crawford, oldest son
of David, remained on the home-
stead at Little Britain until 1806,
when he removed to Newburgh
and entered into the mercantile
and freighting business with John
Harris. He retired from the trade
* Riker’s Annals of Newtown, 307. Eager’s Orange County, 271, 332.896
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
in 1810, but reentered it in 1817, and continued in it until his death, 23d of April, 1829,
in the 67th year of his age. “There were traits in his character well deserving notice
and imitation. From the uniform tenor of his conduct through life, it is believed that he
lived and died without a single personal enemy. Blessed with a natural temper almost
peculiar to himself—an utter stranger to petulance, passion, and the inordinate love of
gain, he was the same man under all circumstances; no one was ever wounded by his
tongue, or made the victim of his avarice. He received the bounties of Providence as
they were bestowed, and reaped the benefits of his prudence and industry, and thereby
secured to himself and to his associates in business, the universal confidence of the public,
and the esteem and admiration of innumerable friends. In short, he lived as a man should
live, in relation to his fellow-man; and he died as a man should die, in relation to his God
and his Redeemer.
------—“ ’Tis only noble to be good;
Kind hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood.”*
Francis Crawford was thrice married—first, to Eunice Watkins, by
whom be had: 1. Samuel; 2. Thomas; 3. David; 4. James. Mrs.
Eunice Crawford died in 1791, in her 28th year. Second, to Lydia,
daughter of Jeduthan Belknap, Dec. 1, 1792. Third, to Fanny Den-
niston (widow of Capt. Isaacs), bom Jan. 20, 1780, died Feb. 26,
1829.* His sons, David and James, came to Newburgh with him in
1806, and were his associates in his business until 1810. James after-
wards opened the Mansion House, of which he was for several years
the proprietor. He married Elizabeth Munson, who, after his death
married John Farnam. David continued with, his father, and at his
death received the principal portion of his estate.
David Crawford was born at Little Britain,
about the year 1788,—the precise date cannot now
be ascertained, in consequence of the destruction
of the family records by fire. He received such
. educational advantages as the country schools at
that time afforded, and, in 1806, entered the store
of his father as clerk. In 1810, he was appointed
deputy sheriff of Orange county, and discharged
the duties of that office for about one year. When
the war of 1812 broke out, he promptly responded
to the call of congress for volunteers; and raised
a company of. artillery, of which he was elected
captain, in which capacity lie served for about one
year, when he received a commission ip the army
of the United States, and remained in the. service
until the close of the war in 1815. He reentered the mercantile and forwading business
with his father in 1817, and prosecuted it until 1851. He died July 23,1856.
As a citizen, Mr. Crawford was highly esteemed, and for several years held positions of
honor and trust. His integrity was undoubted, and throughout his long business career
his reputation was unsullied. Always ready to lend a helping hand to others, there are
those among our citizens who can look back with grateful remembrance to the kindly aid
which he rendered to them when assistance was needed. In his business and social inter-
course he was especially affable and agreeable; the sun-light of a perpetually happy dis-
position appeared to be his. The Yorick of a thousand jests, his genial humor was irresis-
tible, and would chase the clouds away from the gravest face. He was unusually well-
informed in dramatic literature. At one time in his life he had a decided passion for this
* Newburgh Telegraph, April 23,1829.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
397
kind of reading. With the plays of Shakspeare he was very familiar, and could recall
their scenes, characters, and many of their choice passages, at will. His love for children
was another characteristic; he delighted in their presence, sympathized in their amuse-
ments, and always seemed to enter into the spirit of their frolics. In a word, he was a
patriotic, honest, kind-hearted gentleman, and an excellent citizen.
David Crawford married Fanny C., daughter of Isaac Belknap,
May 15, 1822, and had: 1. Isaac B. (died young); 2, Mary Elizabeth,
married Sands McCamly, Aug. 6, 1844, died July 8, 1845, leaving
Mary E. C. McCamly; 3. James Thomas (died young) ; 4. Anna (now
deceased), married Bichard A. Southwick, Oct. 11, 1849, had Fanny
C., Anna 0., and Florence.
THE MAILLER FAMILY.
John Mailler, or Mailard, the ancestor of this family, emigrated
from Scotland soon after the Bevolution; he resided for a few years
in New York and in Westchester county, and then settled perma-
nently in the town of Cornwall, Orange County. His children were
James, George, John, William, Bartholomew, Jane, Mary, and Sarah.
Bartholomew married Julia, daughter of Samuel Ketcham, of Corn-
wall, and had one child, William Ketcham Mailler.
William K. Mailler was bom in the town
of Cornwall, Aug. 17,1805. At the age of 18
years, he came to Newburgh and entered the
service of Francis Crawford & Co. His busi-
ness habits and sound judgment soon render-
ed him a desirable acquisition to the firm and,
in 1827, he became one of its members under
the title of F. & D. Crawford & Co. From
that time until 1864, he remained a principal in
the forwarding trade, and shared largely in the
fluctuations to which it was subjected. In pri-
vate as well as in public life, Mr. Mailler was
plain and unassuming. Liberal in his chari-
ties, kind in the discharge of his parental du-
ties, and cheerful in the social circle, he left
an example worthy of imitation. He died in
1864. Mr. Mailler married Hannah P., daugh-
ter of Jacob Oakley, of Coldenham, June 1,
1830, and had twelve children, all of whom
died in infancy except William 0., born May 26, 1831, married (1859) Antoinette W. Conk-
ling; Mary Hannah, born Nov. 27, 1834, married Moses Cook Belknap, June 16,1857, died
May 31,1858; and John D., born June 9, 1845.
OAKLEY FAMILY.
Samuel Oakley, the immediate ancestor of the Newburgh family of
that name, was a native of Huntington, L. I. He removed to Orange
county about 1786, and settled at Goshen, where he married Abigail,
daughter of Timothy Wood; and, after her death, Bebecca Balph.
His children were: 1. Timothy; 2. Jacob; 3. Bichard; 4, Moses; 5.398
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
Solomon; 6. Aaron; 7. Abigail; 8. Keziah; 9. Patience; 10. Susanna;
11. Phebe; 12. Hannah; 13. Jesse. Jacob (1) married Susanna,
daughter of Daniel Haines, of Montgomery, and settled at Colden-
ham, where he pursued the occupation of a tanner and currier, as well
as that of farmer. His children were: 1. Jackson, who married Abigail
Logan; 2. William C., who married Phebe Carman; 3. David H., who
married Phebe Baxter; 4. Abigail W., who married John McClelland;
5. Jacob, who married Sarah J. Austin; 6. Hannah P., who married
William K. Mailler; 7. Kichard, who diedUnmarried; 8. Samuel, who
married Emily Williams; 9. Zophar; 10. Susan, who married John Dales
—of whom Jackson (1) was for several years of the firm of Oakley &
Davis in the mercantile and forwarding trade at the foot of Fourth
street. Samuel (8) was also in mercantile business. Through its
male as well as its female branches the family has had honorable rep-
resentation in the history of Newburgh for nearly half a century.
THE DOWNING FAMILY.
Samuel Downing, the founder of the Newburgh family of that name,
was of English ancestry. He was born in the year 1761; learned the
trade of carriage-maker, and removed from Cambridge, Mass., to New-
burgh, and from thence to Montgomery, intending to pursue his avo-
cation there. Failing in securing a satisfactory place of settlement in
Montgomery, he returned to Newburgh, where he established, on the
north-east corner of Broad and Liberty streets, about the commence-
ment of the present century, a shop for the manufacture of wagons
and carriages.* While yet in the early stages of this undertaking,
failing health led him to engage in the more healthful business of
market gardening and nursery, which he planted on the property ad-
joining his shop. As early as 1810, he offered for sale trees engrafted
and innoculated, including apples, pears, peaches, apricots, cherries,
etc. Although not the first to engage in this avocation in the present
county of Orange,f he was the first to conduct it so successfully as to
secure its continuance. He died Nov. 1, 1822, aged 61 years; and his
wife, Eunice, died October 29, 1838, aged 65 years. He had five chil-
dren, viz: 1. Emily, born Jan. 24, 1801, married Sylvester Ferry, died
March 11, 1864, had four children—Frances Emily (married Lewis
W. Gardiner), George J., John Milton, and Edward; 2. Charles, born
July 9, 1802, married Mary Wait; 3. George W., born Feb. 22, 1804,
* Ante p. 269.
f John Conkling established the first nursery of record, at Bethlehem, (Cornwall), in
1794. It was afterwards continued by Noah Townsend (1803). The following advertise-
ment of the former is from the Goshen Repository:
“ John Conkling, four miles from New Windsor landing, on the Goshen road, has several
thousand apple trees in his nursery for sale, now large enough for planting. * * Those
who wish to have any of the above trees may inquire for David Conkling, who will give
good attendance. Sept. 12,1794.”BIO GRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
399
died April 5, 1846, married Antoinette Starr and had three children—
Charles, Oliver Starr, and Mary M.; 4. Fanny, died in infancy; 5.
Andrew J., horn Oct. 31, 1815, married Caroline E. DeWint, June 7,
1838, died without issue July 28, 1852.
Chables Downing (2) and Andbew J. Downing (5) succeeded their father, and to them
more than to any other persons is due the changing and renewing of the whole system of
fruits not only in this part of the country, but throughout the nation. While drawing much
of his practical knowledge from his brother, Andrew J. Downing may be regarded as the
father of American landscape gardening. His first literary work, “Landscape Gardening,”
gave him rank among the most distinguished writers of the age, and in his subsequent
“Cottage Residences,” “Architecture of Country Homes,” and “Fruit and Fruit Trees
Of America,” as well as in the “ Horticulturist,” of which he was the editor, he secured a
reputation which was not confined to the country of his nativity. “The results of his
toil,” says his biographer, “ appear in the forests which he preserved from the merciless
axe—in the trees which he described and made contribute more abundantly to the taste
and comfort of their proprietors—in the avenues which he adorned—in the lawns and
pleasure grounds which he laid out and embellished, and in numberless buildings which
stand as monuments to his architectural skill.” No more fitting memorial of his life-work
could be written than the sentence from his own pen : “ Angry volumes of politics have
we written none, but only peaceful books, humbly aiming to weave something more into
the fair garland of the beautiful and useful that encircles this excellent old Earth.” His
useful life ended in the burning of the steamer Henry Clay near Yonkers, July 28,1852.
Charles Downing continued the nursery business until 1856, though not as the successor
of kis brother, whose nursery passed into the hands of Andrew Saul.*
THE LUDLOW FAMILY.
The record of the Ludlow family of Newburgh dates back to Wm.
Ludlow, a gentleman of the reign of Edward the Third (1350). After
intermediate descendants: (2) William Ludlow; (3) George Ludlow;
(4) Sir Edmund Ludlow; (6) Edmund Ludlow, the regicide; and
from the latter branch: (7) Gabriel Ludlow; (8) - Gabriel Ludlow;
(9) Gabriel Ludlow; (10) Gabriel Ludlow; (11) Gabriel Ludlow;
(12) Kobert Ludlow. The family was dispersed under the reign of
Cromwell. Edmund Ludlow was active in effecting the overthrow of
the first Charles; was one of the judges who sentenced that sovereign
to death,f and acquired high renown as a soldier and orator in the
civil struggle of that period. He opposed, however, the aspirations
of Cromwell to the protectorate; and failing in this, was compelled
to submit to virtual banishment, and took up his residence at Vevay,
in Switzerland, where he died in 1693. Gabriel Ludlow, his son,
arrived in New York in 1694, and married, in 1697, Sarah Hanmer,
* After retiring from the nursery business, Charles continued the investigation of fruits
by obtaining trees and grafts of new varieties, to prove their nomenclature, quality, etc.,
until the past few years, when he sold his experimental grounds, but still continued his
interest in Pomology. In the meantime he.has twice revised his brother’s work on Fruit
and Fruit Trees, first in 1867 and again in 1869. Since the last revision he has added two
Appendixes, containing new fruits, corrections, etc., making the whole work twice the
original size.
f This act gained for the judges the title of regicides. After the restoration of Charles
n, several of these judges were arrested and suffered death, while others fled for safety.
Goffe, Whaley, and Dixwell, came to America and secreted themselves at New Haven, Ct.,
where they subsequently died.400
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
daughter of the first Episcopal clergyman of that city, and a lineal
descendant from Sir David Hanmer, one of the justices of the court
of the king’s bench in the reign of Edward II. Gabriel Ludlow, his
son, was born in New York and there married Elizabeth Cromeline,
daughter of Daniel Cromeline, one of the proprietors of the Wawa-
yanda patent. Their son was Robert Ludlow.
Robert Ludlow married Elizabeth Conkling. He removed from New York to the town
of Warwick, on the Wawayanda patent, and after spending a few years there, became a
resident of Newburgh in 1796. It was his intention to open here a mercantile business,
and for that purpose erected a store; but before his plans were matured he fell a victim
to consumption (Oct. 2,1798,) in the vigorous years of manhood. He left children : 1.
Charles, 2. Robert C., 3. Augustus C., 4. Mary, 5. Nancy, 6. Betsey, and 7. Francis. His
wife, Elizabeth, married second Robert W. Jones, and had one son, Lieut. Robt. W. Jones
of the U. S. navy—died in 1857. She died July 21,1829.
Charles Ludlow (1), the oldest son of Robert Ludlow, was enrolled a midshipman of
the U. S. navy in May, 1795, and passed through the different grades of his profession with
honor until he attained the rank of captain, when, in consequence of the advancement of
an officer of lower grade over him, he resigned his commission and retired to private life.
He married (Aug. 5, 1811,) Margaret Thornton Mackaness, and settled in the town of New
Windsor, where he died leaving one daughter, now Mrs. Thos. W. Chrystie.
Robert C. Ludlow (2), the second son, was born‘in Warwick in 1787. He was engaged
for some years in mercantile pursuits in New York, but the yellow fever robbed him of his
senior partner, and the house was broken up. The country was engaged at that time
in the second war with Great Britain, and he applied for and obtained the post of purser
in the navy. It was his good fortune to be associated with* his personal friend Captain
Bainbridge, on board of the frigate Constitution, and to participate in the brilliant action,
the capture of the British frigate Java. He remained in the navy until his death in 1826.
He married a Miss Wethered, of South Carolina, and had William B., Augustus, Robert
C., and Mary, all of whom are now dead except the latter, who married a Carroll, of Balti-
more, where she now resides.
Augustus C. Ludlow (3), the third son of Robert Ludlow, was born in 1792, and
entered the United States navy in 1804, as midshipman, under the immediate guardian-
ship of his senior brother Charles, and cruised in the Mediterranean for three years on
board the frigate President, under command of Commodore S. Barron. Ho was subse-
quently transferred to the Constitution, where he was raised to the post of lieutenant.
From the Constitution he was transferred to the Hornet; and from the latter vessel to the
Chesapeake, where he was raised to the post of first lieutenant under Captain Lawrence.
The fate of the Chesapeake and her noble captain, was the fate of Lieut. Ludlow. In the
early part of the engagement he was severely wounded and carried below; but scarcely
had he been removed when Lawrence fell mortally wounded, and as he was borne to the
cabin, Ludlow heard his dying command, “ Don’t give up the ship !” and springing from
his seat with his wounds half dressed, he rushed on deck and plunged into the thickest of
the conflict. The struggle was desperate, but in vain. A sabre cut from one of his foes
laid him senseless; and the “ stars and stripes ” were stricken down by the victors’ right.
The Chesapeake was taken to Halifax. Here the remains of the gallant Lawrence were
buried with military and naval honors. The twice-wounded Ludlow, after being trephined
in Halifax, so far rallied on the day of his commander’s funeral, that no solicitations
could detain him from rendering the last homage to his friend, and he followed the hearse
—a silent, solitary mourner. The effort was too great, and on his return to his room he
was seized with a delirious fever which closed his mortal career on the 13th of June, 1813,
at the age of 21 years. On learning their fate, the citizens of Salem, Mass., forwarded a
flag of truce to Halifax and procured the bodies of Lawrence and Ludlow, and they were
removed to that place and from thence to New York where they were consigned to a tomb
in Trinity church. At the request of the citizens of Salem, Hon. Justice Storey, of theBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. •
401
Supreme Court of the United States, delivered an eloquent eulogy on the occasion. Re-
ferring to Ludlow he said: “He was indeed worthy of the confidence and friendship of
Lawrence. His soul was formed for deedB of active valor and martial enterprise. In the
mild’ engagements of peace, it softened into the most attractive suavity of manners, and
wore the most benignant form of honor. In the tumults of war, it glowed with an ambi-
tion for naval excellence, which electrized every movement and awakened the whole en-
ergies of his genius.”
No merit is claimed for the Ludlows from their long line of noble ancestry; but Ameri-
can history bears a record of their services which admits of no denial of their title to the
* rank of noble men.
—Mary (4), daughter of Robert Ludlow, married Thomas Powell, died Nov. 28, 1867;
Ann D., (5), married Benjamin Case; Betsey (6), married David Humphreys, died Jan. 22,
1835; and Frances (7), married Rev. John Brown, D. D., of St. George’s church, New-
burgh, died April 18,1872.
THE THOMAS POWELL FAMILY.
This family descended from Thomas Powell of Wales, Eng., who
was one of the purchasers and patentees of Huntington, L. I., in 1664.
On the 18th August, 1695, the same gentleman purchased from
“ Mawmee, alias Serewanus, William Chepy, and all ye rest of ye
Indian proprietors,” for and in consideration of £140, the tract of
land whereon the village of Bethpage is now situated.* This Thomas
had a son Thomas, who was probably the father of Henry Powell
(bom in 1741), the immediate ancestor of the Newburgh branch of
the family.
Henby Powell inherited a large portion of the estate acquired by his father, which
he enjoyed until the British forces obtained possession of Long Island, when he was sub-
jected to the tyranny and persecution so mercilessly exercised at that time by the minions
of the English government. At the commencement of the struggle for Independence, he
took an active part in the cause of his country, and was soon selected as a victim for sac-
rifice at the royal altar. Flattery, promises, and threats, were successively employed to
secure his influence for the king; and when these failed, his estate was confiscated and
his person incarcerated in the. Jersey prison ship, from which he was subsequently removed
to the old Sugar House. The sufferings endured by the patriots who were confined in
those prisons will never be fully told. Ten thousand persons perished within their walls
by starvation, sickness and ill-treatment; and the number of victims would have been
largely increased, had not the hand of charity supplied their wants. Among those favored
in the latter respect was Mr. Powell, whose release or exchange was subsequently effected.
He returned to Long Island, stripped of all earthly wealth except an unblemished name,
and succeeded in obtaining a lease of part of Shelter Island, where he resumed the pur-
suit of agriculture. Here he remained until 1781, when he gathered together the fruits of
his farm and started, accompanied by his son James, on an ordinary sail-ferry-boat, for
the New York market. In crossing the channel, a sudden flaw of wind cast the vessel on
her beams end, sprinkling the waves with men and horses. Mr. Powell succeeded in
mounting one of his horses while in the water, and, after searching in vain for his son,
turned his steed towards the shore, but was arrested in his progress by a cry for help, and;
turning saw his boy clinging to the prostrate sail and rapidly floating out to sea with the
wreck; and in the effort to rescue his offspring, he perished with him.
Henry Powell married (1762) Mary Keen, a lady of Irish extrac-
* Gov. Andros issued a patent to Thomas Powell, and others, purchasers of Huntington,
in 1664. In 1685, Gov. Dongan.issued another patent for part of the same lands, in which
Thomas Powell, Jr., is named. In 1695, Thomas Powell, Jr., removed to and was one of
the purchasers of Bethpage—Thompson’s L.	i, 467, 469, 506.
026402
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
tion, and had: 1. Freelove, who married Jacob Parish and had Henry,
Mary, James, Nancy, Daniel, Thomas, Benjamin, Elizabeth, and
Martha; 2. Jacob, died unmarried; 3. Thomas; 4. James, drowned;
5. Martha, married Benj. Townsend and had Betsey, Mary, Jacob,*
Nancy, and Benjamin; 6. Eliza, who married William Seymour.f
Jacob (2) and Thomas (4) Powell, the former 16 years of age and the latter 12, at the
time of the death of their father, were alone capable of making any exertions for the sup-
port of their widowed mother and her children, and nobly did they struggle for the accom-.
plishment of this duty. With that energy which ever after distinguished their career, they
grappled manfully with adversity and triumphed. Jacob was placed at the head of his
father’s farm, and, assisted by Thomas, and supported by the counsels of a good mother,
he succeeded in obtaining a comfortable support for the family until the expiration of the
lease. A new home and a new theatre of operations now became necessary. In 1788, in
company with their mother, they removed to the county of Orange, and settled near
Washingtonville, where their industry led to some increase of property. In 1791, they
removed to Marlborough, Ulster county, where they opened a small store, and erected
lime kilns, and were again successfully employed. In the spring of 1798, they removed to
New York, and engaged in mercantile business, but, being driven away by yellow fever,
the succeeding summer, took up their residence in Newburgh at the suggestion of their
brother-in-law, Mr. Seymour. Here they engaged in the mercantile and forwarding trade,.
the .former on the south-east comer of Water and Third streets and the latter from a wharf
immediately east, where they remained until 1818, when they sold to Reeve & Falls. They
subsequently opened an office in a building which stood on the site of the present Colon-
nade Row, where they conducted business as private bankers.
Jacob Powell died in 1823, from a cancer on the face. “In relation to this individual, ”
says Mr. Eager, “we have the unbroken voice of' all who knew him, to justify us in
saying, that he was not only sagacious and truly philanthropic in the operations of his
mind, but upright in his commercial transactions.” He died unmarried, in his 58th year,
and his brother, Thomas, succeeded to his estate.
Thomas Powell retired from business soon after the death of his brother; but again
entered active life in 1833-34, and from that time until his death (May 12, 1856,) he con-
tributed largely,—by the enterprises in which he engaged, and those which he fostered
and encouraged,—to the prosperity of the village. At a public meeting of citizens held
May 19,1856, called to pay a tribute of respect to his memory, the late Hon. John W.
Brown remarked: “In a public meeting of his neighbors and townsmen, it were idle to
speak of his public spirit, and the uses he made of his wealth during the last twenty-five
years of his life. How he applied it, and what, he did with it, is fresh in the recollection of
us all. It is sufficient to say, that whatever measure of activity pervades our public
streets, our workshops, our wharves and places of business, we owe to the prompt and
intelligent interposition of Mr. Powell’s wealth and credit between us and the legitimate
results of great public improvements which threatened to dry up the sources of our pros-
perity, and divert the streams of our business into other channels. He was not alone in
his exertions to arrest the downward tendency of our prosperity. There were others, and
especially one other, whose efforts were conspicuous in the same emergency, and to whom
the citizens of Newburgh owe a debt of gratitude which it will be difficult to pay.” The
reference by the speaker was to Mr. Powell’s course, and that of his son-in-law, Mr. Homer
Ramsdell, in connection with the construction of the Newburgh branch railroad, already
detailed in another part of this work in which the firm of which they were the principals
became responsible, through endorsements, acceptances, and advances, for $202,219, and
without which the construction of the road would have been indefinitely deferred. His
usefulness was not less conspicuous in the organization of the Powell Bank in 1838, and
in the establishment of the Newburgh Steam Mills in 1844. It was this use of his capital
and credit for the benefit of the community as well as for that of himself, rather than for
* Father of George W. Townsend of Newburgh.	f Ante p. 377.
$ Ante p. 225, 229.403
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
any enterprises which he originated, that will keep his memory green, while that of others
will wither under the apostrophe—
“ But thou! what hast thou done with all the powers
That lavish nature wasted on thy soul?”
Mr. Powell married Mary, daughter of Robert Ludlow, and had: 1. Henry T., died in
1834; 2. Robert L., married Louisa A. Orso, and had Frances E. L., now deceased, Mary
L. (married Isaac S. Fowler), Henrietta (married Doct. W. A. M. Culbert), and Fanny,
now deceased; 3. James A., was drowned in 1828; 4. Jacob, died in 1816 ; 5. Frances E.
L., married Homer Ramsdell.
THE HOMER RAMSDELL FAMILY.
Among the early substantial emigrants from England who settled
in Massachusetts were Joseph Ramsdell (or Ramsden) and his wife
Martha Bowker, at Plymouth in 1643, and John Stockbridge and his
wife Anna, at Scituate in 1638. Their prior history is not known, nor
is there record of their pioneer experiences, although it is known that
they shared in all the vicissitudes of New England life at that period,
and founded families destined to an honorable part in the annals of
the communities in which they lived. The descent of the latter is
traced for this work from Wm. Stockbridge, and that of the former
from his great-grandson, Joseph Ramsdell (2), who married Mary
Homer, at Duxbury, Mass., April 23, 1730, and had ten children—of
whom Joseph (3) married Elizabeth Barker, Feb. 1,1770. He served
as one of the committee of safety of Hanover, Mass., in 1775 and ’76,
and was in other respects identified with the Revolution. He died
Aug. 5,1817. His son, Joseph (4), bom Sept. 10,1775, married Ruth
Stockbridge, daughter of Wm. Stockbridge, of Hanover, Feb. 3,1800,
removed to Warren, and had: 1. Joseph, 2. Mary, 8. Homer—of whom
Homer Ramsdell (3) was born in Warren, Mass., August 12th, 1810, and was educa-
ted at Monson Academy. He entered the dry goods trade in New York in 1832, and con-
tinued in that avocation until 1840. In 1844, he became one of the firm of T. Powell
& Co., and from that time until the present has continued his connection with the mer-
cantile and forwarding business in Newburgh. He was elected a director of the Erie rail-
road in 1846, and has held that position since that time, with the exception of the interval
elapsing between October, 1857, and October, 1866; . served as president of the company
from 1853 to 1857, and in 1876, as receiver. From the date of his association with the firm
of T. Powell & Co., until Mr. Powell’s death, he was very largely the administrator of Mr.
Powell’s fortune, and to him perhaps the community owe most of the undertakings in which
that firm engaged. No public enterprise has for many years been complete without his aid,
while those of a private character to which he has been a party have not been limited in
number or unproductive of general benefit. The history of Newburgh for over a quarter
of a century has been his history; its pathway is studded with mementos of his usefulness.
He married Frances E. L., daughter of Thomas Powell, June 16, 1835, and had: 1. Mary
L. P., born March 23,1836, died July 29,1841; 2. Frances J. (married Major George W.
Rains); 3. Thomas P.; 4. James A. P.; 5. Henry P.; 6. Homer S.; and 7. Leila R.
REV. JOHN BROWN, D. D.
Rev. John Brown, D. D., was bom in tbe city of New York, May
19th, 1791. He graduated from Columbia college in 1811; studied404
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.	1
under Bishop Hobart and was ordained deacon of the Protestant
Episcopal church at St; Paul’s church, New York, in 1812. At the
bishop’s request, he went to Trinity church, Fishkill, which had then
been without a rector for seventeen years, and reorganized the con-
gregation, at the same time holding stated services in Newburgh. In
1815, he was ordained priest by Bishop Hobart, at St. Paul’s, New
York, and during the same year removed to Newburgh, having re-
ceived and accepted a call to the rectorship of St. George’s church,
where he preached his inaugural sermon, Dec. 24th, 1815. He also
reorganized St. Thomas’ church, New Windsor; was chosen its rector
and held that position, dividing his time between the two parishes,
until 1844‘, when he resigned the latter charge. During the earlier
years of his rectorship of St. George’s, he performed a large amount
of missionary work in this section of country. In this field he or-
ganized St. John’s church at Monticello; Grace church at Middle-
town, and later the churches at Cornwall and Marlborough. He also
revived the church at Goshen, St. Andrew’s at Walden, St. Peter’s at
Peekskill, and St. Philip’s at Garrisons, holding services at intervals
in those places until the churches were able to support a minister.
Few of the pioneer clergy of the district were more zealous or more
devoted, and none whose labors have been more satisfactory.
The services of Dr. Brown in his own parish are stated in connec-
tion with its history in another part of this work. In other fields of
local labor he was for many years quite active, and notably so as one
of the trustees of the Newburgh academy and subsequently of the
free schools, as a member of the Horticultural society, chaplain of
the Masonic fraternity, etc. Amid the changes of the many years of
his pastorate, he has held the parental affection and respect of his
people as well as of the community. He married Frances Elizabeth,
daughter of Bobert Ludlow, Nov. 15, 1819. Mrs. Brown lived to
celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of her wedding; she died April 18,
1872, having had issue six children, viz: Mary, who married Daniel
T. Rogers; Margaret T. L., who married George W. Kerr*; Augusta
P., who married Moses Ely; Helen; Anna W., who married Eugene
A. Brewster f; John Hobart, and Charles W.
* George W. Kerr was born at Knowlton Mills (now Paulina) Warren county, N. J., Feb-
ruary 15, 1810, and is a lineal descendant of Rev. Walter Kerr of Monmouth, N. J. His
parents removed to Ithaca, N. Y., where he entered the Branch Bank of Newburgh, and
on its withdrawal in 1831, removed to Newburgh and accepted a clerkship in the Bank of
Newburgh. In 1836 he was chosen cashier of that institution, and in 1854 was elected
its president, a position in which he was retained under its reorganization in 1864.
f Eugene A. Brewster was born in New York city, April 13th, 1827, and removed with
his parents to Newburgh when he was three years old. Having qualified himself for that
position, he was appointed teacher in the Newburgh High School where he remained two
years. In 1843, he entered the office of the late Hon. John W. Brown; was admitted to
the bar in 1848, but remained in Judge Brown’s office until 1850, since which time he has
occupied a leading position in the profession.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
405
THR HATHAWAY FAMILY.
The genealogy of this family is traced from Benjamin Hatheway,
as the name was formerly written, who came from Scotland, about
1767, and settled at Morristown, N. J., where he died. His only son,
Clemens Hathaway, removed to Newburgh, where he died, Sept. 1801,
aged 56 years and 4 months, and where his wife, Hannah, died June
8,1809, aged 56 years and 10 months. Their children were Ebenezer
and Josiah. The latter was born Dec. 8, 1771, and married, Aug. 13,
T794, Mabel, a sister of Samuel O. Gregory. He followed for a few
years the occupation of cabinet-maker, but afterwards engaged in the
coasting trade, and commanded the sloop Republican, owned by Geo.
Gardner ; was subsequently associated with Caleb Coffin in the same
trade, and sailed from New York to Washington, N. C., where he died
July 19, 1811. His wife, Mabel, died at Morris Plains, N. J., July 13,
1811. His children were: 1. Rhoda, who died in infancy; 2. Frede-
rick A., born April 1st, 1801, married Phebe Stackhouse, and had
Frederick A., and Stephen S.; 3. Odell Samuel, born Sept. 1, 1802.
Odell S. Hathaway (3) was born in New-
burgh, at the residence of his father on the cor-
ner of Smith and Fourth streets. Left an orphan
: at the age of seven years, he was taken by his
uncle, Seth Gregory, of Morristown, N. J., with
whom he remained a few years, and attended a
common school. He then returned to Newburgh
and entered the store of Samuel G. Sneden, as
clerk, in which capacity he served until he attain-
ed his majority, performing his duties accepta-
bly “for and in consideration of his board and
clothes. ” After serving his time he was employ-
ed by Mr. Sneden until 1824, when he became a
partner, and, on the death of Mr. Sneden, in
1836, he succeeded to the entire business. He subsequently served as supervisor of the
town for twelve or thirteen years, with the exception of one year, consecutively. In 1869,
he was elected member of assembly and filled the position acceptably. For some years
prior to 1864, he was a director of the Bank of Newburgh, and in that year was elected
president of the Quassaick Bank, serving in that capacity until 1876, when he resigned.
Mr. Hathaway married Helen Maria, daughter of Charles Birdsall, Sept. 27, 1827, and
had: 1. Amelia M., wlio married Nathaniel B. Hayt; 2. Harriet A., who married Edward
H. Tomlinson; 3. Josiah A., married Julia Darusha, died March 23,1864, aged 32 years;
4. William M., who married Sophia Blake, served as adjutant of 19th militia and 168th
volunteers in the war of the rebellion, died Feb. 3,1871, aged 37 years; 5. Sarah S., mar-
ried James E. Horton; 6. Odell S., married Susan F. Bradner; 7. Charles C.; 8. Hiram
F.; 9. Helen M., married Edward Low, died Sept. 19,1875; 10. Edward M.
THE FARRINGTON FAMILY.
Edmund Farrington, the ancestor of the Newburgh family of that
name, emigrated from Southampton, Eng., and settled in Lynn, Mass.,
sometime prior to 1640; from thence he removed with others to Cow
Bay, L. I., where a settlement was commenced but soon after broken406
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
up by the Dutch governor of New Netherland. He then returned to
Lynn, and (1655) built a mill there, and dug a pond and opened a
brook for a half mile, called Farrington brook. He died in 1680,
aged 88 years. His sons, Thomas and Edmund, removed to Flush-
ing, L. I., from whence Thomas removed to Westchester county, where
he has descendants. His oldest son remained in Lynn, and was the
grandfather of Daniel Farrington, born in Lynn in 1765, and died in
Newburgh in 1813, in his 48th year, leaving issue by his wife, Rachel
Ward (died in New York in 1864, aged 97 years): 1. Sarah; 2. Daniel;
3. Ebenezer Ward; 4. Ezra; 5. Susan; 6. Mary; 7. Rachel; 8. John;
9. Theophilus.
Sabah Farrington (1), bom in Windsor, Vt., Oct. 20,1791; married William S. Libbey* * * §
and had Mehitable, Rachel, Maria, Ann, Jane, Sarah, William S., and Elizabeth. She died
June 20,1826.
Daniel Farrington (2) was born in Salem, Mass., July 6,1793; removed to Newburgh
about 1811, where he died Nov. 17,1861. He married first, Elizabeth T. Tate (born Nov.
17, 1791, died Aug. 8, 1821,) and had Rachel W., Ezra, and Elizabeth Jane, all of whom
died young, and Thomas T.f and Daniel. His second wife was Eva Miller (born Aug. 21,
1791, died April 15, 1870,) by whom he had Ezra,$ Ebenezer, Rachel (married Rev. J. K.
Milliken), Mary, John M., and Joseph. He was a painter by trade and conducted that
business in Newburgh for nearly fifty years, during which time he was a liberal patron of
the various public enterprises which were undertaken ,§ and commanded the confidence of
his contemporaries.
Ebenezer W. Farrington (3) was born in Salem, Mass., in 1796. He was a brewer
and had a small malt-house in Boston, from whence he removed to Newburgh, where he be-
came a member of the firm of Law, Bevridge & Co., and subsequently served as president
of the Quassaick Bank, president of the Board of Trustees, etc. He was a worthy citizen
and a liberal and honorable man. He married Elizabeth, daughter of James Bevridge,
and had James B. (married Susan M. Carpenter, of Havana, Schuyler co. j, Elizabeth,
Rachel W., Mary L., Ebenezer W. (drowned, 1838), John B. (married Mary A. S., daugh-
ter of John McCroskeryH), died in 1869. He died in 1863.
Ezra Farrington (1), removed South; died unmarried.
Susan Farrington (5) married George Gray and had George, Daniel, Ward, Mary,
Catharine, and Sarah.
* Mr. Libbey was a native of New Hampshire, and a carpenter and builder by occupa-
tion. He died in 1869, aged 83 years. His son, William S., is now of the firm of Hilton
& Libbey, successors to Alexander T. Stewart, New York.
f Rev. Thomas T. Farrington was born in Newburgh, March 21, 1821. He received a
classical education at Union College, arid afterwards entered the Theological Seminary at
Newburgh, where he completed his preparation for the ministry. After leaving the latter
institution, he filled three pastorates successively, viz: at Geneva, Salem (Washington co.),
and Oxbow. In the summer of 1861 he accepted the pastorate of the Associate Reformed
church of Newburgh, and continued in that relation until June 5th, 1875, when he died
almost instantly from disease of the heart. He married Mary M. Wilkin, of Hampton-
burgh, and left six children.
£ Ezra Farrington was born April 1,1826, and died of disease of the heart, Feb. 25,1875.
He was for several years associated with his father in business, and subsequently (in com-
pany with his brother Daniel) became his successor. He was an active member of the
republican party, and was repeatedly the recipient of honors from his political friends. In
addition to minor local positions, he filled the office of postmaster from 1861 to 1866, and
from 1869 until his death. He married Margaret Casterline and left five children.
§ Ante p. 227, 229, 238, 267.
|| John McCroskery was a native of Ireland. He left the place of his birth in 1813, at
the age of 11 years. When within a few hours sail of New York, the vessel on which he
was a passenger was captured by a British cruiser and taken to Halifax, where he remained
about two years when he came to Newburgh. He married here Catharine Shields, and
had Mary A. S., who married John B. Farrington; Agnes E., now deceased, and John J,
S., now mayor of the city and cashier of the Bank of Newburgh;BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
407
Mary Farrington (6) married Peter Amerman and had Newton, Lander, and Mary.
Rachel Farrington (7) married first, James Law, and second, Benjamin Lander,* * * § by
whom she had Hannah, and Sarah (married Benj. H. Mace). She died Feb. 23, 1838.
John Farrington (8) married and settled in New York.
Theophilus Farrington (9) married Eliza, daughter of Derick Amerman; settled in
Indianapolis, Indiana.	,
SAMUEL LOGAN FAMILY.
Samuel Logan, presumed to have been born in Ireland, was a cor-
poral in the 80th regiment of the English army in the French and
Indian war of 1755-’59, and received as a bounty for his services a
tract of two hundred acres of land in the present town of Charlotte,
Yt. He settled in New Windsor prior to the war of the Revolution,
and at the outbreak of that war was appointed captain of a company
of minute men. On the 26th of July, 1776, he was commissioned
major in Col. Lewis DuBois’ regiment in the continental service, and
in October, 1777, was taken prisoner at Fort Montgomery. He was
released by exchange, Dec. 21, 1780, having remained a prisoner of
war over three years. He returned to his regiment (then the 5th
New York) and remained on duty until the end of the war, when he
became entitled to half-pay for life. He was one of the original
members of the Society of Cincinnati ;f was a hatter by trade, and
followed’ that avocation in New Windsor for many years. He married
Abigail Clark of Cornwall, and had:
1.	Susan, who married Nathaniel Hubbard and had Mary, Susan,
Nathaniel, and Walter.
2.	Harriet, who married Jonathan Kniffen of New Windsor (Jan.
12, 1805), and had Algnor, Edward, Samuel, Frederick, Henrietta,
Mary, and Sally.
3.	Abigail, who married John Walsh (brother of William and Henry
Walsh), and had: 1. William M., who had Mary, Julia, Harriet, Wil-
liam, and John; 2. Jonathan C., who had John, Charles, and Wallace;
3. Harriet, who married Thomas Shaw; 4. Mary; 5. Jane, who mar-
ried Thomas Shaw; 6. Hiram, and 7. Isaac, who died unmarried.
4.	Betsey, who married Thomas Nicholson.
5.	Polly, who married Thomas Nicholson.
6.	James, who married Mary Rogers and had: 1. Samuel R.,J who
married Sally Andrews and had Mary H., who married Peter Ward;§
* Mr. Lander was for several years associated with Daniel Farrington under the firm of
Farrington & Lander. He was a native of Massachusetts, and is spoken of as a man of
sterling integrity. He died in 1839, aged 41 years.
t By descent this membership is now in James J. Logan of Newburgh.
4 Samuel R. Logan was captain of the steamboat Providence, of Oakley & Davis’ line,
1833 and part of 1834. He died in the early part of the latter yeai\
§ Peter Ward was born in Ramapo, Rockland county, Sept. 30, 1827, and finished his
education in Goshen. He commenced fife as a conductor on the Erie railroad in 1843;
subsequently served as civil engineer, and from 1851 to 1859 was superintendent of the New-
burgh branch. In 1859 he became one of the firm of Ward & Leonard (now.Ward & Logan.)408
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
James J., who married Mary E., daughter of George Mecklem, and
three children who died in infancy; 2. Abigail, who married Jackson
Oakley; 3. Cornelia, married Aaron Dezendorf; 4. Caroline, married
John H. Lane of Canterbury; 5. Elizabeth, who died unmarried; 6.
Edward H., died unmarried; 7. Julia Ann, • married Nicholas Wilson.
He resided in New Windsor, and was accidentally drowned in 1833.
7.	Samuel M., who married Julia allock and had: 1. Betsey, who
married Lindsey Sherwood and had George L.; Julia E., married
Stephen Baker; Adalaide, married Michael Fitchey; Mary, married
Thomas Brush; Jane; Eugene; Catharine,* and Harriet; 2. DeWitt;
3.	-Martha, married a Murray; 4. Jane; 5. Nancy.
8.	William, unmarried.
THE WALSH BROTHERS.
Thomas, John, William, Henry, and Michael Walsh* were the sons
of Michael Walsh, an immigrant from Ireland and a resident of New
Windsor, from whence Thomas removed to Great Bend, Pa., and
William and Henry to Newburgh about the commencement of the
present century. The children of Thomas have not been ascertained.
John was a blacksmith in New Windsor. He married Abigail Logan
and had: 1. Harriet, married Thos. Shaw; 2. Mary Ann; 3. Hiram;
4.	Isaac; 5. Jane, married Thos. Shaw; 6. Jonathan B.; 7. William M.
William was one of the early merchants of Newburgh; was for many
years supervisor of the town, and for twenty years president of the
Bank of Newburgh. He erected the building now on the south-west
corner of Water and Third streets, where he kept his store and his
residence until he retired from mercantile business, when he pur-
chased the Betts homestead, on Montgomery street, near First, where
he resided until his death. He was bom Jan. 7th, 1763, and died Nov.
2d, 1839. His wife, Mary daughter of Joseph Morrell, was born Jan.
7th, 1784, and died March 24, 1866. Their children were: 1. Joseph
Morrell, born March 13, 1802, died Dec. 3d, 1838; 2. Margaret, born
June 25th, 1805, died Aug. 1st, 1849; married E. Crosby, of Fishkill;
3. William Henry, born July 25th, 1807, married Ann Tousey; 4.
Albert, born Dec. 1st, 1810, died March 31, 1857; 5. Charles, born
April 28th, 1813, married Melisse Ann Halstead; 6. Mary Ann, born
June 28, 1815, married William Wells; 7. Edward Lewis, bom Nov.
8, 1817; 8. John Johnston (now the Bev. John J. Walsh), born April
4th, 1820, married Emma Brett; 9. Norman Andrews (twin brother
of John J.), died July 26, 1840; 10. Sarah Elizabeth, born June 16,
1827, married James Bull.
* The original name is said to have been Welch, and that William was the first to change .
the orthography. William and his brother Henry kept stores on opposite sides of the
street; the former had Walsh painted on his sign and the latter Welch.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
409
Henry commenced business in Newburgh, in 1798, as a maker and
dealer in boots and shoes. He married Mehitable Bull, and had: 1.
Julia Ann, married a Wells; 2. Mehitable; 3. Abraham (married
Rachel Ann Simmons); 4. James; 5. Thomas (now Doct. Thomas of
Port Jervis); 6. George Augustus; 7. Robert.
Michael married a daughter of William Sayre, of New Windsor,
and had: 1. Harriet; 2. Mary.
SHAWS OF NEWBURGH AND NEW WINDSOR;
Thomas and John Shaw (brothers) came from Ireland in 1790 and
settled in New Windsor, Thomas had two sons, Thomas, Jr., bom in
1799, and Robert, born in 1803. Thomas, Jr., married first, Eleanor
Burnett and had Crawford. He married, second, Harriet, daughter
of John Walsh and granddaughter of Samuel Logan, and had: 1.
George W., bom July 31, 1824, married Rhoda B. Alexander and had
Thomas, Mary, Catharine, Charles B., Jennie S., and Harry; 2. Charles
B., married Henrietta Roderman and had Henry Berry, and Maria
Bradley; 3. Elkanah K., married Elizabeth McCoun. He married,
third, jane, daughter of John Walsh. He removed to Newburgh in
1832, where, after conducting for several years the business of an
architect and builder, he was the founder, in 1852, of the firm of
Thos. Shaw & Sons. His son, Elkanah K., has served as an alderman,
and as a water commissioner, of the city, and has given evidences of
his architectural skill in the . plans for the Union Presbyterian church
edifice, the Grand street public school building, the house of fire com-
panies No’s. 2 and 5, and in many private residences.
Robert Shaw (brother to Thomas, Jr.,) married $nd had Samuel B.,
who married Mary Jane Mackimson; and Mary Ellen, who married
Charles J. Griggs.
John Shaw (brother to Thomas, senr.,) married and had 1. Thomas
G., who married Betsey Kemochan and had Margaret, Maria, John,
Mary Elizabeth, and Sarah; 2. James, who married Eliza Burnett,
without issue; 3. Margaret, who married Andrew Kernochan and had
Joseph; 4. Mary, who married James McCartney and had George,
John, Robert, James, Elizabeth (married James. Finlay), and Jane
Ann (married Samuel Clelland, Jr.)
WARD M. GAZLAY.
Ward M. Gazlay is said to have been a native of Pennsylvania. He
purchased, at Goshen, in 1804, a paper called the Friend of Truth,
and changed the title to the Orange Eagle. His establishment was
burned soon after and his paper discontinued. AIn 1806, he came to
Newburgh and purchased the Recorder of the Times, the title of which410
HISTORT OF NFWBUROH.
he changed to the Political Index, which he continued until 1829. In
addition to his editorial duties, he filled the office of justice of the
peace, and won reputation for probity and impartiality. As an editor
he was neither ambitious or industrious; he wrote little beyond brief
local notes, although his paper had some character through the con-
tributions of Jonathan and Theodore Fisk. His personal appearance
was not prepossessing. His stature was under medium size; shoul-
ders, and frame broad and thin; carriage ungainly, and gait shuffling;
but these exterior aspects were compensated by a heart glowing with
charity, and an independence of mind that would beg or die before
doing a mean or a dishonest act to win gold or favor. He died April
20, 1836, aged about 54 years.* He married Elizabeth, daughter of
Jonathan Carter, and left three sons.
JOHN D. SPALDING.
John D. Spalding was connected with the Newburgh press for about
thirty-eight years. He was born in Salem, Mass., in Jan. 1800. He
removed to Newburgh in 1815, in company with his father, the Rev,
Joshua Spalding, and was soon after apprenticed to Ward M. Gazlay,
then of the Political Index, with whom he remained until 1822, when
he commenced the publication of the Newburgh Gazette. He was con-
nected with this paper until 1833 or ’34, when he sold out his interest
and started the Newburgh Journal, which he continued (subsequently
under the title of the Highland Cour ier,) until his death.
As a journalist, few men have occupied that position, in the same
locality, for a longer term of years; or who, having done so, passed
from the stage leaying a more favorable record, than Mr. Spalding.
He was not a brilliant writer, but he possessed a sound judgment, was
urbane and kind in his disposition, and had many negative qualities
through which he secured friends and retained them. In person, he
was over six feet in height, light in frame and in flesh, and ungainly
in his carriage. He married Elizabeth L., daughter of the Rev. John
Johnston, D. D., of Newburgh, and had several children. He died
on the 22d of August, 1853, in the 54th year of his age, after an ill-
ness of about two days.

Samuel Parmenter was of the seventh generation of John Parmen-
* To some peculiarities and a few faults, Mr. Gazlay united many excellent qualities both
of head and heart. His early career as a magistrate was marked by strict probity, and a
sound, discriminating judgment, united to a fixedness of purpose and an impartiality in
his decisions which saw no difference between the rich and the poor, the peasant and the
king.—Telegraph, April 21,1836.BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.	411
ter, who emigrated from England prior to 1639, and settled in Sud-
bury, Mass., where he took the freeman’s oath, May 13, 1640. Ezra
Parmenter, the father of Samuel, was bom June 16,1760.* His son,
Samuel, was bom in the city of Boston, March 2, 1791. He married
(1818) Eliza, daughter of Stephen Crane, of Newton, Mass., and soon
after removed to Newburgh, where he died, June 29,1841. His wife,
Eliza, died Sept. 14, 1849. His children were Charles J., bom 1822,
died in 1826; Susan E. C., bom 1830, died in 1856; and Stephen C.,
born in Warwick, April 9, 1819, married Catharine A. McDowell, Oct.
16, 1844; died December 12,1863, leaving Caroline E., Cornelia A.?
Alginette D., Gertrude A., Geneveive C., and Samuel J.
Mr. Parmenter was a man of superior talents and great energy of
mind, and as a mathematician had few equals. He was for many
years surveyor of the village, by appointment of the Board of Trus-
tees, and at the time of his death was one of the magistrates of the
town. In 1822, he compiled and published “A Concise View of the
United States,” a very useful work and one which was eagerly sought
for throughout the country. About the same year he made a map of
Poughkeepsie, for the authorities of that town. In 1835, in pursu-
ance of a resolution of the board of trustees, he made a series of
maps of the village of Newburgh and vicinity, showing the outlines,
streets, property, etc., from 1752 to 1835. These maps are now on
file, and are among the most valuable and important papers in the
archives of the city. In 1836, he compiled and published “ A Statis-
tical Map of the United States,” which was highly commended, and
which met with such ready sale that three editions were printed.
From 1825 to 1832, he was the editor and one of the proprietors of
the Newburgh Gazette. He was an active Episcopalian, and was the
organist of St. George?s church for about seven years. His accuracy
as a surveyor was universally admitted, and in all difficult cases he
was a recognized authority. He was an accomplished scholar, a useful
citizen, and a good man, and he died universally respected.
CHARLES U. CUSHMAN.
Charles Underhill Cushman was bom in Hartford, Washington
county, N. Y., March 20, 1802; and was a lineal descendant of Robert
Cushman, one of the original company of Pilgrims, who sailed for the
New World, August 5th, 1620, O. S.f His father was Charles Cush-
* The children of Ezra Parmenter were Samuel, James, William, Maiy, Elizabeth, Sarah,
Nancy (died), James, and Nancy. Elizabeth married Col. Gardiner Thompson, of New-
burgh, and had Ezra P., Catharine G., Mary E., William P., Nancy F., Maria T., Helen,
Susan P., Charles F.,j&eorge J., and Julia. William Parmenter served several years as a
representative in congress from Massachusetts.
+ Robert Cushman, with his family, took passage on the “Speedwell,” a vessel that
sailed in company with the Mayflower. The ‘ ‘ Speedwell ” proving unseaworthy, returned
to London, and it was not until November 21,1621, that he landed in America.412
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH.
man, of Bennington, Vt., and his mother, Mary, daughter of Augus-
tine Underhill. His mother died the tenth day after his birth; and
Charles became the foster child of a kind and affectionate aunt, and
subsequently of his grandfather Underhill. He enjoyed only such
advantages of education as a common school in a thinly settled dis-
trict afforded; but, on the death of his grandfather, he removed to
the residence of his father, in Bennington, and attended the Academy
at that place during four winter sessions. At the age of seventeen he
entered, as an apprentice, a book store and printing office at Rutland,
Vt., and at nineteen he removed to Boston, and found employment in
printing and in mercantile pursuits for four years. During a portion
of this time he was in the employ of the father of N. P. Willis. He
subsequently passed some time as a proof reader and jobber in the
American Tract Society’s printing-rooms in New York. Here, learn-
ing that a press and newspaper establishment at Newburgh were for
sale, he left the city, and after a few months residence in Newburgh,
purchased the Political Index, and established the Orange Telegraph—
subsequently the Newburgh Telegraph—the first number of which was
issued March 20, 1829. In the autumn of 1839, having become tired
of the incessant labors of an editor, he sold the establishment, which
soon afterward passed into the hands of H. H. Van Dyck. Mr. Cush-
man subsequently held a position in the New York custom house, but
was removed on the change of the federal administration in 1841,
when he entered the mercantile business in New York, and afterwards
in Newburgh. He retired in 1852 with a competency. At the elec-
tion in 1853, he was chosen member of assembly from the first assem-
bly district of Orange county, and filled the station with credit to
himself and to his constituents. In 1858, he removed to Rhinebeck,
Duchess county, where he died, June 1, 1859, after an illness of only
a few hours.
Mi;. Cushman was a man of strong natural abilities, industry, per-
severance, independence of mind* and strict integrity. As a writer,
his style was vigorous and compact. He used but few words, and in
expressing his thoughts his language was plain and unmistakable.
His pen was ever ready to expose wrong, and to rebuke alike political
friends and foes if their conduct failed to reach his standard of ca-
pacity and honesty. As a private citizen, he was active in advancing
the interests of the community in which he lived. He was one of the
founders of the Newburgh and of the Mechanics5 Library, and also
helped to establish the Quassaick Bank, and the Newburgh Savings
Bank. In all his public and private walks he was, practical, and ex-
hibited the traits of a good citizen and an honest man. In person he
was nearly six feet, clear complexion, blue eyes, rather fleshy, and wellBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
418
formed. He dressed with extreme neatness, and walked with erect
carriage and firm tread. He married, June, 1832, Mary, daughter of
Charles, Birdsall, without issue.
WILLIAM LESLIE.
William Leslie was the father of Alexander Leslie, of Newburgh.
He conducted for a short time, the Newburgh Gazette. He died on the
17th Feb. 1838, of consumption. He was a native of Scotland, and
during his short residence in Newburgh won the reputation of an.
honest and an industrious citizen.
ELIAS PITTS.
Elias Pitts was born in Columbia county, New York, in the year
1810, and received a liberal education at the Kinderhook Academy.
He served an apprenticeship of a few years in the office of the Kinder-
kook Sentinel, and on its termination became associated in the editorial
management of that paper. Subsequently, he removed to Kochester,
and was connected with the editorial department of the Advertiser
of that city, a paper published by Henry J. O’Kielly. At the retire-
ment of Mr. Yan Dyck from the Newburgh Telegraph, in the winter of
1840, Mr. Pitts assumed the management of that paper, which he con-
tinued until 1850. From Newburgh, Mr. Pitts removed to Pough-
keepsie, and there became the editor of the Poughkeepsie American.
His connection with the public pijess terminated in the autumn of
1853; and he soon after received an appointment to a clerkship in the
state department at Washington.
In his character as a writer, Mr. Pitts exhibited much originality
and ability, maintaining a manly independence, and at the same time
laboring zealously to promote the interests of the democratic party,
to which he was attached. As a man, he was the soul of good-fel-
lowship. In the social circle he had few equals. To affable and
pleasant manners and fine conversational powers, he added a mind
stored with a fund of anecdote as well as useful information, which
made his society sought after and appreciated. He was kind-hearted
and generous. The appeal of charity never reached his ears in vain;
while personal resentments were never cherished or maintained—in a
word, his every-day life appeared to be the reflex of a heart filled with
noble and generous impulses. In person, he was about five feet three
inches, with a small, but well-proportioned body; head large and well-
developed; eyes black and full; hair naturally black but prematurely
silvered. He married first, Elizabeth, daughter of John Jamison, of
Newburgh, by whom he had Mary E., and John M.; and second,
Margaret, daughter of John Whited. He died in Washington, July
21, 1864, from typhoid fever, at the age of 44 years.414
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH
CONCLUSION.
The writer of this volume has looked in vain for a point in its con-
cluding chapter where he could say, “It is finished,” without omiting
many biographical sketches of persons as worthy of specific record
as any that have been given; but the work having already greatly
exceeded the limit assigned to it, he has been obliged to bring it to
a conclusion. Embraced in the necessary omissions to which refer-
ence is made are sketches of the late Hons. Thomas McKissock and
John W. Brown, who were alike distinguished for their legal abilities
and their influence in the councils of the people; the late ChanceyM.
Leonard, at the time of his death mayor of the city; the late Charles
W. Tice, the associate of the writer in the first publication of the
History of Newburgh, and whose character as an artist is shrined in
many household paintings; and John DeWitt, under whose inspira-
tion early commercial avenues were opened. In these as in other
cases, however, the general record is complete, and from it specific
deductions can readily be made showing their influence and the es-
teem in which they were held by their contemporaries.
Submitting this volume to the public—the work of his leisure
hours—the offspring of a conviction that worthy men are entitled to a
remembrance beyond that which may be carved upon perishable mar-
ble, and that in proportion as the desire for that remembrance is cul-
tivated active members of communities will become higher and nobler
in all their ambitions—the writer is confident that whatever imper-
fections may be found in it 'will not be charged as imperfections of
intent, but that it will be accepted in the spirit in which it has been
written, and stand as a monument to the people generally with whom
he has been associated during the greater part of his life, and as a
specific memorial of many who, active in their day and generation,
have passed into the great hereafter.||ppettiri-r.
TOWN SUPERVISORS.
1768
1764:
1765
1766
1767
1768
1769-71
1772
1773
1774
1775
1776
1777-80
1781-86
1787-88
1789
1790-91
1792-95
Jonathan Hasbrouck
Lewis DuBois
John Wandai
Benjamin Carpenter
Lewis DuBois
Edward Hallock
Latting Carpenter
Jonathan Hasbrouck
John Flewwelling
Samuel Fowler
Wolvert Ecker.
Morris Flewwelling
Wolvert Ecker
Thomas Palmer
John Robinson
Isaac Fowler, Jr.
John Robinson
Isaac Fowler
1796-07
1808
1809-10
1811
1812-18
1819-20
1822
1823
1824-31
1832-33
1834
1835-36
1837
1838
1839
1840-44
1842
1843-46
Reuben Tooker
Isaac Belknap, Jr.
William Ross
Jonathan Fisk
Leonard Smith
Daniel Tooker
Leonard Smith
William Wear, Jr.
William Walsh
Robert Lawson
William Walsh
James G. Clinton
Daniel Tooker
David W. Bate
Jackson Oakley
David W. Bate
John W. Brown
David W. Bate
1847-4:9 Odell S. Hathaway
1850	Enoch Carter
1851	Odell S. Hathaway
1852	Enoch Carter
1853	Samuel J. Farnum
1854	Henry Walsh
1855	Stephen W. Fullerton
1856	Odell S. Hathawav
1857	Albert Noe
1858	Enoch Carter
1859-60 Albert Noe
1861-63 Odell S. Hathaway
1864	William H. Beede
1865	Geo. W. Underhill
1866	C. Gilbert Fowler
1867-70 Nathaniel Barnes, Jr.
1871-76 John W. Bushfield
1866	James R. Dickson
Ezra Farrington
John C. Adams
Jackson Oakley
1867	. Chancey M. Leonard
Ezra Farrington
James E. Horton
Jackson Oakley
1868	James R. Dickson
Ezra Farrington
James E. Horton
Jackson Oakley
1869	Patrick Brennan
George Lawson
James B. Beveridge
Lewis C. Vernol
CITY SUPERVISORS.
1870	Patrick Brennan
George Lawson
James B. Beveridge
Lewis C. Vernol
1871	Patrick Brennan
George Lawson,
Alexander Cauldwell
Jackson Oakley
1872	Patrick Brennan
Andrew Johnson
Daniel S, Waring
Jackson Oakley
1873	Patrick Brennan
Andrew Johnson
Isaac C. Chapman
David D. Leon
1874	Patrick Brennan
Andrew Johnson
Daniel S. Waring
, John Miller
1875	Patrick Brennan
H. M. Hirschberg
Daniel S. Waring
John Miller
1876	Patrick Brennan
Jacob Tremper*
Daniel S. Waring
John Miller
* Died. Genl. W. R. Brown
appointed.
COMMISSIONERS OF ALMS-HOUSE.
Under the Act “ for the better support of the poor of the Town of Newburgh,” passed
March 23,1853, and the Act incorporating the City of Newburgh, passed April 22,1865.
1853—	David W. Bate, President. David H. Barclay, Thomas H. Roe, C. F. Belknap,
S. W. Fullerton, L. B. Gregory. W. C. Miller, Superintendent—(served until 1867).
1854—	David W. Bate, President. Henry Wyckoff, David H. Barclay, S. W. Fullerton,
E. A. Brewster, Alfred Post.
1855—	Henry Wyckoff, President. David H. Barclay, Thomas H. Roe, C. F. Belknap.
S. W. Fullerton, L. B. Gregory.
1856—	C. F. Belknap, President. Thos. H. Roe, L. B. Gregory, S.\W. Fullerton, Isaac
Wood, Sr.	\
1857—	Thomas H. Roe, President. Oliver Belknap, L. B. Gregory, Enoch Carter,
Isaac Wood, Sr.
1858—	Thomas George, President. Enoch Carter, James Belknap, Isaac Wood, Sr.,
James H. Mallery, Oliver Belknap.
1859—	Thomas George, President. Oliver Belknap, James Belknap, Enoch Carter,
George C. Spencer, Wm. H. Beede.
1860—	Thomas George, President. James Belknap, George C. Spencer, Wm. H. Beede,
Enoch Carter, Cbas. S. Lockwood.
1861—	Thomas George, President. Enoch Carter, Wm. H. Beede, George C. Spencer,
Chas. S. Lockwood, Ezra Farrington.416
APPENDIX.
1862—	Thomas George, President. Enoch Carter, Ezra Farrington, Chas. S. Lock-
wood, Wm. H. Beede, David E. Fowler.
1863—	Thomas George, Enoch Carter, Ezra Farrington, Chas. S. Lockwood, William H.
Beede, David E. Fowler.
1864—	Thomas George, Enoch Carter, George Clark, Chas. S. Lockwood, Ezra Farring-
ton, William H. Beede.
1865—	Chas. S. Lockwood, Ezra Farrington, Thomas George, George Clark, Enoch
Carter, Wm. H. Beede.
1866—	Ezra Farrington, Thomas George, George Clark, .Enoch Carter, John Little,
Chancey M. Leonard.
1867—	Ezra Farrington, Thos. George, John Little, Chancey M. Leonard—City; John
8. Purdy, I. Belknap—Town. L. I. Wynans, Superintendent.
1868—	Cornelius McLean, Wm. C. Noble, Ezra Farrington, Wm. L. F. Warren—City;
John S. Purdy, Wm. H. Beede—Town. MacLeod Rogers, Superintendent.
1869—	Cornelius McLean, William C. Noble, Ezra Farrington, W. L. F. Warren—City;
John H. Bond, John 8. Purdy—Town.
1870—	Ezra Farrington, Enoch Carter, Cornelius McLean, Wm. L. F. Warren—City;
John H. Bond, John S. Purdy—Town.
1871—	Enoch Carter, Cornelius McLean, Wm. E. Smiley, L. B. Halsey—City; John H.
Bond, John S. Purdy—Town.
1872—	William E. Smiley, David F. B. Carson, Cornelius McLean, L. B. Halsey—City;
John H. Bond, John S. Purdy—Town.
1873—	David Carson, President. L. B. Halsey, Cornelius McLean, Wm. E. Smiley—
City; John H. Bond, Wm. D. Barns, Jr.—Town. Wm. H. June, Superintendent.
1874—	Thos. S. McAlles, David Carson, John L. Sloat, Gavin R. McGrego ’—City; John
H. Bond. Wm. D. Barns—Town.	«o.
1875—	Thomas S. McAlles, President, David Carson, John L. Sloat, Gavin R. Mc-
Gregor—City ; John Birdsall, Wm. D. Barns—Town.
1876—	Thos. S. McAlles,* President. John L. Sloat, Thos. J. Bannon, Gavin R. Mc-
Gregor—City; John Birdsall, Wm. D. Barns—Town.
VILLAGE AND CITY OFFICERS.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
1804—	Hugh Walsh, George Monell, Jacob.Powell, William H. Smith, Hugh Spier, John
Mandevill, Solomon Sleight. Geo. Monell, President.!
1805—	-George Monell, Chas. Clinton, Hugh Walsh, Hugh Spier, Jacob Powell, Solo-
mon Sleight, John Mandevill. Geo. Monell, President. •
1806—	Isaac Belknap, Jr., Leonard Carpenter, John Mandevill, Sami. Downing, John
Anderson, Jr., Jona. Hedges, Alex. Denniston. Isaac Belknap, Jr., President. Chas.
Clinton, Clerk.
1807—	Hiram Weller, George Monell, Jacob Powell, John McAuley, Daniel Stringham,
Hugh Spier, William Taylor. Geo. Monell, President. William Taylor, Clerk.
1808—	George Monell, Hiram Weller, John McAuley, William Taylor, Jacob Powell,
Daniel Stringham, Hugh Spier. Geo. Monell, President. Wm. Taylor, Clerk.
1809—	Jacob Powell, Edmund Griswold, Jona. Hedges, Hugh Spier, Selah Reeve, Geo.
Monell, William Ross. George Monell, President. Wm. Ross, Clerk.
1810—	Jacob Powell. Selah Reeve, Jonathan Fisk, John D. Lawson, John Mandevill,
James Hamilton, John Chambers. James Hamilton, President. Aaron Belknap, Clerk.
1811—	Jacob Powell, George Monell, Seth Belknap Jonathan Fisk, Isaac Belknap, Jr.,
William H. Smith, John Chambers. Jonathan Fisk, President. Aaron Belknap, Clerk.
1812—	Jonathan Fisk, Seth Belknap, Jacob Powell, George Monell, John Chambers,
John Harris, Cadwallader Roe. Jonathan Fisk, President. Aaron Belknap, Clerk.
1813—	Walter Case. Jacob Powell, John Harris, John Chambers. Leonard Carpenter,
James Hamilton, John D. Lawson. Walter Case, President. Aaron Belknap, Clerk.
1814—	Walter Case, Jacob Powell, John Chambers, John D. Lawson, John Harris,
Leonard Carpenter, William Ross. Walter Case, President. Aaron Belknap, Clerk.
1815—	Walter Case, Jacob Powell, John Chambers, John Harris, John D. Lawson,
Leonard Carpenter, Solomon Sleight. Walter Case, President. David W. Bate, Clerk.
1816—	Isaac Belknap, Francis Crawford, John Anderson, Jr., Jonathan Carter, Levi
Dodge, Samuel Downing, Henry Walsh. Francis Crawford, President. Nathan C.
Sayre, Clerk.
1817—	Francis Crawford, Thos. Phillips, Jr., Benoni H. Ho well,§ Isaac Belknap, John
Anderson, jr., William Walsh, Samuel Downing. Francis Crawford, President. M. R.
Griswold, Clerk.
1818—	Francis Crawford, Thomas Phillips, Jr., Benj. Case, Jr., Selah Reeve, William L.
Smith, Jacob Carpenter* Jona. Hedges. Selah Reeve, Pres. M. R. Griswold, Clerk.*
1819—	Selah Reeve, Thomas Phillips, Jr., William L. Smith, Jonathan Hedges, Samuel
Williams, Wm. Seymour, Isaac Belknap. Selah Reeve, Pres. M. R. Griswold, Clerk.
1820—	Selah Reeve. Isaac Belknap, Thos. Phillips, Jr., Samuel Williams, Jonathan
Hedges, Wm. Seymour, Wm. L. Smith. Selah Reeve, President. M. R. Griswold, Clerk.
* Died in December. James W. Tayor appointed to fill vacancy.
t Ante p. 183.	§ Resigned, but resignation not accepted.APPENDIX.
417
1821—	Selah Reeve, Jonathan Hedges, Samuel Williams, Thos. Phillips, Jr., Isaac
Belknap, Wm. L. Smith, Francis Crawford. Selah Reeve, Prest. John W. Brown, Clerk.
1822—	Francis Crawford, Samuel Williams, Isaac Belknap, Thos. Phillips, Jr., Wm. L.
Smith, Alex. Falls, Jonathan Hedges. Francis Crawford, Prest. John W. Brown, Clerk.
1823—	Francis Crawford, Isaac Belknap, Wm. L. Smith, Sami. Williams, Thos. Phil-
lips, Jr., John Forsyth, Alex. Falls. Francis Crawford, President. John W. Brown,Clerk.
1821—Francis Crawford, Samuel Williams, Isaac Belknap, Wm. L. Smith, Thos. Phil-
lips, Jr., John Forsyth, Alex. Falls. Francis Crawford, President. John W. Brown, Clerk.
1825—	Francis Crawford, President; Isaac Belknap, John Forsyth, Samuel Williams,
Thomas Phillips, jr., William L. Smith, William Walsh. John W. Brown, Clerk.
1826—	William Walsh, Samuel Williams, John Forsyth, John Ledyard, Robert Lawson,
Ward M. Gazlay, Thomas Phillips, Jr. William Walsh, President. Benj. H. Mace, Clerk.
1827—	William Walsh, Robert Lawson, Sami. Williams, John Ledyard, John Forsyth,
Thos. Phillips, Jr., Joseph Hoffman. William Walsh, President. Benj. H. Mace, Clerk.
1828—	William Walsh, Samuel Williams, Robert Lawson, John Ledyard, John Forsyth,
Joseph Hoffman, Selah Reeve. Robert Lawson, President. B. H. Mace, Clerk.
1829—	Selah Reeve, Samuel Williams, Joseph Hoffman, William Walsh, John Ledyard,
David Sands, Samuel G. Sneden. Sami. Williams, President. B. H. Mace, Clerk.
1830—	John Ledyard, President; Charles A. Johnes, Jackson Oakley, David Sands,
David Crawford, Robert Kelley, Benjamin Carpenter. William B. Wright, Clerk.
1831—	Jackson Oakley, President; Robert Lawson, Benjamin Carpenter, Samuel Wil-
liams, David Crawford, Aaron Noyes, Moses H. Belknap. Alx. C. Mulliner, Clerk, (served
until 1835.)
1832—	Moses H. Belknap, President; Robert Lawson, Benjamin Carpenter, Samuel
Williams, Da*?id Crawford, Aaron Noyes, Jackson Oakley.
1833—	Moses H, Belknap, President; Robert Lawson, Benjamin Carpenter, Samuel
Williams, David Crawford, Aaron Noyes, Jackson Oakley.
1834—	Moses H. Belknap, President; Samuel Williams, Benjamin Carpenter, Christo-
pher Reevej'David Crawford, Eli Hasbrouck, Jackson Oakley.
1835—	John Ledyard, President; Minard Harris, William C. Hasbrouck, Samuel John-
son, John Jamison, Samuel J. Farnum, Aaron Noyes. Horace Armstrong, Clerk, (served,
until 1838.)
1836—	John Ledyard, President; Minard Harris, William C. Hasbrouck, Samuel John-
son, George Reeve, Samuel J. Farnum, Aaron Noyes.
1837—	John Ledyard, President; Samuel J. Farnum, William C. Hasbrouck, Benjamin
Carpenter, Jackson Oakley, David Crawford, Christopher Reeve.
1838—	Moses H. Belknap, President; Samuel J. Farnum, William C. Hasbrouck, Benja-
min Carpenter, Jackson Oakley, Nathaniel Dubois, Robert Lawson. Solomon Tuthill,
Clerk, (served until 1841.)
1839—	Moses H. Belknap, President; Samuel J. Farnum, William C. Hasbrouck Odell
S. Hathaway, Jackson Oakley, Nathaniel Dubois, Robert Wardrop.
1840—	Moses H. Belknap, President; Samuel J. Farnum, Thornton M. Niven, Odell S.
Hathaway, George Cornwell, Nathaniel Dubois, Robert Wardrop.
1841—	Moses H. Belknap, President; Samuel J. Farnum, Ebenezer W. Farrington, Odell
S. Hathaway, Benjamin Carpenter, Natlian’l Dubois, Benjamin F. Buckingham. Jackson
Oakley, Clerk.
1842—	Minard Harris, President; William M. Wiley, Joseph Hoffman, George Reeve,
William K. Mailler, Samuel Johnson, Alexander Whigam. S. C. Parmenter, Clerk.
1843—	Moses H. Belknap, President; Samuel J.. Farnum, Joseph Hoffman, Benj. Tyler,
Jefferson Roe, Robert D. Kemp, David W. Gridley. Stephen B. Brophy, Clerk.
1844—	Moses H. Belknap, President; Benjamin Tyler, Joseph Hoffman, Ebenezer W.
Farrington, Aikman Spier, Robert D. Kemp, Homer Ramsdell. Jackson Oakley, Clerk,
(served until 1847.)
1845—	Samuel J. Farnum, President; Lewis W. Young, David Crawford, Robert A. For-
syth, William L. F/Warren, Edmund S. Sanxay, Homer Ramsdell.
1846—	Samuel J. Farnum, President; Lewis *W. Young, David Crawford, Robert A. For-
syth, William L. F. Warren, Aikman Spier, Homer Ramsdell.
1847—	Samuel J. Farnum, President ; Homer Ramsdell, David Crawford, Robert A.
Forsyth, William L. F. Warren, Aikman Spier, Wm. P. C. Smith. Peter F. Hunn, Clerk.
1848—	Samuel J. Farnum, President; Homer Ramsdell, David Crawford, Robert A. For-
syth, William L. F. Warren, Aikman Spier, Wm. P. C. Smith. David C. Ringland, Clerk.
1849—	Samuel J. Farnum, President; Homer Ramsdell, Lewis W. Young, Robert A.
Forsyth, William L. F. Warren, Lewis D. Lockwood, Eli Hasbrouck, Jackson Oakley, Clerk.
* The following singular oath was taken by Griswold on entering upon his duties:
“ I, Marvin R. Griswold, being chosen Clerk of the Corporation of the Village of New-
burgh, do solemnly swear that I will in all things, to the best of my knowledge and
ability, execute ana perform the duties enjoined on me, and that I will not divulge or
make public any of the proceedings of the Corporation until the same shall be published
by them or their order; nor at any time disclose or discover the votes or opinions of
any member of the said body, unless required to give evidence thereof in a Court of
Justice.	[Signed]	M. R. GRISWOLD.
Sworn and subscribed the 5th day of May, 1818, James Hamilton.
027418
APPENDIX.
1850—	Samuel J. Farnum, President; Homer Ramsdell, Lewis W. Young, Robert A. For-
syth, William L. F. Warren, Lewis D. Lockwood, Eli Hasbrouck. Jackson Oakley, Clerk.
1851—	Samuel J. Farnum, President; Minard Harris, Homer Ramsdell, Robert Lawson,
Henry T. McCoun, Thornton M. Niven, Eli Hasbrouck. Daniel G. Niven, Clerk.
1852—	Ebenezer W. Farrington, President; Robert Lawson, Charles Drake, Geo. Gearn,
William L. F. Warren, John R. Gorham, Eli Hasbrouck. Charles Halstead, jr., Clerk,
(served until 1864.)
1853—	Ebenezer W. Farrington, President; Robert Lawrson, Samuel J. Farnum, George
Gearn, William L. F. Warren, John R. Gorham, Eli Hasbrouck.
1854—	William L. F. Warren, President; Samuel 33. Gregory, Franklin Gerard, James
H. Mallory, Edson H. Clark, John R. Gorham, Charles Johnson.
1855—	William L. F. Warren, President; John F. Van Nort, Eli Hasbrouck* Edwin T.
Comstock, William E. Peck, Charles H. Doughty, William H. Callahan.
1856—	William L. F. Warren, President; George W. Kerr, Franklin Gerard, Edwin T.
Comstock, James H. Mallory, Isaac Wood, jr., Lewis D. Lockwood.
1857—	William L. F. Warren, President; Ebenezer W. Farrington, Franklin Gerard,
Halsey R. Stevens, Robert Sterling, George Lawson, Michael Doyle.
1858—	William L; F. Warren, President; Ebenezer W. Farrington, Edwin T. Comstock,
Halsey R. Stevens, Robert Sterling, George Lawson, Michael Doyle.
1859—	William L. F. Warren, President; Ebenezer W. Farrington, J. H. H. Chapman,
Halsey R. Stevens, Robert Sterling, George Lawson, Michael Doyle.
1860—	William L. F. Warren, President; Ebenezer W. Farrington, J. H. H. Chapman,
George C. Spencer, Robert Sterling, George Lawson, Michael Doyle.
1861—	Homer Ramsdell, President; Robert Sterling, J. H. H. Chapman, Thomas Beve-
ridge, John Lomas, George Lawson, Isaac S. Fowler.
1862—	Robert Sterling, President; Thomas Beveridge, J. H. H. Chapman, Homer Rams-
dell, John Lomas, Hugh McOutcheon, Isaac S. Fowler.
1863—	Robert Sterling, President; Thomas Beveridge, J. H. H. Chapman, Homer Rams-
dell, John Lomas, Cornelius McLean, Isaac S. Fowler.
1864—	William L. F. Warren, President; David Moore, Benjamin B. Odell, James Bigler,
.Chas. Root, Robert A. Forsyth, Lewis Jennings. Chas. B. Royce, Clerk, (served until 1866.)
1865—	David Moore, President; James Bigler, Benjamin B. Odell, Alexander Leslie,
Charles Root, Edson H. Clark, Jacob Brown.
MAYORS AND COMMON COTJNctL.
1866—	Mayor—George Clark ; Aldermen—First Ward, Daniel A. Rheutan, John Lomas;
Second Ward, Henry Ross, John Corwin ; Third Ward, Edson H. Clark, Benj. B. Odell;
Fourth Ward, James Bigler, James Whitehill. Chas. B. Royce; Clerk, (served until 1872.)
1867—	Mayor—George Clark'; Aldermen—First Ward, Daniel A. Rheutan, George M.
Clapp ; Second Ward, Henry Ross, James H. Phillips; Third Ward, Edson H. Clark, Chas,
Root; Fourth Ward, James Bigler* David Moore.
1868—	Mayor—George Clark; Aldermen—First Ward, G. M. Clapp, Alexander McCann;
Second Ward, James H. Phillips, William R. Brown ; Third Ward, Charles Root, Jonathan
N. Weed; Fourth Ward, David Moore, Abram S. Cassedy.
1869—	Mayor—George Clark; Aldermen—First Ward, Alexander McCann, Gavin R.
McGregor; Second Ward, William R. Brown, Francis Boyd; Third Ward, Jonathan N.
Weed, J. J. S. McCroskery; Fourth Ward, Alex. Cauldwell, Jacob Brown.
1870—	Mayor—Robert Sterling. (Dec’d.) Alexander McCann, Presiding Officer and
Acting Mayor ; Aldermen^—First Ward, Alexander McCann, Gavin R. McGregor; Second
Ward, Elkanah K. Shaw, Francis Boyd; Third Ward, Charles Root, J. J. S. McCroskery ;
Fourth Ward, Alex. Cauldwell, James T. Lawson. Orville M. Smith, Clerk, (served un-
til 1872.)	-
1871—	Mayor, William W. Carson ; Aldermen—First Ward, Alexander McCann, William
Doyle ; Second Ward, Elkanah K. Shaw, Robert Whitehill; Third Ward, Charles Root,
J. J. S. McCroskery ; Fourth Ward, Nathaniel B. Hayt, Jame^ T. Lawson.
1872—	Mayor—Samuel E. Shutes; Aldermen—First Ward, Joseph M. Dickey, William
Doyle ; Second Ward, Henry F. Travis, Robert Whitehill ; Third Ward, Edward Haigh,
J. J. S. McCroskery; Fourth Ward, Nathaniel R. Hayt, Robert Kernahan. Daniel J.
Coutant, Clerk, (1877.)	:
1873—	Mayor, Samuel E. Shutes; Aldermen—First Ward, Joseph M. Dickey, William
Doyle; Second Ward, Henry F. Travis, William Cameron ; Third Ward, Edward Haigh,
John C. Adams ; Fourth Ward, Nathaniel B. Hayt, Robert Kernahan.
1874—	Mayor—Chancey M. Leonard*; Aldermen—First Ward, William Doyle, Hugh
Hamilton; Second Ward, William F. Cameron, John Dotzert; Third Ward, John C. Adams,
Grant E. Edgar ; Fourth Ward, Nathaniel B. Hayt, Lewis B. Halsey.
1875—	76—Mayor—John J. S. McCroskery; Aldermen—First Ward, William Doyie, Hugh
Hamilton; Second Ward, William F. Cameron, John Dotzert; Third Ward, John C. Ad-
ams, GrantE. Edgar; Fourth Ward, Noah Collard, Richard Sterling.
* Mayor Leonard having died on the 3d of December, 1874, the President of the Com-
mon Council, N. B. Hayt, became Acting Mayor, in accordance with provision of the
City Charter.419
APPENDIX,
MEMBERS OF BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Alsdorf, Egbert	1862-65
Bevridge, John	1852-57
Bevridge, Thomas . 1858-60
Brewster, E. A.	1858-63
.1867-68—1873-77
Brown, Rev. John	1852-58
Brown, Jacob	1855
Callahan, W. H.	1861
Case, Robert L.	1874-77
Cassedy, A. S.	1875-77
Clapp, George M.-	1865
Clark, George	1858-60
Corwin, John	1864-72
Culbert, Dr. W. A. M. 1855-57
Dickson, James R.	1857-59
Ely, Dr. Smith	1876-77
Estabrook, Chas.	1864-72
Forsyth, Rev. John	1853-77
Gearn, W. W.	1876-77
George, Thomas 1859-61
Gregory, L. B. 1852-54
Haines, P. S.	1867-70
Hirschberg, M. H. 1871-77
Jones, Nathaniel 1852-56
Johnes, Edward R. 1861-63
Kerr, George W. 1852-54
Kimball, Thos. 1864-67,1873
Lawson, John K. 1858-61
Leonard, D. Gillis 1852-57
1860-62, 1864
Leonard, Chancey M. 1869-71
Lewis, John N. 1870-72
Martin, Cyrus B. 1868-73
McCutcheon, Hugh 1863-66
1868-69
Merritt, Theodore 1870
Moore, B.B.	1872-75
Monell, J. J. 1852-54,1865
Peck, William E.	1862-64
Reeve, Charles F. V.	1852
Reilly,. John	1872-75
Ring, Thomas C.	1852-57
Rogers, Daniel T.	1866-72
1875-77
Ruttenber, E. M.	1857-64
1866-69
Smith, Orville M.	1856-57
1859-64
Thayer, John S.	1855
Ward, Peter	1861-66
Williams, Samuel	1856-58
Wilson, Nicholas	1867-74
President—John Bevridge, 1852-57; John Forsyth, 1858-77.
Clerk—Nathl. Jones, 1852-57; Hugh S. Banks, 1852-59; Dr. R. Y. K. Montfort, 1859-63,
1872-76 ; E. M. Ruttenber, 1863-64; Hiram A. Jones, 1864-72.
WATER COMMISSIONERS. ,
With the exception of the Commissioners appointed for the construction of the Water-
works, the duties of Water Commissioners were discharged by the. Board of Trustees
until the adoption of the City charter, since which time the following persons have been
members of the Board of Water Commissioners:
George Clark,	1866-71
Francis Scott,	1866-71
J. D. Shafer,	1866-69
Robert Sterling,	1869
C. M. Leonard,	1869-72
Wm. Wyckoff,	1869-72
John F. Yan Nort, 1870-75
Franklin Gerard,	1871-75
Timothy Townsend, 1871-75
Wm. W. Carson, 1872-77
Sami. G. Kimball, 1872-77
J. H. H. Chapman, 1875-77
E. K. Shaw,	1875-76
L. M. Smith,	1875-76
Chas. Root,	1876-77
H. B. Beckman,	1876-77
Superintendent—D. T. Rogers, 1866; Leander Clark, Jr., 1866-69 ; N. W. Allard, 1869-
70 ; Chas. B. Royce; 1870-73; E. C. Boynton, 1873-77.	.	■ *
The first
SEALS OF THE VILLAGE AND CITY OF NEWBURGH,
seal in use by the Board of Trustees was one previously obtained by the Trus-
tees of the Fire Department. It had for its
design a figure of Justice, encircled with the
words, “ Seal of the Trustees of Newburgh.”
The second seal was adopted June 7,1819.
It is described by Mr. William Rollinson, of
New York, by whom it was engraved, as fol-
lows : “ The figure is a representation of the
Deity of the Hudson, or a River God (Aqua-
rius, the water-bearer,) according to Heathen
Mythology, pouring forth the river from his
urn, and bearing in his right hand an antique
Rudder of a vessel, as an emblem of the ex-
tensive navigation and commerce of the river;
and the Hudson is designated by the arms of
the State of New York being blazoned upon
the rudder—which I believe corresponds with
the idea communicated to me.” This descrip-
tion is rather crude, but it was approved by
the Board and entered upon its minutes.
The seal of the City of Newburgh was adop-
ted in 1866, and is shown by the accompany-
ing engraving.
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
1609—Mahicanituk river discovered by Hudson.
1652—Hostilities commenced by Esopus Indians.
1660—First Esopus (or Indian) War.
1663—Second Esopus War.
1683—Original County of Orange organized.420
APPENDIX.
1684—First settlement in the present County of Orange by Scotch immigrants at Plum
Point, in New Windsor.
1684—Lands extending from the Paltz to Stony Point purchased from the Indians by
Gov. Dongan.
1690—Second settlement in the presept County of Orange by William Tietsort in the
town of Deerpark.
1694—Lands purchased by Gov. Dongan patented to Capt. John Evans under the title
of “ Manor of Fletcherdon.”
1699—Evans’ Patent vacated by an Act of the Assembly.
1709—	Third settlement in the present County of Orange by Palatine, immigrants on the
site of the City of Newburgh.
1710—	Precinct of the Highlands established by an order of Court of Sessions of Ulster
county, as a Court district,
1712-14—Settlement of Wawayanda Patent at Goshen, Warwick and Gray-court.
1719—Lands at Quassaick creek patented to Palatine immigrants—including a Glebe of
500 acres for the support of a Lutheran minister; settlement designated, “ The Palatine
Parish by Quassaick.5’
1725—First Presbyterian church in present County erected at Goshen.
1738—First Church erected in Newburgh by Lutherans.
1743—Newburgh Plot laid out by Alexander Golden: First application of the name of
Newburgh to the present City.
1743—The Precinct of Goshen erected.
1743—	Ferry established at Newburgh by charter to Alexander Colden.
1744—	Precinct of the Highlands erected by an Act of the Assembly, and Supervisor
and other officers elected.
1747—Members of the Church of England elected Trustees of Glebe, and the Church
edifice closed against the Lutheran minister.
1752—First Patent-for Glebe surrendered and the Second Patent issued, confirming in-
come of Glebe to Church of England : Settlement designated, “ The Parish of Newburgh.”
1763—Precinct of Highlands divided, and the Precinct of Newburgh and the Precinct
of New Windsor erected therefrom. . . : .
1769—Seventeen buildings on the site of the present City of Newburgh.
1772—Precinct of Newburgh divided and the Precinct of Newburgh and the Precinct
of New Marlborough erected.
1775—Committees of Safety appointed in the Precincts of the County.
1779—Washington’s Head-quarters established at Ellison house, New Windsor.
1782—	Washington’s Head-quarters established at Newburgh.
1783— Army disbanded.	.
1788—The Towns of Newburgh, Cornwall, Goshen, Warwick, Minnisink, New Windsor,
Wallkill, and Montgomery, erected by general Act.
1794—	Presbyterians elected Trustees of Glebe: Organization of St. George’s Church
broken up by the Revolution.
1795—	First newspaper, “The Newburgh Packet,” printed.
1796—	Newburgh Post-office established.
1798—The present County of Orange erected.
1800—The Village of Newburgh incorporated.
1805—Glebe charter amended, and income applied to the support of School A
1866—The City of Newburgh incorporated.
ERRATA.
While*the greatest cafe has been taken to prevent the admission of any erroneous state-
ment or date, it is possible that in reviewing so many subjects as are embraced in this
volume, errors have not been wholly avoided. When it is remembered that it has been
found necessary to correct every history that has been written and every map that has
been printed; that traditions have been found at wide variance with established records;
that several thousand names and dates have been recorded—a claim of entire accuracy
would be presumptuous. The reader, if better informed than the writer, will please cor-
rect whatever may be found amiss in the respects referred to as well as in orthography./
general

CHAPTER I.............. p.5
History of Orange County—In
the Beginning—Aboriginal Era
—The Wars for Possession—1492,
1664.
CHAPTER II.. ..........p 16
History of Orange County—Ab-
original Deeds^—Land Patents—
First Settlements—1664, 1709.
CHAPTER III......7?....p.29
History of Orange County—Civil
Government — Organization of
Counties, Precincts and Towns
—Courts and Court Houses—Co-
lonial Politics-1683, 1798.
CHAPTER IV.............p.49
History of Orange County—Lo-
cation—Physiology— Geographi-
cal Nomenclature—Climate—Ge-
ology—Soils, etc.
CHAPTER V................ p.80
History of Orange County—The
French and Indian War—War of
the Revolution—Wars of the Re-
public.
CHAPTER VI.............p.95
History of Orange County—Ju-
dicial History—Public Buildings
— Civil Administration — Town
Boundaries—General Summary.
CHAPTER VII.......... p.lll
History of Newburgh—The Sec-
ond Patents-The Palatine Parish
by Quassaick.
CHAPTER VIII............p.125
The Parish of Newburgh—Set-
tlement of Adjoining Patents—
. Precinct Officers—Revolutionary
Events—The Town of Newburgh
—The Glebe in the hands of the
people—The Village of Newburgh
—Infidelity—Recollections.
CHAPTER IX..............p.183
Village of Newburgh—.Amended
Glebe Charter—Second War with
England—War of the Rebellion—
Business Review—General Sum-
mary.
CHAPTER X...............p. 205
Newburgh Localities—Census Re-
turns—Support of Poor — Turn-
pikes and Plank Roads — Rail-
road Enterprises—Banking In-
stitutions—Incorporated Compa-
nies — Supply of Water — New-
burgh Post-office — Commercial
Record—Newburgh Ferry—Fire
Department — Principal Fires—
Regatta Association—Horticultu-
ral Society—Mechanical Indus-
tries.
CHAPTER XI..........	p.273
The Militia prior to and during
the Revolution—General Organi-
zation and Continental Regim’ts
—Militia since the Revolution-
Rebellion Record.
CHAPTER XII............p.289
Newburgh Churches—Religious
and Literary Societies—Schools
— Newspapers — Benevolent So-
cieties, Ac.
CHAPTER XIII. .......  p.353
Biographical and Genealogical
Sketches.
APPENDIX. .............p.414
Town and City Supervisors—Vil-
lage and City Officers—Seals-
Chronological Record.
INDEX. ............... p.421
Aborginal Era.	7
Indian Tribes,	9
“ . Deeds, 19,80,21,23,24
“	War Cry,	11
“	War—First,	11
“	Wars—Esopus,	13
Indian Names—Sginification of
Arackhook,	68
Assawaghkemeck,	66
General Explanation,	53
Hasdisch,	66
Long House,	67
Minnising.
Mongawpmg,
Muchattoes,
Navesing,
Pochuck,
65
55
51
56
69,205
54
10
63
17
55,69
162,340
102
129,168
103
186,193,232
Schuncmttnk,
Seepu,
Shawangunk,
Woerawin,
. Kahanksen Castle,
. Maringoman’s Castle,
Academy, Newburgh .
Agricultural Products,
Albertson’s Tavern,
American Star,
Banking Institutions.
Bank of Newburgh,
Branch Bank of Newburgh,
Bank of Orange County,	iya
Bank of United States,	193
Bank Suspensions,	236
Highland Bank,	192,233
Newburgh Savings Bank, 235
Powell Bank,	194,196,234
Quassaick Bank,	235
Balmv.ille, (see Localities)
Balm of Gilead Tree, 182,206
Barges and Propellers,	249
Beacon Fires,	89,190
Belknap’s Ridge, (see Localities)
Billings Anthem,Independence 154
Bills of Credit,	158
Biographical and Genealogical
Acker, Wolvert	373
Albertson, Richard
Belknap Family,
Birdsalf Family,
Bowman, Phineas
Brown, Rev. John	403
Brown, John
Carpenter Family,
Carter Family,	384
Colden, Alexander	355
Crawford Family,	395
Cushman, Charles U.	411
DeGrove Family,	382
Downing Family,	398
Farrington Familyv	405
Fisk, Jonathan	391
Flewwelling Family,	364
Forsyth, John	394
, Fowler Family,	364
jjGardiner, Robert	387
Gazlay, Ward M.	409
Gulch, Melchior	354
Hasbrouck Family,	369
Ilofiman, Zacharias	355
Hoffman, Joseph	388
Hutchins, John Nathan	375
Innis Family,	375
Kockerthal, Joshua, Rev. 353
Leslie, William	413
Ludlow Family,	399
Mailler Family,	397
Merritt Family,	363
Meynders, Burger	355
Oakley Family,	397
Parmenter, Samuel	410
Penny Family,	374
Pitts, Elias	413
Powell Family,	401
Purdy Family,	r	367
Ramsdell Family,	403
Reeve Family,	375
Roe Family,	371
Schultz Family,	^	393
Seymour, William	377
Smith Family,	356
Shaw, Thomas and John	409
Spaldmg, John D.	410
Storey, Jonas	392
Walsh Brothers,	408
Walsh, Hugh	381
Warren Family,	378
Weigand, Michael	354
Weygant, Charles H.	354
Biographical Notes.
Adams, Ebenezer	339
Alexander, James	121
Armstrong, Major John	149
Belknap, Hezekiah	362
Benedict, E. C.	341
Bloomer, Joseph	181
Brewster, Eugene A.	404
Burnet, Gov. William	121
Burnet, Rev. Eleazer	298
Chapman, Paddock	387
Charlton, Rev. Richard	289
Close, Rev. John	298
Cochran, Robert	157
Coleman, Joseph	368
Colden, Gov.	355
Colden, Cadwallader	356
Cooper, Rev. Ezekiel	324
Cushman, Robert	411
Davis, Elder Luke	319
Denniston, David	166,346
DeWitt, John	382
Donnelly, Peter	168
DuPuy, Samuel *	27
Edmonston, James	356
Falls, Alexander	369
Farrington, Rev. T. T.	406
Farrington, Ezra	406
Foote, Ebenezer	243
Fowler, Rev. Samuel	326
Freeman, Rev. Jonathan	298
Gouverneur, Abraham	47
Gregory, Samuel O.	362
Guimar, Peter	25
Hartwick, Rev. Mr.	178
Hasbrouck, Abraham	369
Hedges, Dr. Phineas	166
Kerr, George W.	404
Lander, Benjamin	407
Lewis, Rev. Isaac	* 298
Libbey, Wm. S.	406
Machin, Capt. Thomas	211
McCroskery, John	406
McGregorie, Patrick	20
Merritt, Underhill	364
Palmer, Rev. Elihu	165
Palmer, Col. Thomas	368
Parmenter, Ezra	411
Phillips, Rev. George	374
Phillips, Robert	364
Sanxay, Edmund S.	387
Sayre, Rev. John	177,291
Scott, William	387
Smith, Nathan	121
Smith, William	283
Scrimgeour, Rev. James	811
Thayer, William	380
Tietsort, William	25
Tooker, Charles	368
Ward, Peter	407
Watkins, Rev. Hezekiah	290
Williams, Jonas	374
Winfield, Elias	346422
GENERAL INDEX.
Blooming Grove.
Support of Poor,	Page 97
Town Boundaries,	103
Block Houses,	91
Blue Ball Tavern,	173
Bridgeville Bridge,	181
Burgoyiie’s Expedition, 87,89
Camp Ground,	144
Cayuga Lake, Steamer on 191
Chester.
Militia Rendezvous at	86
Town Boundaries,	108
Churches.
American Reformed,	315
Bethlehem,	101,295
Calvary Presbyterian,
Catholic—St. Patrick’s,
St. Mary’s,	333
Church of England, 123,125
Church of the Corner-Stone, 295
Church of Our Father, 335
Episcopal,	161,162,289
First Associate Reformed, 162,311
• First Baptist,	318
First Presbyterian,	162,295
First Reformed Presbyterian, 313
First United Presbyterian, 315
First Universalist,
African M. E. and Baptist, ooo
Lutheran, Newburgh, 101,120,289
Lutheran, New York, 119,123
Maghaghkeraek,	90,101
Methodist Classes,	"""
Fostertown,
Gardnertown,
Grace
Middlehope,
Rossville,
Trinity
St. John’s
St. Paul’s
Newburgh Mission, «
Number in County,
St. Andrew’s,
St. George’s,
St. George’s Mission,
St, Paul’s,	294
Second Baptist,.	323
Second Presbyterian,	302
Second Refor’d Presbyterian, 314
331
130
' 101
131,292
Union Presbyterian,
Church Architecture,
Church Statistics,
Civil Government, .
307
204
335
29
____________________________ 34
{Colonial Politics,	44
Commissioners of Highways, 34
First Code bf Laws,	31
Organization of Counties, 32
Precinct Organizations, 35
Representatives in Assembly, 42
Supervisors,	33
Town Organizations,	39
Climate.
Cornwall,	71
Goshen,	71
Newburgh,	70
Shawangunk Range,	71
Coffee House, Newburgh, 200
Colden’s Dock,	172,244
Colden House,	173,199
Colonnade Row,	,	200
Commercial Record.
Docks,	. 244
Forwarders,	245
Sloop Lines,	244
Steamers and Barges,	247
Steamboat Captains,	249
Committee of Safety, 135,137
Powers of	138
Continental Dock,	172
Blacksmith Shop, 173
Ferry, 173,177,251
Store-house,	299
Regiments,	276
Copper Coinage,	163,171,211
Cornwall, Precinct of	36
Population 1790,	41
Town Boundaries,	104
Counties, Original
County of Orange,
Agricultural Products,
Board of Supervisors, 33,100
Boundaries,	35,41
Characteristics of People, 100
Climate,	70
County Clerk’s Office,
Courts,	42,93
County of Orange (continued).
Court Houses,	43,93
Geology, etc.	.71
Insane Asylum,	99
Location,	49
Mountains and Valleys,	50
Origin of Name,	35
Original Organization, • ■	34
“ Precincts and Towns, 35,38,
Ponds, Streams, etc.,
Physiology,	49
Population,	28,41,85,103
Religious Summary,	101
Reorganization,	.40
Representatives,	.45
Sheriffs,	44
Stock Horses,	103
Support of Poor,	97
Surrogates,	43
Surrogate’s Office,
Town Boundaries,
Crawford.
Town Boundaries,	107
Deerpark. Settlement of	25
Town Boundaries, .	104
DeGrove’s Tavern,	173
Demott’s Tavern,	182
Denton’s Dock,	173,244
Devil Worship,	208
DeWint’s Dock,	173
Diary of Abm. Hasbrouck,	170
Donnelly’s Recollections,	167
Downing House,	171
Druid Society (see Societies.)
Eel-Fishing Place,	131
Edmonston House,	145
Elections, Early -	45,46
Elective Franchise, x	44
Ellison House,	146
Erie Canal Construction,	191
“ Railroad “	194
Esopus Wars (see Aboriginal Era).
Ettrick Grove.,	214
Evans Patent (see Patents).
Excise Commissioners,
First Brick House,	173
. “ Frame House,	167
“ Mechanics,	173,265
“ Pest House,	175
“ Regular Store,	174
First Settlements.
Baird Patent,	130
Bradley “	131
Bradley Children Patent,	132
Goshen, etc.,	35
Gulch Patent,	133
Haverstraw,	19
Harrison Patent,	132
Johnson Patent,	133
Kip & Co. Patent,	131
New Paltz,	20
Parish by Quassaick,	28
Plum Point (New Windsor), 21
SwartwoUt Patent,	25
Spratt “	. 133
Town of Orange,	23
Wawayanda Patent,
Wallace	“	131
Forwarding Lines,	244
Forts Clinton, etci, 51,87,88,142
French and Indian War.
Block Houses,	84
Hostilities of the Minsis,	81
Massacres in the Minnisinks, 82
Friends, Settlement of	131
Front Street, Opening of	201
Gardner’s Tavern,
Gardner House,	'	209
Geology, etc.
Champlain Division^	73
Granite,	75
Minerals,	74,75
Mines,	76
Primary Rocks,	75
Shawangunk Grit,	72
Soils, etc.,.	78
Taconic System,	74
Trenton Limestone^	73
German Patent, (see Patents.)
Glebe, First Charter.	117
Amended Charter,	184
Difficulties,	160
Dwellings on	129,171
Fair,	125,126
Fee Simple-Titles,	204
First Minister,	119
Legal Controversy,	185
School (see Schools),
Page 125
124
33
35
104
109
19,170
20
!,133
110
103
103
103
103
Glebe (continued).
Second Charter,
Tenants on
Goshen, Precinct of
Settlement of
Town Boundaries,
Greenville.
Town Boundaries,
Hamptonburgh,
Town Boundaries,
Hanover, Precinct of
Hard Winter of 1779,	.16
Harrison Patent (See Patents).
Haverstraw, Settlement of
Precinct of,
Hessian Prisoners,
Highlands, Forts’in (see Forts).
Highlands (see Mountains).
Highlands, Precinct of 36,12!
Highlands, Town Boundaries,
Hiram Lodge (See Masonic).
Horses.
American Star,
Esopus Switph Tails,
Hambletonian,
Price of,
Hotels.
Mansion House,	177,181,200
Orange,	172,174
United States,'	174,201
Hudson’s River Obstructions, 87,88
Hudson and Delaware Canal, s 192
Independence.
First Celebration of	154
Infidelity,	164
Introduction,	4
In the Beginning,	6
Judicial History,	31,32,43,93
Lacustrine and Marsh Lands.
Barton Swamp,
Big Swamp,
Binnenwater Swamp,
Black Meadow's,
Cedar Swamp,
Drowned Lands,
Gray-court Meadows,
Grassy S wamp,
Great Swamp,
Long Swamp,
Pine Swamp,
Pakadasink Swamp,
Tamarack Swamp,
Libraries. .
Catholic Library, etc.,
Mechanics’ Library,
Newburgh Library Assoc.,
“ Free Library,
Liverpool Trade,	ios
Localities.
Balmville,	206
Belknap’s Ridge,	211
Coldennam,	131,211
Dans Kamer,	9,206
DuBois’ Mills,	209
Gardnertown,	209
Gidneytown,	133,209
Hampton,	207
Hay Scales,	217
Luptondale,	131,208
. Middlehope,	132,206
New Mills,.’	210
Powder Mills,	210
Public Stocks,	216
Public Market,	216
Rocky Forest, *	131,208
Rossville,	132,208,328
The Vale,	214
Washington’s Headquarters 215
West Newburgh,	210
Lunatic Asylum,	99
Luptondale (see Localities.)
Maghaghkemek Patent,	25
Church,	90,101
Precinct,	36
Settlement of	25
Mailler’s Dock,	172,245
Mamakating Precinct (see Precinct
Mansion House,	177,200
Masonic.
American Union Lodge, 351
Hiram Lodge,	190,352
Newburgh Lodge,	352
Orange Lodge, Goshen, 352
Steuben Lodge,	351
St. John’s Lodge; Warwick, 352
Masonic Lodge Room,	175
Mastodon,	64
McIntosh House, 175,283,293,326
64
63
64
62
63
63
64
63
64
64,65
63
345
344
344
. 345Mechanical Industries. Pape
Baking,	174,267
Brewing,	268
Brush Making,	271
Cabinet Making,	266
Carpenters and Masons, 271
Chair Making,	266
Earthen Ware,	266
Foundries,	270
Harness Making,	173,268
Hatting Business,	173,265
Painting,	268
Shoe Making,	265
Soap and Candles,	267,271
Statistics,	274
Stone-cutting,	267
Tailoring,	181,266
Tanning,	176,268
. Tin-smithing,	267
Tobacconists,	174,267
Wagon Making,	269
Watch Making,	266
Military Orga- izations.
First Militia Co. —Muster Roll, 273
Organization of 1775,	85,273
Militia of Revolution, 85,274
Col. Hathorn’s Regiment,85,274
“	Wooodhull’s	“	85,274
“	Allison’s	u	85,274
“	Ellison’s	“	85,273
“	Hasbrouck’s	“	85,274
“	Clinton’s	“	85,274
DuBois’	“	. 85,279
Rendezvous of	142,188
Services of	141,143
Muster Roll--Capt. Clark’s,, 275
“ Capt. Conkling’s, 275
Capt. Smith’s, 276
Special Organizations, 141,276
Belknap’s Rangers, 85,278
Minute Men,	85,141,287
Continental Regts.—First, 85,278
Col. DuBois’,	85,279
Uniforms,	280
Militia since the Revolution, 281
Service in War of 1812,	187
Service in War of 1862, 197,285
Orange Hussars,	281
Capt.. Acker’s Company, 281
Republican Blues,	282
Capt. Birdsall’s Companj, 282
Capt. Buttcrworth’s Co.,
Capt. Smith’s Company,
Capt. Belknap’s . “.	283
Capt.. Falls’	“	283
Bell-Button	“	283
Village Guard,
Newburgh Volunteers, 284
Nineteenth Regiment, 286
Wash’glon Cont’ntal Guard,285
Powell Corps,	,	285
Newburgh Guard, '	285
Parmenter Riflemen, 285
Ellis Guard,
Mills—Saw and Grist.
Acker’s,	163,213
Belknap’s,	\ 163
Burr’s,	163
Colden’s,	163,170,209
Denton’s,	163,170,213
DePeyster’s,	170
DuBois’,	209
Foster’s,	.	163,210
Gardner’s,	163
Hartshorn’s,	163
1 Hasbrouck’s,	143,163,209
Machin’s Coinage Mill,	163,211
New Mills,	163,210
Niven’s,	163,210
Penny’s,	163
Schultz’s,.	171
Tooker’s,'	63
Minnisink Angle,	28
Battle of	90,189
Patent, h	1 26
Persohs Killed at	81
Population 1790,	41
Property Destroyed at	90
Purchase,	27
Town Boundaries,	105
Monroe, Town Poor House, 97
Town Boundaries,	104
(see Chesekook.)
Montgomery, Precinct of
Population 1790,	106
Town Boundaries,	41
Mount Hope.
Town Boundaries,	107
GENERAL INDEX.
Mountains and Valleys.	Page
Bear Mountain,	51
- Bell vale Mountains,	55
Bell vale Valley,	57
Blagg’s Clove,	57
Butter Hill,	50
Comfort Hills, etc.1,	56
Cro’-Nest,	1	51
Cronomer’s Hill,	214
Cfomeline Valley,	57
Dunderberg,	50
Eagle Valley.	58
Highland Range,	50
King’s Hill,	213
Limestone Hill,	214
Mount Independence,	51
Mt. Adam and Eve,	56
Mt. Lookout,	56
Muchattoes Hill,	55
Otterlcill Valley,	57
Peenpack Valley,	57
Pochuck Mountain,	55
Quassaick Valley,	57
Racoon Hill,	214
Ramapo Valley,	57,i
Rough Mountains,	55
Schunemunk Range,	54
Shawangutilc Range,	52
Shawangunk Valley,	57
Smith’s Clove,	57,91
Southfield Mountains,	55
Sterling Mountainsj	55
Sugar-loaf Mountain,	56
Sugar-loaf Valley,	57
Taylor Mountains,	55
Torn Mountain,	51
The Vale,	214
Two-Pond Valley,	58
Wallkill Valley,	57
Warwick Mountains,	55
Winegtekonk,	55
Woodbury Clove,	57
Negro Slaves,	28,136
Newspapers and Serials.
Acorn, The	349
Amateur Newspapers, 349
Beacon, The	348
Catholic Library Magazine, 349
Christian Instructor,	348
Christian Statesman,	348
Citizen, The	164,346
Evangelical Witness,	348
Family Visitor,	348
Home, Farm and Orchard, 349
Household Advocate,	349
Highland Courier,	348
Literary Scrap-Book,	349
Mirror, The	164,346
Musical Bulletin,
National Advertiser,
Newburgh American,	348
“	Dailv Democrat, 348
Daily Mail,	348
“	Excelsior,	348
“	Gazette,	347
“	. Journal,	347
Packet,	345,’46
“	Penny Post,	348
“	Telegraph,	347
Times	348
New Windsor Gazette, 164,346
Orange Co. Gazette, 164,346
Orange Co. Patriot,	347
Political Index,	164,346
Recorder of the Times, 164,346
Reformed Presbyterian, 348
Rights of Man,	164,346
Tablets of Rural Economy, 349
New Mills (see*Localities.)
New Paltz, Settlement of 20,38
Convention at	135
New Marlborough, Precinct of 39
Population 1790,	41
New Windsor, Precinct of 38,133
Camp Ground at	144
Celebration at	152
Commerce of	158
First Settlement in,	21
Gazette (see Newspapers.)
Public Building at	147
Town Boundaries,	105.
Washington at	143
Neptune,' Sloop—Disaster to 247
Nursery, First
Nursery, Downing’s
Newburgh, City of, Location, 205
Academy,	• 162,340
Celebration 1783,	153
423
Newburgh (continued), Page.
Banking Institutiofis,	232
Business Review,	191
Census Returns,	218
Cochecton Turnpike,	202
Coffee House,	189,200
City Boundaries,	110
City, Organization of	198
Commercial Record,	245
Committee of Safety, 135,137,138
Dedication of Streets,	159
Disbandment of Rev. Army, 157
Ferry,	122,126,250
Fire Department,	163,253
Fires,	261
First Town Election, 133,134
General Summary,	199
j Glebe Charter (see Glebe).
Incorporated Companies, 237
Whaling Company.	237
Steam Mills,	238
.! Gas:Light Company,	239
Infidelity,	-164
Letters,	147
Mechanical Industries, 265
Military Organizations, 273
Militia Companies, 141,275,281
•Mission,	130
Newburgh House,	173,199
Newburgh in 1609,	111
Newburgh, Parish of	125
Old Town Plot, 33,121,126,158,159
Origin of Name,	206
Palatine Settlement,	113
Patents in Town,	112
Poverty of the People, 157
Precinct of	38,39,112,133
Poor System,	220
Post Office,	243
Quassaick. Parish by	115
Railroad Enterprises,	228
Reception of La Fayette* 190
Recollections of Jas.Donnelly 167
Second War with England, 187
Regatta Association;	263
Revolutionary Events, 134
“ Pledge, Signers of 136
Settlement of Patents,	130
Supply of water,	239
Town Boundaries,	39,105
Township of Washington, 159
Turnpikes and Plank-roads, 222
Village, Incorporation of 164,183
Village, Original	164
War of the Rebellion, 197,287
Oakley & Davis’ Dock. 172,245
Obstructions to Navigation, 88,90
Odd Fellows Lodges.	352
Orange County Poor House, 97,220
Orange Hotel (see Hotels).
Orange Lake (see Ponds).
Orangetown, Precinct of	35
Orange, Town of	23,35
Palatinate of the Rhine,	113
Palatines in England,	114
“ Removal to America, 114
“ Settlement of 28,119
Palmer’s Lead Mines,.	214
Parsonage, First	128
Patents.
Baird’s,	112,130
Bradley,	112,131,208
Bradley Children,	112,132
Chesekook,	26
Evans,	22,112
German,	26,118
Gulch,	113,132
Harrison,	112,132
Haverstraw,	19
Johnson,	113,133
Kakaite,	24
Kip & Co.,	112,131,208
Minnisink,	26,28
Minnisink Angle,	28,61
New Paltz,	20
Penny,	132,208
Quaspeeck,	24
Schuyler’s,	24
Spratt,	113,133,209
Swartwout’s,	25
Wallace,	113,132
Wawayanda,	26,28
Patent Lines,	27,61,65
Peace Negotiations,	147
Penny Patent (see Patents).
Petition for St, George’s church, 130
“ for more Currency, 157
“ for more Taverns, 129424
GENERAL INDEX,
61
69
21,61,65
62,211
213
Plank-roads.	Page.
Newburgh and Ellenville, 196,222
Newb. and Shawangunk; 196,123
Politics, Colonial	44
“ Local,	187,193,197
Ponds and Lakes.
Big Pond,
Binnenwater,
Bog-meadow Pond,
Bull Pond,
Car Pond,
Cedar Pond,
Cedar Pond, No. 2,
Cranberry Pond, No. 1,
Cranberry Pond, No. 2,
Fitzpatrick’s Pond,
Greenwood Lake,
Green Pond,
Hazzard’s Pond,
Little Long Pond, No. 1,
Little Long Pond, No. 2,
Little Pond,
Long Pond,
Maretange Pond,
Mombasha Pond,
Nigger Pond,
Orange Lake,
Poll Rose’s Pond,
Poplopen’s Pond,
Round Pond,	oi
Round Pond, No. 1,	59
Round Pond, No. 2,	59
Round Island Pond,	60
Slaughter’s Pond,	59
Spruce Pond, '	59
Sterling Lake,	60
Summit Lake,	59
Sutherland’s Pond,	59
Thompson’s Pond,	61
Truxedo Pond,	60
Two Ponds,	59
Washington Lake,	62
Wickham’s Pond,	61
Population,Precinct Highlands 218
Newburgh,	41,219
Orange County,	28*41
Character of	100
General Reference, 103,133,162
Powder Mills (see Localities).
Presbyterian Church (see Church)
Precincts.
Goshen,	35
Hanover,	39
Haverstraw,	35
Highlands,	36,122,133,218
Maghaghkemek,	36
Mamakating,	35,38
Newburgh, •	38,133
New Marlborough,
38,133
36
35
36
37,39
122,130,184,192
95
119
New Windsor,
New Cornwall,
Orangetown,
Shawangunk,
Wallkill,
Price of Lands,
Prisoners for Debt,
Private Residences,
Progress of Settlement,
Quartermaster’s Stores,
Quassaick Creek (see Streams),
Quit-rents,
Railroads.
Crawford and Erie, •
Duchess and Columbia,
Hudson and Delaware,
Montgomery and Erie,
Pine Island and Erie,
Monticello and Port Jervis, 195
Newburgh Branch,	195,226
Warwick Branch,
Newburgh and Midland,
Newburgh and New York,195,230
Newburgh and Wallkill Yal. 231
New Jersey Midland,	195
195
196
194,223
195
195
Railroads (continued).	Page.
New York and Erie,	194,221
Oswego Midland, .	195
Unionville Branch,	195
’ Wallkill Valley,	195
Ramsdell’s Dock,	172,245
Rebellion Record,	197
Recollections, Donnelly’s	167
Red Store-house,	202
Renwick City,
Revolutionary War.	84,134
Revolutionary Army.
Encampment of	144
Discontent in	145
Disbandment of	156
Honorary Badges,	156
Rocky Forest (see Localities).
Ross House,
Rossville (see Localities).
Ruggles House,
Second War with England.
Chesapeake and Shannon,
Dartmoor Prisoners,
Military Movements,	188
Perry’s Victory,
Supply of Clothing,	188
Salt, Scarcity of	175
Scheneetady Massacre,	25
School-house, First	128
Schools
Glebe School, 125,128,160,161,338
Newburgh Academy, 162,340
“ High Scntol, 342
“ Free Schools, 342
Private Schools,	343
Theological Seminary, 336
Scotch-English Settlers,	122
Ship Building,	163,176
Small Pox, First Case of	175
Societies.
Bible Society, Newburgh
Druids, The	165,175
Historical Society,	350
Home for the Friendless, 350
Horticultural Society,	264
Lyceum Association,	349
Lyceum of Natural Sciences, 349
Masonic Lodges,	351
Mission Society,	350
Mutual Improvement Soc., 350
New England Society,	360
Odd Fellows,	352
Sabbath School Society, .350
S.Luke’s Home and Hospital, 351
Temperance, etc.,	352
Young Men’s Christ. Assoc., 351
Soldiers, Billeting of .	142
Stage Lines,	191
Steamers, Newburgh 201,248
Steamboat Captains,	249
St. George’s Church (see Churches)
Stony Point, Attack on	144
Streets, Dedication of	127
Streams and Water Courses.
Acker’s Creek,	^ 213
Arackhook,
Basha’s Kill,
Bushfleld Creek,	69,213
Canterbury Brook,	68
Cold Spring,	213
Cromeiine Creek,
Delaware River,	64,70
Denton’s Creek,	213
Fall Brook,	66
Fostertown Creek,	69,112
Goldsmith Creek,	69
Hudson’s River,	6,64.70
Ledyard’s Spring,	213
Long-house Creek,	67
Little Pakadasink River, 21,65,70
Little Shawangunk Kill, 65
McCorlin’s Kill,	67
Mongaup River,	64,65
Monhagen Creek,	67
70
68
213
67
100
128
',168
173
181
173
203
181
Streams and Water Courses (cont).
Muddy Kill,	68
Murderer’s Creek,	69
Neversink River,	66,70
Otterkill,	•	68
Pakadasink River,	21,65,70
Pochuck Creek,	67
Poplopen’s Creek,	70
Powelton Brook,	213
Powelton Spring,	213
Quaker Creek,	67
Quassaick Creek,	69,212
Tent Stone Meadow Creek, 69,212
Queensborough Brook,	70
Ramapo River,	70
Rutger’s Creek,	67
Shawangunk Kill,	64,65
Schunemunk Creek,
Sickbosten’s Kill,
Tinn Brock,
Trout Brook,
Wallkill River.
Wawayanda Creek,
Woodbury^ Creek,
Swartwout Bhtent,
Supervisors,?First Board
Taverns, Petition for
Albertson’s,
Blue Bell,
Case’s,
DeGrove’s,
Gardner’s,
Howell’s,
Number of
Smith’s,
Weigand’s,
Temperance Societies,
Theological Seminary,
Tories and Indians,
Town Boundaries,	.
Trade and Commerce,177,’91,’95,244
Tufnpikes. '
Newburgh and Cochecton 184,196
Newburgh & NewWindsor 186,196
Newburgh and Sullivon, 186,196
Newburgh and Platiekill, 186,196
Newburgh and Ulster,	196
Snake Hill,	196
United States Hotel (see Hotels).
Vaughan and Wallace Exp., • 142
Wagon Street,	118
Wallkill Precinct (see Precinct).
Town Boundaries,	109
Wallkill Road,	118
Wallace Patent (see Patents).
War of the Revolution.
Battle of Minnisink,
Burgoyne’s Expedition,
Cow Boys,
General Summary,
Highland Forts,
Indian Hostilities,
Military Organizations,
Pledge of Association,
WAr, Second with England
War of the Rebellion,
Wars.of Louis XIV,
Warwick Town Boundaries,
Washington, General.
Barges of
Betrayal of
Farewell Orders,
1129,167,176
352
190
91,96
103
91
89.142
93
88.143
90
86,274
85,136
188
197
113
105
litlCVVCll VJUC19,	156
Heac-quarters of .143,144,154,215
Letter to Congress,	151
Life Guard,	145,170
Newburgh Letters,	148
Order for Celebration,	152
Reply to Nicola,	145
Washington, Mrs.	155,170
Wawayanda Patent (see Patent).
Town Boundaries,	109
Western Trade,	191,192
Westfall’s Fort	83
West India Trade,	177
miMinimmMiimiHnmimimiimm^ngrabiftgs.
Aborginal Map ...................... .Facing Page 5
Adolph DeGrove (Autograph),................383
Adolph DeGrove, Jr. (Autograph)............  383
American Reformed Church.....................317
Asbury Chapel.............................. 328.
Associate Reformed Church.................   313
Calvary Presbyterian Church................- 306
Colden House............:.............:....173
County Seal...........................Title Page.
County of Orange (Map)..........Facing Page 35
Court House at Newburgh............... .... . 98
Gro’-Nest................................     50
David Crawford (Portrait)................... 396
Disbandment of the Army..........Facing Page 157
DuBois’Mills............................     209
Engine No. 2................ .............. 258
Enoch Carter (Portrait)......................385
Ferry Boat Caravan .. .....................— 253
First Baptist Church (1796)................. 320
First Baptist Church (1850)................... 322
First Baptist Church (I860)..... .......... 322
First M. E. Church (1860)—.... ............ 327
First Presbyterian Church‘(1828)............ 300
First Presbyterian Church (1858). .......... 301
First Reformed Presbyterian Church.........  311
Fostertown M. E. Church..................    329
Gardner House..... —;......................209
Gardner’s Store House...........Facing Page 247
Gardnertown M. E. Church ...................... 328
German Patent (Map)........................... 118
Gilbert O. Fowler (Portrait)...............369
Glebe, Map of (1753).............^Facing Page 127
Gray-Court Meadows . . .	—...............63
Hay Scales.............................      217
Home for the Friendless ...................351
Homer Ramsdell (Portrait), Steel.. Facing Page 403
Homestead of Thomas Powell (Steel) “	“	183
Homestead of Thomas Powell (Steel) “	“	225
Hudson Trading with Indians................ 8
Hugh Walsh (Autograph).................... — .381
Indian Devil Worship.......................207
James M. Gardiner (Portrait).................388
Jonathan Carter (Autograph)...............   384
Jonathan Fisk (Portrait). .................• 391
Joseph Hoffman (Portrait) ..................... 388
Lawson and Columbian Hose House, Facing Page 256
Lutheran Church............................  120
Maringoman’s Castle.........................     55
Middlehope Presbyterian Church.............— 310
I
Minnisink Monument (Steel)..Facing Title Page~
MosesH. Belknap (Portrait)................362
Newburgh Academy..........................341
Newburgh in 1609.........................   111.
Newburgh from the North-West.... Facing Page 111
Newburgh Patents (Map).................... 112 -
Newburgh from the North-East. ...Facing Page 205-
Newburgh from the South-East..............202
Newburgh Market........................... 217
Newburgh Savings Bank...................... 236*
Newburgh Alms-House.............Facing Page 221
Newburgh City, Seal of.......................420
Odell S. Hathaway (Portrait).................405
Parsonage, First---------------------------  128
Patents, Map of.................Facing Page 27
Phineas Bowman (Portrait)................... 390
Plateau at Cornwall....................... 79-
Public Stocks and Whipping Post..............2L6
Ramsdell’s Store-house...............Facing Page	247
Ringgold Hose House.............Facing	Page	257.
Ross House ............_—.............. .. 208
Rossville M.E. Church....................... 329
Ruins of Fort Putnam............Facing Page 92
Samuel Parmenter (Autograph).................410
School House* First—.........................128
Second Presbyterian Church.....:...........  303
Second Reformed Presbyterian Church..........314
Selah Reeve (Autograph)... ..................376
Steamer Baltimore..........................  248
St. George’s Episcopal Church..............  293
Sterling Mines............................ 77
Sugar-Loaf Mountain.......................... 56
Thomas Powell (Portrait), Steel—Facing Page 353
Torn Mountain—.	.. .................. 51
Township of Washington (Map)....... —	.... 159
Trinity M. E. Church............Facing Page 327
Universalist Church.............—............ 334-
Union Associate Reformed Church..............308
Union Presbyterian Church........Facing Page 308
View from Fort Montgomery.................... 51
Washington’s Head-quarters.......Facing Page 215
Washington Engine.........................   256
Ward, Leonard & Co.’s Store........ — . —... 269
Water Street from Golden’s Gore............ —199*
Weigand’s Tavern (1767)— - —     ............. 129.
Weigand’s Tavern (1780)..................... 176
Wm. W. Belknap (Portrait), Steel... .FacingPage 360
William DeGrove (Autograph)...............   383
William K. Mailler (Portrait) .............  391BEFORE ALTERATION.AFTER ALTERATION.UNION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-1876.