The history of Rockland County

CORNELL

UNIVERSITY

LIBRARY

BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME
OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT
FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY

HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE

Cornell University Library
F 127R6 G79

History of Rockland County /.by l-rank Be

3 1924 028 832 974
olln Overs

Cornell University
Library

The original of this book is in
the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in
the United States on the use of the text.

http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028832974

THE

HISTORY

OF

EOOKLAND COUNTY

BY

FRANK BERTANGUE GREEN, M. D.

A. S. BARNES & CO., NEW YORK.
188-6.

Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1886,

By frank BERTANGUE GREEN, M. D.

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER 1.

The Indian tribes of Rockland County. Their dress, personal habits, weapons and utensils.
Religious condition. De Vries Colotly. Sketch of De Vries. Wars with the Indians. De-
struction of Vriesendael. Treaties with the Indians. Disappearance of aborigines.

CHAPER II.

Van Werckhoven applies for a patent at Tappan. Claes Jansen's patent. Paulsen and
Dowse Harmanse patents. De Harte patent. Orangetown patent. Welch and Marshall or
Quaspeck patent. Honan and Hawden or Kakiat patent. Evan's patent. Wawayanda patent.
Cheesecocks patent. Lancaster Symes patent. Stony Point patent. Ellison and Roome patent.
Kempe, Lamb and Cram patent. Patents for lands in Ramapo. Lockhart patent.

CHAPTER III.

Early real estate speculation. Transfers of the De Harte patent. Survey of the boundaries
between the De Harte and Cheesecocks patent. Sales from the Quaspeck patent. Settlement of
division line between the Quaspeck and Kakiat patents. Division of the Ifakiat patent. Sales
from the Kakiat patent. Settlement of division line between the Kakiat and Cheesecocks patent.
Sales of land from the Cheesecocks patent. Sales of land from the Stony Point patents. Trans-
fers of land in Ramapo. The settlement of the Orangetown patent. The different systems of
patronymics used by the Dutch and the origin of Dutch family names.

CHAPTER IV.

Organization of Orange County including the present Rockland. Physical condition of the
Cbnnty at the time of erection. Fraudulent election returns from it. First officers. Establish-
ment of a court. Early census returns. Organization of the first church society. Early super-
visors' records. Building of thefirst church edifices at Tappan, Clarkstown and Kakiat. Pun-
ishments inflicted on malefactors. Establishment of church societies north of the mountams.
Opening of highways. Erection of County buildings north of the mountains. The establishment
of inns. The beginning of the controversy with Great Britain.

CHAPTER V.

THE CIVIL HISTORY OF THE REVOLUTION.

A brief review of the ideas which led the colonists to revolt. A General Congress called for.
It convenes. Election of Delegates from this State. Organization of the Sons of Liberty in New
York. Organization of the Committee of Correspondence and Safety in Orange County. Its
duties during the Revolution. Election of Delegates to a Provincial Congress. Organization of
the State Government and Adoption of the Constitution. Synopsis of the first Constitution.
First Election of State Officers. Recapitulation of, the Revolution in Civil Government. Civil
I jst of our County till the formation of a Federation.

IV.
CHAPTER VI.

THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTIOV.

The Militia Force of our County at the outbreak of the War. Organization of Troops. In-
subordination among them. Building Fort Clinton. The Water Front Visited by a Hostile Fleet.
Retreat of the Continental Army through the County. The Forays of the Enemy in our County,
and the patriotic struggles to defend it. Washington encamps at Ramapo. From thence marches
toward Philadelphia. The Battle of Fort Clinton. The construction of the West Point Chain.
Massacre at Old Tappan. Capture of Stony Point by the British. Its re-capture by General
Wayne. The Continental Army Encamps at Tappan. The treason of Arnold. Trial and Exe-
cution of Andre. March of the Continental Army through the County to beseige Yorktown.

CHAPTER VII.

THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.

Events at Tappan and Sneden's Landing, Conflicts between the British and Shore Gviard at
Piermont and Haverstraw. Naval fight in Tappan Zee. Conflicts at Nyack. The depredations
committed by Cow-boys in the County. Forays at Slaughter's Landing. Joshua Hett Smith.
Invasions of the Southern part of our County by the Enemy. Acts of individual bravery and
suffering. Account of Claudius Smith. Confiscation of property at the close of the War.
Roll of the names of men who served iu the armies of the Revolution,

CHAPTER VIII.

Dreadful financial condition of the County at the close of the Revolution. Energy of the peo-
ple to re-establish business. The first houses of the settlers. Later architecture. Domestic
life amongthe Dutch : Their occupation and manner of work. The modes of travel in early
days. The style of dress. Amusements. Causes of veneration for the clergy. Church
attendance. Funerals. Forms of old wills.

CHAPTER IX.

The causes which led to the creation of a Federation. Their slight influence on this section.
The feeling among the people regarding it and the reason for that feeling. The vote of the
delegates at the Convention. Reasons why Rockland County wiis erected. Its boundaries. Its

townships. Its first officers.

CHAPTER X.

EARLY INDUSTRIES OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

The Hassenclever Iron Mine and Rockland Nickel Company Mine. Conglomerate sand-
stone and freestone quarries. Dater's Works. Works at Sloatsburgh. Ramapo Works. Brick
Manufacture. Knickerbocker Ice Company.

CHAPTER XI.

The early militia of Rockland County. War of 1812. The militia of the County called upon
for service. The companies of Captains Blauvelt and Snedeker leave for Harlem. The Light
Horse ordered to report for duty. Organization of a batallion of artillery. Desertions. Organ-
ization of the National Guard. Muster roll of the militia of 1812.

V.

CHAPTER XII.

Proposition for a turnpike from Nyack to Suffern : Bitter opposition. The bill as passed.
Renewals of the charter. An act incorporating the New Antrim and Waynesburgh Company,
passed. The beginning of steamboat communication with New York. Later steamboats. Char-
ters for ferry-boats. Chronological list of steamboats. Opening. of the Erie and other railroads.

CHAPTER XIII.

History of the Reformed Church atTappan, at Clarkstown. Of the " Brick " or Reformed
Church at West New Hempstead. Of the Reformed Church at Nyack, at Piermont, at Spring
Valley. History of the " English " or Presbyterian Church at Hempstead. Of the Presbyterian
Church at HaVerstraw, at Ramapo, at Greenbush, at Nyack, at Waldberg, at Stony Point, at Pal-
isades, and of the Central and Mountville Presbyterian Churches. History of the Baptist Church
at Nanuet, at Haverstraw, at Viola, at Piermont, at Nyack, at Spring Valley.

CHAPTER XIV.

History of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Rockland County. History of the Methodist
Protestant Church at Haverstraw and Tomkins Cove. History of the Roman Catholic Church
in Rockland County. History of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Rockland County. History
of the Universalist Church at Nyack and Orangeville ; of the Quaker Church at Ladentown ;
of the True Reformed Church at Monsey, at Nanuet and at Tappan. History of the Congre-
gational Church at Monsey and Tallmans. Of the M. E. Zion at Nyack and at Haverstraw.
History of the Union " Stone Church," or Upper Nyack, Wayside Chapel, Lake Avenue Baptist,
West Nyack Chapel and Steven's Sunday Schools. History of the Rockland County Sabbath
School Association.

CHAPTER XV.

Slavery in Rockland County. The " Underground Railroad." The County Buildmgs. The
Rockland County Bible Society. The Rockland County Medical Society. Agricultural Society.
Rockland County Teachers' Association. The Rockland County Historical Society. Civil List
of the County.

CHAPTER XVI.

PERIOD OF CIVIL WAR

The political feeling in Rockland County and Election of i860. Effect of the shot on Sum-
ter. Split of the Democratic Party into Peace and War factions. Early volunteering and organi-
zation of companies. Movement among the Union Men to render aid to volunteers and their
families. The early conception and growth of the Rockland County branches of the U. S. San-
itary Commission. Outburst of anger among the disloyal at the order for a draft. Organization
of secret societies among the loyal. History of the drafts. Election of 1864. Joy over the news
of the end of the conflict. The Census of Rockland County's contributions to the War.

CHAPTER XVII.

ORANGETOWN.

Erection of the Town : Area : Origin of Name : Census : First Town Meeting. Histories of
Tappan, Greenbush, Middletown, Nyack, Piermont, Palisades, Orangeville, Orangeburgh, Pearl
River. Railroad from Sparkill to Nyack. Highland and Midland Avenues. Town Officers.

VI.
CHAPTER XVIII.

HAVERSTRAW.

Origin of Name : Erection into a Township : Area : Census. Histories of Haverstraw Vil-
lage, Thiell's Corners, CVurnee's Corners or Mount Ivy, Garnerville, Samsoadale, Johnsontown,
West Haverstraw, Monroe and Haverstraw Turnpike, Haverstraw Community, Town Officers.

CHAPTER XIX.

RAMAPO.

Date of Erection : Area : Origin of Name : First Town Meeting : Census. Histories of Suf-
ferns, Sloatsburgh, Eater's or Pleasant Valley, Sterlington, Ramapo, Hilburn, Kalciat or New
Hempstead, Sherwoodville, Ladentown, Mechanicsville or Viola, Cassady's Corners, Spring Val-
ley, Monsey, Tallman's, Scotland, Pomona. History of the Old Taverns. New Jersey and New
York Railroad Stations. The Orange Turnpike. Stages. Town Officers.

CHAPTER XX.

CLARKSTOWN.

Origin of Name : Erection of the Town : Area : First Town Meeting : Census. History of
Clarkesville, New City, Rockland Lake, Nanuet, Dutch Factory, Mackie's and Stagg's Corners,
Waldberg, Snedeker's or Waldberg Landing, Strawtown, Bardon's Station. Peat Beds. Silver
Spoon Factory. The Brewery. Town Officers.

CHAPTER XXI.

STONY POINT.

Erection of the Town : Origin of Name : Area : First Town Meeting : Census. History of
Grassy Point, Stony Point, Tomkin's Cove, Caldwell's Landing, Doodletown, lona Island, Stony
Point Promontory, Bear Hill, Pingyp Hill. The House of the Good Shepherd. Historical
Trees. Town Officers.

ERRA,TUM.

Chapter III, page 36, line 6. For "Abraham Lydecker— step-son of Elizabeth, &c., " read :
step-son of Sarah.

HISTOEY OF EOCKLAID COOTTY.

CHAPTER I.

INDIAN HISTORY.

THE INDIAN TRIBES OF ROCKLAND COUNTY— THEIR DRESS, PERSONAL
HABITS, WEAPONS AND UTENSILS— RELIGION— DE VRIES' COLONY-
SKETCH OF DE VRIES— WARS WITH THE INDIANS— DESTRUCTION OF
VRIESENDALE— TREATIES WITH THE INDIANS— DISAPPEARANCE OF
THE ABORIGINES.

Hudson, sailing in search of a northwest passage that would bring to
his patrons the 'wealth of the Indies by a shorter route than that about the
capes, anchored inside of Sandy Hook on September 3, 1609. He had
discovered not the strait he sought, but a New Amsterdam, that, under a
different name, was to excel the old Amsterdam in metropolitan grandeur.

He found his discovery to be a land " as pleasant with grass and flow-
ers, and goodly trees as ever he had seen," and peopled by a race whose
birthright those that followed Hudson were soon to obtain by crushing
that race from existence.

The " olive colored, well-built, naked savages," who inhabited this
County, belonged to the Algonquin family, and were divided into the
Tappan, Rewechnougs, Rechgawawancks, Rumachenanks, or Haverstraw,
and doubtless, where tribal affiliation was so close, the Hackinsack tribes.
Throughout this section game was abundant, and from it, and the fish that
could be obtained in the many rivers and lakes that water the County, the
Indian not only obtained food, the deer skin or woven turkey-feather
mantle, " a fathom square," that fell from his shoulders, and his mocca-
sins, but also from the bears, wolves, deer, foxes, beavers and otters, ac-
quired the skins so much valued by the Dutch, and with which he started
a thriving trade.

His life was simple. Like all people who depend for food upon, the re-
sults of fishing and the chase, he was improvident to the last degree.
Taciturn and brave, he spoke little of his deeds of prowess, and considered
those, who were loquacious, as idle boasters. Unforgiving and vindictive.

he waited for the object of his anger with quiet pertinacity, concealing his
passion with great subtlety till the hour for its consummation, and then
wreaking his vengeance unforgivingly. If he met his enemy on an equal
footing he would fight fairly, but regarded it as no shame to fall upon him
from ambush and slay him without warning, for treachery was a marked
attribute of his nature. If the result of the attack was in favor of his
enemy, he met the expected death without emotion, and tortures, so horri-
ble as to exceed our conception, were borne by him with stolid composure
and without the utterance of a groan.

In his personal habits he was exceedingly vain and very uncleanly.
Water, as a means of ablution, was not necessary to his existence, and to
the ever accumulating coat of dirt and grease with which his body was
covered, he added another coating of paint, applied with some rude attempt
at artistic effect, which, from the yellow pigment used when the Dutch
first arrived, was changed to red when the material for that color could be
obtained from the whites. In his domestic- life the Indian was a monoga-
mist, unless he held the position of chief, when polygamy was common;
but he was deficient in the emotion of affection, and for the slightest
cause or whim left one wife and took another. Unchastity, on the part of
either man. or woman, was not regarded as a sin, and but little notice was
taken of it. ' No form of marriage service is recorded as existing. The
duty of an Indian woman was to plant and tend to the cultivation of the
maize, the only cereal these savages seem to have grown, and to perform
such other manual labor as the simplicity of the life required. The chief
of a tribe possessed but slight authority. At the feasts, dances and other
ceremonies that were performed he presided, and in the inter-tribal treaties
and those made with the Dutch he acted as spokesman for his tribe, but at
the council fire, when questions of peace and war were discussed, his influ-
ence was no greater than that of any warrior present. EleVated to his
position by the voice of his brethren, his tenure depended on their pleas-
ure, and at their wish he surrended his power.

The weapons of the hunt and war, possessed by these savages on the
arrival of the whites, consisted of axes and arrows and spear heads made of
flint or the bones of fishes or birds, and to a passing glance rudely fash-
ioned ; if the observer will stop to think however of the means at the
command of the artisan, he will find cause for wonder at the perfection
reached. Other relics of their existence in this section are awls, with which
they punctured the skins that they intended to sew together ; tables, on
which and pestles with which they ground their corn, and bowls or basins
for holding hquid. Of religious rites and ceremonies there is no mention.

It is claimed by some writers that these savages recognized a Supreme
power in a vague manner, but of this I find no proof, and equally indefi-
nite is all evidence of their belief in immortality. Their dead were buried
in a sitting posture, facing the east ; but nothing yet found, warrants the
belief that the red man of this section, regarded that interment like his
Western and Southern brother, as but a period of waiting before a resur-
rection.

Such were the characteristics of the Indians when the settlement of
Manhattan was begun. Upon the Dutch colonists — Swannekins, as he
called them — the aborigine at first looked with the respect of awe. He
saw these pale faces labor with tools made of shining metal, and huge
forest trees fell at their blows. He saw those forest trees used in the con-
struction of houses for shelter and a fort for refuge. He watched in be-
wilderment as these new people ploughed up the earth, and in a brief
period saw more soil broken and prepared for sowing than he had beheld
in his lifetime. With fear and amaze he observed, that when this strange
race wanted food, they obtained it, by pointing toward the chase a long
tube from which issued the lightning and thunder in a cloud of smoke,
and the hunted animal fell dead at the sound. Truly, beings who thus
used the elements for their purposes must be more than human, and the
ignorant native gave to the new comers all the reverence that superstition
commands from her votaries.

Twenty years passed, after the Dutch had landed in this colony, before
a white man attempted to settle in our County. Then, in 1640, Captain
De Vries, sailing up the Hudson in search of a location for a colony,
" arrived about even at Tappan." Here he found, in the meadows south
of the present Piermont, " an extensive valley containing upwards of 200
or 300 morgens of clay land, which is three or four feet above the water
mark. A cr-eek coming from the highlands runs through it containing
good mill seats." This land De Vries purchased from the Indians, gave it
the name of Vriesendale, aiid began the formation of an establishment for
trade with the savages.

David Pietersen De Vries "was a bronzed, weather-beaten sailor of the
old school, without family ties, who had seen the world from many points
of observation, and had been on terms of intimacy with the most cultivated
men and the rudest barbarians. He was tall, muscular and hard visaged,
but soft voiced as a woman, except when aroused by passion. He was
quick of perception, with great power of will, and rarely ever erred in
judgment." When, in 1629, the Dutch West India Companies' College
of Nineteen, issued the charter by which it was intended to revive on this

western continent the medieval condition of fuedality, that even then was
receiving its death blow in the old world ; De Vries associated himself
with Godyn, de Laet, Blommaert and Van Rensselaer, and acquired the
proprietorship of a large tract of land upon the Horekill in the present
State of Delaware. Early in 1631 he sent out thirty emigrants, who
founded the colony of Swaanendael— the Valley of Swans. This settle-
ment had but a brief existence, for, owing to a misunderstanding with an
Indian, the savages fell upon and utterly destroyed it.

In 1639, De Vries bought property on Staten Island, and accompany-
ing a party of immigrants, founded a new settlement nearer New Amster-
dam. A year later, as we have seen, he began the formation of the estab-
lishment at Vriesendael. In his dealings with the savages, De Vries was
ever honest and kind, and the natives grew to look upon him with venera-
tion and to refer to him as arbiter in their controversies with the white
race. More than once, the Dutch were warned of an intended Indian out-
break through his influence, and for a brief space in the horror of an Indian
war, his property was spared, because he was pointed . out as the good
" Swannekin Chief" by a savage, whose life he had saved on the night of
the massacre at Pavonia ; but even his repute could not long save Vriesen-
dael, and, at the close of the Indian war of 1643, he sailed for Europe
ruined and disgusted, bidding the author of his troubles, Kieft, farewell
with the bitter words: " Vengance for innocent blood will sooner or later
fall on your head."

The two decades from 1620 to 1640 were pregnant with momentous
events for the New Netherlands. Those amicable relations, that existed
between the Indians and Dutch, on their arrival, had been strained to their
utmost tension by causes almost entirely due to the lax rule of the Gover-
nors. The privilege of free trade in the colony, granted by the West India
Company in 1638, had been eagerly grasped and used with avidity.
Every individual might, and most of them did, deal with the aborigines
on his own account ; and to win his way into their good graces more
deeply than his neighbor, each trader resorted to methods, which, however
customary among civilized people, produced the most direful results in the
case of these barbarians. The dusky warrior was invited into his house, was
bidden to the table, was given the best of his viands and liquors and was
greeted on terms of equality. These concessions, which were granted
in all the settlements of the colony, were exceeded by the traders of Fort
Orange. Soon they learned, that the Indians' desire for guns and ammu-
nition was greater than for any other object ; and unprincipled at the best,
with little care for the future, and no wish, save that of accumulating wealth

5

in a short time, these traders in the north bartered freely and for excellent
prices with these weapons.

While these conditions were occurring throughout the province, other
events took place which hastened the inevitable result. Long immunity
from attack had rendered the colonists overbold, and they bought land,
built homes, and began the cultivation of the soil further and further from
the protecting guns of the fort on Manhattan Island. Their cattle," un-
guarded by a herdsman, too often entered the Indians' maize fields? ^li^hich
were unfenced, and utterly destroyed them. And, as if to tempt fatfe to
its utmost, they employed the red men as domestics, associated with them
in close relationship and betrayed to them, in the familiarity of social in-
tercouse, their weakness and their fears.

The result was what might have been anticipated. Attentions, shown
to the savage in the interests of trade, he grew to expect and was pro-
voked when they were not forthcoming. The trespass upon and damage
to his corn fields by the white man's cattle angered him, and he revenged
himself by killing the domestic animals, whenever he had an opportunity,
with an indiscrimination that belonged to his nature. As servants, the
Indians were not only useless because of their resistance to all restraint,
but also because their cupidity being aroused by the sight of objects they
valued, they unhesitatingly stole them and fled away to their native wilds.
To these petty causes of irritation between the two races, were added oth-
ers of graver import. The Mohawks, now well armed and supplied with
ammunition, not only ceased to be tributary vassals to the tribes living
along the lower reaches of the river, but, by reason of their superior
armament, compelled those tribes to contribute to them ; and, when these
lower river Indians sought to obtain equal weapons of defence against their
now powerful neighbors, and were refused by the settlers, who were con-
trolled by a law of New Amsterdam, which made the trading of guns
within its jurisdiction a capital offence ; they regarded the refusal as born
of cowardice. A relationship so filled with mutual distrust and dislike
could not long exist without open rupture, and this rupture was precipi-
tated by an attempt on the part of the Director of the colony — William
Kieft — to impose a tribute of maize, wampum and furs upon the tribes re-
siding near New Amsterdam.

The first outbreak of open war occurred with the wily Raritans, who
had been exasperated by an expedition of the Dutch sent against them in
1640. Early in the spring of 1641, these savages fell upon De Vries'
Staten Island settlement and destroyed it. Later in the season a West-
chester Indian murdered a settler, and though, under the terror of punish-

ment his tribe promised to yield him to justice, it was not done. Shortly
after a Hackinsack murdered an innocent man who was thatching a house,
and his tribe, while offering to indemnify the Director with wampum,
steadfastly refused to surrender the murderer.

While matters were in this condition, the Mohawks suddenly fell upon
the lower river tribes, slew many of them, took more captive, and drove
the remainder to seek protection from the Dutch. For a fortnight these
fugitives were cared for by the colonists ; then, regaining courage, they
returned to their desolated villages. But the relief was only temporary and
in a short time, being seized with a fresh panic, whole tribes deserted their
homes and fled to Pavonia, to New Amsterdam, to Vriesendael. In this
exodus were the Haverstraw, Tappan, and Hackinsack, together with the
tribes of Westchester.

About Vriesendael the refugees collected in such numbers, that De
Vries became alarmed for the safety of his goods, and, entering a canoe,
he paddled down to New Amsterdam to ask that a guard might be sent to
his settlement from the fort. His arrival was opportune. Then for the
first time he learned that the Director had determined to attack the trust-
ing red men, who had sought the protection and hospitality of the Dutch.
In vain De Vries pleaded for a calmer consideration of the idea ; in vain
he pointed out the frightful horrors of an Indian war ; in vain, as President
of the Directors' Council, he insisted that the great majority of both coun-
cil and people were opposed to the proposed attack. Kieft answered that
he had determined " to make these savages wipe their chops," and that he
would not be deterred from his purpose. On the night of February 27,
1643, the soldiers fell upon the unsuspecting Indians camped at Pavonia,
and Corlaer's Hook, and at the former place eighty, and at the latter forty
of the savages were killed before the murder ended. " And this was the
feat worthy of the heroes of old Rome !" cried De Vries in the awful bit-
terness of his contempt, " to massacre a parcel of Indians in their sleep, to
take the children from the breasts of- their mothers, and to butcher them
in the presence of their parents, and throw their mangled limbs into the
fire or water 1 Some were thrown into the river, and when the parents
rushed in to save them, the soldiers prevented their landing and let the
parents and children drown." In the morning, the vg,liant warriors came
back to the fort wearied by their labor of murder, and were hailed as
heroes by Kieft in his rapture. In the morning, after the enemy had left,
the terrified Indians who had escaped, stole cautiously forth from their
place of hiding ; viewed the charred, distorted, mangled corpses of their
tribes ; and swore revenge.

The wind had been sown, it remained for the colonists to reap and the
fruit ol the harvest was a whirlwind. For a few days the stupefied sav-
ages believed they had been attacked by their old enemy, the Mohawks,
then a knowledge of their foe came to them and the duplicity of the
" Swannekins " was made plain.

The effect was immediate. Eleven heretofore peaceful tribes rose to a
man, fell upon the frightened, colonists, and showed them the mercy they
had meted out. For a brief space, two months later, the slaughter was
stayed through the exertions of De Vries. The tribes near Vriesendael,
the Tappaens, the Haverstraws and the Hackinsacks, through Oratamin
the chief of the latter tribe, agreed to a treaty of peace with Director
Kieft on April 22, 1643, and exchanged the customary presents of such
occasions. But this treaty was only a hollow truce that gave the Indians
time and opportunity to attend to their harvest. In August the Wap-
pingers seized several traders' boats and killed the crews, and by Septem-
ber the war again raged with violence. On all sides arose the smoke of
burning buildings. With a dreadful vengeance crops and stocks were
destroyed, and the few worn and haggard fugitives that reached the fort,
brought tidings of an indiscriminate but very thorough massacre.

Within that fort were confusion, terror and insubordination. Kieft,
now that the result of his blunder was seen, cowered beneath the invective
heaped upon him and fain would place the blame upon his Council. The
Council gave him the lie ; he blamed the settlers, and they, through their
dominie, Bogartus, who had opposed the attack, answered by sardonic
taunts ; he accused the men who had advised him, and the servants of one
of them attempted his assassination.

While chaos reigned within the last refuge of the Dutch, the foe having
made a clean sweep of the surrounding country, now stood without the
fort and menaced any one of the garrison who dared to appear. Truly the
words of Kieft had been fulfilled, the savages " wiped their chops," but not
till they had been filled to repletion on the product of the settlers' labors.

At length those within the fort ceased their internecine strife and com-
bined in thought and action for their salvation. Successful expeditions
against some Long Island and Connecticut tribes broke the spirit of all
but the river Indians. The arrival of the vessel, Blue Cock, from Currcoa
with one and thirty soldiers, still further encouraged the settlers ; and the
building of a wall across Manhattan Island at the present Wall Street, per-
mitted the safe cultivation of a little soil. The following year, 1645, saw a
more universal desire for peace among the Indians ; one after another the
tribes concluded treaties with the whites, and finally, on August 30, 1645,

the pipe of peace was smoked and quiet reigned. Sixteen hundred sav-
ages had been killed and the po,wer of the Algonquin race forever broken ;
but there was not a settlement in all New Netherlands, except Renssel-
aerswyck and the military post on the Delaware River, that had not been
attacked and generally destroyed. Vriesendael, as we have seen,
had been saved from spoilation once through the efforts of a friendly In-
dian, but the passions of anger had been too excited to permit of long
continued mercy, and before the close of the war, the establishment of the
first settler in this County had perished from the face of the earth.

Among the chiefs from those savage tribes that were represented at
Fort Amsterdam on that August day, and who, in the presence of the
whole community and the Mohawk ambassadors, entered into an agree-
ment of peace, were : Oratamin, sachem of the Hackinsacks ; Willem
and Sesekemu, chiefs of the Tappaens and Haverstraws ; Maganwetinne-
min, who answered for the tribe of Marechkawiecks, of Brooklyn, Nyacks,
of Long Island, and their neighbors ; and a Mohegan chief, Aepjen, for
the Wappings and the Wiquaeskecks, Sintsings and Kichtawan^hs, of
Westchester. The treaty contained clauses, pledging both Dutch and
Indians not to enter upon a war for real or fancied wrongs, without first
mutually consulting the Governor of the colony and the Sachems of the
tribes ; and if any one of either race should be murdered, the slayer should
be promptly delivered to justice ; the Indians were not to come among the
Dutch on Manhattan bearing arms, nor were the whites to go to them with
guns, unless having previously warned them of their intention.

The destruction of Vriesendael ended all attempts to colonize this
County for a period of six and forty years. Twice had De Vries seen his
settlements swept away at their very outset and now — he was ruined. If
he, who had always been friendly with the Indians, did not care to take
further risk ; it is certain that the miserable remnant of the colony would
hesitate long before trusting again to the amity of the red men. That
remnant remained close to the fort, and a section so wild and forbidding
as our County, was left to the prowling of wild beasts or the stealthy
tread of the scarcely less wild aborigine.

At different times during those three decades, the Sachems of the
tribes inhabiting this territory appeared in New Amsterdam, and either
rendered complaints of trespass by the white men upon their rights, or
excused the trespass of their followers, confirmed the existing treaty, or
acted as mediators for other tribes. Once more, in 1655, while Governor
Stuyvesant was away on an expedition against the Swedes on the Dela-
ware and New Amsterdam was left defenceless, the Indians became restive

and desirous of war. In this movement the Tappaens joined, in spite of
the wiser councils of their old men, and took part in the brief struggle of
that year. Little harm, when compared with other settlements, was done
in New Amsterdam ; for one day the savages spread terror through the
town, and were only expelled after several of them had been killed ; but
those outlying boweries, that the long period of quiet had led the more
courageous colonists to start on Long and Staten Islands and the Jersey
shore, were devastated and many of their occupants killed. The return
of Stuyvesant, however, checked and awed the savages, and a peace was
made, which ever after protected the inhabitants of New Amsterdam from
Indian invasion.

In the wars with the Esopas tribes from 1660 to 1664, the chieftains
of the tribes residing in this County and Northern New Jersey, acted as
negotiators between the beligerents, and succeeded in obtaining treaties
time after time. Oratamin, Sachem of the Hackinsack, always appears
as the principal Indian figure in these numerous conferences, and was evi-
dently regarded by his race as possessing more than ordinary ability. In-
deed, if we judge from the trust that the Dutch imposed in him, he was a
superior man. It was by his efforts, on more than one occasion, that war
was prevented ; and it was due to his influence, when the Esopus savages
had dug up the hatchet, that the tribes of Westchester, Rockland and
Bergen counties remained neutral ; and, when at length the treaty of May
IS, 1664, was made with the Esopas people, a resolution was drawn up
and signed by Oratamin and Matteno, in which they pledged themselves
as security for the keeping of the covenant, agreeing that they would lead
their tribes against whichever party first violated its provisions.

One source of irritation between the white and red men, was the sale
of brandy to the Indians. In spite of restricting laws forbidding such bar-
ter, and the offer of generous rewards for the arrest of the offenders ; in
spite of reiterated permission and requests to the Sachems for the
seizure of all dealing in this traffic; and in spite of the severe punishment
^banishment from the colony with confiscation of property — meted out to
those who were captured, the sale of liquor still continued. In exchange for
it the savage gave whatever was demanded, and in a short time found him-
self stripped and hungry. To such alarming proportions did this nefar-
ious trade grow, that whole tribes were impoverished by the crafty trader,
who took their wampum, their guns and the skins they had brought to
barter, and left them nothing save a remorseful awakening. Liquor at all
times aroused the fiercest passions of these wild natures ; but when the
savage woke robbed as well as suffering, his vindictive disposition led him

lO

to brood over his injuries till a desire for revenge became dominant, and
then, when again mad with drink, to glut his vengeance on the first white
he met. In this manner occurred most of the outrages that terminated in
the conflicts between the races.

After the experience of two wars, the Dutch were more careful about
permitting the Indians to approach the settlements. Hence, when the
chief of a Westchester tribe asked pei-mission for his people to fish near
Harlem, the request was granted on the' condition that the savages should
be unarmed ; and, for their protection from the Dutch, as well as the set-
tlers' assurance that the fishing party were not Esopas Indians, the chief
was given cards with a stamp of the Dutch seal upon them, which were
to be shown to the whites whenever demanded. Four of these cards were
for the use of the Haverstraw tribe.

At what period the sale of guns to the lower river tribes began is un-
known. So many had been captured in the wars of 1643 and 1655, that
there was probably no attempt made to longer continue the restriction.
By 1663, the use of firearms among the tribes of this County was general,
and no effort was made to conceal them. In one of their conferences
with the Dutch, the Indians asked that their muskets might be repaired ;
and shortly after, Unsicken, a Tappaen warrior, lost his gun, having
pawned it to gratify his fondness for brandy, and then entered a complaint
at New Amsterdam against Van Cowenhoven for cheating him.

The disappearance of the native from our soil was gradual and the
exact date of his departure, from the land of his fathers from time
unknown, is hot certain. The last recorded conference between the Tap-
paen Indians and the authorities of New York, was on September 13, 1673
and took place to confirm and continue the existing treaty. In 1666, Bal-
thazar De Harte purchased land at Haverstraw from the Indians; in 1671,
Claes Jensen purchased a tract of land at Nyack from the Indians ; in
1686, the Orangetown patent was purchased from the Tappaen tribe, and
in 1694, the Quaspeck, two years later, the Kakiat, and in 1703 the Wa-
wayanda patents were obtained from the savages.

So far can we trace the existence of the aboriginal owners of the soil in
Rockland County by documentary evidence, and then the record abruptly
ceases. " There were traditions among the early farmers, of localities
where the remnants of the once powerful tribes lingered, subsisting on
what game and fish they could find in the woods and streams they had
sold. One of these spots is situated north of Nanuet, and another is in a
large tract of swampy, untillable land about two miles west of Tappan.
This is described as ' a vast and almost unknown region, patches of forest

II

exist in almost their primeval condition ; huge trees, brought to the earth
by the unrelenting and resistless hand of time, lie decayed to a shapeless
and pulpy mass. Near the center of this tract, in what is called the Green
Woods, and on the shore of what was once an immense beaver pond or
lake, is a sandy knoll which is called, in the dialect of the early settlers,
the Wilder mons kerk-hoff — the wild man's burying place. It is said that
the last remnants of the Tappaens sought this wild, untillable region for a
home, and remained for a long time living in the same state as they were
accustomed to, and raising corn on patches of land yet pointed out as the
Wilder mons Maize Lout.' "

But for more than a century, the Indian has been foreign to our bound-
aries and but little trace remains to show that he has been. An occa-
sional locality, which tradition has marked as his last dwelling place. A
few arrow, spear and axe heads ; remains of old fire places, and here and
there a lonely grave, are the only visible evidences of his existence.
Strange mystery of history ; whence the native came, whither he has
gone. Standing very low in the intellectual growth of the human family,
contact with civilization did not elevate, it exterminated him. No evi-
dence is found to show that religion or culture made the least impression
on his life. With little or no belief in a controlling spirit, he was found
and he disappeared, making no sign that that belief had become less
shadowy.

The construction of his weapons and utensils of stone, which he had
roughly chipped into form, was the highest advance he ever reached.
From his white neighbor, he learned of and obtained the weapons of civil-
ization and by that act forever lost his inventive faculty.

The improvidence and personal iincleanliness of the savage rendered
him peculiarly susceptible to the ravages of disease, and his mode of life
tended to spread contagion. The deadly plague of small-pox found him
awaiting its ravages and decimated his people. Never rallying from the
staggering blow dealt him in the wars with the whites ; he was still more
rapidly exterminated by epidemics, and in the ceaseless struggle for exist-
ence dropped from the race.

For many years after the natives had disappeared from the County, our
shores were visited by up-river Indians on their journeys to the abor-
igines living on Long Island. The last visit from them was in compara-
tively recent years — after 1817. On this occasion six canoe loads camped
for a time under the old willow still standing on Mr. Harmon Snedeker's
place at Upper Nyack, and on their return home the same party remained
for a week on the point north of the Bight in South Nyack, occupying
their time in making and selling baskets.

12

Authorities referred to : — Documents relating to the Colonial History, S. N. Y. vols. I,
II, XIII, XIV. Documentary History S. N. Y. N. Y. Historical Society Collections, vol. I,
new series. III second series. Bryant's History U. S. History of New York, by Martha J.
Lamb. History of New England, by J. G. Palfrey. I have been much pleased and instructed
by the papers of R. H. Fenton, published in the City and Country.

Relics of Indian life are not rare in this County, and many are still found by skillful searchers.
The finest collection T have seen are in the possession of Mrs. Harmon Snedeker, Mrs. Nellie
Hart, and the heirs of Mr. E. L. Gedney, of Nyack. With scarcely an exception these relics are
of a flinty stone not found in this section of the country, and this has given rise to much specula-
tion as to how the Indians obtained the enormous quantities necessary for a hunter's use. We
must not forget that other materials were used by the savages. Arrow and spear heads were
often made of bones or with the claws of birds of the larger species, while fish hooks were fash-
ioned of sharpened fish bones. As these would decay in the course of time, little or no trace of
them would come to us.

I am aware that my statement regarding the absolute absence of religious ideas among the
Indians at the first arrival of white men, is contrary to generally accepted belief, and have
thought it necessary to give my reasons for the statement. The first Dutch visitors among the
savages were traders, who themselves were not overburdened by religious convictions, but who
were keen observers of savage nature. If these men had seen any indication of a religion among
the aborigines, they would have been the first to abus^ it for their gain, and in a short
time the fact would have been known at New Amsterdam. Absolutely no mention of Religious
belief is made in a journal of New Netherlands and its inhabitants, written in 1641, 1642,
1643, 1644, 1645 and 1646, but to the contrary, it is stated, that there was none. New York
Colonial Ms., vol. I, p. 179. From the narrative of the captivity of Father Isaac Jaques among
the Mohawks in 1642, '43, we learn of the same lack of spiritual faith. Vide op. cit. vol. XIII,
Appendix A. "They are a people without any religion, or knowledge of any God." wrote Ed-
ward Winslow, and the truth of this statement is borne out by both the early French and English
explorers. If we look at the question in another way : Cotton, when preaching to the savages in
their own language, could find nothing that would indicate a Supreme Being in that language,
and had to use the lOnglish word God, and Eliot, in his translation of the Bible into the Indian
tongue, was driven to a similar expedient. If we view the subject from still another standpoint,
there was found no place for worship, no form of service, no priestly order ; in fact no, if I may
use the expression, machinery of religion. With peculiar inconsistency the white race has
passed two centuries in exterminating the Indians because they were barbarous savages, and in
weaving around their memories a romance that it will now take years to clear away. The Ameri-
can savage was about as low as regards habits in the social scale as any people yet discovered,
and so little removed from the higher creation of beasts in intellect, that it is difficult to separate
him from the brute existence.

CHAPTER II.

PATENTS.

VAN WERCKHOVEN APPLIES FOR A PATENT AT TAPPAN— CLAES JANSEN
PATENT— PAULSEN AND DOWSE HARMANSE PATENTS— DE HARTE
PATENT— ORANGETOWN PATENT— WELCH AND MARSHALL, OR QUAS-
PECK PATENT— HONAN AND HAWDON, OR KAKIAT PATENT— EVANS
PATENT— WAWAYANDA PATENT— CHEESECOCKS PATENT— LANCAS-
TER SYMES PATENT— STONY POINT PATENT— ELLISON AND ROOME
PATENT— KEMPE, LAMB AND CRQM PATENT— PATENTS FOR LANDS IN
RAMAPO— LOCKHART PATENT.

The establishment of feudalities by the Dutch West India Company,
in i6i 8, almost immediately caused trouble. A few of the College of
Nineteen were prepared for the passage of that act, and at once acquired
enormous tracts of the most valuable land in the colony. Van Rensselaer
located his purchase at the head of navigation on the Hudson. Michael
Pauw purchased the present Hoboken, Pavonia and Staten Island, while
others made haste to obtain vast landed property on the South, now Dela-
ware River. These acquirements led less grasping members of the com-
pany to object strenuously, and their complaints, combined with the fact
that colonization under the proprietorship of the Patroons was not as
rapid as expected, influenced the College in 1640, to so modify their act
in regard to grants, as to permit future purchasers only one mile frontage
along a river, with a depth of two miles, while no two tracts of land could
be taken on both sides of a navigable stream opposite each other.

From the destruction of Vriesendael in 1643, no attempt to purchase
land in this County was made till 165 i. Then Cornells Van Werckhoven,
an ex-Schepen of Utrecht, applied for two pieces of land, one at Neve-
sinck, the other at Tapp'kn, stretching northward through the Highlands.
Difficulty in regard to the first of these grants occurring with Baron Van-
der Capellen, who had purchased part of the Nevesinck land just previous
to Van Werckhoven, and Governor Stuyvesant having entered a protest
against the loose wording of the Tappan grant, which gave an unlimited
stretch of boundary to the petitioner ; the Directors of the West India
Company called attention to the rule in regard to land grants in the fol-
lowing words addressed to Stuyvesant. " Your Honor has misunderstood
our intention in regard to the colonies of the Honorable Van Werckhoven,
whose two grants for colonies your Honor supposes to extend twenty
miles in a straight line, or your Honor has not read the exemptions care-
fully, for all colonists are not to receive more than four miles on one side of

14

a navigable river, or two miles on each side." The difficulty in this case
was settled by Van Werckhoven declining to occupy either of these
grants. Instead, he took up land at Nyack on Long Island, situated near
the present village of Fort Hamilton on Gravesend Bay.

In April, 1659, there sailed from Holland in the ship Beaver, a wheel-
wright, Claes Jansen from Purmerend, with his wife, servant and child.
For a time he lived below the present Jersey City, but in 1671, April 16,
he obtained from the Duke of York, to whom Charles II had given the
proprietorship of this with other provinces, a tract of land ^' lying on the
Hudson River at the north end of Tappan, at a brook, thence northeast-
erly along the river 40 chains, thence northwesterly 60 chains to the foot
of the mountains, thence south, southwest above the mountains 40 chains,
thence south, southeast to the river at the point of the beginning, contain-
ing 240 acres. Also another tract lying on the north side of the above,
running northerly along the river 80 chains, then west, northwest 50
chains to the top of the mountains, thence south, southwest over the moun-
tains 80 chains, thence south, southeast to the river 50 chains, to the place
of beginning." This property, covering largely what is now the corpor-
ate limits of South Nyack from the Bight to near De Pew's brook, was the
lirst settled tract of land in Rockland County after the departure of De
Vries.

Between this date, 1671, and October 20, 1678, two other purchasers,
Tunis Paulsen and Harmanus Dows, who had sailed from Friesland with
his wife and four children in 1658, by the ship Brownfish, had bought land
in the present village of Nyack. The latter owned what is now the busi-
ness portion of the village, while the former extended from his north line
to Verdrietige Hook. In 1687, Harmanus Dows, or as he was originally
called, Dowse Harmanse, added to his property by purchasing 250 acres
west of the Nyack Hills, bounded as follows : on the east by the land of
Claes Jansen and Dowse Harmanse, south by the land of Daniel Clarke &
Co., west by the middle of the Hackinsack River, and north by the top of
a certain hill called Essawetene. And in 1694, Cornelius Clasen, son of
Claes Jansen, makes record : that he had bought from Tunis Paulsen a
portion of land in the present Upper Nyack, extending to the top of Ver-
drietige Hook, and had inherited from his father the land obtained by the
patent of 167 1.

On April 10, 1671, Philip Carteret granted to Balthazar De Harte, a
tract of land and meadow in Averstraw, bounded on the west by a creek
called Menisakeungue — Minisceongo — on the east and north by Hudson
River, on the south by the mountains, estimated to contain about four

IS

hundred acres. It is claimed that De Harte purchased this tract from the
Indians previous to 1666. On Dec. 19, 1685, this patent was con-
firmed to Jacobus De Harte, brother of Balthazar, by Governor Thomas
Dongan.

Of this first patentee in the present village and township of Haver-
sfraw, Valentine's History of New York gives the following account :
" Balthazar De Harte was a wealthy merchant who commenced trade here
about 1658. * * • * he was a bachelor but left at his death several
illegitimate children in this city for whom he provided liberally out of his
large estate. Among other extensive tracts owned by this gentleman
was the land called Haverstraw on the Hudson River which he purchased
originally from the Indians. He died in 1672. He had three brothers
who left numerous descendants."

In 1686, the following patent situated partly in this State and partly
in New Jersey, was purchased by a party of sixteen individuals. " Thomas
Dongan, Capt. Generall Governor in Cheife, and Vice Admirall in and
over the Province of New York and territorys. Depending thereon in
America under his most sacred Majesty, James the Second, by the Grace
of God, King of England, Scottland, ffrance and Ireland, Defender of the
faith, &c., To all whom these Presents shall come, Sendeth Greeting,
Whereas it appears to mee that • * * • have Lawfully Purchased
from the Native Indian Proprietors a certain Tract of Land lying on the
west side of Hudsons River in the County of Orange on the north
side of Tappan Creek, Bounded as hereafter is Exprest (viz.) beginning-
at the mouth of Tappan Creek where it falls into the Meadow, and runing
from thence along the North side of said Creek to a Creeple bush, and
falls into Hackensack River Northerly to a place called the Green bush,
and from thence along said Green bush Easterly to the Land of Claes
Janse and Dowe Harmanse, and from thence Southerly along said Land
upon the Top of the Hills to aforemenconed mouth of Tappan Creek,
where it falls into the meadow aforesaid And Whereas the said
* * * * have made Applycacon unto me that I would Grant and
Confirme the said Tract of Land unto them, their Heirs and Success-
ors, and Erect the same into one Township by Pattent under my Hand
& the Seale of the Province. Now Know Ye that I, the said Thomas
Dongan, by Virtue of the Power & Authority Derived unto me from
his Most Sacred Majesty, and in Pursuance of the Same in Consideracon
of the Quitt Rent hereinafter Reserved to his Most Sacred Majesty afore-
sd, his Heirs, Successors and Divers of a Good and Lawfull Considera-
cons me thereunto moveing, have Given, Granted, Rattified, Released

i6

& Confirmed, & by these Presents Doe Give, Grant, Rattifie, Release,
& Confirme unto the said * * * * the aforesaid Purchasers,
their Heirs, Successors & Assignes, all the before recited Tract or
Parcell of Land with Limitts and Bounds aforesaid, together with all
& singular the Messuages, Buildings, Tenements, Houses, Barns,
Stables, Orchards, Gardens, Pastures, fences, Meadows, Marshes, Timber
Trees, Woods, Underwoods, Mills, Mill dams, Rivers, Rivletts, Streams,
Quarryes, ffishing, ffouleing. Hawking, Hunting, Mines, Minerals (Royall
mines Excepted), and all the Rights, Members, Libertys, PrivilHdges,
Jurisdiccons, Royaltyes, Hereditaments, Proffits, advantages & appur-
tenances whatsoever to the said Tract or Parcell of. land belonging or in
anywise appertaineing or excepted. Reputed or knowne or occupied as
Parte, Parcell or Member thereof, to have & to hold all the said Tract
or Parcell of Land & Premisseis with all and every of the appurten-
ances unto the said * * * # their Heires, Successors and Assigns
to the Proper use, beneffitt & behoofe of the aforesaid Purchasers, their
Heires, Successors & assigns forever without any manner of Lett, Hin-
drance or Molestacon, to have or, reserved pretence of Joynt Tenancy or
survivorship anything contained herein to the Contrary in anywise not-
withstanding and moreover by virtue of the Power & authority to me
the said Thomas Dongan Given and in me Residing as aforesaid, and
for the Reasons & .Consideracons above recited .1 have and by these
Presents Doe make. Erect and Constitute all the said Tract or Parcell of
•Land within the Limitts and Bounds aforemenconed, together with all
and every the above Granted Premissess with the appurtenances into one
Township to all intents and purposes whatsoever, and the same from
henceforth shall be called the Towne of Orange, and I, the said Thomas
Dongan, have also Given my hand. Granted & by these Presents Doe
give and Grant ..unto * * * * the Purcljasers of the said Towne of
Orange, their Heires, Successors and assignes forever all the Privilidges,
benefitts, customes. Practices, Preheminces and Immunityes that are used
or exercised, Practiced or belonging unto any Towne within the Goverm't
to be used, exercised. Imitated, Practiced & executed by the said Pur-
chasers, their Heires, Successors and assignes, forever to be holden of his
Most Sacred Ma'tie, his Heires and Successors in ffee and Comon Soccage
according to the Tenure of East Greenwich in the County of Kent in his
Majestyes' Realm of England, Yielding, Rendrii;ig and paying therefor
Yearly & every Yeare on every five and twentyth day of March forever
in Lieu of all services and Demands whatsoever as an acknowledgm't or
Quitt Rent to his said Ma'tie, his Heirs and. Successors, or to such officer

\\0 a K L A N B^® u M T ^

^ VLftKB' GRAFTS. J^

IS 6.4:

Br FERNission

17

or officers as shall bee from time to time appointed to receive the same
sixteen bushels of Good Winter Merchantable wheat att the Citty of New
York, in Testimony whereof I have caused these Presents to be Recorded
in the Secretarye's office and the Seals of the Province to be hereunto af-
fixed this fouer & twentyth day of March in the third year of his Majes-
tye's Reign, and in the year of our Lord God, 1686, By Comand of his
Excell'y- Tho. Dongan."

The names of the above patentees were : Cornelius Cooper, Daniel
De Clarke, Peter Hearing, Gosin Hearing, Gerrit Stemmit, John De Vries,
Sr., John De Vries, Jr., Claus Mande, Jan Straatmaker, Staats De Gropt,
Arean Lammuas, Lammuan Arens, Hybert Gerrits, Johannes Gerrits, Eide
Van Voorst and Cornelius Lammerts.

On May 30, 1 694, WiUiam Welch and Jarvis Marshall bought from
seven Indians, only one of whose namesr— Copphichonock — I can deci-
pher, five thousand acres of land at a place called Quaspeck, and on Sep-
tember 27th of that year the purchase was confirmed by patent from Wil-
liam and Mary through Benjamin Fletcher, then Governor of the Province.
This purchase was bounded on the west by De Maries Kill, on the north
by the land of Johannes MeiUe — Minne is meant — on the east by the
Hudson River, and on the south by the lands of Cornelius Clausen and
Thunis Dowen. It included the property extending from the top of the
Hook mountain, north to the foot of the Long Clove in Haverstraw, and
from the Hudson back to the Hackensack River, and its quit rent was
one pepper corn a year for five years, and then twenty shillings annually,
payable on the first day of each year O. S.

On September 8, 1694, William Welch and Apollonia, his wife, ob-
tained a grant of five hundred acres beginning on the north side of the
mouth of Mattasinck Kill and running thence along the north side of said
kill west to a certain swamp at the head thereof; thence on the south side
of the swamp to Mahequa Run ; then by the said run to De Maries Kill,
and along the kill to the place of beginning. This tract is between the
Hackensack River and New City, and the place known as Strawtown is
about in its center.

Two years later, June 25, 1696, Daniel Honan and Michael Hawdon
purchased from the Indians, and had confirmed by patent from King Wil-
liam through Governor Fletcher, an enormous tract of land known as
Hackyackawck or Kakiat patent. This was bounded on the east by the
Christians patented land,, on the west by a creek called Heamaweck or
Peasqua, which runs under a great hill, from whence it continued in a
direct west coupsp until the west southwest side of a barren plain called

i8

Wescyrorap bears south, thence to the west southwest side of the plain,
from thence south southeast until the line comes to a creek that runs into
David De Maries Creek to the southward of 'the land called Narranshaw,
and thence down the said creek to the Christians patented lands ; for a
yearly rental of one beaver skin, payable on the first day of each year O.
S. The Christians patented lands were those of Welch and Marshall,
De Harte, Dowen or now Tallman, Clausen and the Orangetown grant.

The Directors of the Dutch West India Company, had learned in a
short time, that it was folly to grant unlimited tracts of land to an indi-
vidual. After the cession of this territory to England, however, no limit
was placed upon the size of the grants at the start, and the many changes
of dynasty at home kept the government too much occupied with domes-
tic affairs to give heed to wrongs that were being perpetrated in the colo-
nies. Hence each patentee increased his demand for land till finally one
was granted, just preceding 1698, to Captain John Evans, Commander of
H. M. S. Richmond, that would have made even Van Renssylaer pause
in wonder. This patent was for land on the west side of the Hudson, and
covered a space forty miles in length and twenty in breadth. It ex-
tended from the south line of the present town of New Paltz, west to the
Shawanguhk Mountains, thence south to the southwest angle of the pres-
ent town of Calhoun in Orange County, thence easterly to the eastern-
most angle of that town, and then southest to the Hudson River at Stony
Point, and included the south tier of towns in Ulster, two- thirds of Orange,
and all of Stony Point townships in Rockland County. The annual quit
rent was to be twenty shillings.

Such a gigantic swindle could not escape notice, and the governor
who permitted it — Fletcher, — being superseded by the Earl of Bellomont,
the new ruler called the attention of the home authorities to this flagrant
wrong, and Captain Evans' patent was annulled.

Scarcely less outrageous was the Wawayanda patent, granted March
5, 1703, to John Bridges, LL. D., Hendrick Ten Eyck, Derick Vande-
burgh, John Cholwell, Christopher Denn, Lancaster Symes, Daniel Honan,
Philip Rokeby, John Meredith, Benjamin Aske, Peter Matthews, and
Christopher Christianse by Lord Cornbury, Governor of the Province,
and confirmed by Queen Anne. It was stated to contain 60,000, and did
contain 1 50,000 acres, and was bounded on the east by the Highlands of
the Hudson, north by the division line of the counties of Orange and
Ulster, west by the high hill to the eastward of the Minnisink, and south
by the division line between New York and New Jersey.

On March 25, 1707, Anne Bridges, Hendrick M. Ten Eyck, Dirck

19

Vanderburgh, John Cholwell, Christopher Denn, Lancaster Syms, and
John Merritt obtained the Cheesecocks patent. This was the large tract
of land west of H-averstraw, and was bounded as follows : " North by the
patented lands of Captain John Evans and the Wawayanda patent, west
by the Wawayanda and the Highlands, south by the Kakiat patent, and
east by the Christian patented lands of Hayerstraw and by the Hudson
River." For this property an annual rental of twenty shillings was to be
paid.

" To the north of the Pond patent was a tract, granted to Lancaster
Symes and others, April 23, 1708. TheSnedekers always claimed nearly
if not quite to the Short Clove, and the only known deed which refers to
the Symes grant, is one from William Lupton to Claas R. Van Houten,
dated 1760. This conveys 102 acres bounded west by Demarest's Kill,
north by the land of John De Noyelles, east and south by the road to New
City. This is now the farm of Barne Van Houten. ' A map of the farm,
made in 181 3, by David Pye, bears the following note: 'A map of the
farm sold by William Lupton to Claas R. Van Houten, in patent of
Lancaster ^mes ai^d others, one-half at least of this patent is in the pat-
ent to Marshall and Welch. Calculation to be made on this 100 acres, as
if the remainder was only 600 acres.' "

It seems wise, before turning to the difficulties that surrond the grants
of land in Ramapo, to finish the eastern part of the County, and I there-
fore take up Stony Point without regard to chronological order.

On May 17, 17 19, Richard Bradley and William Jamison obtained a
patent from George H. for i.ooo acres, which was called the Stony Point
tract. South of this, in 1743. Richard Bradley obtained from the same king
106 acres lying south of the Bradley Jamison tract ; and a further grant
of 800 acres, known as the Bear Hill tract. On October 30, 1 749, George
n. patented to Sarah, Catherine, George, Elizabeth and Mary Bradley,
son and four daughters of Richard Bradley, the following pieces of land :
A tract containing 370 acres, beginning at the most southerly corner of
the tract of 1,400 acres granted to Gabriel and William Ludlow, and run-
ning thence southwest 38 chains to thenorthwest line, then along the line
southeast 65 chains, then north 25 degs., east 113 chains to the tract
granted to Gabriel and William Ludlow, and then along the line thereof
to the place of division.

Another tract, beginning on the northwest line at the west corner of a
tract of 1,000 acres granted to Richard Bradley and William Jamison,
running thence along the said line northwest 87 chains, then northeast 40
chains, then north 79 degs., east 152 chains to the line of the Bradley and

20

Jamison tract, then along the line to the place of beginning, containing
840 acres.

Another tract, beginning at the southeast corner of the Bear Hill
tract, and on the west side of a small creek, which runs on the west side
of a meadow called Salisbury's meadow, and runs thence along the Hne of
the Bear Hill tract north 62 degs., west 16 chains, then south 25 degs.,
west 79 chains, then south 50 degs., east 43 chains, then north' 62 degs.,
east 86 chains to Hudson's River," and along the river to the meadow
aforesaid, and then by the bounds thereof to the place of beginning, con-
taining 500 acres.

On November 12, 1750, among six tracts of land granted to Thomas
Ellison and Lawrence Roome by George H. was one in the present Rock-
land County, bounded as follows : Beginning at the northwest corner of
a tract of 500 acres granted to Sarah, Catharine, George, Elizabeth and
Mary Bradley, running thence along this line south 25 degs., west 81
chains, then north 65 degs., west 52 chains, then north 50 chains, then
north 49 degs., east 44 chains, and then south 62 degs., east $6 chains
along th . line of the tract granted to Richard Bradley to the place of
beginning.

By patent bearing date March 18, 1769, George IK. conveyed,, to
William Kempe, James Lamb, and John.Crum a large tract of land sur-
rounded on all sides, except the southwest, where it lies upon the north-
west line, and for a short distance on the east, on the river, by tracts pre-
viously patented. This grant contained 3,000 acres.

The northwest line runs northwest from the south side of Stony Point
on the Hudson to the Delaware River. It was the south line of the grant
to Captain John Evans. After that grant was revoked the present town-
ship of Stony Point was, as we have seen, divided into a number of small
patents, and the northwest line became the boundary between those Stony
Point grants and the great Cheesecocks patent.

In taking up the grants of land in Ramapo, I shall quote from the
very excellent history of that town, written by the Rev. Eben B. Cobb
of the Presbyterian Church at the Ramapo Works. In order to a clear
understanding of the tenure of lands in Ramapo we must remember the
following facts :

(i). That the land originally was claimed by two States, New York
and New Jersey ; and by three different patents in New York— the Ka-
kiat, Wawayanda, and the Cheesecocks.

(2). That the controversy between Kakiat and Cheesecocks was settled
in 177 1, and that by this settlement, aline drawn from a heap of stones

21

in the north bounds of the town of Ramapo, south 3 degs., 30 m. east,
to John Wood's tree, and thence south 25 degs., 40m. east, to the Pas-
cack River, and crossing the New Jersey Hne a Httle to the east of the
ninth mile stone, was made to separate the two.

(3). That the Hne between New York and New Jersey was settled
October 7, 1769, when the Commissioners appointed by the Crown ren-
dered the following decision : " The agents on the part of both colonies
having offered to the court all that they thought necessary or proper in
support of their respective claims, and the court having considered the
same, do find —

That King Charles II. by his letters patent, bearing date the twelfth
day of March, 1764, did grant and convey to his brother, the Duke of
York, all that tract of country and territory now called the Colonies of
New York and New Jersey, and that the said Duke of York afterwards
by his deed of lease and release, bearing date the 23d and 24th days of
June, 1664, did grant and convey to Lord Berkely, of Stratton, and Sir
George Carteret that part of the aforesaid tract of land called New Jersey,
the northern bounds of which in said deed are described to be to the
northward as far as the northernmost branch of the said Bay or River of
Delaware, which is in 41 degs. 40m. of latitude, and crosseth thence in a
straight line to Hudson's River in 41 degs. of latitude.

Among the many exhibits a certain map compiled by Nicholas John
Vischer, and published not long before the aforesaid grant from the Duke
of York, which we have reason to believe was esteemed the most correct
map of that country at the time of the said grant, on which map is laid
down a fork or branching of the river, then called Zuydt River or South
River, now Delaware River, in the latitude of 41 .degs. and 40m., which
branch we cannot doubt was the branch in the deed from the Duke of
York called the northernmost branch of the said river, and which in the
deed is said to lye in the latitude of 41 degs. and 40m. And from a care-
ful comparison of the several parts and places laid down on the said map,
some of which, more especially toward the sea coast and on the Hudson's
River, we have reason to believe were at the time well known. The dis-
tance of the said branch from the seashore on the South, and the relative
situation of the same with regard to other places and the lines of latitude
as they appear to be laid down on the said map at that and other places
in the inland country.

We are of opinion that the said branch so laid down on the said map
is the fork or branch formed by the junction of the stream or water called
the Mahackamack, with the river called Delaware or Fishkill, and that

22

the same is the branch intended and referred to in the. before mentioned
deed from the Duke of York as the Northern Station at the River Dela-
ware, which fork or branch we find by an observation taken by the sur-
veyors appointed by the Court to be in the latitude 41 degs., 21m. and
37 sec.

We are further of opinion that the Northern Station at -Hudson's
River, being by the words of the said deed from the Duke of York ex-
pressly limited to the latitude of 41 degs., should be fixed in that lati-
tude, which latitude we have caused to be taken in the best manner by
the surveyors appointed by the Court, and which falls at a rock on the
west side of Hudson's River, marked by the said surveyors, being sev-
enty-nine chains and twenty-seven hnks to the southward on a meridian
from Sneydon's house, formerly Corbet's.

It is therefore the final determination of the Court that the boundary
or partition line between the said Colonies of New York and New Jersey
be a direct and straight line from the said fork at the mouth of the
River Mahackamack, in the latitude of 41 degs. 20 min. and 37 sec. to
Hudson's River at the said rock, in the latitude of 41 degs. as above de-
scribed."

" Signed Chas. STEWART.

Andrew Elliot.
Andrew Oliver.
Jared Ingersoll."

This decision was of great value to the town of Ramapo. Had the
line run from 41 degs. on the Hudson to 41 degs. 40 min. on the Dela-
ware, which last point had been located by the joint surveyors of New
York and New Jersey m 17 19, it would have caused one-half of the town
to lie in New Jersey. While the people of neither State was satisfied
with the boundary thus chosen yet, it, probably being regarded by both
as the best arrangement that could be made, was ratified by each and the
task of running the line was completed in November, 1774. The divi-
sion line between the States was resurveyed and marked in 1874.

(4.) Having established the boundaries between the Kakiat and
Cheesecocks patents, and the boundary between New York and New Jer-
sey ; the claims of the two remaining patents, Cheesecocks swooping down
on the land from the north, and Wawayanda from the west, had also to be
settled. This was done by drawing a line from the northwest corner of
the Kakiat patent, which corner was located in the north boundary of the
town, in a direct course to the thirty-first mile-stone on the New Jersey
line.

23

This line, which was run by Charles Clinton, Jr., son of General James
Clinton, in 1786, was called the "Gore Line," and the land in Rockland
and Orange counties bounded by it, the New Jersey line, and the line es-
tablished as the west bounds of Kakiat, was familiarly known as the "Jer-
sey Gore." By this gore line the patents, both of Cheesecocks and Wa-
wayanda, were excluded from the town.

Diagram from Rev. E. B. Cobb's History of Ramapo.

The history of the " Jersey Gore," for which Mr. Cobb refers to Mr. B.
Fernow, of the Department of Historical Records, Albany, is thus given :
Blandina Bayard bought, August 10, 1700, five tracts of land from the
Indians, called Ramapough, Jaapough, Jandekagh, Aringee, and Cam-
guee, three Dutch miles wide and four long, covering most of the land in
the triangle of which the " Gore Line " is the northwest side. She improved
and settled this land, and upon her death left it to her children, Petrus and
Sarah. Petrus, and later his widow, lived on the land and continued the
improvements. When the widow removed she left a certain Lucas Kier-
sted as superintendent. This Kiersted was corrupted by Peter Sonmans,
one of the proprietors of East New Jersey, and induced to take out Jer-
sey patents for these lands, which had hitherto not been patented by New
York although Blandina Bayard had been promised a patent, and the

24 >

proprietors of Cheesecocks and Wawayanda both claimed them. About
1786 it became necessary to settle the southern boundary of Cheesecocks,
at which time Charles CHnton, Jr., made, in 1788, the maps on which
probably for the first and only time, the term " Jersey Gore " was used.
It was never so called officially, for the Surveyor-General, in a report to
the Legislature on this tract, made March 12, i8oi, calls it "Vacant
lands between the lately established boundary line of the patent of Cheese-
cocks and the State of New Jersey."

It will be seen by consulting the diagram, that when the boundary
line between New York and New Jersey was established, which put an
end to the claims of New Jersey from the south, and the " Gore Line "
was run, which silenced similar claims on the part of the proprietors of
both KZheesecocks and Wawayanda from the north and west, that the
town of Ramapo virtually became divided into two se'ctions, one occupied
by the Kakiat patent, and the other substantially vacant. Leaving the
Kakiat divisions for later notice, we must turn our attention to the vacant
lands.

In the large part of the town marked on the diagram as vacant, there
were on January i, 1775, but three persons who had titles to their prop-
erty recognized by the Crown — John Sobrisco, who owned 630 acres near
Tallman's; Coenard Wannamaker, who owned 105 acres near the fifteenth
mile-stone on the Jersey line ; and Jacobus Van Buskirk, who owned a
mill-right of one acre on the Mahwah near the point where that stream is
now crossed by the Nyack Turnpike. In a foot-note. Mr. Cobb says :
" There were many inhabitants in this (Ramapo Pass) part of the town at
that time, and some held recorded Indian deeds ; nevertheless, the above
statement is true. The only possible qualification may be in reference
to the Sterling Company, who may have had a valid title to a few acres in
the extreme west of the town."

To obtain an insight into how these three persons obtained their prop-
erty will require a brief review of the early history of New Jersey.

On March 12, 1664, Charles II. granted to his brother, the Duke of
York, the entire region between the Connecticut and Delaware Rivers.
This grant was confirmed July 29, 1674. On June 24, 1664, the Duke
of York sold, what is now New Jersey, to Lord Berkeley and Sir George
Carteret, confirming his sale as above July 29, 1674. These two pur-
chasers divided New Jersey into two divisions — called East and West New
Jersey— by a line drawn from " Little Egg Harbor to a point on the Dela-
ware in latitude 41 degs., 40m.," Lord Berkeley having West New
Jersey and Sir George Carteret, East. With the further management
of the first-named tract iVe have nothing to do.

25

On January 13, 1680, Sir George Carteret died, directing in his will
that East New Jersey should be sold to pay his debts. According ta
this instruction the tract was sold February 2, 1682, to William Penn
and eleven associates called the " Twelve Proprietors." Soon after, these
"Twelve" each took a partner, making the "Twenty-four Proprietors of
East New Jersey." On March 14, 1702, the Duke of York made a fresh
grant of East New Jersey to the " Twenty-four Proprietors." One
month later, April 15, 1702, the "Proprietors" surrendered " their right to
govern " to Queen Anne, reserving their title to the lands, and on Decem-
ber 10, 1709, Peter Sonmans, representing himself as "Sole Agent,
Superintendent, General Attorney and Receiver General of the rest of the
Proprietors," but really only a single proprietor inheriting his property
from his father, Aarent, conveyed to John Auboineau, E. Boudinot,
Peter Faucoiner, L. Kiersted, John Barbaric, Thomas Barjaux, Andrew
Fresneau and Peter Bard, 42,500 acres in Northern New Jersey, lying be-
tween the Ramapo and Saddle Rivers, and called the " Romopock Tract."

The bounds of this tract may be described as : on the north by a
line from the mountains to Saddle River, which line would pass a little to
the north of Tallman's Station ; on the east by Saddle River ; on the
south by a line from the Saddle River at the mouth of Hohokus Creek to
Pompton ; and on the west by the Ramapo Mountains, the northwest
boundary being a line drawn across the entire Ramapo Pass, just north-
west of the railroad bridge near Ramapo Works.

On November 6, 1724, Peter Fauconier, John Barbaric & Co. sold to
John Sobrisco 630 acres of land near the present Tallman's Station.

After several years' contest, part of the time in the courts, the
'' Proprietors " finally offered to compromise with bona fide purchasers for
;^20 per hunderd acres. On February 4, 1744, Peter Fauconier conveyed
all his remaining interest in the Ramapo tract to Theodore Valleau and
David Stout, and on August 10, 1752, they conveyed the same to
Magdalene Valleau, daughter of William Fauconier. The following year,
March 29, 1753, the proprietors of East New Jersey granted 900 acres to
Magdalene Valleau on condition that she release her claim to the remain-
der of the tract, and on May 23, 1753, she conveyed to Coenard Wanna-
maker, 105 of the 900 acres just granted her. In 1762, February 12th,
David Ackerman, whoc in some unknown way had obtained the same from
the proprietors of East New Jersey, sold a mill-right of about one acre to
Jacobus Van Buskir-k. When at length, in 1774, the line between New
York and New Jersey was finally established, these three purchasers
from New Jersey were confirmed in their title by the government of New-
York.

26

Leaving these first divisions of the Ramapo vacant lands in the pres-
ent town, divisions which for the sake of lucidity I have thought it wisest
to follow in Mr. Cobb's order ; let us turn to the remainder of that vacant
tr,act. On January i8, 1775, George III granted through Lieutenant
Governor Cadwallader Golden, four patents to four reduced officers of the
British Army.

The Provost patent, granted to James Marcus Provost, began in the
division line between the Province of New York and New Jersey, as the
same is run and marked by Commissioners as appointed by a law of this
Province, 7 chains and 43 links eastward from the ninth mile-stone in the
said line, and running thence along a line marked for the western bounds
of a tract of land formerly, granted — the Kakiat patent — north 25 degs.
40m., west 3 3 5^ chains and 30 links to John Wood's tree, thence north 60
degs. 37m., west 198 chains; thence south 45 degs., west 66 chains and
60 links; thence north 54 degs. lom., west 77 chains; thence south 35
degs. som., west 73 chains to the said line run and marked by the Com-
missioners, and then along that line south 54 degs. lom., east 579 chains
to the place of beginning ; excepting the tracts previously confirmed to
John Sobrisco, Coenard Wannamaker and Jacobus Van Buskirk, contain-
ing 5,000 acres of land.

The Harris patent was granted to " Robert Harris, late Mate of His
Majesty's Hospital," and contained the land within the following lines :
Beginning at John Wood's tree, and running thence along the western
Une of the Kakiat patent, north 40 degs. west 247 chains 60 links ;
thence- south 68 degs. west ii chains; thence south 45 degs., west 205
chains to the north bounds of Provost's land ; and thence along the same
to the place of beginning, containing 2,000 acres.

The MuUer patent, granted to Jacob Muller, began in the division line
between the Provinces of New York and New Jersey, at the most west-
erly corner of Provost's patent, and followed the line of that grant north
35 degs. 50m., east 73 chains, south 54 degs. lom., east 23 chains; thence
north 36 degs. east 160 chains; thence north 54 degs. lom., west 142
chains and 40 links ; thence south 36 degs. west 233 chains to the divi-
sion line aforesaid; thence along the same south 54 degs. lom., east 119
chains and 60 links to the place of beginning, containing 3,000 acres of.
land. ,4

The Spence patent, began in the division line between the provinces
at the most westerly corner of the Muller grant, and ran along the west-
ern line of that tract to its northwest termination ; from thence north 54
degs. lom., west 59 chains 60 links; thence south 50 degs. west 185

27

chains; thence south J2 degs. east 40 chains to Potake Pond; thence
along the same pond south 35 degs.- west 27 chains to the aforesaid
division line ; and thence along the line south 54 degs. lom., east 74
chains 33 links to the place of beginning, containing 1,820 acres of land.

Each of these patentees was to pay the yearly rental of 2s. 6d. for
each and every acre of his patent. After this property had passed
from the jurisdiction of the King of Great Britain to that of this State,
the rent clause of the above patents was used as the basis of the quit-
rents demanded from this property by the State ; these rents were finally
commuted by the payment of fourteen shillings for every shilling of
]-ent.

On February 20, 1685, George Lockhart obtained by patent from
James II. 3,410 acres of land bounded on the west by the Tappan grant,
and extending from Piermont to Closter, N. J. This tract lay between
the present Sparkill and the Hudson.

r

Authorities referred to : — I have personally consulted the Jansen, Quaspeck, and Kakiat. pat-
ents —not copies, and have had the use of many of the first deeds for property in the County.
Rev. Dr. A. S. Freeman's History of Haverstraw, Rev. E. Gay, Jr., History of .Stony Point,
Eager's History of Orange County, Doc. relating to the Colonial History, S. N. Y., Docu-
mentary History S. N. Y., and in regard to Ramapo have followed the Rev. E. B. Cobb so
closely that I have thought quotation marks superfluous.

CHAPTER III.

EARLY REAL ESTATE SPECULATION— TRANSFERS OF THE J^E HART PATENT
—SURVEY OF THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN THE DE HART AND CHEESE-
COCKS PATENT— SALES FROM THE QUASPECK PATENT-SETTLEMENT
OF DIVISION LINE BETWEEN THE QUASPECK AND KAKIAT PATENTS-
DIVISION OF THE KAKIAT PATENT— SALES FROM THE KAKIAT PAT-
ENT-SETTLEMENT OF THE DIVISION LINE BETWEEN THE KAKIAT
AND CHEESECOCKS PATENTS— SALES OF LAND FROM THE CHEESE-
COCKS PATENT— SALES OF LAND FROM THE STONY POINT PATENTS-
TRANSFERS OF LAND IN RAMAPO— THE SETTLEMENT OF THE OR-
ANGETOWN PATENT— THE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS OF PATRONYMICS
USED BY THE DUTCH AND THE ORIGIN QF DUTCH FAMILY NAMES.

With the exception of a few isolated grants throughout the County
and the Orangetown patent, the early purchases of property were made
by speculators, who entertained no thought of personal settlement. The
period was auspicious for real estate speculation. Whatever doubt ex-
isted prior to 1680, regarding the permanent success of the Colony, had
passed away ; the rapid growth of New York as a commercial port, the
safety from further Indian depredation of adjacent land, gave every induce-
ment to the colonists to obtain grants, and, when the fortunate patentees
could secure several thousand acres of soil. for an annual quit rent of a
few pelts, a modicum of grain, or a sum of money less than five dollars
of our time, the loss to be incurred, eVen if sales did not take place, was
not great.

Hence, many of the first purchasers were never associated with our
County, and probably never in it, except perchance to look at their tem-
porary possessions. As soon as possible they resold the land, and the
new buyer resold, till the era of speculation ceased and permanent settlers
arrived. We are now to briefly review these transfers till we reach the
location within our boundaries of the progenitors of families still resi-
dent.

Leaving the Orangetown patent for later consideration, the first
transfers to note are those of the De Harte patent. This as we have
seen, was granted to Balthazar De Harte April 10, 1666. In 1685,
December 19, it was confirmed to Jacobus De Harte, brother of the
above. In 1694 Jacobus De Harte sold all, save ten acres, to Johannes
Minne. The ten acres thus retained was woodland lying " between the
creek commonly known by the name of Verdreitig.. Hook and the com-
mon great kill and cuts himself off from the aforesaid land with a small kill

29

or creek which runs into Hudson River." Johannes Minne sold one-
quarter of the tract to Albert Minne in 1694, and dying in 17 10, left- the
remainder to his only child Reynie, who married Lodowick Post. They
sold 250 acres to Cornelius Kuyper and Albert Minne, and in 1 7 14
the remainder, about 43 acres, to Thomas Husk. Husk and Eleanor,
his wife, sold this property to Charles Mott in 1715. He sold it to James
Osborn in 17 19, and he in turn sold to John Allison, May 14, 1729.

Albert Minne, by deeds bearing date May 15 and October 30, 1729,
sold his quarter of the patent bought of Johannes Minnie and the lands
bought of Lodowick Post, to John Allison for ;£'270

The ten acres of woodland reserved by Jacobus De Harte, was sold by
his son, Balthazar, in 1719, to Cornelius Kuyper. Kuyper died in 173J
and left the property to his son Nicholas, who, dying about 1760, left it
to his eight children, and they by 1767, had sold it to John De Noyelles.

In the boundaries of the Quaspeck patent, I find the northern line to
read "by ye land of Johannes Meille." In a map of the patent made by
Augustine Graham in 1700, the name is given as Johannes Melle, in deeds
and papers 'that I have looked over, it is spelled Miller and Millie. I have
followed Dr. Freeman and given it as Minnie.

The original patent of Balthazar De Harte covered, not only the land
south oflhe Minisceongo, but also the low land to the north. He sold
his interest in the tract north of the creek to Nicholas De Puy and Peter
Marius. De Puy sold his half to Florus Williamse Crom in 1685, and the
share of Marius having passed into the hands of Hendrick Van Bom ell
(or Hendrick V. Bomel), his widow, Rachel, sold it to Hendrick Ryker in
1685.

On December 13, 1685, Crom and Ryker obtained a patent from James
II. through Governor Thomas Dongan for their land. Of the changes in
ownership that took place between the date of the patent and to-day, I
do not regard it necessary to speak in detail. For years one or more
tracts of the patent remained in possession of some of the Crom family.
The farm now owned by Adam Lilburn was the property, during the
Revolution, of Captain James Lamb, of whom mention will later be made,
and much of the Crom .patent -is now covered with brick yards.

Running through the centre of the Crom patent is a brook or creek
called Florus Falls, after the Christian name of the patentee. In the
grant of 1685, Hendrick Ryker, in'his half, became the owner of the prop-
erty north ot the brook, and between it and Stony Point. On June 15,
171 6, Lewis Rynderson Van Ditmarson, Johannes Van Ditmarson and
Grietie Van Ditmarson, spinster, who had in some way come in possesr

30

sion of Ryker's patent, sold it to Thomas Husk, of New York, for £l59'
In the deed of this sale the land north of Florus Falls is called
Ahequerenoy.

Ahequerenoy, after passing through various hands, at length, in April,
1 75 1, was sold in portions. That next north of Florus Falls, containing
1 3 5 acres, was bought by Resolvert Waldron ; and that next north of
Waldron, was bought in 1790 by Samuel Brewster.

In June, 1790, the boundary line between the Crom and Cheesecocks
patents, which had long been in dispute, was settled by a survey made by
General James Clinton as follows: "Beginning at a large oak sapling
and a small birch one marked with three notches on three sides near three
chestnut saplings, standing on the bank of the Minnesecongo creek, and runs
thence north 16 degs., east along the side of said creek 12 chains to the
top of a bank, at 15 chains 26 links the top of a high stone or rock " (this
is still standing in the old burying ground by the calico factory with a
fence on the original line crossing it) " from which place the northwest
corner of the meeting house now building (1790), bears south 21, east 47
links distant; at 16 chains, 80 links, the corner of Lots Nos. 8 and 9
Cheesecocks patent ; at 30 chains, 75 links, touched the southeast comer
of Wm. Smith's house; at 38 chains crossed a large stone or rock; at 39
crossed another in William Smith's field ; at 50 chains the southeast corner
of Thomas Smith's house (The Treason House) bears north 82 degs., west
2 chains, 94 links distant; at 55 chains the main road ; at 65 chains, 20
links, the southwest corner of John Crom's house bears south 80, east 74
links distant; at 81 chains the northwest corner of Robert Henry's house
bears south y6, east 45 links distant ; at 90 chains the main road again ;
at 107 chains and 70 links allowance for a steep bank, marked a small
birch tree with three notches on four sides leaning over Florus Falls Creek,
and trimmed some hemlocks near it; then south 54, east down said creek,
2 chains to a large buttonwood on the north side ; at 4 chains, 80 links, to
a stake by a fence on the north side of the road, i chain north of said
creek and i chain west of a bridge, being the place of beginning of the
second Haverstraw patent ; then north 3 degs., west at 7 chains, 45 links a
bunch of pear trees, on the west side of the line; at 17 chains, 25 links,
set a stake on the south side of a steep hill ; at 22 chains the road to
Jacob Waldron's house " (the road leading east from the village of Stony
Point); "at 30 chains, 35 links, marked a black oak tree in the line with
three notches on two sides ; at 34 chains, 20 links crossed a spring brook."
" At 44 chains, 25 links, the southwest corner of John Waldron's barn
bears south 10, east 92 Hnks distant; at 64 chains, 75 links, set a red

31 •

cedar stake with a heap of stones around it on the east side of the main
road" (this angle is where the house of Frederick Tomkins stands);
"then north. 35, east at 9 chains, 40 links, jnade a heap of stones, on a
large flat stone or rock ; at 1 5 chains the said road west of a spring run-
ning from under a rock ; at 2 1 chains the stump formerly marked for the
said Brewster's corner bears south 69, east 19 links distant; at 26 chains,
30 links, set a stake on an island formed by Rasende water brook, 4
chains east of Jacob Roosa's house ; then south 62, east 3 1 chains to a
crooked white oak stump, near a black oak stump where there stands two
white oak saplings marked with three notches on four sides on a point of
upland joining a marsh on the west bank of Hudson's River."

In general terms it may be said the Crom, and Riker's patents covered
all the land in Haverstraw, bounded south by Minisceongo creek, west by
the hills, east by the river, and extending north almost to Stony Point.

Turning to the Quaspeck patent we find, .that but little over a year
had passed from the issuance of the grant before Jarvis Marshall assigned
his share in it to Thomas Burroughs, a merchant of New York. A year
later, December 18, 1696, William Welch transferred his, the original
remaining half, to John Hutchins, of New York. A few days before this,
December , 4, Hutchins had bought one-half of Burrough's interest for
;^ioo, and the property was now owned, three-quarters by Hutchins, .
and the remaining quarter by Burroughs. Two years later Hutchins
transferred- to John Sands, of Queens County, one quarter of his right in
the whole patent, it being still undivided. By October 15, 1700, the
property had been surveyed and divided, and Burroughs had sold his
interest to Captain Whitehead and William Huddleston. The property as
then apportioned stood : the northernmost part, lying on the south line of
De Harte's patent, containing 1,400 acres, belonged to John Sands ; next
south, running from the present Hackensack to the west shore of Rockland
Lake was William Huddleston's land, consisting of 550 acres; next south
of that was Captain Whitehead's tract similar in limit and number of acres
to Huddleston's ; and southernmost of all, bounded by Clausen's land on
the top of Verdreitige Hoeck and Dowen's land west to the Hackensack,
were Hutchins' 2,500 acres. At this time, 1700, the owners of the prop-
erty agreed that a roadway should be laid out through the Clove to the
Hudson River for the advantage of all resident on the property. This is
the origin of the road to Rockland Lake landing. We have seen that
Harmanus Dows, or Dows Harmanse, bought property extending from
the Nyack hills to the Hackensack ; Dows had a son named Tunis, and
it was the property belonging to Tunis Dows that is mentioned in the

32

boundaries of the Quaspeck patent as that of Tunis Dowen. This family
name, as we shall see later, eventually became Tallman.

On February 7, 17 16, John Sands, of Block Island in the Colony of
Rhode Island, in the Providence Plantation, gave a quit claim deed of his
Quaspeck land to his brother, Edward Sands, of Cow's Neck, in Qu^ens^
County. March 5, 1729, Edward Sands, then residing in the County,
sold his portion of the Quaspeck property, 1,300 acres, to Tunis Snede-
ker, of Hempstead, L. I., for £1 10. He had previously sold 30 acres to
Nathaniel Youmans. From that period the transfers of the Snedeker
farm were many up to 1 840, when Hon. Abraham B. Conger became the
possessor of almost all the. original purchase.

Dispute.arose between the owners of the Quaspeck and Kakiat patents
regarding the division line, and before 1767 John De Noyelles, under the
claim of the latter, and Garret Snedeker, on the part of the former,, be-
came involved in litigation. For years the question of this boundary was
before the courts. At length a party line was agreed to, but before the
necessary papers were signed, John De Noyelles died and the subject was
left unsettled. Not long after, Garret Snedeker followed De Noyelles to
the grave, leaving the question so long at issue between them for their
heirs to agree upon. The subject continued one of vexation between the
families till 1795, when a division line was at last agreed to by John Rob-
ert, John and Peter De Noyelles on the part of the Kakiat land, and Abra-
ham Thew, Garret and Theodore Snedeker on the part of the Quaspeck
grant.

This line began " at the southwest corner of De Harte's patent near the
head of the Short Clove, in Haverstraw,in Orange County, and State of New
York ; and from thence runs south 7 degs. west, - or thereabouts, to the
Buttonwood tree (now a stump) standing by a small run of water on the
northwest side of the road near the house of the late Richard Springsteel,
deceased, and from the stump of the said Buttonwood tree southeasterly
along the said run of water to a certain swamp called ' Old Woman's
Hole;' thence along the easterly side of the upland to -a small brook, then
up the said brook to the before mentioned road, then southerly and west-
erly along the road to the bridge below the late Roelof Van Houten's
mill a small distance west of the north bounds of Welches Island patent."
Of the transfers of the land of William Huddleston I can learn noth-
ing. In 1737 it was owned wholly or in part by Jacob Polhemus, Hud-
dleston was County Clerk of Orange County in 1702.
; Whitehead seems to have resold his tract to Thomas Burroughs, for
he, by will bearing date August 18, 1703, left it to. his yg«ngest son Joel

33

and his daughter Mary Sylvester. A Hne from Quaspeck Pond to De
Maries Kill divided this property into two sections, of which Joel took
the northern. November 6, 1728, he sold this section to George Remsen.

On December 23, 1701, John Hutchinssold 825 acres of his half of the
•Quaspeck patent to William Smith of New York for ;^27o. This lay
next south of Whitehead's tract, and extended from Quaspeck Pond to
the present Hackensack River. On May 22, 171 1, Hutchins sold 200
acres east of Rockland lake to John Slaughter of Long Island. Slaughter
had disposed of this property before Sand's deed to Snedeker in 1729.
Later a company of German settlers bought a part or all of the remainder
of Hutchins' tract. Among these was Peter Geslar, who sold to John
Ryder June 8, 1753, " all that tract of land near the pond, in that (tract)
the Germans have bought there of some gentlemen. This is a lot that
did fall to the share of Peter Geslar, and is bounded by the lands of Wil-
liam Felta, Abrm. Paulding, Hendrick Snyder, John Ryder, and Yoris
Remsen, containing 225 acres ; but if there shall be more than 225 acres,
then John Ryder must pay 40s. an acre." Valley Cottage Station on
the West shore Railroad stands on this tract, and a portion is still in pos-
session of the Ryder family.

A tract on the east side of the Quaspeck Pond, extending to the river,
was bought by John Earl and Stephen Bourdet. This is described as ex-
tending " from the south bounds of Tunis Snedeker to a straight line run-
ning along the northwest bounds of Harmanus Hoffman." It was divided
between the purchasers in 1746 by a line " from the east side of the pond
•eight rods north of the corner tree of Hermanus Hoffman, and to run to
the point of rocks called Stony Point, and to continue in a straight line to
Hudson's River." It was agreed that " the place on the river under the
mountain, called Kalk Hook, shall remain in common." Kalk Hook is
now called Calico Hook.

The outlet of Rockland Lake was named Kill von Beast on the map
made by Augustine Graham in 1700. This, on its way to the Hacken-
sack, ran through the lands of George Remsen, who had a mill on it as
€arly as 1750. George Remsen left his property to be divided among his
children, and one of these, Artie, marrying an Onderdonk, part of the
Remsen tract came into the possession of that family.

Michael Hawdon, one of the two patentees of the Kakiat grant, died
about 171 2, and John Johnston, Johannes Jansen, John Cook, and Nath-
aniel Marston, who were the executors of his estate, sold his half of the
patent to Captain Cornelius Kuyper, Charles Mott, Timothy Halstead, Sr.,
Timothy Halstead, Jr., Jonathan Seaman, Thomas Barker, Caleb Hal-

34

stead, James Searing, Jonah Halstead, Isaac Seaman, Abraham Denton,
William Osborn,Nathatriel Osborne, John Searing, Thomas Williams, John
Wood, and Samuel Denton. With the exception of Kuyper, all of these
came from Long Island, and most of them from Hempstead township.

Before proceeding further in the sales from this patent, we must stop
and look at its division. On November 5, 1713, Albert Minnie, John
Pew, and Abraham Hearing, who were appointed to divide the property,
began this work. They first laid out a tract of 1,000 acres to be sold to
defray the expenses of the survey. This tract, beginning "at Naranshaw
Creek, at a black oak marked, thence ran north 80 degs., west 96 chains
thence to a beech tree marked, standing on Naranshaw Creek 98 chains
thence north 80 degs., east to a black oak tree by a small brook, 93 chains
then by said brook and David Demarest's Creek to Naranshaw Brook,
and by the brook to the place of beginning."

On March 6, 1713-14,0. S., this tract was sold to Cornelius Kuyper
and Jonathan Seaman for ;^I04 4s., Kuyper owing two-thirds and Sea-
man one-third. Jonathan Seaman sold his share of the tract, except the
third of the expense lot, to his son Joseph, May i, 17 15.

Having laid out the expense lot, the commissioners then proceeded to
divide the property into two lots by a Hne running from a white oak tree
marked W on the W. S. W. side of the Wesegrorap Plain to a certain
beech tree standing on the south end of Welch's Island. These divisions
were called the north and south moieties. The north moiety becom-
ing the property of Kuyper, Mott & Co., and the south falling to Daniel
Honan.

The north moiety was surveyed and divided into lots in 1724 by Cor-
nelius Low. If a full description of these was possible with our present
knowledge, I much question whether it is necessary. Most of these lots
are the property of descendants of early purchasers. For the purpose
of location, it may be said, that two tiers of lots were formed, one called
the East and the other the West Division, the line between the townships
of Clarke's and Ramapo being the line of demarkation. For each of the
original purchasers of Hawdon's half of the Kakiat grant, who owned a
full share, a homestead of 400 acres was laid out. The " English Church"
is on lot 4 of the west tier of the 400 acre lots, and the Court House, at
New City, is at the east end of lot No. 5 in the East Division. On the
west line of the patent was a tier of 14 lots called the " West Range." Lot
14, the last of this " Range," is just south of the Methodist Church at
Ladentown.

On March 12, 1716, Daniel Honan sold his half of the Kakiat patent

3S

to John McEvers, a merchant of New York city, and the next year, 1717,
McEvers sold half of his purchase to Lancaster Symes of New York., In
1728, McEvers, and Symes' heirs-^^his widow Catharine, and his son,
John Hendrick — sold their interest in the Kakiat land to a party of five
men : Daniel De Clarke, Peter Hearing, Cosyn Hearing, Johannes Blau-
velt, Sr., and Lambert Smet, the first three of whom had previously
belonged to the party who purchased the Orangetown grant. Under
their management the south moiety was surveyed and divided into lots.

Of the transfers that took place in the i ,000 acre or expense lot, I can
learn but little. On December 3, 1716, Cornelius Kuyper conveyed to
Hendrick Kuyper, of Uergen County, Province of New Jersey, " all that
equal full third part of one thousand acres of land bounded as follows :
Beginning at Narranshaw creek at a certain black oak tree marked on
both branches on all four sides ; thence running north 80 degs., west 96
chains ; thence to a beach tree marked on all four sides standing on
Narranshaw creek 98 chains; thence north 80 degs., east to a black oak
tree standing by a small brook 93 chains; thence by said brook and
David Maries Kill to Narranshaw brook aforesaid ; and thence by the
said brook to the place where it began," for £34, iSs.

Hendrick Kuyper, by will bearing date September 16, 1754, gave to
his daughter Marretie, wife of Roelef Vanderlind, 100 acres on the north
side of the track.

On July 16, 1764, Tennis De Clarke of " Clarkestown " in the County
of Orange, &c ; sold to " James Palden of the City of New York — Cord-
wainer " 25 J^ acres of land being " all that certain parcel of ground situate
lying and being in Clarke's Town in the County of Orange and Province
of New York : Beginning at a white oak marked on two sides on the West
side of Hackensack Creek and so bounded on the east by said creek to the
south line of Lot No. 14, in the southern division of Cackiate Patent, and
bounded on the north by the said line, being John Vanderbilts land and
bounded west by the road called the new road on the southwest by the
lots of John Anderson, Edw. Earle, James Campbell and John Jones and
south by the Niack road and Casparies Mabies' meadow "; for £2^)4.

This is the first mention I have found of Clarke's Town ; the first time
I have found De Maries or Demarest creek called the Hackensack, and the
first list of names belonging to those Scotch settlers who gave the name to
Scotland Hill.

Between 1764 and 1793, the Sickles family, from whom Sickletown
takes its name, had purchased land in the 1,000 acre patent, for, on June,
I, 1793, Elizabeth Sickles conveyed a lot to Robert Sickles and a year

36

later, June 13, 1794, Major Cornelius J. Blauvelt and Robert Sickles,
agreed to a party line between their lands in Kakiat.

In 1 799, Sarah Lydecker, born Sarah Sickles, who had been the second
wife of Albert Lydecker of English Neighborhood ; bought, with her son
Cornelius, 51 acres of Wm. Sickles for $1,250. At the same time Abra-
ham Lydecker — stepson of Elizabeth and half brother to Cornelius —
bought a tract of 89 acres in Nyack for $4,000.

As in the Quaspeck, Ramapo, and Crom patents so in the case of the
Kakiat, controversy arose as to its boundaries. We have followed the set-
tlement with the Quaspeck owners, it remains now to trace the line be-
tween the Kakiat and Cheesecocks patents. By an act of the Colonial Leg-
islature passed May 29th, 1769, a Commission composed of George Dun-
can Ludlow, William Nicolls, Benjamin Kissam, Samuel Jones, and
Thomas Hicks, was chosen by a committee from each patent to settle the
controversy, and they determined ; " that the boundaries between the two
patents should begin at the. middle of a stream of water, commonly called
Minnies Falls, from the easternmost extent of the two patents, and running
up the stream to where two streams are coming along, on^ along the north
and the other along the south side of Cheesecocks, commonly called
Cheesecock's mountain, unite and lorm the stream called Minnies Falls.
And from there along the middle of the stream, which comes along the
south side of the mountain, till a line north 3 deg. 30 min W. strikes a cer-
tain white wood tree, on the northwest side of the stream near the south
east part of the mountain and on the north side, and at the e'dgeofa large
rock, partly in the stream and partly on the north bank, and from this tree
a line S. 86 degs. 30 min. W. to a certain heap of stones erected by us for
the northwest corner of Kakiat patent, and from the heap of stones a line
S. 3 degs. 30 min. east, to a certain white oak tree with a heap of stones
now commonly called John Wood's tree, which Hne runs over a mountain
called the Round Hill and crosses a large rock called the Horse Stable
Rock, lying on the mountain on the south side thereof, and from John
Wood's tree a line run by John Alsop, in the year 1723, S. S. E. to a
certain stream called Pascack."

The Cheesecocks patents was surveyed and laid out in lots by Charles
Clinton in 1738-39. A tier of nine lots, butting on the west line of the
Crom patent and Bradley 106 acres grant, was first laid out. No. i, being
furthest to the north. West of these another tier of eight lots was sur-
veyed, No. 10 being the southernmost and No. 17 touching on the North
West Line. The remainder of the track was laid out into seven vast moun-
tain lots. No. I, being bounded on the east by.theNorth West Line.

37

On Lot 9, of the first tier, the Rockland Print works now stand. On
Lot 7, is the " Treason House." Of the great mountain lots, Lord Ster-
ling owned 14,000 acres, in Lots i and 2 which he mortgaged to William
Livingston in 1767, and in 1789, they were assigned to Samuel Brewster.

Brewster sold 967 acres to Christopher Ming in 1793, who established
the Cedar Pond Iron Works. Ming sold the land, forges and iron works
to Halstead Coe in 1793 ; and he sold them to John De La Montagne in
1796.

The Stony Point tract, patented by William Jamison and Richard
Bradley, was' transferred as follows : Jamison transferred his share to Brad-
ley, and Bradley, in 1742, sold 300 acres at the north end of the tract to
Abraham Betts, and the remainder, supposed to be 750 acres, to Harrick
Lent. Lent died, leaving his share to his son Hercules, who dying, be-
queathed it to his daughter, Rachel, wife of James Lamb, and Catherine,
wife of Hendrick De Ronde. On the death of De Ronde and wife the
property was left to their seven children, and much of it still remains in
the possession of their descendants.

Rachel Lamb, nee Lent, left her share of the original Stony Point tract
to her children — Rachael, wife of John Crom ; Elizabeth, wife of John Wal-
dron ; Catharine, wife of Jacob Waldron, and Hannah, wife of John Arm-
strong. The tract thus inherited by the daughters of Rachel Lamb was
divided — except Stony Point proper — and after many transfers at length
came into the possession of the present owners : the House of the Good
Shepherd, Calvin Tomkins, and the Tomkins Cove Lime Company. Stony
Point proper, after remaining undivided for a long time, was at last pur-
chased by the Brewsters. The United States Government bought part of
it in 1 826, aad the remainder was later purchased by Daniel Tomkins.

Of the tracts lying in Rockland County that \yere patented to Bradley's
children, that directly west of the Stony Point grant was sold to James
Johnson, by him to Theodorus Snedeker, and after other transfers, it was
divided into two parts, the wester^ becoming the property of Noah Mott,
and the eastern of the Tomkins. In this tract is the Back-berg, called by
the Indians, Skoonnenoghky. The second tract was also sold to James
Johnson, who sold it to Theodorus Snedeker. Snedeker's property was
confiscated during the Revolution, as we will see more fully later, and this
tract was sold by Simeon De Witt, Surveyor General, to Samuel Brewster
in 1790.

Turning to the Ramapo patents, I find that- in 1775 Provost sold his
entire patent to Robert Morris, John De Lancey, and John Zabriskie for
;^200 ; and that in i 'j'j^, John Zabriskie sold his third part to Morris and

38

De Lancey for ^200. In like manner the patents of Harris, MuUer, and
Spence came into the hands of these two men, and from whom, therefore, all
valid titles of land covered by the patents just described arise. By far
the largest purchaser of lands from this company was John Suffern.

"It will be seen," says Mr. Cobb in his History of Ramapo, "that
there still remains a portion of this so-called vacant section of our town,
whose history has not yet been given. The tract of which we speak lies
in the extreme west and northwest of the town. For its history we recite
a portion of an act passed by the Legislature of New York, March 28,
1800.

'Whereas, John Hathorn, Peter Townsend, Wm. Hause, Hezekiah
Mead, Saml. Drew, Ezra Sanford, Jas. McCann, Wm. Booth, Daniel Bene-
dict, Abner Patterson,, Wm. Ellis, David Sanford, Thos. Sanford, David
Hawkins, Samuel Ketchum, Henry Wisner, Henry Bush, Saml. Bush,
Abraham Smith, Jno. Smith, Adolphus Shuart, Nicolas Conklin, Jno. Be-
craft and Jno. Jenkins, by their petition presented to 'the Legislature, have
stated that they are settled on and have improved in Orange county
(which at the time, the petition was made included Rockland) under the
Proprietors of the Patent of Wawayanda, which lands have been adjudged
to be unpatented and to belong to the people of the State, and are included
with other lands not settled on or improved as aforesaid, within the fol-
lowing boundaries, to wit :

' Southwesterly by the State of N. J. ; northerly by a line (the Gore
Line) running from the 3Tst mile-stone in the line of division between this
State and the State of N. J , to a monument erected by Commissioners at
the N. W. Corner of a Tract of land granted to Daniel Honon and Michael
Hawdon, called Kakiate, and easterly and southerly by patented lands.
And by their said petition have prayed that they may be quieted in their
said possessions, and to purchase in addition thereto such other quantity of
vacant land within the boundaries aforesaid, and on such terms as the
Legislature shall direct.

' Therefore be it enacted by the people of the State of New York,
Represented in Senate and Assembly, that it shall and may be lawful for
the Surveyor General to grant to each of the Petitioners above named all
the estate, right, title and interest of the people of this State of, in and
to the lands improved by them respectively, with such other vacant lands
within the said boundaries of not lest than 100 -acres and not more than
400 including their respective improvements, they paying therefore not
■ less than the sum of 25 c. per acre.

' From this it will appear that the first title of lands located in the

39

northwest and extreme west of the town came from grants from the State
to different individuals, which grants were made in the first years of the
present century."

In 1724, John Van Blarcum purchased 400 acres of the Indians, in-
Ramapo Clove. This latter passed into the hands of Isaac Van Duser, and
he sold it to Samuel Sidman. At the death of Sidman, the west portion
of the Van Blarcum tract came into the possession of his son-in-law John
Smith ; and the east, into that of John and Joseph Brown. Both of these
tracts were bought by John Suffern in 1 789, who completed his title by
obtaining new deeds from Robert Morris and John De Lancey, into whose
hands the property had come through their purchase of the Muller and
Spence patents.

The Orangetown was one of the very few patents, within the limits of
our present County, which was bought with the idea of a permanent settle-
ment, and most, if not all of the purchasers, moved onto their new posses-
sions and begun the founding of homes. Never, perhaps, did enterprise
start with more enthusiasm and terminate with less result. It was the
plan of those, who obtained that grant, to build a city which should eclipse
all rivals in the Colony save its neighbor. New York. Nor, if we take the
same view as did those settlers, will this project seem absurd. The won-
derful agricultural resources of the Hudson Valley and the rapidity with
which they were to be developed, were not foreseen at that time ; what
was realized was, the enormous profit to be obtained from trade with the
Indians in furs, and surely no better location could be chosen for that pur-
pose than Tappan.

From it to the north, west and south, stretched a country still filled
with game. It was convenient to the local Indians, and what would be
more natural than that its fame as a trading post should spread to the
more remote tribes in the western mountains, and draw to it their dusky
hunters laden with the spoils of the chase. As an outlet, it had the sloat
or creek, now known as Sparkill, which, after many a sinuous turn through
the scene of De Vries' failure, at length emptied into the broad Hudson,
at the mouth of which lay New York ; and the flat-bottomed, broad bowed
vessels of that day could navigate that creek well into the Orangetown grant.
Following out their idea, the settlers had a part of their patent mapped
out and divided into small lots. Each holder of property in the patent
was expected to buy and improve one or more of these, and the project
started with great promise. Further than a start it never advanced, and
to this day there is not, on all the original Orangetown grant, a place of
suflScient size to amount to more than a country hamlet.

40

But while the project fell short .of the intention of its originators, partljr
because of the rapid settlement of the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys,,
partly because of the difficulty regarding the boundary line between New
Jersey and New York, it was by no means in vain. From it sprung the
settlement of a vast section, the present Orange and Rockland Counties,
now containing over a hundred and sixteen thousand people (116,245,
census 1880), which in manufacturing, agricultural and mineral wealth is
exceeded by no other provincial section of the State. From it, when
these counties were divided, the southernmost and most populous township
of our County took its name ; and from its settlers arose many of those
family names still the oldest and most respected in our midst.

I have thought that it might be a matter of great interest to speak of
the. origin of Dutch family names, a subject which has always filled the
historian with dread and caused genealogists awful confusion. On this
topic I shall quote extracts from a letter on the subject written by Hon.
Henry C. Murphy while U. S. Minister at the Hague.

The first system of bestowing names adopted in Holland, " was the-
patronymic, as it is called, by which a child took, besides his own baptismal
name, that of his father, with the addition of zoon or sen, meaning son. To
illustrate this : if a child were baptized Hendrick and the baptismal name
of his father were Jan, the child would be called Hendrick Jansen. His
son, if baptized Tunis, would be called Tunis Hendricksen ; the son of the
latter might be William, and would have the name of William Tunissen.
And' so we might have the succeeding generations called successively Gar-
ret Williamsen, Marten Garretsen, and so on, through the whole of the
calendar of Christian names, or, as more frequently happened, there be
repetition in the second, third, or fourth generation, of the name of the
first ; and thus, as these names were common to the whole people, there
were in every community different lineages of identically the same name.
This custom, which had prevailed in Holland for centuries, was in full
vogue at the time of the settlement of New Netherland. In writing the
termination sen it was frequently contracted into se or z, or j.

The inconvenience of this practice, the confusion to which it gave rise,,
and the difficulty of tracing families, led ultimately to its abandonment
both in Holland and in our own- country. In doing so the patronymic
which the person originating the name bore was adopted as the surname.
Most of the family names thus formed and existing amongst us may be
said to be of American origin, as they were first fixed in America, though
the same names were adopted by others in Holland. Hence we have the
names of such famihes of Dutch descent amongst us as Jansen (anglice,.

41

Johnson) Cornelisen, Williamsen or Williamson, Clasen, Simonsen or
Simonson, Tysen (son of Mathias) Lambertsen or Lambertson, Paulisen,
Remsen (son of Rembrandt, which was shortened into Rem), Ryersen,
Martense and others." " Another mode of nomenclature, intended to
obviate the difficulty of an identity of names for the time being, but which
rendered the confusion worse confounded for the future genealogist, was
to add to the patronymic name the occupation or some other personal
characteristic of the individual. But the same addition was not trans-
mittecf to the son ; and thus the son of Hendrick Jansen Coster (sexton).
might be called Tunis Hendrickson Browwer (brewer), and his grandson
might be William Tunissen Bleecker (bleacher). Upon the' abandonment
of the old system of names, this practice went with it ; but it often hap-
pened that while one brother took the father's patronymic as a family
name, another took that of his occupation or personal designation. Thus
originated such families as Bleecker, Schoonmaker, Snediker (which should
be Snediger), Hegeman, Hofman, Bleekman and Tieman."

Applying the observations of Mr. Murphy to our County, we find the
first purchaser of land in Nyack, Claus Jansen (Nicholas Johnson) had a
son Cornelius, who took the name of Cornelius Clausen, and his two sons,
John and Henry, took their surnames from their business, that of coopers,
and became John and Henry Cuyper, Kuyper, or Cooper. In regard to
a surname being obtained by some personal characteristic, we have Har-
manus Dows, not infrequently called Dowse Harmanse, whose son became
' Tunis Dows, and his son, the grandson of Harmanus Dows, from his great
stature, was known as Tunis Dows Tallman, and thus created that family
name. The Blauvelt family on entering the County bore the different
names of Abram Gerritse, Johannes Gerritse, Harman Hendricksen, Ger-
ret Huybertsen, and Joseph Hendricksen Blauvelt ; a most excellent illus-
tration of the confusion of this means of nomenclature.

" A third practice," continues Mr. Murphy, " evidently designed like
that referred to, to obviate the confusions of the first, was to append the
name of the place where the person resided — not often of a large city, but
of a particular, limited locality, and frequently of a particular farm or
natural object. This custom is denoted in all family names which have the
prefix of Van, Vander, Ver (which is the contraction of Vander) and Ten,
meaning respectively of, of the, and at the. From towns in Holland we
have the families of Van Cleef, Van Wyck, Van Schaack ; from Utrecht,
Van Winkel; from Zeeland, Van Duyne. Sometimes the Van has been
dropped, as in the name of Westervelt, of Drenthe and Wessels, in Gueld-
erland. The prefixes of Vander or Ver and Ten were adopted when the

42

name was derived from a particular spot ; thus : Vanderveer (of the ferry),
Vanderbilt (of the bilt — i. e., certain elevations of ground in Guelderland
and New Utrecht) ; Verhultz (of the holly), Ten Eyck (at the oak). Ten-
brock (at the marsh). There are a few names derived from relative situa-
tions to a place ; thus, Voorhees is simply before or in front of Hess, a
town in Guelderland, and Onderdonk is below Donk, which is in Brabant.
There are a few names more arbitrary — Bogaert (or hard), Blauvelt (blue
field), Hooghland (highland), Borland (arid land), Hasbrook (hare's marsh)
Some names are disguised in a Latin dress. The practice prevailed,* at the
time of the immigration to our country, of changing the names of those
who had gone through the university and received a degree, from plain
Dutch to sonorous Roman. The names of all our earliest ministers are
thus attired. Evert Willemse Bogaert became Everardus Bogardus, and
that of Jan Doris Polheem became Johannes Theodorus Polhemius."

Of the older families in the County, the De Clarkes, Blauvelts, Smiths,
Harings and De Groots, date back to the purchasers of the Orangetown pat-
ent in 1686. The Onderdonks first settled on Long Island, and descendants
from that family bought 320 acres of land in 1736 on the present shore
road from Piermont to Nyack for ;^350 ; other descendants from the same
family settled at the present Spring Valley. The Snedeker family came
into the County by the purchase by Tunis Snedeker, of Hempstead, L. I.,
of part of the Quaspeck Patent in 1729. The Cole family in this section
was originated by Jacob Kool, who settled near Tappan about 1695.
The Suffern family originated from John Sufifern, who emigrated from An-
trim, Ireland, and settled in the village that bears his family name in 1763.
This family is noted for the number of offices which members of it have
held. John Suffern was County Judge of Orange Co., from 1789
till 1792, and first County Judge of Rockland Co., from 1798 till 1806.
His son. Edward SufTern, after being District Attorney from 18 18 till 1820,
was raised to the Bench and held the office of County Judge from 1820
till 1847. Andrew E. Sufifern, grandson of the first and son of the second
Judge of that name, was'District Attorney from 1853 till 1859, and County
Judge from 1859 till his death in 1880. Other members of the family
held the following ofifices: Edward Sufifern, Assemblyman in 1826 and
1835, John I. Sufifern, Assemblyman in 1854 and James SufTern in 1867.
and 1869. Edward Sufifern was School Commissioner from 1859 to 1862
and Thomas W. Sufifern from 1880 to the present time.

Other families whose progenitors settled in the County previous to the
•opening of this century, and who still bear the first settler's names, are the
Allison's, of Haverstraw who purchased the De Harte patent, the De Noy-

43

elles, who date from the same period, the Croms,- whose ancestors took out
a patent for Haverstraw, north of the creek, in 1685. The Thiells, Ver
Valens, De Bauns, Secors, the Brewsters, the Waldrons, who by purchase
and marriage obtained large possessions in Stony Point ; the Youmans,
Polhemus, Remsens, Ryders, Hoffmans, whose ancestor settled on the
Quaspeck tract ; the De Rondes, whose progenitor became interested in
the County through marriage ; the Swartwouts, who purchased property
that had been sequestrated from Tories ; the Conklins, De Bauns, Sickles,
Campfbells, Lydeckers, who purchased in the Kakiat patent, and the Sned-
ens, Nagels, Lawrances, Gesners, Perrys and Mabies, of Rockland and
Tappan ; the Sarvents, Palmers, Williamsons, Cornelisons, De Pews and
Greens of Nyack; the Barmores, Storms, Demarests, Van Houtens,
Smiths, Bogarts, Eckersons, Felters, of the Hackensack Valley ; the
Woods, Weiants, Roses, of Stony Point and Haverstraw ; and the Sloats,
Springsteels, Piersons, Van Blarcoms, Gurnees, Snyders, Johnstons, Ten-
ures, Martines, Bensons. Wannamakers, Stephens, Posts, Forshees, Pyes,
Van Ostrand and House families.

Authorities referred to. The Histories of the towns of Ramapo, E. B. Cobb, Haverstraw,
A. S. Freeman, Stony Point, E. Gay, Jr. Deeds, wills and other old papers ; Session Laws, S.
N. Y. Stiles' History of Kings County. I am indebted to E. E. Conklin, for papers and maps
relating to Rockland Lake.

CHAPTER IV.

ORGANIZATION OF ORANGE COUNTY INCLUDING THE PRESENT ROCKLANI>
—PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE COUNTY AT THE TIME OF ERECTION-
FRAUDULENT ELECTION RETURNS FROM IT— THE FIRST COUNTY
OFFICERS— ESTABLISHMENT OF COURTS— EARLY CENSUS RETURNS-
ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST CHURCH SOCIETY— EARLY SUPERVISORS
RECORDS— BUILDING OF THE FIRST CHURCH EDIFICES AT TAPPAN—
CLARKSTOWN AND KAKIAT— PUNISHMENTS INFLICTED ON MALEFAC-
TORS—ESTABLISHMENT OF CHURCH SOCIETIES NORTH OF THE MOUN
TAINS— OPENING OF HIGHWAYS- ERECTION OF COUNTY BUILDINGS
NORTH OF THE MOUNTAINS— THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INNS— THE BE-
GINNING OF THE CONTROVERSY WITH GREAT BRITAIN.

On November ist, 1683, under the administration of Thomas Dongan,
the Province of New York was divided into counties for reasons best set
forth in the following preamble and act : " Having taken into considera-
con the necessity of divideing the Province into respective Countyes for the
better governing and setling Courts in the same, Bee It Enacted by the
Governour Councell and Representatives and by the authority of the
same That the said Province bee divided into twelve Countyes." After
naming and defining the bounds of these in their order, the act continues:
" the County of Orange to begin from the Limitts or bounds of East and
West Jersey on the West side of Hudson's River along the said River to
the Murderers Creeke or bounds of the County of Ulster and Westward
into the Woods as farr as Delaware River."

Each of the counties thus created was given the name either of a home
shire, title, or member of the royal family that then occupied the English
throne, and the loyal government of the Province, little foreseeing the events
of the next five years, gave to this section the hereditary title of James
the Seconds Son- in-law.

The county at the time of its erection was a howling wilderness with
scarcely a single settler located within its territory. Nor, as we have al-
ready seen when speaking of the patentees, was its early growth rapid.

By 1693, the total population amounted to about twenty famiHesand it
was a ward of the Province. In the Militia returns for that year it was
annexed to the city and county of New York, and held no civil existence
for a brief period. Yet in that brief period the county was used as a means
of fraud.

The Governor wished an. Assembly devoted to his purposes and to ob-

45

tain a majority of the members friendly toward him ; the Sheriff of New
York returned four members as elected by the popular franchise of
Orange and New Ycrk Counties without an inhabitant of the former
county having had a vote. Later the new Governor — Bellomont — de-
posed the Sheriff from office for this and similar acts.

Only a short time elapsed however when Lord Bellomont. having
formed a new Council and appointed new Sheriffs ordered the election of
another Assembly, and for the first time, in 1702, a representative — Peter
Hearing, was elected in Orange as her people's ■ choice, The Sheriff at
that time was Tunis Tallmari, who, a year later, incurred the anger of
Lord Cornbury, on account of his ignorance, and drew from that Governor
a long letter to the Lords of Trade in which, speaking of his inability to
obtain a census from the sheriffs, he says : " and when they come to sign
their letters it is said ' the mark of Theunis Talmane Esquire High Sheriff
of the County of Orange.' " Cornbury removed Tallman from office and
appointed John Perry in his stead.

In the same year in which the induction of Perry to the Shrievalty —
took place, 1702, there was enacted on March' 8th, an ordinance creating
a Court of Sessions and Pleas for Orange County and on April 5, 1703,
this act was signed by Queen Anne. The first Judges, appointed by
Lord Cornbury and his Council, March 8, 1702, were William and John
Merritt and they held the office till 1727. At the same time, March 8,
1702, Derick Storm and William Huddleston were appointed County
Clerks, an office they held till 1721.

We have already seen that the settlement of Orange County began
within the boundaries of the present Rockland. To the north of the
Orangetown patent stretched the primeval wilderness. The few inhabi-
tants on the patent clustered about the embryo city of Tappan and at Tap-
pan the first count)- building's were erected, the first sessions of the court
held, and from its residents the first county officers selected.

It was not over a large population that the jurisdiction of the court or
the authority of its officers extended. From the twenty families of 1693,
the .increase had been slow. In 1698, there was a total of 119 people,
composed of 29 men, 31 women, 40 children and 19 negroes. By 1702,
the population had increased to 268 souls; and by 17 10 to 439 people.

A litigious spirit was never a marked attribute in the Dutch character,
and in the loneliness and need of mutual aid caused by their isolation in
their new home the settlers grew into a close communism. One of their
first acts on entering the land had been to form a church organization,
which they accomplished in October, 1694, and religion as well as friend-

46

ship prevented many appeals to the law. Yet, while agreeing among them-
selves, these Dutchmen did not always extend their charity toward immi-
grants of a different nationaUty and language, and mutual jealousies pro-
duced by these factors oftentimes caused friction. Remembering this will
explain the following entry in the Court Records of Orange County bear-
ing date October 29, 1705, 8th Session of the Court: " Upon ye present-
ment of Coonradt Hansen, that George Jewell kept a dog which was inju-
rious to many of the neighbors, it was ordered that the said Jewell should
hang the said dog." This is the first record of capital punishment in the
County.

On March 29th, 1723, occur the first records kept by the Supervisors.
From them we learn that the average expense of the whole district was
but ;^50 per year, and the greater part of this sum was expended in pre-
miums for wolf heads. In 1724 the following motion was passed : "Att a
meeting of ye Supervisors at Orangetown the thirtieth day of October, In
ye Eleventh year of the Reigne of King George: Anno Domini 1724.
Voted that John Meyer Do produce his book wherein he has Entered the
paying and receiving money of the said County of Orange, and other
proceedings and Minutes therein entered and contained. Immediately to us
the Supervisors aforesaid, and that Gerhardus Clowes whom we have ap-
pointed Clerk for us Do enter and Translate the said Treasurer's book into
English for our better understanding, and Satisfaction of the said County."
At a later period, in 1730, Cornelius Smith for the precinct of Tappan,
Cornelius Kuyper for the precinct of Haverstraw, and John Gale for the
precinct of Goshen, Supervisors — we find that the Board had difficulty in
compelling the collectors to pay their receipts into the hands of the treas-
urer. For this reason it empowered Cornelius Cooper, Jr., to employ a
lawyer and have writs issued for every collector that shall neglect, refuse or
delay in the payment of his collections. At the same meeting it was
ordered that the assessors for each precinct should appraise every negro at
^5, every wagon load of produce at 10 shillings, every horse, mare or cow
at 10 shillings, and every will at ;^5. Then the Board adjourned to meet
Oct. 6th, 1 73 1, at the house of William ElHson in Haverstraw.

Faithful guardians of the public trust were these County officials. In
1738 Cornelius Kuyper rendered his bill for service as Member of Assem-
bly, fixing his time at 1 1 8 days. In auditing this bill the Board held that :
" It appearing to us that he (Kuyper) was absent from the house 24 days
of the 1 1 8 days, and thinking it unreasonable to pay him for Sundays,
have also deducted 13 Sundays, so remains due to him 85 days with an
allowance of four days for traveling, being for two meetings at 6 shillings

47

per day." With equal care did they watch each other, as the following
entry will show : " To Gabriel Ludlow for two certificates, and he not be-
ing at home, he could not produce them, but thinks they contain about 35
days; the Supervisors think proper to allow him 25 days, till the certifi-
cates appear to us."

Yet, while careful of the public purse, the Supervisors seem not to hav^
deprived themselves of the good things of life. Among the items for 1729
is one, " To Gabriel Ludlow for one gallon of rum and a pound of sugar for
ye Supervisors, 4 sh." And in 1730 another, "To Gabriel Ludlow for
vittling and drink for the Supervisors, 18 shillings and 3 pence."

In 1727, the population of the County having reached over twelve hun-
dred, more demand was made on the public buildings and an Assembly
act was passed " to repair the County House and amend and enlarge the
jail and prison." Before this period — in 17 16 — the congregation of the
first church had grown strong enough to build a house for worship. This
stood on the site of the present church edifice in Tappan and on the pres-
ent common in front of the sacred building were the county buildings.
Surely the rash infractor of law must have been conscience hardened to
brave both the power of Heaven and earth. From his place of imprison-
ment, while awaiting trial, the malefactor could hear his eternal fate decreed
from the pulpit, where the Reverend Frederic Muzelius in terse Dutch
sentences pointed out the wrath to come ; and in a short time Jeremiah
Carrifi", the trusty Sheriff of the county since 1 706, would lead him for
human judgment before Judge Cornelius Haring or John McEvers who
had just been appointed to the Bench.

The punishments inflicted in those days read strangely now. In 1736
we find in the records of the Supervisors these items : " To Adrian
Strought for whipping a man and conveying him away £2." " To Adolph
Lent for conveying a Negro Wench out of the County by order of the
justices, 7 shillings." In 1741 the records contain the following : "To
Dolph Lent for transporting of vagabonds, £\-^-6." 'To George Cole-
man for transporting ot a vagabond man and watching him one night, and
making a coat for said man by order of ye Justices, £\-\<); also for trans-
porting a vagabond woman and six other vagabonds, 7 shillings." "To
Jas. Fleet for warning oat two vagabonds by order of ye Justices, 2 shill-
ings." In 1755 are the following items: "For transporting one vaga-
bond woman and three children, ;^2-7 ; Jacob Woodendyke to transporting
a vagrant man six miles over the North River, 1 1 shillings 9 pence," and,
ominous entry, " To Thomas Maybe to erecting and building of the stocks
for Orangetown, £\." In 1768 the records show the following: "To

48

John Stephens for his transporting a poor person out of the County, £i."
" To Henry Wesner, Wm. Thompson and Richard Edsell for whipping and
transporting John Alexander, £1-2, and for whipping and transporting
James WilHams, ;^i-2." Among the charges for 1774 are several for
whipping and transporting different persons. Finally we read among
those old yellow leaves these charges against Haverstrawin 1785 : "To
Samuel Hutchkins for transporting three vagrant persons to New Jersey,
;£'2-i2-6; for transporting Richard Davis, his wife and four children, ;^i-
16; and for transporting Hannah Stanton and four children, 15 shillings."

Steadily the increase of population in this territory continued and the
soil was slowly cleared and cultivated on both sides of the ridge of moun-
tains that divided the County into two sections. By 1737, the churches
of Magaghamack, Minnisink, Walpeck, and Smithfield were organized and
were all under the ministration of the Reverend Johannes Casparus Fryen-
moet, a God serving; holy man ; but the greater part of the increase was
still in the section south of the mountains and the county buildings re-
mained in Orangetown. In 1736 an Assembly act was passed, authoriz-
ing the building of a new jail at Tappan. Between that date and 1740 the
court house was destroyed by fire, and a census, taken in the last men-
tioned year, showed a population for Orange County of some three thous-
and people, more equally distributed on both sides of the mountain than
they had yet been.

The formation of Church organizations and the erection of public
buildings would indicate an advancing spread of civilization, yet he would
be deluded who regarded that struggling advance in the amenities of life
as in any respect approaching the refinement of to-day.

The Dutch colonists had left a home where religion and law were
dominant powers. Upon their clergy they looked with an awe of his
sacerdotal office, with respect for his intellectual powers ; and they obeyed
him as a temporal as well as a spiritual adviser. Almost their first proceed-
ing, therefore, was to build a house dedicated to that Divine Power, whose
Name they had been taught to lisp on the sea- washed shores of their old
home thousands of miles away, and in whose care they now, in their lone-
liness and danger, more than ever felt themselves ; where at stated inter-
vals His messenger could meet them and strengthen their fate and revive
their failing courage.

The creation of counties was before their settlement, and was accom-
plished by the Provincial Government at New York. The estabhshmentof
the machinery of the law, and the erection of buildings for the exercise of
that machinery, were acquiesced in by the first settlers ; not because they

49

were rendered imperative by the quarrelsomeness of the inhabitants, but
because they were a part of a civiHzation Dutchmen had long been accus-
tomed to.

But between the hamlets where the houses of Eternal and earthly jus-
tice stood, and the settlers' rude homes, there was nothing pointing toward
a. reclamation of the savage wilderness, save here and there a clearing filled
with stumps and unfenced, which rather tended to depress the mind by
showing the magnitude of the work to be done, than to encourage it.
Through the almost unbroken forests roamed savage beasts, which ceased
their pursuit of wild prey when they could with greater ease feast on the
settlers' domestic animals, and which filled the nights with their savage
barkings or long, mournful cries. The mountains contained bears, which,
•oftentimes starved into boldness, would invade the colonists' cattle sheds
and drag off a calf or a colt ; while wolves were so numerous and destruc-
tive that a bounty of lO shillings was paid for every wolfs head, and the
expense for their slaughter alone, in 1730, amounted to almost £1$.
Among the records of the Supervisors in those early days is one awarding
a bounty of £2 to Joseph Manning for killing one full-grown panther.
Nor was it from these wild animals alone that danger came, for where fear
of wild beasts was least, as in the more compact settlements at Tappan
and Goshen, the unfenced farms permitted invasions of herds of swine,
which were turned out in the spring of the year to find their own support
till autumn, and which too often ceaged their roamings after the acorns
and nuts of the forest, to trespass and feed upon the growing corn in the
clearings. '

The first vehicles, which passed through this trackless wilderness bear-
ing the settlers's goods, were driven through any opening which appeared
in the /lirection toward which the immigrant was trending. The little
travel which that immigrant had to perform, for the first few years after
locating, was made on horseback or on foot. As the settlements grew
more numerous and stronger, and as the land was cultivated further and
further from the navigable waters and nearest hamlets, the demands of
social or business life called for better paths. Passage ways from settle-
ments, to the nearest church, to the nearest mill, to the most convenient
outlets on the river ; were made by each body of settlers for their own
ease. Sometimes a deer path through the woods became the line of a new
Toad ; sometimes the trail which the Indian had made from his village to
that of his neighbors in days gone bye ; and not infrequently those do-
mestic animals — the cows— laid out a future highway by their daily jour-
neys to and from the nearest good pasturing place.

50

Among the lines of travel thus laid out. were some destined to become
of great importance. From Paulus' Hook, through the English Neigh-
borhood came a road, that pursued a tortuous course, always avoiding
difficulties of construction and lying between the uplands of the Palisades
and the marshy ground bordering on the Hackensack. It entered this
County at Tappan, passed through the present Orangeturgh as the Claus-
land Road, swept along the western base of the Nyack hills, over Casper
Hill by the old hotel at one time kept by John Storms, entered the present
road from Nyack to Haverstraw near Valley Cottage, continued to and
through Haverstraw, turned back through Doodletown, and at last passed
from the present County, close to Forts Clinton and Montgomery, to con-
tinue its course through West Point, Newburgh, Esopus, Catskill, on to
Albany. Later this route became and is still known as the Kings High-
way. .

In the early days of the County, this was the only line of travel used
by the settlers in their land journeys to the city and to the county seat at
Tappan. As the settlements along the Delaware grew, however, a nearer
way had to be found. Those very settlements hastened the departure of
savage man and savage beast from the Ramapo Clove, and soon these
western residents were making their journeys to Tappan through this ever
beautiful mountain gorge. The necessities of travel in the course of time
demanded a better highway than the foretime narrow horse path, and a
road was at length cut through which afterward became and still is known
as the Orange Turnpike.

For the improvement of these first roads. Legislative acts were passed
as early as 1730, and from that time till our own day, at nearly every ses-
sion, some bill relating to public travel by highway has been enacted.

It has been said that by 1 740, the population of Orange County had
reached three thousand, pretty evenly distributed north and south of the
mountains ; this increase in the northern gection led to reiterated com-
plaints by those there resident, at the long and difficult journey they were
compelled to make when attending court. It was because of these just
complaints that in 1738, the Provincial Assembly passed an act "to en-
able the Justices of the Peace in that part of Orange County being to the
northward of the Highlands to build a court house and gaol for the said
County at Goshen," and that in 1740 Lieutenant Governor George Clarke
recommended and the assembly passed another act " for raising in the
south part of Orange County a sum not exceeding one hundred pounds
for finishing and completing the court house and gaol in Orange Town."

" This," wrote Governor Clarke to the Lords of Trade, " is very neces-

51

sary this county having a ridge of mountains running through the middle
of it made it very inconvenient for those who live on one side of the hills
to travel constantly on the other side, the courts being formerly held only
in one place, but now there is a court house on each side and the courts
are held alternately at them."

At this period a third was added to the County Judiciary and the list
now contained the names of Abraham Harring, Cornelius Cuyper and
Thomas Gaster. Theodoras Snedeker, who had been appointed in 1739,
was Sheriff, and Vincent Matthews was County Clerk, an office he held
from 1726 to 1763.

Orange County was unique in having double court houses, jails and
sessions. The cause we have seen to be the physical conformation of its
territory and the effect we shall yet see was to divide the section south of
the mountains into a separate county.

In the previous chapter we have noted how this County grew in popu-
lation by the purchase of lands, after the speculative era Ijad ceased, by
permanent settlers. Thos . who bought from the north moiety of the
Kakiat patent formed a little hamlet, which they named after the Long
Island town they had left. New Hempstead, a name which was later
applied to the present township of Ramapo. In Haverstraw, settlers
were erecting homes along the river front from the Long Clove to Don-
derberg. Just north of the little stream that runs down by the Short
Clove, on the property now owned by Felix McCabe, Major E. W. Kiers
had bought an acre of ground and built a dock in that village. This dock
became the means of outlet for the produce from New Hempstead or
Kakiat, and a road was cut through from that community to Haverstraw,
entering the latter place by the Long Clove. Mills, both grist and saw,
had been built where the water power and public demand warranted them,
at Haverstraw, Nyack, Tappan Slote, Greenbush, and in Clarkstown ; and
roadways, that had been cut from the nearest highway to these mills,
were sometimes further extended till they joined another highway.

The organization of the Tappan Church had been followed, in 1750 by
the building of one in Clarkstown for the benefit of dwellers at Haver-
straw and on the Quaspeck and Kakiat grants, and this, four years later,
was followed by the organization of the English Church at Kakiat or
Hempstead, for the benefit of the residents in that section, as well as the
Scots then settling near Scotland Hill, who wished to hear religious service
in the English tongue.

The introduction of saw-mills permitted a change in the construction
of houses, and allowed the settler, now that the experiment of colonization

52

was a success, to replace his foretime thatch-roofed log house by a struc-
ture of shingles or board sides, or a solid edifice of stone, stayed with firm
timbers and covered with shingles.

On the long line of the Kings Highway, numerous inns were opened for
the accommodation of travellers who journeyed by it. Of those in this
County, one, still standing as the " '76 House," was at Tappan ; one at the
top of Casper Hill, now owned by John Storms, was kept by a Mr. Ten-
ure, and one kept by John Coe was at Kakiat, on the road which had been
cut through from Kings Ferry to the highway through Sidman's or the
Ramapo Pass. Besides these hostelries, there were taverns or ferry houses
at Sneden's Landing for Dobbs Ferry, kept by Captain Corbet, and at
Stony Point for King Ferry.

The inn at Tappantown deserves more than a passing notice because
of its use as a prison for Major John Andre during his last days. It was
the first tavern in the territory of the present Orange and Rockland coun-
ties south of Newburgh, and is standing on a lot of the Van Vorst share
of the original patent. In 1753 it was purchased by Casparus Mabie from
Cornelius Meyers, and was kept by him for many years. In the New
York Gazette for Feb. 26, 1776, it is advertised as follows : " To be sold
at private sale, that noted house and lot where Casparus Mabie formerly
lived, at Tappan, two miles from the North River and twenty-four from
Hobuck, Ferry. It is a convenient stone building, four rooms on a floor.
There is likewise, on said place, a good barn, garden and sundry other
conveniences. Whoever inclines to purchase may apply to Mrs. Elizabeth
Herring on the premises, Mr. Cornelius C. Roosevelt at New York, or to
Dr. G. Stowe in Morris County." Mabie sold the " '"]€> House " to Fred-
erick Blauvelt and he to Philip Dubey in 1800, who still kept it as late as
18 1 8. After Dubey 's death the house was kept by Henry Gesner, Henry
Storms, Thomas Wandle, Lawrence T. Sneden and Henry Ryerson. In
1857 it was purchased by Dr. J. T. Stephens.

It was an era of peace and plenty. The French war, that for a time
had drawn New England into action, was too remote for the residents of
this section to be involved. For the prosecution of that war New York,
as well as the other Provinces, had been taxed, and some of the partici-
pants in it were sons of Orange who held commissions in the English
army ; but the interest in the conflict was transient among the Dutchmen,
who were so numerous in the County. Not so was it in the polemical
discussion that had been raging for some time in their church and had
caused grave difficulties between pastor and people and between foretime
friends.

53

The business of life was checked, social amenities were suspended, and
brotherly love was replaced by anger and hatred in the quarrel. At last,
after years of turmoil^ the long controversy was ended, and the people
prepared to resume their foretime quiet. Then, suddenly and mysteri-
ously, there began to spread abroad whispers of a change in the actions
of the home government toward her American colonies.

Just how or when these rumors started, no one knew. Perhaps some
farmer returning from " York " had stopped at Mabie's tavern to rest and
refresh himself and horse, and, while waiting, had told the host and few
guests that were there-of the excitement in the city, concerning the new
acts being passed in England for the purpose of increasing her income
from the Colonies. Perhaps some peripatetic "Yankee" trader or peddler,
on his way from the east to the Indian stations on the Delaware and Sus-
quehanna, had spoken of the matter at the Kings Ferry landing, as he
paused for a drink of peach brandy or Metheglin — liquors not obtainable
in his native colony — and becoming excited by the subject, as these ner-
vous descendants of the Puritans were wont to do, had lashed himself into
a fury and astonished his Dutch listeners by the violence of his emotion.

If the manner of the rumor's start was unknown, the substance spread.
At the different inns, at the few blacksmith shops, at the mills, the settlers
paused for a moment after the completion of their business to talk on the
topic, and from these different foci the news was carried home to be dis-
cussed at the fireside. The Dutch mind was slow to act, and, having
reached a conclusion, slow to change. Long and earnest were the argu-
ments during the winter evenings of 1773—74, as to the right of Great
Britain to impose a tax on the colonists without their representation or
consent. At first the subject was one of talk only. The new impost,
being in the form of customs duties, produced little immediate effect in an
agricultural county whose people had few outside wants. If there was
trouble in the Eastern colonies, doubtless it was due to the unrestful spirit
of that people, who were always in a ferment and not content unless turn-
ing things upside down ; and in " York City " there were now, as there
ever had been, certain persons who delighted in confusion and combat.

Thus the sturdy farmers of this section reasoned and would fain banish
the matter from their minds. But it could not thus be banished.

The rumors, indefinite and few at first, increased in number and took
form. Boston was in an uproar; New York held the Sons of Liberty ;
Virginia contained a government and — a people. Thick grew the murk
of the approaching struggle and its gloom, o'ershadowing this County,
added bewilderment to the nascent thought of rebellion. The settlers in

54

Orange had slowly grasped the idea that England was attempting to per-
petrate a wrong. Puzzled by the swift changing phases of the subject,
their conservative dispositions led them to avoid either factiori, to with-
draw from active participation in open revolt and to follow out the subject
only so far as they comprehended it. This plan caused them to enter a
protest to the home government at a meeting held in Yoast Mabie's house
on July 4th, 1774, which read as follows :

"1st. That we are and ever wish to be, true and loyal subjects to His
Majesty, George the Third, King of Great Britain.

2nd. That we are most cordially disposed to support His Majesty and
defend his crown and dignity in every constitutional measure, as far as lies
in our power.

3rd. That however well disposed we are toward His Majesty, we can-
not see the late Acts of Parliament, imposing duties upon us and the Act
for shutting up the Port of Boston, without declaring our abhorrence of
measures so unconstitutional and big with destruction.

4th. That we are in duty bound to use every just and lawful measure
to obtain a repeal of acts not only destructive to us, but which, of course,
must distress thousands in the mother country.

5th. That it is our unanimous opinion that the stopping of all expor-
tation and importation to and from Great Britain and the West Indies
would be the most effectual methods to obtain a speedy repeal.

6th. That it is our most ardent wish to see concord and harmony re-
stored to England and her Colonies.

7th. That the following gentlemen, to wit: Colonel Abraham Lent,
John Haring, Esq., Mr. Thomas Outwater, Mr. Gardner Jones, and Peter
T. Haring be a committee from this town to correspond with the city of
New York, and to conclude and agree upon such measures as they shall
judge necessary in order to obtain a repeal of said acts."

Two months later, when, in September 1774, delegates were to be
elected to a Continental Congress, the people of this County had so little
determined on their next step, had so little decided how to instruct a rep-
resentative, that not over two score votes were cast.

But it was already too late for resolutions to check the progress of
events. Before another year had passed Virginia's people were forever
separated from the old government ; New York was under the control of
Sears and his fellow patriots ; and from Massachusetts, as if borne by the
blast, had come the news of Lexington. It was no longer a matter for
waiting, the hour for action had come.

Awakened to the importance of the issue at last, the inhabitants of the

55

County met on the 17th of April, 1775, at Mabie's, to take into considera-
tion the subject of their representation at the Provincial Convention, which
was to meet in New York three days later, for the purpose of sending
delegates to the Continental Congress. At this meeting John Haringwas
chosen from Orangetown and Col. A. Hawkes Hay from Haverstraw.

Three months passed, when, on July 17th, 1775, another meeting took
place in this County for action on the " General Association adopted by
freemen,, freeholders and inhabitants of the city and county of New York
on April agth, 1775, and transmitted for signing to all the counties of the
Province."

Petitions are permissible even in despotisms. Calm, firm remonstrances
can never be construed into anarchy. A demand for the right to be heard
is not revolt. Believing that they had been wronged most unjustly, our
people had resorted to petition — to remonstrance, and had demanded the
right to a hearing, and their efforts were vain. So far could they go
with impunity. But the junction of two future courses were reached. . By
one road they threw themselves upon the mercy and clemency of a master ;
they renounced the right of individualism, of independence ; they became,
clothe it with whatever sophistries you please, call it by any name you like,
cover it with all the paraphernalia and glittering generalities of diplomatic
art — they became slaves.

By the other road, they entered upon revolt against a government,
which regarded "rebellion as treason and rebellion persisted in as death."
The confiscation of property, the ravages of a merciless conqueror, the
horrors of incarceration and the dangers of exasperated military courts,
stood along this route. There was no middle course. The end which
was attained by our ancestors was not aimed for till long after the wave
of war had swept back and forth across the Colonies. The hope of wrest-
ing national autonomy from Great Britain, when the people of Orange
County were called upon to accept or reject the test of the General Asso-
ciation, had not been conceived, much less born. Let us, then, in reading
the oath, remember these facts and judge fairly, and with a knowledge of
the end let me premise sufficiently to state that some who signed the test
proved traitors, that some who refused to sign it were patriots, and that
both parties who adhered to their actions were influenced by an idea.

" Persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties of America depends, under God, on the ■
firm union of its inhabitants in a vigorous prosecution of the measures necessary for its safety, and
convinced of the necessity of preventing the anarchy and confusion which attend the dissolution of
the powers of the government, we, the freemen, freeholders, and inhabitants of Orangetown,
being greatly alarmed at the avowed design of the Ministry to raise a revenue in America,
and shocked by the bloody scenes now acting in the Massachusetts Bay, do, in the most solemn

56

manner, resolve never to become slaves ; and do associate under all the ties of religion, honor and
love to our country, to adopt and endeavor to carry into execution vi^hatever measures may be
recommended by the Continental Congress, or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention, for
the purpose of preserving our Constitution, and opposing the execution of the several arbitrary and
oppressive acts of the British Parliament until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America,
on constitutional principles (which we most ardently desire), can be obtained ; and that we will in
all things follow the advice of our general committee respecting the purposes aforesaid, the
preservation of peace and good order, and the safety of individuals and private property."

Daniel Lawrence,
David Aljea,
Albert Aljea,
David Lawrence,
Edward Briggs,
Garret Blauvelt,
Kasparius Conklin,
Adrean Onderdonk,
John Rycher,
Avery Campbell,
Ram Boll,
Abraham Conklin,
James Jacklin,

Spedwell Jacklin,
Nathaniel Lawrence,
Abraham Post,
Conrad Gravenstine,
Abraham Mabie, fr.
Jacob Wilfer,
Michael Cornelison,
Jacobus De Clarke,
William Martin,
Daniel Voorhees,
Abraham Onderdonk,
Jonas Torrell,
John Gissnar, Jr.

Abraham Tallman, Jr.
Peter Retan,
Daniel Onderdonk,
Jacob Conklin,
John Westervett,
William Bell, Jr.
John Van Houten,
Abraham Mabie,
Harman Tallman,
Garret Ackerson,
Jacob Ackerson,
Harman Tallman, Jr.

Another party, while refusing to sign the pledge given above, did sign
the following : " That we would not countenance rebellion, nor have any-
hand in a riot, but stand for King, Country and liberty, agreeable to the
charter, but at the same time disallowing taxation in any wise contrary to
the charter, and shall never consent to taxation without being fully repre-
sented with our consent."

Isaac Sherwood,
Cornelius De Gray,
Alberd Smith,
Cornelius Smith,
Garit Smith,
Daniel Gerow,
Cornelius Benson,
John Palmer,
John Cox, t

Harmanus Kiselar,
Peter Forshee,

Derick Straws,
Guysbert F. Camp,
John Smiih,
John Darlington,
Johannes Bell,
John Van Horn,
R. Quackenboss,
Auri Blauvelt,
John Rureback,
Abraham De Baum,
Thunis Emmut,

Anthony Crouter,
Jacob Waldron,
Thunis Crom,
Peter Bush,
Arthur Johnston,
David D. Ackerman,
Benjamin Secor,
Cornelius Smith,
Johannes Forshee,
Reynard House, Jr.

lows

In Haverstraw Precinct the test of the Association was signed as fol-

Robert Burns,
Joseph Knapp,
David Pye,
John Coleman,
John Coe,
Robert Johnson,
Auri Smith,

Henry Brower,
Thomas Eckerson,
Adrian Onderdonk,
John Smith,
Harmanus Blauvelt,
John Ackerson,
Alexander Mannell,-

James Lanu,
Smuel Knapp,
John Suffern,
Abraham Reynolds,
Abr'm Stephenson,
John Springsteel,
Joseph Jones, Jr.

57

Walter Smith,
John l.ent,
Jacob Polhemus,
Cornelius Paulding,
Abraham Ackerson,
Thunis Snedeker,
Dowe Tallman,
John Wallace,
Nathaniel Barmore,
Thomas Morall,
David Hoofman,
Garret Cole,
Nathaniel Towenson,
Thomas Allison,
Henry Hallsted,
Harmanas Hoofinan,
Harmanus Felter,
Johannes Demarest,
James Hannan,
Thomas Dolphen,
William Bell,
Abraham Polhemus,
Peter Snyder,
Abraham Blauvelt,
Edward Cane,
Rem Remsen,
Matthew Coe,
Peter Salter,
Stephen Stephenson,
Thunis Tallman,
Andrew Onderdonk,
William Stringham,
Garret Paulding,
Thunis Remsen,
James Thene,
Jacob Archer,
Joseph Seamonds,
John Toten,
John Toten, Jr.
Robert Ackerly,
Richard Osborn,
Thomas Dickings,
William Deronde,
John Dunscombe,
Abel Knapp,
Jerod Knapp,
Jobair Knapp,
Alexander Gilfon,
Thomas Gilfon,
.Thomas Kingen,
Andrew Onderdonk,
Johannes J. Blauvelt,
Johannes Vanderbilt,

Rulef Stephenson,
John Van Dolsen,
Andrew Van Orden,
Derick Van Houten,
Edward Ackerman,
Carpenter Kelly,
Jacob Jirekie,
John Martine,
Thomas Kelly,
Garret Onderdonk,
Rulef Onderdonk,
Jame.5 Onderdonk,
Jacob Onderdonk,
Albard Onderdonk,
Henry Onderdonk,
Abraham Onderdonk,
Mauhel Tenure,
Johannes Defrees,
Jeremiah Martine,
Powlas Seamonds,
John Voorhis,
Jost Voorhis,
Stephen Voorhis,
Edward Jones,
Johannes Cole,
Jacob Coles,
E. W. Kesse,
Jacob Kenifen,
John Hill,
Amos Hutchins,
Peter Kiselar,
Patten Jackson,
Joseph Allison,
Benjamin Allison,
John Allison,'
Peter Allison,
Robert Allison,
Adam Brady,
John Johnson,
William Concklin,
Joseph Concklin,
Michael Concklin,
Abraham Concklin,
Abraham Garrison,
Claus Van Houten,
Chas. R. Van Houten,
Garrit Van Houten,
Roosevelt Van Houten,
P. Van Houten, Sr.
Peter Van Houten,
Thunis Van Houten,
Rulef Van Houten,
Harmanus Tremper,

Powlas Vandervooit,

Nathaniel Odie, Jr.

John Graham,

John Jersey,

Siba Banta,

John Noblet,

Abraham De Puy,

John Thew,

A. Hawkes Hay,

Daniel Morall,

Gilbard Crumm,

Peter Crum,

William Crum,

John Parker,

Robert Wood,

William Wood,

Henry Wood,

James Carmelt,

Moses C. Charter,

Benjamin Knapp,

John Ackerman,

Jacob Derunde,

Abraham Derunde,

Gilbart Hunt,

Joseph Hunt,

Reuben Hunt,

John De Grote,

Thomas Goldtrap,

John Cummings,

Benjamin Holstead,

John Stogg, ^

" Mud Hole " Tenure, '(i^JJUuc)

John Slott,

William Trunoper,

Johannes De Gray,

John Mead,

John Vandervoort,

John Hetcock,

Henry Mackrel,

fonnas Dele,

Aurt Remsen,

Theodoras Polhemus,

Johannes Polhemus,

Jobais Derunde,

Timothy Halstead,

Daniel Parker,

James Shirley,

Abraham Mayers,

John Mayers,

Jacobus Mayers,

Johannes Meyer,

James Wilson,

Simond Trump,

58

Thomas Blauvelt,
Isaac Blauvelt,
Andrew Cole,
Isaac Manuel,
John Clark,
Johannes Blauvelt,
Johnathan Lounsberry,
Powlas Hopper,
Peter Salter,
Joseph Wood, Jr.,
Harmanus Tallman,
James Paul,
Jeremiah Williamson,
Jacob Meyers,
Thunis Remsen,
Derick Vanderbilt,
Isaac Dutcher,
John Felter,
William Felter,
Johannes Remsen,
Theunis Tallman,
Abraham Tallman,
Ebenezer Wood,
John Ferrand,
Garret Meyers,
Abraham Thew,
James Sharp,
Theodorus Snedeker,
James Kelly,
John Brush,
Garret Van Cleft,
Aurt Polhemus,
Jacobus De Clark,
George Remsen,
Luke Stephenson,
Jobair Lauery,
Cobar De Clark,
Daniel De Clark,
Johannes Jenwie,
Samuel Wilson,
Henry Tenure, Sr.,
Jacob Tenure,
1 eonard Bayle,
Thomas Jacks,
Thomas Wilson,
Gilbert Fowler,
Peter Easterly,
Abraham Stag, Jr.,
Jacob Seacor,
Isaac Seacor,
Jonah Wood,
Aurt Amorman,
Tho.-nas Osborn,

Garit Snedeker,
Jonas Snedeker,
Daniel Cocklate,
Stephen Beane,
William Slatt,
Ellis Secor,
James Secor,
David Secor,
John Secor,
Peter De Pue,
William Dozenberry,
Jonah Halstead,
John Halstead,
Johnathan Taylor,
Benjamin Jones,
Peter Reed,
James Stewart,
Thunis De Clark,
Joseph De Clark,
James Smith,
Stephen Smith,
William Smith,
Cornelius Smith,
Lambert Smith,
Peter Smith,
Daniel Smith,
John Smith,
Auri Smith,
Daniel Ward,
Jacob Jones,
Theunis Cuyper,
Gilbard Cuyper,
Cornelius Cooper,
Wilvart Cooper,
.Albard Cooper,
Jacob Cooper,
John Cuyper,
John Cuiper, Jr.,
John'W. Cogg,
Gabriel Fargyson,
Benjamin Coe,
John J. Coe,
Daniel Coe,
Daniel Coe, Jr.,
Samuel Coe,
Powlas Vandervoort,
Samuel Sidman,
Joseph Jones, Jr.,
Joseph Jones,
John Harper,
Garrit Ackerson,
Gilbert Wilson,
Samuel Yocmans,

James Christe,
James Stagg,
Abraham Springsteel,
Francis Cline,
Joseph Palmer,
Henry Houser,
Fred. Urie,-
Patrick Gurnee,
Stephen Girnee,
Francis Girnee,
Francis Girnee, Jr.,
Isaac Girnee,
Isaac Girnee, Jr.,
Francis Girnee,
Paul Ruttan,
Harmanus Snyder,
Abraham Snyder,
Henry Snyder, Sr.,
Henry Snyder, Jr.,
Grasham Huff,
William Crura,
Edward Holstead,
Jacob Jones,
William Hause,
Hendrick Polhemus,
Thunis H. Tallema,
John D. Tallman,
David Sherwood,
Samuel Hunt,
John Jeffries,
Thomas Dinard,
John Burges,
John Hogencamp, .
Richard Springsteel,
Hendrick Stephens,
William Stephens,
Benjamin Benson,
John Persall, Jr.,
Paul Persall,
James Rumsey,
Salvanus Mott,
Charles Mott,
Markel Mott,
Thomas 'lillt,
H. Trumper, Jr.,
Joseph Johnston,
William Rider,
Jacob Mall,
Andrew Abrames,
M. Vandervoort,
David Babcock,
William Snyder,
Reynan Gerow,

59

Isaac Cole,
Reynard Hopper,
Abraham Brower,
Abraham KoU,
Daniel Van Sickels,
Albard Stephenson,
Petris Blauvelt,
Jacobus Van Orden,
Daniel Marline,

William Youman, Jr.
Ezekiel Youmans,
Benjamin Furman,
John Parker, Jr.
Jacob Parker,
Isaac Parker,
Paul Vandervoort,
John Gardner,
George Johnston,

John Lorillard,
John G. Lorald,
Jacob Bartholomew,
David Halstead,
Ezekiel Ward,
William Kempe,
Rev. Robert Burns,
Philip Sarvent,
Adrian Sarvent,

The following is the list of those in Orangetown who refused to sign
the General Association :

Matthew Steel, Robert Sneeding,

Jacob C. Ackerson, Jessy Sneeding,

Johannes Perry, George Man,

Dennis Sneeding, RaHl Bogard,

And in the Precinct of Haverstraw :

Roger Osburn,
Benjamin Osburn,
Richard Osburn,
James R. Osburn,
John R. Osburn,
Nathaniel Osburn,
James Babcock,
William Babcock,
Abraham Babcock,
Nathaniel Oddle,
Tompkins Oddle,
Gilbert Johnston,
Guysbert Johnston,
John G. Johnston,
Abraham Johnston,
Lawrence Johnston,
Lodowick Shumaker,
William Winter,
Andris Pallis,
Jonas Loderick,
Ezekiel Ferguson.
Raynard House, Sr.
WilUam Dobbs,
A. Montgomery,
Matthew Ellison,
John PoUan,
John Johnston,
William Babcock,
Abraham Babcock,
John Springsteel,
Thomas Ackerman,
Benjamin Ackerson,
Jacob Ackerson,
Derick Ackerson,
Thomas Ackerson,

David Ackerson,
Abraham Concklin.
Lewis Concklin,
Lewis Concklin, Jr.
John Concklin,
Joseph Concklin,
Ezekiel Conkling,
S. Heyman,
Frederick Post,
Isaac Post,
Abraham Post,
John Post,
Joseph Heston,
Joseph Knapp,
Henry Hoisted,
Henry Hoisted, Sr.
Thomas Smith,
Isaac Conklin,
William Conklin,
Nicholas Conklin,
L. Van Buskirk,
Jacobus Van Buskirk,
Henry Wanamaker,
Peter Wanamaker,
Peter Frederick,
Samuel Banta,
Johannes Rush,
Haulberg Bucker,
John George,
Samuel Matthews.
Jost Short,
John Weaver,
Coon Fridrick,
Andrew Haldrom,
Peter Jersey,

Isaac G. Blauvelt,
Gesebert R. Bogardt,
Jacob Gessenar,

Moses Van Nostrant,
G. Van Nostrant,
Daniel De Clark,
John Rider,
Joseph Rider,
John Town,
John Armstrong,
Henry Warden,
John Secor, Jr.
John Secor,
Samuel Secor,
Isaac J. Secor,
Peter Stephens,
Henry Arsler,
Claus Corlosh,
Adam Deter,
John Dobbs,
Peter Vandervoort,
Jacob Sarvant,
Henry Sarvent,
Philip Sarvent,
John Sarvent,
Isaac Berea,
Jacob Tenick,
Henry Tenyck,
Henry Tenyck, Jr.
Samuel Bird,
James Lamb, Sr.
Cornelius Crum,
John Crum,
Jost Buskirk,
Jacob Waldron,
Edward Waldron,
Andrie Bellis,

6o

The reader will remember that the Haverstraw Precinct embraced the
present towns of Ramapo, Clarkstown, Stony Point and Haverstraw in

1775-

" Do, in the most solemn manner, resolve never to become slaves ; and

do associate under all the ties of religion, honor, and love to our country."

Thus reads a section of the oath of patriotism.

The inhabitants of America in those days were eminently religious.
No business however slight, no decision however trivial, no act however
small its import, was undertaken without a consultation with Divine
Power. Mad as the acts of the Sons of Liberty appear on superficial
examination, a closer observation will find. in them neither the fierce
fanaticism of the Roundheads nor the thirst for blood of the French
Eevolutionists.

The leaders, in the commencing struggle for our freedom, were strong
men ; the actors were clear headed even in the excitement of contest.
All were God-fearing. That there was thoughtlessness in speech it
would be absurd to deny — profane ejaculations, dreadful threats — that
there were thoughtlessness in deed is untrue.

Remembering this, the import of the clause above repeated from the
test oath becomes clear. It was composed in solemn thought, with solemn
prayer, and sent forth from the Provincial Committee for signature with a
perfect knowledge that each signer would think earnestly of its meaning
ere affixing his name. The members of the Provincial Committee knew
the character of their constituents and the influence of the clergy in each
district. Had the members of the. English Cabinet been equally well in-
formed, they would have made pause ere too late.

At a later period I am to speak fully of the influence that the early
Dutch dominies exerted in this Colony, and of the reasons for that in-
fluence ; it is but necessary to say that the trust their parishioners felt in
them in all matters is beyond our comprehension. The intellectual ad-
vance of the past century has, in great measure, destroyed that authority
and has raised nothing in its place.

Samuel Ver Bryck, ordained to the charge in 175.0, was the dominie
of the greater part of Rockland's people in the trying days that led up to
the Revolution and the more trying days during its existence. He real-
ized the trust imposed upon him and watchfully did he observe the dis-
cussion, earnestly did he gather from every source full information on the
subject, that he might truly and fully carry out that trust.

At the different churches under his charge ; at those half social, half
religious gatherings in the houses of his prominent church members ; in

6i

Tiis ministerial visits to his congregation, we can conceive of his clear ex-
position of the controversy in its stage at the time of his speaking. We
can almost hear his earnest exhortation to those true-hearted Dutchmen
to be firm in their trust of liberty — an exhortation so potent in its effect
as to draw from the British commander this, for him despairing, for us
glorious, cry : " I can do nothing with this Dutch population, I can
neither buy them with money, nor conquer them with force " — and feel
his fervent prayers to the Almighty, that the cup of the horror of war
might pass from their lips.

Events hastened toward the end. The conflict by speech passed to
violence in acts and the blood shed at Lexington, proclaimed the wager
of battle. Then followed the seige and evacuation' of Boston, the defeat
at Long Island, the battles preceding, the retreat to New Jersey; and
this County was in the midst of the strife.

True to the cause he had adopted, true to his charge, the good domi-
nie preached now in favor of a war that could no longer be avoided by
true men, and urged his congregation on to battle. Still earnestly went
up his prayers but now for victory to the cause of the colonists and safety
for their lives.

Ah, Dominie Ver Bryck, the end is not yet ! You shall preach ser-
mons against English oppression, emphasized by the presence of some of
your flock, killed on the field of battle. You shall yet be called upon to
offer up prayers over soldier's graves and to comfort stricken households.
The tramp of armed men, the roar of conflict, shall sound loud and hor-
ribly clear through the quiet valleys where so often you have ridden on
your ministerial calls, meditating only of battle with the spiritual enemy.
At the very door of your church, in the ruins of the old court house, the
man of war shall build his cantonment, while the house of God itself shall
be used as a prison and a court room and the decision there rendered
shall make house and hamlet known while time shall be. Yet you shall
live to encourage, to comfort, to condole through all these coming weary
years, and, when peace has been won, to close your eyes on earthly strife,
hailing within a few months your victory over tyranny and over death.

Authorities referred to : Documents relating to the Colonial History S. N. Y. Eager's His-
tory of Orange County. Magazine American History. History of Ramapo, by Rev. E. B. Cobb.
History of Haverstraw, by Rev. Dr. A. S. Freeman. Papers in City and County by R. H . Fen-
ton. Archives of Rockland County Historical Society. The New York Civil List.

CHAPTER V.

SYNOPSIS OF THE IDEAS WHICH LED THE COLONISTS TO REVOLT— A GEN-
ERAL CONGRESS CALLED FOR— IT CONVENES— ELECTION OF DELE-
GATES FROM THIS STATE— ORGANIZATION OF THE SONS OF LIBERTY
IN NEW YORK— ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPON-
DENCE AND SAFETY IN ORANGE COUNTY— ITS DUTIES DURING THE
REVOLUTION—ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO A PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
—ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND ADOPTION OF
THE CONSTITUTION— SYNOPSIS OF THE FIRST CONSTITUTION— FIRST
ELECTION OF STATE OFFICERS— RECAPITULATION OF THE REVOLU-
TION IN CIVIL GOVERNMENT— CIVIL LIST OF OUR COUNTRY TILL THE
FORMATION OF A FEDERATION.

Force may destroy a government, mind is necessary for its creation.
A combination of force and mind had been the result of every social up-
heaval, which preceded our Revolution ; and that combination had ever
ended in a more despotic rule than that which the revolting peoples had
thrown off. Was history to repeat itself on this western continent ?

Nearly a century and a quarter had passed since the struggle of the
Roundheads had ended in the destruction of royar power and the creation
of a commonwealth. Yet the tests of government by popular assembly
in 1651 and 1653, had been found a failure; Parliament had been pro-
rogued at the point of the bayonet ; and Oliver Cromwell, supported and
sustained by his iron batallions, ruled as absolute under the title of Pro-
tector as any of his predecessors had under the title of King. Surely pre-
cedent was not encouraging to the American Colonists.

Nor had government by the people in any sense advanced since
Richard Cromwell, weakly sinking into Lethe, rendered the Restora-
tion possible. A so called popular House of Commons even at the time
of which we are speaking existed, and its members, influenced by the tie of
party ; the ability of Burke, Fox and Pitt ; or the bribes so lavishly be-
stowed by the Ministry; cast their votes for one or another measure.
But he has illy read history, who would pretend for a moment, that those
members were dependent for nomination or election on the free franchise
of a free people, or that they were held responsible by their constituents
as the members of Parliament are at the present day,

Fifteen years after the American Colonists had spontaneously formed
a plan of self-government, which has waxed and developed into our Con-

63

stitution of to-day. Six years after the Treaty of Paris gave this people
a separate autonomy ; an attempt at self-government was made by the
French people. It is unnecessary to dwell on the result. The mad car-
nival of blood ; the demoniac shouts for freedom by a people who had
become a populace ; the frenzied rule of anarchy were a startling exhibi-
tion of liberty passing on to license. Between the attempt at self-govern-
ment of Cromwell's time and the attempt at self-government in 1 789. A
people on this continent accomplished self-government.

There is something very solemn in the death of a system of polity.
There is something very wonderful in the birth of a new form of authority.
All the experience, often gained at great expense ; all the veneration de-
veloped through centuries of famiHarity ; all the respect, caused at first
by force and fear, and afterward continued toward hoary decrepitude, is
abruptly broken away from, and the enthusiasm and push of vigorous
youth takes its place. Events, which in an old government were acted
upon with ponderous deliberation and only after an exhausting search
for precedents, are treated by the young power with startling abruptness.
It creates precedents. It,makes history. And yet it must ever be a sad
contemplation to see the enthusiasm of a young government lead it into
errors and blunders which more cool and careful deliberation would shun,
and which the maturer judgment of age would avoid. The homely adage
that "old heads cannot be put upon young shoulders" is as true of na-
tions as of the children of men.

Yet while the English revolution had seemingly ended in complete
failure, such was in fact not the case. The effect produced on the people
of Great Britain was to teach them the fallibility of kings, their own
power. The reaction which followed their momentary grasp of power
left them for a time bewildered, and in the return of monarchy, they
viewed the past upheaval as a hideous dream, as unreal as dreams ever
are.

Not so, however, was the feeling in these colonies. In the midst of
danger, privation, and suffering, the settlers had landed on these bleak,
forbidding shores. Unaided, they had wrested homes from the gloomy
wilderness, and had defended those homes against savage beasts and sav-
age men. Without the help of royal favor, they had cleared farms, culti-
vated the soil, and raised crops for their sustenance. Without the assist-
ance of skilled diplomats, they had formed treaties of peace and leagues
with their Indian neighbors, or entered into unions with each other for
mutual commercial advantage or for protection. Though acknowledging
their dependence on the mother country by supporting her representa-

64

tives, the different governors, these colonists gradually came to form their
own town and county governments, and place their own representatives
in authority ; and, for their safety from absolute dominion, as well as a
public means of intercourse between themselves and their governors, they
selected the deputies that formed the colonial assemblies.

While this growth of government was a slow process in each colony,
dependent for every fresh step on the increase of settlers and the wants of
the communities, the spirit of independence had been strong from the first.
The execution of Charles had caused no perturbation in the colonies.
The accession, of Cromwell to more than regal power produced no uneasi-
ness. The Restoraton created no commotion. While so little of the old
belief in the divinity of kings remained in the northern colonies that the
regicides were received and safely harbored. And why should these dis-
turbances of royalty, three thousand miles away, cause excitement here ?
Had the king made it so pleasant for the Puritans at home that they
should now grieve over the falling fortunes of his house ? Men, who have
pleasant surroundings, seldom leave them for the discomforts of a wilder-
ness. Had the government afforded them such protection and safety for
life and property in hours of trial and danger that they should revere that
government ? Men, who are carefully defended in their rights and pos-
sessions rarely go forth to battle with the vicissitudes and trials of a new
settlement. No ! From the beginning, persecution, bad faith and mis-
management had attended every interference of king or government with
the affairs of the colonists, and they, now that the experiment was ended
and their venture was assured of success, felt that the success had been
attained not by the power of the throne, but by their efforts, their indi-
vidual struggles, often despite legal intervention. The lesson which re-
quired a second revolution to teach to the inhabitants of the old world,
was learned by personal experience in the new.

In this condition of strength and self-support were the inhabitants of
the American Colonies when George, Lord Grenville, conceived the bril-
liant idea of imposing on these inhabitants a tax, expecting therewith to
assist in paying the national debt.

Then began a turmoil such as the Colonists had never before wit-
nessed, and such as would have made a minister with ordinary wit take
pause. It was not the amount of the tax that stirred men's souls.. What
did the successful farmer of Orange County care for a penny or so of
stamp duty. What impression would such a demand make on the wealth
of a prosperous merchant in New York. It was the principle on which
that tax -was based. Humanity is so constituted, that it fails to recognize

65

the advance of age. Till the physical infirmities of senility fall sorely
upon men, they cannot realize that their work is ending and that another,
younger, generation is pressing into their paths. But yesterday that
young man, now so strong and self-confident was a boy to whom we never
turned for advice, whom we put off with the idle fables and treated with
the fondling tenderness which we use toward children. Now he refuses
to be set aside and demands the rights of his manhood respectfully but
firmly. Astounded and with a mighty sense of outraged dignity we turn
from the encounter, believing that an exhibition of our displeasure will be
amply sufficient to cause at first meditation and then humble apology.
But the next meeting only finds the young man firmer in his idea and
more determined to explain his action. From this point men differ.
Some gracefully submit and later fully acquiesce in the inevitable.
Others attempt coercion, and sooner or later come off worsted.

The Colonists protested against the imposition of a tax unless granted
by their own consent through their own representatives. They attempted
to explain to the parent country, the ground on which they based their
actions ; to show her how little she had done for them, how much they
had done for her as well as themselves and thus to demonstrate the injus-
tice of the Stamp Act.

Wise men in his own council chambers showed to the King the un-
righteous nature of the proposition. Charles Townshend said of the
Colonies that they were " children planted by our care, and nourished by
our indulgence." " They planted by your care ? " — exclaimed Barre —
" No ! your oppressions planted them in America ^ they fled from your
tyranny to a then uncultivated wilderness, exposed to all the hardships to
which human nature is liable ! They nourished by your indulgence !
— No ! they grew by your neglect ; your care of them was displayed in
sending persons to govern them who were the deputies of deputies of
ministers — men whose behavior, on many occasions, has caused the blood
of those Sons of Liberty to recoil within them ; men who have been
promoted to the highest seats of justice in a foreign country, in order to
escape being brought to the bar of a court of justice in their own."

Yet, the respectful appeal for a hearing, was treated with scorn by a
king, who expected the colonists to grovel at his feet, humbly suing for
royal clemency ; and the advice of his counselors fell on unheeding ears.
The Stamp Act was repealed, but the right to impose taxation on the
colonies was adhered to ; and two years after the tax on stamps was
removed, in 1767, a duty was placed on glass, paper, lead and painters'
colors, not so much for the purpose of raising revenues as to express the
right to lay impost.

66

I have said that the plan of self-government adopted by the colonists
was of spontaneous growth. In hours of danger theretofore, representa-
tives from each of the colonies had met together for consultation. By
1774, the need of concerted action seems to have been universally felt.
On May 1 7th, a general congress was recommended at a town meeting in
Providence, R. I. May 2 1st a town meeting in Philadelphia, and on May
23d one in New York advised a consultation of delegates from each colony.
May 27th the House of Burgesses in Williamsburgh, Va., and on May 31st
a county meeting at Baltimore called for a general assembly and these
were followed in the demand for a council of representatives, by a town
meeting in Norwich, Conn., June 6th; a county meeting at Newark, N. J.,
on the same date ; the Massachusetts Assembly and a town meeting in
Boston, June 17th; a county meeting at Newcastle, Del., on June 29th;
the Committee of Correspondence of Portsmouth, N. H., on July 6th ; the
General Province meeting at Charlestown, S. C, on July 8th, and a
district ijieeting at Wilmington, N. C, on July 21st.

Pursuant to these demands, the delegates from the different colonies
met and organized the Continental Congress, which began its sessions on
September 5, 1774. In this Province all the active patriots combined in
sending deputies to a Provincial Convention, which concurred in the
nomination and election of Philip Livingston, John Jay, James Duane,
John Alsop, Isaac Low, Henry Wisner of Orange County, and William
Floyd of Suffolk. We have already seen that the people of this County
were as yet so uncertain of their wishes, that but twenty votes were cast
at the election ; while the Colonial Assembly, either through loyalty or
timidity, refrained from any action.

A wise man, a Talleyrand, would have hesitated at this juncture,
would have temporized and concihated, and would have withdrawn from
the contest with credit to himself and honor to his nation. A weak man,
a Bute, would have shrunk aghast from the storm he had raised, and re-
signed the reins of government. Lord North was neither Wiser than Bute
nor weaker than Grenville ; he faced the impending conflict with the stub-
born obstinacy of ignorance, and was sustained by a purbHnd king, who
determined to coerce the young colonies into that respect for his royal
functions which he regarded as due them.

"Sons of Liberty," Barre had called those colonists who opposed
the Stamp Act, and when his speech was read in America, those organiza-
tions which had grown out of the many conferences of the citizens on the
questions at issue, adopted the name of Sons of Liberty as their designa-
tion. The residents of this County have often met together in the past.

67

and may again assemble in the future, for the discussion of matters involv-
ing their welfare. In those conventions of the past, as in collections of
people at present, the first proceeding of the gathering was to organize
by the selection of a leader and assistants. This was all that occurred
when the colonists denied and defied the authority of Great Britain, and
dashed away the monarchial government.

The Sons of Liberty in New York city, taking the lead in the Revo-
■ lution, advised the people of each county to meet and form committees
of safety. Pursuant to that advice, the citizens of this County met, and
after passing the resolutions given in the preceding chapter, selected
Abraham Lent, John. Haring, Thomas Outwater, Gardner Jones, and
Peter T. Haring as a Committee of Correspondence and Safety. On the
adoption by the Continental Congress of the articles of the American
. Association, the patriots in New York chose a Committee of Sixty to en-
force the provisions of that act, and to exercise leadership in all political
matters. At the recommendation of -this Committee, the people of the
various counties elected delegates for a Provincial Congress, which was to
meet in New York on May 22d, 1775. The election in this County took
place on April 17th, and resulted in the choice of:

John Coe, Benjamin Tusteen',"' Abraham Lent, Israel Seeley,

David Pye, Peter Clowes, John Haring, Jesse Woodhull,

Michael Jackson, William Allison, Jeremiah Clarke.

This Congress was in session from May 22d, till July 8th; from July 26th,
to September 2d ; and from October 4th, to November 4th, 1775. Mean-
time, the General Assembly of the Colony still held a nominal existence,
but its last session was held on April 3d, 1775, when it was adjourned to
May 3d, of the same year, from which time it was prorogued again and
again till February 1st, 1776, when it passed from existence.

The members of the Committee of Safety in the present Rockland
County at different periods during the war for Independence were :

John Coe, John Coleman, Johannes Vanderbilt, James Kant,

John Smith, Derek Vanderbilt, Theodorus Polhemus, David Pye,

Johannes I. Blauvelt.

' The duties of these men were multifarious. The selection of officers
for the local militia ; the oversight of the election of delegates to the
Provincial Congress ; the general care of property and persons in their pre-
cincts ; the prevention of treasonable correspondence with the enemy, and
the preservation of the law. \ In the execution of these duties, the commit-
tee in this County was in constant communication, at first with the com-
mittee in New York City and later with the Provincial Congress. In no

68

instance was complaint made against the justice of its acts by unbiased
parties, and it stands in history as the connecting link between the royal
government of the past and the constitutional government of the present.

On July 31, 177s, David Pye, notified the Provincial Congress, that
Captain* Robert Johnson had completed the enlistment of a company for
the Continental Army and was ready for arms.

On Nov. 17th, 177s, the Orangetown Committee of Safety met at the
house of John Van Dolsa, Jr., in Haverstraw Precinct, to join with the com-
mittee from Haverstraw in the selection of field officers. Disappointed by
the non-appearance of the Haverstraw Committee, the deputation pro-
ceeded to select officers for their own township.

Local jealousy, the curse of every military and civil movement from the
creation of the Continental Congress till the adoption of the Federal Con-
stitution, obtained in this section in the early days of the Revolution, and
at length grew so strong as to. draw letters of complaint from David Pye
and Major E. W. Kiers as early as Feb. 24, 1776.

In the second and third Provincial Congresses, from Nov. 14th, 177S,
till Tune 30th, 1776, John Haring of this County was President /;'<? tern;
A , Hawks Hay was appointed chairman of the committee for the appor-
tionment of the different quotas of men and officers in the Colony ; Messrs.
Allison and Pye were created a committee to inquire into the reasons why
Capt. Blauvelt's company had not drafted its quota of men to reinforce the
Continental Army ;* and John Haring was appointed a member of the
committee to consider the resolutions passed by the Continental Congress.

The 4th Provincial Congress was to meet in New York City on July
8th, 1776, but before that date a British fleet appeared in the lower bay,
and instead of New York, the Congress met at White Plains. The dele-
gates from this. Orange County, elected to that Congress were :

William Allison, David Pye, Isaac Sherwood, Archibald Little,

John Haring, Thomas Cutwater, Joshua H. Smith, Jeremiah Clarke,

At the moment the Congress met, it received intelHgence of the adoption
of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress, a measure
it approved by unanimous vote. On the second day of the .session, July
1 0th, the name of the Assembly was changed from the " Provincial Con-
gress of the Colony " to that of the " Convention of the Representatives of
the State of New York," and its first act was to appoint a committee for
the purpose of drafting a State Constitution. Thirteen members were
placed on this committee, among whom was Henry Wisner of Orange
County.

•See Page 78.

69

The changing scenes of war compelled the convention to migrate from
place to place, and it held brief sessions at Harlem, King's Bridge, Yon-
kers, White Plains, Fishkill, and finally Kingston, where it continued in ses-
sion from March 6th, till May 13th, 1777. At Kingston, the committee
on the Constitution pursued its labors in peace and at last on March 12,
1777, reported the result of its work. The committee's draft was under
consideration for more than a month, and was finally adopted April 20th.
The first Constitution was printed at Fishkill, by Samuel Loudon, on the
only patriot press in the State, and was the first book ever printed in the
Commonwealth. Leaving the Constitution for a moment, let us look at
local events.

While these greater deeds of statesmanship were being enacted by the
Provincial Assembly, the Committee of Safety in this County was by no
means idle. Busied at first in enlisting troops and selecting officers, it
soon found occasion for active duty in watching the enemy and protecting
the property of patriots from the depredations of the Tories. On July
29th, 1776, an order was issued from Clarkstown, notifying Dennis Sny-
•den, Jesse Snyden, William Snyden and Samnel Snyden, not to run, nor
employ any one to run, nor even to keep a boat as a ferry, and all people
were warned to hold no communication with them as they were notori-
ously disloyal. At the same time the printer was directed to correct an
error by which the name of John Snyder, a firm patriot, was given instead
of that Robert Snyden, as a pilot of the British ships in their voyages
up the river.

Early in the struggle, Col. Allison had been ordered by the Provincial
Congress to obtain all the saltpetre possible and have it manufactured
into gunpowder, and later, Col. Benjamin Tusteen and Theunis Cuyper
were directed to buy all the woolen cloth, linsey woolsey, blankets, woolen
hose, mittens, coarse linen, felt hats and shoes obtainable, and to have the
linen made up into sheets. For the perfection of this object the Assembly
advanced ;£'iOO to each of the committee.

On November 9th, 1776, Joshua Hett Smith made a motion in the
Convention that Thomas Outwater and others attend to their duties as
deputies, or show cause on pain of punishment for contempt. Evidently
this motion was adopted and a committee appointed to call the attention
of the delinquents to its force, lor on December nth, Henry Wisner in-
formed the Convention, that Messrs. Outwater and Sherwood declined to
act as members of their body.

When the first Provincial Congress adjourned on July 8th, 1775, it left
a Committee of Safety, composed of members from its body, to exercise the

70

executive duties of the Colony. The existence of this committee ceased at
Kingston, March 5, 1777. On May 3d, of the same year, a Council of
Safety, composed of thirteen members, was appointed to administer the
government of the State till a Governor could be elected and the Legisla-.
ture meet. This committee exercised the power of government till Sep-
tember loth, 1777, and again from October 8th, of that year, till January
7th, 1 778, when it was superceded by a Legislative Convention, that was
in session from that date till the assembling of the Legislature on January
28th, 1778.

It is now necessary to view briefly the State Constitution. According
to its provisions, the elective franchise for Governor, Lieutenant Governor
and Senators was granted to resident freeholders possessed of real estate
of the value of ;^ 100 over and above all debts charged thereon. All male
inhabitants, who had resided in the County for six months preceding the elec-
tion and who owned real estate in the County valued at ;£'20, or paid a
yearly rent of forty shillings, and actually paid taxes, were entitled to vote
for Members of Assembly. No discrimination was made against race or
color, except that negroes were required to produce authenticated certifi-
cates of freemen. Elective officers were limited to the Governor, Lieu-
tenant Governor, Senators, Assemblymen, Town Clerks, Supervisors,
Assessors, Constables and Collectors. Loan officers. County Treasurers,
and Clerks of Boards of Supervisors were to be appointed by the direction
of the Legislature. One clause of this Constitution shows more clearly
than anything ever written or spoken, the ignorance of the people con-
cerning the completeness of the revolution they had accomplished. So
long had they been accustomed to an executive who was irresponsible ta
them, who was an appointee of the crown, that they failed to realize that
the ruler they had created was as much a creature of their making as the
Assembly ; that the executive as well as the legislative power was granted
by their franchise.

Thus failing in the power of conception, the people confined the power
of the Governor to the smallest possible limit, and extended the power of
the Assembly. The Governor could not make an appointment, nor had
he the sole power of nomination for appointment. This function was
performed "by a Council of Appointment chosen from the Senate, and in
that Council the Governor was to have " a casting voice, but no other
vote."

The new Constitution was immediately enforced and the election of
officers under it begun. The result of that election was the choice of
George Clinton for Governor. He took the oath of office at Kingston on

71

July 30th, 1777, but being in active command of the militia at the time,
did not assume its duties till after the surrender of Burgoyne on October
17th ; and Pierre Van Cortlandtfor Lieutenant Governor. From the Mid-
dle Senatorial District, composed of Dutchess, Orange and Ulster Coun-
ties, six Senators were chosen, among whom was Henry Wisner of this
County ; and from Orange County four members of Assembly were elected,
among whom were Theunis Cuyper and Roeloff Van Houten.

Among the officers appointed were County Judges John Haring,
Thomas Cuyper, Elihu Marvin and John Wheeler ; Isaac Nicholl was made
Sheriff; Benjamin Tusteen, Jr., Surrogate, and Thomas Moffat, County
Clerk.

Let me now briefly recapitulate the various steps in the progress of
the revolution in the civil government in this State. By a spontaneous
call from twelve of the colonies, a Continental Congress was determined
on in 1774. For the nomination and election of deputies to that Con-
gress, the Sons of Liberty in New York recommended the several counties
in the Province to elect delegates to a Provincial Convention, to be held in
New York City on April 20th, 1775. To this recommendation nine of
the sixteen counties responded. The next step was the choosing by the
patriots in New York city of a Committee of One Hundred as a Commit-
tee of Resitance, or a War Committee, and from the members composing
it a Committee of Sixty was created for greater activity. At the sugges-
tion of this Committee, each county elected a local Committee of Safety,
to preserve law and order. At the further request of the Committee of
One Hundred, each county proceeded to elect delegates to a Provincial
Congress, which met first on May 22d, 1775 — ^ little over a month before
the General Assembly of the Colony adjourned never to meet again.
The Provincial Congress selected a Committee of Safety from its body, to
"exercise the executive duties of the Province when the Congress was not
in session, which remained in existence from July 8th, 1775, till March 6th,
1777. On the 3d of May, 1777, a Council of Safety was formed, from
the members of the Congress, to exercise authority till a Governor was
elected and the Legislature could meet, and existed till September loth,
1777; and on the adjournment of the Legislature in October, a second
Council of Safety was appointed, with the same powers as the first, which
remained in control till the State Government was fully organized in
January, 1778. Meantime, at the recommendation of the Continental
Congress, the Provincial Congress had appointed a committee to draft a
State Constitution in 1776, a work which was successfully completed and
the result adopted on April 20th, 1777.

72

I have been thus prolix on the civil history of the Revolution, because
it is by far the most important of the events of that or any subsequent
time. The battle of Lexington and the siege of Boston were a resistance
to a government. The battles preceding the adoption of State Constitutions
were for the overthrow of a government. But governments had been over-
turned before and have been overturned since, only to eventually re-obtain
• power. The colonist's task was not only to demolish a form of govern-
ment, but tp erect a new form and a better one in its stead.

Carefully, thoughtfully, they set to the self-appointed task ; maintained
order in the midst of the license of war ; continued steadfastly at the work
though often compelled to rapidly change the place of their sittings by
reason of the proximity of the enemy, and at length produced a form of
rule in which the people were absolute, in which self-government was the
only power that could control the State. And at the very time of its
adoption, the myrmidons of the government they had thrown off were
preparing to invade this State in overwhelming numbers.

That in many respects that first Constitution, judged by the light of
the experience we stand in, was crude and incorrect, cannot be gainsaid ;
and, doubtless, were its framers with us to-day, they would see the defects
and vote for their change as readily as we. But the advance from king
rule to self-rule was as absolute, as in the untried experiment, men could
see.

As a vital factor in the demolition of the old, and the creation and
erection of the new form of government, this County stands well to the
fore. She was one of the nine that responded to the call for a Provincial
Convention and a deputy from her was sent to the Continental Congress.
She sent her delegates to every Provincial Congress that met ; and from
those delegates one was chosen a member of the committee that framed the
new rules of government. We are to turn now and view her actions in"
another sphere — the struggle to render the new rules of government pos-
sible.

The members from Orange County to the General Assembly of the
Colony, beginning with the Eighth Assembly in 1701, were:

Eighth Assembly.

August 19th, 1701, to May 3rd, 1702.

Peter Haring.

Ninth and Tenth Assemblies.

From October 20th, 1702, till May 5th, 1707.

Floris Crom.

73

Eleventh Assembly.

From August i8th, 1708, till January 5th, 1709.

Michael Hawdon.

Twelfth Assembly.

From April 6th, till November 12th, 1709.

Peter Haring.

Thirteenth and Fourteenth Assemblies.

From September ist, 1710, till March 3d, 1713.

Hendrick Ten Eyck.

Fifteenth and Sixteenth Assemblies.

From May 27th, 1713, till August nth, 1715.

^Cornelius Haring.

Seventeenth Assembly.

From June 5th, 1716, till August loth, 1726.

Peter Haring. Cornelius Cuyper.

Eighteenth and Nineteenth Assemblies.

From September 27th, 1726, till November 25th, 1727.

Lancaster Symes. Cornelius Haring.

Twentieth Assembly.

From July 23d, 1728, till May 3d, 1737.

Lancaster Symes. Cornelius Haring. Vincent Matthews.

Twenty-first Assembly.

From June 15th, 1737, till October 20th, 1738.

Vincent Matthews. Cornelius Cuyper.

Twenty-second and Twenty-third Assemblies.

From March 27th, 1739, till May 14th, 1745.

Gabriel Ludlow. Thomas Gale.

Twenty-fourth Assembly.

From June 2Sth, 1745, till November 25th, 1747.

Thomas Gale. Abraham Haring.

Twenty-fifth Assembly.

From February 12th, 1748, till July 2ist, 1750.

Thomas Gale. Theodorus Snedeker.

Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh Assemblies.

From July 24th, 1750, till December 17th, 1758.

Theodorus Snedeker. Samuel Gale, who died in 1757, then Vincent Matthews.

Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth Assemblies.
From January 31st, 1759, till February 6th, 1768.
Abraham Haring. Henry Wisner.

Thirtieth Assembly.

From October 27th, 1768, till January 2d, 1769.

Henry Wisner. Selah Strong.

74

Thirty-first Assembly.

From April 4th, 1769, till April 3d, 1775, and forever.

Samuel Gale. John De Noyelles, who died and was succeeded by John Coe,

DEPUTIES TO PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

First Congress.
From May 22d, 1775, till November 4th, 1775.

Jeremiah Clarke,
Israel Seely,
Jesse WoodhuU.

John Coe, Peter Clowes,

David Pye, William Allison,

Michael Jackson, Abraham Lent,

Benjamin Tusteen, JohnHaring,

Second Congress.
From November 14th, 1775, till May 13th, 1776.
John Heiring, President'/ra tern.
Peter Clowes. Jeremiah Clarke, John Haring,

William Allison, Theunis Cuyper, A. Hawks Hay.

Third Congress.

From May 14th, till June 30th, 1 776.

John Haring, President /ro tern.

Joshua H. Smith, Peter Clowes,

Thomas Outwater, Roelofi Van Houten,

Isaac Sherwood,

Fourth Congress.
From July 9th, 1776, till May 13th, 1777.
David Pye, Isaac Sherwood,

Thomas Outwater, Joshua H. Smith,

Henry Wisner,
William Allison,
Archibald Little,

William Allison,
John Haring,

David Pye,
John Haring,

Archibald Little,
Jeremiah Clarke.

STATE LEGISLATURE.

Council of Appointment.

John Haring, appointed July 22d, 1782.

First Session.

Senate.

Henry Wisner.

Assembly.

Jeremiah Clarke,
John Hathorn,

Theunis Cuyper,
RoeloffVan Houten.

Jeremiah Clarke,
Benjamin Coe,

Second Session.
* Senate.
Henry Wisner.
Assembly,
John Coe,
Peter Ogilvie,

Third Session

Senate,
Henry Wisner.

RoeloffVan Houten,

75

Assembly.
John Coe, Thomas Moffat,

John Hathorn, Bezaleel Seely, Jr.

Fourth Session.

Senate.

Henry Wisner.

Assembly.

Jeremiah Clarke, Bezaleel Seely, Jr.

David Pye, John Stagg.

Fifth Session.

Senate.

John Haring, Henry Wisner.

Assembly.

Jeremiah Clarke, John Stagg,

John Hathorn, John Suffern.

Sixth Session.

Ending March 23d, 1783.

Senate.

William Allison, John Haring.

Assembly.
Jeremiah Clarke, John Hathorn,
Gilbert Cooper, John Stagg.

Delegates to the Continental Congress.

September, 1774.

John Haring, Henry Wisner.

April 20th, 1775.

Henry Wisner.

March 19th, 1785.

John Haring.
March 29th, 1785.

John Haring.
February 27th, 1786.

John Haring.

January 26th, 1787.

John Haring.

Authorities referred to : " Field Book of the Revolution," Vols. II., B. J. Lossing. " Bry-
ant's History United States," Vols. IV., S. H. Gay. " Force Papers." " The New York Civil
List." " History of Orange County," S. W. Eager.

CHAPTER VI.

THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.

THE MILITIAMEN OF OUR COUNTY AT THE OUTBRF.AK OF THE WAR— IN-
SUBORDINATION AMONG THEM— THE BUILDING OF FORT CLINTON—
THE WATER FRONT VISITED BY THE ENEMY'S FLEET— RETREAT OF
THE CONTINENTAL ARMY THROUGH THE COUNTY— THE FORAGES OF
THE ENEMY IN OUR COUNTY AND THE PATRIOTIC STRUGGLE TO
DEFEND IT— WASHINGTON ENCAMPS AT RAMAPO— FROM THENCE
MARCHES TOWARD PHILADELPHIA— THE BATTLE OF FORT CLINTON—
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WEST POINT CHAIN— MASSACRE AT OLD
TAPPAN— CAPTURE OF STONY POINT BY THE BRITISH— ITS RECAPTURE
BY GENERAL WAYNE— THE CONTINENTAL ARMY ENCAMPS AT TAP-
PAN— THE TREASON OF ARNOLD— TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF ANDRE-
MARCH OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY THROUGH THE COUNTY TO
BESIEGE YORKTOWN.

Civil war tests men. In it there can be no wavering, no middle course,
for wavering is equivalent to treason, and a refusal to assume the responsi-
bility of supporting one or the other side betrays mental weakness or
personal selfishness. Ideas, the grandest attributes of humanity, obtain
full sway, and, supported by an idea, the partisan of one or the other
faction will abandon all save the principle he seeks to make dominant.
For a time passion eclipses reason, and destroys all ties of love or friend-
ship. Neighbors are separated by their differing views of a momentous
subject of statesmanship, and family relations are abruptly severed. Hu-
manity is so constituted, that when a discussion of national polity passes
into a conflict for the supremacy of one of the other views, it makes a per-
sonal of a political matter, and, foretime friends becoming enemies, each
contestant recalls the many kindnesses and favors he has rendered to his
opponent, and grows to look upon that opponent not only as a traitor,
who seeks the ruin of their common country, but also as ati ungrateful
wretch who has no thankfulness for past benefits. Hence, while combat-
ants in battle may listen to appeals for mercy from an alien fOe, and render
the horrors of war as merciful as possible by sparing property and life,
they regard with dull ears the plea for quarter of their foretime neigh-
bors, and witness the destruction of their possessions without pity.

Yet in every rebellion there will be found, within the revolting section,
three classes of people, who, either from love of the existing form of
government, motives of interest, or fear of war, oppose and harass in every

n

possible manner the revolutionary armies. Our war for independence was
no exception to this rule. Many people in these provinces loved and
revered the government of Great Britain, regarded the uprising of the
colonists against her as unfilial and outrageous, and either gave to the
British their open aid by enlisting in the ranks, or- more secretly by con-
veying to them information of the strength and resources of the Conti-
nental troops. This class found it advisable at the close of the war to
follow their allies from our shores, and many, abandoning their worldly
possessions, found new homes in England or her colonies.

Another class, uncertain as to which side would bear off the palm of
victory, remained non-partisan, hoping by the assumption of neutrality to
escape a confiscation of their property no. matter what the result. The
third class was composed of a mixed assembly of deserters and cowards,
who abandoned their homes from fear of being pressed into service, and
who, skulking along the outskirts of the armies, enriched themselves by
the robbery of private property, the rifling of the dead upon the field of
battle, or the betrayal alike of friend or foe for a few pieces of gold.
Rockland County contained representatives from all these classes, and the
history of that period is replete with accounts of the collisions and forays
which occurred between them and the many patriots.

The militia of this, as of the other counties of the State, had long been
organized under the command of the English Governor. At the last
official inspection under the old regime, June 2, 1773, two regiments, three
battalions, twenty-three companies composed the force of Orange County
and this force was officered by two Colonels, three Lieut-Colonel, three
Majors, twenty-three Captains, forty-six Lieutenants, and twenty-three
Ensigns.

By no means did this force represent the patriot feeling in the County.
Before the close of 1776, the Chairman of the Committee of Safety for the
County — Daniel Coe — estimated the total strength of the militia as 280
men, most of them unarmed, one-third of whom were disloyal. The first
duty of the Committee of Safety, as we have seen was to organize a
military force, for the purpose of guarding the County, on which they
could depend. In Orangetown, Colonel Lent, long a commissioned
officer in the militia, was given command of the troops, and in Haverstraw
Colonel A. Hawks Hay organized a regiment. Lent's command was brief
On Dec. 22, 177S, he obtained his commission from the Provincial Con-
gress, and on March 26, 1776, he resigned. This act was caused by the
jealousy and ' insubordination of the rank and file under his command, a
condition largely produced, doubtless, by the ignorance among the troops.

78

tiot only of the discipline needed but even of the language in which the
orders were given. The insubordination among the Orangetown troops at
last reached so alarming a state, that Colonel Hays was ordered to place
seven of the ringleaders of Captaih Blauvelt's company under arrest and
send them to the city of New York.*

The resignation of Lent resulted in the breaking up of the Orange-
town regiment into separate companies of Minute men, who, under the
lead of local officers, did good duty in defending our shores.

All the militia of both Orange and Ulster Counties were formed into
a brigade commanded by General George Clinton. As Minute men^ they
were to assemble at the firing of two guns from Fort Montgomery, and
two from Fort Lee, and these -were to be answered by two at New Wind-
sor. The capture and destruction of Forts Lee and Montgomery ended
this signal, and the Minute men then depended on the beacon fires that
blazed on the mountain tops. These beacons came into universal use
through all the Colonies and flashed the news of the enemy's movement
from peak to peak, rendering such helpful service to the sore-pressed
patriots, that it seems a not inapt conceit to say, the American Colonists,
like the sore tried people of Israel, were led out of bondage by a pillar of
fire by night and a pillar of a cloud by day.

So far, the worthy settlers in this County had but heard rumors con-
cerning the hostile movements in the east. The battles of Lexington and
Bunker Hill had been fought, and Boston was under siege when, in the
autumn of 1775, the constuction of the first fortification on the present
soil of Rockland County, Fort CHnton, was begun. This work, situated
on the south bank of Peploaps t Kill, about one hundred and twenty feet
above the river, was built of stones and earth and could contain a garrison
of four hundred men. It was designed and commenced by Bernard Ro-
mans, and completed by Captain Thomas Machin. Immediately to the
west and but a few paces from the fort, was Lake Sinipink, now known as
Highland Lake, and from the Lake to the steep river bluff, across the nar-
row road which led to the fort, were placed strong abatis. At the same
period, the fort on Stony Point was determined on for the purpose, not
only of supporting the forts higher up, but also, in conjunction with a pro-
posed fort on Verplancks Point, to protect the ferry.

Ere these works were finished, Boston had been evacuated,- and the
scene of action was changed to New York. On June 29th, 1776, General
Hdwe arrived at Sandy Hook with his troops and a large fleet; and on

* See Page 68.

+ See note at end of Chapter.

79

July 1 2th, the ships of war Phcenix, 44 guns, and Rose, 21 guns, with four
cutters, all protected by sand bags, sailed up the river past the American
batteries, and came to anchor in the Tappan Zee.

This was the first time the residents of the County had looked upon a
hostile armament, and, though unaccustomed to war, they opposed their
enemy so firmly and with such vigilance as to frustrate his attempts to ob-
tain fresh provisions and water or to convey arms to the Tories.

On August 27th, the battle of Long Island was fought, and, two days
later, the long retreat of Washington began. New York was evacuated,
Harlem was evacuated, and the Continental Army, pressed back step by
step, at last occupied a line from the Hudson at Tarrytown to the Heights
at Northcastle. At this time, November 8th, 1776, Washington deter-
mined to retreat into New Jersey with all his army, save the New England
troops, and the movement was speedily begun. Part of the army crossed
from Tarrytown to Sneden's Landing, where General Greene covered
their debarkation with 500 men and one gun ; part crossed from Croton
Point to Piermont, then Tappan Slote, and on November 9th, Lord Ster-
ling, with 1,200 men, crossed at Kings Ferry and seized the pass at Long
Clove, followed next day by Col. Hand with i ,000 troops ■ and General
Bell with 1,700, belonging to Putnam's Division.

Washington after inspecting the works at Peekskill and vicinity,
crossed on the 13th, and joined his army, making his headquarters at
Hackensack. On November 1 8th, General Howe crossed the river in pur-
suit of the Americans, and landed at Closter with 6,000 troops. With the
retreat through New Jersey, it is not my province to deal. The effect of
that retreat and the presence of the enemy, roused every Tory in northern
New Jersey and southern New York, and Loyalists not only openly joined
the British and obtained arms from them, but they joined with the foe in
overrunning the southeastern part of the County, till Orangetown wasj
well nigh wrested from the patriots

To resist this elated enemy was a militia, half-armed, half-clothed,
half-starved, and wholly insubordinate. Both officers and men were new
to military duty. The opportunities granted to raw recruits in other
countries and in the French wars in this country, the drills and encamp-
ments that gave them confidence in themselves and in their officers, had
been prevented by the startling rapidity with which events had transpired,
and our militiamen were now called on for action and answered that call,
fearful of each other, distrusting their commanders, and in terror of the
enemy. Their families had been left in many cases without meal, wood,
or -fodder for their cattle ; never wealthy, their poverty now rendered their

8o

condition more pitiable, and the sight of their Tory neighbors, well
dressed and enriched by the money of the King, while it did not touch
their honor did cause them to grow mutinous. So widespread had this
feeHng become that on November 5 th, 1766, General Green, then at
Kings Ferry, threatened to place Colonel Hays' regiment under guard
and send it to Fort Lee for duty if the men did not change their conduct.

To protect the patriots, as well as to hold so important a communica-
tion, Col. Huntington was sent to the Ramapo Pass — then called Sidman's
Pass — shortly after the army crossed the river, and began the building of
barracks and the erection of earthworks. But his presence, instead of
overawing the Loyalists, encouraged them to devise a plan for capturing
his forces. In this condition of affairs. Col. Hays appealed to Gen. Heath,
who was in command at Peekskill, to send him aid for -the protection of
the military stores at Haverstraw. In response to this urgent request,
Brigadier- Gen. Scott was ordered to cross to Haverstraw with his brigade
and assist in guarding the country,. Scott's troops crossed on November
26th, 1776.

Finding themselves in greater strength, the Americans now assumed
the offensive. Col. Tyler's regiment was dispatched from Ramapo to
Tappan, while Col. Malcolm, with one hundred men and several volunteer
commissioned and non-commissioned officers, was sent to Nyack, opposite
which lay the enemy's fleet. On December 3d, 1776, Malcolm wrote Gen.
Heath that he had stationed two guards a mile apart to prevent the British
from landing ; that the fleet consisted of 2 ships, 2 galleys, i schooner, a
transport brig and sloop ; and that the previous week parties from the
vessels had landed twice, and besides looting a house, had carried off some
cattle.

On the arrival of Malcolm at Nyack, Tyler withdrew to Ramapo, which
he reached on December 4th with six companies of his regiment, having
left two at Haverstraw. Whether Tyler's withdrawal had encouraged the
enemy, or whether they had been exasperated ,by his sharp actions with
thetp, does not appear ; but whatever the reason, they organized a raid
which filled the people south of the mountain with terror and drew down
upon themselves sharp retalliation. On December 7th, the combined force
of Tories and cowboys entered Tappan, and, after maltreating such patriots
as they could find, and destroying and stealing whatever of value they
could reach, they finally withdrew, after cutting down the liberty pole,
taking with them the father of an officer in Malcom's regiment as a pris-
oner, and driving off a horse and yoke of oxen.

Malcolm, believing he was to be attacked, took post in the moun-
tain gorge at the Slote, and stationing his guns in the road, deployed his
men on both sides of the pass. The next day, he marched down into
Bergen County and carried consternation into the Tory lines, driving them
in headlong speed from their homes and capturing one of their number.

This foray of the enemy called from the County Committee of Safety
an urgent request to General Clinton for aid, and the same day that their
petition was forwarded, Dec. 9th, Clinton was ordered to march to New
City with 1,500 men.

On Dec. nth, 1776, Colonel Malcom sent word to General Heath that
he was as completely isolated in Clarkstown as he would be in an enemy's
country ; that he could obtain no news of the movements of his foe save
through his own scouts ; that the tories were recruiting and obtaining
arms; and that with the force at his command, it was unsafe to attempt to
protect Tappan. Upon the receipt of this information, Heath immediately
left Peekskill and marched with 2,000 men to Tappan, which he reached
on Dec. 12th. Remaining there two days, he then advanced to Hacken-
sack, effectually crushing the Tory spirit by his presence. As soon as
General Heath left Tappan, Colonel Allison was ordered to move into
Orangetown with his regiment, while Colonel Hasbrouck was to remain at,
Haverstraw to afford support if needed.

The year 1777 opened in gloom for the American cause, Washington's
army, encamped near Morristown, was an army that had steadily witnessed
defeat, while Howe, who had returned with his troops to New York, was
flushed with victory. Anxiously Washington awaited the English com-
mander's next move. Already, in the previous year, a plan had been
agreed upon, whereby Carleton was to force his way from Canada to the
Hudson, and be met by Howe on that river, thus dividing New England
from the Sduthern States. It was partly in pursuance of this movement
that the ships of war had passed up to Haverstraw Bay. Failure had
greeted the attempt, but the project was only postponed, and this year
saw the beginning of a new campaign, in which Burgoyne instead of
Carleton commanded the Northern army. Whether Howe would attempt
to force his way through the Hudson Highlands to meet Burgoyne, or sail
for Philadelphia, was the perplexing question.

To be prepared for either movement, Washington marched his army
northward, and on July 15 th had it encamped in Ramapo valley. On the
23d of the same month he established his headquarters at Ramapo, and,
from the summit of the Torne, often anxiously scanned the distant ocean
and bay near Sandy Hook, to learn if possible the movements of the

82

British fleet. At length, receiving positive information that the fleet had
passed out to sea, and feeling assured that Philadelphia was its destina-
tion, Washington broke. camp and marched with his army to that city.

A legend, founded on one of the visits of the Commander to the
Torne, remains to this day. While on its summit, on one occasion, Wash-
ington was winding his watch when it accidently slipped from his hands,
leaving the key in his grasp, and fell into a deep crevice. The fall, instead
of stopping the timepiece, seemed to confer upon it a perpetual motion, and
the visitor to the Torne can hear its ticking even at this time.

Two months after the departure of the main army for Philadelphia,
Aaron Burr, then ranking as Lieutenant-Colonel, was at Sufierns in com-
mand of Malcom's regiment — September, 1777.

The Ramapo valley, or Sidman's Pass, was the great pathway from
West Point and New Windsor to the country. south of the Highlands, and
was in almost constant use by some portions of the army from 1776 till
the close of the war. Through its narrow defile Burgoyne's army passed
as prisoners, on their long march from New England to Virginia in the
autumn of 1778. In June, 1779, it was again the camping place of the
Continental Army, and was strongly intrenched at that time. The re-
mains of the intrenchments are still visible, and reHcs of its military occu-
pation are not few.

After the capture of Stony Point by " Mad Anthony " Wayne, on
July 1 6th, 1779, a detachment of British prisoners were placed in a barn
belonging to Abram De Baun, standing one-eighth of a mile east of
Erastus Johnson's, and one-eighth of a mile north of the highway in
Ramapo. One of the prisoners in his dreams cried " Fire !" and the
guard, mistaking the source of the oi-de'r, did fire on the prisoners, killing
three and wounding eighteen.

Throughout the whole struggle, Sidman's Pass was the resort of cow-
boys, who issued forth upon their raids either into New Jersey, that por-
tion of Orange County north of the mountains, or the fertile country east
of Sufferns ; and the name of Claudius Smith and his band of cut-throats
still carries recollections of many a midnight horror to the descendants of
the old settlers near the clove. At the time ol the Revolution this whole
section was known as West New- Hempstead.

On one of the occasions when the Continental army was encamped in
Ramapo Clove an attempt to force it was contemplated by the British,
which was only frustrated by a happy ruse. A notorious spy, whose in-
formation was regarded as reliable by the foe, was captured in the Ameri-
can camp. He was at once tried by drumhead court martial, found guilty,
and sentenced to be executen on the following morning.

83

Before the hour appointed for punishment arrived, the father, mother
and brother of the condemned man entered camp and entreated permis-
sion to visit the prisoner. This was granted under necessary restrictions.
During the interview the commanding officer — said to have been General
Greene — happened to pass the room where the spy was confined, and,
hearing the lamentations, went in. The mother of the prisoner fell at
Greene's feet and entreated him to spare her son, but was greeted with the
stern response that her son must die in an hour. After leaving the room
Greene paced thoughtfully to and fro for a few moments and then returned
to the spy's chamber. Again the mother begged for her boy's life and
Greene finally 'acquiesced on condition that the spy should immediately
repair to the enemy's camp and report that the American army, six thou-
sand strong, had begun to advance and would fall upon the British within
an hour.

The prisoner at once consented to this plan. Greene was evidently
cautious, for he further stipulated, that the prisoner's brother should take
his place, and that, if the foe did not begin a retreat upon hearing the
spy's report, the brother should be hung. At first that proposed hostage
demurred to the arrangement, but the entreaties of his parents caused him
at length to reluctantly yield.

In a short time all but the two brothers withdrew from the room. Then
an officer appeared and removed the irons from the spy to his brother.
Shortly after an old woman brought a knapsack and placed it beside the
door of the prison room. Presently the spy came out, shouldering the
knapsack, stole from the building, and, after dodging from an outhouse to
the barn, skulked to the woods which were near by.

General Greene was so confident of the success of his artifice that the
next morning he moved, with a strong detachment upon the enemy's line.
On arriving at their encampment a curious spectacle was presented.

The artillery and baggage was found scattered in the utmost confusion,
not a tent was struck, and the fires were actually still smoking under the
camp kettles. The foe had not been gone for over an hour when the
Americans arrived, and Greene's troops halted to make a hasty meal on
the viands that the frightened enemy had left.

The particulars of the retreat were afterwards learned from the spy.
On his arrival in the British camp he at once repaired to the command-
ant's tent, with his hat and coat pierced with bullet holes. In that tent he
found a large party of officers assembled, before whom he related a won-
derful tale of Greene's advance and tremendous force, stating that he had
inadvertently ran into the advance skirmish line and only escaped after the
bullets had cut his clothing and grazed his flesh.

84

The British officers were seized with a panic, and, at a council of war
which was hurriedly summoned, it was decided to begin an immediate
retreat. While this council was being held the spy passed from camp-fire
to camp-fire, spreading his direful news with additional lies until the troops
were in a fit condition for flight. When the orders came for withdrawal
from the camp they were obeyed with alacrity.

While Howe successfully prosecuted his Philadelphia campaign, Bur-
goyne had advanced into the Upper Hudson valley as far as Saratoga.
Almost all the way, he had met with earnest opposition, and at last in dire
distress sent word to Clinton, who commanded at New York in Howe's ab-
sence, to come up the river to his relief As soon as a reinforcement ar-
rived from England, Clinton started up the Hudson, with five thousand
men in flatboats and transports, on Saturday evening, October 4th, 1777,
and made a brief land at Tarrytbwn to draw General Putnam's attention
from the main point of his attack. On the following day, the British
transports proceeded to Verplanck's Point and three thousand troops de-
barked.

When Washington started to oppose Howe at Philadelphia, he left a
quantity of stores at Peekskill under the guard of General Putnam and a
large body of troops. In the course of the campaign about Philadelphia,
Putnam had been called on for detachments from these troops till at the
time of General Clinton's movement, his whole force amounted to only
about fifteen hundred militia. Believing, when Clinton landed at Ver-
planck's Point, that the destruction of the stores at Peekskill was his object,
Putnam fell back to high ground in the rear of that place, and sent for aid
to the Generals commanding Forts Clinton and Montgomery.

The strategem of Sir Henry Clinton was successful in drawing atten-
tion from his design on the Highland forts, and on the following morning,
October 6th, 1777, under the cover of a heavy fog, he crossed two thou-
sand troops to Stony Point, ten miles below Fort Clinton. The transports
were anchored near Stony Point ; a corps of Royalists remained at Ver-
planck's Point ; and the frigates Tartar, Preston and Mercury, proceeded
up the river to the southern entrance of the " Race."

Leaving a detachment near the present school house above Resolvert
Waldron's to keep communication open, the troops, consisting of Emerick's
corps of Chasseurs, a corps of loyalists and New York Volunteers, the
Fifty-second and Fifty-seventh British Regiments, under the command of
Colonel Campbell, one troop of the 17th Light Dragoons dismounted, and
a large body of Hessians, guided by a Tory named Peter Keesler, crossed
the Donderberg in single column, and at Doodletown separated into two

8s

divisions ; one, under Lieut-Col. Campbell, marching around the base of
Bear Hill to attack Fort Montgomery, the other, under the command of
Sir Henry Clinton was to storm Fort Clinton ; each detachment consisted
of about nine hundred men.

The forts were commanded by the brothers James and George Clinton,
and garrisoned by not more than six hundred mihtia from Dutchess,
Ulster, and Orange counties. On Sunday night, Governor CHnton
obtained the information that the British were off Tarrytown, and on
Monday morning had dispatched a scouting party of one hundred men
under Major Logan, to the Donderberg, to watch the enemy's movements.
This party soon returned with the news that about forty boats filled with
troops had landed at Stony Point. Dispatching a messenger named
Waterbury to General Putna'm for reinforcements. Governor Clinton
ordered a small detachment of thirty men to scout down the old king's
highway. At Doodletown, two and a half miles below the fort, this party
met the advance guard of the approaching British army, and, greeting the
demand for their surrender with a spirited volley, they retreated to the fort
without loss.

Confining our attention to the fortification within the present Rockland
County, Sir Henry Clinton, after a sufficient delay to permit of the left
wings reaching the rear of Fort Montgomery, pressed forward with the
right wing to the attack of Fort Clinton. After a severe fight at the
abatis, the English troops finally forced their way to the fort, and both
were invested about four o'clock in the afternoon. A flag, with a summons
for the garrisons to surrender as prisoners of war within five minutes or be
put to the sword, was received by Lieutenant- Colonel Livingston on the
part of the Americans, who replied that it had been determined to defend
the forts to the last extremity.

The battle was at once re -begun with great vigor. Commodore
Hotham brought his frigates within cannon shot and opened a desultory
fire, while the enemy pressed onward, gaining inch by inch. Twilight
ended the conflict and in the friendly darkness of a cloudy evening many
of the fugitive patriots escaped. General James Clinton, though severely
wounded, as well as his brother, the Governor, escaped; the latter by
swimming across the river with Surgeon Peter Vander Lynn. Lieutenant-
Colonels Livingston, Bruyn, and Claghery; and Majors Hamilton and
Logan were captured. The loss of the Americans in killed, wounded and
prisoners was about three hundred, while that of the British was one hun-
dred and forty in killed and wounded, among whom were Colonel Camp-
bell and Count Grabowski. Putnam did not send reinforcements because

86

he did not learn of the danger until too late, the messenger, Waterbury^
having treacherously delayed his journey. The following day Waterbury
joined the enemy.

In the confusion that followed the battle, and the short time allowed
for the destruction of the works and re-embarkation of the troops, little
heed was given to the burial of the slain ; the bodies of friend and foe
were alike tossed into Lake Sinipink, now Highland Lake, which was
called from that occurrence, " Bloody Pond," or " Hessian Pond," and
under these names is mentioned by Dr. Timothy Dwight — some time
President of Yale College — in the following letter :

" Early in May [1778], I went down the river in company with several
officers to examine the Forts Montgomery and Clinton, built on a point,
six or eight miles below West Point, for thfe defence of the river. The
first object which met our eyes, after we had left our barge and ascended
the bank, was the remains of a fire kindled by the cottagers of this soli-
tude, for the purpose of consuming the bones of some of the Americans
who had fallen at this place and had beeh left unburied. Some of the
bones were lying, partially consumed, round the spot where the fire had
been kindled, and some had evidently been converted into ashes. As we
went onward we were distressed by the foetor of the decayed human
bodies. * # * As we were attempting to discover the source from
which it proceeded, we found, at a small distance from Montgomery, a
pond of moderate size, in which we saw the bodies of several men who
had been killed in the assault on the fort. They were thrown into this
pond the preceding autumn by the British, when probably the water was
sufficiently deep to cover them. Some of them were covered at this time,
but at a depth so small as to leave them distinctly visible. Others had an
arm, a leg, and a part of the body above the surface. The clothes which
they wore when they were killed were still on them, and proved that they
were miHtia, being the ordinary dress of the farmers. Their faces were
bloated and monstrous, and their postures were uncouth, distorted, and in
the highest degree afflictive. My companions had been accustomed to
the horrors of war, and sustained the prospect with some degree of firm-
ness. To me, a novice in scenes of this nature, it was overwhelming.
* * * From this combination of painful objects we proceeded to Fort
Clinton, built on a rising ground at a small distance further down the
river. The ruins of this fortress were a mere counterpart to those of Fort
Montgomery. Everything combustible in both had been burned, and
what was not was extensively thrown down. Everything which remained
was a melancholy pictur.e of destruction."

87

Among the many munitions of war captured or destroyed, at the loss
of Forts Clinton and Montgomery, was the chain that had been stretched
across the river, and an unobstructed passage was now open to the enemy's
ships.

Congress at once determined to more strongly fortify the Hudson, and
in the early spring of 1778 work was begun at West Point. To add to
the forts a new chain was determined on, and Colonel Timothy Pickering,
Secretary of War, was ordered to consult Mr. Peter Townshen4, of Chester,
Orange County, in relation to its construction. Late on a Saturday night,
in March, 1778, Colonel Pickering, accompanied by Captain Thomas
Machin, the engineer in charge at West Point, arrived at Mr. Townshend's
house. That gentleman immediately consented to undertake the task,
and the party started that same night in a blinding snow storm for the
Sterling Iron Works. At daylight Sunday morning the forges were at
work, and for the six weeks following the fires were not extinguished. By
the middle of April the last link was finished, and on the ist of May,
1778, the chain was stretched across the Hudson. The iron used in its
construction was of equal parts of Long and Sterling Mine ore, each link
was two and a half inches square, about two feet long, and weighed about
one hundred and forty pounds ; ten links were fastened in the usual man-
ner, the eleventh was left open like an ox bow with bolt holes in the end
for the purpose of connecting the device with another section ; the total
weight of the chain was one hundred and eighty tons, and it was conveyed
to West Point by New England teamsters as rapidly as each section was
finished.

In September, 1778, a* horrible massacre occurred at Old Tappan.
Lord Cornwallis at that time held possession of the eastern portion of New
Jersey, and his foraging and scouting parties passed in all directions
through ' this section. At the same time General Knyphausen, with a
large force, was stationed at Dobb's Ferry on the east side of the river,
and Washington suspected that an expedition up the river was intended.
To watch the movements of the British, as well as to intercept their scouts
and foragers, the Third Regiment of Virginia Light Dragoons, under the
command of Lieutenant -Colonel Baylor, was dispatched to this section
and made their quarters at Old Tappan. Here they lay in such an un-
soldierly manner that Cornwallis determined to surprise and cut them to
pieces together with a body of militia under Wayne that was encamped a
little north of the present Orangeburg.

Baylor's troops were scattered in the houses and barns of the Blau-
velts, Demarests, Holdrums, Harings, and Bogarts, who resided in the

88

neighborhood, while he and his staff were at the ■ house of Cornelius
Haring. General Grey, who, from his practice of ordering his men to
remove the flints from their muskets that they might be confined to the
use of the bayonet, had acquired the name of " No Flint General,'' or
" No Flint Grey," was sent out on the night of September 27th, to approach
Baylor's detachment from the west, while a corps from Knyphausen's force
crossed the river to Sneden's and advanced upon the unsuspecting troops
from the east. _ Some deserters gave Wayne and his militia warning in
time to permit their escape, but Baylor's dragoons were left ignorant of
their danger.

At midnight. Grey cut off a sergeant's patrol of eleven men — one
having made his escape attempted to arouse Baylor but was too late — and
in an instant more was upon the main body. The surprise was complete,
and the unarmed and scarcely awakened troopers could but beg for quarter.
Their plea for mercy was vain. Grey, like Tyron, was merciless in his
forays, and on this occasion he had given special orders that no quarter
should be granted. In cold blood the helpless cavalrymen were bayoneted
or beaten to death, till out of the troop of one hundred and sixteen
twenty-eight were killed or mortally wounded, among whom was Major
Alexander Clough, and thirty-nine prisoners were taken — eight of whom
were severely wounded — among whom were Colonel Baylor and Surgeon
Thomas Evans. The prisoners were taken to Tappan and confined in the
old Dutch Church. ■ Seventy horses and considerable booty was also ob^
tained by the enemy. Among the few who escaped was Major William
Washington, who later, in the stirring campaign of the South, fully avenged
his comrades' slaughter. On Dec. 29th, 177*8, a division under General
Putnam crossed the river at Kings Ferry in batteaux and marched twelve
miles in a storm of snow and sleet, camping at Kakiat.

With the exception of raids by cowboys and the constantly recurring
conflicts between the patriots and Tories, nothing of import transpired in
this County till the end of May, 1779. The enemy had transferred the
scene of battle to the South and was overrunning Georgia and the Caro-
linas. To prevent the concentration of American troops before their
armies and to destroy the stores that had been collected, an expedition
under Admiral Collier and General Matthews had sailed early in May for
Virginia. At the close of that month this expedition returned and was
immediately used by Sir Henry Clinton in the attack on the forts at Ver-
planck's and Stony Points.

These works, included in the general plan of fortification agreed upon
in 177s, had been neglected till after the capture of Forts Montgomery-

89

and Clinton in 1*777. Then two small forts had been built at these points.
To obtain possession of these works was Sir Henry Clinton's object, and
in its furtherance he sailed from New York on May 30th, 1779, accom-
panied by General Vaughan, of Esopus fame, and Admiral Collier, who
commanded the fleet.

On the morning of May 3 ist, the division intended for the capture of
Stony Point, under the command of General Patterson, accompanied by
Sir Henry Clinton, landed at Grassy Point, and began their march toward
the fort. The garrison of that fort, consisting of only forty men, aban-
doned the Point and withdrew to the Highlands, upon the approach of the
enemy, and the works fell into the hands of the British without resistance.
On the following morning, June ist, 1779, the guns of the captured fort
reinforced by some cannon and mortars dragged up during the night,
opened a heavy fire against Fort Fayette, on Verplanck's Point, and on
the following day that fortress was surrendered.

Meantime Washington was encamped at Middlebrook, in New Jersey,
awaiting the enemy's movements. As soon as he learned that an expe-
dition had started up the Hudson, he put his army in motion toward the
Highlands, and by rapid marches, reached Sidman's Pass on June 7th,
1779, with five brigades and two Carolina regiments, and so disposed his
troops as to be able to reinforce a threatened point at once. At this time
the fortifications and earthworks erected in the Pass were greatly strength-
ened.

Meantime Clinton had ordered the enlarging and strengthening of the
captured forts, and supplied them with strong garrisons and necessary
stores. The force at Stony Point, under command of Lieutenat-Colonel
Johnson, consisted of the 1 7th Regiment of foot, the grenadier companies
of the 71st Regiment, and some artillery, in all amounting to a little over
six hundred men. As a further support, the British had several small war
vessels at anchor in the river within cannon shot of the forts.

Among the dispositions of his army, Washington had stationed Wayne
with the Light Infantry at a point not far from the Forest of Dean Mine,
now in Orange County, but little north of the old Haverstraw and Monroe
Turnpike, a position he occupied on July ist.

From the results of his own and the observations of Major Lee, of the
Light Dragoons, Washington determined upon expeditions to surprise and
recapture both Stony Point and Fort Fayette. July 15 th was fixed
upon as the day for the assault, and the hour of midnight as the time.
Wayne was appointed to the command of the detachment that was to
storm the Point, while that against Fayette was commanded by General

90

Howe. It is only necessary here to say that, through the error of a mes-
senger, the attack on Fort Fayette miscarried. On the morning of July
15 th, all the troops under Wayne's command, consisting of Massachusetts
men, were ordered to divest themselves of unnecessary accoutrements
and prepare for their march of twelve or fourteen miles. So necessary
was absolute secrecy and so numerous the watchful Tories, that it was
deemed unwise to send Wayne reinforcements. A brigade of troops in-
tended as a cover for the attacking force, should any accident befall it,
was started for the scene early in the morning, and at noon the march of
the main body began.

The day was intensely sultry, and the route of the troops through the
mountain defiles was such as to prevent the light air that was stirring from
reaching them. Without complaint they continued their march through
that long, hot afternoon, now scrambling over broken rocks, anon
threading their way single file across a morass, until at 8 o'clock in the
evening they had arrived at Springsteen's, a mile and a half from the fort.
Here a halt was called to allow a reconnoiter and rest the men. Each
soldier had a piece of white paper fastened to his hat to distinguish him in
the darkness, and the watchword of the night, that of the enemy : " The
fort's our own," was passed along the line. The muskets of all were un-
loaded so as to compel the use of the bayonet only. To still 'further secure
silence,, all the dogs in the neighborhood had been killed lest their barking
might alarm the enemy, and a negro guide named Pompey, the slave of
James Lamb, was obtained to lead the troops.

As strengthened by the British, several breastworks and strong bat-
teries were advanced in front of the fort, and about half way down the hill
were two rows of abattis ; the guns ranged so as to command the
beach and the only crossing place in the marsh that connects the Point
with the main land, and to infilade an advancing column.

Wayne intended to attack the works on the right and left flanks at the
same time, and made the following dispositions for that purpose : The
regiments of Febiger and Meigs with a detachment under Major Hull
formed the right ; and Butler's regiment, with two companies under Major
Murfree, formed the left column. One hundred and fifty volunteers under
Lieutenant-Colonel Fleury and Major Posey composed the van of the
right ; and one hundred volunteers under Major Stewart, the van of the
left; while each column was preceded by a forlorn hope of twenty men,
one under command of Lieutenant Gibbon, the other under that of Lieu-
tenant Knox, whose duty it was to remove the abattis and other obstruc-
tions.

91 ,

At half past eleven the silent march was begun. The first sentinel on
the high ground west of the morass, deceived by the negro whom he knew
and who had the countersign, was seized and gagged without giving an
alarm ; the silence of the sentinel on the road across the morass was gained
in the. same way, and Wayne's party succeeded in crossing the marsh to
the base of the rocks without discovery. General Muhlenburg with three
hundred men was left as a reserve on the main land.

At twelve-twenty o'clock the assault was begun. In an instant more
the advancing columns were discovered by the pickets, and, though the
surprise was complete, a frightful fire was opened by the British upon the
advancing troops. Undeterred, the Americans rushed on, passed the
breastworks, cleared the chevaux de frise at the sally-ports, mounted the
parapet, and entered the fort at the point of the bayonet, never ceasing in
the headlong charge till the van of each column met at the centre of the
works at the same instant. Colonel Fleury was the first to enter the fort
and strike the British flag, while at the same instant Major Posey mounted
the works, shouting the prophetic watchword: "The fort's our own."
The garrison surrendered at discretion, and not a life was taken after the
plea for quarter.

In this assault the Americans lost fifteen killed and eighty-three
wounded, among whom were General Wayne, who was slightly injured,
and Lieutenant- Colonel Hay. The forlorn hope of twenty men under
Lieutenant Gibbon lost seventeen killed or wounded. The British loss
was sixty-three killed, and Johnston, the commander, with five hundred
and forty-three officers and men together with the stores and munitions of
war, were captured. At two o'clock on the morning of July 1 6th, 1 779,
General Wayne sent to Washington the following despatch :

" Dear Gen'l — The fort and garrison with Col. Johnston are ours. Our
officers and men behaved like men who are determined to be free."

. I have already said that the attempt on Verplanck's point miscarried.
But a short distance down the river lay the British vessels, that had slipped
their cables and dropped out of gunshot during the attack on Stony Point.
Sir Henry Clinton was already marching to the relief of Fort Fayette,
with a large land force, and any attempt to capture it by siege would evi-
dently fail. Under these circumstances, combined with a belief that a
garrison of fully fifteen hundred men would be necessary to hold the
place, Washington ordered the stores removed from Stony Point and the
works destroyed. This was successfully accomplished, but in the moving
a galley, loaded with the heavy ordnance, was struck by a shot from the
British vessel Vulture and sunk off Caldwell's Point. On July 20th, 1779,

92

the British repossessed themselves of Stony Point, but only held it till the
middle of the following month, when Clinton ordered the evacuation of all
posts along the Hudson and concentrated his forces at New York.

In recognition of the bravery displayed in this brilliant enterprise.
Congress ordered a medal of gold struck and presented to Gen. Wayne,
and, with the thanks of that body, presented silver medals to De Fleury,
and Stewart ; while Lieutenants Gibbon and Knox were breveted captains.
At the recommendation of Washington, Congress further resolved, " that
the value of the military stores taken at Stony Point be ascertained and
divided among the gallant troops, by whom it was reduced, in such man-
ner and proportion as the Commander-in-Chief shall prescribe." That
proportion was scaled as follows : To the first man who entered the fort,
$500; to the second, $400; to the third, $300; to the fourth, $200, and
to the fifth, $100. The total value of the munitions captured amounted
to $158,640, which amount was to be divided among the troops.

The final abandonment of the river posts by the British, and the urgent
necessity of sending re-inforcemeets to Lincoln in the South, led to the
camp at Ramapo being broken up in the autumn of 1 779. The main body
of the army sought a winter cantonment about Morristown, strong detach-
ments being stationed at various points in the Highlands.

The year 1780 was pregnant with stirring events for this County.
Early in the season General Knyphausen crossed to New Jersey, led by
the reports of disaffection among the American troops, and at Springfield
sustained a battle which checked his further advance. But his continua-
tion at that place led Washington to suspect some ulterior design, and,
when information was conveyed to him that on June i8th Sir Henry
Clinton had returned from the conquest of South Carolina, believing the
fortifications in the Highlands to be his next object, Washington slowly
marched his army to Tappan and encamped at that place. Learning, to-
ward the close of July, that Clinton was about to attack the French allies
ere they could land and fortify themselves at Newport, Washington hastily
broke camp and, marching by the old Kings Highway through Haver-
straw to Stony Point, crossed Kings Ferry with the intention of attacking
New York. It was while waiting on this side of the ferry, on July 31st,
1780, that Benedict Arnold appeared and held the interview with the
Commander-in-Chief that led to his assignment to the command of West
Point.

The abandoment by Clinton of his design against Newport led to the
American Army retracing its steps. It again crossed at Kings Ferry and
marched back to Tappan, where it went into camp for the next few weeks.

93

■General Greene commanded the right and Lord Sterhng the left wing,
while six battalions of light infantry were stationed in advance of the main
body under the command of La Fayette.

I am now to take up the treason of Arnold and the trial and execu-
tion of John Andre. So much has been said and written on the whole
subject of that event that the story must be fresh in every mind, and my
duty is to only touch on such portions of the transaction as relate to this
County.

When Benedict Arnold took command at West Point he became
intimate with Joshua Hett Smith.

Lot No. 7 of the Cheesecocks Patent, through sale, became the pro-
perty of a William Smith, a lawyer and judge. At his death in 1769 he
left six sons, WiUiam, Thomas, John W., James, Samuel, and Joshua Hett ;
and several daughters. Lot 7 was left to Thomas by his father and was
occupied by his brother Joshua. The house on it, now known as the
"Treason House," was built probably about 1770. After the death of
Thomas Smith in 1795, this property came into the hands -of his son
Thomas, who died in 181 5. His heirs sold the place, containing 90 acres,
to WiUiam Nicolls for $5,500 on July 9th, 1832. Nicolls sold the place to
William C. Houseman in 1836 for $8,600, and he sold it to James A.
Houseman, of Alabama, in 1846. After Mr. Houseman's death the
property was sold to David Munn in 1 864, and he conveyed it to his son-
in-law, Adam Lilburn, in 187 1. It remained in Mr. Lilburn's possession
till 1883, when he sold it to Brewster J. Allison, the present owner.

Of the Smith family — Thomas was a lawyer in New York ; William
became one of the Tory Justices of that city during the Revolution ; and
of Joshua Hett, we are to learn more fully in these pages.

Owners of large landed property in Haverstraw, the Smiths were land-
lords with many tenants, and were thoroughly disliked by those tenants
for their proud carriage. In the excise of the franchise it was a not un-
common thing to hear the holders of land under them say that they
waited to see how the Smiths voted, and then they voted just the other
way, and were then sure they were right.

With Joshua .Hett Smith Arnold passe'd many hours during his com-
mand of West Point, either visiting at his house or receiving him as a
guest at his headquarters in the Robinson House. In the cool calculation
that Arnold was making. Smith was to play an important part, and the
officer not only associated with the civilian because of social and intellec-
tual affinity but also because of another affinity, in which he must gain or
lose all. In another chapter we are to review Smith's actions in the

94

attempted treason, and will then be better able to determine his guilt or in-
nocence than now.

By Sept. loth, 1780, Arnold had so far perfected his treasonable plans
as to render a meeting with Andre necessary, and for this purpose he
started to meet that officer by appointment at Dobb's Ferry. Passing
the night of the loth, at Smith's house, he left Haverstraw early the next
morning for the rendezvous. It is a matter of history that that meeting
was prevented. Seven days later, when Washington was on his way to
Hartford, to confer with the French officers, Arnold met him with his
barge and conveyed him across the river at Kings Ferry. On September
19th, Arnold visited Smith, and by various representations, obtained his
consent to go off in a row boat to the sloop-of-war Vulture, and bring a
man ashore whom Arnold wished to see on important public business.
While at Smith's house, Arnold was joined by his wife and child, who had
come on from Philadelphia, and returned with them in his barge to his
headquarters. Among the other arrangements with Smith in regard to
the proposed interview was one to the effect, that if their business could
not be completed by dawn, the remainder of the interview, after that hour
should occur in Smith's house, and to prepare for that event, Smith re-
moved his family to Fishkill. On his return from this trip, he stopped at
Arnold's quarters and obtained from that officer a pass for a flag of truce,
and an order to Major Kiers, commanding at Stony Point, to supply
Smith with a boat whenever he should want one. Arnold further directed
Smith to visit the Vulture on the night of the 20th. Unable to obtain
boatmen, Smith failed to obey his orders, and word having been sent to
Arnold notifying him of the fact, that officer arrived at Smith's on the fol-
lowing day determined to see his wish obeyed. At his command a skiff
was moored in Minisceongo Creek, and under threat of punishment if
they refused to acquiesce, he obtained the services of two brothers —
Samuel and Joseph Colquhon, to man the oars. Close on the hour of
midnight Smith and these two men set off for the Vulture, which was at
anchor off Croton Point.

A short time elapsed, when the row boat again approached shore and
landing under the mountain, at a place near the foot of the Long Clove road,
John Andre stepped ashore and was conducted to the presence of Arnold,
who was waiting near the spot. What transpired in that solemn night
conference is only known to the Omniscient. Daylight found the business
unfinished, and the warning voice of Smith bade the conspirator make
haste. It was with reluctance that Andre consented to mount the spare
horse Arnold's servant rode and accompany his new acquaintance to a

95

more secluded spot, but there was still so much left unsettled and the bait
was so alluring, that overcoming his scruples, Andre assented to visit
Smith's house with Arnold. On their ride to that residence, the hail of a
sentinel near Haverstraw warned Andre that he was within the American
lines without flag or pass, but it was then too late to turn back, even if he
had wished to.

At dawn Smith's house was reached, and the morning of September
22d, 1780, was passed by the two men in perfecting their plans. At
length the conference was ended, and Arnold, after giving Andre a paper
containing a full account of the fortifications and forces at West Point,
and providing him with a pass, bade him adieu and departed in his barge
up the river to his quarters.

The remainder of the day, after his departure, was passed by Andre
alone. As the shades of evening began to fall, he applied to Smith to
convey him back to the Vulture, which, having been fired upon from Cro-
ton Point in the early morning, had weighed anchor and dropped further
down the stream ; but this Smith positively refused to do, pleading an
attack of ague and a fear of the night air on the water. At his earnest
entreaty, and with no other means of return open to him, Andre at last
consented to cross the river and ride down to New York by land. Fol-
lowing Arnold's advice, Andre changed his military coat for a civilian's
dress, and a Httle before sunset on September 22d accompanied by Smith
and a negro servant, he rode down to Kings Ferry at Stony Point and
embarked for the opposite shore.

Three nights later, an aid clattered through Haverstraw at his topmost
speed, bound for Gen. Greene's quarters at Tappan. These he reached at
midnight, with an order from Washington directing Greene to move the
whole left wing of the army to Kings Ferry as speedily as possible. In
the midst of the intense blackness and driving rain of a stormy night the
movement was begun, and before dawn of September 26 the whole divi-
sion was on its march up the King's highway. Little did Greene know,
when he obeyed his commander's orders, that but a few miles away,
across the river, Andre was also riding north through the storm, while
Arnold had passed down the stream but a short distance from him to
endless infamy.

The cause for the movement of Greene's division was the discovery by
the Commander-in-Chief of Arnold's treason, and his uncertainty as to
how far the disaffection had spread, or as to what the next move of the
enemy would be. In this period of doubt he wished a large force to
guard an important point under his immediate supervision. Whatever

96

suspicions might have been in Washington's mind, of the fidelity of his
other officers, they were speedily dispelled, and by September 28th
Greene's forces were again in camp at Tappan.

During that date, September 28th, 1780, Andre, guarded by a strong
force of cavalry commanded by Major Talmadge, once more passed
through Haverstraw ; passed Smith's house, where, but a short week be-
fore, his horoscope had seemed so bright ; passed again near the spot where
he and Arnold had met in the shadow of High Tor, to enter that other
shadow of the Valley of Death.

Conveyed by water from West Point to Kings Ferry, the prisoner was
then taken to Tappan and there confined in the inn, formerly kept by
Casparus Mabie and still standing as the "'"jt House." On the following
day Washington arrived at Tappan, taking up his quarters in the De Windt
House, and immediately ordered a Court of Inquiry composed of the fol-
lowing officers :

Major General Green, Major General La Payette,

" " Sterling, " " R.Howe,

St. Clair, " " Baron Steuben,

Brigadier General Parsons, % Brigadier General Hand,

" " James Clinton, " " Starke,

" " Knox, " " Huntington,

" Glover, " " Patterson,

General Nathaniel Greene was President of this Board and John Lau-
rence Judge Advocate General.

Before this court Andre appeared and told his story in a straight-
forward way. He was then remanded to his place of confinement, and,
after a long consultation, the Court decided that he should be considered
as a spy and, as such, suffer the penalty of war. On the following day,
September 30th, Washington confirmed the finding of the Court and ap-
pointed the following day, October 1st, and the hour of 5 P. M., as the
time for execution.

The sympathy of all the American officers was with Andre, and every
effort conformable with the laws of war was made to save him. In pur-
suance of these endeavors both correspondence and an interview with
officers from the enemy were used and the time of execution delayed.
All conference proved futile, and at 12 M. on October 2d, 1780, in the
presence of the troops, of all the officers stationed at Tappan, save the
Commander-in-Chief and his personal staff, and of a vast concourse of
people assembled from the surrounding country, John Andre was hanged,
and by his death gained that immortal fame for which he had so earnestly
toiled in life ; for which he risked that life ; for which he died.

} See note at end of Chapter.

97

Dr. Thacher, a Surgeon in the Continental Army, who was present,
thus speaks of the last hours : " Major Andre is no more among the living.
I have just witnessed his exit. It was a tragical scene of the deepest in-
terest. * # * The fatal hour having arrived, a large detachment of
troops was. paraded, and an immense concourse of people assembled.

* * * Melancholy and gloom pervaded all ranks, and the scene was
a^yfully affecting. I was so near, during the solemn march to the fatal
spot, as to observe every movement, and to participate in every emotion
the melancholy scene was calculated to produce. Major Andre walked
from the stone house in whipji he had been confined between two of our
subaltern officers, arm in arm. * » * He betrayed no want of fortitude,
but retained a complacent smile on his countenance, and politely bowed
to several gentlemen whom he knew, which was respectfully returned.

* ^ * While waiting, and standing near the gallows, I observed some
degree of trepidatian — placing his foot on a stone and rolling it over, and
choking in his throat as if attempting to swallow. So soon, however, as
he perceived that things were in readiness, he stepped quickly into the
wagon, and at this moment he appeared to shrink ; but, instantly elevating
his head with firmness, he said : ' It will be but a momentary pang ;' and
taking from his pocket two white handkerchiefs, the Proyost Marshal,
with one loosely pinioned, his. arms, and. with the other the victim, after
taking off his hat and stock, bandaged his own eyes with perfect firmness,
which melted the hearts and moistened the cheeks not only of his servant,
but of the thr-ong of spectators..

The rope being appended to the gallows, he sUpped the noose over
his head, and adjusted it to his neck, withoutthe assistance of the awkward
executioner. Colonel Seammel now informed him that he had an opportu-
nity to speak, if he desired it. He raised the handkerchief from his eyes,
and said, ' I pray you to bear me witness that I meet my fate like a brave
man.' The wagon being now removed from under him^ he was suspended,
and instantly expired."

I have had the good fortune to obtain the following account of another
eye witness of Andre's execution, through the great kindness of William
G. Haeselbarth. . Mr. Haeselbarth obtained the data when he first entered
our County in 1850 and used it in a series of lectures, which he later de-
livered, but this is the first time it has appeared in print. The story bears
the stamp of truth, especially the error made by a camp attache in regard
to the place of confinement. The Dutch Church building had been and at
that time was used as a. military prison, and Andre's trial had taken
place in it. Nothing would be more natural then than for a private sol-

98

dier, quartered perhaps at some distance from the spot to suppose that
Andre had been confined there.

" I was at that time," says the narrator, " ap artificer in Colonel Jeda-
than Baldwin's regiment, a part of which was stationed within a. short dis-
tance of the spot where Andre suffered. One of our men, whose name
was Armstrong, being one of the oldest and best workmen at his trade in
the regiment was selected to make his coffin, which he performed and
painted black, after the custom of those times. At this time Andre was
confined in what was called the Dutch Church, a smajl stone building
with only one door, and closely guarded by six sentinels. When the hour
appointed for his execution arrived, a guard of three hundred men was
paraded at the place of his confinement. A kind of procession was formed
by placing the guard in single file on each side of the road. In front was
a large number of American officers, of high rank, on horseback ; these
were followed by the wagon containing A-n<lre's coffin, then a large number
of officers on foot, with /^ndre in their midst. The procession moved
slowly up a moderately rising hill, about a quarter of a mile to the west
On the top was a field without any enclosure. In this was a very high
gallows, made by setting up two poles or crotches and laying a pole on
top. The wagon that contained the coffin was drawn directly under the
gallows. In a short time Andre stepped into the hind end of the wagon,
then on his coffin, took off his hat and laid it down, then placed his hands
upon his hips, and walked very uprightly back and forth as far as the
length of his coffin would permit, at the same time casting his eyes upon
the pole over his head and the whole scenery by which he was surrounded.
He was dressed in a complete British uniform, the coat being' of the bright-
est scarlet, faced or trimmed, with the most beautiful green, his vest and
breeches were bright buff.

He had a long and beautiful head of hair, which, agreeable to the
fashion, was wound with a black ribbon.and hung down his back.

Not many minutes after he took his stand upon the coflSn, the execu-
tioner stepped into the wagon with a halter in his hands, on one end of
which was what the soldiers called ' a hangman's knot,' which he at-
tempted to put over the head and around the neck of Andre. By a sud-
den movement of his hand Andre prevented this. He then took off the
handkerchief from his neck, unpinned his shirt collar, and, taking the end
of the halter, put it over his head, placed the knot, directly under his right
ear, drawing it snugly tq the neck.

Andre then took another handkerchief from.his pocket and tied it over
his eyes, At this time the oflicer who commanded spoke in rather a loud

99

voice and said that his arms must be tied. Andre at once pulled down
the handkerchief he had just tied over his eyes, drew from his pocket a
second one, which he gave to the executioner, and then replaced his hand-
kerchief. His arms were tied just above the elbows and behind his back.
The rope was then made fast to the pole overhead.

The wagon was very suddenly drawn from under the gallows,
which, together with the length of the rope, gave him a most tremendous
swing back and forth, but in a few minutes he hung entirely still. During
the whole transaction he appeared little daunted, but his fate was pale.
He remained hanging from twenty to thirty minutes, and, during that
time, the chambers of death were never stiller than the multitude by
which he was surrounded. At the expiration of that time orders were
given to cut the rope and take down the body without letting it fall. This
was done and the body carefully laid on the ground.

Shortly after the guard was withdrawn, and the bystanders were per-
mitted to pass and view the corpse, but the crowd was so great that it was
sometime before I could get an opportunity. When I reached the body,
the coat, vest and breeches had been taken off, and the corpse lay in the
coffin covered by some underclothes. The top of the coffin was not yet
on and I viewed the corpse more carefully than I had ever done that of
any human before. His head was very much on one side, in consequence
of the manner in which the halter drew upon his neck. His face appeared to
be greatly swollen and very black, much resembling a high degree of
mortification ; it was indeed a shocking sight to behold.

There were at this time standing at the foot of the coffin, two young
men of uncommon short stature — not more than four feet high. Their
dress was extremely gaudy. One of them had the clothes just taken from
Andre hanging on his arm. I took particular pains to learn who they
were and was informed, that they were his servants sent up from New
York to take care of his clothes, but what other business I did not learn.

I now turned to take a view of the executioner, who was still standing
by one of the posts of the gallows. I walked nigh enough to him to have
laid my hand upon his shoulder, and looked him directly in the face. He
appeared to be about twenty-five years of age. His face was covered
with what appeared to me to be blacking taken from the outside of a
greasy pot, while his beard was of two or three weeks' growth. A more
frightful looking being I never beheld. His whole countenance bespoke
him to be a fit instrument for the business he had been doing. Wishing
to see the closing of the whole business, I remained upon the spot imtil
scarce twenty persons were left, but the coffin was still beside the grave.

lOO

which had previously been dug. I then returned to my tent with niy
mind deeply imbued with the shocking scene I had been called to wit-
ness."

At the time of the removal of Andre's remains, James Buchanan, under
whose charge the disinterment took place, misled by one of the many er-
rors in statehient that Andre's execution gave rise to, became the unhappy
means of spreading a rumor that the grave had been rifled by Americans,
by the following statement: " After which I descended into the coffin,
which was not more than three feet below the surface, and with my hands
raked the' dust together, to ascertain whether he had been buried in his
regimentals or not, as it was rumored among the assemblage that he was
stripped ; for if buried in his regimentals I expected to find the buttons of
his clothes, which would have disproved the rumor ; but I did not find a
single button or any article, save a string of leather that had tied his hair,
in perfect preservation, coiled' and tied as it had been on his hair
at the time. I examined the dust of the coffin so minutely (as the quan-
tity would not fill a quart) that no mistake could have arisen in the exam-
ination. Let no unworthy motive be attributed to me for recording this
fact ; I state it as one which I was anxious to ascertain for the reasons
given. I do not pretend to know whether buttons would moulder into
dust, while bones and strings would' remain perfect and entire ; but sure I
am there was not a particle of metal in the coffin."

The gross injustice of embodying scandalous rumors against the
American Army in an official report, when the basis for the rumors was
ignorance, so exasperated Dr. Thacher, that he investigated the whole
matter, publishing the result in the New England Magazine for May, 1,834,
under the caption. " Observations relative to the execution of Major John
Andre, as a spy in 1780, correcting errors and refuting false imputations."
From this article I can but quote extracts. From the Continental Jour-
nal and Weekly Advertiser, of October 26th, 1780, this sentence, taken
from a letter dated Tappan, October 2d, 1780, is given. " He was dressed
in full uniform, and after the execution, his servant demanded his clothing,
which he received." A letter from Major Benjamin Russell, contains these
words : " He was dresse'd in the rich uniform of a British Staff" Officer,
with the exception, of course, of sash, gorget, sword and spurs. * * *
It was statpd at the time in England, and, if I mistake not, in America,
that he was buried in his regimentals. I can add my testimony, to that
of others, that I saw the servant of Andre receive the military hat and
stock of his master, immediately before the execution. I did not see the
body placed in the coffin, but I did see, as I marched by the grave, that

lOI

servant standing near it, and evidently overseeing the interment." It is
but just to add that, when Mr. Buchanan's attention was called to his er-
ror, he at once apologized by a public letter in the New York Albion, on
March 7th, 1834, and promised to forward the correction to the United
Service Journal in London.

The body of Andre was interred at the foot of the gallows, and there
remained till the year 1821, when it was exhumed, under the direction of
James Buchanan, the British Consul at New York, and removed to Eng-
land. The interest manifested in Andre at the time of the removal of the
body, caused a Mr. Spafiford, evidently an ardent American, to write to
the Gazeteer m 1824:

" The memory of the spy and the traitor are, however, alike consigned
to infamy. Snuff-boxes, royal dukes, poetry and sickly morality, fable, .
fiction, American clergymen, Westminster Abbey and the monument to
the contrary notwithstanding."

The ravages of those who visited the grave, led the owner to remove
the boulder which marked it, and which had been inscribed by the order of
a New York merchant named Lee, from the spot and it was well nigh lost.
Through the exertions of Henry Whittemore, three men, who had been, pre-
sent at the exhumation — John J. Griffiths, still living, David D. Brower and
John H. Cutwater; located the place of the grave in 1878. Shortly after
this event, the spot was visited by Cyrus W. Field and Arthur P. Stanley,
Dean of Westminster, and these gentlemen agreed, one, Mr. Field, to
erect a monument, the other to write an inscription. The monument was
unveiled Oct. 2d, 1879. Three yearslater a member of the Order of Socialists
in New York City, named Hendrix, evidently imbued with the ideas of
Mr. Spafford, blew up the monument. As if to add to the tragedy of
everything connected with the spot, Hendrix met a violent death at the
Brooklyn side of Fulton Ferry in the spring of 1884.

Of those belonging to this County, who were connected with the
attempted treason, Joshua Hett Smith, after leaving Andre, rode to Fish-
kill. At that place he was arrested on the night of Sept. 25th, by Colonel
Gouvion, a member of Lafayette's suite and chief of artillery, and taken to
Robinson's house, where he was examined by Washington, and remanded
under guard to West Point. Three days later — Sept. 28th — he was con-
veyed to Stony Point and, under the sarne guard that held Andre, reached
Tappan. Here he was confined in the old Dutch Church till called for trial
before a court martial. That trial lasted four weeks and ended in his ac-
quittal for want of evidence.

On Nov. loth, he was removed to West Point and there detained till

I02

Nov. 1 8th, when he was taken to Goshen and delivered into the hands of
Sheriff Isaac Nicoll for civil trial, and by him placed in jail, a proceeding
which, if the suspicion of the Marquis de Chastellux be correct, probably
saved him from being lynched by his patriot neighbors. For a long time,
he remained in jail without indictment or trial, till, finally succeeding in
making his escape, he made his way disguised as a woman to New York,
where he remained till the surrender of that city, and then sailed for Eng-
land with the British Army. Some time previous to 1 8 1 8, he returned to
the United States and died in New York during that year.

The Colquhon brothers, who, at Arnold's command, conveyed Andre
from the Vulture to shore, as well as Major Keirs, under whose supervision
the boat was obtained, were justly exonerated from all suspicion. Strick-
land, the executioner of Andre, who was in confinement in the camp at
Tappan as a dangerous Tory at the time of the trial, and was given his
liberty for accepting the duty of hangman, returned to his home in the
Ramapo Valley or Smith's Clove, and all further knowledge of him is lost.

Early in November, 1780, General Greene was detached from his com-
mand at Tappan and sent to take command of the Southern armies and
on November 27th, Washington issued orders from his headquarters at
Preakness for the disposition of the troops in their winter cantonments.

But one of these encampments is of interest as regards this County,
that of the New Jersey Brigade, which had its quarters from Pompton up
to and in the Ramapo Pass. On January 20th, 178 1, this brigade broke
out in open mutiny. Hope of payment for their services had ceased ;
starved, naked, frozen, they thought of the members of Congress who,
while feeding them on promises, lived on more substantial victuals ; who,
well protected from the inclemency of the weather, gave little heed to their
pinched and chilled bodies ; and the comparison of their wretchedness
with the comfort of that imbecile debating society, which carefully avoided
the exposure and danger of war, led them to forget their duty.

But three weeks had elapsed since the Pennsylvania troops had re-
volted, and, marching to Philadelphia, extorted from Congress a settlement
of their demands. If the disaffection of the New Jersey soldiers was to
end in a similar way, the morale of the army would be hopelessly ruined,
and no one could predict the final issue. Reasoning thus, Washington
ordered General R. Howe, with one thousand New England troops to
hurry down from the Highlands and nip this revolt in the bud. Howe
speedily reached and surrounded the mutineers, and by the execution of
two of the leaders reduced the remainder to order.

Among the minor military events in the County during 1781, were the

I03

entrance of three hundred troops by Kings Ferry at the close of January,
and their march south to join the Pennsylvania regiments. During the
following month, Lafayette with 1,200 New England troops passed
through the Ramapo Valley, on his way to check Arnold's depredations in
Virginia. In March, two hundred men with a gun marched from West
Point and encamped at New City, while a militia camp was stationed at
Tappan, and on June 22d, a portion of the army was encamped at the foot
of the Long Clove in Haverstraw for some days.

Stony Point had been again occupied by the Americans after the with-
drawal of the British, but not strongly fortified. A messenger who passed
there under the protection of a flag on April 21st, 1781, noted that some
fifty flat bottomed boats lay at the Point, and that while he saw two field
pieces, there were no works of any consequence ; and later, on June 27th,
Clinton was informed that thirty-five men, boys and blacks, with two
pieces of cannon, were at Stony Point, and it was officered by a captain,
lieutenant and ensign, while a lieutenant of artillery served both that and
Verplanck's Point.

The last important move of troops through the County occurred on
the occasion of the march to the seige of Yorktown. Ever since its evacu-
ation by the American troops in 1776, Washington had aspired to recap-
ture New York, and at this time, 1781, when that city was weakened by
the campaign of Cornwallis in the South, while the Continental army was
strengthened by the French allies, the project seemed feasible. To ac-
complish that recapture a junction had been effected between the allied
armies in Westchester County, and for weeks the combined force lay with
its right, composed of American troops, resting on Dobb's Ferry, while
the French, who composed the left, stretched off toward the Bronx.
Anxious as Washington was to expel the British from our metropolis, his
wish was not to be immediately gratified, and New York was to be re-
turned to the patriot army, not as the result of a bloody battle in her en-
virons, but as a conquest of a glorious victory hundreds of miles away.

Strong reinforcements from across the sea reaching Clinton, and the
disappointment of Washington by the French naval officers, led that com-
mander to suddenly change his plans and determine on the march to
Virginia. Finding the plan possible, he at once set himself to the task of
carrying it out successfully. To do this required the utmost secrecy, lest
Clinton, learning of the movement, should detach strong reinforcements
to Cornwallis.

Accordingly, the allied army was still handled as though New York
was the determined object. Letters and dispatches, intended to mislead

I04

Clinton, were intrusted to De La Montagne, who was ordered to take
them to their destination by the way of Ramapo Pass. It is said that this
gentleman, well aware that the Pass was infested by cowboys and Tories,
demurred to the route, but the peremptory order of Washington led him
to overcome his scruples. In the Pass De La Montagne was captured, as
the Commander-in-Chief intended, and his messages being delivered to
Clinton, completely deceived that officer as to the intention of the Ameri-
cans.

On August 19th, Hazen's regiment and the New Jersey line were
quietly crossed over to Sneden's Landing, and marched inland to Spring-
field. On the same day, the remainder of the force was slowly withdrawn
up the country, and the crossing of the river at Kings Ferry begun. Dur-
ing this movement, portions of the army encamped on the line of march
through the County and on one occasion a body of French troops was.
camped near the old Treason House. Finally, by August 26th, the last
of the army was in motion on the west shore, and the long journey to Vir-
ginia begun.

In the march over our soil, the Americans passed over the old military
road through Kakiat and Ramapo or Sidman's Pass ; while the French,
following the Kings Highway; advanced over the Long Clove ; down
through the Upper Hackensack Valley ; skirted the western base of the
Nyack hills ; tarried for a brief space at Tappan ; and then' marched on
south to again join the Americans and help them gain that victory, that
gave this people peace, with a national existence, and greater political
liberty than the world had yet seen.

T The name of this creek is spelled by different parties as follows : Benson J. Lossing.
" Peploap's or Poplopen's;" Map of New York, in 1779. "Coplap's Kill;" Romans wrote it
" Pooploop's;" when the boundaries of the County were defined in 1798, the Legislature called it
" Poplopen's." In a plan of the attack on the forts drawn by a British officer and published in
London, in 1784, it is given as " Peploaps."

t Samuel Holden Parsons, who was one of the eight brigade commanders on the Court of In-
quiry that tried Andre, and unanimously found him guilty, was, within ten months after that trial,
in correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton, and betrayed to him the position, strength, and in-
tended movements of the Continental Army, so far as he was conversant with the facts. Maga-
zine American History. Vol. XII. p. 166.

Authorities referred to : " Field Book of the Revolution," Lossing, Vols. II. "Life Of
Washington." John Marshall. Vol.1. " History of Orange County." S. W. Eager. "His-
tory of Ramapo. " Rev. E. B. Cobb. " History of Haverstraw." Rev. Dr. A. S. Freeman.
" History of Clarkstown." H. P. Fay. " History of Stony Point." Rev. E. Gay, Jr. Old
Documents. " Force Papers." Magazine American History. Article by Dr. James Thacher,.
in the New England Magazine, May, 1834.

CHAPTER VII.

THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.

EVENTS AT TAPPAN AND SNE DEN'S LANDING— CONFLICT BETWEEN THE
BRITISH AND SHORE GUARDS AT PIERMONT AND HAVERSTRAW—
NAVAL FIGHT IN TAPPAN ZEE— CONFLICTS AT NYACK— THE DEPRE-
DATIONS COMMITTED BY COWBOYS IN THE COUNTY— FORAYS AT
SLAUGHTER'S LANDING— JOSHUA HETT SMITH— INVASIONS OF THE
SOUTHERN PART OF OUR COUNTY BY THE ENEMY— ACTS OF INDI-
VIDUAL BRAVERY AND SUFFERING— ACCOUNT OF CLAUDIUS SMITH-
CONFISCATION OF PROPERTY AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR— ROLL OF
THE NAMES OF THE MEN WHO SERVED IN THE ARMIES OF THE RE-
VOLUTION.

Far more interesting, than the march of armies or the fighting of
battles, is the history of private deeds of men and women in trying hours of
danger and death. By reason of its ease of access from the enemy's
ships, its exposure to the raids of their foraging parties, and the number
of the Tory marauders who Hved near or within its borders, Rockland
County is rich in tales of the outrages produced by war. Patriot citizens as-
saulted and robbed, their buildings burned, their women violated, themselves
not infrequently murdered. Parties of reprisal formed of these patriots,
which gave but short shrift to the Tory when he was captured. Goodbyes
exchanged between a brave wife, who though surrounded by every danger
that chills a human heart, still loved the cause too dearly to shrink from
risk; and husband, who, though leaving all which was of value to him on
earth, hastening at the call of a duty, which might leave him unharmed,
which might leave him sorely wounded, which might leave him lying
asleep, after the turmoil of conflict was ended, with only a slight blue spot
to show that that sleep was eternal, and with the " night dew and death
dew mingling on his forehead ; " or worse, far worse than wound or
death, which might leave him a prisoner in British hands to suffer all that
mind can dream or fear of hell on earth.

Yet, despite the interest that these acts of individuals and communities
possess for us, it is with extreme difficulty that we can obtain accounts of
them. The pioneers in the birth of this nation, the laborers in the founda-
tion of this government, like their predecessors, the first settlers in the
country, found other work to do besides noting their daily trials and deeds
for the benefit of their descendants. They made history and left us in

io6

quieter times the peaceful task , of recording it. Almost all of the local
events and struggles of the revolution in this County come to us by family
tradition, and even the names of many who lived and participated in those
events are lost. Perchance all would be gone but that here and there upon
an old tombstone can be found some record of patriotism.

As early as September 8th, 1776, Washington ordered the removal of
his sick to the neighborhood of Tappan. Later, when General Scott en-
camped in Haverstraw to protect the stores which were there, he ordered
ten tons of lead moved from Tappan to Major Smith's at Upper Nyack —
the property now owned by Joseph Hilton. When Colonel Tyler had
ceased to harry the Tories in Orangetown for a moment, and had with-
drawn to Ramapo, Abraham Post, of Tappan was ordered to remove
eleven chests of armorer's tools, with bellows, anvils, &c., to the store of
Abraham Mabie at the Slote. In 1780, General Greene had his head-
quarters in the stone house near the old road, which led from Sneden's
Landing to Orangeburg, and which is now occupied by E. N. Taft and
owned by Wm. Peet.

To protect the landing place at Sneden's the Americans erected a
work, which was visited by an English spy on June 27th, 1781, and thus
described : " It is a redoubt about a mile and a half from the landing, on a
very rough rocky height, picketted in all around with tops of trees and
branches ; no way to get in without climbing over ; about four rods within
this circle is a round breastwork running quite round > the height, eight
feet high, with a gate to pass in on the west side. Within that circle,
about three rods, is another breastwork, running round the top of the
height, about the same height as the other, on which is wooden embrasures
built, in which they have one piece of cannon on a travelHng carriage.
On the south side of the inward work a gate opens into the first breast-
work. The rise of the hight is so much as to cause the top of the first
breastwork to be no higher than the bottom of the second. At this time
it was cqmmanded by a Lieutenant, two Sergeants, two Captains, and
twenty-five men in the works."

At one time during the war Garret O'Blenis and a half-dozen comrades
were watching a British vessel, which had anchored off Sneden's Landing
— now Palisades. At last their watch was rewarded by seeing a barge
filled with men start for the shore. Concealing themselves behind the
rocks, the Americans permitted the barge to approach within a few yards
of the landing, and then fired into her. After the first surprise the enemy
endeavored to force a landing, assisted by 'the guns of the ship. For a
few moments the conflict was severe, but, unaware of the numerical

107

strength of the shore party, the foe at length withdrew. The only man
seriously wounded among the patriots was Garret O'Blenis, who had a
ball pass through his right arm and completely through his body, smash-
ing two ribs and perforating the right lung in its course. His wound was
regarded as mortal, but, after several months' illness, he entirely re-
covered.

The river shore from Tallman's Point at Piermont, north, was much
exposed to the depredations of foraging forces from the enemy's ships, and
the chief duty of Colonel Hay and the Minute Men was to guard this long
and exposed line. On the first appearance of the British vessels, on July
1 2th, 1776, the enemy made two attempts to land at Nyack, but were re-
pulsed through the watchfulness of Colonel Hay's men, who, by reason of
their small number — only 400 — and the distance to be patrolled, were on
duty day and night. On July i6th the fleet sailed up as far as Haver-
straw and anchored off Kiers' landing, but here, too, their attempts to land
were prevented. So deficient was the guard in the necessary munitions of
war that Hay appealed for powder and ball to supply his men. Fortu-
nately General George Clinton was able to reinforce him at the time, and
shortly after he was sent twenty pounds of powder. For nine days the
vessels remained off Haverstraw, but only once succeeded in obtaining
provisions from the west shore. On that occas.ion they burned the house
of a man named Halstead and took his pigs.

At last, on July 25th, the vessels sailed slowly down the river, anchor-
ing for a time off Teller's, now Croton Point, to obtain some provisions
for the Westchester shore. But their presence had roused the spirit of
battle in the patriots, and on August 3d, 1776, the American galleys.
Lady Washington, Spitfire, Whiting, and Crown, under Benjamin Tupper,
attacked their vessels Phenix, Captain Parker, and Rose, Captain Wallace,
off Tarrytown and fought them for two hours.

Nyack, then but a hamlet of perhaps a dozen houses, became, before
the end of the war, an object of the enemy's bitter aversion. This was
partly due to those patriotic actions of its inhabitants, which ended in the
repulsion more than once of their forces when they attempted to land for
fresh provisions or water ; partly because it was a rendezvous for the whale
boat fleet, which patrolled the river, and partly because of the residence at
this place of Henry Palmer, who had rendered himself obnoxious to the
British,

Captain Palmer had owned a vessel and been employed in the carrying
trade for one of the largest firms in New York, before the Revolution.
When the news of the battle of Bunker Hill reached that city, he was

io8

offered great financial advantages to serve the cause of the King but re-
fused absolutely. . Shortly after he conveyed two cargoes of arms and
ammunition, which had been seized by the Sons of Liberty, from New York
to the camp of the Continental Army. New York soon became uncom-
fortable for this patriot, and he ;-emoved with his family to a house, which
formerly stood in Upper Nyack, on the east side of Broadway, opposite
the old mountain road, by Garret E. Green's residence.

Owing to these causes, the British vessels, whenever they passed up
the river, greeted the residents of the Nyack valley with a shotted salute
from their guns. For their protection, those residents erected an earth
work on the land east of the Methodist Church and just north of Depew
Avenue, which covered the first dock in the village ; while the section
known as tipper Nyack, was defended by a swivel mounted on Major John
L. Smith's place, and a company of Minute men under his and his brother
— Captain Auri Smith's command.

As soon as hostilities had begun ip this Colony the Shore Guard was
placed on duty ; this following order governing those stationed at Nyack :

" Haverstraw, October i6th, 1776. General orders fey the command-
ing officers at the place called the Hook.

" Guards to mount daily at 4 or 5 o'clock in the afternoon, with sentries
fixed as the commanding officer sees expedient. No soldier to fire a gun
unless a sentry after hailing a craft or person three times, or at the enemy,
or on an alarm. On every alarm, twenty hands to be sent to the com-
manding officer with inteUigence. No person to pass without a permit
from some commanding officer, or the committee from whence he came.
No craft to be taken without liberty from the officer of the party of the
place where said craft is. No liquor to be sold after 7 o'clock at night un-
less to a traveller, and none to be sold to any person in liquor. No sentry
to leave his post until relieved. The commanding officer at the Hook to
consult with the Major of the Riflemen, at New York, about the counter-
sign. The orders to be read morning and evening to the guards until
further orders."

" A Hawkins Hay,

Commanding Officer."

In October 1776, the enemy attempted to land at Nyack, but were re-
pulsed by the Shore Guard, not however till their cannon balls had
marked Sarvent's house. In December of the same year, they effected a
foot-hold and, besides looting a house, took off some cattle. In the sum-
mer of the following year — 1777 — two boats attempted to land at the pres-
ent Piermont, at the point now known as the upper dock, at daybreak.

109

After a sharp conflict with the Shore Guard they were repulsed with three
killed. Several of the Shore Guard were wounded, but none fatally.

Toward the close of July, 1777, the British sent a galley ashore to de-
stroy a sloop which was moored to a dock at Abram Sarvent's place in
Upper Nyack. To oppose this endeavor, Henry Palmer, Abram Sarvent,
CorheHus Cuyper, Peter Freeland and Major Smith hastily collected, and
concealed themselves in a quarry near the dock. Waiting till the enemy
was within safe range, the patriots opened fire. The galley was at once
put about and pulled out of gun shot for a time. A second attempt to force
a landing, though assisted by the ship's guns, ended in failure. A third
attenipfwas made, but the loss of the British was too great for further
hope of success. The galley was then pulled up opposite Henry Palmer's
house, and fire opened against that building from the bow carronade. So
accurate was the aim of the gunners, that every shot struck the house or
tore up the earth in the dobr yard. Mrs. Palmer, fearing each moment
that a ball would pa'ss through the building, took her infant in het arms
and; creeping through the brambles and bushes along a water course,
which passed alongside the house, till out of range, at length crossed the
mountain and found a safe a:sylum at the house of a frierid. In her flight,
a ball struck the bank so close to the fugitive as to spatter dirt over herself
and child.

The morning after the fight at Sarveilt's Landing, the bodies of nine
British sailors floated ashore and were buried" by the Americans.

On another occasion Captain Palmer with a few comrades fired into a
British vessel which was becalmed and floating with the tide. Thirty-six
of the enemy were killed or wounded in this slaughter while of Palmer's
force but one man was injured. He was wounded by a splinter from the
rock behind which he was concealed.

Dreadful warfare did the patriots wage against the enemy's ships with
the swivel, which was mounted east of Broadway, in Upper Nyack, op-
posite the residences of Joseph Hilton and S. C. Eaton, on property now
belonging to Wilson Defendorf At best this famous gun would barely
carry a ball a half mile, and as the ships kept in the channel, some two and a
half miles away, no very great injury was done by this long range shooting.
Once however, during the war, two boats attempted to land at this shore
for water and the Shore Guard opened so hot a fire with muskets and
swivel; that one boat's crew surreYidered at once while the other, braving
the fire, pulled for the ships. The captured crew was sent to Tappan.

While the enemy did not, as a rule, invade the upper part of the valley,
they did express their disapprobation of the swivel fire by returning its

no

salute with great freedom. One of their six-pound balls was found some
years ago on the property belonging to Harmon Snedeker some distance
from the river. In one of these artillery duels, a shot from the ships struck
the stone fence on which the American gun rested, scattering stones in every
direction, dispersing the lyiinute Men with startling rapidity, and knocking
the swivel off its mount into the trench behind the earthwork. On this
occasion Cornelius Cuyper was standing on the fence when the ball struck
it. In the dust and excitement that followed he was heard to ejaculate :
" H— 11, don't shoot my legs off!"

A messenger to Verplanck's Point on June 27th, 1781, under a flag,
reported on his return that he saw " opposite Tarrytown, on west shore
six whale boats and about forty-two men in all. No appearance of any of
them fitted for carr}'ing swivels or wall pieces."

Recollections of cowboys and their deeds in Nyack is preserved, by a
bullet hole in the wall of the house now occupied by John Salisbury, and
the tradition, existing in the family, of the escape from their clutches of
Michael Cornelison, Jr., who resided in the house during the Revolution,
the capture of his father, and the looting of the place. The bullet was
fired through the window, in the south-west corner of the house, at some
American officers who were sitting in Mr. Cornelison's parlor. It passed
between them doing no injury. Another attack by a party, supposed to
have been from Westchester, who rowed across the river and landed at the
" Bight, was made upon Mr. Cornelison's one evening.

At the outbreak of hostilities Mr. Cornelison's house was unfinished,
and, owing to the draft upon the people, it remained uncompleted till the
close of the Revolution. When it was evident that the struggle
would be a protracted one, Cornelison, foreseeing the difficulty of obtain-
ing provisions at a later period, laid in a store of tea, sugar, wines, crock-
ery, &c., for the entertainment of travellers as well as for his own use.
When the enemy, who were guided by a Tory neighbor of Cornelison,
entered the house, Mrs. Cornelison had but time to throw a few silver
dollars behind the back-log in the fire-place. In their usual manner the
foe proceeded to devastate the house. The crate of crockery was opened
and its contents broken, the tea was scattered all the way down the hill to
the boat, while the pipe of wine was broached, and, after being used free-
ly, it was turned upside down to empty it.

While this destruction was going on down stairs, the commanding
officer, guided still by the Tory, passed up to the rooms above. On a
collar beam in those rooms lay Michael Cornelison, Jr., who had rushed to
hide at the first alarm. In his flight, his watch chain had caught on some

Ill

projecting object and dragged the watch from his fob. As he lay upon
the beam, scarcely daring to breathe, the ticking of the dangling watch
sounded like the roar of machinery, and doubtless, could he have but
gotten his thumb on the works, it would have required more than me-
chanical ingenuity to repair the damage. He was espied by the Tory,
but was saved by the fact that his discoverer was a brother PVeemason,

After destroying everything they could lay their hands on, the ma-
rauders at length left, taking Michael Cornelison, Sr., with them. He was
confined in the Sugar House for nine months and then released on parole.
The morning following his capture, Mrs. Cornelison visited New York to
secure his release. She, too, was detained within the enemy's lines, but
was permitted to reside at the house of a friend named Walker, and to
visit her husband daily, taking him food and luxuries. At length she
made the acquaintance of a leman of one of the British officers, and,
through her interposition, obtained greater freedom for the prisoner.
After being detained some six months in the city, she was allowed to go
home, followed, as we have seen, by her husband three months later. In
1840, when some needed repairs were being made to the old house, evi-
dences of that night's visit of the enemy were found in abundance.

Adjoining the residence of John A. Hazzard at Rockland Lake is an
old house, which seems to have acted the part of a target for the British
gunners whenever they passed Slaughter's Landing. It has been marked
over and over again with shot, and from its wall many old six-pound balls
have been taken.

On one of their many foraging expeditions, a boat's crew, which had
landed at Rockland Lake and marched inland, came upon the house of a
Mr. Ryder, which stood near the present Swartwout's pond. Mr. Ryder
was from home at the time of this visit and his young wife was alone to
meet the marauders. In compliance with their demands,- she gave them
all the food she had and waited on them during their meal. When they
had finished eating, the invaders .returned to the beach taking Mrs. Ryder
with them. On reaching the shore these, worse than brutes, violated the
poor woman and then left her, lying unconscious on the sand under Calico
Hook, while they returned to their vessel. It was not till the following
day that the poor creature could drag herself back to her home, and tell to
her alarmed neighbors her horrible tale.

In more than one instance these predatory parties raided inland from
Rockland Lake or Haverstraw after fresh provisions. Sometimes they
would meet with success and get back to their boats without difficulty.
Sometimes they would retire when they found they were discovered, and

112

sometimes, they roused a hornets' nest of Minute Men about them ancf
were glad to reach their boats without spoil. During an expedition of
this nature in the neighborhood of Strawtown, Resolvert Stephens and a
few others learned of the enemy's presence and attacked them. The
British were in too great force, however, for this little band to do more
than fire and run ; but the patriots, at least, had the satisfaction of seeing
one of the foe carried back to the shore by his comrades, and knew their
volley had not been' in vain.

On another occasion Major John Smith, having learned that a body of
the enemy had landed at the present Rockland Lake, and proceeded in-
land, hastily gathered a party and rode up- the Strawtown road. Ere the
faintest suspicion was- excited, the Major wa:s in an ambush. His com-
rades wheeled and rode back lis thie enemy fired, but it was too late for the
Major to turn and, finding hhnself surrounded, he spurred ahead, leaped
his horse over a fence, and started across country for the Nyack and
Haverstraw road. Believing that the enemy were below him, he turned
toward the Long Clove, but when opposite the present Waldberg Church,
he saw a group of invaders about a neighboring house. Again he was
fired at and missed. Then two of the enemy, mounting in haste on two
stolen horses, began pursuit. The race waskept up till Long Clove was
reached, when the chase was abandoned, but not till one pursuer had been
shot, and Major Smith's sword hand nearly amputated by a saber stroke.
At a later period, this patriot was captured and confined in New York.

Toward the close of the war a boat load of marines landed at Rock-
land Lake, in the dusk of the evening, and under the guidance of neighbor-
ing Tories started on a search for booty. On this errand bent, they
'marched around the lake and doWn the oldlake road towards its "junction
with the Kings Highway. On the west side of the -lake road and almost
opposite the junction of the-mountain road with it, lived Garret Meyers, a ,
militiaman. All that day Mr. Meyers *had been watching the British - ves-
sels, to alarm the country in case an attempt was made to land from them,
and only at nightfall had returned to his home. Just before bed time, he
heard the tramp of feet on the road,' and surmising at once that the enemy
had landed, he started out to light the beacon fire on Verdridica Hook,
and thus warn the Minute Men. As he stepped from his door however, he
saw that the enemy was between him and the mountain, and that it would
be necessary for him to wait till the road was clear. Hastening to a pear
tree, which stood near the house, he flattened himself against it, hoping to
be unobserved in the darkness. But fate was against hini.

"3

In the yard was a pet white calf that Mr. Meyers had been accustomed
to feed, and the animal had become so tame, that it would follow its mas-
ter like a dog. Seeing him appear, the calf ran to the tree behind which
he was standing, and stood beside it. Among the Tories, who accom-
panied the British, was a near neighbor of Meyers,, who knew the habit of
the calf, and when he saw it run to the pear tree he suspected the presence
of his neighbor. He therefore told the commanding officer of the party
that a rebel Whig was hidden at that spot, and the search that followed
resulted in Meyer's capture. The party then visited his house, gutted it
completely, knocked Mrs. Meyers senseless with a blow from the butt of a
musket, which drove her teeth down her throat, and then took their de-
parture for the landing with their prisoner. Mr. Meyers was confined in
the Sugar House till the close of the war, and left it with his health forever
broken. This unfortunate man always suspected a neighbor, who claimed
to be a patroit, of having betrayed him, and, rendered frenzied by his suf-
ferings while a prisoner, registered an oath to shoot the suspect on sight.
Being informed one day, long after the war had ended, that his neigh*bor
was coming down the road, the bed-ridden old man toilsomely dragged
himself to his loaded gun, but fell ere he could take aim, and the villain
who caused his misery escaped the judgment of man.

Residing at the upper end of the Hackensack Valley, near the present
Congers Station on the West Shore Railroad, during the Revolution, was
Theodorus Snedeker, who, according to his statement, incurred the dis-
trust and enmity of both parties and was relieved of his property by each.
Early in the conflict, as Snedeker afterward stated, he furnished the Con-
tinental troops with provisions and forage, and, by so doing, attracted the
watchful eyes of his Tory neighbors. When, in the changeful fortunes of
war, the British vessels were at anchor off Snedeker's house, his aid to the
Americans was remembered, and, guided by some Tories, the enemy
visited his farm and looted it. Besides carrying off four horses, two yokes
of oxen, fourteen cows and ten sheep, they took Snedeker into custody
and only released him on his payment of a large ransom. Of his after
difficulty with the Americans I will speak later.

Haverstraw, during the revolution, like Nyack, was but a hamlet. Its
proximity to the Kings Ferry at Stony Point, and its position on the Kings
Highway, rendered it more than once, as we have already seen, the theater
in which portions of the army encamped or through which they marched;
while its connection with Arnold's treason gives it more than a passing
fame. In this village, as elsewhere, the citizens were divided in their
allegiance. Few were as deeply involved with the British as Joshua Hett

114

Smith, but all the loyalists wished success to the King, and in every way,
commensurate with their safety, aided his troops. Of Smith's connection
with Arnold and Andre, and of his final escape, I have briefly spoken in
a preceding chapter. Of his actions at other periods of the war further
mention may not be amiss.

Joshua Hett Smith was a man of more than ordinary ability, and was
looked upon by his patriot neighbors as fitted to represent them in the
Assembly then called "The Convention of the Representatives of the
State of New York," of 1777. While serving in that body he voted for
the State Constitution, which was adopted at Kingston, April 20th, 1777.
For some unexplained reason his influence among the patriots seemed to
wane from this time, and he was not taken into their full confidence when
any enterprise was on foot. That this was because one of his brothers —
William — was a noted Tory Justice in New York, would seem much more
probable if another brother, Thomas, a firm patriot, had also lost the con-
fidence of his Whig neighbors. Such was not the case, however. Thomas
was not even suspected of treason after his brother's implication with
Arnold. From the beginning. Colonel Lamb, whose wife was closely re-
lated to Smith's wife, suspected him of being a Tory and persistently
refused to associate in any way with him. In regard to his being duped
by Arnold. As before said, he was a man of intelligence. That his suspi-
cions should not have been aroused by Arnold's previous career at Phila-
delphia, is entirely probable, but, that in conjunction with that career, the
strange and earnestly pushed midnight visit to an enemy's ship ; the con-
veyance from that ship to shore of a man in the uniform of the enemy, the
secrecy of that nights' conference ; that these things should not have
excited the suspicion of a man with more than ordinary wit, seems im-
probable ; and if, to still further clinch the evidence against Smith, we
remember the removal of his family to Fishkill, that his house might be
vacant in case the interview between Arnold and the stranger was pro-
longed ; his anxiety, as the early hours of the morning passed on toward
dawn, that the conspirators should seek a more concealed spot for further
talk ; his indifference to the presence of a stranger in his house during that
September day, his refusal, point blank, to reconvey that stranger back to
the British ship, while perfectly willing to ride anywhere with him, pro-
tected by Arnold's pass ; his loan to that stranger of a coat to replace his
mihtary dress and thus disguise himself; these many things, while they
might not have excited Smith's suspicions, would most certainly have ex-
cited the distrust of men far duller in mind than he.

In his defence, Arnold wrote Washington, that Smith wa§ his dupe,

ii5

and the Tory Justice wrote to the patriot Thomas, asserting that Joshua
was Arnold's dupe because Arnold said so. The word of Benedict Arnold
against the circumstantial evidence ! We have seen that Smith was
acquitted by a court martial and escaped from a civil trial by flight. That
by that flight he escaped a fate he richly deserved was believed by his
neighbors at the time, and the lapse of years has not cleared his repu-
tation.

One incident connected with this period at Haverstraw has come to
me. At that place was residing a wealthy widow named Robart, who had
infatuated a Tory neighbor. When the section became unpleasantly
patriotic for this class, and all could see that the Americans had won the
long struggle, the loyalists made haste to embark on British vessels for
Nova Scotia or New Brunswick. Mrs. Robart's lover had determed to
move, but ere departing hastened to press his suit with the fair lady.
That suit was rejected by the patriotic woman with scorn, and in revenge
the suitor that night fired her buildings, which were totally destroyed,
then fled for refuge to his British friends.

The furthest north that British troops passed by land in our County,
was to a spot opposite the house formerly owned by James Lydecker, a
few rods north of the turnpike at Clarksville. This invasion was made by
a squadron of cavalry, doubtless acting as a scouting and foraging party.
Major John Smith, commanding a small force of mounted men, met the
enemy near Greenbush, but whether, believing discretion better than valor
or being Vastly outnumbered, certain it is that the meeting was not pro-
longed by the Americans, who hastened off at topmost speed.

^While never advancing further up the Hackensack Valley than Clarks-
ville, the enemy frequently overran the lower portions of the County. In
1777, a detachment of the foe marched into Orangetown in search of pro-
visions. Avoiding the road along Snake Hill, this party followed the old
Clausland road till about Greenbush, and then, finding no cattle, retraced
their steps. Had this force advanced but a few rods further and ascended
a small hill, they would have found a large number of cows and horses,
which had been driven to this retired spot for safe keeping.

On the march north, the commanding officer halted at the residence of
Mrs. Blauvelt, mother of Mrs. Elizabeth Haring, and asked her where her
son was He was told in the American army. He then stated that he
was very dry, and asked for some liquor. This was produced. Raising
the flask this officer said : "Here's health, safety and success to your son.
May he always be a true soldier to his country and no harm befall him. I
honcir the man who is true to his country, but, damn the one who turns

ti6

traitor." After a long drink he returned the flask, expressed his thanks,
and promised that not a thing belonging to Mrs. Blauvelt should be
molested by the troops.

When the order to counter-march was given, plunder began, and the
residence of Mrs. Blauvelt was invaded by soldiers, bent on destruction.
Looking- glasses were taken from the walls, laid on the floor, and jumped
upon ; crockery was smashed, furniture was broken, feather beds ripped
open, and other acts common to a devastating army were carried on.
When the uproar was at its height, the officer, who had stopped earlier
in the day, appeared, ordered the destruction stayed and the soldiers to
withdraw, and made every apology for his unavoidable detention.
"Mammy," said he at parting, "don't blame my men for this, but blame
the traitors among your own countrymen. They are the ones who lead
the soldiers to plunder and tell them where to go, and, but for them, there
would be no scenes like this."

Some two and a half miles west of Tappan, dwelt, in the early days of
the Revolution, Minard Kissike, with his wife and a daughter about four-
teen years of age. Kissike had accumulated a goodly property and was a
patriot, either of which facts was sufficient inducement for the Tories, who
infested the neighborhood of Tappan Town, to pay his place a visit. A
raid by the cow boys was soon planned. Captain Outwater, of Tappan,
had organized a company of Minute Men for the purpose of guarding the
property of the patriots, and, learning of the contemplated attack on
Kissike's house, gathered his men, silently marched to a wooded hill some
yards west of the house, and prepared to receive the enemy.

The night passed without trouble, and the Minute Men, suspecting
the Tories had gotten wind of their preparation, were about to retire when
a large force of marauders appeared, and entered the house. The inmates
had just sat down to their breakfast, when the foe entered, and were abso-
lutely unwarned. Before anything had been accomplished. Cutwater's
men surrounded the house and demanded the Tories' surrender. But they
had miscalculated the pluck of their opponents, and a conflict was at once
begun. In the confusion that followed, Kissike pushed his wife and
daughter through a rear door, and pointed toward the wooded hill the
Americans had but just left. Before half the distance was covered, a bul-
let struck the daughter, and she fell to the earth. Only long enough did
the mother pause to raise the wounded fugitive in her arms, and then con-
tinued her flight, bearing her precious burden, to the safe retreat afforded
by the woods.

For a brief space the conflict between Cutwater's band and the Tories

117

continued, but the latter were protet;ted by the house, and at length won
the day. At their leisure they looted the place, and then took their de-
parture after setting fire to the buildings.

In the evening, a few neighbors visited the spot, and found sitting near
the ruins, and lighted by the fitful flashes of fire which still burned, a ma-
niac, with the head of her dead child resting on her lap, and the charred
body of her husband lying beside her. Were these the deeds of sons of
men or the actions of demons direct from Hell ?

Among the members of Captain Cutwater's company was Samuel
Garritson, third son of Dominie Ver Bryck. In one of the scouting ex-
peditions of a detachment of his company, young Ver Bryck was captured
by Van Buskirk's band of Tories, conveyed to New York, and lodged a
prisoner in the Provost, under charge of the fiend, Cunningham. For a
long time his rations consisted of old English peas, " hard enough," as
Cunningham said, " to shoot the rebels with." These had to be par-
boiled in lye for four or five hours, and then pounded in a mortar before
they could be boiled in clean water. In addition to this unpalatable food,
each prisoner was allowed a quarter of a pound of rusty salt-pork weekly.
If conyjlaint was made about the food, the prisojier was beaten and might
consider himself lucky, if Cunningham did not take the law in his own
hands, and hang him ere midnight.

Unused to such treatment, and still a boy under twenty, Ver Bryck's
health gave way and he rapidly failed. When almost beyond recovery he
was visited by a Tory — then resident on Long Island — who had formerly
been a communicant in his father's church, at Tappan. This man heard
that his old dominie's and neighbor's son was a prisoner in the Provost,
and visited it to ascertain the truth of the statement. Through his efforts,
young Ver Bryck was bailed, and carried, for he could no longer walk, to
the residence of a man named De Bevoise, on Long Island. Ten months
had been passed in the Provost, and nine and twenty months under bail at
the house of De Bevoise, when Ver Bryck was paroled, through the inter-
cession of an English officer, for whom he had performed some favor, and
allowed to visit his house. Through the kindness of his English friend, he
carried with him many luxuries to the parents he had not seen for over
three years. Before his parole expired, Ver Bryck was exchanged. He
immediately re-entered the patriot service and remained till the end of the
war.

The Tory, who thus saved young Ver Bryck's life on one occasion,
was on the verge of taking that of the dominie on another. We have
already said that this clergyman was, heart and soul, with the patriot cause.

Ii8

and that he never ceased his efforts for the success of liberty. Naturally
his deeds and words drew upon him the wrath of his Tory neighbors, and
he found it necessary to abandon the highway on his trips to and- from the
church, and follow a secret path through the woods. This path was dis-
covered by the Tory above mentioned, and he laid in wait, with loaded
musket, to kill his pastor. The Dominie appeared and the Tory took
aim, but — was it the, thought of the cup he had received from that vener-
able hand, of the mysterious symbol which represented the body of Him,
before whom he must appear with his victim when the dead shall be raised,
that stayed his purpose ? He could not fire, and the aged disciple passed
on his way unaware of how near the angel of death had passed him by.
When young Ver Bryck was a prisoner, this Tory told him of this fact.

While in the Provost, Ver Bryck saw, among a number of newly ar-
rived prisoners, a near neighbor, named John Frelin. According to the
regulations of the British army, no one was allowed to purchase over a
stated quantity' of provisions at any one time, and the restriction on salt
limited the amount to a half bushel. Frelin was in the habit of visiting
New York at regular times and making such purchases as his neighbors
might wish. On this occasion his commission embraced several half
bushels of salt. He had no sooner procured these, than he was placed
under arrest, and taken to the Provost on a charge of violating military
law. Explanations were useless, and Frelin was given his choice between
joining Van Buskirk's band of Tories or being flogged. He chose the
former with an idea of deserting at his earliest opportunity. The next
morning he was taken to the yard of the Provost, stripped and lashed to a
stake, and given one hundred lashes. For the first nine blows he bore
his suffering unflinchingly. At the tenth he uttered a frightful yell, and-,
as blow followed blow, he gave shriek after shriek. Before the punish-
ment was ended Frelin's cries had grown fainter and fainter, and at length
ceased, and unconsciousness came to his relief At last the stripes were
ended, and the victim, upon being unbound, fell to the earth a gory
mangled mass. Upon his recovery he was placed in Van Buskirk's band,
and nearly four months elapsed before he effected his escape. From the
hour of his freedom he devoted himself to revenge, and, only attending
the demands of nature sufficiently to preserve life, he followed Van Bus-
kirk's band to and fro, killing one or more at each and every opportunity
till he actually destroyed more of that party than ever fell in any of their
numerous combats.

In the autumn of 1780, a party of eight or ten patriots, living at Tap-
pan or in its vicinity, learned that at the residence of one of their neigh-

119

bors, strongly suspected of favoring the British, a large amount of provision,
cattle and forage had been gathered ; that a party of the enemy would
make a pretended attack on this residence, and that, after a brief and
bloodless resistance, the stores were to be carried off.

Quietly marching to the suspected point, these men found their story
confirmed by the presence of a dozen British troopers, who were loading
the provisions on wagons and preparing the cattle for removal. The
Americans separated into two parties and attacked the foe on both sides.
At the first volley four saddles were emptied, and the foe, unaware of the
force which opposed them, thrown into confusion. The regulars fought
well and, though defeated, only retired with Abraham Storm as a prisoner
and after leaving most of the patriots severely and David Clarke fatally
wounded.

Slowly the Americans retraced their steps toward home, taking with
them the fruits of their capture, and tenderly bearing their wounded com-
rade, but the journey to Tappan was left uncompleted by Clarke, and by
the roadside, where he was laid by grieving comrades, he uttered his last
words, and started on the other journey which we all must take.

Abraham Storms, who was only three and twenty years of age and had
but recently been married and settled near the Waldberg Church, was taken
to New York and confined in the .Sugar House. After a long imprison-
ment he was exchanged, and re-entering the American army, continued
in the service till the close of the war.

On another occasion the patriots received word that a suspected Tory,
living a short distance north of Tappan, was about to convey a heavily
laden team to the British camp. A half dozen of them, determining to
intercept this movement and take the goods for the American army, laid
in wait for the Tory by the roadside. At length the rumbling of wheels
was heard and the suspected man drove among them, but, owing to the
intense darkness, he was unaware of their presence till ordered to halt. The
night favored his escape, but the patriots seized the wagon and started
toward home. As they proceeded, laughing and joking at the Tory's
surprise, they were themselves surprised by marching directly into the
midst of a foraging party of the enemy. Escape was their only thought
and all were rapidly off in safety, except Abraham O'Blenis. This indivi-
dual was snugly stowed away in the wagon. Upon discovery, he asserted
himself to be a Loyalist and joined the troopers in a search for his com-
rades. In the course of the hunt he gradually drew further and further
away from the main body until, with the exception of one trooper who
accompanied him, he was alone. At the top of the declivity north of the

I20

Tappan Church, which runs along the mill-dam, O'Blenis suddenly slopped
as if listening. In an instant he called the trooper in a whisper and bade
him look below. This the unsuspecting soldier did. With a lunge from his
musket, which tumbled the Englishman into the dam, O'Blenis turned and
fled, escaping before an alat'm could be given.

During the period of hostilities the residence of Joost Mabie, at Tappan,
was visited by the Tories, and the usual robbery and destruction took
place. So unexpected was the attack, that Mabie's son, Peter C, had but
time to hide behind an immense clothes-press which stood in one of the
rooms. In the process of destruction this clothes-press was forced open
and rifled, but not before the whole front was broken and battered by mus-
ket blows. Young Mabie escaped discovery, but his father was taken to
New York and confined for some time in the old Provost. A few years
ago the old press was in the possession of Peter R. Haring.

On one occasion, about 1778, Peter Van Orden, later a Division com-
mander of militia in the war of 18 12, and member of Assembly from our
County, had been on a scouting expedition near the British camp. He
was seen by the foe and chased till he found refuge in a swamp near
the log tavern, which formerly stood on the property now owned by John
A. Bogert. In this swamp the fugitive remained for a night.

About the same year, 1778, a man named Shuart, who had caused sus-
picion of his patriotism, was detected in the act of driving cattle, which he
had stolen from about Kakiat, to the British camp. His pursuers over-
took this cow-boy at a spot just west of the present school-house in Nan-
uet, near the house of the Rev. J. Cooper, and shot him dead.

Just north of the Ramapo valley, in the present village of Monroe,
dwelt Claudius Smith, the most daring marauder, the most merciless cow-
boy, the most thorough scoundrel that ever met a just fate on the gallows.
At the outbreak of hostilities in this region. Smith, with his three sons,
William, Richard and James, collected about them a gang of desperadoes
and began a warfare against mankind so lawless and violent as to terrorize
this whole section, and call forth the offerjof a large reward for their cap-
ture. A correct list of the names of those associated with Smith will pro-
bably never be obtained, nor is it needful, as most of them came from
other parts of the country, attracted by the boldness of his crimes. Among
the names preserved are those of Wm. Cole, John Babcock, Wm. Jones,
Thomas Ward, John Everett, Jacob Ackner, Geo. Harding, James Twad-
dle, Martinus and Peter Dawson, John Mason, Henry McManus, Wm.
Stagg, Geo. Bull, Jacob Low, James Terwilling and James Conners.

This band of banditti ravaged the southern section of the present

121

Orange county, raided down the Ramapo pass, and alternately visited the
houses of patriots in the present township of Ramapo, or in the northern
section of New Jersey. When they attacked a place it was not left till the
process of looting was complete. Horses, harness, cattle, provisions were
forcibly taken, from the barns of the unfortunate recipients of their visits ;
everything of any value that could be carried was stolen from their houses,
while the proprietor was either beaten or murdered, and his family out-
raged. Extending their sphere of operations as they grew stronger, this
gang of cow-boys attacked government property as it passed through
Ramapo pass, and among the spoils thus seized were several thousand
muskets. On July i8th, 1777, Claudius Smith, then a prisoner at Goshen,
and one of his band, named John Brown, were indicted for stealing a yoke
of government oxen, but succeeded in escaping from custody.

Among the rocky fastness of the Ramapo mountains, this band found
plenty of safe resorts. In one just east of the Augusta Iron works, they
frequently divided their spoils. In another, near Sherwoodville, at a spot
called " Horse Stable Rock," on Round Mountain, they often rendez-
voused, while among their neighbors were many who sympathized with
them, and gave them shelter in time of need. Of these Tory participants
in their hellish actions, were Benjamin Demarest, John Harring, John
Johnson, Wm. Conkling, Peter Ackner, in Pascack, Arie Ackerman, of the
same place, and one Isaac Mabie, at whose place these robbers had exca-
vated a cave for a retreat. At length their deeds reached such an alarm-
ing state, that Governor Clinton, offered a reward of $500 for the arrest of
Claudius Smith. This frightened that leader, and he hastened to place
himself under British protection in New York, from whence, with the idea
of reaching still greater safety, he crossed to Long Island. Through the
instrumentality of Major John Brush, he was at length captured, conveyed
to Goshen, and brought to trial January i ith, 1779. As already said, the
result of that trial was his conviction and execution with two others of his
band on January 22d, 1779. One of his last acts depicts his character.
Always wicked, one of his early crimes had drawn from his mother the
prophecy that he would " die like a trooper's horse with shoes on." The
remembrance of this came to him at the last, and in presence of eternity,
he kicked his shoes off to make his mother a liar.

After the death of Claudius Smith, his sons swore revenge and the ex-
cesses of the band were worse than before. On April 28th, 1779, a Goshen
paper published the following : " We hear from Goshen that a horrible
murder was committed near the Sterling Iron works, on Saturday, March
26th, by a party of villains, several in number, the principal of whom was-

122

Richard Smith, eldest surviving son of the late Claudius Smith, of in-
famous memory, his eldest son having been shot last fall at Smith's Clove,
in company with several other villains, by one of our scouting parties sent
out in search of them. These bloody miscreants it seems that night in-
tended to murder two men who had shown some activity and resolution in
apprehending these robbers and murderers, who infest this neighborhood.
They first went to the house of John Clark, near the iron works, whom
they dragged from the house and then shot him, and observing some re-
mains of life in him shot him through the arm again and left him. He
lived some hours after."

Among the homes visited by these British partisans was one, situated
near the state line at Masonicus, occupied by a family named Lee. This
home they devastated, killed young Lee, and violated the person of his
sister Elizabeth. The sufferings she had witnessed and undergone, upset
this poor girl's reason and from the time of the assault till her death, which
occurred soon after from exposure in a bitter snow storm, Bessie Lee
wandered through the present township of Ramapo, entreating by her ap-
pearance, far more potent than word of tongue, the revenge of her patriot
neighbors.

In 1 78 1, the British held several positions in New Jersey near the State
line, and their presence gave rise to much uneasiness among the patriots
in Ramapo township. On one occasion a Captain Babbit, with a dozen
horsemen, started on a reconnoisance, and at evening encamped in a wood
by the side of the road near the present village of Monsey. After
breakfast, next morning, the troopers were lounging about when a coun-
tryman was descried running toward their place of concealment. After he
passed he turned south on a narrow lane, which intersected the highway
just beyond the Americans, and soon met a British troop of two score
dragoons. With the commanding officer of this party he had a long con-
versation, frequently pointing toward the American's wood. Babbit's
band, concluding they were discovered, determined to charge.

With a whoop and cheer they broke cover and dashed at the startled
foe. That foe had but just time to draw pistols and fire, but their aim
was so hurried that not a patriot was injured. Before the dragoons could
draw sabres the Americans were on them, overturning horses and riders,
cutting them down with each sabre sweep, until, wild with terror, the
British turned and fled through the narrow causeway. The pursuit was
not abandoned by the patriots till the first picket line of the enemy was
passed and one of the pickets made prisoner. Of the dragoon force, all
were captured or cut down except one.

123

One other incident of a local nature in Ramapo township comes to my
notice. An old gentleman in this section was, until the war begun, the
happy owner of pictures of King George and Queen Charlotte. At the
outbi-eak of hostilities this firm ' patriot, with grim determination, turned
the pictures face to the wall. Long before the close of the struggle the
old man was stricken with paralysis and bed-ridden. In one of the many
alarms, when it seemed as though the enemy would overrun our County,
the old gentleman was observed to be restless and uneasy, and, at length,
when news was brought that the foe was approaching, he made the most
violent gesticulations to have the faces of the pictures turned out again.

Sad had been the lot of the patriots during the long years of the war.
From Tappan, whose residents had been harried by the incursions of
British troops and Tory partisans, whose citizens had seen neighbor after
neighbor robbed, beaten or slaughtered, to whom the awful realization of
conflict had come in the execution of John Andre ; to Peploaps kill, where
the festering, bloated corpses of our yeomen poisoned the pure mountain
air. From the shore of the Hudson, which had been the scene of many a
sanguinary struggle ; to the Ramapo Valley, where the patriots had been
wasted by Claudius Smith and his band ; there had arisen, time and again,
the cry of agony : " How long ; O Lord ! how long !"

Now the war was ended, and, as the loyalists had acted toward the
patriots in days gone by, they now, in' their hour of triumph, took revenge
seven-fold upon their foretime persecutors. Commissioners of Forfeiture,
appointed by the State authorities, confiscated the property of such as had
excited suspicion of their patriotism ; and many of the old families of the
County found it safer to abandon their home and possessions, than to
trust to the clemency of the victors. These people joined the refugees in
New York, and sailed under British protection to other lands.

Among those who fell under the ban was Theodorus Snedeker. We
have already seen that he claimed to have supplied the American army
with food, and thus drawn upon himself the enmity of the British ; that
they had visited and robbed him. He then goes on to state that he
visited New York to obtain redress for the robbery, and thus caused the
distrust of his patriot neighbors while he was unsuccessful in his mission ;
and that, while he was absent, his furniture, stock, and lands were seques-
trated and sold. Snedeker's disloyalty to the patriot cause was too noted.
His petition was rejected and his property was sold by Samuel Dodge and
Daniel Graham, the Commissioners of Forfeiture,, to Jacobus Swartwout, on
Aug. 1 8th, 1782. Snedeker's house still standing, is now owned by Hon.
A. B. Conger.

124

Turn from this picture of human selfishness, greediness, cowardice, and
treason, to that other picture, where, on Sept. 28th, 1779, wrapped in a
few rags, in the midst of inconceivable filth and vermin, exhausted by pri-
vation and hunger, breathing the mephitic, noisome air of the old Sugar
House ; the son-in-law and nephew of Theodorus — ^Johannes Snedeker —
lay dying ; so crowded by fellow prisoners that his death struggles dis-
turbed them, and hearing, with dulled ears, not the familiar voice of
Dominie Ver Bryck in prayer, but the oaths and imprecations of men half
frenzied with suffering.

Captain James Lamb, of Haverstraw, was another Tory whose property
was confiscated. This land lay between Florus Falls and Stony Point.
Owing to the patriotism of his sons-in-law Jacob and John Waldron, part
of the property was saved and granted to Lamb's children.

Cornelius Mabie, of Tappan, had cast his lot with the British during
the war. At its close, he sought a new home in Nova Scotia, while the
Commissioners of Forfeiture disposed of his mill, farm and stock for the
benefit of the State.

A. Hawks Hay, Colonel. Gilbert Cooper, Lieutenant-Colonel.

John Smith, Major.t John L. Smith, Major.

John Ferrand, Surgeon. James Clark, Adjutant. Joseph Johnson, Quartermaster.

Joseph Hunt, Quartermaster Sergeant.

James Onderdonk, Sergeant Major.

Jacob Onderdonk, Captain.
Resolvert Van Houten, First Lieutenant, Andries Onderdonk, Second Lieutenant.

Resolvert Van Houten, Ensign.

Rueloff Stephens, Sergeant.
Claus Van Houten, Sergeant.
James Vanderbilt, Corporal.
Tunis Van Houten, Corporal.

Blauvelt, John
Blauvelt, Peter
Copoelet, Daniel
Campbell, Luke
Campbell, Stephen
Campbell, William
Cooper, Hendrick
DePew, Peter
Garrison, Abraham

Jacobus Blauvelt, Sergeant.
Abraham Blauvelt, Sergeant.
Peter Stephens, Corporal.
Abraham Van Houten, Corporal.
Johannes Ackerman, Fifer.
Garrison, Abraham, Jr.

Seaman, Joseph
Seaman, Towles
Secor, Isaac
Smith, Isaac
Smith, John
Smith, Nathaniel
Smith, Stephen
Riker, Mathew

Stagg, John
Stephens, Albert
Stephens, Resolvert
Stephens, Stepen A.
Stephens, Stephen H.
Taylor, William
Van Houten, John
Van Sickles, Daniel

Johannes Bell, Captain. Joseph Crane, Captain.
William Graham, Second Lieutenant.
Ackerson, Garrett Gardener, John

Blauvelt, Aurie Hogenkamp, John A.

Blauvelt, Johannes Onderdonk, Jacob

John Fitcher, First Lieutenant.

Daniel Onderdonk, Ensign.
Sickles, William
Smith, Aurie
Tourneurs, Henry

12S

Captured at Fort Clinton and Fort Montgomery:

Conklin, Johnt
Crom, Hermant

De La Montagne, Jamest
Garrison, Samuelt
Storms, Johnt

Lent, Jacobt
Sears, Francist

Colonel, Abraham Lent.
Lieutenant-Colonel, Johannes David Blauvelt. Major, Johannes Joseph Blauvelt.

Adjutant, Jacobus De Clark. Quartermaster, Isaac Perry.

Johannes Jacobus Blauvelt, Captain.
James Lent, First Lieut. Hendrick V. Ver Bryck, Ensign. James Smith, Second Lieut.

Isaac Smith, Captain.

Johannes Isaac Blauvelt, First Lieut.

Wm. Van Sickles, Second Lieut.

Lambert Smith, Ensign.

The appended list is of Rockland County people who served during the
Revolution, but to what regiments or branch of the service they were at-
tached I do not know.

Ackerman, William

Archer, Jacob

Blanch, Thomas, Colonel

Blauvelt, Abram

Blauvelt, C. A.t Con. Army

Carson, James

Clarke, David*

Cuyper, Cornelius, Lieut-Col.

Ellison, Robert

Trout, Adam

Trout, Michael

Snedeker. Johannest

Allison, Wm., Colonel

Tinkey, John

Freeland, Peter
Garrison, John
Jones, Jacob
Lewis, James
Meyers, Gerritt
O'Blenis, Abram
O'Blenis, Gerrit
Onderdonk, Andrew
Onderdonk, Thomas
Weygint, Tobias
Wilson, Jamest
Gross, Peter
Smith, Jacobus
Waldron, Jacob

Palmer, Henry, Captain.
Paul, Arthur
Sarvent, Abram
Schucraft, Jaipes
Steel, John
Storms, Abramt
Suffern, John
Tallman, Harmanust
Taulman, Peter, Captain
Dorey, James, Con. Army
De Ronde, Abram*
Cornelison, Michael, Sr.t
Waldron, John
Ver Bryck.Sam'l Gerrit,Sr.t

Two companies from Haverstraw were in the Continental Army.

Benjamin Coe, Captain.

Araham Onderdonk, First Lieut.

Paulus M. Vandervoort, Second Lieut.

Daniel Coe, Jr., Ensign.

*Killed. tCaptured. tDied Prisoners.

126

John Suffern was an officer in the Commissary Department, C. A.
Blauvelt, of the Continental army, was captured, transported to England,
and held there as a prisoner of war for nine months. James Wilson was
confined in the Sugar House ; after his release he lived to the age of 90
years. Peter Gross served in Colonel John Lamb's Regiment of N. Y.
Artillery, and was present at the surrender of Yorktown. Abram De
Ronde was captured by a party of Tories while conveying provisions to
the American army at Stony Point. On the way to New York he and
his captors were fired on by an American scouting party, and he was mor-
tally wounded.

As an indication of the material condition of the County during those days,
it may not be amiss to mention the following facts: General Heath, when
on his march from Tappan to Hackensack to quell the turbulence of the
Tories, sent to Col. Hays for flour, beef and pork. To his requisition
Hays returned answer, that there was no pork, that while he could fill the
order for flour there were neither horses nor wagons to transport it, and
that plenty of beef was on the way.

At a later period, in 1777, the Legislature passed an act authorizing
the Board of Supervisors for each county to meet and ascertain the real
value of rye, oats, Indian corn, flour, beef and pork, in specie for the year
1777. The valuation in this County was fixed as follows: Wheat 8s. per
bushel ; rye and corn Ss. each per bushel ; oats and buckwheat at 3s.
per bushel ; flour at 22s. per cwt. ; beef, 40s. per cwt. ; pork at 60s. per
cwt. As may be imagined these prices fluctuated during the different
quarters of the year, sometimes as much as 50 per cent.

We have seen that the old Tappan church was used both as a prison
and court-room. The English church at Kakiat, if we may believe the
tradition, was used as a stable, and from John Coe's Hotel at that place.
La Fayette dated, at least, one letter.

It is interesting to note that even the horrors of war could not entirely
obliterate the gentler muse. Captain Johannes Jacobus Blauvelt appears
to have had an ear for music, and the words of the following song, used
by the Virginia troops, so attracted his fancy as to lead him to copy it in
his Orderly Book.

"Com all you bref Virginiae man I have you all to
know
It is to fight your enemy you must prepare to

go
Our king he has fell out wyth us hes a mind to

bindus slavs
Before we well put op wyth it will reither

choose our graeves

127

We will put op with his l\Iasety our anything

that gust
And if he wont put op with et he may do his

worste
Our king he has fell out with ous he is very

angry now
I hope that brave America will conker general

how
As for Lord north he es very proud and grand
He has no friend in America as we can under

stand
Long thim has ben trying some quarrel to begin
That he might heuve a change the pretender to

brign in
As for our gouvernor he acted very mene
He stole away our powder out of our magazine
He stole away our powder and likwist our led
And if hae dont return it he is sure to loose his

head
This is one of the worst wars that ever was be-
gun
It is lyke the father that wus against his sun
I never hard of such a war no not sens neohs

flood
That any christian king crueves for his subjects

blood
Thir is manas a brave souldier must go and

loose hys lyf
And menys louven husband must an leve his

loven wif
But we will kill them my brave boys lik brim-

ston kild the bes
Whear we cold find themse mongst the woods

and thress
Dount you remember the issralits out of bond

aege roodis be
And by the hand of moses end by the power of

God
And by the hand of moses struck water with

rod.

Johannes Blauvelt neeft gehut van Abraham ryker vooghi van die Staaet Van Kaspaarus
Conklyn 4 Gin. mis."

Authorities referred to : " History of Haverstraw," by Rev. Dr. A. S. Freeman ; " History
Clarkstown," H. P. Fay ; " History of Ramapo," E. B. Cobb; "History of Orange County,"
Eager; Papers in " City and County," R. H. Fenton. Magazine American History, Vols. III.,
v., IX., X., XL, XII. Old documents, " Lectures on Rockland County," by William G.
Ilaegelbarth,

CHAPTER VIII.

OLD TIME CUSTOMS AND OCCUPATIONS.

DREADFUL FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE COUNTY AT THE CLOSE OF THE
REVOLUTION— ENERGY OF THE PEOPLE TO RE-ESTABLISH BUSINESS—
THE FIRST HOUSES OF THE SETTLERS— LATER ARCHITECTURE— DO-
MESTIC LIFE AMONG THE DUTCH-rTHEIR OCCUPATIONS AND MANNER
OF WORK-THE MODES OF TRAVEL IN EARLY DAYS— THE STYLE OF
DRESS— AMUSEMENTS— CAUSES OF VENERATION FOR THE CLERGY-
CHURCH ATTENDANCE— FUNERALS— FORMS OF OLD WILLS.

" Though one-third of the labor of the country at the close of the
Revolution was probably devoted to the cutting of timber," says Greeley,
in his American Conflict, "the ax-helve was but a pudding stick;
while the plough was a rude structure of wood, clumsily pointed and
shielded with iron. A thousand bushels of corn (maize) are now grown
on our western prairies, at a cost of fewer days' labor than were required
for the production of a hundred in New York or New England eighty
years ago." *#**'< Almost every farmer's house was a hive,
wherein the ' great wheel ' and the ' little wheel ' — the former kept in mo-
tion by the hands and feet of all the daughters ten years old and upwards,
the latter plied by their not less industrious mother — hummed and whirled
from morning till night.

In the back room, or some convenient appendage, the loom responded
day by day to the movements of the busy shuttle, whereby the fleeces of
the farmer's flock and the flax of his field were slowly but steadily converted
into substantial though homely cloth, sufficient for the annual wear of the
family, and often with something over to exchange at the neighboring
merchant's for his groceries and wares."

Peace found this County devastated and scathed. Where once had
been great fields of waving grain or grass or tassled corn, now lay a waste
rankly o'ergrown with weeds; where once capacious barns had stood, filled
to bursting with the glad earth's produce and giving shelter to lowing kine,
and bleating sheep, and well-fed swine; there now could be found a few
charred, blackened fragments of the buildings, while the cattle had been
long since taken by one or the other army; and, turning to the home,
where once had been comfort and plenty, great chests and presses filled
with home made cloth; cupboards stored with pewter, earthenware, and,

129

perchance, china and silver table sets ; garrets redolent with the odors of
garden and orchard fruits ; now stood open chest lids, cupboard doors ajar,
exposing empty shelves, while the once filled garret was a home for bats
and owls. Turn from this scene of sadness and look at the condition of
New York City, the commercial depot for this County, and the spectacle
is not more cheering. Two great fires had swept four hundred houses
from existence, and in the ruins stood huts and dens built from
rubbish and fragments of canvass ; the long, cold winters fell chill upon the
invaders, yet the dangers of attacks from the patriots, if they ventured far
from their quarters, were such as to lead the enemy to cut down the trees
in the city and the forest on the island for fuel, and unsightly stumps
and low underbrush stood in the streets and covered the adjacent country.
Commerce was dead. The Continental money worthless. The States
bankrupt.

This was the first fruits of the patriots, victory, death and ashes. From
death and ashes in the physical world springs fresh life, and from the ashes
of an old social life was to spring forth a new, a more thriving, a better
social system. Brave men and women came from the crucible of suffering
undismayed, and began once more the struggle for existence. The earth
was theirs and on their industry depended the fulness thereof

Where all alike were equally poor, each was dependent on his own
labor, and at once, as if by magic, the Army of the Revolution melted
into the busy citizens of the Republic, industriously reassuming the peace-
ful vocations they had abandoned at the call to arms. With wonderful
rapidity, considering the exhausted condition of the people, houses and
barns were rebuilt ; the fallow land reploughed, and the deserted farm
yards replenished with domestic animals. Soon again was heard from
every house the hum of the " great wheel " and the " little wheel," and on
countless looms was being woven the warp and woof of a new existence.
Once more the many long untrammeled streams, were fretted into foam
as the water came in great surges from the slow revolving mill wheels ;
and here and there, along the highways of the County, the ringing blows of
hammer on anvil, the roar of the fire, and the scattering sparks, proclaimed
that the brawny armed artisan. within. Jiad only ceased to be a son of Mars
to become a son of Vulcan.

The first houses of the settlers were of two descriptions, depending in
great measure for the style on the location chosen. In one case an ex-
cavation in the side of a hill, lined with bark and faced with upright posts
set in the earth, furnished with shelves and slaap tancks, was their home
'till better accommodation could be had. In the other case, a hut made of

130

interwoven saplings, covered with bark was used. These rude dwellings
were only occupied till a log house could be erected. In the course of
time the simple log houses were replaced by more pretentious and per-
manent buildings, and it is with these we have to deal.

Before the introduction of saw-mills, franie buildings with shingled sides
and thatched roofs were constructed. The shingles, made by hand from
well seasoned cedar, were almost as durable as stone. Such houses,
though expensive were not as costly nor as difficult to build as those of
stone. As their general arrangement was much the same as the latter, I
need not give them a separate description. While a few of these shingle-
built houses can still be found in the County, the great majority of those
built before the close of the last century, which still stand, are of brown
stone. These stone buildings were one story high, with an overshot roof,
forming a portico, in some cases both in front and behind ; in others the
portico was only in front, while in the rear -the roof, called a " lean-to," ex-
tended, to within a few feet of the ground. Admission to the house was
through half-doors, of which the upper half, containing usually four small
panes of glass, could be opened for ventilation without disturbing the
lower.

The entrance was into a broad hallway, through which a horse and car-
riage could be driven and then leave space between hubs and walls. Low
and unceiled were hall and rooms. Overhead ran the heavy oak beams,
which became a rich, dark color with age, and on these rested the garret
floor. The lower half of the wall in many houses was wainscoted, the
upper half plastered. The fire-places were enormous, generally extending
to a width sufficient to accommodate the whole family with seats near the
fire. The chimneys, which were capacious, were built outside of the
house. They were generally kept clear by " burning out " during a wet
day to prevent danger from fire.

In the more pretentious dwellings, the jambs of the fire-place were set
round with glazed, blue delft- ware tilesj imported from Holland, on which
were depicted Scriptural scenes — these were a never-failing source of
amusement and instruction to the children — and each had its huge and-
irons and heavy fire-shovel and tongs.

In the front of the house, on either side of the hall, were the parlor and
kitchen, and in the rear, two bedrooms, which were lighted by a window
in each end of the building. In many houses the parlor was never
opened except for the purpose of a weekly cleaning, and as soon as that
was finished it was closed again. This cleaning consisted of a thorough
scrubbing, after which heaps of white sand were scattered on the floor,'

131

which, later, when the boards were dry, were swept into fanciful forms by
the housewife|s broom. In all houses, the parlor contained a high posted
corded, and unwieldly bedstead, which, with its hangings, formed the index
of the social standing of its owner. Upon it, were two feather beds — one
for the sleeper to lie upon, another of a lighter weight, to be used as
a covering. The pillow-cases were generally of check patterns, and the
curtains and valance were of as expensive materials as could be afforded.

Not infrequently a round tea-table, with a leaf which could be dropped
perpendicularly when not in use, also occupied the parlor and on this stood
a family Dutch Bible with heavy wooden covers, bound and clasped with
brass, which covers were seldom or never opened, except to record a mar-
riage, a birth, or a death. Looking-glasses, for common use, were small,
with narrow black frames, but in the parlors of the wealthier families hung
a large glass, framed with mahogany, trimmed with guilt, while from the
top of the frame projected forward a gilded sheaf of wheat stalks or other
like fanciful designs. Clocks were extremely rare — those great eight-day
clocks, which are now so highly prized, being introduced into this country
about 1720 — and the early settlers marked the flight of time by an hour-
glass and a sun dial.

The cellar, the entrance to which was always outside the house, was
used as a storehouse for such farm products as needed an equal tempera-
ture in winter, and as the dairy all the year round.

The garret was the store house. Here were laid up the fruits of the
harvest which needed to be kept dry. Along the collar beams hung
strings of dried apples and ears of sweet corn ; here in one corner stood the
bin for rye, in another the bin for corn ; along one side were piled bags of
flour, along the other stood barrels of apples. Not infrequently boards
were laid on the collar beams, and on this improvised floor the lighter farm-
ing utensils were placed side by side with the spinning wheel and loom.

What weird old places those garrets were. The one or two panes of
glass placed in the gable served but to make the darkness more visible, and
an air of ghosts always pervaded them. Tolerated, .they might be by the
children during a stormy winter day when no other place could be found
for play ; but oh ! what an agony of terror was produced by an order
from the parent at night to go up there and bring down some needed ar-
ticle. How with quivering muscles and trembling limbs the messenger
would start, trying to keep up an air of courage by whistling ; how the
whistle would die out at the head of the stairs; how each shadow thrown
out by the candle light would assume grotesque, weird, and gigantic out-
lines ; how. the mind would rapidly fall into such a whirl that every action

132

was performed automatically ; and then, if a mouse/disturbed by the un-
wonted light, should scamper across the floor, how, with bristling hair and
starting eyeballs, the frightened messenger would fly to the stairs and get
down any way, caring little whether it was head first or feet first, so long
as he got down quickly, and without creating disturbance enough to be
heard by his parents ; for the terror of parental anger exceeded even the
terror of ghosts, proving the power of the visible and tangible over the
imperceptible and imjpalpable.

The kitchen in many houses was used alike as the cooking, eating and
living room. On one side stood the vast open fire-place, with bright
wood fire and shining andirons ; across its top" ran an iron bar upon which
hung pot hooks and trammels — the crane was as yet too expensive a lux-
ury for common use. Along the walls hung racks for culinary utensils,
and in one corner stood a three-cornered closet called a pudabunk, in
which the plates, knives and forks were placed. The crockery was delft-
ware, which came into use in this colony about the close of the seven-
teenth century ; previous to the introduction of delft- ware, wooden and
pewter dishes and vessels were used, and pewter continued the common
table service in this County till the beginning of this century ; the knives
and forks were of steel. Among the very wealthy, blue and white china
and porcelain, curiously ornamented with Chinese pictures, were kept for
display, and used, perhaps, once in a lifetime. Some of these families
decorated their parlor walls with China plates suspended by a strong rib-
bon passed through a hole drilled in their edges. Silver spoons, snuffers,
candlesticks, tankards and punch-bowls were owned by such as had
accumulated more money than they could otherwise use. With them the
purchase of silverware was an investment for surplus funds, as the different
interest-paying stocks' and ventures which exist in our time were unknown
in those days.

Further furniture consisted of high, straight-back chairs, sometimes
covered with leather and studded with brass nails, but more frequently
seated simply with matted rushes. The capacious chest, brought from
Holland, occupied a prominent place in the house for several generations,
and was ev€r kept filled to overflowing with clothing and cloth by the in-
dustrious good wife. Another useful article was the kermis, or trundle-
bed, which was concealed under the large bed by day, and drawn out for
the children's use at night.

Such was the general arrangement of double houses. In those of
smaller size the interior was changed only by the hall occupying one side
of the front, the other side -^ing used as the parlor, after the manner of

133

our city houses to-day, and opening into the sleeping rooms in the lean-to
In such houses the kitchen stood alongside the dwelling, generally com-
municating with it by a doorway. When the kitchen was thus detached
from the house, its attic was used as the slaves' quarters, or if there were
many of these, for one family.

At a little distance from the dwelling stood a capacious barn with
thatched roof, its mow floors being made of saplings laid loosely across
the beams. Nearer the house was the well, with its long sweep 'heavily
weighted at one end for greater ease in raising water ; and not infrequently
a building of logs, filled in with clay, was in close proximity, and was oc-
cupied by the slaves.

In such a community, everyone who was old enough to be of aid
worked. By nine or half-past, at night, the candle light was extinguished
and the wearied men and women slept ; at four o'clock in Summer and an
hour and a half later in Winter, they arose. Before breakfast the male
portion of the family had cleaned and watered the stock, the women had
milked the cows, and, if it were Summer, the children had driven them to
the pasture lot. After breakfast the men started forth to the fields, while
the women, having attended to their household chores, began their ap-
parently endless task of spinning and weaving, or else made up the linsey-
woolsey garments, which were to clothe the family in the future.

The farm labor ran in regular and unvarying routine. In Spring came
the ploughing, the planting of the maize and potatoes, and the sowing of
the cereals and flax. In summer the sheep were sheared, hay was
gathered, grain was garnered by the men, while the women spun the wool.
In Autumn the late fruits and cereals were harvested, the flax was broken,
swingled and hatcheled, and everything prepared for the approaching cold
season. In Winter the women tended to the manufacture of cloth, while
the men threshed the grain and cut wood for the next year's supply.

Wonderful as is this picture of industry, it becomes more wonderful
when we recall the implements of husbandry employed. The plough,
clumsily shaped and light, was made of wood, and the share only was par-
tially sheathed with iron. The motive power was a team of slow and
patient oxen. As njight be expected, the work was slow, but never
monotonous, for the plough-boy was ever on the alert to keep the plough
in the furrow ; let it once get out and trouble began. Then came a tug
to drag both plough and oxen back, and the ever obtuse beasts became
more stupid whenever some intelligence was wanted. At first the sickle
was the only implement used in gathering grain. Then came the tre-
mendous invention of the cradle. Yet, if after using the cradle of to-day,

134

one should grasp the implement that was first devised, he would lose all
interest in agriculture. Pitchforks were made with wooden tines, and ax-
handles were " pudding sticks," while the ax-head was poorly shaped and
illy balanced.

Despite these difficulties, the settlers succeeded in supplying them-
selves with food and clothing, and soon acquired a surplus, which they ex-
changed with miller or storekeeper for money or commodities. Here and
there throughout the County, as we have already seen, were mills — both
grist and saw — and at convenient landing places along the river front were
stores. In exchange for tea, coffee, tobacco and sugar, or crockery and
silverware, the storekeeper received the surplus fruits of the farm or the
cloth, butter and eggs of the housewife. Home-made cloth was of great
value in those early days and the Dutch matrons took much pride in their
packed clothes-presses. For his grain, the farmer obtained gold — Spanish
Johannes or Joes ($i6 pieces) or English guineas. In the eager search for
this gold or plate, the British and Hessian soldiery ripped many a feather
bed and sounded many a door yard and garden with their bayonets, dur-
ing the Revolution. Beside the millers and storekeepers, the blacksmith
took part of the surplusage of the harvest in payment for his labor, which
he could exchange with miller or merchant for his necessities.

But while there were millers, merchants and smiths in the County, they
by no means depended entirely on their calling for support. All owned
and tilled land in conjunction with their other occupations. The first
blacksmith that came into the Haverstraw. precinct was led to do so by a
grant of land.

' ' Know all men by these present, that we whose names are hereunto written, for and in consid-
eration that Joseph Wood, of Hempstead, in Queens County, shall settle upon a certain tract of land
hereinafter described, and then and there uphold the trade of a blacksmith, as long as he shall be
able and capable of working at the said trade, and to work for the persons underwritten according
to the custom of a Smith * * We do hereby grant and release unto him a certain tract of land at
a plate called Kakiat, bovmded west by the rear of the first eastern division of lots, east by a creek
or brook called Wood creek, containing lOO acres. July 15th, 1720."

" John Allison, "Caleb Halstead,
James Searing, William Hutchins,
Charles Mott, Abm. Denton,

William Osborn, Jonathan Rose,"
Jonathan Seaman."

When sufficient flour had been collected by the miller, and sufficient of
the other products of agriculture by the merchant, they shipped the
material to New York by sloop, and after exchanging for articles they
needed, sold the balance.

135

We have already seen that the roads were few and far between. Once
a year the King's Highway was worked and its bridges repaired, but the
branch roads were never touched and bridges were unthought of If neces-
sity compelled the use of a vehicle, that vehicle was a springless lumber
wagon, or, in winter, a sleigh running upon split sapplings, and was drawn
at a uniform dog trot by pot-bellied nags. Before the Revolution the two-
wheeled one-horse chaise had been introduced into New York and its im-
mediate vicinity, but I have yet to learn that the people of this County
were guilty of any such foolish extravagance up to that period.

Travel was almost entirely carried on on horseback. If the heads of
a family went out together, a pillion was used, the woman sitting on it and
steadying herself by holding on to the man. This mode of journeying also
extended to those who aspired to be heads of families, and courtship in
those days was largely carried on in this manner. Trotting horses, under
the saddle, were rare ; a canter was the ordinary pace for the sturdy
Dutchman ; but these Dutchmen, like their descendants, were fond of their
stock, said an attempt by any one to pass them, roused a spirit of emulation
that took no heed of dignity or occasion. A race followed, even though
the day was the Sabbath and the church doors were scarcely yet closed
upon them. The Perrys of Rockland are said to have been hard riders
and never missed an opportunity to race. If a neighbor did not come
along frequently enough, these Jehus would run their own horses against
each other.

The few trips, that the average resident made to New York in the
course of his life, were generally made by the flat-bottomed, slow-sailing,
side-board sloops of those days, and these trips were by no means free
from danger. The sad experience of the past few years in Nyack and
Haverstraw Bays, proves that with all the advance in boat-building, the
Hudson can still be master ; and whatever of danger'renders the navigation
of the noble river perilous at times even now, was ten times greater when
the vessels were clumsy and difficult to manage. Solemn, indeed, is the
incription that meets the casual observer, who, in rdle curiosity, perhaps,
stops a moment in the Coe burying ground by the English Church :
^' Captain William Coe drowned in the North River with nine others, Nov.
25, 1774." If the observer makes inquiry regarding this catastrophy, he
will be informed that it was occasioned by the capsizing of a sloop. Incre-
dulous we may be, even if we allow the fullest sway to our imaginations in
regard to sudden gust and howling gale, incredulous we may be, when
told that the placid flowing Spar-kill hks been the scene of drowning for
three of these whilom passengers. Yet the statement is true.

136

Sometimes the: trip to town was made on horseback or by wagon, and
not unfrequently, the traveller walked to New York and back. This has
been done by more thkn one person whom I have known, and was not re-
garded by them as anything out of common.

In dress, the first comers were not particular. They wore what they
had, and made it hold together as long as they could. As the success of
their labors became assured, however, they adopted a garb which followed
the fashion of their native land, being changed only by the necessities of
their new home. Homespun coats, with great shirts, in which were ca-
pacious pockets, a loose-fitting, blouse-shaped, under-coat or waistcoat,
knee-breeches, long blue worsted stockings and huge shoes, often home-
made, with pewter, or in the very wealthy, silver buckles formed their
apparel ; while the younger unmarried men wore short, square-frocked
coats with rows of enormous brass buttons. The elderly dames attired
themselves in close-crimped hats, long-waisted short-gowns, homespun
petticoats, with scissors and pincushions, and gay calico pockets hanging
on the outside ; and their daughters only differed from them in attire by
the use of a tastefully arranged bright ribbon or two, and a coquettish
manner of wearing their clothing. If fortune had been unusually kind,
silk dresses possessed by the matrons indicated their worldly success.

At a later period the garb of the men changed in style and gradually
settled into the habit of to-day, with the exception that the top-coat was
made with two or more capes, and contained the pockets that formerly
belonged to the body coat. The hair of the men was allowed to grow
long, and was generally dressed in a queue up to and during the Revolution.
After that period this custom gradually ceased, until now it is an indi-
cation of affectation.

Industrious as were our ancestors they still found time for amusements,
most of which were harmless, none absolutely brutal. Horse-racing had
not degenerated into a gambler's occupation, but was a pure enjoyment
into which horse and rider entered with equal zest. Two neighbors meet-
ing upon the road would have a short brush, and each would feel con-
vinced that his animal was the better horse. In a spirit of friendly rivalry
they would agree to meet at a stated place, usually some long, level, green
sward beside the highway, on the following Saturday afternoon and test
the matter fairly ; each would notify his friends of the coming match, and
on the afternoon appointed a score or more of young men would be pre-
sent to see the trial. Sometimes, in fact often, the spectators would feel
satisfied that the animals they be'strode could defeat either of the contest-
ing horses, or that of any one present ; the result would be another and

137

still another race, till the waning hours warned all present that their night
work awaited them, then, with great good nature they would ride off
home, determining to try again at the first opportunity.

But these were not the only contests of speed which the horses were
put to. There were surreptitious night runnings, that the owners of the
animals were not aware of. Emulation between the slaves of different fami-
lies was as active as that between their owners, perhaps even more so, and
when the rest of the household had settled down to sleepy, these nocturnal
contestants had many a struggle for first place. Sleepy, lazy, exhausted,
they accounted next day for their weariness and the sweated condition of
the horses by some convenient untruth. In later years, when Methodist
itinerants travelled on horseback, the former night contests of the slaves
were carried on by the worthy scions of those houses where the ministers
tarried over night. They used and abused those ministers' horses to learn
what stuff they had in them, and returned the wearied beasts to their stalls
just in time to avoid detection. Bold, careful, and yet, withal, kind riders,
the men of those days were gentle with their animals, and those animals
responded with all the love of their natures to the caresses of their
owners.

Other contests between the young men of those days grew out of faith
in their personal strength. Matches between them in running, wrestling,
and hurling heavy weights were common, and carried on in friendly
rivalry. Occasionally though justice demands that I should say only
when braggadocio among them grew unbearable the youthful owner of
slaves pitted his negroes' butting powers against those of some neighbor's
Cuffee, and then all the rising generation collected to see the battle.
Backing off, till fifteen or twenty feet separated them, the black competi-
tors would rush at each other and drive their heads togetRer with a crash,
that would break the skull of an ordinary man, but which only resulted
in the feUing of one of them. In those rare instances, where one of these
negroes had defeated all opponents in thickness of skull and strength of
neck, small wagers would be made that he could not break in one of the
heavy folding doors which led into the main floor of the barns ; and then
one of the conspirators would stand within and hold a heavy bar against
that part of the door where he would strike. Defeat always greeted the
black-a-moor's efforts in such cases, and drew forth from him many ex-
pressions of wonder at the stiffness of the particular door, but the fact that
he had been deceived never seemed to have entered his dull mind.

Hunting was so common as scarcely to deserve classification among the
amusements. No one ever thought of going off to the woods or fields in.

138

pursuit of their daily toil without carrying their trusty gun. In the early
days of settlement it would be rare if some of the family did not return at
night bearing game which had been shot, and it was not infrequent
even within the memory of men still living, for the laborer to cease from
his toil, seize his gun and shoot a fox, that, hard chased by the dogs,
entered the fields in his flight.

Among those enjoyments into which both sexes joined, were hiiskings
and weddings. In both cases the merriment was carried on in the tre-
mendous barns of those days. At the huskings, people were present from
miles around. The great heaps of corn were piled up on the floor and the
guests, selecting such places as were near their friends, sat round these
heaps in circles. Gossip, flirtation, badinage, flew thick and fast, and one,
who stood in the mows overhead, would have thought that Babel had been
reproduced. Yes in all that tumult of laughter, and song, and jest, there
was a ceaseless energy, which heaped high the baskets of yellow corn and
ever diminished the piles before the busy talkers.

After the husking was ended all adjourned to the house for refresh-
ment, and then, the barn floor having meantime been cleared by the slaves,
once more visited it to end the day in jollity and mirth.

In some respects marriages were simpler in those days than in these.
Wiiile due notice and invitation was given to every family within a radius
of miles, for in those days, as has already been said, every one knew each
other, the invitations werd for what we would call the reception, never to
witness the ceremony. Unostentatiously the wedding party drove to the
parsonage accompanied only by their immediate relatives. There they
were quietly married, and then started for home again, having added one
to their number in the person of the good dominie.

At that home were collecting all the people from a wide area, coming
on horseback, coming on foot, coming in wagons, and coming in the full
spirit of innocent enjoyment. On the arrival of the wedding party came
the wedding dinner. And what a dinner ! none of the condiment soaked,
highly-spiced foods ; none of the knick-knacks, ycleped pates, and truffles
and capons — products of disease, every one of them, which are chosen by
the dyspeptic epicures of to-day ; but the table groaned under the weight
of solid substantial victuals, which were eaten by men and women who
ate to live — not lived to eat. Huge turkeys, long the pride of the farm-
yard ; ducks and geese, swimming in their own gravy ; chickens unnum-
bered, and at their head a famous chanticleer ; great roasts of beef, and
sides of bacon, the vegetables of the season — all these graced the board ;
and then for dessert came apple pies, and peach pies, and pumpkin pies.

139

the tender olye kok, the crisp cruller, the famous Dutch doughnut — alas,
that it is passing away ! sweet cakes, short cakes and ginger cakes ; pre-
served peaches, quinces, citrons ; these and more tempted the appetites of
the robust guests.

Nor was liquid refreshments lacking. Great tankards of New England
rum, vessels of Holland schnapps, and bottles of rare old wine of Gaul
stood waiting the beck of the harder-headed guests, while the women
quaffed, with full knowledge of its potency, that delectable nectar, lost to
us forever, Metheglin ; or else sipped, with appreciative draughts of crusty
wine from Oporto, or the wind-swept island of Maderia, while peach
brandy, still rare, furnished the parting bowl.

After dinner came the dance. If it were warm enough, the barn was
used as the dancing floor. At one end, on an improvised platform made
by placing boards across barrels, sat two or more negro fiddlers with their
battered but still musical violins. The bride and groom led off the first
set. When all was ready, away thej- started, dance followed dance, more
and more uproarious grew the fun, faster and faster the bow crossed the
strings, brighter and brighter grew the eyes of the musicians as they
entered fully into the spirit of the day; swiftly flew the hours, madly
waxed the revel, until finally, wearied with excess of mirth and pleasure,
the dancers ceased, the musicians obtained their needed rest and an al-
lowance of rum, and about sunset the guests departed with a hearty good
night, which meant from the visitors " God bless you," and from the host
" God keep you."

In all the social gatheririgs of those times the dominie was present or
the host was disappointed. The first Colonists, who settled" in this State,
were from the middle and lower class of Hollanders. All were compelled
to labor for a living- The wealthy merchant or land owner saw no induce-
ment to brave the perils of a long ocean passage, found no cause for leav-
ing his comforts and enjoyments, to amass more wealth from the new
world, when sufficient abundance was already in his possession. Among
these industrious settlers, but little opportunity could be found for educa-
tion, and with the exception of that shrewd common sense, which seemed
an attribute of these Dutchmen, almost all were illiterate. For years after
the settlement of our County, education among the people made but slight
advance, and even up to the close bf the last century, the great majority
of residents were untaught.

While they were unlettered themselves, the settlers appreciated educa-
tion, and gave to it that respect which it must ever command. The one
above all others, among them whom all knew to be studied was their

HO

dominie, and this was one of the reasons why that dominie was regarded
with great esteem. But there was another and in those days a more im-
portant reason why the Dutch gave such veneration to their clergy. The
fruits of the Reformation had not yet reached completion. For centuries
the intellect of all Europe had been held subordinate to the will of Rome.

To be sure Lippershey, a Hollander, had discovered the telescope, but the
fate of Bruno for theorizing, and the punishment of Galileo for stating as
to what the telescope would and did reveal, was not encouraging to further
investigation. To be sure, at the very moment of Dutch settlement on this
Continent, Descartes was making Holland his home and was soon to issue
a philosophy which would change the aspect of all civilization, but almost
a century was to elapse ere his teachings became generally understood.
To be sure two centuries had elapsed since Guttenberg had invented the
printing press, but the Index Librorem Prohibitorem, of the Church had
checked free discussion long before. In reality the Pontifical authority
still rested upon Europe. The habit of centuries is not changed in a day.
From time beyond the conception of man's imagination, the clergy had
been the greatest authority recognized by the common people. At their
entrance into the world, a member of the sacerdotal order had baptized
them in the name of Christ ; such catechising as they had had was received
from a servant of the Church of Rome ; as the years advanced, they had
learned to carry the burden of their earthly as well as spiritual sorrows to
their parish priest, and in the privacy of the confessional had received wise
worldly advice as well as spiritual comfort, and as the end of this life ap-
proached, and the mystery of the hereafter drew nearer ; it was a clergy-
man who held the hand, stiffening in death, and pointed toward a glorious,
resurrection.

The Reformation had changed the form of worship. The Reformation
unloosed the human intellect ; but while the people now performed their
devotions in greater simplicity and argued with their pastor concerning
the meaning of Scripture, they still retained all the fore time affection and
reverence for that pastor's holiness and wisdom. If this was true of the
old world, far more true was it of the new, where dangers and sorrows, un-
known in their native land, stood round the colonists on every side. In
the full realization of the great responsibilities thrust upon them ; in a clear
comprehension of the many diversified duties they would be called on to
perform ; those pioneer ministers of God entered upon their missions, braved
the perils of a stormy ocean, risked the unknown dangers of a new settle-
ment, lent physical aid as well as administered religious consolation to the
struggling pioneer, preached Christ crucified to the settlers in the midst of

141

primeval forests, and by the uprightness of their lives and their Christian
charity, extorted expressions of gratitude from even the taciturn Indians.

With their religious duties these dominies combined worldly knowl-
edge. They kept posted on the important events of the day, and.narra.ted
and explained the tendency of these events to their congregations. Often
they acted as arbitrators in neighborly disputes, and soothed down angry
passions. Often their advice was sought in regard to proposed purchases
or sales of land or stock, or new ventures in the business of life. Always
welcomed at the plain but bounteous board, they visited much among
their congregations, and entered into all their pleasures and sorrows as one
of the family. Truly they followed the oft-repeated saying of one of the
last of their number, Dominie Lansing : " I have never said to you, Do
and Live, but Live and Do ! "

As can be imagined, with such feelings toward the minister, all the
residents of this County went to church. The first edifice erected for
worship was, as \ye have already seen, that at Tappan, in 1716, and this
was followed by the churches at Clarkesville and Kakiat, at which latter
church the service was held in the English language. At the Tappan,
^d later at the Clarkesville church, for both churches were supplied by
the same minister till 1830, the service was in Dutch, a language which
held into and through the ministration of Dominie Nicholas Lansing, who
alternated during the last years of his life, preaching one Sabbath in Eng-
lish and the next in Dutch.

At ten o'clock in the morning the first service was begun by the clerk,
who also was chorister, reading the lesson and lining the psalms. Then
the sermon would begin and last until noon, when the first service ended.
But we must remember that many of the congregation had come a long
distance, over wretched roads, which precluded all hope of their going
home for dinner and returning in time for the afternoon service. These
people brought their lunch with them, and while those, who resided near
at hand, went home for their meals, the others ate either in the church or
under the shade of the trees, and then had time, the men for a short
smoke, the women for a brief gossip, ere the second service began. This
was after an. hour's intermission, and it lasted an hour and a half. Two
services in a day were only held in the Summer and Autumn. Church
edifices were unheated in those days, and while the fervor of religious zeal
was strong, it was testing human endurance too far to sit more than two
hours in an icy temperature. To alleviate, as much as possible, the suffer-
ing from cold, the elderly ladies carried quaintly designed foot stoves,
some of which are still preserved in the older families, which they passed

142

to others, who were unprovided, when their blue faces indicated actual
distress ; while the men resorted to the bar of Mabie's tavern, both before
and after service, and fortified themselves against the cold or warmed their
chilled blood by drinking hot gin. At a later period " box " stoves were
introduced into the church, one of which stood on either side of the en-
trance doors. Even then it was not rare for sonie benumbed members of
the congregation to rise during the service, walk back and warm them-
selves at the stoves, and then return to their seats.

Not infrequently during the pleasant summer Sundays, several neigh-
bors on the river bank at a distance from Tappan, or Clarkesville, would
embark on sloop-board, and start for the church at SiaeperighHoli^lee'pY
Hollow.) Sometimes they would get- across the uncertain Tappan Zee
without trouble and in plenty of time for service, but it oftentimes hap-
pened, that when the sloop got well out from shore, the breeze would die
out and then the vessel would drift idly about the bay till an afternoon
wind sprang up and wafted the belated pilgrims back to shore.

The churches of those early days differed so radically from the build-
ings of our time that a brief notice of that at Tappan, may not be uninter-
esting. Oppositethe entrance stood the wine-glass shaped pulpit, fastened
against the wall by its stem, and reached on either side by a flight of cir-
cular stairs. Surmounting it was a sounding board which was emJaellished
by a sheaf of golden, grain. Underneath and in front of the pulpit, was the
clerk's desk. On each side of the church was a gallery which was reached
by stairs built within the body of the church, that on the right being occu-
pied by the young men of the congregation while the one on the left was
used by the negro slaves. In keeping with the simplicity of the people
and the universality of attendance at church, the quaint habit existed of
making the doors of the sacred edifice a place of advertisement. Nailed
to them might be seen, notices . of strayed or impounded cattle, descrip-
tions of lost property, or intelligence of an approaching vendue.

Other religious meetings were held at irregular intervals. Prayer
meetings at the houses of the different church members, at which the
Dominie would be present if it was possible ; and every two or three
weeks a lecture on Bible subjects would be given at the home of some
deacon or elder. Saturday evening was the night always selected for
these lectures, and as time and place were announced from the pulpit on
the preceding Sabbath, the meeting was always well attended.

The healthful out-door life, the nature of their occupation, the plain
but substantial articles which formed their food, the freedomv from bad
sanitation which exists in a sparsely settled country, and the homely com-

143

mon sense of our ancestors in this County ; rendered them unusually iree
from disease and exceedingly long lived. Yet the custom of preparing
for death was universal. From the hour of attaining his twenty-first year
every man began to lay aside a sum in gold, which should be used to de-
fray his funeral expenses, and under no circumstances was this ever touched
except for that purpose. At the same time a linen shirt, handkerchief,
etc., were laid away and were never allowed to be worn, but kept clean to
be buried in. When sickness entered a household, domestic remedies
were tried by housewives, who were by no means unskilled in the appearr
ance or treatment of disease. If, to their keen sight, the symptoms were
alarming, either Doctor Osborn, who had settled at Stony Point as early
as 1730, and begun practice, or later his son. Doctor Richard Osborn, or
Doctor Thomas Outwater, of Tappan, were sent for.

If the malady proved fatal, preparations were at once made for the
final obsequies. The coffin, usually made from well seasoned, smooth,
and beautifully grained boards, which had been selected many years be-
fore by the deceased and carefully kept for the occasion, was constructed
by some neighbor skilled in carpenter craft, and covered with a black pall.
In case a woman died in child-bed a white sheet, instead of the black pall,
was spread over the coffin. In a community where all were neighbors
and friends, but little call existed for funeral invitations, for, unless the illness
had been unusually brief, the mortal sickness of one of their number was
widely known among the residents ; but, when such invitation was given,
■it was through the chorister of the church.

At the hour appointed for the last rites, the neighbors for miles around
collected at the late home of the dead. In one corner of the parlor stood
the coffin, resting on a table, near it was seated the dominie, while around
the room were the mourners, for in those days all mourned as for one of
their own. Just previous to the beginning of the service, the sexton en-
tered, followed by a slave bearing a tray on which were glasses and decan-
ters. These were passed to each guest and most of them poured out and
drank a glass of wine or rum. Following this, the sexton again entered,
bearing pipes and tobacco. Such of these present as smoked filled a pipe
and puffed in silence ; when the pipes were empty, the dominie rose to
his feet and delivered his funeral remarks, ending the service by a short but
fervent prayer.

The custom of using liquors and tobacco at funerals prevailed in this
County as late as 1 809. How much later it obtained here I do not know,
but among the conservative Dutch families of Flatbush, in Kings County,
on Long Island, it was still in vogue in 18 19.

144

At the close of the house service, the coffin was carried to the vehicle
by bearers, who were chosen from among the most intimate friends of the
deceased, and then borne to the grave. The location of that grave de-
pended altogether on the situation of the dead person's residence. If it
was near the church the body was laid in the church-yard. At a distance
too great to render this spot available, the corpse was either interred in
some local spot of sepulture, chosen by the neighbors for that purpose,
or the lumber wagon bearing the remains was driven:, to some' place on
the farm which the deceased or his ancestors had selected, and there con-
signed to. the dust from which it came. Wills are still extant in which
provision is made for the preservation of these family burying places
through all time.

The last wills and testaments of those days are worded with remark-
able clearness. The testator knew how he wished to dispose of his
property, and, if he could write, placed his desires on paper, or failing in
penmanship, obtained the services of some educated and trusted neighbor
to express his bequests for him. Competition for success was not as great
in those days as at present because wealth was not regarded as so important
a social factor ; closer relationship existed between the different members
of families, and fewer lawyers had to be supported ; for these reasons wills
were never- contested'in our County, and the "importance of having them
drawn up with a view to future attempts at .breaking them, did not exist.

Before the adoption of the Constitutional form of Government, the law
of primogeniture existed. To avoid its force, when desired, an opening
clause devised a certain sum to the first-born male, in lieu of legal privileges,
thus : " Item, I do give, devise and bequeath to my eldest son, Gerret
Lydecker, the sum of £$ current money of New York, which shall be in
full of all demands or pretention he shall or may have to any part of my
estate as heir-at-law." * * * After the disposal of this matter, the
testator then proceeds with his bequests.

" These old Dutch wills seem not to trust a widow in a second mar-
riage. The restraints placed upon re-marriages by wills were generally
in favor of .the children of the first marriage, and the widows thus restricted
generally signed consents to accept the bequests in lieu of dower, for the
good reason that propriety did not allow them to refuse so soon after the
death of their first husband ; and, because the devises and bequests in lieu
of dower vested an estate for life, or three-thirds of the estate subject to a
contingency in their own control, instead of one- third absolutely." Thus
in the will already quoted from, which is that of Albert Lydecker, made in
1774 and is a type of others which I have read of thiat time. All the

145

3tock of furniture or its value, which he obtained with his wife at marriage,
he bequeaths to her and directs his executors to deHver it in case she
should marry again, and he again further directs his five sons to pay her a
yearly sum, and gives her the use of a room in the home, so long as she
remains his widow. Another will provides liberally for the widow of the
testator during her widowhood. " But if she marry, then her husband
must provide for her as I have done."

In reality, women, maids or widows, were not dealt by with what we
■should regard as a spirit of fairness. It was expected that they should
marry and that their husbands should support them ; and then, not in any
sense regarding the fact that in the partnership of marriage the wife had
done her share in accumulating the property devised, if she married a
second time, she was disinherited by the will of her first husband.

The wills of those days entered most minutely into a list of behests ;
^'cupboards," "pewter table sets," " silver plate," "beds and their furni-
ture," " chairs," " tables," and so on ; are devised piece by piece to the dif-
ferent heirs. Slaves were bequeathed, sometimes to one person in the
total, and sometimes they were separated by the last earthly wish of a
man, who shortly, before an inexorable Judge, to whom souls are alike
"whether in black skins or white, was to appear and answer for his life
work.

In case disagreement followed the reading of the will ; and in other
•cases where the testator thought it advisable ; the executors were directed
to sell everything at public vendue — spelled phonetically in those days,
A'andue — and divide the proceeds among the heirs according to the pro-
visions of the will. Different terms of sale at those auctions were agreed
to by the executors. Those of one held in 1773, I will quote :

"The articles of this Vandue held this loth day of August, 1773, are
that all Persons have their free Bid and be Entitled to such things as are
struck off on their Bid, with giving good Shurety if regard (required) by
the Collector, if such surety be Refused, ye thing or things to be set up at a
second Sale if sold for more than the first time the first Buyer to have
no Profits, if sold for Less than the first time, the first Buyer to make
good the Damage, the Buyer to have until ye loth day of February next,
for time of Payment, if any money Remains unpaid after the time given, it
is to draw Lawful Interest until paid. The Collector to have good Right to
seize on the Buyer or goods any time before payment. And the Money
to be paid to me.

Gilbert Cuyper, Collector."

146

Such were the customs, almost all now obsolete, of the people who
dwelt in this region before the close qf the eighteenth century. It has
been said that they were bigoted in their religious opinions, crude and
rough in their manners, and utterly without amusement. I have seen a
lithograph, published many years ago, which was intended as a hit at the
religious fanaticism of early days. It represents an inn, in front of which
stands the inn-keeper, Bible in hand ; around him are collected his family,
all their faces wearing a cold, stern, rigidly just expression. Pendant from
the branch of a neighboring tree hangs the body of the house cat, while a
jolly-visaged guest standing by, explains the scene in these words :

" To Banbury calne I, O profane one,

To see a puritane one ;

A hanging of ye cat on a Monday,

For ye killing of a mouse on a Sunday."

To the liberal ideas of the present time, the sectarian prejudices of
olden days, must at a superficial glance seem bigoted ; but when we re-
member that the spirit of their religion moved our ancestors to live honest,
pure, and upright lives, trying as best they could to love their neighbors
as themselves, to do unto others as they would be done by ; when we re-
member that they paid their personal debts and kept the church as God's
house and not as the property of some mortgage-holder ; when we re-
member that they attended divine service to worship Him in whose care
they committed their bodies and souls, and banished worldly thoughts and
vanities at the church door, we may find cause to believe that with all our
boasted liberality of views, our ancestors walked as near beatitude as we do
True it is, that the culture and society polish of the present day were
not known to that generation of men ; but they reverenced their women
next to their God and honored their old people as they themselves would
wish in their age to be honored. True it is, that labor was severe and al-
most constant among the pioneers, and they had little of the amusement
that we of to-day enjoy ; but their labor founded a County, now rich and
prospering, and kept poverty so far from the door that not a pauper was
reported for over a century and a half — till 1 845 — in that section now
known as Rockland County ; and as Greeley says, " a passionately earnest
assertion, which many of us have heard from the lips of the old men of
thirty to fifty years ago, that the days of their youth were sweeter and
happier thart those we have known, will doubtless justify us in believing
that they were by no means intolerable."

Authorities referred to. " American conflict." Vols. II. Horace Greeley. " Field Book of
the Revolution." Vols. II. B. J. Lossing. " History of Kings County." Vols. II. Stiles.
" Sketch Book." Washingtoa Irving. Archives of the Rockland County Historical Society.
■" History of Haverstravf . " Rev. A. S. Freeman, D. D., and WiUiam S. Pelletreau.

CHAPTER IX.

THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT TILL THE ERECTION OF ROCKLAND

COUNTY.

THE CAUSES WHICH LED TO THE CREATION OF A FEDERATION— THEIR
SLIGHT INFLUENCE ON THIS SECTION— THE FEELING AMONG THE
PEOPLE REGARDING IT AND THE REASONS FOR THAT FEELING— THE
VOTE OF THE DELEGATES AT THE CONVENTION- REASONS WHY ROCK-
LAND COUNTY WAS ERECTED— ITS BOUNDARIES— ITS TOWNSHIPS— ITS
FIRST OFFICERS.

The Confederation was a failure. Its Congress had been granted sole
power to declare war, but it could neither compel the levying of troops,
nor arm and support them should they be raised ; it had been given sole
power to fix the needed amount of revenue, but had no authority to en-
force the collection of taxes ; it had had conferred upon it sole power to
decide disputes between the States, but had no means of enforcing its de-
termination ; it stood a political monstrosity, with just sufficient life to
realize its own impotence, and just sufficient energy to feel that it was the
laughing stock of the world.

Long before the close of our struggle for liberty, this weakling had
demonstrated its inefficiency. The troops, naked and starving, had clam-
ored without effect for their pay, and had, at length, broken out in mutiny,
while Congress vainly sought financial assistance ; its partisan bickerings
and the intrigues caused by old local jealousies, which even the awful
grandeur of its object could not lead it to lay aside, full often hampered
the commanding officers in the field ; and when, at length, the war was
ended, and the terms of peace agreed upon, it was only by the most
strenuous efforts and after repeated appeals that a quorum of its members
could be obtained to sign the treaty.

A broken reed in the hour of danger, what hope could be entertained
that in quieter times it would display more strength. Futile indeed were
its efforts to meet the requirements of its position in peace. Many of the
States neglected or openly refused to pay their allotted share of interest
upon the public debt. The year after the evacuation of New York, bills
of the Confederation • for $6oo,00o were protested in Holland, and the
annual requirement of the Treasury^$4,O0O,Ooo — was universally felt to

148

be a sum too large to demand, and which could not be collected. Nor
did the following years bring relief to this helpless semblance of authority.
Commercial and offensive and defensive treaties were formed between
different States and between separate States and foreign nations. Matters
rapidly advanced from bad to worse.

The value of the Continental money had ceased and further loans could
not be effected because of the loss of credit. Commerce, ruined by the
war, was prevented from reviving by two proclamations from Great Britain,
one, that all importations of American products should either be carried by
British vessels or by those belonging to the State from which the produce
was shipped ; the other, prohibiting American vessels or citizens from
trading with British colonies. Our infant manufactures — abruptly checked
by the war — were prevented from reviving by the influx of foreign goods,
and a refusal by the States to permit Congress to impose a duty on
imports, had caused those impbrts to exceed the exports by $20,000,000,
and an incubus of debt amounting to $80,000,000 rested on this people.

Such were the conditions, which led Hamilton and his colleagues to
commend and earnestly labor for a change in the form of authority, by
which certain powers, then vested in each of the many separate States
should be granted to a central government, and from the many common-
wealths a single nation exist. The result of a conviction to decide on the
necessities of the public weal, which met at Philadelphia, in 1787, was a
recommendation for a federal form of government. This recommendation
was transmitted to Congress with the suggestion that it be submitted to
conventions in each State, chosen by the people thereof, called by the re-
spective Legislatures. Congress following the advice of the Philadelphia
Convention, adopted a resolution on September 28th, 1787, referring the
new Constitution to the various Legislatures for submission to the people
of the respective States. In pursuance of the Congressional resolution,
the Legislature of New York adopted a joint resolution, on January 31st,
1788, providing for a State Convention to meet at Poughkeepsie, June
17th, 1788. The delegates to that Convention, chosen by the people of
Orange County, were : John Haring, Henry Wisner, John Wood, Jesse
Woodhull.

We have already traced the growth of the spirit of liberty in the people
of our County. We have already seen what they suffered to obtain their
liberty. At the outset, they had found counties created which were sub-
servient to the State ; they had seen townships or precincts arise subject
to the county ; and they had learned to respect and revere their civil gov-
ernment from interest and association. The overthrow of royal power had

149

been a sudden and tremendous revolution, and in the startling phases of
the change, this people had failed to grasp the magnitude of the result.

Then, too, as we have seen, the disasters of war, which fell so heavily
on manufacturing and mercantile counties and States, crushing their busi-
ness and commerce from existence, touched lightly on Orange. She was
a producer that supplied her own consumption and had surplusage. Lib-
erty to her residents meant as little interference from outside sources as
possible. It was with an unpleasant feeling that they submitted to a ma-
jority rule in the State government, when that rule did not benefit them,
and they paid their ever increasing taxes for the benefit of sister counties,
which were not yet self-supporting, with many a murmur. But those sec-
tions they thus aided indirectly were of their own State.

When now, therefore, the proposition to form a central government was
heard, it was greeted by the residents of this County with vehement pro-
test. Unable to grasp the fact, that if some of their liberty was not ab-
negated, they would lose all of it ; unable to appreciate the ruin which
was being accomplished, through lack of some central authority, in other
States and even in parts of our own : the people of Orange felt that the
proposed federation was only a name for another form of tyranny, and that
under the simple title of President lurked the authority of King. Nor was
the fact that all the branches of that government were to be under their
control — the House of Representatives directly, the Senate and Executive
indirectly — any relief to their feeling of concern. If they were annoyed at
the power of majority vote in their own Legislature, among their own
people, seven-fold more annoying would it be, when their States' Repre-
sentatives in Congress were outnumbered and out-voted by the members
of Congress from other, perhaps rival, and certainly far distant States, for
whose welfare they cared nothing. Liberty to the different factors in this
nascent State and Nation, while not yet reaching license, was trending to-
ward it, and from the first had been a syponym for selfishness.

Perhaps no better illustration can be given of the feeling toward the
Federation among our farmers, than to quote the language of a citizen from
our neighbor State, New Jersey, concerning his sentiment toward the new
form of government, and this ten years after the change was an accom-
plished fact.

" Timothy Meeker, at one time, while a portion of the standing army,
under the administration of John Adams, was at Elizabethtown, visited
General Dayton, in person to pay his direct tax for the support of the
army. ' Of what use is our standing army ?' asked Meeker. ' To sup-
port Congress ;' replied Dayton, ' Ay, to support Congress indeed ;' said

ISO

the old man bitterly. ' To support Congress in taking away our liberties,
and in altering the Constitution so as to place men in public office for life.
I fought for freedom through the war for nothing (his Continental money
was worthless), and now I want to pay for my land and be independent
indeed, but tax upon tax keeps me poor. I could at any time raise one
hundred men among my neighbors upon the Short Hills, say privately to
your standing army, come and help us — and they would come, and we'd
to Philadelphia and take your Congressmen from their seats. We will not
have a standing army. Disband it.'

' Our standing army,' said Dayton, ' will intimidate the British.' 'Look
ahere. General Dayton ; ' said Meeker, ' you are well acquainted in London,
Write to your acquaintances there, and tell them that Timothy Meeker is
dead, and that he has left seven sons, every one of whom is a stronger
man 'than he. Tell them we are seven times stronger than before, and
that will intimidate them more than all your standing armies, that suck
the life blood from the people."

But there was another and perhaps even stronger reason for the bitter
feeling against the proposed Federation among our County people. Her
representative men were earnestly opposed to the change, and in their
speeches to and conversations with the electors, denounced the step to-
ward royalty in no measured terms. On the borders of a neighboring
County — Ulster, in a section now belonging to Orange, Governor George
Clinton was born and lived. In the early years of the War for Independ-
ence, he was in command of the militia of Orange and Ulster Counties,
and with them had seen service in more than one well contested battle.
The militiamen had grown to respect, admire and love their old comman-
der, and had watched his elevation so and actions in the gubernatorial
chair with pride. In the first election. Orange had given him the victory
over Philip Schuyler, and at every following election, he had been return-
ed by increasing majorities.

All history is filled with the records of successful generals raised to
high command in the State, and generally, with the history of their ad-
vance, has been compelled to record their failure in civil office. But in
the administration of George Clinton there were no grave political errors
from his view of polity. He was a man who combined the power of win^
ning men with great political astuteness, and his views were generally ac-
cepted by those who associated with him in affairs of State as exceedingly
wise. ¥o the student, who looks into Clinton's career, there can be no
question, that in his opposition to the proposed federation, he was guided
by strong concientious principles. As a patriot, he had responded to

the call for. duty among the first, and had placed his property, his liberty
and his life in jeopardy ; and now he firmly believed that the proposed
new form of government was but the beginning of another monarchy under
a different name.

But with this conscientious objection to national power, there was
another and a more avaricious scruple. Clinton was an ambitious man.
He aspired to leadership among the people, and he had attained his am-
bition, only to see his power, in great measure, vanish by an unforeseen
proposition. In an instant his perspicacity had grasped the fact, that
greater influence and fame belonged to the executive head of an inde-
pendent commonwealth, than to the governor of a State, which with
twelve others went to form a nation ; and biased by personal as well as
political reasons, he combatted the idea of centralization.

Among the electors of Orange and Ulster, as I have said, the word of
Qinton was all-powerful. But to still further strengthen the Governor's
stand, the leading statesmen of this section were his political allies. John
Haring and Henry Wisner had both been fellow members with him in the
Provincial Convention of 1775, and his vote had been cast for Wisner
as a delegate to the Continental Congress. In the sessions of the Third
and Fourth Provincial Congress, Haring, Clinton and Wisner, had again
been fellow delegates. When Clinton was elected Governor, Wisner was
sent to the Senate, and in this body, he was joined by Haring in 1781,
both remaining till the period of which I am speaking — 1788. To make
the tie still closer if possible between the governor and his allies, Haring
was made one of the Council of Appointment in 1782, while in 1785-86-87
he was a member of the Continental Congress.

As may be imagined, these men now sided with their long time politi-
cal companion and pointed out every weak place in the proposed new
Constitution, magnified every clause which leaned toward centralization
and roused every passion of fear, jealousy and anger against nationality,
which still smouldered from the late war. By a tremendous vote, they
with the two others before named, were sent to the Convention with in-
structions to cast their suffrage against the proposed Federation. This
three of them did, but as we know, without success. Jesse Woodhull,
alone, among the delegates from Orange, voted for the Federal form of
government. His object in so doing, is not apparent. In 1772, he was
appointed Sheriff of Orange, and served. Re-appointed in May, 1777, he
obtained no commission, but held over till the first State Legislature met
in September of that year, and then was succeeded by Isaac NicoU. From
September 9th, 1777, to July ist, 1781, he was a member of the State

152

Senate. That his vote was contrary to the wishes of his constituents-
would appear from the fact that he never again held public office.

I have dwelt at length on the topic of the feeling in this section toward
the National Constitution, because it explains Rockland's stand in poli-
tics. Two creeds are transmitted from parents to children through gene-
rations, that of their religion and that of their political faith, and it is sel-
dom that either is changed. The question of Federation or not, found our
County Anti-Federal. Incensed by defeat, the opposition to centraliza-
tion grew, became stronger as the years passed, and at last, found its party
affiliation and name in the rise of Democracy. The spirit of County
love, the intermarriages between members of long resident families, have
kept an unusually large proportion of natives in the County, and those old
families still retain their reverence for the political faith of their fathers.

Another political change, altogether local, was beginning to agitate
our people. From a howling wilderness, inhabited only by savages and
wild beasts, the section of Orange County north of the mountain had
slowly become populated and cultivated by the ever advancing pioneer.
The population of twenty families for the whole county, in 1693, had
gradually increased, till at the time of the adoption of the Federal Consti-
tution 14,062 occupied this territory, and in 1790, 18,492, and the increase
north of the mountains, though slow during the intervening years, had at
length reached and excelled that in our southern section, till the census
now gave 12,491 above and 6,001 below the natural. division line.

In 1723, only three supervisors met at Tappan for the whole County.
This continued to be the place for meeting till 1764, when the following
act was passed by the General Assembly :

" Whereas, the Court House at Orangetown, being the place appointed for the annual meet-
ing of the Supervisors of the County of Orange, in October, is found by experience to be very
inconvenient on account of its situation. For remedy, whereof: 1. Be it enacted by his Honor,
the Lieutenant-Governor, the Commissioners and General Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by
the authority of the same, that it shall and may be lawful for the Supervisors of said County of
Orange, and they are hereby directed to meet at the house of Daniel Coe, at Cakiate, in said
County, on the first Tuesday of October next, and from there adjourn to any other place as near
the centre of said County as shall seem most convenient to them for the good of the public ser-
vice." Abraham Haring and Henry Wisner,

Members from Orange.

The events preceding and during the Revolution, led them to change
their place of meeting to Goshen, where they continued till more peaceful
times. From 1789 till 1797, the Board met at New City. But, instead
of four, their were now eight townships, an equal number for each sec-
tion.

153

During the war the brunt of the invasion in Orange had fallen on the
southern towns, and to relieve the distress of the people in our section the
Supervisors voted, at the annual meeting in 1779, that $14,730 be taken
off the quotas of Orangetown and Haverstraw, and added, $8,552 to the
quota of Goshen, and $6,177 to the quota of Cornwall, which left the
quota of the four precincts :

Goshen, - $123,662

Cornwall, - - . 58,637

Haverstraw, - - . . . 55,000

Orangetown, - 25,000

Again, on March 31st, 1780, it was ordered that $20,000 be taken off"
the quotas of the lower towns and added to the upper precincts, leaving
the quotas:

Goshen, $161,049 Haverstraw, $92,437

Cornwall, - 73,578 Orangetown, - 34,573

These considerations led to a desire, on the part of the people on both
sides of the mountain, to form separate counties. Those in the northern
towns pointed out that their population was now greater than that of the
lower towns, and was increasing more rapidly, yet their Supervisors had
to make a long trip to meet those of the southern section, and that, in-
stead of being met half way, these lower town officers fell back on the
situation of their county seat, and could be gotten to advance no further.
To be sure, the journey was not like that of 1723, when it took their dele-
gate to the Board, James Osborn, four days to get from Goshen to Tap-
pan and back, but still it was very long and unpleasant. Then they failed
to see why they should be called on to support two sets of County Courts.
They could not and did not blame the people in the lower towns for want-
ing court buildings on their side of the mountains, but when they had paid
for their own at Goshen, they did not feel called on to be taxed for others.
Becoming more annoyed, they passed from complaint to unpleasant hints,
that the lower towns were either extremely selfish or else little better than
ungrateful paupers. Had they not suffered as much in the Revolution as
their brothers in the south. Had not Brant and his Tory allies fallen
upon their western borders and, besides killing many of their people,
wiped Hamlets and whole villages out of existence. Yet they had not
only borne this loss without murmur, but had given aid to the people be-
low the mountain, by assuming great part of their tax as well.

IS4

To these complaints the residents of Orangetown, Clarkestown, Rama-
po and Haverstraw made answer in kind. You complain, they said about
your Supervisors coming south to meet ours. Why, before you had
even a log hut for the Board to assemble in we gave your delegate com-
fortable quarters, and the bill for the entertainment of the Board, 19s.
7^d, was largely incurred for his board and lodging. For years
afterward we outnumbered you three to one, paid taxes to aid you in
clearing jiway the wilderness and exterminating predatory beasts, and
now, forsooth, when through our endeavors your success is rendered pos-
sible, you at once demand that we, the parent settlement, shall send our
delegates over the mountain to save you the trouble of coming here.

You pay taxes for our County buildings ! Has it slipped your mem-
ory that when the first court-house and jail were built in this County, we
were scarcely aware of your existence so small was your number. Is it
willful mendacity or madness that leads you to forget that this section has
been taxed for its own court-house, as you have for yours, and that with
you we have been equally assessed for court officers. As to not blaming
us for wanting something which we pay for and which ante-dated your
court buildings by more than a decade, consider us as truly thankful for
your tender thoughtfulness. You regard us as ungrateful paupers. You
feel that your sufferings were greater than ours. To answer the second
complaint first : Did you, during those dark days of horror, when anarchy
and rapine had full sway within our towns, which served as a bulwark to
your section, did you then feel that you were suffering greatly ? Orange-
town was for periods in the hands of the enemy, her patriots in flight or
seized, her autonomy destroyed. Haverstraw had sent her sons to battle
the oppressor, little hesitating, in the call to arms, whether as militiamen
they fought in the defence of their homes or as soldiers, in the Continental
army, for the defence of the Confederation. We bore the brunt of the
battle, the heat and burden of a long weary day to protect, to save you ;
and now you reward us in this way. Is not the evidence in your hands
convincing ? So overrun were these townships that the Supervisors dare
not meet here, and adjoined to Goshen, and yet you essay to enter this
plaint against us.

Your frontier hamlets suffered from Brant's incursion. Have you
visited our towns to see how the violence of war has devastated them, how
our brothers have been swept away until there is scarcely a patriot home
unbroken. Come, and we will take you to many a dwelling which was
visited by Claudius Smith and his followers, who made their home in your
territory, and wheti you have hearkened to tales of agony that would make

155

demons shudder, perhaps you may realize that even the dread Brant was
more merciful than the band you harbored.

You have exercised charity toward us ! You have exercised charity
toward us ! A set of roaring swcish-bucklers, who had no existence yes-
terday and may have none to-morrow, whose soil belongs to us — referring
to the fact that, owing to the great influx of poor immigrants to the north-
ern towns in the years after the war, the people north of the mountain
had borrowed largely of those south, to start new forms of business, and
those individual loans were so great as to virtually make our people the
owners of that land — whose very existence is in our hands, you complain
of the fact that in laboring to save you and others we were so crushed as
not to be able to meet, for a moment only, our financial obligation. Let
us remind you of the conduct of the evil spirits that your dominies have
told you of that came, reinforced, to rend and destroy.

You feel that you alone have cause for complaint. Stop a moment
and look at our view of your conduct. Since the formation of the State
government, there have been one hundred and twenty-six Senators from
the Middle Senatorial District of which you have had thirty- five and we
but thirty-two. Seven and seventy Members of Assembly have been
elected of which you to the north of the mountain have had forty six
while we have only had thirty-one.

Or take our County officers. Eight men have held the Shrievalty
since 1777, and all have been from your section; two County clerks have
been appointed, both from the northern towns. And as if to mnke your
selfishness more noticeable, the only Representative to Congress, since its
organization under the new Constitution, from Orange County, John
Hathorn, is a resident in your section.

Such, as I have been informed by old people, in both Orange and
Rockland Counties, whose fathers were active participants in the contro-
versy which led to the erection of our County of Rockland, were the feel-
ings of the people in the northern and southern towns toward each other,
and such the causes for those feelings. The ridge of mountain which
separated the sections was a natural division line that, while it might be
overcome in the days of weakness in population, was sure to prove an in-
superable obstacle to unity of interests, when the number of residents in
the County had sufficiently increased. That period had now arrived, and
the people on each side of the mountains were anxious for separate County
existence. Accordingly, in 1798, the residents of the present Orange
County appointed Captain John Luthill and Richard Goldsmith a com-
mittee to go to Captain Sloat's to consult with a County Committee from
the present Rockland County regarding the terms of separation.

156

At length the Legislature, being influenced by the representations, of
the members from Orange County and the petitions of its residents,
passed, on Feb. 23d, 1798, the following :

Be it enacted by the people of the State of Neiv York, represented in Senate and Assembly.
Thatall that tract of land in the County of Orange, lying northward of a line beginning at the
mouth of Poplopens kill, on Hudson's River, and running from thence on a direct course to the
southeasternmost corner of the farm of Stephen Sloat, and then along the said bounds of his
farm, to the southwest 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 be it further enacted. 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 be called and known by
the name of Rockland.

The County of Rockland to contain" all that part of this south, bounded southerly and south-
westerly by the line of the County west where the same crosses Hudson's River, and the division
line between this State and New Jersey. Easterly by the middle of Hudson's River, and north-
erly and northwesterly by a line drawn from the middle of the said river, west to the mouth of
Poplopens 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 20 mile
stone standing in the said division line between this State and New Jersey.

All that part of the County of Rockland, bounded easterly by the middle of Hudson's River,
southerly by New Jersey, and westerly and northerly by a line beginning on Hudson's River at
the northeast corner of the farm late belonging to Harman Tallman, deceased, ?nd running from
thence east to the middle of the said river, and westerly along the said farm to the tract of land
formerly granted to T. D. Tallman, and then southerly and westerly along the bounds of the same
tract to Demarie's kill, or Hackensack River, and then down the stream thereof to the northeast
corner of a tract of 1,000 acres of land formerly sold for defraying the expenses of dividing the
patent of Kakiat, and then westerly along the same to the northwest corner thereof, and then
northerly and westerly and southerly along the land now or late belonging to J. J. Blauvelt, to
the northeast corner of the land now or late belonging to John M. Hogencamp, aud then westerly
and southerly along the same to the northeast corner of the land now or late belonging to John P.
Mabie, and then westerly along his land to New Jersey, shall be and continue a town by the name
of Orangetown.

All that part of the said County of Rockland bounded westerly by a line beginning at the
north-west corner of the land of John M. Hogencamp called his Middletown lot, and running
from thence north 3° west is the division line between the north and south moiety of the patent
of Kakiat, and then along the same east to the line of division between the east and west ^oa
acre lots of the said north moiety, and then along the last mentioned division line, and con-
tinuing the same'to the line of division between the mountain lots upon the top of Verdrietege
hook mountain, and northerly by the line running along the top of the said mountain between the
said mountain lots to the east end thereof, and from thence to the head of the stream of water
which runs from the Long Clove to Hudson's River easterly by the middle of Hudson's River,
and southerly by Orangetown, shall be and continue a town by the name of Clarkstown.

All that part of the said County of Rockland bounded easterly by Clarkstown and Orangetown,.
southerly by Orangetown and New Jersey, westerly by New Jersey and Orange County, and
northerly by a line running from the northwest corner of Clarkstown, along the south bounds of
the lands now or late of Francis Gurnee and Benjamin Coe, and along the south bounds of the
land now or late of Gabriel Conklin, and the same course continued to the bounds of Orange
County, shall be and continue a town by the name of Hampstead.

157

All that part of the said County of Rockland, bounded southerly by Hampstead and Clarkstown
and easterly, northerly, and westerly by the bounds of the County, shall be and continue a town
by the name of Haverstraw."

John D. Coe was Senatdr and James Burt, Benjamin Coe and Moses Hatfield were Assembly-
men from Orange County in the Legislature that erected Rockland County, both John D. and
Benjamin Coe being from our territory.

The new county was placed in the Third Congressional District, com-
posed of the 7th Ward of New York City and Westchester County. In
the middle Senatorial District of the State, and sent John Suffern as her
first Senator. Allowed one member of Assembly, Hendrick Smith re-
mained during 1798 and was succeded by her first Assemblyman, Ben-
jamin Coe. For County Officers, John Suffern was appointed County
Judge; Peter Taulman, Surrogate; Jacob Wood, Sheriff"; David Pye,
County Clerk ; and ,in the towns : Orangetown elected James Perry ;
Haverstraw, Benjamin Coe ; Clarkstown, Claus R. Van Houten ; and
Ramapo, James Onderdonk, Supervisors. The last meeting of the old
Orange County Board of Supervisors occurred at the residence of Ste-
phen Sloat, in the Ramapo Valley, October, 2d, 1798, and there were
present : James Perry, Claus R. Van Houten, Benjamin Coe, James On-
derdonk, of Rockland County.

For over a score of years after the erection of Rockland — till 1821 —
the Supervisors of the two counties, together with a Judge of the Court
of Common Pleas of each county, met together at the house of Stephen
Sloat annually, " for the purpose of inspecting and examining the mort-
gages, minutes and accounts of the loan officers appointed in the County
of Orange, under the act for loaning monies belonging to the State." In
1853 a Legislative Act was passed, directing that copies of all deeds and
wills that affected titles in Rockland County previous to the division,
should be taken from the Orange County records and placed in the County
Clerk's office of the first named county.

The census of electors in the new county, according to the property
qualifications of the first Constitution was, in 1801 and till the Constitu-
tion was changed in 1821, as follows:

1801. Electors worth ;£'ioo or over, _ . . 599

" " " between ;£'20 and ;£'ioo, - - 59

" " paying an annual rental of 40s, - 166

1807. " worth ;^ioo or over, - - 766

" "' " between ;£'20 and ;£'ioo, - 65

" " paying an annual rental of 40s., - - '53

1814. " worth ;£■ 1 00 or over, - - 838

158

1 8 14- Electors worth between ;^20 and ;^ioo,
" " paying an annual rental of 40s.,

1821. " worth $250 or more,

" " between $50 and $250,

" " who pay a rental of $5.00 or more

65
245
817

298

The population of Rockland County in 1800 was 6,353, of which the
towns had :

Orangetown,
Haverstraw,
Clarkstown,
Hampstead

1,337
1,229
1,806
1,981

REPRESENTA.TIVES IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

Seventh Session.
Senate.
William Allison, John Haring,

Assembly.

Jacobus Swartwout,

Jeremiah Clarke,
Gilbert Cooper,

William Allison.

Jeremiah Clarke,
Gilbert Cooper,

William Allison,

John Bradner,
Gilbert Cooper,

John Haring,

Robert Armstrong,
Jeremiah Clark,

Eighth Session.

Senate.

John Haring,

Assembly.

Ninth Session.

Senate.

John Haring,

Assembly.

Tenth Session.
Senate.

Assembly.

Eleventh Session.
Senate.

John Hathorn,
William Sickles,

Jacobus Swartwout,

John Hathorn,
William Sickles,

John Haring,

Jacobus Swartwout.

Nathaniel Satterly,
Henry Wisner, 3d.

Jacobus Swartwout.

Gilbert Cooper,
Peter Taulman,

Jacobus Swartwout.

159

Assembly.
Jeremiah Clark, William Thompson,

Peter Taulman, Henry Wisner, Jr.

Twelfth Session.
Senate.
John Haring, Jacobus Swartwont.

Assembly.
John Carpenter, Jeremiah Clark, Henry Wisner, Jr.

Thirteenth Session.

Senate.

Jacobus Swartwout.

Assembly.

John Carpenter,
John D. Coe,

David Pye,

John Carpenter,
John D. Coe,

David Pye,
John D. Coe,

David Pye,
Reuben Hopkins,

David- Pye,
John D. Coe,

John D. Coe,
William Allison,

Seth Marvin,
William Sickles.

Fourteenth Session.
Senate.

Jacobus Svi^artwout.
Assembly.

Seth Marvin,
John Smith.

Fifteenth Session.
Senate.

Jacobus Swartwout.
Assembly.
Seth Marvin, John Smith.

Sixteenth Session.
Senate.

Jacobus Swartwout.
Assembly.
John Smith, Daniel Thew.

seventeenth session.
Senate.

Jacobus Swartwout.
Assembly.
Seth Marvin, John Wheeler.

Eighteenth Session.
Senate.

Jacobus Swartwout.
Assembly.
John Hathorn, David Pye.

i6o

Nineteenth Session.
Senate.
John D. Coe.
Assembly.
Seth Marvin, David Pye, James W. Wilkin.

Twentieth Session.

Senate.

John D. Coe.

Assembly.

Isaac Blanch, Jonathan Cooley, Seth Marvin.

Twenty-First Session.

Senate.

John D. Coe.

Assembly.

James Burt, Benjamin Coe, Moses Hatfield.

Twenty-Second Session.

Senate.

None.

Assembly.

Moses Philips,

John Blakp, Jr,
James Bart,

Hendrick Smith.
David W. Westcott.

Adjourned sine die April 3d, 1799.

REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.

First Congress.

John Hathorn.

Fourth Congress.
John Hathorn.

Authorities referred to: "Field Book of the Revolution," Vols. II., B. J. Lossing. " New
York Civil List," '• History of Orange County," S. W. Eager. "Documents Relating to the
Colonial History, S. N. Y.," Vols, XIV. " Session Laws."

CHAPTER X.

EARLY INDUSTRIES OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

THE HASSEN CLEVER IRON MINE AND ROCKLAND NICKEL COMPANY MINE-
CONGLOMERATE SANDSTONE AND FREESTONE QUARRIES— DATER'S
WORKS— WORKS AT SLOATSBURG— RAMAPO WORKS— BRICK MANUFAC-
TURE—KNICKERBOCKER ICE COMPANY.

In the middle of the i8th century, between 1730-50, a company of
German miners, under the direction of Peter Hassenclever, visited this
Colony and explored the mountains of Orange County for ore. Either
with this exploring party or shortly afterward, Hassenclever came to
America and at once set to work to organize capital for the development
of the great iron veins in the colonies. In a short time he became the
proprietor of mines in this Colony and that of New Jersey, and, with a
partner named Seton, started several foundries. Before 1768, Hassenclever
sailed for England and was given a letter of introduction to the Lords of
Trade by Governor Moore, who stated that his wide range of knowledge,
•concerning the affairs of the Colony, would make his visit one of value to
that body. In a short time he returned to this Continent, and in 1769,
with sixteen others, obtained a patent for 18,000 acres of land situated in
the present Herkimer county.

Among the mines which Peter Hassenclever developed was that which
bears his name, situated on lot No. 3 of the Cheesecocks patent. The
exact date of opening of the Hassenclever Mine has escaped my most
earnest search, but the following data may lead to an approximation.
The mine was first worked by the London Mining and Improvement
Company. On March 12th, 1768, the Earl of Hillsborough wrote to Sir
Henry Moore, Governor of this Colony : " I am desired by Major-General
Greeme and other gentlemen concerned in carrying on iron works in New
York, under the direction of Mr. Hassenclever, to inform you that that
gentleman misbehaves towards them and refuses to come to account, for
which reason it is their intention to supercede him, and to appoint another
Person in his place, and as these Works are represented to me to be of
greet Publick Utility, I think it my duty to recommend to you to give
all the support and protection you can to the Person they mean to appoint,
and to give any assistance in your Power towards bringing Mr. Hassen-
clever to a due performance of his Engagements." I believe this letter to

1 62

refer to the Hassenclever Mine, and judge from it that work was begun
there as early as 1766. In conjunction with the mine a furnace, situated
on Cedar Pond Brook, and called Cedar Pond Furnace, was worked. The
second owner of the mine was Captain Samuel Brewster, who worked it
during the Rev.olution, and from it iron for the chain that crossed the
Hudson at Fort Montgomery is said to have been taken.

On the death of Captain Samuel Brewster, in 1821, the Hassenclever
Mine passed into the hands of his son James, and was conducted by him
till his death. After him the mine was bought by Bradley, who, after
working it a short time, failed, making an assignment of the property to
Blackstick. The assignee sold the mine to Wm. Knight, who sold it to a
company, organized about 1844, and known as the Haverstraw Iron &
Mining Company.

Under this Company considerable change was made. Besides the old
works, they bought eleven acres of the lowlands above the bridge, which
had formerly been connected with the mine, and erected on it a large brick
building near the site of the old furnace. The company intended this
building as a place where the ore was to be converted into the iron of com-
merce without the intermediate process of puddling. The works were not
a success ; the company failed, and the building was torn down. The mine
then passed into the hands of Colfax & Co., who still hold it. The works
erected because of this mine, consisted of a furnace a short distance above
the present lowland bridge ; a foundry on Florus Falls Creek, a half mile
further west ; a forge or bloomery on the property now owned by Henry
Goetschius ; a bloomery a short distance from the old Slutton house, and
still another bloomery and furnace just below the outlet of Cedar Pond.

In 1 87 1, a nickle mine was opened on he iron ridge in lot No. 2, of
the Cheesecocks patent by John Sneviley, of New York City. Sneviley
worked this mine till 1875, when he sold it to the Rockland Nickel Com-
pany by whom it is still conducted..

It was soon found that the gray and red conglomerate sandstone, of
which large quantities exist in our County, formed the best hearth stones
that could be obtained for iron furnaces, and quarries were speedily opened.
The first worked was situated one and a quarter miles north of New City.
This quarry was begun in 1788, and continued for twenty years. From
1808 to 1838, it was not used, but in the latter year work was again be-
gun in it by Joseph Bird, who paid the owner — Isaac Van Houten — $10
for every set of furnace hearths quarried. About a half mile north of Van
Houten's was the quarry of Cornelius De Pew, which supplied the hearths
of the Greenwood, Woodbury and Cold Spring furnaces. Blauvelt's

1 63

quarry, three miles northwest of New City, was worked in 1838 by Isaac
Springsteen. Three miles north of New City, Richard Coe, had a quarry.
One- quarter of a mile west of this was one belonging to Levi Smith;
while others were opened along the south base of the mountain by John
Smith, Jacob Green and Jonas Conklin.

A common furnace hearth from these quarries, required 14 blocks of
stone, 10 of which contained each about 20 cubic feet, and 4 contained
each about 10 cubic feet, or in the whole 240 cubic feet. Bird, who leased
the Van Houten quarry, estimated the value of a set of hearth stones, de-
livered at the landing at $100, and the income from this business was
about $6,000 a year.

Early in the history of the settlement of the County, freestone quarries
were opened and worked sufficiently to supply the buildings of the settlers ;
but it was not till the close of the War for Independence that these quar-
ries were developed as a business speculation. About 1785, quarries were
opened south of Nyack by Garret Onderdonk, and at Upper Nyack by
John L. and Auri Smith. The demand for stone from Nyack steadily,
though slowly, increased till 1 804, when the business obtained a solid
footing, and another form of quarrying, that of trap-rock for dock-stone,
was begun. In working a freestone quarry the workmen came first upon
a facing of callus, which was perfectly useless, and had to be removed.
Then came the material of commerce, which consisted of building stone,
" principal " stone and " flagging." The " principal " stone was a better
grade of building stone. It was compact, grainless, capable of being cut,
but incapable of being split, and was used for finishing purposes, door and
window-sills, cornices and door-steps. The " flagging " Was the most
compact of the varieties of freestone ; it contained a perfectly straight
grain, could be split to almost any thickness, and was capable of a very
good polish. From the " flagging " mantels were made.

Fpr many years the freestone from the Nyack quarries was used for
buildings in New York and neighboring cities. As the city increased, new
quarries were opened along the shore from "the present Grand View Station
to the mountain at Upper Nyack. The exciting complications of our
nation with foreign powers, during the early years of the century, gave a
fresh impetus to the business, and from Nyack stone were built Fort Dia-
mond on Hendrick's reef, later and now known as Fort Lafayette, before
1824. Castle Williams, on Governor's Islarid, finished in 18 11, and the
Red Fort, which used to stand at or near the corner of Desbrosses and
West streets in New "York city. In filling the contracts for these works,
the quarrymen were in no wise particular about the quality of the stone.

i64

and as a result the fort walls soon began to crumble. The labor of re-
placing the poor stone was not complete at the time of the destruction of
Fort Lafayette by fire, Dec. ist, 1868, and that work had cost the govern-
ment, till that catastrophe, $350,000.

Never was the freestone business so good as during the decade between
1820 and 1830. In that period over two hundred outside laborers were
drawn to the County, and it was common to see from ten to twelve vessels,
loaded with stone leave the docks each day, while as many more were
drawn in to take their places. Wages were high. The quarrying of build-
ing stone would pay from $3 to $5 a day, while, if a vein of " flagging "
was struck, it was not uncommon to make from $10 to $15 a day. /

In 1830, the quarries at Beleville, N. J., were opened, and the stone
found to be of a better grade than that from our County. Quarrying
here began to decline and never recovered its prestige. In 1838, the
leading quarries at Nyack were those of Westervelt's at Upper Nyack, on
the property belonging to George Green. Here the " flagging " was a foot
and a half wide and from two to three inches thick ; Clark's, two miles
from Nyack ; Wilkin's, one mile south of Nyack, from which 5,000 or 6,000
feet of slabs were annually shipped ; Daniel Onderdonk and brother, who
shipped from their two works 2,500 flags; Richard Clark's, near the
Onderdonk's; and Gesner's. In all, in 1838, there were thirty-one
quarries at Nyack, sixteen being below and fifteen above the village, and
from them were shipped during that year :

62,000 feet of slabs, valued at - $9,300 00

15,500 cart loads of rubble - 91687 00

Giving an annual income from the business of - $18,987 00

In the report of the State Geologist for the year can be read : " That
the annual amount of sales a few years ago was near twenty times greater
than this."

While these quarries at Nyack were being worked to an extent now
unthought of, one was opened just south of the Long Clove road, at the
present-Conger's quarry by John Blackhurst. At the same time James
Thom, a native of Scotland, purchased Richard Coe's quarry north of New
City, and Blackhurst hired that of Cornelius De Pew, at Stagg's Corners,
together with others.

The business relationship existing between Thom and Blackhurst is
unknown, but they evidently worked together, and stone was taken from
these quarries to build the Church of the Holy Trinity in Brooklyn, begun
in 1844, and in part to build Trinity in New York. Besides these, many

165 ;

private buildings in New York were trimmed with stone taken from this
County, and finished by Thom. After a short ownership, the quarry
above New City was sold by Thom to John A. McPherson, of Patterson,
N. J., but he still continued to get stone from it.

An anecdote of this sculptor may, perhaps, not be out of place.
While resident in our County he was seized with a serious illness, which
at one time threatened to terminate fatally. Many of his employees were
Scots, and they loved the " Boss," as they affectionately termed Mr. Thom.
During the hours of his illness, they had held many consultations regard-
ing his condition, and at last determined that some one should pray with
and for him. But who would be the petitioner ? One after the other
decHned or excused himself till only the final member of the party remained
unheard from, and he was deputed to perform the labor of love. At the
hour appointed, the employees filed into the invalid's room and bent their
knees while the prayer began. " O Lord bless Bossie Thom, an' if ye
dinna ken who Bossie Thom is Lord ; He's the mon that cut Tarn
O'Shanter."

While Tarn O'Shanter was doubtless his greatest, it was by no means
Thorn's only work. " Old Mortality," " Touter Johnnie," and the
" Statue of Washington," which many of the older inhabitants remember
as standing in the door yard at the corner af the Nyack Turnpike and Erie
Railroad, near Nanuet, were fashioned by his hand. The vine which twines
over Trinity church entrance was hewn from insensate stone by his chisel,
and much of the scroll work of old time houses in New York gives evi-
dence of his masterly skill.

At length, in 1 842, the work which had been growing less and less,
practically ceased in the Nyack quarries. Since that time but little stone
has been taken out and that almost entirely for local structures. For a
short time longer the quarries, managed in Thorn's interest were kept
employed. Then Thom died, and these, too, were abandoned. That
known as Conger's, on the river front south of Haverstraw, was worked to
obtain material for the new bridge across the Minnisceongo in 1883, and
slightly to supply the West Shore Railroad, but to all practical purposes
this industry has stopped.

Among the prominent buildings in this State, constructed in whole or
part, from the freestone of this County, besides the forts already mentioned,
is the old Capitol at Albany, built in 1807; the rear of the New York
City Hall, built in 1806-10; and in New Jersey, the first building of
Rutgers College erected in 1809.

I have already said that the dock stone business began to be active in

1 66

1 804. Trap rock was the material used for this purpose, and, as the city
of New York grew, fresh quarries were started from Fort Lee to Rockland
Lake. From this material the first docks of New York, cribs of logs,
were filled, foundations were occasionally built, and the sea wall at
Governor's Island constructed. Later the stone was tried as a pavement
for the streets, but proved a failure owing to its certainty to split at the
edges and become round. The ease with which gneiss could be obtained
on the island, and the change from crib to spile piers in New York, led to
the abandonment of this enterprise. In 1838, but three quarries of trap
rock are mentioned in the County. Two of these belonged to Jacob
Voorhis, and one, situated near by, to Peter White, and they were on the
river front of the mountain north of Nyack. During the year, Mr. Voorhis
shipped about 6,000 tons of stone, and Mr. White 1,200 tons. This was
about one-fourth of the usual amount shipped annually. At the quarry
the stone was valued at is. 3d. per ton, and sold in New York for 4s. per
ton. The construction of the Hudson River Railroad in 1851, led to a
temporary revival of trap-rock quarrying, and much of the sea wall of that
road is built from this stone.

We must now turn back to the Ramapo Valley and observe the tre-
mendous manufacturing interests which grew up there in the early days
of our County. At the birth of the century, Abram Dater had established
iron works at Pleasant Valley. In 18 13, he had six forges at work and
gave employment to about 140 people. These forges were locatfed on
both sides of the Ramapo, on the spot now occupied by the store of Geo.
W. Dater.

In 1820, the firm controlling these works, was Dater & Ward. Thos.
Ward being Mr. Dater's son-in-law. In 183 1, upon the death of Abram
Dater, the works were sold to the Sterling Company, and operated under
this management . for a short time. In 1849, they were managed by N.
Potter Thomas, and later A. H. Dorr, ran them ; after him, and till 1854,
ehty were under charge of John Sarsen.

Besides these works, Mr. Dater also ran a grist mill located on the
west bank of the Ramapo, and a forge on Stony Brook, about three-quar-
ters of a mile from Sloatsburgh, at the present site of E. F. Allen's mill
dam, known as the Spht Rock forge. At this spot about 1835, Thomas
Ward, built a saw mill, which, in 1847-49, was used by Adna Allen as a
hoe factory. Later, as we shall see in the history of Ramapo township,
it was used for other purposes.

A half mile south of Dater's were the Sloatsburgh Works. As early
as 1792, a tannery was operated at this place by Isaac Sloat, but it was

1 67

not till 1 815, that the first mill for the manufacture of cotton cloth was
built. This mill, still standing, was a frame building 20 by 60 feet, three
stories in height, with two wings, one being a machine and smith shop
where heavy mill screws and vices had previously been made. In this
mill Jacob Sloat began the manufacture of cotton cloth in connection
with stocks and dies, in which latter article he led the market of New
York. Till 1836, the mill was continued with but little change. Then
one of the wings was torn down and a new one — 20 by 30 feet and three
stories in height, was erected in its place ; an addition was also built on
the north side of the main structure.

In 1838, weaving was discontinued and the mill was run on fine and
coarse wraps. In 1839, the firm of J. Sloat & Co., consisting of Stephen
and Jacob Sloat, John Quackenbush, and John S. Westervelt — was estab-
lished. New and improved machinery was added, and in addition to the
old branches of business, the manufacture of cotton twine was begun.

In 1840, Jacob Sloat patented a process for dressing cotton
twine, and the demand for twine became so great that all the spindles were
turned upon its manufacture. This led to the building of the first brick
mill in 1846, a structure, 152 by 34 feet, which increased the manufactur-
ing capacity of the company from 2,500 lbs. per week to 6,000 lbs. In
1853, the company was incorporated under the name of the " Sloatsburgh
Manufacturing Co." In 1857, 128 feet were added to the brick mill, con-
necting it with the original structure, and making a building 340 feet in
length. This addition increased the capacity of the company to 8,000 lbs.
per week. In 1858, Jacob Sloat, who had retired from the management
of the business in 1851, died. The War of the Rebellion depressed this,
as it did every business in which cotton entered as a factor, and the com-
pany finally ceased operations in August 1878.

Four men stand prominently forward, in the first half century of the
County's history, as public benefactors. Other men have worked actively
for the interests, the prosperity of this portion of the commonwealth ;
other and many other men have pushed forward a work, which was begun,
to full completion, but to Jeremiah H. Pierson, who gave the present suc-
cess to Ramapo township ; to James Wood, who by his discovery of the
present plan of burning brick, rendered the enormous business, which is the
source of vast wealth to Haverstraw and Stony Point townships, possible ;
to John Edward Green, through whose courage, energy and financial
aid the first steamboat was built and successfully run, changing the career
of Nyack ; and which with the Erie Railroad, labored for and carried
through by Eleazor Lord, LL. D., gave an entirely new character to die

1 68

business interests of Orangetown, belongs, preeminently, the meed of
praise.

Up to 179s, Sidman's Clove still retained its pre- revolutionary solitude,
and the wonderful water power of the Ramapo flowed untramelled save by
an occasional grist or saw mill, on to join the Pompton. The steam engine
was in its infancy, and water power was of a value now little realized. The
abundance and force of the river in Sidman's Pass, the vast quantities of
wood, scarcely less necessary to the manufacturer than water, which lined
the mountain sides, determined the Pierson Brothers in their selection of
this side for the permanent home of their factories.

In 1795 Josiah G. Pierson was engaged in the manufacture of cut nails,
by machinery of his invention, from iron imported from Russia, and rolled
and cut at Wilmington, Del., the nearest rolling-mill to New York at that
time. His factory was located on Whitehall street, where the Produce
Exchange now stands.

The first purchase in the Pass was of 1 19 acres from John Suffern, and
on this purchase preparations were at once begun, unde'r the superintend-
ence of J. H. Pierson, for the erection of the necessary dam and buildings.
Mechanics and laborers soon raised factory walls in this primeval wilder-
ness, and in 1798 the rolling-mill, slitting-mill, and nail factory were all in
operation, under the firm of J. G. Pierson & Brothers. This firm con-
sisted of Jeremiah H. and Isaac Pierson, Josiah G. having died Dec. 17th
of the previous year, before the works he had planned were completed.
From 1798 to 18 12 the works were constantly employed. In 1807, the
growth of whale fishery had so increased the demand for hoops for oil
casks, that the rolling-mill was extended to meet it, and hoop-iron was
added to the product of the Valley. In 18 10 Pierson's works supported
about 800 people.

In 1 8 1 2, the buildings at the Ramapo Works were as follows : The
river was spanned, as now, by a dam 120 feet long. On the north side,
adjoining the dam, stood a blacksmith shop, rolling and slitting mills, and
works for cutting and heading nails. On the south side of the river, ad-
joining the dam, was a saw-mill, next to this on the west was a " Straw
House," a two-story building, in which was stored and cut by water-power,
the straw for the numerous mules and oxen employed for the works. Still
further west, up the stream, along the pond, stood the horse, ox, and four
mule barns, all two stories in height.

On the south side of the river, also, a few rods east, and a little to the
south of the saw mill, was a store, built in 1805, and now occupied by
William Van Wagenen. A short distance to the east and north of this

1 69

was the homestead of J. H. Pierson, built very soon after the works »were
estabHshed, rebuilt in 1805, and now occupied by F. Taylor, In the
northwest corner of this homestead the first store was kept.

East by north from the homestead, and just west of the present depot,
stood a grist mill, a four story building. Down the river, a few rods east
of the grist mill, was a forge, and near by, to the south,, a coal house.
West by south from this last building, up the hill on the south side of the
turnpike, stood the "Yellow store," built in 18 10. In this was stored beef,
pork and other provisions for winter use. East of this was a house built for
John Colt, in 1808. It is now known as the " Prayer Rooms." The church,
erected in 18 10, still occupies its original site. The second school house, a
yellow building in two parts, stood on the south side of the turnpike, nearly
opposite the present " stone store." The first school house, built in 1798,
was located on the north side of the pike just east of the present " prayer
rooms." A gate, through which there was no admission except on busi-
ness, filled the space between the store and the homestead, and through
this gate the road, bending to the east, ran down the slope in front of the
grist mill, and so across the river to the nail works and rolling mill, the
present bridge being several rods east of the bridge of those days. Such,
says the Rev. Eben B. Cobb, from whom I have drawn so largely in treat-
ing of the different works in the Ramapo Valley, that quotation marks
would be superfluous, was the Ramapo of 1812. And, when we think of
the multitudes of farmer's wagons bringing produce of all kinds to this,
the market for the neighboring parts of Orange and Rockland coun-
ties — Mr. Cobb gives the names of sixty-one farmers who delivered their
products at this mart — when we think of the four and six mule teams
going and returning, with their heavy loads, to and from Haverstraw,
Buskirk's Landing on the Hackensack, and Hoboken ; when we read that
in 1 8 10 a million pounds of nails was the yearly output of the nail factory
alone, I think that the placing of J. T. Pierson first in the list of the four
leading men in the County, of that time, needs no further explanation.

But large as these works were, they were almost doubled by the erec-
tion of the cotton mill in 1814-15. This mill was built to spin yarn to
send to Russia, in exchange for iron, three-fourths of that used in the
Ramapo Works being Russian ore. It was a five-story building with a
dye house on the north end, and a machine shop — a four-story brick
building with an attic; torn down in 1852, to give room for the double
tracks of the Erie — on the south. On the Turnpike, too, the stone build-
ing, still standing, was erected, for the storing of cotton. From this build-
ing it was slid on a shoot to the mill below.

170

These mills, built at an expense of $155,848, were furnished with 7,500-
spindles, capable of making 506,250 pounds of No. 13 yarn, per year, and
78 looms, capable of producing 486,720 yards of striped shirting, sheeting,
and checks per year. In 1820. they furnished employment to 119 people.
In 1822, the joint interest of the surviving brothers, J. H. and Isaac Pier-
son, was incorporated under the name of the Ramapo Manufacturing Com-
pany. In 1830, the manufacture of blister steel and wood screws was
commenced. In 185 1, operations at Ramapo were virtually suspended
and the works closed.

We may review the principal industries of this period from 1798 to
1 85 1. Cut nails were manufactured from 1798 to about 1840; cotton,
yarn and cloth from i8i6to 1836; spring steel from i8ioto 185O; and
blister steel and wood screws from 1830 to 185 1.

To our County the Pierson brothers generally, but Jeremiah T. par-
ticularly, gave an impetus that has only been equaled by the discovery of
James Wood. In the language of Mr. Cobb, "We see nothing of the
traffic which ' strung along ' them (the wagon roads) when teams were
hauling grain and other produce for the sustenance of those who wrought,
or of the droves of cattle which encumbered them when being driven
hither to be slaughtered and packed away in huge cisterns or tanks. A
record has been kept of this traffic, and we give a summary from it for the
years 1820-21 ; 15,758 bushels of grain and 181,254 pounds of provisions
(beef, pork, mutton, veal and butter) were brought to Ramapo in those
years." It was owing to the existence of the Ramapo Works that the
Nyack turnpike was cut through, in spite of opposition more violent and
long-continued than ever greeted any other enterprise in this County, andi
the presence of the works and the opening of the Turnpike, rendered the
building of the first steamboat feasible.

But it was not alone to the material prosperity of the village he founded,
of .the County where he became resident, that Mr. Pierson devoted him-
self He looked beyond the temporal to futurity. In great measure the
controller of his employees' lives, he so far respected the State as to foster
and press forward educational facilities. Realizing the deleterious influ-
ence of liquor, he stopped the allowance of grog, which theretofore had
been considered a necessity among employees, in 1828, and earlier, in con-
junction with John Siiffern, he had joined in buying out and tearing down
a groggery kept by a widow named Jenkins. In 18 10, he built the Pres-
byterian church, the first place for divine worship in Ramapo Clove, and^
long bore the burden of its expense. For several years before his death,
Mr. Pierson was afflicted with blindness; at length, on Dec. 12th, 1855,
he found rest, in the 90th year of his age.

171

Preceding the Revolution some slight attempts at the manufacture of
brick were tried where the clay was found, but, as in the case of the free-
stone, the little done in the business was only for local use. On the prop-
erty of Mrs. Nellie Hart, in Upper Nyack, a yard existed before the be-
ginning of this century, and some of the brick then made are now in the
possession of Mrs. Hart ; but so brief was the existence of the work, and so
slight the impress which it made upon the minds of the residents in the
neighborhood, that all data respecting it are lost. I have seen in the pos-
session of Adam Lilburn a brick, which was taken from the chimney of
the old Treason House, marked 1792, and made at Haverstraw.

The first kiln of bricks for a regular market ever prepared in this
County, was baked about 1810, under the management of a company from
Philadelphia, and the yard then opened was on the bank of the Minisceongo,
not far from where the present iron bridge crosses the stream. The enter-
prise ended in failure, and the work was abandoned. In that year the
total number of bricks made in this county was only 94,371,646. Five
years elapsed before a second attempt was made. Then, in 18 17, James
Wood, a native of England, who had learned the trade of a brick maker in
his native land, and who had been in the brickmaking business in Sing
Sing and at Verplanck's Point, attracted to Haverstraw by the vast quan-
tities of brick clay and the apparently unlimited supply of wood, leased
from the De Noyelles a piece of land on the river shore, directly opposite
their family burying ground, and started the first successful brickyard in
the County.

When Wood opened that first yard in Haverstraw, the process of
making brick was the .same as that pursued by the Israelites while in their
Egyptian bondage, over three thousand years before. True, it seems to
be, that a few manufacturers in England had used coal dust in their brick-
clay, but so little was the advantage of this process known, that the cause
of a long and bitter litigation was needed to demonstrate it. In the old
primitive way the clay and a due portion of sand were mixed, tem-
pered by treading with the feet, and, when properly mingled, placed in
the moulds by hand. These moulds — boxes without tops or bottoms,
divided by partitions so as to hold the clay for three bricks placed length-
wise — were placed upon a table, the clay put in them and struck off and
then the mould, drawn sideways to the edge of the table, was carefully
tipped on its side, and thus carried to the drying ground. It does not re-
quire an inspection of that old process to become assured, that however
much care might be used, the soft clay would settle out of shape and the
bricks be distorted and rude.

1/2

Accident led to the two great discoveries in brick making. Through
the mechanical genius of a belated boatman, whose vessel fortunately for
Haverstraw, had run aground on the flats before that place, James Wood
was shown how to make a mould with a bottom and a vent. Soon after
this, in 1828, happened the great discovery of his Hfe. An Enghsh friend,
with whom he had lived when he first arrived in this country, sent him a
small quantity of anthracite coal, which was then being developed in
Pennsylvania, as a curiosity. On burning it he found, that while the com-
bustion gave forth intense heat, but little smoke was emitted.

At once the idea came to him that coal could be used to burn
brick, and he hastened to make the experiment. A piece of the coal was
pulverized in a borrowed mortar and mixed with the clay for four bricks,
which, after being marked, were placed in the kiln. The kiln was burned,
the bricks examined, and the examination showed that the experiment
was a success.

But the success in the case of four bricks only proved a part of the dis-
covery. It remained to learn the proper proportion of coal dust to mix
with the clay for a kiln. Mr. Wood obtained a load of anthracite cqal and
sent it over the mountain to Van Houten's grist and plaster mill to be
ground, and then mixed the dust with clay in nearly equal parts. That
kiln burned to slag, and was ruined. At last the proportion arrived at
was, according to State Geologist's Report for 1838, 22^ tons of coal
dust to a kiln of 450,000 bricks.

Further tests were tried. The coal dust was mixed with the bricks,
which composed the upper layers of the kiln, with the result that they
were burned as hard as those in the lower layers, a condition never before
obtained. On still further trials it was demonstrated, that whereas up to
that time it had been impossible to make bricks in a kiln of uniform
quality, that of the three classes into which brick makers divided a kiln —
" Hard," " Salmon " and " Pale " — the latter were soft and perfectly use-
less, by this discovery they were all equally burned and all equally useful.

The discovery of James Wood revolutionized brick making. . In a
moment the custom of three and thirty centuries was changed. In a mo-
ment the vast growth of American cities was rendered possible because a
quick, cheap and almost inexhaustable building material had been found.
In a moment, the brick yards, scattered along the Hudson, which had
been dragging along with a slow and not over lucrative business, were
turned into scenes of busy industry. In a moment the vast wealth of
Haverstraw, her position as one of the three leading villages in the County,
her present life itself, were rendered practicable.

173

And what have brick-makers done to reward James Wood ? Ethic-
ally, they stole the benefit of his discovery, fought him year by year in
the courts, and permitted him to die in comparative poverty, while they
were amassing fortunes from the use of his experiments. It is vain to
plead that the use of coal dust in brick clay had existed in England. It
was not known here. It is vain to plead that his patent was defective,
because he did not give the proper proportion of coal dust which should
be mixed with different clays in different localities. He did give the
proper proportion for the clay of Haverstraw and vicinity, and it is of
Haverstraw and vicinity I am speaking. It is begging the question to
point to the fact that he did not succeed in business when others did by
following his discovery. Hundreds of men, who have benefited the
world, have been unsuccessful in business. The fact remains, that on the
brick-makers of this County rests a great crime, which may be boldly
faced, but which can neither be argued away nor hidden.

In still another particular did Wood improve the means of making
brick. He invented a machine, consisting of a wooden axle with spokes
projecting from it, which, revolving in a central shaft, mixed the clay,
coal dust, and sand more rapidly than before was possible. The time
saved by these different discoveries was from seven to ten days on a kiln.

The next yard ^fter Wood's was established by the Allison family, a
short distance north of the foot of the present Main street, in Haverstraw,
and in a brief time several yards were opened at Grassy Point, and below
Caldwell's Landing. By 1834, these yards were, dragging along in a pre-
carious condition. In November of that year, David Munn came to our
County, bought land at Grassy Point, took hold of the brick business with
a determination to make it pay, and succeeded. In 1838, the following
yards were in operation with their annual production :

Hodges' yard at Grassy Point 2,500,000.

Mackey's yard at Haverstraw - 2,500,000.

Wm. Holme's yard at Grassy Point 2,000,000.

Lent's yard, below Caldwell's 500,000.

David Munn's yard at Grassy Point - 3,500,000.

Churchill's yard below Caldwell's 1,000,000.

In the following years this industry advanced with rapidity, largely
through the efforts and foresight of David Munn, who, taking instanta-
neous advantage of every improvement, demonstrated the lucrative value
of the business.

" In 1852, a fresh impetus was added (to the brick making business)

174

by the invention of the Automatic Brick Machine * * * of Richard A.
Ver Valen. For some time previous, what was known as Hall's Improved
Machine had been in use. * * * In the old machines the clay was
pressed into the moulds by a lever worked by hand, and the moulds with
the bricks were drawn out of the press by the man in charge. To do this
with any degree of rapidity, required a combination of strength and quick-
ness which few men possessed ; and although higher wages were offered as
an inducement, it was soon found that the labor was so exhausting that it
could not be endured for more than a few days at a time. Another great
disadvantage was the fact that to render it possible to press the clay in
the moulds it must be in a condition so soft, that when placed on the dry-,
ing ground, the bricks failed to retain their shape, if exposed to any press-
ure.. # * # After long thought (Mr. Ver Valen) invented the machine
jiow in use, which not only tempers the clay, but presses it into the
moulds while sufficiently stiff to cause the bricks to retain their shape in
the most perfect manner. A slight change in the motion shoves out the
mould ready to be placed on the truck and carried to the drying field."

Litigation against Mr. Ver Valen and some of the brick makers who
used his patent, was begun by the inventor of the Hall machine, and the
matter dragged in the courts for some time, but was finally settled in Mr.
Ver Valen's favor. This invention has not only increased the number of
bricks manufactured, but it also gave to Haverstraw a new branch of busi-
ness, of which we shall read under the history of the town.

In 1853, a brick maker's strike occurred on account of a reduction of
wages. Hundreds of strikers marched from yard to yard, breathing
threats of violence. At length the feeling of insecurity became so great
that Sheriff Henry L. Sherwood, applied for troops, and company R of
the 17th Regiment — Rockland County Rangers, under the command of
Major Isaac Pye, was ordered on duty.

In May, 1877, another strike occurred. Again dissatisfaction arose
among the laborers because of a reduction of wages, and they stopped
work. The yard owners thereupon sent to Canada and obtained the ser-
vices of a large number of French Canadians. As soon as the. new labor-
ers began work the strikers began to act violently, and Sheriff William
Hutton called upon the Governor for aid. In response two companies of
the 1 6th Battalion, N. Y. S. N. G., one from Nyack and one from Sing
Sing, were sent to the scene of trouble, and in a week, quiet was restored.

I7S

Among the names of those who have been engaged in the brick busi-
ness at Haverstraw, besides the few already mentioned, are :

Thomas Doyle, Seamans,

Isaiah Milburne, Redrer & Strang,

Wm. Call, Close & Van Orden,

O. C. Gerow, 1 )aniel Weed,

Cosgroves, John Owen,

Gardeners, M. Nye,

James Eckerson,

John Campbell,
Briggs,

Rutherford & Marks,
S. D. Gardner,
Geo. Oldfield,
W. Gordon,

The manufacturers in 1885 are:

B. J. Allison,

Allison, Wood & Allison,

Wood & Keenan,

Allison, Wood & Keenan,

Diamond Brick Co;,

D. Fowler & Sons,

John Derbyshire,

Richard Murray,

U. F. Washburn & Co.,

Carr & Smith,

Felter Bros.,

Josiah Felter,

T. G. Peck & Co.,
John Oldfield,
Brockway & Smith,
Richard Crowley,
Snedeker Bros.,
Sherwood & fiaum,
P. Buckley & Co.,
John Uunn & Co.,
Andrew Donnelly.
McMahon & Co.,
Christie & McCabe,
Lynch & McCabe,

James Morrissey,
Malley & Goldrick,
Thos. Shankey & Co.,
Gillies & Benjamm,
Gillies & Frederick,
T. McKearns,
Archer Bros.,
George Knapp,
G. G. Allison,
Tomkins Bros.
Riley & Rose,
RUey & Clark,

James De Groot,

In 1883 there were forty-two brick-yards in operation between Long
Clove and Caldwell's Point, and the production was 302,647,000, the
number of employees 2,400. In 1884 there were forty- three yards in
operation between Long Clove and Tomkins Cove.

As now mixed, coal dust, in the proportion of one bushel to every
thousand bricks, is used for the inside of the kiln, but for those that are.
nearest the shell double that quantity is necessary. The quantity of sand
employed depends so largely on its quality that an absolute rule cannot
be made. The size of the kiln varies, but few are as small as the old
■figure, 450,000. Double that number, a million, and even more are now
burned at once. As regards the method of transportation, the sailing
vessels of old have, in a measure, been supplanted by barges. In the
former's favor was the fact that they carried their own motive power, but
as an offset to this the barges will carry four and five times larger cargoes.
In regard to the leasing of brick property, there is, of course, variation,
but the custom seems to be for the lessee to pay from twenty-five to fifty
cents and even $1 on every thousand bricks made.

Tradition has it that in 1 826, C. Wortendyke, of New Jersey, came to
and cut from Rockland Lake, then called " the Pond," two boat loads of
ice, which he conveyed to the city in the sloop " Contractor," commanded
hy Captain John White.

176

The origin of the company with which I am to deal, however, the now
famous Knickerbocker, dates from 1835, when John J. Felter, John G.
Perry and Edward Felter cut a sloop-load of ice from the Lake and sold it
at an almost clear profit. In the following year, 1836, the following men
joined together and formed an association for the purpose of supplying the
city of New York with ice, under the name of Barmore, Felter & Co. :

Nathaniel Barmore, Isaac Van Houten, John J. Felter,

John De Baun, Edward Green, Edward Felter,

Thomas Wells, Moses G. Leonard, Ambrose Wells,

Benedict Wells, Peter P. Gasque, William Hutchison,

George Smith, Alfred Wells, John Smith,

William Smith, Jacob Swartwout, John G. Perry,

John Van Houten, George Swartwout,

Each member of the Associa):ion put $100 into the concern, forming a
capital of $2,000. The articles of association for this company were drawn
by Wm. F. Frazer, then District Attorney, later County Judge of the
County.

With their capital the company built the dock at Slaughter's Landing
and a small ice house, capable of holding two or three hundred tons of ice
at the lake, and hired a cellar in Christopher street, near Greenwich ave-
nue, and one in- Amos street, to store the ice brought to the city.
The hosts of the hotel that stood on the present site of Stewart's old store,
corner of Chambers street and Broadway, and the hotel at number one
Broadway, were seen and shown a specimen of the lake ice, which the
canvasser, Hon. Moses G. Leonard, carried wrapped in a handkerchief

Up to this time, 1837, the little ice used in the city was by butchers
and the hotels. None was used in private houses, they being supplied
with water from the wells and cisterns in the city. Ice was obtained from
neighboring ponds, and was dirty and cut up. The purity of the Lake
ice made it at once popular, and it was contracted for at $20 a ton. To
the hotels already mentioned must be added the Astor House, which,
though being built when the ice company started, was in readiness for
their product the following year.

The encouragement thus given to the company led them to buy a
periauger, — capable of carrying about thirty tons, and to instantly begin
shipping their commodity. But so Httle was known of the business, so
little calculation was made for the waste of melting, that even at the enor-
mous price obtained there was but small profit and the supply of ice was
exhausted by July. For the following year, 1838. still greater prepara-
tion was made ; two small houses were built on the left hand side of the
dock at Slaughter's Landing, capable of holding about 2,000 tons, which

177

were filled by running the ice down a shute from the mountain top ; —
the first cake I have been told, came down with such velocity that it passed
through the house and fell well out in the river beyond — ice was also
stored in the cellar of the City Hotel and, as soon as the river was opened,
ice was forwarded, to the city by sloops and schooners. In spite of the
extra amount in storage the material was again exhausted in -July.

By this time dissatisfaction, which had been growing for some time in the
company, became so marked that the future of the business appeared hope-
less. The causes which led to that dissatisfaction seem to have been due
largely to the ignorance of those who were interested, of the business they
managed. The original capital was far from sufficient to start a new en-
terprise that was destined to gigantic growth, further assessment was not
listened to by the members, the fact that the capital had been invested in
implements and buildings necessary for success and that until success
came the stock could not be held at par, seems not to have entered into
their calculations ; they only felt that the share for which they had paid
$100 had apparently depreciated to almost nothing; they only wished
to sell their certificates at any price that could be obtained.

For some time Alfred Barmore, who was then engaged in the boot and
shoe business, in Greenwich Street, New York, had been watching the
efforts made by the company to start the new venture, and he had finally
determined, that if properly looked after, there was money in the ice busi-
ness, accordingly, when others were so anxious to sell, there was little diffi-
culty for him. to purchase, and, joining with Moses G. Leonard, the two
bought up the stock of the old company and organized a new one under
the name of Barmore, Leonard & Co., in 1840.

The entrance of Alfred Barmore into the ice business was the begin-
ning of its success. Keen, far seeing, not so carried away by his belief as
to be visionary, but willing to accept risk and bold to enter upon new
fields, energetic, he brought all these qualifications into the new project ;
saw for it a wonderful future ; labored to make that future as great as his
prescience told him it would be, and had the great satisfaction of seeing the
weakling he had nurtured in its darkest hours, developed into one of the
strongest forms of business in a vast metropolis.

The advent of Mr. Barmore led to a radical change in the methods
used in obtaining and disposing of the ice, and was the signal for opposi-
tion for over thirty years. It seems wise, then, to briefly review the pro-
cess which had so far held in the business. From the first cargo of ice
cut, till 1 841, the sawing and cutting was done entirely by hand, part of
the time with tools which were the invention of a Mr. Wright, and for

i;8

which the users had to pay a royalty. The first workers in the material,
under the impression that ice could not be preserved above ground, dug
great pits, thirty feet deep and ten feet in diameter, into it, and stored the
commodity, packed with straw, in these. When, under the management
of the company of Barmore, Felter & Co., houses were built for storage,
the ice was hoisted to the doors by means of a pair of ice tongs, a block
and fall and horse power. Under this improved method one animal could
house about lOO tons a day. The first carts used were mounted on
wheels, made by sawing slices from the trunks of trees of requisite thick-
ness, on the axles of this primitive vehicle, a roughly made box was
placed and loaded and the cart driven down to the landing, there to be
placed on board the steamboat Rockland, which ran from Haverstraw to
New York every other day. On arriving at the city the ice was trans-
ferred to a cart which was driven to the place to be supplied.

The organization of the company of Barmore, Felter & Co., led, as we
have seen, to the purchase of their own vessel and the hiring of cellars for
storage in New York. But the carts still used bore no resemblance to
the ice- wagon of to-day, and two or three were all that were required to
meet the dermands upon them. Somewhat of a small beginning this for a
business that now requires sixty barges, with a capacity of 40,000 tons,
and finds use for 1,000 horses and 500 wagons.

The first proceeding of Barmore, Leonard & Co., was to send to Bos-
ton for the purpose of inspecting the business there, and to obtain an
insight into the improved methods and implements used for harvesting the
ice. The person intrusted with this mission returned and started an op-
position company, bringing to it the benefits of his observation. As if
by magic competition grew. Cheeseman & Andros built a large house
in 1 84 1, at "Stony Point" on the east side of the lake, which was later
bought by Ascough & Co., and finally destroyed by lightning about 1845.
John D. Ascough, J. Kershaw, and Hutchison began cutting ice in 1841,
and were followed by John Wright, who' erected a small house, and later
by C. R. Wortendyke. Besides beginning at the lake Wortendyke built
at Hop-0-Nose, on the Catskill, and Cheeseman built at Flatbush, the
first ice house on the Hudson, which later became the property of the
Ulster County Ice Co.

A bitter contest for the control of the ice at Rockland Lake was now
begun, for the understanding of which, a brief glance at its typography in
1840, must be taken. Then as now the road wound along close to the
lake shore on the south and followed the same roadbed on the east, but
then the road on the north lay so much further south that there was prac-

179

tically no property between it and the water. Opposite the road on the
north side of the lake was the property of Thomas Wells. But one, the
clove road exists or ever can. exist from the lake to the river and that has
been practically unchanged.

It was generally believed that the owners of property around the lake
alone had the right to cut the ice from in front of it, and in pursuance of
this behef, Barmore, Leonard & Co., bought or leased all the property ad-
joining the water on the east and north sides. Where the highway touched
the water, the ice was regarded as public property. The south side of
the lake is too far removed from the clove to make cutting there profit-
able, and leaving that to its own inaccessibility, Barmore, Leonard & Co.,
prepared to forestall all others by cutting at the point on the north where
the road ran down to the water. But here they had calculated without
taking Mr. Wells into consideration. Whether annoyed because he had
sold his stock at a low price and now saw his error of judgment, or im^
bued with a conscientous belief that he was right in the matter ; Mr.
Wells, after cutting such ice as he needed for his own use, built a fence
between the lake and the highway and demanded a royalty on every ton
of ice collected. The first result was a physical struggle between the em-
ployees of the company and those of Wells in which the latter was worst-
ed, and the matter was then carried into litigation. Shortly after, an ap-
peal to the Commissioners of Highways led to the changing of the roadbed
to its present position ; the land between it and the water became the
property of one of the firm, and Barmore, Leonard & Co., obtained virtual
control of the ice business at the lake as they already controlled the land-
ing on the Hudson.

Accepting the inevitable, the other companies eventually moved to
Rondout Creek, where they combined and began the business under the
name of the Ulster County Ice Co.

The introduction of Croton water to N^w York, on July 4th, 1842,
gave a tremendous impetus to the ice business. With keen business fore-
sight, Alfred Barmore hastened to test the temperature of the water
which came from the pipes and the result of the test led to the exclama-
tion famous among the Knickerbocker people : " We must have more
boats, more houses and more ice ; for the demand is going to be greater than
ever before." Up to this time, the company had sold about 30 tons of ice
a day. During 1841, Barmore visited Baltimore, and started a branch of
the business in that city.

In 184s, the legal contest with Thomas ^yells was compromised with-
out reaching a legal decision and the last barrier to the control of Rock-

i8o

land Lake removed. The following year, the company built two houses
on the east side of the lake and bought a small steam engine, which had
been used in a cotton press, to house the ice. In 1847, still further ad-
vances were made. A house was built in Cranberry Swamp, capable of
holding 16,000 tons; ground hired at the Red Fort, foot of Hubert street,
in New York, and a house for storage purposes erected on it ; and the un-
certainty of sailing vessels having rendered them objectionable, two barges
were built for the company at New Brunswick.

In the year 1853, E. E. Conklin, bought out Nathaniel Barmore's
interest in the company and the firm became A. Barmore & Co. At this
time all the ice business along the Hudson, was in the hands of three
companies: John D. Ascough & Co., A. Barmore & Co., and the Ulster
County Ice Co. It was determined to consolidate these companies under
one management. Accordingly in the Legislative Session of 1854—55
Richard Compton, Moses G. Leonard and Ferdinand Nichols, visited
Albany, to obtain an act of incorporation. Consultation with Ogden
Hoffman, Attorney General, revealed the fact that unless the general law
of corporation for mining, etc. was amended, their mission would be fruit-
less. An amendment was at once introduced, and after bitter opposition
finally carried through. In pursuance with that act, the Knickerbocker
Ice Company was incorporated in 1855, with a capital of $900,000, all
paid up and clear of debt.

Richard P. Compton, President.
Jefferson Wilcox, Secretary.

Directors.
Anthony Compton. Joseph Britton.

Alfred Barmore. C. R. Wortendyke.

Moses G. Leonard. Horace Demett.

Leonard F. Fitch.

In the year 1858 the gravity .railroad was built from the lake to the
landing. The names of Quaspeck Pond and Slaughter's Landing had
been changed to Rockland Lake in 1835. DifiSculty having arisen be-
tween some of the members, E. E. Conklin, left the Knickerbocker Com-
pany in 1855, and, joining with Charles Scholeyand J. Schineller under the
name of E. E. Conklin & Co., built the first ice houses at Staatsburgh and
Evesport. In 1856, J. L. Cheeseman, built a large ice house at Athens,
and three barges, and incorporated the New York & Brooklyn Ice Com-
pany, with a capital of $500,000. In 1866, E. E. ConkUn & Co. and the
New York and Brooklyn Ice Company, united and bought out Nelson

i8i

Fuller, who had recently built a house at Marlborough. These transac-
tions increased the capital of the New York and Brooklyn Company to
$750,000. In 1868 the Knickerbocker and New York Companies joined
their capital and property, $900,000 and $750,000, and added $1,350,000
in cash, making an aggregate capital of $2,000,000.

After the sailing vessels had been replaced by barges in the ice busi-
ness, these latter vessels were towed to and from the city by boats belong-
ing to the Cornell Towing line.

For various reasons this arrangement became unsatisfactory, and the
Knickerbocker Company finally determihed, in 1867, to do its own tow-
ing. Accordingly, two heavy tugs were purchased and placed at work.
As may be imagined, Cornell did not accept this act kindly, and to oppose
the Knickerbocker Company he bought up the ice interests of R. Parker,
Bonesteel & Van Etten, Manhattan Ice Company, and Stone & Bleecker,_
which had been started about the time the Knickerbocker Company was
incorporated, and with them formed the Washington Ice Company. In
retaliation the Knickerbocker Company extended its towing business so
as to compete with Cornell's line.

For a short time violent opposition continued. Then the Knicker-
bocker Company discovered that it possessed in its charter no power to
run tow-boats ; Cornell found that he was managing the ice business at a
loss, and the two rivals entered into an amicable agreement, in 1869, by
which the Hudson River Towing Company was formed, and Moses G.
Leonard took charge of the Washington Ice Company. Under his man-
agement its debts were paid, a dividend declared, and a house, with storage
capacity of 80,000 tons, built. In 1873, the Knickerbocker bought the
Washington Ice Company for $1,100,000.

In 1835 William Lyons began cutting ice on Lake Sinipink, then
known, among those residing near by, as the " Bloody " or " Hessian
Pond," now called Highland Lake. In a short time Lyons was succeeded
by the Brown Brothers, and later, Dennett having joined the firm, it took
the name of Brown, Dennett & Brown. For several years this firm con-
tinued the ice business at this place ; then J. D. Ascough & Co., obtained
control of the the interests at Highland Lake, retaining possession till 1855.
In that year the Knickerbocker leased the place, enlarged the storage
capacity of the ice house and improved the methods of getting the ice to
the landing on the river.

This company maintained control at the lake till 1861, and were fol-
lowed by a company composed of Jefferson Wilcox, Hiscock, Coles and
A. C. Cheney, who remained in possession till 1881, when the firm was
changed to A. C. Cheney, George Robinson and Bigelow.

l82

Under the new management an ice-house, with a' storage capacity for
40,000 tons, has been erected and the gravity road by which the ice is
gotten to the river landing improved.

The present officers of the Knickerbocker Ice Company are :

Robert Maclay, President. L. O. Reaves, Secretary.

E. A. Smith, Treasurer. E. E. ConkHn, Superintendent.

Until 1856, the manufacturing and repair shops of the company re-
mained at Rockland Lake. Then they were transferred to the foot of
West Twentieth street. New York city. The present Knickerbocker
manufacturing and repair shop covers 13,000 square feet. D. E. Felter
has a wheelwright and blacksmith shop at Rockland Lake, at which the
repair of ice wagons and ice tools is still carried on, but most of the busi-
ness is done in New York. The company has storage capacity along the
Hudson and its lakes and ponds for 3,500,000 tons of ice; it owns sixty
barges, with a capacity of 40,000 tons ; 1,000 horses, 500 wagons, and a
shipyard and harness shop. The number of people steadily employed in
the business is 1,200.

Note. — The separation of this Chapter on the industries of the County from the Chapters de-
voted to the histories of the town is, in a measure, arbitrary. I have thought that it might give
the reader a clearer idea of the causes which developed the County, in the early days of its erection
by placing them apart from the other data which must necessarily be touched on in the histories
of the towns, and by grouping them together ; and in the case of the stone quarry and ice business
more than one town was interested. The other manufacturing interests will be found in the
Chapters devoted to the towns.

Authorities referred to : "Documents relating to the Colonial History, S. N. Y.," Vols.
VII., VIII. " Natural History, S. N. Y." Part III. " Mineralogy," by Louis C. Beck, Part
IV. "Geology," by Wm. W. Mather. "History of American Manufactures," 3 Vols., by
Bishop. " History of Dutchess County, 1609 to 1876," by Philip H. Smith. " History of
Herkimer County," by Nathaniel S. Benton. " N. Y. S. Geological Reports,'' Vol. I. " The
Hudson from its Source to the Sea," B. J. Lossing. "History of Ramapo,"by Rev. E. B.""
Cobb. " Catskill Recorder." January, 1877. article by E. E. Conklin. Archives of the Rock-
land County Historical Society.

CHAPTER XL

THE EARLY MILITIA OF ROCKLAND COUNTY— WAR OF 1812— THE MILITIA OF
THE COUNTY CALLED UPON FOR SERVICE— THE COMPANIES OF CAP-
TAINS BLAUVELT AND SNEDEKER LEAVE FOR HARLEM— THE LIGHT
HORSE ORDERED TO REPORT FOR DUTY— ORGANIZATION OF A BAT-
TALION OF ARTILLERY— DESERTIONS— ORGANIZATION OF THE NA-
TIONAL GUARD— MUSTER ROLL OF THE MILITIA OF 1812— MUSTER
ROLL OF THE BATTALION OF ARTILLERY.

The treaty concluded between the United States and Great Britain,
at Paris, on September 3d, 1783, was but a hollow truce. Neither people
were satisfied with the result, and the English Government, not realizing
that the separation was final, was not active in complying with certain
terms of the agreement. Clashing interests on commercial matters only
aggravated the ill temper of both nations, an aggravation, which was in-
creased by the evident sympathy of this people with France, in her con-
flict with England, and the retaliating acts of embargo and confiscation
with which G-reat Britain hampered our merchant marine. One act of
violence followed another, each side being mutually aggressive, till at
length on June 1 8th, 1 8 1 2, war was_ formally declared between this Gov-
ernment and Great Britain, because of the latter country's acts, in laying
blockades on American Ports ; in insisting on the right to search Ameri-
can vessels for deserters ; in refusing to comply with the treaty obliga-
tions of 1783. These, though the nominal reasons given for the war, were
but the outcome of a far deeper feeling of jealousy and anger that existed
between the two peoples.

With the acts of that war we have nothing to do save as it affected our
County. We have already seen in a preceding chapter, that the attain-
ment by this people of autonomy found them in a crude mental condition
as regards the idea- they had won, and that the process of education in
their new relationship to government was attended by some friction and
the organization of partisan ideas. On some points of policy however,
nearly every citizen agreed, and notably on that which opposed a standing
army. In vain military men pleaded for this weapon of offense or de-
fense ; in vain the Chief-magistrates recommended an increase in this
powerful auxilliary to government. Plea and recommendation were alike
futile, with a people who had had too much regular army before and dur-

i84

ing the Revolution, and had suffered too greatly from it in days past to
risk placing themselves again within the power of armed force. So that
army, which had come forth from the War for Independence, with all the
perfection of veterans, had been permitted to disintegrate until a mere
handful of men remained.

At different times in the years that had passed, the regular force, of
which a nucleus was always preserved, had been increased or diminished
as the exigencies of the Nation demanded ; but as a general thing, the
standing army did not exceed 1,500 men, a force only used then as now,
to police the frontiers. While the people were thus niggardly in regard to
a standing force, they were correspondingly generous in the laws enacted
for the maintenance of the militia. With pride they boasted, that it was a
volunteer army of citizens, which had accomplished at Louisburg, what
men educated in the arts of war were afraid to attempt ; with pride they
pointed out that it was citizen soldiers who had beaten the well trained
troops of Great Britain, and her Hessian mercenaries in the Revolution,
and with the same pride they proclaimed, that in any future contest the
militia would be the saviors of liberty. It behooved the people then to
combine with the quiet occupations of peace the sterner arts of war, and
to carry out this plan every white citizen between the ages of eighteen and
forty-five years, with a few exceptions, such as government officers, mem-
bers of Congress, etc., was expected to provide himself with the accoutre-
ments of war and appear, at least once a year, for inspection and drill.

Even in the first years of peace when, above all other times, the en-
thusiasm of victory and the stern pride of power would be most apt to
lead to the observance of this law ; men found this self imposed duty irk-
some. Peace by no means brought ease. The country was wretchedly
poor, and hard, earnest work was necessary to maintain an existence.
The devotion of a day to drill was felt to be an idle waste of precious
time and it was given grudgingly. Time, instead of improving these mus-
ters, made them worse, and a general muster day became a period of riot
and drunkenness. Struggling groups of men, clad in various forms of
dress — here one, arrayed in a Continental uniform which had graced some
Revolutionary hero and which had been inherited or bought by the pres-
ent wearer without regard to the accuracy of the fit ; there another, clothed
in home made stuff that had been grown and woven in the County, anon
a third, who being more gifted with this world's goods than his neighbors
evinced the fact by appearing at muster in broadcloth and strutting before
the gaping yokels who did not know him ; marched to and fro, armed
with every imaginable object that could be used as weapons of offense

I8S

or defense, while the shrill scream of fife and the rattle of drunris attracted
the attention of the women and children to this truly motley gathering.

Excellent material for any army was in this militia, doubtless, if it had
been disciplined and properly officered, but as it was managed, rather
fitted to be the admiration of slaves and school children than to strike
terror to an enemy's heart. One branch, and one branch only of the
service made any pretention to uniformity in dress — the cavalry. Com-
posed, as a rule, of a wealthier class than the foot soldier, the light horse-
men did take some pride in their appearance and presented, on muster
days, a fair semblance of force ; but when the call to " boots and saddles "
sounded, or when, at the order of " Return sabres " the swords clanked
against their scabbards, then came a scene which baffles description. The
horses, either taken from the plough or only half-broken colts, frightened
by the unwonted excitement and noise, plunged, rolled, kicked or, gaining
the mastery, ran away, while riders clung fast to saddle and mane, or
rolled helplessly in the dust.

The congregation of such a numerous body of men, led to a liberal
demand on the hospitaUty of the neighboring hostelries, and peach brandy
rum and apple whiskey were consumed to an alarming amount. Drinking,
which began in a friendly way as acquaintances met, soon produced the
effects of alcoholic stimulation on the different dispositions of the users,
and maudling greetings, bacchanal shouts of laughter and sullen threaten-
ings resounded through the air. Boastfulness grew rampant. The different
sections of the County were represented by bullies, each more abusive than
the other, and at length from words the disputants passed to blows, and a
general free fight ended up the day. From what I have said, it may be
inferred that discipline and subordination were unknown. Such inference
is correct. The officers were neighbors of the privates, and met them in
daily intercourse ; their social standing and business relationship*were too
close all the year for familiarity not to breed contempt ; and while the
soldier might deign, out of respect to the day, to address his commanding
officer by his military title instead of his Christian name and, in a good-
natured way, obey his orders up to a certain limit ; he most certainly
would permit no autocratic commands of that officer to change his precon-
ceived plans and intentions. To obtain that respect and obedience, to
which his rank entitled him ; the officer needed to be physically able to
enforce his demands.

With firm dependence on an army, composed mainly of such material
this Nation declared war against Great Britain. Can we wonder, under
the circumstances, that our land forces made such a poor showing in that

i86

war? Can we wonder that a force of only 3,500 men could march to and
burn the Capital of a government whose population was 8,000,000 ?

As in the Revolution, English strategy again consisted in attempting
to separate the New England from the other States by seizing the valleys
of Lake Champlain and the Hudson ; and while Sir George Prevost, with
11,000 men, invaded New York at the north, a British fleet blockaded the
harbor, and transports with English troops were expected to land at its
southern boundaries. Alarmed for the safety of New York city, the
Government hastened the building of defences. A small fortification
already occupied the site of the present Fort Hamilton, and Castle Wil-
liam, on Governors Island, which had been begun in 1807, was standing.
To these were added the erection of Fort Diamond, — now known as Fort
Lafayette — on Hendrick's Reef, and the red fort, which used to stand at
or near the corner of the present Desbrosses and West streets. At the
same time the militia of the State, not previously called out, was ordered
on duty.

One of the absurdities of the militia law now became plainly apparent.
Every able bodied man in the State belonged to the militia, and the requi-
sition for troops, in the midst of the harvest season, was equivalent to
letting the harvest rot in the fields from lack of means to gather it. Gov-
ernment seemed to grasp this idea, and, to rectify the evil, granted per-
mission to the commanding officers of the different counties to draft only
such proportion of their command for service as could be spared from the
necessary labors of life. Other commanders at once took advantage of
this grant. But the officer in charge of the militia of this County — Gen-
eral Peter Van Orden — with more zeal than discretion, determined that
the full force under his command should serve. He, accordingly, issued
orders fox the militia of the County to assemble on September 3d, 18 14.
This was not the last occasion in his life in which General Van Orden's
ardor excelled his judgment, but it was one of the most unfortunate ones
for the reputation of our County.

On September 3d, seventy-one, out of a company of seventy-seven
men belonging to the 83d Regiment, N. Y. S. Militia, Lieutenant-
Colonel Benjamin Gurnee commanding, assembled at John G. Blauvelt's,
in Greenbush, under the immediate command of Captain Jacob L Blauvelt,
and, after a brief inspection, started for the front. Marching down to
Tappan Landing, this force was there conveyed on board of a sloop by
small boats and sailed for New York, It was a cloudless, hot day, such
as often occurs in early Autumn, and the long march through the dust
had made the men hot and thirsty. For some unexplained reason, no

i87

provision had been made on the sloop to supply the troops with water,
and, as they idly drifted down the river, parched and choked, these worthy
soldiers obtained their first lesson of the deprivations of war. By the time
Phillipse — Yonkers — was reached their agony was unbearable, and the
vessel was compelled to land and allow the troops to slake their thirst.
Again they started for the city, which they reached at three A. M., Sep-
tember 4th. But their experience of the difference between playing at
soldier and being in actual service was but begun. The relief, which had
been given their thirst, had passed, and, aggravated by recollections of the
freedom with which they had always heretofore obtained water, the war-
riors muttered curses, both loud and deep, at their present restraint. It
was not till ten o'clock that they were landed and marched to the Battery
where they obtained water. Re-embarking at the Battery, Captain Blau-
velt's company proceeded up the East River to encamp on Ward's Island.
But their trip was further prolonged by the error of a drunken pilot, who
ran the vessel aground off Bellevue at sundown, and they passed another
night on the water. Finally they reached their camping grounds on
September 5th, and were quartered in a five story factory. For three
weeks the company remained on Ward's Island. At the end of this time
they were moved to Harlem Heights, where they were inspected on Oc-
tober 8th, 1 8 14. At Harlem Heights they remained till November 29th,
1814, when, as their services were not longer required, they were per-
mitted to return home.

When Captain Blauvelt's command started from. Greenbush, the com-
pany of Captain John Snedeker set sail from Haverstraw and joined the
other companies of the 83d Regiment of New York State Militia at
Harlem Heights.

The exposure, the change in the manner of living and that disease so
common to army encampment — measles — made sad havoc in the ranks of
Captain Blauvelt's company. No less than one-third, among whom were
the Lieutenant and Ensign, were on a sick furlough at one time or another ;
and of these the greatest number were suffering from measles, which
became epidemic in camp about November 15th. Besides drilling and
laboring on the fortifications either in the quarries or trenches, there wag
little to disturb the monotony of camp life except desertions. This offence
was wonderfully common. The militiaman, who probably had never been
away from his home for a week at a time before, grew dreadfully home-
sick in his strange surroundings and walked off from camp. When he
felt so inclined, he returned to his comrades, not before ; and when he had
returned no punishment save that of confinement or extra labor awaited

i88

him. To shoot a militia deserter was unthought of, for, while a Congress-
ional act had been passed at the outbreak of the war, placing the militia in
the service under the same rules and regulations as the regular army,
court-martials for the trial of a militiaman could only be composed of
militia officers, and we can readily see that a board so composed would
hesitate long before passing the death sentence. So, without terror of
death to prevent, individuals or squads were constantly missing, and the
evil became so widespread, that on November i6th, the 83d Regiment
camp was suddenly called to arms at 9 o'clock in the evening, under the
impression that some neighboring troops were about to desert.

If desertion was thus prevalent among the militia of other counties,
some excuse can be found for it among the troops under command of
General Van Orden. Not alone did they suffer from the same homesick-
ness common to all, but a further and tremendous inducement to abandon
camp was found in the complaints which reached them of the impossibihty
of those remaining at home, to gather the fall crops and prepare for the
winter. Reiterated requests for furloughs met with constant refusal. So
the men took the matter in their own hands and came home. By Novem-
ber 2 1 St, forty of Captain Blauvelt's company had been returned for court-
martial on account of being absent without leave ; at one time no less than
sixteen men were absent from duty ; and during a period of twenty con-
secutive days the morning report shows never less than three and usually
from twelve to thirteen, privates and non-commissioned officers recorded
as deserters. Sometimes one would start alone or with a single companion
but more commonly squads of five or, six would go off together, followed
next day by a similar number. The punishment meted out to these mili-
tary sinners was the marching and counter- marching them up and down
the roads from'^breakfast time till nightfall without rest. This means may
have been chosen on the principle, that the men would be so tired out by
evening as to be content to remain quiet and not walk off home again, but
from the expressions of one of those, who was punished, I judge the plan
was not effectual.

In the Light Horse, the cavalry branch of the militia, a draft of seven
men was made in the County. Five immediately disqualified, and only
Isaac S. Lydecker and James De Clark responded. These gentlemen
started for the rendezvous, Montgomery, in Orange County, on a bVight
Sunday afternoon, and were accompanied as far as Sufferns by a cavalade
of neighbors. On reaching Montgomery, they, with some seventy or
eighty others of the force, who had assembled, were inspected and were
then dismissed to their homes subject to instant recall in case of need.
The call never came.

1 89

In the year 1814 a battalion of artillery was organized in the Middle
Senatorial District composed of Rockland, Orange, Duchess and Ulster
Counties. This battalion was at first under the command of Major Har-
mon Tallman, of Nyack. The uniform was composed of white pants and
vest, dark blue coat, turned and faced with red, and fur caps with red
plume. The armament consisted of brass field pieces. The battalion
entered camp at Harlem Heights. Almost immediately trouble arose
between the rank and file, and Major Tallman was relieved of the com-
mand, which was given to Major Tyler Dibble. During part of its period
of service, this battalion remained at Harlem Heights, and for a portion
of the time at Greenwich, Connecticut. Captain Jonathan Reynolds' com-
pany remained in service the longest period, entering August iSth and
being mustered out November 18th, 18 14. The other companies remained
on duty from August 1 8th to September 30th, when they were dis-
charged.

In proportion to her population Rockland County turned out more
men in the War of 181 2 than in our late Civil War, but not one of those
men ever saw more of war than is comprised in a fortified camp, except the
few who enlisted in the United States Army. Doubtless, if placed in
action, the militia of this County would have acquitted itself in as worthy
a manner as raw troops ever do. There would have been the usual
amount of malingering ; the usual number of desertions ; and the usual
stampede that follows a break in the line when green soldiers are in battle.
The militia system in the Revolution, in the War of 1 8 1 2, and up to the
organization of the National Guard, was the most illusive system that ever
deceived a people ; and though that delusion must have been apparent to
the dullest intellect, the citizens of this country did not wish their favorite
hobby disturbed, but hugged it the closer to them, and were lulled by it
into fancied safety. Fortunate for us was it, that, when the crucial test of
war came upon this Nation in 1 861, the opposing army was as new to
conflict as we, and that each side became skilled in battle in the same
proportion as the other.

At the close of the War of 181 2, the militia resumed its former apathe-
tic indiffence to discipline, and the annual muster gradually became
more and more of a useless farce. Occasionally some enterprising Legis-
lator would stir up the topic of the State's military force, and then a new
law or two would be passed to add to the many already on the Statute
books, nugatory because of their non-enforcement; and if enthusiasm
enough could be roused, the whole service would be reconstructed. By
1848, the companies in this County had become a part of the 17th Regi-

igo

ment, N. Y. S. Militia, Colonel William W. Scrugham, commanding, and
the regiment was attached to the 7th Brigade under the charge of General
Aaron Ward. A momentary interest in the service had been caused by
the Mexican War, but recently ended, and during its excitement, a cavalry
company of about fifty men was organized and mustered into service in
1848, bearing the title of "Rockland County Rangers." The officers of
this company at its organization were: Captain, Isaac Pye ; First Lieutenant,
Charles McOblenis; Second Lieutenant, Edward Pye.

The "Rangers" were ordered on duty during the Haverstraw riot of
1853. Sheriff Henry L. Sherwood, finding himself unable to cope with
the rioters by the civil powers, and remained on duty two days and a
night before quiet was restored. In 1855, General Ward resigned his
commission on account of age, and W. W. Scrugham, was promoted to
the command of the brigade, while Edward Pye, became Colonel, and
Isaac Pye, Major of the 17th Regiment, and Charles McOblenis, Captain
of the " Rangers." Thus officered the regiment remained till the Civil
War. At the call of the National Government for protection to the
Capital ; the 1 7th Regiment was ordered to proceed to Washington, by
Governor Seymour. Ere the hour for departure, however, the immediate
danger to the Capital had passed, and the 17th Regiment remained on
waiting orders for the next three or four weeks ; at the end of which time
it was relieved from duty. By the departure of members either as volun-
teers or conscripts, the organization was practically abandoned, the small
remnant remaining, being used for home duty, and, without its members
being mustered out, the company of " Rangers " ceased to exist for want
of men. Once more it was ordered out, as we shall see in the chapter on
the Civil War, and performed duty at the front in the year 1863.

The accoutrements of a " Ranger " consisted of horse, saddle, bridle,
saddle-cloth, knapsack, holster, pistol, belt, saber, and spurs; while dark
blue coat, trimmed with red, blue pants with red stripe, and bear skin cap
with long black feather tipped with red formed his uniform.

Early in the Civil War the whole subject of the State troops was taken up
by the Legislature, and on April 23d, 1863, the result of the deliberations
of that body took form in the organization of our present National Guard.
On June 19th, of that year, Adjutant-General Sprague issued the neces-
sary orders for the formation of a regiment or battalion in each Assembly
district, and under those orders the Fifty-seventh Regiment, N. G. S. N.
Y., was organized, with General James Ryder, of the Seventh Brigade,
brigade commander ; James S. Haring, Colonel, and John S. Stephens,
Lieutenant- Colonel. Th^is regiment, composed entirely of Rockland
County men, contained seven companies.

191

By 1870 the Fifty-seventh had followed in the footseps of its military
predecessors, and become a skeleton regiment, and by the expiration of
the seven years tefm of service, in the following year it passed from exist-
ence. '

A year or two now elapsed with virtually no militia organization in
our County. Then a company, lettered B, was raised and joined to the
Sixteenth Battalion, Seventh Brigade, Fifth Division. The commissioned
officers of this company were : Henry E. Smith, Captain ; WiUiam Salters,
First Lieutenant; Eugene Gardner, Second Lieutenant. The armory of
Company B was in Nyack, and the great majority of its members resided
there. During the brick -makers' strike in Haverstraw, in 1877, Company
B was ordered to that village, and remained on duty from May 24th to
May 30th, ere quiet was restored, being quartered in the United States
Hotel. Again, during the railroad strikes and riots of 1877, this organiza-
tion was ordered on duty in the armory, and remained under orders from
July 24th to August 2d.

The same difficulty, that has always met every County movement, met
this. Distance between the villages prevented citizens of one from attend-
ing regular meetings in another, and neither Nyack nor any other village
in the County had population enough to keep a military organization full.
The change from a seven to a five year term of service brought the end of
military duty for two sets of men at the same time. There was no re-
cruiting to meet the vacancies thus caused, and the company at once fell
below its legal number. Then came the legislative act under which the
National guard was reorganized and consolidated, and all skeleton organi-
zations disbanded, and as Company B came under the list of skeletons,
it was wiped from existence on December 17th, 1881. Since that time no
effort has been made to raise a mihtia organization in Rockland County.

A list of the dates of the commissions of the officers in the Regiment
of Militia commanded by Lieutenant- Colonel Cornelius A. Blauvelt, in the
County of Rockland, November 28th, 1812.

( Lieutenant's Commission, May 12th, 1798.

Nicholas Gesner ^Captain's " April 25th, 1806.

( First Major's " June 26ih, 1811.

( Lieutenant's " April 25lh, 1806.

Michael Salyers ■? Captain's " April 2d, 1811.

( Second Major's " March 7th, 1812.

( Ensign's " April 25th, 1806.

Thomas T. Eckerson < Lieutenant's " April 24th, 1807.

(Captain's " June 26th, 1811.

S Ensign's " April 2Sth, l8c6.

Lieutenanant's " April 24th, 1807.

Captain's '• June 26th, 181 1.

192

X i_ T-> /^ J J 1 S Ensien's Commission, Tune 15th, 1808.

Jacob D. Onderdonk | Captiin's " June 20th, 1811.

I Ensign's " April 2Sth, 1806.

Cornelius Sickles ^Lieutenant's " April 2d, 1 811.

( Captain's " March 7th, 1812.

Jacob I. Blauvelt Captain's " June 26th, 181 1.

Samuel S. Ver Bryck Captain's " June 20th, i8ii.

_ , „ ,. < Lieutenant's " June 26th, 1811.

Erastus Colt ^ Captain's " March 7th, 1812.

iir-iv Ti 1- . <- (Ensign's " June 20th, 181 1.

William Herbert Gesner ^ Adjutant's " March 7th, 1812.

Daniel A. Blauvelt Paymaster's " March 7th, 1812.

Daniel Tallman Quartermaster's " June 3d, 1812.

Ralph Bush Surgeon's " June 3d, 1812.

T^ . , . , < Ensign's " April 24th, 1807.

Daniel Ackerman -; | Lieutenant's " June 26th. 1811.

T 1, ir ri J ( Ensign's " June 15th, 1808.

John Van Orden | Lieutenant's ■' June 26th, 181 1 .

„ , ,,-j ( Ensign's " June 26th, 1811.

Samuel faidman | Lieutenant's " March 7th, 1812.

John T. Eckerson Lieutenant's " June 26th, 181 1 .

■George Washington Sneden Lieutenant's " June 20th, 1811.

James Hudson Lieutenant's " March 7th, 1812.

Henry Gesner Ensign's " June 20th, 181 1.

John Mackie Ensign's " June 20th, 181 1.

John T. Yeury Ensign's " June 26th, 1811.

Alpheus S. Colton Ensign's " March 7th, l8i2.

Mathias A. Concklin Ensign's " March 7th, 1812.

Stephen Hennion Ensign's " June 26th, 1811.

Captain, John Snedeker.
Abraham Storms, First Lieutenant. Dowah A. Blauvelt, Se:ond Lieutenant.

Ensign, James Svpartwout,
Adrian Onderdonk, First Sergeant. Garret G. Snedeker, Third Sergeant.

John Stevens, Second Sergeant. Abraham Snedeker, Fourth Sergeant.

Charles Ferlwood, First Corporal. George Smith, Fourth Corporal.

Shobal Hall, Second Corporal. William Gilchrist, Fifth Corporal.

Samuel Lawrence, Third Corporal. Garret F. Snedeker, Sixth Corporal.

Thomas Gilchrist, Fifer. Harman Tremper, Drummer.

Abbott, C. Hofiinan, John Richards, Lawrence

Allison, Daniel Harrison, Matthew Rogers,'Jesse

Baker, Thomas James, Paul Rose James

Brady, David Jaycock's Timothy Ryder, Hercules

Brewer, Paul Johnson, Samuel G. Short, William

Barmore, Nathaniel Knapp, David Slott, Lewis

Brinkerhoff, Christian Knapp, Jacob Smith, Richard

Bennet, John Lum, John Smith, William

Baker, Joseph Lydecker, John Jr. Snedeker, Tunis

Carsick, Alexander Minford, Robert Snyder, Hendrick

Corby, Isaac Meyers, Stephen Springsteen, Garret

De Baun, Christian Meyers, Abraham Storms, John

Felter, Harman Mullen, Marcus Tallman, A. A.

Felter, Edward Onderdonk, Garret Tallman, J. D. D.

Felter, David Paul, Arthur Tallman, Harman

1.93

Teller, John
Pelter, John P.
Felter, Jacob
Pelter, George
Felter, Benjamin
Thew, William
Finch, Henry
Gilchrist, Budd
Gerow, Isaac
Attached to 83d Regiment N.

Paul, Uriah
Perry, John
Tremper, John F.
Pierson, Silas
Polhemus, Theodorus
Remsen, John
Remsen, Theodorus
Short, William

Vanderbilt, Jacob
Van Orden, Jacob
Williams, Elias
Van Houten, Jacob
Van Orden, John
Williamson, JereniiSh
Van Houten, John, Jr.
Wiley, William

Y. S. Militia, Lieutenant- Colonel Benjamin F. Gurnee.

Captain, Jacob I. Blauvelt.
First Lieutenant, John Eckerson. Second Lieutenant, George Wiants.

Ensign, John Mackie.
John Tanlman, First Sergeant. Abram A. Johnson, Third Sergeant.

William Hutton, Second Sergeant. John I. Johnson, Fourth Sergeant.

Henry Oblenis, First Corporal. James D. Clark, Third Corporal.

Derick Van Houten, Second Corporal. John Duryea, ' Fourth Corporal.

John Wooder, Fifth Corporal.
Peter Cole Fifer. Abraham D. Blauvelt, Drummer.

Ackerman, Cornelius
Ackerman, Abraham
Blauvelt, John C.
Bulwer, Henry
Blanch, Thomas
Baker, George
Barbarow, John N.
Blauvelt, C. J.
Brevirer, Abr'm
■Cole, Isaac
Carlow, James
Carlow George
Demarest, Jacob P.
Demarest, David
De Clark, James C.
De Clark, Peter
Demarest, James
De Baun, Abr'm
Demarest, Peter M.
De Clark, Moses
Wanamaker, Cornelius

Attached

Eckerson, Lucas
Eckerson, Thos. T.
Eckerson, Abr'm
Eckerson, Derick
Eckersbn, Jacob T.
Fox, Stephen
Hopper, Garret A.
House, John, Jr.
House, Henry
Hopper, John
Johnson, Peter
Johnson, Abr'm I.
Lydecker, Albert
Mackie, James
May, Coonrod
Norvfood, Cornelius
Osborn, Nathaniel
Peterson, Abr'm
Remsen, A.
Ronseau, John P.
Wilson, Caleb
to the 83d Regiment, N. Y. S. Militia.

Smith, John
Smith, Garret A.
Smith, Garret I.
Smith, Garret S.
Serven, John G.
Sudderland, John
Smith, Aury
Serven, Aury
Taylor, John
Taylor, William
Taylor, Jonathan
Taylor, Edward
Taylor, Isaac
Tinkey, George
Van Buskirk, Andrew
Van Ostrand, Jacob
Van Ostrand, Moses
Van Houten, Joseph
Van Wort, John
Van Orden, David

Abraham Ackerman, George Carlow and Nathaniel Osborn; never
reported for duty and 'James Carlow, furnished a substitute named Jacob
Miller.

194

Roll of the field and staff" officers of a battalion of New York De-
tached artillery at first commanded by Major Harman Tallman, later by-
Major Tyler Dibble, in the service of the United States, in 1814.

Major, Tyler Dibble.
Clermont Livingston, Adjutant. William S. Wilkin, Paymaster.

William L. Cande, Surgeon, Joseph EUicott, Quartermaster'.

~ Henry Van Nostrand, Sergeant Major. M. B. Gager, Quartermaster Sergeant.

COMPANY.

Alan son Austin, Captain, t
Purdy Fowler, First Lieutenant.
Edward L. Welling, Second Lieutenant,
John Hathorn, Jr. First Sergeant.
William Robison, Second Sergeant.
Joseph Roe,t First Corporal.
William Munger,t Third Corporal.
James W. Finch, Fiith Corporal.
John Welling, Drummer,
Armstrong, DanielJ
Armstrong, George
Applebee, Elnathan
Baird, Nath. W.§

Henry Butterworth, Captain.f
Francis Armstrong, First Lieutenant, t
Garret Henion, Second Lieutenant.
Nathaniel R. Denton, Third Sergeant.
Henry W. Houston, Fourth Sergeant. §
John Welling, § Second Corporal.
George Wandel, Fourth Corporal.
Henry Feagles,§ Fifer.

Broad, James B.t
Blooiner, Thos. B.
Bazly, Loal
Blair, Barnard
Byram, Cantwellt
Beedle, Peter**
Conkling, Joseph
Cornelison, John
Crostgrove, Chris.t
Dusenbery, Dan'l C.t
Dekay, Sam'l L.
Dolsen, John 5
Finn, Daniel
Felter, Jeremiah P.
Griggs, Daniel

Gourdinier, Barney
Hartwick, John**
Harris, Robert^
Hedges, John
Gilbert, Elnathan B.
Johnson, Jolin
King, John
Lawrence, Nathaniel^
Ludlow, Daniel
Lydecker, Albert A.
Matthews, Samuel
Minthorn, James
Mapes, Lewis
Murray, John
McDowell, Roberttt
Onderdonk, RuliffJ
Onderdonk, Garrettt
Orvins, Benjamin

Pickins, Edward§
Polhemus, Daniel
Quimby, John H.tt
Roe, John S.
Roads, Matthew
Strong, JohnJ
Sterns, Elisha
Tice, Jubal
Tice, Lee
Tallman, John
Taller, James T.
Vanorsdol, Cornelius
Welling, Thos. H.
Welling, Hezekiah D.
Wheeler, James+t
Hunter John
Stevens, Abr. S. S.
Lyon, Jabez

The waiters attached to this company were : John Carter, James Demarlo, Henry Scott, and
John Call. '

COMPANY.

Jonathan Reynolds, Captain.
Leonard Thompson, Firt Lieutenant.
William Kalstine,t First Sergeant.
Derrick Husted,t Third Sergeant.
Milo Winchester,+ First Corporal.
Samuel Garlick, Third Corporal.
Charles Perry, Fifer.

Allison, Abraham
Alexander, Andres §
Anson, William

Holmes, Morgan L.
Huysrodt, William,
Husted, Walter

Tunis Tallman, t Captain.
Ezra L. Barrett,t Second Lieutenant.
John Jenks,+ Second Sergeant.
James G. Husted, Fourth Sergeant.
George Reynolds,t Second Corporal.
Isaac Latimer, Fourth Corporal.
Morse Couch, Drummer.

Reynolds, Ambrose
Reed, Morris
Record, William

195

Anson, Robert
Annstroi^ John W.t
Baker William
Bud, Charles
Castle Moses
Card, EUjah B.
Conklin, \Ym. H.
Conklln, Burnett
Cblepougfas, Johntt
Drake, Samuel
Davis, Samuel D.
Forman, \Villiam$
Dodge, Samuel K.
Flinn, Rufiis
Gritman, B. D.

Hamblin, George
Hamblin, Hiram
Hicks, Stephen
Knickerbocker, Peter H.
Knickerbocker, Cornelius
Knickerbocker, Andrew
Knapp, Nicholas^
Miller, Lewis
Martin, William
Xoble, Nathaniel
Polhemns, Theodorus*
Piatt, Jonas D.
PoItcs, John P.
Reynolds, Jno. P.t
Reynolds, Nathaniel

Smith, James S.
Springsteel, Benj.
Story, William^
VeUe, C. I.
WTieeler, Isaac
Winans, Gerhardns
Wood, Sirren
Wood, John
Jacocks, Lawrence^
Jarvis, Henryt
Bird, MQo

WAITERS.
Williams, John
Wilkins, Wm.
Perry, Jno.

James S. Smith, Benjamin Springsteel and John Wood were detached,
September 15th, to work in the stone qujirries getting out material for the
forts.

COMPAXY.

Philip P. Schuyler, Captain.
Stiles R. Fox, First Lieutenant.
O'Fana D. T. Fox, First Sergeant.
Peter Stoutenbergh,t Third Sergeant.
William King, First Corporal.
Joseph Dill, Jr. Hiird Corporal.
Jacob Ludlum, Fifer.

W^iUiam Mulner,t Captain.
Joseph F. Dill, Second Lieutenant
James Smilie, Second Sergeant.
Moses Comfort, Fourth Sergeant.
John Bart, Second Corporal.
Isaac Bishop, Fourth Corporal.
Henry R. Bush, Drummer.

Amet, John
Ames, Klisha W.
McBride, James
Buchanan, John
Bnckstaver, Moses
Brodway, Amos
Baker, Daniel S.
Bnskirk, Davidit Substi-
tuted for him.
Bates, Isaac
Brown, Nathaniel A.
Badg^y, William
Curtis, WiUiam
Catlin, Hamlin
Canfield, Samuel
Carr, John, Jr.
Cromwell, Smith
Case, Gabrid
Campbell, Johntt
Coe, Samuel I.
Davis, John I.
Davis, John C
Davis, Samuel

Doty, Joseph I.t
Doty, Calium
Frederick, John
Falls, George
Fundy, Isaac
Felter, Peter W.t
Grivens, Samuelt
Gregor, John
Hunt, Levitt
Hazelton, Chas. A.
Johnson, Richard
Knapp, Daniel
Van Keuren, Tobiasj
Keeler, Daniel B.
McKenzie, Johntt
Lent, Henry§
Lawrence, Peter
Morris, Statest
Mann, Isaac
Miller, Thomastt
Macinu>. John
Meyers, William
Oliver, James

■ Pottenbeigh, John
Pye, Williamt
Redfield, William
Redfield, Henry
Sherman, Jacob
Strachan, Charles C.
Sneden, Robertt
Simpson, WiUiam
Stewart, Samueltt
Sherman, Jacob, Jr.
Voorhouse, Williamtt
Wakerman, Elisha
Winans, Jonathan
Wright, Joseph
Wigham, Robert, Jr.
John Tentt, Ward Master,

WAITERS,
Brown, James
Jackson, Harry
Freeman, Henry
McRea, Abraham.

196

COMPANY.

John J. Woolley,+ Captain.
Alonzo De La Vergne, First Lieutenant.
Simon Williamson, First Sergeant.
Joshua Flagler, Third Sergeant.
Jeremiah Duel, First Corporal.
Edward W. Briggs, Third Corporal.

William Smith, tt Captain.
Cornelius J. Swarthout, Second Lieutenant.
James A. Stoutenburgh, Second Sergeant.
Joshua Cheeseman, Fourth Sergeant.
Gilbert Southard, Second Corporal.
Durias J. Covel, Fourth Corporal.

Smith Steward, Fifer.
Aspel, Thomast
Barrum, Nathanielt
Burch, Charles §
Bradner, John
Bodel, Isaac,
Bigger, George
Benedict, Henry T.
.Coe,' Daniel
Duseuberry, Stephen
Ferris, John D.
Graham, Richard
Grinder, Johntt
Halley, Eleazar P.tt
Hulright, Wm. A.
Johnson, Andrew
Jones, Stephen S.
Lake, Ebenezer
Lake, Crapo
Lake, Stephen
Luckky, Williamtt

Abiah Bishop and Stephen Tompkins, Drummers.

Luckky, George, Jr.
Jacob, Israel
Maccord, Wm. W.
McFarlin, Abr.
Martin, Johntt
Maden, Edw. S.t
Mills, James
Ocoy, Patrick^
Olivet, William
Owen, Increase^
Oakly, Jeremiah
Purdy, David
Poppano, William
Scryver, William
Sims, Davidt
Savage, Rowland,
Spooner, Nathant
Smith, Acontt
Seaman, Peter
Tripp, Samuel

Tilbets, Lyman
Tompkins, WiUiamtt
Totten, John H.
Taylor, Williamt
Van Tassel, Tryontt
Williams, Henry
Wesley, Franklin
Wilsey, George
Wilcox, Simeontt
Whitney, John
Wheeler, Joel, Jr.t
Williams, Isaac
Winslow, Josephtt
Thompson, Henry
Peters, HuletJ
Hall, IraS.tt
Wilcox, Benajah
Brinkerhoff, Abr. L.
Gipson, Solomon
Gage, M. B., Promoted

Quartermaster Sergeant.
The last parade, review and inspection of the old 17th Regiment, in
which Rockland County was represented, occurred at Verplanck's Point
on October 21, 1862. This Regiment belonged to the 7th Brigade, Gen-
eral S. C. Parmenter, of Newburgh, commanding, and to the 5 th Division,
Major General S. S. Burnside, of Oneonta, commanding. In the Adju-
tant General's report for that year the roll of officers was as follows :

Isaac Pye, Major.
James Creney, Jr., Haverstraw, Regimental Engineer. W. Govan, M. D., Stony Point, Surgeon.
Ferdinand L. Nichols, Nyack, Quartermaster.

WAYNE GUARDS.
Co. B. Dominick Kennedy, Captain. Thos. Murphy, First Lieutenant. John Bannon, Second
Lieutenant. All of Haverstraw.

Co. C. John V. B. Johnson, Captain. Richard Wandell, First Lieutenant. J. D. Blauvelt,
Second Lieutenant. All of Piermont.

STONY POINT GUARDS.
Edw. W. Christie, Captain. Abr. S. Greene, First Lieutenant. M. B. Marks, Second

Co. D.

Lieutenant.

*Died. tFurloughed. tDischarged
ttDeserted.

All of Haverstraw.
§Sick.

*Extra Duty. ttEnlisted in the U. S. Army.

197

INGOLD GUARDS.

Co. F. C. P. Hoffman, Captain. S. W. Allen, First Lieutenant. I. De Baun, Second Lieu-
tenant. All of Haverstraw.

Co. L W. D. Furman, Captain, of Monsey. Reuben Riggs, First Lieutenant, of Monsey. Au-
gustus Coe, Second Lieutenant, of Suffern.

" ROCKLAND COUNTY RANGERS." ' '

Co, R. Charles M. O'Blenis, Captain, of Clarksville. John A. Campbell, First Lieutenant, of
Nyack Turnpike. Henry Palmer, Second Lieutenant, of Nyack.

Authorities referred to : " Federal Government," by Alden Bradford ; " Morning Report " of
Captain Jacob I. Blauvelt's Company; Diary of Captain Jacob I. Blauvelt; Muster Roll of Bat-
talion of Artillery firom United States Records ; Reports of the Adjutant-General S. N. Y.; Ar-
chives of the Rockland County Historical Society.

CHAPTER XII.

PROPOSITION FOR A TURNPIKE FROM NYACK TO SUFFERN— BITTER OPPO-
SITION—THE BILL AS PASSED— RENEWALS OF THE CHARTER- AN ACT
INCORPORATING THE NEW ANTRIM AND WAYNESBURGH TURNPIKE
COMPANY PASSED— THE BEGINNING OF STEAMBOAT C0MMUNICATrON~-
WITH NEW YORK— LATER STEAMBOATS— CHARTERS FOR FERRYBOATS
—CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF STEAMBOATS— OPENING OF THE ERIE
RAILRAOD AND OF OTHER RAILOADS.

We have already seen that Tappan Landing was the original port of
entry for the County, and that for years its store and its market sloop
were amply sufficient to carry on the outside business of the southern part
of her territory. When Kakiat was settled by the Hempstead people, an
outlet for their produce was afforded by a dock at the foot of the Long
Clove road, the existence of which would have remained unknown but for
the discovery of Prof Lavalette Wilson, of Haverstraw, who found in it
the spot where Andre landed. Later, Major Kiers, built a dock further
north to meet the wants of shippers. Nyack in 1804, began communica-
tion with New York through the market sloop of the Tallman's DePew
and Meyers. The development of manufacturing interests at Ramapo,
created a demand for better means of transportion.

An examination of the map of Rockland County, will show it to be an
almost perfect triangle, its base extending along the Hudson, its apex,
stretching away into the Ramapo Mountains. Almost in the centre of
this apex were the works of J. G. Pierson, and Brothers ; the Dater
Works, and but two or three miles away was the woolen factory of John
Suffern. As the roads then ran, it was both a shorter and easier route
from Ramapo to Haverstraw, than to any other village on the Hudson,
and the tide of travel naturally set in that direction. But at best this was
a round-a-bout way to get to the Metropolis, the roads, compared with
to-day, were horrible, the grades heavy, and when at last the river was
reached, the means of communication, dependent on tide and wind, very
uncertain. A study of this subject soon convinced Mr. Pierson, that
either easier and surer modes of travel must be found, or the magnificent
water power of the Ramapo could not be utilized to its full capacity.
While he was thinking out the problem in the western part of the County,
keen, far-seeing men were moving in the same matter at the east. Nyack

199

was waking from a lethargy. A young and pushing generation was com-
ing to the fore, and its members saw at once, that while the water power
for manufacturing purposes was wanting, and space for an extensive pur-
suit of agriculture did not exist, there was a chance to infuse life into the
hamlet by making it the port of shipment for the County. Conference be-
tween Mr. Pierson and the active men in Nyack, resulted in a determina-
tion to improve communication in the County, by obtaining a legislative
act creating a turnpike road, which should run as nearly as possible in a
straight line from the Orange Turnpike at Sufferns, to the river at Nyack.
No one can justly accuse Haverstra% people of being thick-witted when
their interests are at stake, and when this new project was broached, they
saw as clearly as their Nyack neighbors, the drift of the enterprise. It
meant a removal of business from their village with a gain of that business
which they would lose for Nyack, it meant a strife for supremacy be-
tween the two places, and, if Haverstraw lost, she must not only go to the
wall but indirectly be taxed to see her rival succeed ; and the people of
that village joined as one man in a long and bitter struggle against the
proposed new road. For years the contest continued with unflagging
vigor and exerted an influence on County politics never since seen. Every
method was used, from the election of members of Assembly to the influ-
encing of commissioners ; from appeals to the courts to bitter personal
conflicts ; by one or the other sides and used freely. In vain, those favor-
ing the proposed road, pointed out that it would be self-supporting by
reason of its tolls and the issue of bonds would prevent it becoming a
County burden ; in vain they argued, that rather than continue thus hamp-
ered by bad means of communication, the mill owners of Ramapo would
close their factories and thus settle the controversy ; in vain they said that
Nyack was chosen because of its not only being nearer to the city but also
because the depth of water at its landing was greater than at Haverstraw,
and heavily loaded vessels could get away without reference to the stage
of the tide, and would not be so apt to be stopped by the ice in winter.
Every argument was met and answered and the. member of Ass^nbly
during the early years of the discussion — General Peter S. Van Orden —
being opposed to the bill it could not be pasSed. At length, after a hard
political canvass, Van Orden, who had been the member from Rockland
County, continuously from 1809 to 18 16, was defeated, and in the latter year
Cornelius A. Blauvelt was the Assemblyman. During his first term of
office, on April 17, 18 16, the bill was passed for a Turnpike to run from a
point between the houses of Teunis and Peter Smith " running thence
westerly along the old road until in front of the said Peter Smith's dwell-

20p

ing^ house, and from thence, the .most direct and convenient route to the
Or^^nge.Turnpike Road and to pass in front of the dwelling house of John,
Su^ern, in the Town of Hempstead, same (Rpckland) County."

Those favoring the proposed road h^d won, so far as obtaining a legis-
lati,ve act could go, but the struggle was. by no means ended. By one. or
anotljier method the opponents of the bill fought its progress, till, ia 1822,
th^^Turnpike was no nearer existence than six years before. In 1823,
John J., Suffern .wasmember of Assembly, and through; his efforts a new^
act .was passed for the construction of the Turnpike, dated April 23d, by
whjch Andrew Suffern, XyilHam Yp^ry and Tunis Smith, were appoint-
ed commissioners and ordered to begin their duties as such on or before
Ju^e ist.| The year 1824 saw General Van Orden, the long opponent of
th^^bill,|again in ,the Assembly, and, the contest over the road now taking
the fof.tn, ,o.f objections, by those who combated it, to the route selected,
a ngw,act appointirjg two more cominissioners was passed February 28,
1 9^4. The new membqrs thus appointed were Roger Parmely and Geofge
K^l^s.^ Two mpr.e years passed away, during which some progress was
m^ide in. surveying ..the proposed route, and then, on April 17th, 1826, a
fr^^ act was passed by the Legislature for the correction of the survey of
the Turnpike. At last, on April^ 30, 1830, the final act, entitled, "An
Actjto, Jmprove the State Road from the Orange Turnpike to Nyack in
the County of Rockland," was passed by the Legislature, and settle^ .the
loqg controversy. George S. Allison was Member of Assembly from .this
County at the time of the passage of this act.

An Act to improve the State road from the Orange Turnpike to Nyack, in County of Rock-
land. Passed April 20, 1830.

TAe People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, Do Enact as follows :

Sec. I. Jeremiah H. Pierson and Edward Suffern, of the town of Ramapo; Lucas Ackerson
and Isaac S. Lydecker, of CSarkstown, and John Green, Tunis Smith and Peter Smith, of the
Tpwn of Orange, in the County of Rockland, shall be and hereby are appointed Trustees to super-
intend the construction, repair and improvement of 'the State Road from the Orange turnpike to
Nyack, in the County of Rockland, five of whom shall be a board for the transaction of business,
and the kcts of a majority of them shall be valid and binding, and the said Trustees are hereby em-
powered, from time to time, in the manner and upon the security hereinafter mentioned, to borrow
such, sum or svuns of money as may be necessary to be expended in the further construction, repair
and improvement of said road, which said sum or sums of money may be borrowed, as aforesaid,
before any part of said road shall be constructed, repaired or improved, in the manner hereinafter
directed, and that the said Trustees shall be further authorized to accept of donations to the said
road, and contributions in labor to be performed on the same, and that the said Trustees shall
commence and complete such section of the said road, not less than six miles in length, as persons
who may or shall provide the funds, or contribute the labor for completing the same, shall desig-
nate and prefer, but the sa,id Trustees shall, in no event, be liable or Responsible for the repayment
of the. money borr.o\^;ed or the labor, performed, asafpresaidj

20I

Sec. 2. As soon as said Trustees shall have completed, in the manner hereinafter directed,
six miles of said road it shall be the duty of the said Trustees tq' give notice thereof to the jrerson
administering the Government of this State, for the time being, who shall thereupon forthwith
nominate and appoint two discreet persons, not interested in the said road, residing in the County
of Prange, to view the same and to report to him in writing whether such road is completed ac-
cording to the true intent and meaning of this act, and if the . report shall be in the affirmative
then it shall be the duty of the person administering the Government of this State, and he is here-
by required by license, under his hand and the privy seal of this State, to permit the said Trustees
to pxak? and erect gates across and upon the said road at such place or places, as they or a majority
of them shall deem best, to collect the duties and tolls, hereinafter granted, from all persons
travelling or jising the same, so that no more than one full toll-gate or two half toll-gates shall be
erected upon and across the same.

Sec. 3. The said Trustees, or a majority of them, may, and hereby are empowered, from time
to time, and before or after the said road shall have been constructed, repaired or improved, as
aforesai(3, by any writing or writings, under their hands and seals, to assign over or mortgage the
said tolls to be received at both or either of the said gates, in and by separate securities, or jointly
to the individuals or companies who advance the funds or perform the labor for each, or all the
sums of money advanced or the amount of a just compensation for the labor performed on the said
road, the costs and charges of such assignments or mortgages to be borne and paid out of such tolls,
so to be assigned or mortgaged, respectively, for any time or times during the continuance of this act
which said tolls, so to be respectively assigned or mortgaged, as aforesaid, shall be pledged and
applied by the said Trustees : First, To the maintaining and keeping the said road in repair.
Second, To the annual payment of the interest, not exceeding five per cent. — per annum — for such
sum or sums of money borrowed or the amount of labor performed on said road (other than the
annual statute labor hereinafter specified) and, lastly, if there shall be any surplus remaining in
the hands of said Trustees, it shall be applied for the payment of the principle of the said sum or
su^ns of money and amount of labor performed, as aforesaid, and that the said mortgages and as-
sigjiments may be, from time to time, assigned over by such person or persons to whom the same
shall be respectively made his, her and their executors, administrators and, assigns to any other
person or persons whomsoever, and that copies of all the said assignments or mortgages shall be
entered at length in a book to be kept for that purpose by the Clerk of said Trustees, which book
or books shall and may be examined at all reasonable times without fee or reward.

Sec. 4. The said Trustees, or a majority of them, from time to time, by viriting, under their
hajids and seals may appoint a clerk, toll-gatherers and such other sufficient officers as shall be
necessary for putting in execution this act, and shall take such securities to the people of the State
of New York for the faithful execution of their respective offices as the said Trustees or a major-
ity, of them shall approve of, and also that the said Trustees or a majority of them shall and may
from time to time remove such clerk, toll-gatherers, and other officers, or any of them, as they
shall deem proper, and appoint new ones in case of death or such removals, and the said Trus-
tees or a majority of them shall and may out of the said tolls, or out of the money to be borrowed
on.ihe credit thereof, make such allowances to the said clerk, toll-gatherers, or other officers as
the said Trustees, or a majority of them shall deem reasonable.

Sec. 5. If any Trustee shall die, remove out of the County, refuse to act, or otherwise be-
come incompetent to discharge the duties of such Trustee, it shall and may be lawful to and for
the surviving Trustees, or a majority of them, to elect and appoint a fit person, or persons, in the
place of such Trustee or Trustees dying, moving out of the County, or refusing to act, or becom-
ing incompetent, and such person or persons so elected or appointed shall be joined with the
other Trustees in the execution of this act to all intents and purposes in as ample a manner as the
Trustees hereby appointed are empowered to act and subject to the provisions of this act, and
notice in writing of any vacancy occurring in the office of such Trustee shall be given to the re-
maining Trustees, and of the time and place of meeting for the election of such new Trustees shall

202

be given by the clerk to the said Trustees at least ten days before such meeting, and that the said
clerk shall enter such new appointment of Trustee or Trustees from time to time in the book kept
by him.

Sec. 6. It shall, and may be, lawful to and for the said Trustees, or a majority of them, to
improve the course of the said road, and to alter the same wherever they may deem the public good
requires, particularly by straightening and avoiding the hills in the same wherever it can be con-
veniently done, and to order to be discontinued so much and such parts of the old route as in the
opinion of the said Trustees have become unnecessary, whose decision in the premises shall be
conclusive and final, which alteration, improvement and discontinuance shall also be recorded in
the book of the said Trustees to be kept by their said Clerk, and a copy thereof shall be delivered
to the Town Clerk in the Town where the said alteration or discontinuance shall take place, to be
recorded by him in the Town records 06 Roads in said Town, and notice in writing of such altera-
tion shall be given by the said Clerk to the owner or occupant of any enclosed or improved lands
through which the said road shall be laid out or altered, but no road or alteration shall be laid out
through any orchard, garden, or building contrary to the 57th Section of the 4th Article, first title,
i6th Chapter of the 1st part of the Revised Statutes.

Sec. 7. It any owner or owners through whose improved or enclosed land the said road shall be
laid out or altered shall refuse to have same opened or worked and improved without compensa-
tion for the damages thereof, it shall be the duty of such owner within twenty days after having re-
ceived notice of such alteration to have his damages assessed, in the manner prescribed in Article
4th, Title 1st, Chapter i6th, of the 1st part of Revised Statutes; which damages, together with the
expense of surveying, shall be levied and paid by the Town in which the alteration is made, in
the same manner as other contingent charges of said Town are paid, and it shall be lawful for the
said Tirustees after the expiration of the time aforesaid, to enter upon the lands and to open, or cause
to be opened the said road, and to construct, make and improve the same.

Sec. 8. The first meeting of the said Trustees shall be on the first Tuesday in June, next, at
house of Jno. I. Yourey, in the Town of Ramapo, and they, or a majority of them may from
time to time thereafter meet at such place as a majority of them shall determine.

Sec. 9. It shall be duty. of the said Trustees , previous to the erection of any gate, so to con-
struct, repair and improve said road, that all standing timber shall be cut down to the width of
said road twenty feet, of which exclusive of the ditches to be made on each side thereof; shall be
cleared of all stumps, roots, stones or any other obstruction whatever ; when practicable, and the
soil of said road shall be well compacted together and faced with gravel, of a depth not less than
six inches where required, so as to secure a firm and even surface, rising in the middle by a gradual
arch.

Sec. 10. As soon as permission so as aforesaid shall be granted to erect a gate or gates, upon
and across the said road, it shall and may be lawfulfor the Toll-gatherers to be appointed as afore-
said, to collect and receive of and from all and every person using the said road, at each of the
said gates, for any number of miles not less than ten, and so in proportion for any greater or less
distance, to wit : For every wagon drawn by two horses, mules or oxen 12^ cents ; and 3 cents
for every additional horse, mule or ox attached to such wagon. For every cart drawn by two
horses, mules or oxen 12^ cents; and for every additional horse, mule or ox attached to such
cart 3 cents. For every horse and rider 6 cents, for every horse led or driven 4 cents. For every
sled or sleigh drawn by two horses, mules or oxen 6 cents ; and so in proportion if drawn by
a greater or less number of horses, mules or oxen. For every chair, chaise, sulky, pleasure
wagon or carriage drawn by one horse 12^ cents. For every coach, coachee, chariot or phaeton
or other four wheeled pleasure carriage 25 cents. For every score of hogs, sheep or calves 6
cents, and so in proportion for a greater or less number. , For every score of horses or cattle
25 cents, and so in proportion for a greater or less nuntber. It shall be lawful for the Trustees or
a majority of them, to reduce the toll aforesaid whenever they shall deem it necessary to do so, and
it shall ard may be lawful for any Toll-gatherer to stop and detain, any person riding, leading or

203

•driving any horse or horses, cattle, sheep or hogs, sulky, chair or phaeton, chaise, wagon, sleigh
or sled or other carriage of burden or pleasure, from passing through any of the said gates until
they shall have respectively paid the tolls aforesaid. But no toll shall be exacted or demanded from
any person or persons who are exempt from the payment of toll by the 36th Section of the 3d
Article, 1st Title, l8th Chapter of the first part of the Revised Statutes > and no more toll than is
specified in the 37th Section of the same Article, for wagons of the width of tire therein respec-
tively mentioned, and the said Trustees shall cause to be affixed and kept up, at or over each gate,
in a conspicious and convenient place to be read, a printed list of the rates of toll which may be
lavriully demanded.

. Sec. h. Whenever complaint in writing shall be made to any of the Judges of the Court of
Common Pleas of the County of Rockland, that the said road or any part thereof is out of repair,
it shall be the duty of such Judge to whom such complaint is made to repair to such part of said
road and to view the same, and if the same shall in the opinion of the said Judge be out of re-
pair, then the said Judge shall give notice in writing of such defect to the Toll Gatherer or person
attending the gate nearest to the place so out of repair, and shall also in his discretion in said
notice, order such gate to be thrown open, and the gate so ordered to be thrown open shall imme-
diately after the service of such notice aforesaid, be opened and shall remain open and no toll
shall be demanded for passing the same until a certificate is received by the person keeping such
gate, under the hand of two of the said Judges, that said road is in sufficient repair, and granting
permission to shut such gate and receive toll.

Sec. 12. If any person shall willfully break or throw down any of the said gates, or shall ob-
struct, dig up or spoil any part of said road, or any bridge or acqueduct drain or anything there-
unto belonging or shall forcibly pass either of the said gates, without having paid the legal tolls,
such person or persons shall, for every such offence or injury forfeit and pay the sum of twenty-
five dollars, to be recovered by and in the name of the clerk of said Trustees, in an action of debt
" before any Justice of Peace in the County, or where the offender can be found, which said sum
when received by the said clerk, shall be paid over to said Trustees, and by them expended and
laid out in the improvement and repair of the said road, and if any person or persons shall, witli
his team, carriage, or horse, turn out of said road or pass either of said gates, or ground adjacent
thereto, and again enter on said road, having passed said gate or gates to avoid payment of the toll
due by this Act, such person or persons shall forfeit and pay a fine not exceeding ten dollars, to
be recovered in like manner, and for the same use, with the costs of suit.

Sec. 13. If any Toll Gatherer shall unreasonably delay or hinder any traveller or passenger
at either of the said gates, or shall demand and receive more toll than by this Act, is established,
he shall, for every such offence, forfeit and pay five dollars, to be recovered by the person so
unreasonably detained, for his own, use with costs of suit in any court having cognizance thereof.

Sec. 14. The said Trustees shall keep a just and true account of all monies borrowed, re-
ceived or to be received by the several Toll Gatherers, and of all monies expended, or to be ex-
pended, or labor performed, (other than the ordinary annual Statute labor hereinafter mentioned)
by virtue of this Act, and shall, on or before the first day of January, in each year, transmit a
copy of the said account to the Comptroller of this State, and file a copy with the Clerk of the
Board of Supervisors, of the County of Rockland, which said accounts may be examined at all
reasonable times without fee or reward.

Sec. 15. Each of the said Trustees- to be appointed or elected as aforesaid, shall, before he
enters upon the duties of his office, take and subscribe an oath or affirmation that he will faithfully
discharge the duties of the office of Trustee according to the best of his ability, and each of the
said Trustees shall execute to the people of this State a bond,-with two or more sufficient securities,
to be approved of by two of the Judges of the County of Rockland, which approbation shall be
endorsed upon the said bond in the penal sum of two thousand dollars, conditioned for the true and
faithful performance of the trust reposed in him by virtue of this Act, and for the due application
of all monies which may come into his hands by virtue of this Act, to the improvement of the said

204

road, which, said oath or affirmation and bond shall be filed in the Clerk's Office of the Countyof
Rockland-

Sec. i6. If any of the Trustees shall not faithfully perform the trust reposed in them by virtue
of this Act, the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Rockland shall cause said bond to be
prosecuted, and the amount that shall be recovered upon the said bond shall be paid over to the
said Trustees, to be expended upon the improvement of said road.

Sec. 1 7. The Commissioners of Highways of the several Towns through which said road shall
pass shall divide said road into as many road districts as they shall judge convenient, and shall
cause the same to be worked by the inhabitants residing on and near said road, or attached to said
districts in the same manner as other road districts in the said several Towns are worked and re-
paired, subject, however, to the direction of the said Trustees.

Sec. 18. The said Trustees may from time to time commute with any person who resides near
said road, for Toll payable on the same for one year, and may renew the same annually at the
expiration of each period.

Sec. 19. The several Toll-gatherers to be appointed by virtue of this Act, shall take and sub-
scribe the oath of office required by the Constitution of this State, which said oath shall be filed
with the Clerk of said Trustees, and said Trustees shall have power to construct or hire suitable
houses for their Toll-gatherers, and procure suitable situations for the same upon such terms as
they shall deem advisable.

Sec. 20. This Act shall continue in force for the term of 21 years, or until the monies which
shall have been borrowed, or labor performed, (except as aforesaid), upon the credit of Tolls to
be j-eceived at the said gates, as aforesaid, shall have been paid off and discharged together with
the. interest thereon, not exceeding 5 per cent, per annum, upon [which] the said gates shall be
taken down, and said road shall thereafter be a free public highway, and the Toll-houses, if any
erected, sold, and money paid to the Town Commissioners of Highways, to be applied on said
road and bond of said Trustees, to be cancelled by direction of Comptroller by the Clerk of the
County.

Sec. 21. The Legislature may by law remove any one or more of the said Trustees and appoint
others in their stead, and the said Trustees shall annually account with the Board of Supervisors
of the said County for all monies received and expended on said road, labor performed and ex-
penses incurred by virtue of this Act, and shall be allowed such compensation for their services,
under this Act, as the Board of Supervisors of the said County shall deem just and reasonable, to
be paid out of the Tolls collected on said road.

Sec. 22. This Act shall be deemed and taken to be a Public Act, and the Legislature may at
any time alter, amend, or repeal the same.
Albany, May 4, 1830.

The Turnpike from Nyack to Sufferns, while it shortened the distance
between the two places some four or five miles by measurement, short-
ened it more in time and ease that can be calculated. The traveller be-
tween the two villages, before this new road was opened, would leave
Nyack by a narrow unworked lane, following the course of the present
Main street, until he reached a point east of the ice house. The lane then
swept up to and along the northern base of the hill where John W. Towt,
now resides, turning back to the present pike just east of the former loca-
tion of the toll gate, from their it' followed the course of the present pike
closely till it reached the old: Kings Highway, the first road running nortk

20S

and south, west of the Nyaek hills. If the traveller's horse should arrive
at the highway without being lamed by the roots and rocks he had stuni-
bled over or being exhausted by wading through the mud if it was
spring time, and if the traveller's courage still held out; he had the choice
of two routes before him. One, following the highway north to Casper
Hill, and then west, north of the Hackensack swamp ; would bring him
out at Clarksville or Mont Moor, by Isaac 'Pye's corner. Continuing on
west, he would pass the old Dutch Church, and ride along from a half-mile
to a mile north of the Turnpike until he reached the- vicinity of Spring
Valley, when he would turn south toward the Dutch Factory. Not quite
reaching it, the traveller would again turn, ride west and north, pass from
a mile to a mile and a half north of Monsey Station, continue west about
that distance from the Turnpike till he reached the old Kings road from
Sufferns to Haverstraw, when his journey would be nearly ended.

If, on reaching the highway west of Nyack, the traveller decided on
the southern route ; he would ride down the highway till he reached the
present Rockland Driving Park, and then turning west, would pass
through Greenbush, Sickletown, and Scotland, reaching the present Turn-
pike just south of Spring Valley, and southwest of the Dutch Factory.
Till nearly midway between Monsey and Taulmans, he would follow the
course of the pike, then abruptly turning to the south and west, he would
make a long detour through the present Masonicus, and from there pur-
sue a comparatively direct course to Sufferns.

During the long controversy preceding the final building of the Nyack
Turnpike, the opponents of the road sent several prominent citizens, of
unimpeached veracity, to measure the depth of a swamp west of Spring
Valley, through which the proposed road was to run. It was a most for-
bidding spot, from all accounts, covered with water and oozy mud. These
prominent citizens later testified that they had endeavored to reach har-d
bottom, first with fence rails and then with poles, twenty or more feet in
length ; that their efforts had been in vain, and that they had discovered,
at the depth of a few feet, the existence of a quick-sand so active as to
draw the poles and rails from their hands into the gruesome depths below.
In their estimation the "Bear's Nest Swamp," as it was called, was a
bottomless morass, containing at a slight depth, frightful quick-sands,
which, in case an attempt was made to build a road across it, would swal-
low road-bed and traveller, till the expense, thus produced, would bank-
rupt the County.

The Clarksville swamp was met and conquered, but when the Com-
missioners approached the " Bear's Nest," they were influenced by the

, 2o6

reports concerning it, and laid out the Turnpike south of the spot. Ten
years later, when the Erie Railroad was being built, it was run through
the " Bear's Nest," and the somewhat curious facts were discovered, not
only that the morass was but five or six feet deep, but that the bottom
was hard clay on which the ties of the railroad rest. In 1871 the Alturas
Company cut a road directly through the old swamp bed from Monsey to
near the Dutch Factory, and thus did away with the long detour.

In 1853 the Turnpike charter was renewed, and again in 1873. In
April, 1855, that clause of the original act, which prevented the collection
of toll from people residing within a mile of the toll-gates, was rescinded
and the collection of half tolls from such .residents allowed. On April 3d,
1883, " An act, to amend Chapter 286, of the Laws of 1830," was passed
by the Legislature.

Sec. I. Section four of Chapter 286 oi the laws of 1830, entitled "An Act to improve the
State Road from the Orange Turnpike to Nyack, in counfy of Rockland : " * * * is hereby-
amended so as to read as follows :

4.th. The said Trustees, or a majority of them, from time to time, by writing, under their hands
and seals, may appoint from their number a Clerk and Treasurer, and shall further appoint Toll-
gatherers and such other sufficient officers as shall be deemed necessary by said Trustees for the
purpose of this act, and shall take such security or securities to the people from the Treasurer and
Toll-gatherers for the faithful execution of their respective offices, as the said Trustees, or a ma-
jority of them, shall approve, and also that the said Trustees or => majority of them, shall
and may, from time to time, remove such Qerk, Treasurer, Toll-gatherers, and
other officers, or any of them whenever they shall deem proper, and appoint new ones in case of
death or such removal ; and the said Trustees, or a majority of them, shall and may out of the said
tolls, make such allowance to the said Clerk, Treasurer, Toll-gatherers, or other officers as to the
Trustees or a majority of them shall seem reasonable.

2d. Section Twelve of said act is hereby amended so as to read as follows : I2. If any person
shall willfully break or throw down any of the said gates, or shall obstruct dig up, or spoil any
part of said road, or any bridge, or aqueduct, drain, or anything thereunto belonging, or shall for-
cibly pass either of the said gates without having paid the legal toll, such person or persons shall
for every such offence or injury forfeit and pay the sum of twenty-five dollars, to be recovered by
and in the name of the said Trustees in an action for debt before any justice of the Peace of the
County, or where the offender can be found ; which said sum, when received, shall be paid over to
the Treasurer and shall be by said Trustees expended and laid out in the improvement and repair
of the said road, and if any person or persons shall with his team, carriage or horse, turn out of
said road or pass either of the said gates or ground adjacent thereunto, and again enter on said
road, having passed the said gate, or gates, to avoid the payment of toll due by this act such per-
son or persons shall for each such offence forfeit and pay a fine not exceeding ten dollars, to be
recovered in like manner, and for the same use with costs of suit ; and any tolls due from any per-
son by reason of this act shall be recovered in like manner and for the same use.

Section fourteen of said Act is hereby amended so as to read as follows : 14. The Treasurer
shall collect and receive from the Toll-gatherer or toll-gatherers from time to time as he shall deem
expedient all tolls collected by them and all monies received, or to be received by them, and shall
keep a just and true account of the same, and of all monies expended and to be expended and labor
performed (other than the ordinary Statute labor hereinafter mentioned) and shall make report
thereof to said Trustees whenever Required so to do by virtue of this Act and all money expended

i 207

or to be expended, shall be paid by said Treasurer upon the order of said Trustees, or a ma-
jority of them, and said^Treasurer shall on or before the first day of January in each year transmit
a copy of the said account to the Comptroller of this State, andyfile a copy with the Clerk of the
Board of Supervisors of the County of Rockland, which said accounts may be examined at all
reasonable times without fee or reward.

Section Fifteen of said Act is hereby amended so as to read as follows : 15. Each of the said
Trustees to be appointed or elected, shall, before he enters upon the duties of his office, take and
subscribe an oath or affirmation that he will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Trustee
according to the best of his ability, which oath or affirmation shall be filed in the Clerk's Office of
the County of Rockland.

The Trustees hereafter to be appointed by virtue of this Act shall be appointed for the terms of
one, two, three, four and five years respectively, and at the expiration of the term of service of
each Trustee respectively, the County Justices of the County of Rolkland with the Supervisors of
the towns of Clarkstown and Orange, shall appoint their successors each and every year for the
term of five years during the term of this charter.

The Act incorporating the State roadi aforesaid is hereby renewed and extended for the further
term of ten years from the expiration of the present charter.

Shares to the number of 700 at a par value of $25 were issued for the
expense of constructing the road and no gate was to be placed upon it
within a half mile of its junction with the Orange Turnpike.

When the project of building a Turnpike from Nyack to Sufferns was
first broached, the people of Haverstraw made an effort to save the travel
to their village by obtaining a turnpike charter for their advantage. With
this object in view the New Antrim and Waynesburgh Turnpike Company
was incorporated, by Act of Legislature on April 1st, 18 14, to construct a
road to " begin at the dwelling house of John Suffern, situated in the Town
of New Hempstead, from thence in a direct course as nearly as may be, to
such a point in the village of Waynesburgh, late Warren (now Haver-
straw), as the Commissioners, Edward Suffern, John Knapp, John D. Coe,
Josiah Conklin, Elias Gurnee and George Smith shall direct." The Trus-
tees of this- proposed road were : Halstead Coe, Edward Suffern, Josiah
Conklin, John Knapp, John D. Coe, Elias Gurnee, Andrew Suffern, John
Felter and Abram Dater. These Trustees were authorized to issue 640
shares ot stock at $25 a share. Further than the obtaining of the charter,
this work never progressed.

In the history of the Townships, it will be my duty to speak of the
Orange, and Haverstraw and Monroe Turnpikes ; and in that division of
this work I shall also place the history of Highland and Midland Avenues,
which have recently caused so much ill feeling and such a prolonged re-
sort to law in the eastern section of our County

Ere leaving the subject of the County's roads, it is but just to say ; that
in a matter, usually one of commotion and ill will, she has been singularly
happy. As the exigencies of life made more demand for shorter means of

iS6

•communication, neighbors along the proposed routes have as a rule, will-
ingly given the ground and aided in the construction of the road^bfed,
while the expense of new bridges has been borne without murmur. As a
result of this friendly feeling, distance has been shortened by the simple act
of straightening a winding road, or by the serious labor of breaking
'through there-to-fore primeval foi'ests, or climbing along the edges of there-
to-fore impregnable mountain sides ; until now almost every point in 6'ur
County is easy of access.

While the subject of a' turnpike was disturbing the peace of the com-
munity, another and tremendous venture was being determinnd on 'at
Nyack. With the same enterprise which led them to favor closer and
better means of travel in the County, two men of that place decided to at-
tempt to obtain surer and more rapid communication with New York, and
the result of many long and anxious consultations ended in the building
of the steamboat Orange.

Looked at from our point of vantage, it seems impossible that the pro-
jectors of this enterprise should have hesitated for a moment. The un-
certainty of sailing vessels was such as to practically place the County, so
far as getting produce to the market was concerned, further from New
York, than Albany, with its steamboat was, and this cause in great
measure prevented that development of her resources which later obtain-
ed. It is evidentthat any safe means of conveyance capable of overcom-
ing the cause of obstruction to the County's development, would be a
financial success. But John E. Green and Tunis Smith, the movers in the
building of the Orange, did not have our point of vantage. By hard labor
and close economy they had accumulated a little money, and the invest-
ment of that money was a serious matter. Not yet had a score of yeafs
elapsed since the first steamboat, the Clermont, passed up the river ; and
the idea of a little country village, with less than two hundred people,
building a steam vessel seemed an extreme risk. Those who took a
gloomy view of the project were many and they did mot hesitate to ex-
press their idea of what they regarded as the height of folly. Had it not
been for the belief, on the part of those active in this venture, that the
Turnpike would succeed in getting through, the enterprise would not have
been tried ; but with firm faith that the road would be built, the Nyack
people started their boat.

On July 1 2th, 1826, Henry Gesner, John Green, Benjamin Blacklidge,-
and others, issued the following prospectus :

"Whereas Henry Gesner, Benjamin Blacklidge and John E. Green, and
all those that will associate with them and have subscribed their names

209

hereto, have in contemplation to form themselves into a company for the
purpose of building or otherwise obtaining and navigating a steamboat or
vessel on the Hudson River, which will require a capital of about $10,000
which is to be divided into shares of $50 each, and each share to consti-
tute one vote in the proceedings of said company, and no less than one
share to be subscribed for ; and as soon as the said capital is subscribed
for, the subscribers will meet, according to notice to be given thereof, at
any convenient place in the village of Nyack, there and then to make such
rules and regulations as shall be required concerning the same ; and for
the above purpose we the undersigned do hereby promise to pay the
several ^ums annexed to each of our respective names in such manner
and proportion as may be required by said company or their representa-
tives."

Name. No. Shares. Am't Invested.

John E. Green

Tunis Smith

William Perry

Henry Gesner ......

Peter Smith

Benjamin Blacklidge

John G. Perry

Isaac P. Smith

C. T. Smith

William Shurt

John Shaw

217 $10,850

On July 20, 1826, a meeting of the subscribers was held at the house
of Peter Smith in Nyack. John E. Green was chosen Chairman, and
Benjamin Blacklidge, Secretary, and the Nyack Steamboat Association
was organized with John E. Green as President and Tunis Smith and
William Perry Directors.

September i, 1826, a contract was made with Henry Gesner to build
a boat, seventy-five feet in length, twenty-two feet beam, inside the guards,
and seven and a half feet depth of hold for $4, 1 24, the vessel to be finished
and ready for her engine by March i, 1827. In November, 1826, a con-
tract was made with William Kimble, agent of the West Point Foundry,
for an engine with 26-inch cylinder and 4-foot stroke for $4,500; and on
December 27, 1826, a contract was made with Elnathan Applebly to do
the joiner work according to the following plans, for $230.

One after cabin, two lengths of berths and one under berth on each
side, with a closet at the end of each length. A bulkhead between the
after and main cabins, with double doors ; and the after cabin to be fin-

100

$S,ooo

20

1,000

20

1,000

20

1,000

15

750

10

500

10

500

10

500

6

300

5

250

I

SO

2IO

ished in the way sloops' cabins generally are. Main cabin to be about
fifteen feet long, with a row of lockers on each side for seats, and a covered
stairway, the height of an ordinary man, with side windows in and closet
under it to the deck ; forecastle to be about twelve feet long, with two
lengths of berths on each side and stairway to the deck, similar to that in
the main cabin, a closet under the stairway and one in the bow; the cabins
and forecastle to be lighted by ports. Main deck, wheel-houses with small
rooms fore and aft of each, built flush with the top of the paddle boxes, in
the top of which were to be scuttles ; a desk for the captain, a table, and
"spitting boxes." Of these rooms on deck, one was used for the office,
one as a refectory and one as a freight office.

Little note is made during the progress of the work. Before its com-
pletion, William Shurt and Benjamin Blacklidge had sold out their stock
at par, the former to William Perry, the latter to Garret Green.

While those who predicted failure for this steamboat enterprise had not
had sufficient influence to stop it, their gloomy prognostications did affect
the directors to such an extent that the boat was so modeled that, should
she prove a failure under steam, her hull could, without difficulty, be
turned into use as a coasting schooner. The Orange was not a handsome
boat. While we may admire the courage of those who built her, while we
may feel deep veneration for her as the pioneer of all the steam communi-
cation to this County that has followed, while, as lovers of this County,
we may appreciate the material prosperity her construction gave rise to :
it would be gross mendacity for us to pretend that the old Orange was a
thing of beauty. Ycleped by some the " Pot-cheese," because of her shape,
and by others called the " Flying Dutchman," a sarcastic allusion to her
lack of speed, the first steamboat from Nyack bore testimony in her build
and velocity to the sturdy determination and careful calculation of her
sponsors. It may not be foreign to the subject to place the Orange in
comparison with the first steamboat which ran upon the river and with the
last steamboat built at Nyack, to ply between the County and New York.

Clermont — built 1806-7 ; builder, Charles Brown, N. Y. Length, 130
feet; beam, 18 feet; depth, 7 feet; cyhnder, 24 inch, stroke, 4 feet.

Orange, built 1826-7; builder, Henry Gesner, Nyack ; length, 75 feet;
beam, 22 feet inside guards ; depth, 7 feet, 6 inches ; cylinder, 26 inch ;
stroke, 4 feet.

Chrystenah — built 1866; builder, William Dickey, Nyack. Length,
196 feet; beam, 32 feet; depth, 9 feet; cylinder, 50 inch; stroke, 11
feet.

At last, in March, 1828, the Orange had so nearly reached completion,

211

that arrangements were made for her management. John White, Jr., was
chosen captain, and paid $iio a month, with the income of the bar and
dining-room, on condition that he was to supply and board all the help
except the engineer. Harman Felter of Rockland Lake, was taken as
pilot, and Isaac P. Smith became engineer. The regulations of the boat
state, that she will leave Nyack every day at 4 P. M. ; returning, leave the
city at 1 1 A. M. ; rate of fare, two shillings for adults, children, half price,
and infants in arms, included in the mother's fare ; baggage and freight at
the same rates charged by sloops, and all freight not given in charge of
the captain, carried at the owner's risk. The after cabin being for females,
no smoking in it was allowed ; no peddlers were permitted to sell such
wares on board as were kept in the refectory ; passengers were expected
to behave in an orderly manner, and no disputing, quarreling or profanity
was to be tolerated, and no games of chance of any kind could be played
on the boat. An advertisement of the Nyack Steamboat Association,
prepared for the Evening Post, in April 1828, read as follows :

"The Steamboat Orange, Captain John White, Jr., will commence
running daily between Nyack and New York, on the 5 th day of May next,
and will leave Nyack every day of the week, Saturdays and Sundays ex-
cepted, at 4 P. M., New York, 1 1 A. M., Saturday, Sunday and Monday
excepted. On Saturday, the boat will leave New York at the time ap-
pointed weekly by the captain, and will stop at State Prison, New York,
and Closter as usual. Every exertion has been made to entertain board-
ers, and many houses are now in readiness for the accommodation of
guests ; carriages will be in waiting at Nyack on the arrival of the boat, to
convey passengers to any part of the County. Military, or other organ-
izations wishing an excursion into the country can be accommodated at
any time, by giving the captain notice of their intention four days in
advance."

The following were the freight and passenger rates of those days :

Passengers

$ 25

Flour per barrel

% \2%.

Children

12X

Paint per quarter keg

4

Horses and Cows

75

Crates

25

Calves

2S

Boxes of soap or candles

6

Sheep

12>l

Horse, gig and driver

I 50

Lambs

9

Turned stuff per- bundle

37;^

Hogs

25

Shingles per 1,000

I 00

Salt per load

50

" bundle

25

" bushel

3

Sealing lath per 1,000

18^

Lime per load

50

Boards per 100

I 00

" bushel

4

Plank

2 00

Coal per load

5°

Timber per load

50

Hogsheads

75

Brick

50

Tierces

Vl%

Sack of salt

12

212

Close indeed would communication with the city have been if the boat
could have been kept up to her time-table. As a matter of fact, the trip
to New York took place on one day, the trip, home on another. It was
not till 1847 that the Warren was advertised to make a trip each way in
one day, and then only twice a week. In 1861 the Metamora made two
trips each way between Haverstraw and New York daily.

From the outset the Orange proved a success. The tide of travel,
which had been divided between Haverstraw, Nyack and Tappan landings,
now centered on the points touched at by the steamboat, and the quantity
of freight carried was enormous. From the landing at the foot of the
present Main street, in Nyack, rows of wagons, waiting their turn to unload,
would extend to Franklin street on steamboat days, and at Tappan and
Closter landings the scene was but little different. From Ramapo, from
Ladentown, even from Haverstraw, both passengers and freight came to
the Nyack boat, and she was loaded till the water was within a few inches
of her guards, and then was frequently compelled to take one or two
sloops in tow to carry the surplus freight. Under such circumstances it
was impossible to attempt speed, even if the boat had possessed it. A
trip in three hours was a fast one, and double that length of time was not
infrequent. Yet the passengers seem seldom to have complained of delay.
Everyone for miles around knew each other, and a meeting on the steam-
boat gave an opportunity for a renewal of those social relations, whick
had been interrupted by the labors of life. While the men gathered oa
deck or in the main cabin, according to the season and weather, the
women met in the after cabin and enjoyed their gossip. Each brought
her knitting along, all talked in Dutch,'and the click of the needles and
hum of the gutterals kept not unmusical time. Who shall say what ma-
terial prosperity was started with those busy needles — what plans were
discussed in that gutteral patois, which should reach full completion long-
after the skillful hands that used the needles so deftly should be folded —
long after the knitter had sailed down that other river which enters the
shoreless ocean of eternity. In his recollections of Rockland County for
thirty years, the Rev. Dr. A. S. Freeman states, that as late as 1 846 this
custom and language still existed among the travellers on the local steam-
boats.

«

The fuel used on the Orange was wood, and huge piles of cord-wood
stood along the roadside, from the foot of Main street up to Piermont ave-
nue. On the arrival and unloading of the boat, the next duty was to get
fuel on for the following trip, and this labor kept the crew employed till
lar into the night For a year or two the Orange ran without competi-

213

tion. Then trouble arose with the Tappan people, and, on April i6th,
1830, a Legislative Act was passed, incorporating John Blanch, Cornelius I.
Blauvelt, Peter H. Taulman, and their associates, into " The Orangetown
Point Steamboat Company." This company was allowed to issue $10,-
000 worth of stock — each share representing $100, with the privilege of
increasing to $15,000, and was to build a "good, substantial steamboat"
to perform regular trips on the water, between Orangetown Point, in the
County of Rockland, and New York city. A vessel was built on the
shore north of Taulman's Point, named the Rockland, and placed in oppo-
sition to the Orange. The new steamboat could beat the old one without
difficulty, and the usefulness of the " Flying Dutchman " seemed about
over.

Those who remember Captain Isaac P. Smith need not be told that he
was not a man to accept defeat calmly, and under his representations the
Directors of the Nyack boat resolved on adding a false bow to the Orange,
on widening her guards and on altering her wheels; changes which proved
successful, and placed the vessel ahead. Some of the stock of the Orange-
town Point company having been bought by Haverstraw people, the route
of the Rockland was extended to that village in 1831, and she touched on
her trips at Upper Nyack.

After running a few years in this way, Edward De Noyelles, John S.
Gurnee and Leonard Gurnee, of Haverstraw, and John Blanch and Peter
H. Taulman of Piermont, with others, formed a stock company and had
the steamboat Warren built at New York by Sneden and Lawrence. This
boat plied between De Noyelles' dock at Haverstraw and Vesey Street
New York, leaving the former place every Monday, Wednesday and Fri-
day at 1 1 A. M., and the latter every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at
2 P. M. She landed at Snedeker's — now Waldberg, — -Slaughter's Land-
ing, Nyack, Sneden's, Closter, Huyler's and Hammond St. each way.

In 1838, Capt. Isaac P., David D., Abram P., and Tunis Smith built
the Arrow and ran from Haverstraw to New York. On the completion
of the Arrow, the Orange was sold to Mr. Cox for five or six thousand
dollars and run as an opposition boat from PeekskiU to New York. On
the first trip passengers were carried free, and the boat was so over-
crowded, that her human freight was landed at Hastings to prevent her
sinking. The next trip she did not carry a passenger. Later, the Orange
was bought by the Rockland County Farmers' Association, and run as an
opposition boat to Upper Nyack. The project did not pay, and the projec-
tors lost heavily by their operation. I find no further mention of either
the Orange or Rockland, and presume they were broken up.

214

In 1 840, the Arrow was burned at the Nyack landing. At once rebuilt^
she continued running till 1841, when she again caught fire at Nyack and
burned. Rebuilt again, the boat was called the George Washington, and
under that name continued running from Haverstraw to New York for a
year or two. The boat was then sold, was enlarged, called the Broadway,
and run to Albany as a day boat; still later she was run to Haverstraw,
on the east shore route, by Radford and Cox. In 1865 the Smiths re-pur-
chased the boat, keeping her on the same route and under the same name,
till the law compelling vessels to take their original name came in force,
when she again became the Arrow. In 1866 a flue burst on the boat,
causing loss of life, and after this the vessel was condemned.

In 1850, the Smiths, of Nyack, bought the Warren, changed her name
to Swallow, put her on the line with the Arrow, and with the two
boats made trips from Haverstraw at 6 and 1 1 A. M. and 3 P. M. daily,
returning from New York at 7 and 1 1 A. M. and 4 P. M.

I append copies of the time tables of the Arrow and Warren :

" NYACK,

X. Y. & Erie Railroad

Fast Sailing Steamboat

' ARRt)W '

Will leave New York, the foot of Duane Street, every day (Sundays excepted) at 3

o'clock, landing at the New York and Erie Railroad; returning, leaving Nyack,

every day (Sundays excepted) at 7 o'clock, and the railroad at the arrival of the cars

from Goshen. The Arrow will leave Nyack every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and

Friday evening at 5^ o'clock. Freight taken as usual (excepting live stock).

Touching at the foot of Hammond Street each way.

N. B. — Freight taken only at the risk of its respective owners.
New York, May 10, 1842."

" On and after Monday, April 30, the steamboat Warren, Captain J. Mausell, will
leave Haverstraw every morning at ^ to 7 o'clock. Returning, will leave New York
from the Steamboat Pier at the foot of Vesey Street every afternoon at 3 o'clock
(Sundays excepted).

For Freight or Passage apply on board. No freight taken on board at Hammond
Street Dock.

N. B. — All Freight, Baggage, &c., at the risk of its respective owners.
Haverstraw, April 26, 1849."

The Warren — now Swallow — only ran a few days under the new man-
agement. On Saturday, June 22d, 1850, she left her pier in New York
at 1 1 A. M. When off Fifty-fourth Street, she was found to be on fire,
and headed for the shore. Becoming unmanageable, she struck the dock
and sheered off into the middle of the river, where she burned to the

215

waters' edge. The steamboats Ivanhoe and Pioneer immediately came to
the aid of the injperiled passengers, and saved most of them from a horrible
fate; but in the excitement and fright many jumped overboard and were
drowned. The hull of the Swallow was, later, sold at the Warren Hotel in
Haverstraw, exclusive of the engine and bell, for $25. All the hull, ex-
cept that containing the engine, was cut away, and from that part a new
boat, the Isaac P. Smith, was built. To supply the place of the Swallow,
the Norwalk was put on the route, and continued till the Isaac P. Smith
was ready.

Returning to Nyack, we find that in 1845, Abram P. Smith bought a
steamboat named the Union, and ran it as a freight boat from Nyack,
leaving every other day at noon. In 1 848, he sold the Union and pur-
chased a smaller boat named the Stranger, which left Nyack every after-
noon at five o'clock. She was mostly used for freight, though passengers
were carried. In 1850, the Thomas E. Hulse, Captain, E. Van Wart,
Pilot, Alfred Conklin, was run as a morning boat from New York to Hav-
erstraw. From this periqd till within a dozen years, there was a constant
opposition to the Smith's steamboat line for the control of the freight and
passenger traffic of this County, an opposition which was fought down, but
carried the old line with it in the moment of victory. The extension of
railroads, first to Piermont, then to Nyack, at length to Stony Point, and
finally to Haverstraw, has furnished the County with travelling facilities
more regular, more rapid, and far more frequent than anyone could ever
hope to accomplish with steamboats, and has turned the tide of travel.
At first, the slow-sailing, uncertain sloops, sufficed to accommodate the
few who journeyed. The steamboat came as a revelation to the people,
and was the miracle of its time ; and ere people, who saw the launch of the
old Orange, have passed away, a new means of locomotion has come and
ceased to be a wonder.

The franchises granted to individuals to run ferries between the Rock-
land and Westchester shores are many. On March 19th, 1800, Joshua
Colwil and Joseph Travis obtained a charter for a ferry between Cald-
well's Point and Peekskill. On May 4th, 1835, an act was passed per-
mitting S. W. Bard, of Haverstraw, and Ward Hunter, of Peekskill, to es-
tablish ferry communications between those places; and on May nth, of
the same year, John Haff, of Sing Sing, was given permission to run a
ferry between that village and Slaughter's Landing. On April -ist, 1840,
George W. B. Gedney was given the franchise for a ferry between Nyack
and Tarrytown for fifteen years. March 25 th 1837, Samson Marks of
Haverstraw, obtained a franchise for a ferry from Call's Dock to Ver-

2l6

planck's Point. April 23d, 1844, George E. Stanton, Peter B. Lynch,
William H. Peck, Robert Wiltse, Gaylord B. Hubbell, and A. P. Stephens
obtained the passage of an act incorporating them into "The Sing Sing
and Rockland Lake Ferry Company," and on March 2d, 1849, Benjamin
L. James and James L. Shultz obtained a franchise for a ferry from Pier-
mont to the opposite shore.

The first ferry at Caldwell's was carried on by means of a row boat and
this supplied the wants of the people till about 1830. Then a horse-
boat was put on this route and continued till the little steam ferry-boat
Jack Downing came into use.

The next mention of a steam ferry-boat that I find in the County was
the Vinton, plying between Haverstraw and Crugers in 1852. She was
owned by Elisha Peck, and run by Samuel A. Vervalen to connect with
the Hudson River Railroad, which was then being built, and in which Mr.
Peck was financially interested. In 1852 Captain John Bard ran a small
boat named the John T. Rodman, between Haverstraw, Peekskill and in-
termediate landings; later replacing her by a boat named the " Sarah."
In 1853 Abram P. Smith bought a little side wheel steamer named the
Daniel Drew, and started her as a ferry-boat between Nyack and Tarry-
town. A year later, 1854, he bought the J. J. Herrick for a ferry- boat,
and ran her until he sold the ferry to D. D. and T. Smith in 1862. The
number of names which that boat sailed under was legion. In the patriotic
fervor of the civil war, she was called the Union, and at another time the
Nyack and Tarrytown ; ere being broken up, she was given her old name,
Bergen, and as such is remembered by the residents of Nyack. In 1874
the present ferry-boat, Tappan Zee, was built and has since continued on
the route. Row boat ferries between Caldwell's and Peekskill and be-
tween Grassy Point and Crugers have intermitted with steam ferries for
many years. During the early days of the Knickerbocker ice business, a
row boat ferry plied between the present Rockland Lake and Sing Sing ;
and after the construction of the Erie Railroad, before the Hudson River
Railroad was opened a row boat ferry ran between the present Irvington
and Piermont Pier.

For forty years the steamboat interests of Nyack remained in the hands
of the brothers, Isaac P., D.D., Tunis and Abram P. Smith, the latter retiring
first in 1862, and Isaac P. dying a few years later. In the last few years of
this long period a stock company was formed, but D. D., and T. Smith
still controlled the business. The advent of the railroad to Nyack, follow-
ing on years of strong opposition, proved too heavy a load for the manage-
ment longer to carry, an^ the business crisis of 1878 crushed the com-

217

pany. For a short time the boats were in the hands of a receiver, and then
were bought by A. M. C. Smith and continued on the old route. For a
brief period an opposition was kept up by D. D. Smith, but a fatal acci-
dent on the boat he had chartered — The Magenta — caused the vessel to be
withdrawn, and no further attempt was made to hold the route by the long
time proprietors.

Chronological list of Steamboats to Nyack and Haverstraw.
1828. Orange. Captain John White, Jr., followed by Harman Falter and Isaac P. Smith.
1831. Orange. Since time of starting.
" Rockland. Built Piennont. Captain David Clark, followed by Jacob Mausell. Opposi-
tion to Orange. Route from Upper Nyack. Later to Haverstraw.

1838. Warren. Built in New York. Sold in 1850 and named Swallow. Burned in 1850 with
loss of life.
" Arrow. Built at Nyack, and was the second steamboat built there. Burned twice at the
Nyack landing. Rebuilt and named, at different times, George Washington, Broad-
way, Metropolitan, and Broadway again. Burst a flue in 1866, with loss of life, and
condemned.
1845. Warren. Captain Jake Mausell.
" Arrow.

" Orange. By Rockland County Farmers' Association to Upper Nyack.
" Union. Freight boat from Nyack, owned by A. P. Smith.
J850. Stranger. Freight boat in place of Union, owned by A. P. Smith.
" Swallow. Captain Mausell. Burned.
" Arrow. Captain S. A. Vervalen.
" Nor walk. To replace the burned Swallow.

1852. George Washington. Formerly Arrow.

" Isaac P. Smith. Built from wreck of the Warren-Swallow. Captain George McDonald.
" Thomas E. Hulse. Morning boat. Captain E. Van Wart. Pilot, Alfred Conklin.
" Vinton. Ferryboat from Haverstraw to Crugers. Later a small boat named Three
Bells.

1853. George Washington. Captain R. T. Blanch.

" Jenny LiND, for a short time. Morning boat. Also the John Farron, opposition to the

Hulse.
" Daniel Drew. Ferryboat from Nyack to Tarrytown, owned by A. P. Smith.

1854. Isaac P. Smith. Captain R. T. Blanch.

" George Washington. Captain A. A. Lydecker.

" Thomas E. Hulse. Morning boat.

" Sarah. Ferryboat from Haverstraw to Peekskill.

" J. J. Herrick. Ferryboat from Nyack to Tarrytown.

1856. Isaac P. Smith.

" Metamora. Opposition boat on the West Shore. Captain William Perry.

' ' Broadway. Opposition boat on the East Shore. Captain House.

" George Law. Opposition boat.

" Thomas E. Hulse. Morning boat from New York.

i860. Metamora. Captain R. T. Blanch. Ran from New York to Newburgh, stopping at
Peck's Dock.
" Broadway. Captain F. Frost.
" Isaac P. Smith. Captain G. O. House.

2l8

i860. Edwin. Freight and passenger boat from Nyack, of Smith's Line. Named later Cham-
pion.
" Aurora. Captain Anning Smith. Morning boat from New York. Became Norwalk

in 1865.
" Daniel Drew. Captain J. F. Tallman. Albany boat, stopping at Peck's Dock.
" Armenia. Captain Isaac P. Smith. Albany boat, stopping at Peck's Dock. This boat
was built by Cox, Radford & Colyer, and ran opposition to the Smiths for part of a
season, when they bought her and put her on the Albany route.
.1861. Metamora. Captain J. F. Tallman.. Two trips a day from Haverstraw. 5.45 A. M.
and 12.45 P- M.
Isaac P. Smith.
Broadway.
Aurora.

M. S. Allison. Captain Field. Ran from Sing Sing to Newburgh.
America. This boat was obtained by Smith's Line in exchange for the Champion, She
soon took her original name, Peter G. Coffin, and ran thus till 1871, when she was re-
built and called the Alexis. At a later date this name was changed to Riverdale. Her
boiler exploded off New York, in 1883, with loss of life.

1865. Isaac P. Smith.
" Armenia. On the East Shore for a time.
" J. B. Schuyler. Captain F. Frost. On the East Shore.
" NoRWALK. Formerly Aurora.
" Ida Pell. Ferryboat at Haverstraw in 1864,
1870 Chrystenah. Built entirely new at Nyack in 1867. Always run on West Shore. Pilot
and from the start, Alfred Conklin.

since. Adelphi. Formerly the City of Albany. Rebuilt at Nyack in 1868, and run on the East

Shore. Sold in 1879, and is again called City of Albany.
" ALEX15. Formerly Peter G. Coffin, run as a freight and passenger boat till her explosion.
" Raleigh. Freight boat.

" Tappan Zee. Ferryboat at Nyack, built in 1874.
" Sleepy Hollow and Sunny Side. Built by a company of New York merchants, and

run for two or three years as opposition boats on the East Shore. The former, now

called the Long Branch, is used as an excursion boat. The latter was cut through by

ice and sunk above Poughkeepsie with loss of life.
" General Sedgwick. Opposition boat on the East Shore.
" Thos. Colyer. Opposition boat on the West Shore for a short time.
" Shady Side. Opposition on the West Shore for a short time.
" Boardman. Captain Chas. Stevens. Ran first between Nyack and Newburgh and later

between Haverstraw and Newburgh. Named now River Belle.
" G. T. Olyphant. Captain Chas. Stephens. . Same route as Boardman for a time.
" Emeline. Running from Haverstraw to Newburgh.

Among other boats in the local travel have been the Washington
Irving, Telegraph, Antelope, Naushon, Erie, St. Nicholas, and Magenta.
Freight boats — Marshall Nye, sunk off Hatteras during the war, Walter
Brett, River Queen, Edith Peck, and Maid of Kent. Preceding the ex-
tension of the Rockland's trips to Haverstraw, the people of that village
were dependent on steamboats from up the river stopping at Grassy
Point. Among the boats landing there were the Kosciusko, Cinderella,
Water Witch, and General Jackson. In the year 183 1, a fierce rivalry

219

existed between the owners of the last named boats, and the latter blew
up while lying at the Point with the loss of life.

Four years passed away after the Orange made her first trip, when the
initial movement of another advance was begun in this State. New York,
ranking as the third city in the new Nation at the close of the Revolution,
had been given an impetus by the far-seeing wisdom of De Witt Clinton,
and was moving forward with giant strides toward her future material
prosperity. Scarcely had the people of this State ceased to talk of the
opening of the Erie Canal ; scarcely had the echoes of the cannon, which
on that October day in 1825, thundered the news from Buffalo to New
York in the unprecedented time of one hour and twenty minutes, that the
first fleet of boats had started for tide water, ceased to reverberate along
the Hudson Highlands ; when a train of cars on the Mohawk and Hudson
Railway made its first trip from Albany to Schenectady. In April of that
year, 1832, the Legislature granted a charter to the New York and Erie
Railroad, and a year later, 183^, the company of that railroad was organ-
ized, with Eleazar Lord as President. With the long struggle of that
corporation before the work of constructing the road in this County began,
I am not to deal. In 1838, work was begun on the section between Pier-
mont and Goshen, and by 1 84 1 , trains were running from the latter place.
According to the original charter, the New York and Erie Railroad was
forbidden to connect with any road which passed into Pennsylvania or
New Jersey; to reach New York, therefore, it was run to the Hudson,
close to the New Jersey line, and at Piermont, where, owing to the shal-
lowness of the water, an enormous pier, one mile in length had to be
built, connected with the city by the strongly-built steamboats, New
Haven and Iron Witch. By 1852, that clause which forbade connection
with New Jersey had been repealed, and the Erie Railroad Company
leased the Paterson and Ramapo, and the Paterson and Hudson Rail-
ways together with the Union railway .79 of a mile long that formed the
connection between it and the Paterson and Ramapo road. When first
built, the Erie was a single track, six foot gauge, road. In 1853 a double
track was laid through the Ramapo Valley, but the section running to
Piermont was not touched; and in 1878, the standard gauge was obtained
by the laying of a third rail.

The construction of the Erie Railroad was an invaluable aid to the
growth of this County. From its necessities Piermont was born, and by
the communication thus opened, the villages of Blauveltville, Nanuet,
Spring Valley and Monsey were rendered possible. Not alone did it
bring in ready money, by the erection of its car works and round house,.

220

and the residence of its employees at its eastern terminus, but it also, left
a more lasting impress in the permanent development of our agricultural
and mineral resources.

Four years after the Erie road changed its route from Piermont to Jer-
sey City, via Paterson, the Northern Railroad of New Jersey was begun,
and opened for travel from Piermont in 1859. The line belonging to the
Northern road only extends in this State from the line just below Tappan
to the present Sparkill. From that station to Piermont the road, as we
have seen, is the original Erie track. In 1869, the Nyack and Northern
Railroad company was organized. As this lies entirely within the bound-
aries of Orangetown, full mention of it will be given in the history of that
township.

The opening of these roads changed the course of travel in the County
as radically as the building of the Orange did. While in summer the boats
still carried their share of traffic ; in winter, when the river was blocked
with ice, Piermont Pier at first, and later, Piermont village, became the
shipping port. From the building of the Erie up to the opening of the
Hudson River railroad, and when the ice would not permit a crossing to
Crugers, up to recent days, that road was the only winter outlet for Haver-
straw. From that place to Piermont — an always rough, generally cold,
and oftentimes bleak and stormy ride of fourteen miles — Charles P. Sned-
eker ran a stage for the accommodation of travellers. It was by this route
that the Rev. Dr. Freeman introduced the first melodeon in Haverstraw,
and probably the first one in Rockland County, in 1847.

For many years a railroad Jiad been running from Jersey City to
Hackensack ere the effort was made to extend it onward toward Albany.
In 1869 the Hackensack and New York Extension Company was organ-
ized, and by 1870 had extended the road from Hackensack to Nanuet. In
1873 the New Jersey and New York Railroad Company was formed and
under its management the road was extended through the County from
Spring Valley on the Piermont and Sufferns Branch of the Erie, along the
eastern line of Ramapo township and, winding around the western point
of Verdrietige Hook Mountain, near Camp Hill, reached a hay-field near
Stony Point, its terminus, after touching Garnerville in 1875. The pledge
of the company to the people of Stony Point and Grassy Point villages,
had been to extend the road into the latter by passing through the for-
mer. In this way financial aid was obtained from the inhabitants of these
places. Then one of those peculiar business transactions known as " rail-
road financiering" took place. The road and its appurtenances passed into
the hands of a receiver. . Then it was bought in by a new company and

221

the just claims of Stony and Grassy Points ignored. As now situated its
northern terminus is a half-mile away from everything. From Nanuet a
short road was built north to New City, under the name of the Nanuet
and New City Railroad, and opened for travel early in May, 1875. This
road, which gave the first rail communication with our most inconveniently
situated County Seat, was bought by the New Jersey and New York
Railroad Company.

The Jersey City and Albany Railroad was opened as far as Tappan
about 1 876. It is unnecessary that I should attempt to unravel the web of
railroad swindling which this corporation represented, a task that would be
thankless even if possible. Through misrepresentation and flagrant
deceit, money and land were obtained sufficient to permit the extension of
the road to Haverstraw. This village was entered by means of a switch-
back down the mountain side, and the terminal station was about a quar-
ter of a mile south of the present Main Street. This road was never in-
tended to be a success and it never was. For two or three years the
trains were kept running, and then, in 1883, the New York, Ontario and
Western Railroad was built through the County.

The New York, West Shore and Buffalo Railroad bought the road bed
of the New York, Ontario and Western Company in 1883. Early in 1880,
the latter company had begun the construction of a road from Middletown
to Cornwall, and then through the medium of a construction company ex-
tended their Hne to Weehawken, buying up the old road bed of the Jersey
City and Albany.

- Almost immediately this company sold the line from Cornwall south
to the N. Y. W. S. and B. Railroad, and then leased back their sale. Of
the management of these roads, of the scandalous way in which they have
been used to perpetrate fraud, it is needless to speak. Built during the
latter years of the railroad building mania, and with no particular demand
for their existence, they fell into hopeless financial ruin, as soon as the
bubble was pricked, and carried down in their fall many private fortunes.

Authorities referred to: Civil List S. N. Y.; Session Laws S. N. Y.; Minutes and Papers of
the Nyack Steamboat Association ; History of the Town of Haverstraw, and lectures entitled,
"Thirty Years in Rockland County," and " Thirty Years in Haverstraw, " by the Rev. A. S.
Freeman, D. D.; History of the Town of Ramapo, by the Rev. Eben B. Cobb ; Archives of the
Rockland County Historical Society ; Files of the Rockland County Messenger.

CHAPTER XIII.

HISTORY OF THE REFORMED CHURCH AT TAPPAN— OF THE REFORMED
CHURCH AT CLARKSTOWN— OF THE "BRICK" OR REFORMED CHURCH
AT WEST NEW HEMPSTEAD— OF THE REFORMED CHURCH AT NYACK
OF THE REFORMED CHURCH AT PIERMONT— OF THE REFORMED
CHURCH AT SPRING VALLEY— HISTORY OF THE "ENGLISH" OR
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT HEMPSTEAD— OF THE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH AT HAVERSTRAW— OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT
RAMAPO -OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT GREENBUSH— OF THE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT NYACK— OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
AT WALDBERG— OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT STONY POINT—
OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT PALISADES, AND OF THE
CENTRAL AND MOUNTVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES— HISTORY
OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT NANUET— OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH
AT HAVERSTRAW— OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT VIOLA— OF THE
BAPTIST CHURCH AT PIERMONT— OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT
NYACK— OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT SPRING VALLEY.

Eight years elapsed after the settlement of the Orangetown patent ere
a church organization was formed in this new County. Then, on October
24, 1694, the Httle band of settlers formed themselves into a society under
the name of the " Low Dutch Christian Reformed Church of Tappan." •

For many years — twenty-two — this society had no church edifice, and
thirty years passed ere it possessed sufficient strength to afford a settled
pastor. The first ministrations to this body were given by Guilliam Ber-
tholf, who was the settled pastor of the united churches of Hackensack
and Acquackanonck but extended his ministrations, and during his term
of ministry organized the Sleepy Hollow Church at Tarrytown, in 1697,
and the church at Raritan in 1699.

Guilliam Bertholf was a native of Holland, and had immigrated to this
new world in the capacity of school-master, catechiser and voor/eser, this
word signifying a leader in singing, prayer and reading of the scriptures.
In 1693, the people of Hackensack and Acquackanonck sent him to Hol-
land to be examined, licensed, and ordained to the ministry. He was
the first regularly installed pastor in New Jersey, and for the first fifteen
years of his ministry, the only Dutch preacher in that State. Dominie
Bertholf had spiritual charge of all the Dutch people on the west side of

223

the Hudson, south of Ulster County, and of those of Tarrytown and
Staten Island. The salary of this pioneer in the ministry in our County
reached £$0 a year in 1717.

Not alone was Rev. Bertholf in this great work of Christianity. Where-
ever settlement was begun, before the wilderness had been cleared, minis-
ters of God entered upon their mission of love. On Long Island, at Fort
Orange, at Esopas, clergymen had preceded him, and in the section north
of the mountain — the present Orange County — ^Johannes Casparus Fry-
enmoet followed his example, ministering in 1737 at the churches of Mag-
aghamack, Minnisink, Walpeck and Smithfield, and receiving from the
four churches £yo in money, 25 schepels of oats from each church, and
his firewood.

By 1 7 16, during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Bertholf, the Tappan con-
gregatioh had attained sufficient strength to build a church, and erected a
square stone edifice on their glebe, which contained fifty acres. This church
building which stood upon the site of the present house, remained un-
changed till after the Revolution. In it the military court which tried
John Andre sat, and in it Joshua Hett Smith was confined.

In 1724 the congregation at Tappan called and settled its first pastor.
Rev. Frederic Muzelius. During his occupation of the pulpit, which lasted
for twenty-five years, occurred the controversy in the Dutch Reformed
church in America over the question whether the American Church should
continue in or should break from its ecclesiastical dependence upon the
church in Holland. In the schism produced by the disputation, the advo-
cates of an independent American classis organized themselves into a
body called " The Coetus," while the party favoring a continuance of the
relations with Holland, was known as "The Conferentie." 1

In this contest, which began in Dominie Muzelius' time and, after
causing his removal from the pulpit, lasted far into his successor's period
of ministration and ended in 1770, Rev. Mr. Muzelius favored the cause
of "The Conferentie," while a majority of his congregation sided with
"The Coetus." Ill-will and annoying acts were caused by this disagree-
ment, and these, combined with growing physical ailments in Rev. Mr.
Muzelius led tb his being set aside in 1749, as pastor emeritus, and to the
call to Rev. Samuel Verbryck.

In the dissolution of the pastoral relations between Muzelius and his
congregation. It was agreed by the latter to furnish him with a house
and pay a yearly sum of ;^20 for his support.

As has happened in every religious controversy, before and since this
quarrel, the pastor had many adherents. To these he continued steadfast.

224

and from them organized, in 1767, a separate congregation, which contin-
ued in existence till 1778, long after the cause of its creation had ceased to
exist. Frederick Muzelius died at the age of 78 years in 1782.

By 1749, settlement had extended throughout the rest of the County
so rapidly, that the residents further north demanded and formed a separ-
ate church organization under the name of the Low Dutch Christian Re-
formed Church of New Hempstead, and three years later a house for wor-
ship was erected at Clarkstown. In the " call " to Rev. Mr. Verbryck,
given July 17th, 1750, both the Tappan and Clarkstown churches were
placed under his care. At the former, he was to serve two-thirds of the
time, at the latter, one-third. ^80 a year was to be his salary so long as
the emeritus pastor lived, and this was to be raised by each congregation
in the same proportion as his time was devoted. With this salary, the
people were to furnish him with a parsonage, barn, orchard and garden at
Tappan, " also a well, and sufficient firewood, and to keep everything in
good repair."

Samuel Verbryck entered upon his duties with a people irritated and
divided by questions of church government. Ere this cause of trouble
had ceased in 1 770, the mutterings of the approaching civil revolution
began, and'- in the intense excitement which followed, through years of
war and months of reprisal, he passed away on January 31st, 1784, at the
age of 84 years.

The next pastor at the Tappan and Clarkstown churches was Rev.
Nicholas Lansing, who was "called" August nth, 1784, at a salary of
£iyo a. year. Dominie Lansing was the last of the old Dutch pastors,
and the last minister who commanded that obedience and respect, which
has long ceased. In regard to the former statement, he was the last pas-
tor who preached in the Dutch language, at first altogether, toward the
close of his long service of over a half century, when the English had
become the language of the younger people, alternately in Dutch and
English. In regard to the latter statement — entering upon his duties
when the total population of the town did not reach nine hundred souls,
and when no church save that of his denomination existed, he knew
personally all of the residents and ministered to most of them. Ere his
death, steam conimunication had brought the County closer to the outside
world ; the restless and ceaseless struggle for wealth had already begun ;
Orangetown had increased in population to more than two thousand peo-
ple, and church organizations of three different denominations existed.

Till 1830, Rev. Nicholas Lansing remained in charge of the churches
at Tappan and Clarkstown. At that time, owing to his great age and its

225

attendant infirmities, he gave up the latter, which has since maintained a
separate existence. From this time he devoted himself entirely to the
church at Tappan till his death on September 26th, 1835, at 'the age of 87
years.

The fourth settled, and fifth pastor of this church was Rev. Isaac D.
Cole, who was born at New City, Rockland County, January 25th, 1799.
Upon entering the ministry, he was called in 1829 as assistant pastor to
the Tappan church. During the year from December i6th, 1832, till De-
cember i6th, 1833, Rev. Mr. Cole was absent from the Tappan church;
then he returned and remained with this congregation till February 9th,
1 864. After his retirement from the church and ministry in that year, a
retirement necessitated by failing health. Rev. Mr. Cole removed to Spring
Valley, where he lived quietly till his death on August 30th, 1 878, at the
age of 79 years.

The next settled pastor at Tappan was Rev. George M. S. Blauvelt,
who was called in 1864 and remained in charge of the church till 1882,
and he was followed in the last named year by Rev. William H. William-
son, the present pastor. In its history of one hundred and ninety-two
years, the church society at Tappan has had but seven pastors, and of
these but six were settled. The lengths of pastorates have been respect-
ively 30, 25, 34, 51, 30, 18, and 4 years.

The first church edifice remained unchanged till about 1784. Then the
four-sided roof was removed, the house was lengthened, covered with a
gambrel roof, and a spire was added in which was placed a bell. The in-
terior was painted in imitation of mahogany, and the columns which sup-
ported the roof were done in imitation of marble.

Over half a century more elapsed before further change was made in
the church edifice, then, during the early years of Rev. Mr. Cole's pas-
torate, and the closing years of Dominie Lansing's life — he died before it
was completed — the present brick building was erected in 1835, at a cost
of $11,000. Of the church lands, some has been sold, some devoted
to the purpose of a cemetery, till at present only about fifteen acres re-
main with the parsonage. The present house of worship stands upon the
site of the original church.

CLARKSTOWN CHURCH.

This society, as has been said, was organized in 1749, and the first
house built was in 1752. This stood on the site of the old stone building
on the New City road. Until 1830, the congregation was under the min-
istration of the Tappan pastor. At that time, Rev*. Christopher Hunt

226

was called to the church and remained till 1832, when he was followed by-
Rev. Alexander Warner in 1832, who occupied the pulpit till 1837. In
1837 Rev. Peter J. Quick began his pastorate at this church, and con-
tinued his ministrations till 1866. Dominie Quick was followed by Rev.
Benjamin C. Lippincott, who was called in 1866 and remained till 1872.
In 1872, Rev. Ferdinand Schenck settled at this church, and continued
five years. In 1877, Rev. Samuel Streng was called and served several
years, and in 1884 the present incumbent, Rev. D. M. Talmage entered
upon the pastoral duties.

Until 1840 this church society was known as the First Reformed
Protestant Dutch Church of New Hempstead. On May 6th, of that year,
the Legislature passed an act changing the name of the corporation to the
First Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Clarkstown.

The original church edifice stood till 1825, when a new building was
erected on the site of the first house, which is still standing. In 1871 the
new church building was finished, and has since been occupied. Disagree-
ments have been frequent in the Clarkstown Church Society since 18 12,
and from it have split the Methodist Church at Nyack, the Presbyterian
Church at Blauveltville, the True Reformed Church at Nanuet, and the
Waldberg Church. Serious trouble was threatened at the time that the
new house of worship was built in 1871, but the annoyance was finally
soothed peacefully.

THE REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH OF WEST NEW
HEMPSTEAD, OR " BRICK CHURCH."

On Wednesday, September 28th, 1774, a meeting of believers in the
creed of the Dutch Reformed Church was held at the house of James
Christie, in Kakiat, and a society of that denomination organized by the
selection of Cornelius Smith, Abraham De Baun, Rynier A. Quackenbos,
and Johannes Smith as elders ; Jacob Servant, Petrus Demarest, Gerret
Smith, and Abraham Onderdonk, deacons, and Garrett Van Houten and
Johannes W. Cogg were chosen a committee to accomplish full ecclesi-
astical organization. On the Sunday following this meeting, October 2d,
1774, the congregation assembled at the house of James Christie, and John
W. Cogg read a sermon to those present.

Garrett Van Houten being ill, his place on the committee was supplied
by Cornelius Smith, and on October 8th, 1774, the committee called on
Dominie Benjamin Van der Lind, pastor at Paramus, and, having obtained
his approval, \yrote to Rev. J. H. Goetschius, at Schraalenburg, requesting
an extra session of Synod at Hackensack, on November 15th, 1774. The

22/

Synod met and established the " Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in
the upper part of Kakeath," and, on Sunday, December 4th, 1774, Dom--
inie Van der Lind formally ordained the elders and deacons, previously
elected, and ecclesiastically organized the church.

The first church edifice was erected in 1788 and remained till 1856,
when the present house was built.. Previous to 1824 the name of the
society was changed from that of " Kakiat " to " West New Hempstead."
Dissentions and schism entered the congregation, and as a result the True
Reformed Church of Monsey was formed.

The pastors of the "Brick Church" have been : David Marinus, 1774
to 1778; Peter Leydt, 1789 to 1793; George G. Brinkerhoff, 1793 to
1806; James D. Demarest, 1808 to 1824; Jefferson Wynkoop, 1824 to
1836; Peter Allen, 1837 to 1862 ; John R. Brock, 1862 to 1865 ; George
J. Van Nest, 1865 to 1869; Henry Mattice (supply), 1869 to 1871 ; Ben-
jamin T. Statesir, 1872 to 1881.

The Sabbath-school belonging to this church was established during
the pastorate of Rev. Jefferson Wynkoop. Its superintendents have been,
beside the clergymen just mentioned : Rev. Peter Allen, Henry Seaman,
C. E. Blauvelt, Rev. Henry Mattice, Rev. B. T. Statesir and C. E. Blau-
velt.

THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH OF NYACK.

The long journey to and from the Clarkstown church had already
caused one different denomination to succeed at Nyack, and in 1830, Ny-
ack constantly increasing in population, the members of the Dutch Re-
formed belief living there began to grow clamorous for accommodation at
home. In 1830, members of this church, resident in Nyack, began to hold
meetings on Sunday afternoons ; at first in the Presbyterian church, later
at private residences, and very frequently in the parlors of the Mansion
House. At length, in 1836, the church was completed, being dedicated
in June of that year by the Rev. John Knox, D. D.

Until 1838, the pastor of the Clarkstown church supplied the pulpit at
Nyack, preaching at the former place in the morning, at the latter in
the afternoon ; then, the congregation feeling sufficiently strong. Rev.
Philip M. Brett was called to the pastorate. Mr. Brett remained in charge
of the church till 1842, when failing health compelled his resignation.
Since that time the pulpit has been supplied by : Rev. Charles S. Hage-
man, now D. D., from 1842 to 1852 ; Rev. Benjamin Van. Zandt, 1853 to
1856; Rev. Daniel Lord, 1857 to i860; Rev. Uriah Marvin, i860 to 1870;
Rev. Henry V. Voorhees, 1870 to 1878; Rev. W. A. McCorkle, 1878 to
1881 ; Rev. William H. Clark, D. D., 1881 to the present writing.

228

In 1850, the congregation had so largely increased in the Nyack
Church that greater seating capacity became a necessity. Accordingly,
the house was rebuilt, a new front being added, and the edifice enlarged
laterally, affording two additional rows of pews. The new building was
dedicated January 7th, 185 1. In 1870, the church was again repaired
and enlarged, by an addition of eighteen feet in the rear, the work being
completed in 187 1. A prosperous Sunday School is connected with the
church.

REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH OF PIERMONT.

The society of this church was organized January 27th, 1839, ^^d.
Rev. Cornelius C. Vermiule having accepted an invitation to supply the
society, began his labors May 19th, 1839, and continued till September,
1842, when Rev. Cornelius E. Crispell was ordained and installed pastor
of the church at a salary of $400 a year. Since that time, the church has
had the following pastors : Daniel Lord, 1847 to 1850; J. Romeyn Berry,
1850; Jacob West, 1852; A. D.Laurence Jewett, 1855; Henry E.
Decker, i860: Augustus F. Todd, 1865 ; William C. Stitt, 1872 till the
present time.

The first house of worship was erected in 1 840, on the hill-side near
the hill railroad station. In 1850, a new church edifice was built, on the
site of the present structure, and remained unchanged till 1873, when it
was greatly enlarged and improved. In 1879, the building was again en-
larged by the addition of a lecture room in the rear. The first members
of the Dutch Church at Piermont came by letter from the Tappan church.
A prosperous Sabbath School exists.

THE REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH OF SPRING VALLEY.

By 1850, a number of families, members of the " Brick Church," resi-
dent at Spring Valley, made efforts to have preaching held at that village.
To accomplish this object, the necessary committees were appointed to
obtain a site, raise the required funds, etc. At length in 1853, a building
was erected on the spot occupied by the present church edifice, and at
this place divine service was regularly held by the pastor of the " Brick
Church " on Sunday afternoons.

In 1863, the first house of worship became too small for the increased
membership, and preparation was made to erect a larger edifice. A
building committee was appointed, and the old building was sold to Alfred
Tallman for $400, and by him moved to a lot owned by himself This
building was afterward sold to the Baptist Society, as we shall see, and is
now known as Van Hooten Hall. On January 5th, 1865, the new church

229

Structure was completed, and, it having been amicably decided by the
congregations of both churches that it was better to have separate organ-
izations, on April 17th, 1865, the organizational Spring Valley was legally
incorporated. '

The pastors of the Spring Valley Church have been : Rev. John R.
Brock, May 7th, 1865 to April loth, 1869; Rev. Marshall B. Smith, July
7th, 1869 to November ist, 1870; Rev. Richard De Witt, October 8th,
1871 to April 1st, 1876; Rev. Peter E. Kipp, (stated supply) July 1876
to April 1877 ; Rev. Daniel Van Pell, July i6th, 1877 to September 23d,
1878 ; Rev Cornelius E. Crispell, D. D., September 9th, 1879 to present
time.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN ROCKLAND COUNTY — THE "ENGLISH
CHURCH," OR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NEW HEMPSTEAD.

In the Magazine of American History, Vol. XIII., p. 39, in an article
entitled " Puritanism in New York," an account of the early Presbyterian
churches in New York State is given. As early as 1640 the first Presby-
terian Society was formed on Long Island at Southold. 1641 saw one
at Southampton; 1642, one at Mespat, and in 1644 Richard Denton, a
pastor of the Presbyterian Church, formed a society at Hempstead, with
which he remained till 1658. During Dutch rule this sect was left undis-
turbed, but, on the final surrender of New York to the English, a de-
termined effort was made by the Governors, especially Lord Cornbury, to
crush out Presbyterianism, and make the Church of England dominant.
In this attempt, which continued till 17 16, the Presbyterian Society in
Hempstead came in for its full share of annoyance, and great bitteri\ess of
feeling was the result.

Persecution has ever ended in a more vigorous and rapid spread of the
ideas attacked, and, in thus harassing the believers in Presbyterianism, the
adherents of the Church of England not only failed, most signally, in
the attempt to proselyte them, but also increased to greater fervor and
zeal the believers in that creed. Fresh from the conflict of church doc-
trines, and filled with anger at the injustice of the English rulers, the
Colonists in Kakiat, emigrants from Hempstead, Long Island, arrived in
our County. But tim,e enough to get settled and started elapsed, when
these new comers organized a Presbyterian Church Society, and at their
earliest convenience erected a house of worship.

Already had the English language become the common dialect on
Long Island, east of Brooklyn, ere the immigration to Kakiat took place,
and at, or shortly after, that time the Scots, who gave its name to Scot-

230

land, settled in the Cpunty. A heterogenous congregation, consisting of
French Huguenots, of Englishmen, Scots and Dutchmen, would naturally
agree upon a tongue common to a majority of the community, and that
language was the English. While, therefore, the service of the first Pres-
byterian Church, and its records were at first in Dutch, the will of the
majority at length obtained, and English was substituted; and, in a com-
munity already settled by Dutch and sustaining two churches in which the
exercises were carried on in that speech, this innovation could but excite
interest and lead the worthy Dutchmen to speak of the church as the Eng-
lish Church.

But little record of the early days of this church can be found. A deed
dated December I2th, 1754, "Between Samuel Coe, of New Hempstead,
of the precinct of Harvuerstraw in the County of orange and province of
New York, yoemen of the one part, and Jacob Hallsted, Jonah Hallsted
Guysbert Cuyper, Samuel Coe, John Coe, Alexander Mc(N)nought,
(A) alexander (M) montgomery, Francis Garnee, John Secar and (W)
william (C) coe. Elders and Deacons in the Presbyterian Church or Con-
gregation of said New Hempstead on the other part, for and in considera-
tion of twenty-six pounds, two shillings and six pence. Currant Lawfull
money of New York," sets aside a portion of land to this church society
for a parsonage farm, and speaks of: " Forty and eight square rods
whereon the meeting house stands, which is my free gift to the Presbyterian
Church and Congregation for their use and benefit forever."

The first building of this society, a frame edifice, stood a few feet north
of the present structure, and remained in use till 1827. On the military
road through the County during the period of the Revolution, it is report-
ed to have been used for military purposes, and it is supposed that during
that period its records were mislaid or destroyed. Be that as it may, it is
now certain that the early records are wanting, and but fragmentary data
touching its history can be given.

Rev. E. B. Cobb has found an account between the Board of Trustees
of the church and the Rev. John Lindsley, the pastor, extending from
November 2Sth, 1785, to September 23d, 1786, by which it appears that
during that time the pastor received goods and money to the value of £4-^
19s, 3d. The date of Mr. Lindsley's departure is not known. In a call
to Rev. John Townley, issued October 27th, 1788, is found the statement :
"The said church and congregation having been long destitute of a Settled
Gospel Ministry for Divine Worship and the regular Dispensation of Gos-
pel Ordinances amongst them, etc." On April 24th, 1797, Rev Allen
Blair was called to the pulpit of the EngHsh Church, it being his duty to

231

preach alternately in the Presbyterian church at Haverstraw — now Gar-
nerville — and New Hempstead. On the departure of Mr. Blair, evil days
fell upon the " English Church " congregation. It is recorded that the rite
of communion was administered December 4th, 1808, by Rev. Mr. Hill-
yer; in June, 1 809, by Rev. Mr. Thompson, on November 19th, 1809,
by Rev. Mr. King; on July 8th, 18 10, by Rev. Mr. Riggs; and on De-
cember 22d 181 1, by Rev. Mr. Williams.

From this time to December 26th, 18 16, when Rev. Samuel Pelton
was called to the pastoral care of the Society, occurs a hiatus in the work
■of the church. Rev. Samuel Pelton was installed pastor of the " English
Church" February 20th, 1 8 17, and began his labors with fifty-nine com-
municants. He prospered greatly in his efforts, and in 1821, one hundred
and ten people united with the church at one time. In 1839, Mr. Pelton
was stricken with apoplexy and left partly paralyzed, a condition which
led him to resign his charge in 1840. He was followed by Rev. John N.
Boyd, from November i Ith, 1840 till 1852 ; Rev. Abijah Green, November
1st, 1852; Rev. Samuel Kellogg, December i8th, 1853, and Rev. Thomas
Mack, July 26th, 1866, till the present time. The church was incorpo-
rated May 1st, 1792 ; but on May 13th, 1822, it was found necessary to
re-incorporate it.

On May 31st, 1879, the church edifice was struck by lightning, and in
the course of the electric fluid to the earth, part of an iron bracket fastened
to the pillar in the back of the church, down which the lightning passed,
was hurled across the entire length of building and buried several inches
deep in the wall over the pulpit.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAVERSTRAW.

Previous to 1781, the few residents of the Haverstraw Valley attended
either the Dutch Reformed church near Kakiat, 'or Clarksville, or the
Presbyterian Church at Kakiat. In that year an effort was made to estab-
lish a church society at Haverstraw, and seventy-one residents subscribed
toward paying a pastor's salary. On April 8th, 1789, the English Pro-
testant Society of Haverstraw had been organized by the election of Jacob
Waldron, Amos Hutchingsand Peter Allison, Trustees. On August 17th,
1789, Thomas Smith sold to the Trustees of this first Presbyterian church
in Haverstraw, for the sum of ten shillings, a lot of land situated on the
northeast corner of the land at present belonging to the heirs of Elisha
Peck, on the south side of the road to Thiells Corners, and next east of
the Calico Factory. On this the congregation proceeded to erect a
wooden building, about forty feet square, for a house of worship.

232

Until 1839, the pulpit of this church was suppHed by the ministers,
from the " English Church " at Kakiat. Among others, the Rev. Robert
Burns, a resident of Haverstraw, is mentioned as one of the pastors. In
1 8 16, Rev. Samuel Pelton was called to the charge of this in conjunction
with the " English Church," and continued at labor till failing health com-
pelled his resignation in 1839. Since Mr. Pelton's time the pastors have
been: Rev. James Hildreth, Jiine 23d, 1839 till May 4th, 1848; Rev.
Livingston Willard, 1849 to 1850; Rev James H. Trowbridge, till No-
vember, 1853; Rev. Peter J. H. Myers, from September 7th, 1854 to
December 30th, 1859; Rev. Spencer Marsh, from November 26th, 1861
to 1868, and Rev. J. J. McMahon, who took charge as a stated supply in
September, 1868, dividing his time between this church and the one at
Stony Point till 1875, when he resigned the latter charge. He was
installed pastor of the church at Haverstraw, May 9th, 1876, and remains
in charge at the present time.

The last service held in the first church building was on Sunday, No-
vember 2 1 St, 1847. The building was then sold to Elisha Peck, who
moved it away and turned it into a barn, which was later destroyed by fire.
The second, edifice of the First Presbyterian Church Society, of Haver-
straw, was built in 1 848-49, and dedicated February 8th of the latter year.
This structure was built of brick, and is still standing.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, RAMAPO.

This church building was erected in 18 10, by Jeremiah H. Pierson, for
the accommodation of the employees at the Ramapo Works, there being,
at that time, no church nearer than the " Island Church " at Mahwah,
which was built in 1791. P"rom the beginning, services were held in this
church on alternate Sundays, the pulpit being supplied by pastors from
other churches. One of the first to fill this pulpit, and the one whose
visits were most frequent, till he assumed charge of the congregation in
1834, was Rev. Samuel Fisher, D. D. Beside him, between 1815 and
and 1824, the pulpit was suppHed by Rev. Messrs. Ford, Spaulding, Con-
det. Wilder, Mills, Gildersleeve, Armstrong, Crane, Babbitt, Chandler,
Polhman, Barton, Hendricks, Tuttle, Osborne, Harris, and Pierson ; and
between 1824 and 1834, by Stebbins, Chansen, Olds, Romeyn, Wynkoop,
Judson, and Smith.

On May 1st, 1834, Dr. Samuel Fisher assumed charge of the Ramapo
Church, and remained till 1840; he was followed by: Rev. J. C. Day,
1841 to 1844; Rev. S. J. Harker, 1845 to 1846; Rev. William A. West-
cott, 1846 to 1848 ; Rev. William H. Kirk, 1848 to 1853 ; Rev. William

233

T. Van Doren, 1853 to 1857. At this time, owing to the decline of the
industries at Ramapo, and the withdrawal from that village of employees,
services in the church stopped. In September, 1867, the church was
reorganized, and later, April 21st, 1868, was formally taken under the care
of the Presbytery of Hudson. Since 1867, the pastors have been: Rev.
Goodloe B. Bell, until May, 1871 ; Rev. Peres B. Bonney, November
1871 to November 1875 ; Rev. George A. Ford, April i6th, 1876 to
April 29th, 1880; Rev. Eben B. Cobb, April 29th, 1880 till the present.

This church edifice is probably the oldest one which has been kept free
trom the touch of those iconoclasts, who desire to destroy everything old,
and replace with modern improvements. A brief description of the in-
terior, as furnished by a newspaper article published in 1878, and by the
present pastor. Rev. E. B. Cobb, seems wise.

The box pulpit, pentagonal in shape and canopied, is raised some feet
from the floor, and reached by a narrow stairway. Large enough to hold
but one person, the occupant may sdll further shut himself from all worldly
distractions by closing a door, which bars ingress to the pulpit. The box
pews, entered through high doors swung upon wrought-iron hinges, still
remain, the only change from their original construction being a slight
slant of their backs. This innovation was accomplished when the church
was reorganized in 1867, and perhaps better suits the easier methods of
worship which obtain now, as compared with those of three-quarters of a
century ago. About 1876 a grand pipe organ was introduced into the
church, and added its sweet tones to the hosannas of the worshippers. But
let no one think this was the first instrumental music in the old church.
Early in its history, it is recorded that six and thirty people subscribed ;^i i
for a bass viol.
' At present, the church has three Sunday Schools under its charge.

GREENBUSH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

In the autumn of 1812, application was made to the Presbytery of
Hudson to organize a church at Greenbush, and on October i8th, 18 12,
Rev. Eliphalet Price, by appointment of the Presbytery, preached to the
congregation at Greenbush, and gave notice that in the evening of the
same day, he would proceed to the forming of a church society. In accor-
dance with this request, ten people came together and formed an organi-
zation.

About the year 181 3, (no record appears of the exact date) Rev. An-
drew Thompson was installed pastor of the church, and continued in that
position for about twenty years. For several years the Presbyterian

234

Church Society of Greenbush held their services in the upper room of the
Greenbush Academy. The first church edifice, built of stone on the site
of the present building, was erected in 1823, and dedicated January 14th,
1824. The lot for the structure was given by Abraham G. Blauvelt by
deed bearing date May 21st, 1823.

The second pastor of this church was Rev. Jared Dewing, who held
that position from April 24th, 1834, to October 8th, 1855. He was fol-
lowed by Rev. Thomas Evans, called as a stated supply. November 12th,
1855, installed June 17th, 1856, resigned 1877; Rev. Henry E. Decker
followed, remaining with the church till December 1883. Since Decem-
ber 2d, 1883, Rev. Charles H. Lester has been the stated supply.

On September i8th, 1835, the Presbyterian church building at Green-
bush was destroyed by fire and the congregation left without a home.
Preparations were made to rebuild it and the new edifice, which was erect-
ed in 1836, was dedicated April 5th, 1837. On October 24th, 1882, the
second church building together with the parsonage was burned. This last
fire was believed to be of incendiary origin, and charges against the sus-
pected party were made before the Grand Jury. The evidence was in-
sufficient, and that body failed to find an indictment. In 1883, the pres-
ent structure was built and dedicated November 27th of that year.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT NYACK.

I have been credibly informed, by people conversant with the facts,
that the split from the Dutch Church at Clarkstown, which gave origin to
the Presbyterian congregation at Nyack, grew out of disputes regarding
the location and construction of a proposed country road. A lawsuit be-
tween some of the church members was begun, and the bitter feeling en-
gendered by this litigation prevented further peaceful communion in the
same church organization.

By deed, bearing date, March i8th, 18 16, Peter De Pew gave to the
society the lot of land on which the present church stands, and on this the
first church edifice, a sandstone building, was erected. The first pastor of
the Nyack Church was the Rev. Andrew Thompson, of the Greenbush
Church, who gave one-quarter of his time to. Nyack. On March 27th,
1834, Rev. Jared Dewing was called to the pastorate of the two church
societies, installed April 24th, and retained those relations till June 14th,
1 841, when, the Nyack Church society, having been granted a separate
autonomy by the Presbytery of New York on May loth, 1841, his con-
nections with that church were severed. Following Mr. Dewing, and the
first pastor of the separate Nyack church, came Rev. Charles M. Oakley,

235

from October 25th, 1841, to September 11, 1843; Rev. .Joseph Penny,
D. D., from November 30th, 1843, to April, 1847; Rev. J. S. Davison
from October 26th, 1847, to October 19th, 1852; Rev. Joseph Cory, from
May 31st, 1853, to 1867; Rev. Francis L. Patton, from November 2Sth,
1867, to May 2Sth, 1871 ; Rev. A. McElroy Wylie, from May, 1872, to
September 19th, 1876; Rev. George H. Wallace, from October 3d, 1877,
to 1880; Rev. J. Elwy Lloyd, from June 14th, 1881, to the present time.
The first church edifice stood till 1839, when it was torn down and a
wooden building erected in its place. This second church has since been
enlarged and improved at different times until little vestige of the original
frame building remains. Up to October 22d, 1834, the Nyack and Green-
bush societies belonged to the Presbytery of Hudson, but at that time the
ecclesiastical relation with Hudson was severed, at their request, and
transferred to the Presbytery of New York. The causes that led to the
creation of the Nyack Church, as a separate organization, grew out of
financial difficulties regarding the rent of the parsonage and the pastor's
salary.

THE " POND," " YELLOW " OR WALDBERG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This church society was formed by a split from the Clarkstown church, '
which occurred in 1830. As originally composed, the society was neutral,
Presbyterians and members of the Dutch Reformed church being alike
subscribers, and it was agreed that the ultimate connection of the church
should be determined by a majority of those who supported, as well as
contributed to the building of the edifice. The present structure was
erected in 1831 and opened for service the same year.

Rockland Lake was still almost universally known by the residents as
the " Pond," and this church took its name from the common appellation
of the original patent on which it was built, an appellation which had
become applied to the neighborhood. As the name of Rockland lake
became localized by the growth of the present village, that of " Pond " in
connection with this church became incongruous, and the edifice having
been painted yellow, a striking color at all times, but probably more so
among the dull brown stone houses and unpainted barns of those times
than at present, the building naturally took the name of the " Yellow "
church and retained it till i860, when it received the present name of
Waldberg from the name of the school district.

In the early years of its existence the pulpit of this church was supplied
in connection with those of other churches, and service was held in the
afternoon. When Hon. A. B. Conger built and moved into this neighbor-

236

hood valuable assistance was given to the church, and stationed pastors
were obtained, who took charge of the district for some years. At length,
owing to the removal from the neighborhood of some of the richest mem-
bers, the church society dwindled, and during recent years the edifice
has been used by members of the Methodist faith.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT STONY POINT.

This church society was formed from the Haverstraw Presbyterian
Church, organized in 1789. It is necessary to remember that until 1865,
the present township of Stony Point was part of Haverstraw township,
and that the first Presbyterian church edifice in Stony Point was erected
upon land then belonging to Haverstraw. In 1 844, the members of this
church, resident in the present Stony Point, built a house of worship on
land donated for that purpose by Richard Brewster.

Until 1855, this society was under the care of and supplied by the
pastor of the Haverstraw church. Then the Stony Point church was or-
ganized as a separate body, under the care of the Presbytery of New York.
In 1869, the church edifice was rebuilt and enlarged to its present size.
The pastors of the church before its separation were : Rev. Mr. Burns,
Rev. Samuel Pelton, from 1816 to 1839; Rev. James Hildreth, 1839 to
1848; Rev. Livingston Willard, 1849 to 1850; Rev. J. H. Trowbridge,
to 1853; Rev. P. J. H. Meyers, from 1854 to 1855. Since its separate
existence the pastors have been : Rev. Abijah Green, from 1855 to 1856;
Rev. David Eagan, from 1856 to 1858; Rev. Frederick King, 1858 to
1866; Rev. J. J. McMahon, 1866 to 1876; Rev. R. B. Mattice, 1879 to
1880; Rev. T. C. Straus, 1881^ to 1884; and the present pastor. Rev.
John S. Gilmore, from 1881;..

MOUNTVILLE CHURCH.

When John Beverige of Newburgh, determined on lona Island as
his place of residence, he bought property on the mainland at Doodle-
town, and erected at his own expense, in 1851, the building known as the
Mountville Church. A strong Presbyterian in belief, Mr. Beverige started
this church as a society of that denomination, and for a time had its pulpit
supplied by a pastor from Newburgh. Earnest as were his efforts, they
called forth little response from the mountain inhabitants of this section.
After trying for some time to excite some interest among the people, Mr.
Beverige at last gave up his idea, and donated the building to the people
of Doodletown. It was at once turned into a Methodist mission, and has
since been supplied by circuit preachers of that denomination.

237

THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAVERSTRAW.

This church society was organized by a committee of, the Fourth
Presbytery of New York, April 22d, 1846. The use of the building be-
longing to the Methodist Protestant Church was obtained for divine ser-
vice, and the pulpit was supplied by different ministers till the last Sabbath
in June, 1 846, when the Rev. Amasa S. Freeman commenced his pastoral
duties.

Ground was given for the church edifice by Hon. George S. Allison
and Rev. Edward Hopper, and the erection of the building begun, the
corner stone being laid August 21st, 1846. Two months later, when the
walls were up and ready for the roof, a gale destroyed the uncompleted
work. Until the inclemency of the weather prevented, divine service was
held in a structure put up for the convenience of the workmen on the
church lot and now used as a horse shed. February 7th, 1 847, the base-
ment of the church was used for the first time by the congregation, and,
on the third Sunday in September, 1847, the audience room was com-
pleted and the building dedicated to the service of the Triune God.

On April 2Sth, 1849, Rev. A. S. Freeman was formally installed as
pastor of this church and still occupies the pulpit. In i860, the church
was enlarged. In 1883, the thirty-seventh anniversary of the pastoral re-
lation was commemorated by the congregation of this church by the erec-
tion of a tower, with a bell and clock.

I have steadily refrained in this work from panegyric or the laudation
of living men, and, with the exception of the case of Rev. Amasa S. Free-
man, D. D., shall continue so to refrain, believing that if any past or
present resident of the County has done aught commendable, his name
will appear in connection with the work, and readers are as well fitted to
praise or blame as I am. But the work of Dr. Freeman has been so unos-
tentatious, so like that of the good Master, his afflictions have been so
sore, the mad passions which at times have raged in our midst have been
so trying and yet have been met by this man and conquered ; that a few
words concerning him may not be, a trespass.

" I came here to spend one Sabbath, and Httle anticipated that one
Sabbath would be so long drawn out." In the morning of the long Sab-
bath, which Dr. Freeman began with us in 1846, all was peace and beauty.
A church edifice was erected, a congregation of large size was built up,
marriage gave him a partner and children blessed the union. Never did
a day open more auspiciously. As the noon approached, symptoms of a
coming storm appeared — " A little cloud out of the sea, like a man's
hand."

238

The tempest of civil war burst upon us, and men's souls were sorely-
tried. Through the seething hate of that period Dr. Freeman passed un-
scathed. From the pulpit and rostrum, in the press and by deed, he up-
held the Union, undeterred by menace, and in his church the first company
of volunteers from Haverstraw said their good-byes, from his hand its
Captain — Edward Pye — received the flag given by the loyal women of
Haverstraw, by his efforts was money raised for the Sanitary Commis-
sion.

Then came a period of dishonor in our County's financial history, and
the blow fell with peculiar force on Dr. Freeman's church. For a time it
seemed as though the spirit of discord would win, as though the happy
relationship, theretofore existing between pastor and people, would be dis-
solved. The crisis passed, and the strained feelings became again happily
relaxed. The evils of intemperance have assumed greater import in
Haverstraw than in any other place in our County, because of the unstable
laboring population of that village. For thirty years the liquor interest
has been one of controversy and conflict, and the subject has been carried
into societies politic, social and rehgious. Never, in all the long years of
contest, has Dr. Freeman been found wanting or doubtful. He has com-
batted the evil whenever opportunity arose.

Yet, in the inscrutable wisdom of God, these social trials were to pale
before the domestic bereavements which fell with crushing force upon his
household. Death entered his family circle and took from him the hopes
of his declining years. Before the tragic awfulness of his affliction he
bowed, murmuring only the words of resignation, and patiently yielding
his loved ones to Him who gave them, continued his labors here, sancti-
fied by suffering.

And so the long Sabbath is passing like a summer day, with peace
and storm, and now the even-tide approaches, calm and fresh. For almost
two score years has Dr. Freeman labored and suffered amongst us, and
his name is now known and venerated throughout our County, and re-
membered by Rockland's sons wherever resident. But one has excelled
him in the duration of pastoral relationship — Nicholas Lansing — who
labored at Tappan for a year over a half century ; but one nearly reached
his term of pastorate — Joseph W. Griffith — who labored in one church for
eight and thirty, and among the Baptists of our County for five and forty
years; and but two others toiled in the Master's work in this County over
a score of years — Rev. James D. Demarest, who preached frorn 1804 till
November, 1855, and Samuel Pelton, who continued his pastorate in the
" English Church " four and twenty years.

239

THE PALISADES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

On April 23d, 1863, C. R. Agnew, M. D., Clinton Gilbert, W. S. Gil-
man, Jr., I. N. Sears, and C. F. Park, met at the residence of one of the
number in New York city and determined to erect a Presbyterian church
at Palisades. At a later meeting, the above-named gentlemen engaged
the services of Rev. Joseph Greenleaf, Jr., to December ist, 1863. On
May 15th, 1863, the first service of this church society was held in the
first Methodist church building at Palisades. On June 1st, 1863, the
foundations of the present Presbyterian church edifice were begun, and
by the close of the year the building was completed, being opened for
divine service January 3d, 1864.

This church society was formally organized by the Presbytery of New
York Oct. 14th, 1863, and on October 21st of the same year. Rev. J.
Greenleaf, Jr., was installed. Following this first pastor have been: Rev.
John K. Demorest, from October i6th, 1866 to February 13th, 1870;
Rev. Aaron H. Hand, D. D., from October i8th, 1870 to September,
1879; Rev. J. W. Mcllvain, from December 26th, 1879 to September
30th, 1882; Rev. Newton L. Reed, from October, 1883, to the present
time.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN ROCKLAND COUNTY.

About 1782, Elder Luke Reuland, of Long Island, came to Sneden's
Landing on a visit. While in the County he preached in different houses,
and under his teachings five persons were baptized. Subsequently Elder
J. L. Thompson, of Orange county, and Elder Cox, of England, preached
occasionally in the County. In 1796, Edward Salyer, then residing at
Middletown, embraced the views of this church, and was baptised in New
York in connection with the Second Baptist church of that city, and
shortly after James Blauvelt, of Middletown, was baptised in the Hacken-
sack by Rev. Dr. Foster of the First Baptist church of New York City.

In 1797, Elder Daniel Steers, who had immigrated from England and
was then resident on Staten Island, preached on different occasions at
Middletown, and under his ministrations a few were baptized. These,
with others in this and the adjacent part of Bergen county in New Jersey,
to the number of twelve, farmed themselves into an independent Baptist
church on October i8th, 1798, under the name of the Rockland Baptist
Church.

240

THE ROCKLAND, MIDDLETOWN OR NANUET BAPTIST CHURCH.

At the organization of this, the first Baptist Society in our County,
the sermon was preached by Elder Davis of New York, from the text :
" In whom ye also trusted,- after that ye heard the word of truth, the gos-
pel of your salvation : in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed,
with that Holy Spirit of promise." The charge to the church was given
by Elder Daniel Steers.

Early in 1 800, this society invited Elder Steers to become its pastor,
and, at a regular church meeting held May 3d, 1800, he was received by
letter from the Baptist church at Staten Island. In January, 1802, the
name of the church was changed to the Middletown Baptist Church.

For several years, the congregation of this church worshipped in a
private house ; then a small building was erected on the Middletown road,
directly at the head of the road from Pascack. The date of erection of'
this first Baptist church seems in doubt. Elder J. W. Griffiths in his his-
tory of the Baptist church in Rockland County fixes it " about the year
1805," while the deed for the land on which the first church stood, bears
date February 20th, 18 10.

On June 14th, 181 1, the members of this church residing at Masonicus,
now Hempstead, asked for and obtained their dismissal, for the purpose
of forming a separate church. The same year. Elder Steers, who had
previously removed to Haverstraw, resigned his charge of the Middletown
church. Until 181 5, the society was without a settled pastor; then Elder
Joseph W. Griffiths was called and entered upon his pastoral duties in June
of that year. Besides preaching at Middletown, Elder Griffiths held ser-
vice every alternate Sabbath at Haverstraw, during the first eighteen
months of his pastorate, and subsequently held frequent service at Hack-
ensack, Hempstead and Tappan Slote, when opportunity offered, until
1837. After this time, he devoted himself especially to the Middletown
church till his resignation in 1853. Following Elder J. W. Griffiths have
been: Elder J. L. Thompson, from 1853 to 1859 ; Rev. W. Pauline, from
April 7th, 1859 to December 1859; Rev. J. C. Page, i860; Rev. A B.
McGowen, 1871 ; Rev. Frederick Greaves, 1873 ; Rev. Frank Fletcher,
1880; Rev, W. S. S. Warden, who is now supplying the pulpit.

During Elder Griffiths' pastorate, about the year 1820, a new church
edifice 20 by 40 feet was built some half-mile south of the old one on the
same road. In 1859 the church was moved within the Clarkstown lim-
its, and the building, now occupied by the congregation, erected. In
1865, the name of the society was changed to the Nanuet Baptist Church.

241

In 1838, this church, in conjunction with that at Piermont, organized a
Bible Society called the Middletown and Piermont Bible Society, which
was auxiliary to the American and Foreign Bible Society.

THE HAVERSTRAW BAPTIST CHURCH.

In 1802, a number of the Baptist members, living at Haverstraw, were
constituted as a branch of the Middletown Baptist Church, and Elder
Daniel Steers held divine service on alternate Sundays at different private
houses. By 1 809, the edifice belonging to the Presbyterian Society at
Haverstraw had become much dilapidated, and a union was entered into
with the members of the Baptist faith, there resident, for the support and
repair of the church. So Utterly at variance are the statements of Elder
Griffiths and the Presbyterians in this matter, that necessity compels me
to be prolix on the subject. The deed for the lot on which the first Pres-
byterian church of Haverstraw was erected, was granted by Thomas
Smith to the Trustees of the English Protestant Society -at Haverstraw,
and bears date August 17th, 1789. When the boundary line of the Cheese-
cocks Patent was being run in June 1790, the church is spoken of as
"now building." Finally we have the following record : " The subscri-
bers, members of the First Presbyterian church in the Town of Haver-
straw and others attached by Education and principle to the Congrega-
tion, viewing with the utmost regret the present disgraceful state of re-
pairs in which the House of God has for a long time continued, and con-
sidering the present smallness of the Congregation, and their inability to
keep the House of God in tenantable Repair and support a pastor of their
own. And having always considered the Baptist and Presbyterian
churches as nearly and intimately allied, differing only in principle, and in
fact Sister Churches, do therefore consent and agree that the Baptist con-
gregation of Haverstraw, of the New York Association, shall and may be
permitted to repair the said house of worship, and shall have the privilege
of hereafter using the house equally with the Presbyterians, Sabbath for
Sabbath alternately, and all other times when the same is not occupied by
the Presbyterian Congregation. March 25 th, 1 809."

Such is the documentary evidence in the case, and at this day we are
not able to go behind this evidence. That this matter was not so under-
stood by the Baptists at Haverstraw, will be evinced by the following
extract from Elder Griffith's history, taken, doubtless, from the accounts
of the members of the Baptist faith in Haverstraw, and relating the story
as they understood it.

242

"In 1807 a liberal minded and wealthy gentleman, named Smith," —
one of the sons of the Smith who had given a lot to the Presbyterian
congregation — " donated the church at Haverstraw a fine lot of ground in
the centre of the village, on condition that a house of worship was erected
upon it. Within two years time, after the lot was presented, they (the
Baptists) had the greater part of the materials purchased and some money
collected. They then injudiciously entered into an arrangement with the
Presbyterians of that village to make a joint interest of the same, each to
furnish one-half of the •materials and to pay one-half of the expense of re-
pairing and fitting up the old meeting house, and, when the house was
completed, each congregation was to occupy it on alternate Sabbaths.
The house was finished, and peace and harmony prevailed for several
years. Elder Steers preaching for them (the Baptists) regularly till 1 8 1 1 ,
when he changed his field of labors to Peekskill.

The removal of many of the members to Western New York, coupled
with a mortgage which the Presbyterian clergyman held on the house to
secure his salary, so discouraged and disheartened the remainder, that
regular meetings were not held till about the year 1815."

This finished the first Baptist Church in Haverstraw ; the society had
the name and the Presbyterians the edifice. Until 1847 no further effort
was made by this church to build a house of worship. During the years
between 1815 and 1 844, the few members of the society still clung to-
gether, and, whenever it was possible. Elder Griffiths visited and minis-
tered to them. In the last named year a fresh impetus was given to the
society by the advent of the employees of Higgins' carpet factory, and
the scattered members were again collected. The first meeting of the re-
organized church was held in the upper part of what is now the store of
Isaac De Baun, on the south side of Main street.

Rev. William' Pike, a native of England, had taken charge of the con-
gregation, and under his efforts regular meetings were held each Sabbath
at private residences, till the congregation had again obtained suflScient
strength to build a church edifice. In 1847 a lot was bought from George
S. Allison, and a house for worship was raised. In the efforts to obtain
funds for this purpose, both the Presbyterians and Methodists of Haver-
straw gave efficient aid, " and the large contributions on the day of dedi-
cation of the building were mainly attributable to the appeal of the
Methodist clergyman, who was present and took part in the exercises."
The edifice was dedicated by Rev. John Dowling, D. D.

Elder Pike remained with the congregation a few years and then
removed to the West Baptist Church, Staten Island, from which he had

243

received a call. In 1850, the carpet factory stopped and the employees
moved away. Feeling now that their place of worship was too far away
from Haverstraw village, the congregation sold it to the Roman Catholics
— it is still standing and used as a school-house — and purchasing another
lot on the west side of Rockland street, near Broad, erected another build-
ing. Experience had not taught this congregation wisdom. A loan of
$700 was made to the church by parties in New York, and the deed of
the property was given to them as security. In a short time the money
was demanded, and as it could not be raised, the property was sold to the
Episcopal church for $1,000. Since that time no further effort has been
made to re-organize this church.

THE BAPTIST CHURCHES AT VIOLA.

The original Baptist church at Masonicus, later Hempstead, now in
the township of Ramapo, west of Viola, was organized, as we have seen,
from the Middletown Baptist church in 181 1. For several years it had no
settled pastor, but divine service was held by Elder Steers and Elder
Griffiths, whenever possible. About 18 15, the first house for worship was
erected on the site now occupied by the " Old School " church building.
In the years 1820-21, a great revival took place in this church, and for
eleven consecutive Sabbaths Elder Griffiths administered the rite of bap-
tism.

In 1823, Rev. Gilbert Beebewas ordained to the ministry, and assumed
pastoral charge of the church. Until 1826, Elder Beebe remained in this
field of labor and then removed to Middletown, to edit a church paper*
He was succeeded by Elder Evan J. Williams, during whose pastorate the
Society was split asunder by unfortunate controversies between the con-
servative and liberal members.

In the division which followed, each faction claimed the house of wor-
ship, and at last resorted to litigation to determine the question of owner-
ship. Neither obtained the building, for, on the eve of the trial, in 1853,
it was burned and the cause of dispute thus removed.

Ere this time. Elder Williams had resigned his charge of the church,
and removed to Brooklyn. Not long after his resignation. Elder Edwin
Westcott visited Hempstead, assumed the pastoral charge of the church,
and collected once more a portion of the scattered flock. An interest was
again awakened, and under his charge a house of worship, thirty-five by
fifty feet was erected on the north side of the New City road, a half mile
nearer Suffern, in 1853. This Society is known as the Liberal Baptist
Church of Viola. Upon the resignation of this charge by Elder Westcott,

244

the care of the church was assumed by Edwin Browe, d licentiate of the
MiddletOwn church. He remained with the congregation for some time,
but was finally obliged to resign.

When the liberal portion of the old congregation became reunited,
that faction which adhered to the views of Rev. Gilbert Beebe, also formed
an organization, and in 1857, erected a church building on the site of the
burned edifice. This society is known as the " Old School " Baptist
Church of Viola. Neither of these societies now have more than a nom-
inal existence.

THE PIERMONT BAPTIST CHURCH.

In 1 8 1 7, Elder Griffiths, who was then located at Middletown, made
appointments to preach at Tappan Slote, and in the following year, he
held services at Piermont every Sabbath, preaching one week at Middle-
town in the morning, and at the Slote in the afternoon, and the next week
reversing the order. Under his ministrations a congregation was collected,
which at first occupied the school house. Increasing numbers soon ren-
dered this too small an accommodation, and a house for worship was
built, which was dedicated on the second Sunday in November, 18 19.

This church remained an auxihary of the Middletown church till 1839,
and during this period Elder Griffiths continued pastor of both congrega-
tions. On May iSth, 1839, the commuhicants at Piermont were consti-
tuted an independent Baptist church, under the name of the First Baptist
Church at Piermont.

The next day, A. M. Torbet was ordained to the ministry and as-
sumed the pastoralcare of the church, which he held till November, 1842,
Following him have been : Rev. David Logan, from 1 843 to 1 844 ; Rev.
Andrew Hopper, 1844 to October 1847; R^v. Charles W. Waterhouse,
August, 1847, to January, 1849; Rev. G. P. Martin, August, 1849, to
December, 1851 ; Rev. B. Slaight, from June, 1851, to 1856; Rev. W. A.
Bronson, May, 1855, till his death. May 14th, 1858; Rev. Alfred Earle,
till February, i860; Rev. Benjamin Wheeler, till 1863, Rev. Robert
Fisher; Rev. J. W. Taylor, from March, 14th, 1866, to May, 1867; Rev.
W. I. Loomis, till August, 1868; Rev. Joshua Wood; Rev. B. Lounsbury,
from January 1870 to June, 1873; Rev. James S. Carr, to 1877, Since
this time the church has had no stated pastor. In 1866, during the pas-
torate of Rev. J. W. Taylor, the church edifice was rebuilt and enlarged.

THE NYACK BAPTIST CHURCH,

With prophetic foresight, the Father of the Baptist Church in this
County, Rev. Joseph W. . Griffiths, wrote in 1855: "The last, and that

245

which will become one of the strongest interests in Rockland County, is
the Baptist church at Nyack." The worthy pastor never lived to see the
fulfillment of his prophecy, as he died in i860 at the age of three score
and eight years. But if we may be permitted to believe that from a hap-
pier sphere those who have gone before are cognizant of our deeds, then
we may feel that his " feet hath trod the battlements of heaven, his eye
hath viewed the struggles of the children of men."

As early as 1 806, Elder Daniel Steers, while pastor of the Middletown
chruch, preached occasionally in the school house at Nyack. When the
Presbyterian Society was established in the village and was presented
with a lot of ground for a church building by Peter DePevy ; it was stipu-
lated by the donor, that the Baptist congregation should occupy the house
of worship alternately with it. This arrangement was carried into
effect and continued till Elder , Steers' illness and death. From that
period till 1838, little effort was made to carry on the Baptist cause
in the village. In the last named year. Elders Williams, of Hempstead,
Torbet of Piermont, and Griffiths of Middletown, after consultations,
decided to establish a Baptist interest at Nyack, each agreeing to take
his turn in the work so that regular service should be held. A room;
standing on the site now occupied by Union Hall, was hired, and a fair
congregation collected. For two years the labor continued, and
was then abandoned because of the apprehension of the members of the
Piermont church, that a society at Nyack would impair the strength of
their church. From this time till the Union Hall was built in 1853, the
members of this faith had no regular preaching, but met occasionally at
private houses. On the opening of the Union Hall it was hired by Elder
Griffiths and five others, who became personally responsible for the rent
of the room and who agreed to pay a supply till the church became strong
enough to take care of itself, and on February 2d, 1854, the First Baptist
Church of Nyack was duly constituted with thirteen members.

For three years, the Baptist members continued to meet in Union
Hall under the pastoral care of Rev. G. P. Martin, whom they had
called as their first minister, and who labored with this congregation as
well as that at Piermont, till December 1854, when he resigned the latter
charge. Then they determined to build a house for worship. This build-
ing was completed in 1857, ^"d on the 19th of August in that year, it
was dedicated with appropriate, ceremonies. On August 23d, 1857, Rev.
G. P. Martin resigned, and his place was occupied by Rev. T. T. De Van,
who began his pastoral duties December 2d, 1857, ^"^ remained in
charge of the church till June 1862. Following him in pastoral duties

246

have been: Rev. B. H. Benton, from November, 1862 to May 1864;
Rev. F. Greaves, March 1 865 to April 1 867 ; Rev. James W. Frazer,
October 1867 to March 1868 ; Rev. R. T. Middleditch, August 1868 to
July 1869; Rev. F. Greaves, October 1869 to April 1873; Rev. N. B.
Thompson, May 1873 to June 1875; Rev. J. K.. Wilson, June 1876 to
February 1878; Rev. J. G. Shrive, April 1878 to April 1879; Rev. J.
H. Gunning, M. D., October 1879 to February 1884; and Rev. J. L.
Campbell, from March 1884 to the present time.

The career of the church for the first quarter of a century of its ex-
istence, was not uncheckered by financial troubles and exhaustion, and
from 187s till 1878, it appeared as though the struggle must be abandoned.
But there were members of the society steadfast in faith and good works ;
others joined the society and gave aid and advice ; under Rev. J. H. Gun-
ning new life was given to the struggling sect, and at last, in 1881, so
greatly had the church attendance increased that further accommodations
became imperative. During the summer of that year, the congregation
met for worship in Voorhis Hall while the edifice was being enlarged and
renovated, and on Thursday, January 12th, 1882, the new building was
opened for divine service. Truly the prophecy of Elder Griffiths, written
seven and twenty years before, as he drew close " to the banks of asphodel
that border the River of Life," had come true. During Rev. J. H. Gun-
ning's pastorate, 161 people were added to the church by baptism, and 23
by letter, a result only approached during Rev F. Greaves' two terms,
when 91 were added by baptism and 21 by letter. Since the organization
of the church 303 members have been added by baptism and 87 by letter.

THE SPRING VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH.

On February 19th, 1867, a church meeting was held by the Nanuet
Baptist Church to consider the advisability of buying the old Dutch
Church building, in Spring Valley, for an outpost of the Nanuet Church.
After investigation, such action was decided on, the property bought and
repaired, and the edifice dedicated September 19th, 1867. From this
time till July, 1870, services were held in the Spring Valley Church every
Sunday afternoon by the preacher holding service at Nanuet in the
morning.

As early as 1869, the members of the Spring Valley Church agitated
the subject of a separate existence, but it was not till November 9th, 1870,
that the society was formally organized as a distinct church. On No-
vember 20th, 1870, Rev. Wm. H. Sherman assumed charge of the society,
and, a year later, added to his labors by ministering to the church at

247

Viola. October 3d, 1 871, the Spring Valley Church was received , as a
member of the Southern New York Baptist Association, to which body
the church reported forty-five members and a Sunday school, organized
in 1 868, with Matthew Persons as superintendent, having 24 teachers, 218
scholars, an average attendance of 107, and a library of 300 volumes.

In February, 1872, Rev. Wm. H. Sherman resigned this charge, and
in May, 1873, he was succeeded by Rev. F. Greaves. In June of the
same year Mr. Greaves resigned, and the church was left without a pastor.
From this time the pulpit was supplied 'by Mr. E. J. Hillman, a member
of the congregation. From the time the building was repaired and opened
a. heavy mortgage rested on the Society, and in spite of noble efforts to
meet it, now, in the financial panic following 1873, crushed it. On June
20th, 1875, the last sermon in this church was preached by Mr. Hillman,
and the following day the building was sold at auction. For a brief
period, the members of the society clung together and then the organiza-
tion passed from existence.

Authorities referred to. History of the Reformed Church at Tappan, by Rev. David Cole,
D. D. Translation of the Records of the Clarkstown Church, by I. C. Haring, M. D. History
of the Town of Ramapo, by Rev. E. B. Cobb, translation by A. S. Zabriskie, M. D. Magazine
of American History Vol. XIII, page 39. Greenbush Church Records. Microcosm by Hon.
Seth B. Cole. History of Haverstraw by Rev. A. S. Freeman, D. D. Letters and papers from
Wm. Govan, M. p. History of the Baptist Church in Rockland County, by Rev. Joseph W.
Grififiths. History of the Nyack Baptist Church, by George F. Morse. Lecture "30 years in
Haverstraw," by A. S. Freeman, D. D.

CHAPTER XIV.

HISTORY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN ROCKLAND COUNTY-
HISTORY OF THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH AT HAVERSTRAW
AND AT STONY POINT— HISTORY OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
IN ROCKLAND COUNTY— HISTORY OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL
CHURCH IN ROCKLAND^ COUNTY— HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSALIST
CHURCH AT ORANGEVILLE AND NYACK— HISTORY OF THE QUAKER
CHURCH AT LADENTOWN— OFTHE TRUE REFORMED CHURCH AT MON-
SEY, AT NANUET, AND AT TAPPAN— OF CHRIST EVANGELICAL LU-
THERAN AT MASONICUS— OF THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN
AT HAVERSTRAW- OF THE GERMAN M. E. CHURCH AT TAPPAN— HIS-
TORY OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT MONSEY, AND AT TALL-
MAN S— OF THE M. E. ZION AT NYACK AND AT HAVERSTRAW— OF THE
SYNAGOGUE AT NYACK -HISTORY OF THE UNION, STONE CHURCH OR
UPPER NYACK, WAYSIDE CHAPEL, LAKE AVENUE BAPTIST, yEST NYACK
CHAPEL, AND STEVENS SUNDAY SCHOOLS— HISTORY OF THE ROCK-
LAND COUNTY SABBATH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.

And now there came into this County a new religious movement,
which was destined to spread and grow in spite of hardship, and oblo-
quy, and detraction, because of its enthusiasm and democratic teachings.
Two score years had passed since John Wesley, rejecting that conception
which regarded faith as the union of intellectual belief and of voluntary
self-submission, a conception from which the element of the supernatural
was wanting, as well as that of personal trust for salvation on the atone-
ment of Jesus; had accepted the teachings of a "present, free and full
salvation." But three decades had gone by since the followers of Wesley
had erected their first house of worship in New York City; and but four-
teen years had elapsed since the first Bishop of the Methodist Church in
America — Rev. Francis Asbury, had been consecrated at Baltimore,
when exhorters from that society entered our County.

With the causes which led to the formation of the sect, with the
polemical discussions that it has given rise to, I am ;iot to speak. With
the reasons for its growth in this County, with the different church organi-
zations which have sprung up in our villages and towns, it is alone my
duty to deal.

Methodism is aggressive with an enthusiasm born of its youth and its
teachings, that each individual is a personal and special factor in the care

249

of divine providence. By psychologic change, which each convert claims
to experience, the neophyte feels that he has entered a state of beatitude,
that he has been, as expressed in the denomination, "born again." By
the teaching that without constant religious struggle he will fall from
grace, his religious life becomes a fervid effort to remain steadfast in the
faith. By the government of his church, he is placed in contact with others
as earnest as himself, and in the class meetings a form of open religious
confessional, the prayer meeting, and the love feast, encouraged and
strengthened by religious association, his enthusiasm grows more intense.

In this idea of a new birth, this psychologic and supernatural change,
lies the strength of the Methodist church. The new convert, regenerated
and sanctified, at once feels that his fellow man, unless a Methodist, has
not experienced the transition, and he at once sets to work to bring him
within the pale of the church. Each convert becomes a priest with a
vital mission. A human being, whatever the race, sex or social standing,
becomes a tremendous factor in such a creed — an immortal soul to be
saved.

As can readily be seen, the teaching of this doctrine is essentially
democratic. No matter what the social or intellectual status of an indi-
vidual — the beggar in his squalor and rags; Lazarus in luxury and
riches ; the laborer living by the sweat of his brow, or the potentate wield-
ing all but despotic power : all, all alike, must return to dust in the body,
while before the inexorable Judge, their souls must answer at the day of
judgment for deeds done here.

Members of this denomination came to Rockland County. It is not
positive when or where they first began their labors, for at evei'y hamlet
they seemed to arise spontaneously. The first society of the sect was
formed at Haverstraw before 1799, but already they had converts in this
section. With customary enthusiasm they entered on their mission. The
sturdy landholder, still bearing in his disposition the phlegm of his Dutch
ancestry, was startled from his mental repose by the earnest exhortation
of his whilom guest, and left sorely perplexed in mind at the utterances
he had listened to. The laborer in the quarries was surprised at his noon-
day meal by the religious conversation of his fellow- toiler. In the work-
shops and factories at the Ramapo Clove, the creed advanced, and discus-
sion led to curiosity, curiosity to observation, observation to conversion.

Nor did these all but fanatics confine their journeys to the haunts of
civilization; they penetrated the mountain fastnesses and the grimy, un-
kempt charcoal burner was surprised by the appearance of a stranger at
his fire-heap, who grasped his hand, who called him " brother," who en-

2SO

treated him to seek salvation ; the long-neglected dweller among the
inhospitable rocks was filled with wonderment at finding some one from
the unknown, outside world in his presence, teUing him, that in the ages
gone by a fellow man had died for him and urging him to repent and be
saved.

At first looked upon as fanatics and treated with contempt and ridi-
cule, the very lives and deeds of the acceptors of the Methodist faith at
last encouraged respect and then belief The itinerant ministers who
visited the County in early days, were seen riding through the blinding
heat and dust of summer, the bitter blasts and snows of winter, or facing
the driving rainstorm, often thinly clad arid scarcely protected, to meet a
scant gathering of believers at the end of their journey, without a mur-
mur, and yet oftentimes, these journeys covered over a score of miles
before morning service, and a score more before the evening sermon.
The various meetings of the church, which perhaps had been visited by
outsiders in a spirit of levity, produced a very different feeling, when some
ignorant and illiterate convert, filled with holy zeal, told in uncouth lan-
guage, mayhap, the story of his trials with tear-stained cheeks and a fervor
born of inspiration. And when to these things, this despised sect added
the spirit of their Master's teachings, visited the highways and the by-ways,
extended a helping, strengtheninghandto the outcasts and pariahs of society,
made them self-respecting and respected citizens, and sent them forth
with their new experience to add others to the fold ; even the most skep-
tical mind drew back abashed and acknowledged the great benefit of the
movement.

The first Methodist Church Society, as has been said, was organized in
Haverstraw, in the closing years of the eighteenth century. In 1799, this
Society contained eighty members and in 1 800, their first house for worship
was erected on land given by the same family (Smith) who had previously
given to the Presbyterians and later gave to the Baptists, lots for their church
buildings. The first religious services of the sect held here were conducted
by Barney Matthias, an exhorter and local preacher, who was a ship car-
penter by trade. I have been told by old people, who had heard Mr.
Matthias exhort in the old school house at Nyack, that he was rarely
gifted with vocal power and that, when he became intensely earnest, his
voice could be heard a mile and a half away. This statement lacks au-
thentic confirmation, and was made by people, not members of the
Methodist Church, who I fear were prejudiced.

The first regular minister at this church was Rev. William Vreeden-
burgh, in 1805, and the first minister, who made his home in the village.

2SI

was Rev. James MacLaurins in 1829. By 1840, the church edifice had
become too small for the congregation, and a new building thirty by fifty-
four feet was erected. This house was dedicated December i6th, 1840.
The old church building was sold to Phineas Hedges, and is still standing,
in use as a barn, on the north side of the road beyond Thiell's Corners.

By i860, the new church was also found to be too small, and the
building was enlarged. At this time an organ was introduced into the
church, which so outraged the ideas of simplicity of a worthy member —
Jonathan Wood — that he left the house in disgust. As the amehorating
influence of time was felt, Mr. Wood became reconciled to the innovation,
and was at last, after a long life of good works, laid at rest, his grave
being marked by a plain tombstone. This was broken by a team of run-
away horses, and replaced by a new one. When the new organ was
placed in the church, weights were needed for the bellows, and the two
portions of Mr. Wood's broken tombstone were employed for the purpose.
0\ Si sic omnia.

In the history of this church occurred one of those odd events of which
many belong to our County history. The doctrines of Methodism had
spread rapidly and been accepted by the people with eagerness. So-
cieties had been formed at Nyack, Sherwoodville, Palisades, Stony Point,
and other places in the County, and the topic of the growth of the sect
was uppermost among the residents. With any but a friendly eye had
this development been viewed by the pastors of the older churches — one
of these is said to have greeted its appearance by a sermon from the text :
"These men, who have turned the world upside down, have come hither
also," and none perhaps viewed it with more annoyance than Rev. Sam-
uel Pelton, whose charge was the first invaded. At last, no other means
of showing its supposed falsity appearing, Mr. Pelton challenged the min-
ister of the faith at Haverstraw to a public debate. This was declined,
but Rev. Lawrence Kean, of New York, happening to be at Haverstraw,
accepted the wager of battle. The debate took place April 2d, 1821.
Preparations were made by the erection of a platform before the Metho-
dist house of worship, and the choice of three persons as moderators and
of four to take notes.

A large number of people, many drawn by interest in one or the other
parties, more by idle curiosity, attended, and at ten o'clock in the morning
the debate began. From ten till twelve, and from two to four o'clock,
these disputants met in polemic strife. At the close of the discussion
neither was satisfied, and each thought of what he might have said. From
speech, Rev. Samuel Pelton resorted to the pen, and published a work en-

252

titled Absurdities of Methodism. This was answered by Mr. Kean by a.
work called : A Plain and Positive Refutation of the Rev. Samuel Pelton's
Unjust and Unfounded Charges Entitled, " The Absurdities of Methodism."
Containing, First: A Public Debate held at Haverstraw, Rockland County,
N. Y. ; Second: Remarks on the Several Articles Debated ; Third: The
Perfect Conformity of the Methodist Doctrine, and Discipline to Scripture,
Reason and Common Sense. J. & J. Harper, 1823.

In following the history of this church, I must be governed in chronol-
ogy, not by the date of the Societies' organization, but by the date of
the erection of their church edifice. Next in this arrangement comes the

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT NYACK.

As early as 1 806, the teachings of the Methodist church were intro-
duced into Nyack, and meetings alternating with those of the Baptists,
were held in the school house, then just built, by Barney Matthias and Rev.
George Banghart, who was called the "singing preacher." The organi-
zation of a church society, and the erection of a house of worship by that
denominatfon however, did not occur till 18 13, and was then brought
about by the obtuseness of the classis of the Reformed Dutch Church. In
1 8 1 2, members of the Clarkstown church presented a petition for the es-
tablishment of a branch of that church at Nyack, setting forth as their
reasons: that Nyack was strong enough to support a church ; that on
account of the distance between the hamlets, many were unable to attend
divine service ; that if the opportunity was not seized, other sects would
build at Nyack. The classis refused to grant the petition.

Immediately after this decision, a portion of the petitioners, William
Palmer, Nicholas WiUiamson and John Green, met at the house of the
last named gentleman, organized a meeting by the election of the proper
officers, and passed resolutions to organize a Methodist Episcopal Church
in Nyack, and to begin the erection of a house for worship on the follow-
ing day.

In aid of the work, William Palmer gave the ground and stone from
his quarries, and John Green and Nicholas Williamson , gave money in the
proportion of $1 of the former to $2 of the latter; Garret Onderdonk also
gave financial aid. In 181 3, the building begun with such laconic brevity
was opened to the public as the First M. E. Church, of Nyack.

When first used, the pulpit, a high, square box, entered through a
door, stood against the north wall of the church six steps high ; the altar-
rail was three feet high and rested on upright slats set close together.
This gave it somewhat tlje appearance of a picket fence; the seats .were

253

■straight-backed and hard, not furnished with doors. Across the south
end of the church extended a heavy gallery. For heating purposes a cast
iron stove was used. For light, dependence was placed on one copper
oil lamp, suspended from the centre of the ceiHng, and some half dozen
quaintly- shaped tin candle-holders. The Bible was bought with money
raised by subscription, and on the fly-leaf is the following : " This Bible
was procured by Joseph Bennet for the use of the Nyack Meeting House of
Methodist E. Church, A. D., 1814." Then follows the following names of
contributors: Rev. J. Bennet, $3.00; Rev. Michael Swing, 25 cents; Rev.
Benjamin Sherwood, 12 cents; Mr. Joart, N. Y., 25 cents; Mr. Peter
Bourdett, N. Y., 25 cents; Mr. Barnas DeKline, 19 cents; Mrs. Hester
Ackerman, 19 cents; Mrs. Abigal Gurnee, 2^ cents; Rev. Abram Gurnee,
25 cents; Mr. James Cunningham, 50 cents; Mr. John Ten Eyck, 12 cents;
Mr. Garret Onderdonk, 25 cents; Mr. Benjamin Bourdett, 25 cents. The
Bible is still in use in the Sunday-school.

For many years the pulpit of this church was supplied either by local
preachers or circuit riders. Then, under the preaching of Rev. Benjamin
Day, a series of revival meetings were held in a building which stood on
the site of the present Union Hall, and many were added to the faith.
The old church building was now felt to be too far from thfe village, which
had grown up since its erection, and an effort was made to sell it and build
a new house more central. Through the efforts of Garret Williamson and
Jacob Voorhis, this attempt was defeated by a majority of two votes.
Once again, in 1877, when an attempt was made to erect a new church
edifice in Nyack, the sale of the old stone church was discussed, but de-
fenders of the land- mark still existed and the attempt was frustrated.

In' 1870, the building was sadly out of repair. By the efforts of George
Green sufficient money was raised to put on a new roof and plate it in
thorough order. Many changes Were made in its interior, better fitting
the present time. Sunday school and other religious services are regularly
held in the building.

THE SECOND M. E. OR ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

Though out of the proper order in date of erection, it seems wiser to
mention this church in this place and thus avoid Confusion.

Upon the defeat of the attempt to sell the old house of worship, the
members at once began efforts to erect a new building. Ground was
bought and a frame building put up in 1843.

In a few years the building was found too small for the increased at-
tendance, and an addition was made upon the east end of it. No further

254

change was attempted till 1877, when a lot was bought on Broadway,
south of the Universalist Church, and the construction of a new building
begun. Further than the foundation this never advanced. Financial
troubles fell thick and fast on the church, and under the weight of calami-
ties, the society was dissolved, their property foreclosed upon, and St.
Paul's Society organized. As a business move this procedure relieved
the Methodists from a judgment. As a movement of a religious society,
its ethical advisability was doubtful. After this failure the frame building
was repaired and renovated, and is still in use by the church.

WESLEY CHAPEL, SHERWOODVILLE.

The origin of the Methodist Society at this place dates back to 1805.
Already I have gone into the subject of the spread of this sect, with suffi-
cient fullness and further mention is unnecessary. One of the first meet-
ings of the denomination was held in the old stone house, near the chapel,
now owned by E. G. Sherwood. Later services were held at the houses
of Stephen Gurnee, William Osborn and Benjamin Sherwood, till 1813,
when Rev. James Sherwood and Abigal Gurnee, purchased the prop-
erty, on which stands the stone house above mentioned, and after that,
services were held there.

In the early days of the society, preaching took place every other
week, during the afternoons in summer, and evenings in winter, till the
chapel was built. During this period, it was not rare for the quarterly
meetings, which were largely attended, to be held in an old Dutch barn,
standing near the house, owing to the necessity for more room than the
hpuse afforded.

At length, through the efforts. of James Sherwood,. Garret Onderdonk,
Benjamin Odell, Stephen B. Johnson, Mrs. Abigal* Gurnee and her
daughter ; sufficient money was obtained to begin the building of a house
for worship on land given by James Sherwood. He also, with others^
furnished timber for the frame and Hon. J. H. Pierson, gave the nails.
When the building was enclosed more money was needed, and Rev.
James Sherwood, walked to New York, soliciting donations on the way to
and in that city from all friends of the enterprise. Success greeted his
endeavors, and in September 1829, this edifice was dedicated to the wor-
ship of God by Rev. George Banghart, Presiding Elder.

Until 1834 or '35, the primitive seats, made by taking poles, putting legs
in them after the manner of a saw-horse, and laying loose planks across
them, remained , then, through the efforts of the present Mrs. Hollis Hol-
man and Mrs. H. A. Blauvelt, sufficient money was raised to seat their
side of the house. Their example was shortly after followed by the men.

2SS

In 1856, a split occurred in the congregation of this church on the
question of building a new house of worship nearer ■ Mechanicsville, now
Viola, and a portion of the congregation withdrew. Those that remained
re-roofed and sided" the building and painted it. In 1875, the interior of
the church was improved by taking out the old gallery, putting in new
seats and pulpit, frescoing the walls, carpeting the floor and making two
aisles instead of one.

THE METHODIST CHURCH OF PALISADES.

Before 18 10, the teachings of Methodism were introduced at Tappan
Slote and services were held in the old schoolhouse. In the course of time,
Moses Taylor established his residence at the present Palisades, and in
1820, a class was formed. As the society grew stronger, the project of
building a house for worship was considered, and, largely through the
efforts of Mr. Taylor and his wife, this project was accomplished, and the
building dedicated in 1832.

By 1858, the need of a larger building became apparent, and the con-
gregation set themselves to the work. In the summer of 1858, the corner
stone of the new building was laid, and on May 15th, 1859, the new edi-
fice was dedicated by Bishop James. The old church building is still
standing. A flourishing Sabbath School in connection with the church
exists.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT STONY POINT.

Shortly after the Methodist sect became established in our County,
preachers of the denomination visited Stony Point and in 1 804, began to
hold religious services in private houses. At length this congregation
grew strong enough to erect a house for worship and, land having been
given for the purpose by Matthew Gurnee and his wife, work was begun.
By June 14th, 1834, the building was completed and dedicated. The first
edifice stood on the site of the present church. In the course of time this
first house became too small for the increasing congregation, and it became
necessary to enlarge it. Finally, in 1882, the church was entirely rebuilt.

THE METHODIST CHURCH AT ROCKLAND LAKE.

Here, as elsewhere in the County, the Methodist circuit riders early
started meetings of their society, holding services in the private houses of
those who had accepted their views. In 1834, Benedict Wells and his
wife Bridget, gave the society a plot of ground for a church building, and
in the following year, 1835, the first edifice was erected. For some years.

256

this building was sufficiently large for the congregation, bu,t at last, the growth
of the ice business so increased the population of Rockland Lake, and thus the
church attendance, that further accommodation became necessary. Efforts
were successfully put forth to obtain the needed money, and the present
■edifice was erected and dedicated.

THE SLOATSBURG METHODIST CHURCH.

Johnsontown was one of the first hamlets visited by the Methodist circuit
preachers, and in their journeys to and from that place through the Ram-
apo Clove, they frequently held service in the old stone school house,
which stood on the Orange Turnpike, in the village of Ramapo Works.
These services began as early as 1802. At a later period, services were
held in the Smith house, and still later, at the house of John Becraft.

In 1837, Jacob Sloat and his wife gave the property on which the
church now stands to the society, and the erection of a house for worship
was begun. By 1843, the building was finished, and in the same year it
was dedicated. In i860, this church, which had formerly, with the other
churches of the same denomination in the town, belonged to the Newark
Conference, became part of the New York Conference. A Sabbath school
is connected with the church.

THE METHODIST CHURCH AT NEW CITY.

The early meetings of the Methodists at this place were held for a
time in a wheelwright's shop, and later,, at a private residence. By 1845,
the congregation had grown sufficiently strong to erect a house for wor-
ship, and in March, 1 846, the building was dedicated. A Sabbath school
has been connected with the church since its organization, and at the
present time has an average attendance of about five and twenty scholars.

THE PIERMONT M. E. CHURCH.

As seen when speaking of the Palisades M. E. Church, services at
Tappan Slote were held by itinerant ministers of this denomination before
1 8 10. The organization of the Society at the present Palisades, drew the
members of the faith to that place, and it was not till 1854, that we find
positive mention of a distinct Methodist society at Piermont. For some
time this organization met for worship in Odd Fellows' Hall. At length
the congregation grew strong enough to warrant the erection of a house
of worship, and in 1856 the present edifice was built, being ready for use
January 10, 1857. This society, as a rule, has been connected with a cir-
cuit in which were the church at Palisades and the society at Tappan.

257

It has met with the reverse of having its membership largely reduced by
the removal of inhabitants from Piermont on the withdrawal of the railroad
shops.

THE TAPPAN M. E. CHURCH.

It was not till 1854, that an attempt was made to build up a society of
this church at Tappan. Then some of the members and the minister of
the Piermont society visited the hamlet and held divine service on Sunday
afternoons at the homes of different members of that faith. At length, in
1856, thinking the time opportune, this new-formed church society bought
the edifice, which had been built in 1826, for the True Reformed Church
Society. Until 1866, the congregation of this church was under the
•charge, first of the minister of the Piermont church, and later of Piermont
and Palisades. Then the edifice was purchased by the congregation of
the German M. E. Church Society.

THE GERMAN M. E. CHURCH AT TAPPAN.

This society was incorporated by Christian Kern on July 25th, 1866,
and purchased the edifice then owned by the M. E. Church Society.
Since that time the society has continued in existence, and has met with
varying success, never being very strong.

THE METHODIST CHURCH AT VIOLA.

When speaking of the Wesley Chapel, it was mentioned that a split
occurred in the congregation of that society, and that a portion, who
favored the building of a new church withdrew to Mechanicsville and
organized a separate society in 1856. Proceeding at once to carry out
their idea, the construction of a church edifice was begun and the building
was completed, and on December 25th, 1856, dedicated by Bishop Wiley.
Since that time services have been regularly maintained.

THE SPRING VALLEY M. E. CHURCH.

The birth of this village is of such recent date as to preclude a long
existence for any church organization. It was not till 1853, that a
thorough effort was made to hold divine service at the nascent hamlet ac-
cording to the doctrines of the M. E. Church. In the summer of that
year Rev. George Jackson, then in charge of the New City Church, be-
gan holding church services in the Union Sunday School building, which
had been erected in 1852.

On August 4th, 185Q, a church society was organized, and at the same
time the present site was bought from the Spring Valley Land Associa-

2S8

tion. Work was at once begun upon a church building, and in the spring
of i860, the completed edifice was dedicated. At first this society was
connected with that at Mechanicsville — now Viola — but in 1861, it began
a separate existence, unbroken, save by an association of two years with
the Middletown Church. A Sunday School early organized is now in a
strong condition.

THE METHODIST CHURCH AT LADENTOWN.

At just what date ministers of the Methodist Church first began to
hold religious services at Ladentown, has escaped my search, but by 1825,
this locality was included in their circuits. It was many years ere a per-
manent society strong enough to erect a church building could be formed.
At last however, in 1865, a house for worship was built on land given for
the purpose by John J. Secor, and the church society incorporated. No
idea can be formed of the great work this church has accomplished, by
the size of the present membership. For years it has been laboring to
spread religious teachings among the residents in the Ladentown Moun-
tains with results both encouraging and gratifying. A Sunday School,
now connected with the church, was organized in 1862.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT MIDDLETOWN.

This church society was organized by the Rev. Nicholas Vansant, the
then Presiding Elder of the district, June 2Sth, 1865. For the first year,
after its organization, the services of the society were held in the building
belonging to the Independent Baptist Church Society. In 1 866, the con-
gregation failed to obtain a renewal of their lease, and from May, till the
middle of November, services were held in L. A. Leache's barn. In No-
vember the society leased the old Baptist church building, and in the fol-
lowing year, 1 867, purchased it. Since that date, services have been regu-
larly held in the church, and the society has slowly increased in numbers.
A Sabbath School was organized in connection with the church in 1866.

THE SUFFERN M. E. CHURCH.

This church society was organized October 28th, 1867, through the
efforts of Rev. A. H. Brown of the church at Viola. Services were at first
held in the house of James Norris, which formed part of the store occu-
pied by A-. Traphagen, and later, in the school house of District No. 3.
In 1868, a site for a building was obtained by purchase from William D.
Maltbie and wife, and in July 1869, work upon the present edifice was
begun. On September nth, 1870, the completed building was dedicated

259

and by January 1884, through the persistent efforts of Rev. A. J. Conklin,
the church was cleared of debt.

At first this society was associated with the church at Viola in the
support of a minister, later with the church at Monsey, and later still with
Wesley Chapel and Ladentown. In 1884, however, it became a separate
station. A Sunday School, organized in the early days of the church
still exists.

THE METHODIST CHURCH AT MONSEY.

This society was organized in October 1871, by members from the
Spring Valley and Viola Methodist Churches. Services were first held
at the house of J. J. Hogan, and afterward, till the building of a house for
worship, in the loft of a bjacksmith shop. Work upon a church edifice
was at once begun, a site having been donated by H. P. Dexter and wife,
and in July 1873, the completed building was dedicated. This chvrch is
at present associated with those of Saddle River and Mount Vail. A Sun-
day School was organized shortly after the formation of the society. It is
now a part of the union school held in the village.

THE M. E. CHURCH AT THIELL'S.

This society was formed and a house for worship erected before
1850. At first thg pulpit was supplied in conjunction with that at Stony
Point, which was then known as the North Haverstraw Church. In 1 872,
this union was dissolved and the church at Thiell's, which was then officially
known as the West Haverstraw Church, was joined to that at Garnerville.
In 1872, the parsonage at Thiell's was built.

THE M. E. church AT STAGG'S CORNERS.

This building was erected about 1865, and has since been regularly
open for service. It is a circuit church, A strong Sabbath school has
long been in existence in this neigborhood.

THE MOUNTVILLE M. E. CHURCH.

As we have seen when speaking of the Presbyterian Societies, John
Beverige donated the edifice he had erected at this spot to the mountain
residents, who used the building as a Methodist Church. Service is reg-
ularly held at this place on Sunday afternoons by the minister, who sup-
plies the Johnsontown and Caldwell Point Societies.

26o

THE M. E. CHURCH AT GARNERVILLE.

This society was organized at a meeting held in the school house at
Mead's Corners, June loth, 1872. The corner stone of the church edifice
was laid September 8th, 1872, and the completed structure was dedicated
June 27th, 1873. It is the only church building now standing in Gar-
nerville, and is but a short distance from the site of the first church build-
ing north of the mountain.

THE M. E. CHURCH AT CALDWELL'S POINT.'

This tiny chapel was erected by. the Methodists of this neighborhood
in 1883 It stands beside the Episcopal chapel, almost at the end of the
Point, and under the very shadow of Donderberg. It is a circuit church,
being supplied with Johnsontown and Doodletown.

THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH AT HAVERSTRAW.

As is too often the case in church as well as other societies, trouble
arose between the members of the M. E. Society at Haverstraw and led to
schism.

Under the circumstances, it was felt that the congregation of the
church could no longer abide in harmony, and a portion of it seceded,
formed a separate organization under the name of the Associated Method-
ist Church, on June 15th, 1 831, and began efforts to obtain a house for
worship.

A lot was purchased from Samson Marks and wife, and a church
building erected in 1831. On September 20th in that year, this society
was formally incorporated. The organization was never one of great
strength, and when, under the soothing influence of time, the causes
which had led to irritation and schism had been removed, the society
gradually passed from existence, and on November 26th, 1 867, the build-
ing and lot were sold to the German Evangelical Church.

THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH AT TOMKINS COVE.

For some years, preceding the stationing of the first clergyman of this
branch of the Methodist church at Tomkins' Cove, this section of the
County had been in a circuit, and preaching had been held at the Cove
once in every month. In March, 1841, Rev. T. K. Witsel was stationed
at Tomkins' Cove and services were held in a building furnished by the
Lime Company. In 1853, a lot of land was given by Calvin Tomkins &
Company as a site for the church buildings of the Methodist Protestant
Society, and on this the erection of a house for worship was begun, at the

26l

instigation of Calvin Tomkins through whose aid it was finished, which
was dedicated in 1854. This society has maintaiqed'a strong existence,
and at the present time has a large membership^,

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ROCKLAND COUNTY.

In 1832, John Dubois, Bishop of the French Roman Catholic Church
in .New York, bought of the heirs of William Perry, the property extend-
ing between the present south Hne of Joseph Hilton, the north line of Mrs.
Nellie Hart, the Hudson River and the top of the mountain, and now
owned by A. J. Smith, George Green, Rudolph Lexow, Owen and Dra-
per and the heirs of Joshua Brush, containing in all 162 acres; for the pur-
pose of erecting thereon a seminary building for the education of priests
and a church for the propagation of his faith.

With the power of hind-sight, it is easy for us to see how ill-timed
this movement was, nor would it have been difficult for the worthy Bishop
to have discerned the feeling he would create, had he been at all conver-
sant with our County's history. If that history shows any one thing more
than another, it is, that up to within a few years our people have been un-
usually conservative. Children of neighbors have grown up, have inter-
married, have settled down in business in the County, through generation
after generation, till the genealogist will find almost all the old family
names interwoven by ties of relationship. Our educational facilities, good
or bad, have not been embraced as they should have been ; opinion, formed
on a narrow knowledge of the subject under question, has prevented re-
search; tradition has been all prevalent as historical truth.

He who has read thus far will recall that the first settlers were Dutch-
men, with whom were associated a few Huguenots, who, escaping the per-
secution which followed the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, by
flight into Holland, had joined their protectors in the immigration to the
new world. What the people of Holland had suffered, for the sake of their
religious belief, is known to all readers. In the close communion of neigh-
borhood and marriage in this new home, the experience that too many of
the immigrants had passed through was still fresh in their minds. Tales
of homes abandoned in the night. Of secret flight from the lands, long
family possessions, to the charity of strangers. Of sudden change from
affluence to poverty, from a position of hospitality to wandering vagrants.
And these things, not because of civil or moral crime, but because of a
demand to use that mind with which God had endowed them, as they saw

fit.

Through generation after generation these family traditions had been

262

transmitted until the descendants of the original sufferers grew to look
upon the Roman Catholic Church as the abomination of abominations, the
veritable Scarlet Woman ; upon the Pope as Anti-Christ. Nor was this
all. In the center of the County dwelt the offspring of the English and
Scotch settlers, who had founded the "English Church." Of the former,
a majority were descendants of those stern Puritans, who had landed on
the inhospitable shores of Massachusetts, whose children had migrated to
Connecticut, and whose grand-children had crossed to Long Island, from
whence, in due course of time, their progeny had come to our County.
Of the latter, a majority were fresh from vivid tales of the multiple con-
flicts of sects, which so long agitated and annoyed their native land.
Much as the stern Puritan and Scot might despise all religious beliefs, ex-
cept his own, he could still tolerate their presence. But the Church of
Rome he hated beyond conception, and, while that hatred may have
grown less in his children, it was by no means banished. It was in such a
field that Bishop Dubois, in 1832, began the endeavor to establish his
church.

But this was not the only error in his judgment in this matter. He
had based his idea of the need of a church in the County on the rapid
development of the quarry business at Nyack and the consequent influx of
laborers to the place. Here, also, he was at fault. The proprietors of the
quarries were opposed to the Roman Catholic belief, and many of them
were members of the Protestant societies then existing in the village. The
majority of laborers were natives, who, if they belonged to no denomina-
tion, dreaded the entering church and sided against it. And, as if to
make matters worse, the Methodist congregation had their place of wor-
ship but a short distance from the proposed new school.

Despite these conditions, the Bishop began his labor.' In the fall of
1832 his purchase was completed and the following year ground was
broken and work upon the seminary building begun, with a Mr. McCool
as the master mason and Mr. Marsh the contracting carpenter. Both of
these gentlemen were from Newburgh. At first the supervision of this
work was in charge of Father McGeary, but ere the building was com-
pleted, he was superceded by Father Marshall.

From a map of the property drawn for " Milord, the Bishop of the
Church French at New York, October, 1832," I learn that on the property
now owned by George Green, in Upper Nyack, stood an old house with
farm outbuildings, and in this house, which stood north of Green's present
residence and nearer Broadway, was held the first church service of the
Roman Catholic Society ever performed in our County. In this house.

263

also, was opened a school under the auspices of the pastor in charge of the
parish. That pastor was Hugh McCloskey ; later, first Cardinal of the
Church in America.

For five years, work on the seminary building was continued, and in
1838, there stood upon a site still marked by the ruins, midway between
the present Midland Avenue and Broadway, just south of Lexow Avenue,
on the property of George Green, 'a three-story brown stone structure,
eighty feet long, and forty feet deep, composed of a central building and
two wings, with vaulted slate roof The stone for this structure had been
obtained from a quarry on the property, the lumber bought from a firm
of which the present owner of the property was a member. When the
building had approached thus near completion, and it but remained to
finish and fit the joinery, a fire broke out in the south wing, and the
building was totally destroyed.

So bitter had been the feeling against this institution, and so apparent
was the joy of the residents at this termination of the work — it is said that
cheers were heard when the roof fell in — that every excuse can be found
for the belief, which obtained at the time among the members of this
church, that the fire was of incendiary origin. In 1878, I had occasion to
thoroughly investigate the matter, and in the intervening years have con-
sulted many people, both Protestants and Catholics, who were either en-
gaged in the work, in one or other capacity, or present at the fire. The
account I gave in 1878, has been thoroughly corroborated, and I repeat
it verbatim. One day at noon, one of the mechanics had taken the inside
box out of his glue pot and was boiling eggs for his dinner in the shell
pot ; he had started a fire in one of the rooms of the south wing ; over the
floor of this room was a litter of shavings from six inches to a foot in
depth, and piled against the wall were a number of doors and window
sashes ; for some reason the mechanic left the room for a few moments ;
upon his return he found that the fire had spread and was rapidly running
through the mass of dry shavings. Without calling for help he seized
one of the doors lying on the pile and threw it on the fire, intending to
smother it. As might be imagined, the effect was disasterous, for the cur-
rent of air caused by the falling door scattered the burning shavings all
over the room ; in an instant more, the whole room was ablaze, and before
help could arrive the building was doomed.

After the fire the walls of the building were found cracked and warped,
and the expense of reconstruction, together with the bitter feeling against
the sect, led Bishop Dubois to decline to rebuild. The walls were taken
down and the stones removed to Brooklyn, but I cannot learn that they
were ever used in any other church institution.

264

Thus ended all attempts to organize a society of the Roman CathoHc
Church in our County for a decade, and twenty-nine years passed before
the service of that faith was again held in a church edifice at Nyack.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AT HAVERSTRAW — ST. PETERS.

In 1843, an old stone house, standing on the road north of the first
Presbyterian Church, and formerly belonging to Joseph Allison, was occu-
pied by Patrick Riley, and in it was celebrated the first mass in Haver-
straw. Father Volamus was the first priest who officiated. Until the
opening of their own church for service on Sunday, November 14th, 1847,
the Catholics at Haverstraw attended service at Verplanck's Point. At
length, when strong enough, four lots situated on the west side of Ridge
street, were purchased from George S. Allison, and the erection of a
church building was begun. In 1849, the completed structure was dedi-
cated by Bishop Hughes.

This first structure was used by its congregation till the increased
demands made by the rapidly enlarging church attendance led to the
erection of the present church edifice. The parish was at first under the
charge of Father Hacket, who officiated at Verplanck's Point, and after
him for a short time came Father Maguire. The first settled pastor was
Rev. Francis McKeone, who was given spiritual charge of all the Catholics
in the County in 1848, and remained pastor of this church till 1852. Fol-
lowing him have been : Rev. Terence Scullen ; Rev. Patrick Mahony, who
served a long pastorate of three or four and twenty years, and the present
incumbent, Rev. Henry T. Baxter.

;^XHE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AT PIERMONT — ST. JOHNS.

'"ftii^ough the efforts of Father McKeone, a congregation of this denom-
inatibn was gathered at Piermont, which met at the present Odd Fellows'
Hall. Attention was at once given to the erection of a church edifice,
and land was obtained on the north side of the creek, nearly opposite the
present church building of the Reformed (Dutch) Church Society. Work
was begun on the structure in the summer of 185 1, and on January ist,
1852, the first mass was celebrated in the new building.

On July 1st, 1852, Rev. John Quinn was appointed pastor of Pier-
mont, then created a separate parish, which included beside the Catholics
of Piermont, those of the rest of the County, south of Haverstraw. For
nine years, this church building proved sufficient to meet the wants of
its congregation. But the distance from Nyack made it a labor for mem-
bers of the congregation there resident, to attend service, and the increase

265

of church members, brought about by the location of the Erie Railroad shops
at this spot necessitated the erection of a larger building. Accordingly,
with an eye to the needs of the members from Nyack as well as Pier-
mont, the site of the present edifice was purchased, and the work of con-
struction was begun in i860. When the building was raised and ready
for the roof, a terrific storm fell upon this section, and the walls of the
structure were almost completely demolished.

In spite of this depressing blow, the courage of the congregation was
not lost. Work was resumed upon the building, and on August 13th,
1 86 1, mass was celebrated in the new house. In 1859, the present
parochial school was built for the care of the children of the congregation.
For twenty-three and a half years did Father Quinn labor among this
people, and under his pastorate and through his efforts were the churches
at Nyack, Suffern and Spring Valley organized and built, and that at
Blauveltville aided. On December 24th, 1875, this worthy priest died. His
successor was Rev. William L. Penny, who remained pastor of the church •
till 1885. Among the assistant priests of the parish have been: Rev.
Christopher Farrell, Rev. John Fitzharris, Rev. Henry J. Gordon, and, at
present. Rev. Patrick J. O'Meara.

CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.

The rapid development of the brick industry along the river shore
north to Caldwell's Point, drew to the present township of Stony Point
many members of the Roman Catholic Church. For their accommodation
a church edifice was determined on and that of the Immaculate Concep-
tion near Tompkins cove — at the former Blauvelt's Four Corners —
was built in i860 and consecrated two years later. Until June 1885, this
church was under the pastoral charge of Rev. Henry Baxter, then it was
made a separate parish under the care of Rev.. Joseph Brennan.

About 1865, the Roman Catholics bought property for a church build-
ing at Rockland Lake. As yet this congregation has not grown strong
enough to build. It is under the pastoral care of Rev. Henry Baxter,
and the rites of the church are administered once a month at the residence
of Timothy McCIafferty.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AT NYACK — ST. ANNS.

The long and often unpleasant trips which they had to make, if they
wished to attend service, had led to many complaints by the Catholics at
Nyack, and it was to relieve them, as we have seen, that the new church
at Piermont was built so far north. But by 1867, when their number

266

had increased, the Nyack congregation felt the necessity of a house for
worship in their village.

For two years before the erection of a church building, this congrega-
tion met for worship in a building, which stood on the corner of Main
and Orchard Streets. At length, the site of the present edifice on Jeffer-
son street was purchased, and work upon the church was begun in 1869.
The building was completed and opened the same year. Since its com-
pletion the church has had added to it, a gallery, a new vestry room, and a
new altar. It is now a separate parish under the charge of Rev. William
L. Penny.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AT SUFFERN — ST. ROSE OF LIMA.

Previous to 1 868, the Catholics of Suffern could only attend service by
a long journey to either Paterson, N. J., Greenwood, in Orange County,
or Piermont, save that occasionally Rev. John Quinn held service at the
house of William Cannon. At length in 1868, a site for the present edi-
fice was given by George W. Suffern and the church building erected. The
first pastor of this church was Rev. John Brogan who was succeeded in
1870, by the present pastor. Rev. James Quinn.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AT BLAUVELTVILLE — ST. CATHERINES

As early as 1853, a colony of Germans was established at
Blauveltville to which, as the years passed, constant accessions were
made. Most of these new comers were worshippers according to the Ro-
man Catholic faith, and the distance from the church at Piermont together
with their slight acquaintance with the English language, led them to de-
termine first, on a church in their midst and next, on a church in which
service should be held in their native tongue. By 1868, this society felt
strong enough to begin the building of a house for worship. Four acres
of land was donated for church purposes by George M. Lediger, and on
January 1 7th, 1 869, the completed edifice, a building thirty by sixty-five
feet, was dedicated.

Until 1870, the pulpit of the church was supplied from St. Nicholas in
New York, then Rev. Joseph Bruhy became pastor, and remained in
charge of the congregation till his death, May ist, 1874. From August
1874 to October 1876, Rev. Emil Stenzel was pastor. After his resigna-
tion, the congregation was cared for by Rev. W. L. Penny and Rev. P. J.
O'Meara for some time. From February 1877 to March 1879, Rev.
Nicholas Sorg was pastor, and he was succeeded by the present pastor.
Rev M. Kuhnen. During the charge of Rev. Joseph Bruhy a parochial

267

school was commenced under the supervision of A. Germersdorf. The
pastoral residence was built in 1872.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AT SPRING VALLEY — ST AGNES.

The foundation of this church edifice was laid by Rev. John Quinn in
1868. The congregation, however, was not a largeoneand means for the
completion of the work not coming in, it was discontinued for a time.
Little by little the building was advanced, and finally in 1880, the struc-
ture was completed. The congregation is 'under the parochial care of
the pastor at Piermont.

THE PROTESTANT-EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN ROCKLAND COUNTY.

The first service of the Episcopal Church held in our County, was
probably that conducted in the Methodist Church edifice at Haverstraw,
in 1846, by Rev. W. F. Walker. In a short time a room over a dry-
goods store on Main street was hired for the services of this society, and
then the edifice belonging to the Protestant Methodist Society — now
owned by the German Lutheran Society — was leased for three years. A
vestry was soon organized, and in 1847, the church became a member of
the P. E. Church in the diocese of New York.

After this beginning but little seems to have been done, and services
were discontinued for a long time. In 1850, Rev. G. S. Hitchcock, who
had assumed charge of the society at Piermont during the preceding year^
occasionally held services, according to the forms of the P. E. Church, in
Haverstraw as well as at other villages in this and adjoining counties. In
1854, Rev. J. B. Gibson took charge of the society at Haverstraw, and
entered upon the task of building it up. He obtained the use of a build-
ing, then known as the " Yellow School House," which stood at the foot
of the street opposite the station of the N. Y., West Shore and Buffalo
Railroad, and there held his first service in Haverstraw, February 4th,
1854. Only for a short time did the congregation meet in this building.
Then it removed to a room in the building nearly opposite the present
Trinity Church, where it remained till the erection of a house for worship.
On December loth, 1856, this society was incorporated under the name of

TRINITY CHURCH.

The corner stone of this church building was laid in 1855, and on June
17th, 1856, the church was dedicated, according to the rites of the society,
by Rev. Horatio Potter, D.D. LL.D. This is the oldest church building
of the P. E. Society in Rockland County. The first confirmation was held

268

in the First Presbyterian Church, August 27th, 1854. In 1861, Rev. J.
B. Gibson resigned his charge and was succeeded by Rev. G. H. Hepburn,
who assumed charge in February, 1861, and remained less than a year;
Rev. E. Gay, Jr., from April, 1862, to August; 1869; Rev. Walter Dela-
field, from 1869 to 1873; Rev. D. G. Gunn, for six months; Rev. C. B.
Coffin, from July, 1874, for ten months; Rev. G. W. West, from Septem-
ber, 187s to 1878; Rev. A. T. Ashton, from November 3d, 1878, to the
present time. About 1855 a Sabbath school was organized in connection
with this church.

THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT PIERMONT — CHRIST

CHURCH.

In 1847, Rev. William Walker held the first service, according to the
rites of the P. E. Church, in Dr. Lord's lime kiln building at Piermont.
On March ist, 1848, at a meeting of the congregation held at a private
residence, the parish of Christ Church was organized, and on April loth,
1 848, the articles of incorporation were legally filed in the County Clerk's
office. In the summer of 1848, Rev. William Walker resigned, and
shortly after Rev. John Canfield Sterling was called to the rectorship.
He remained till the fall of 1849, and was succeeded by Rev. Solomon G.
Hitchcock.

In 1864, this society had grown sufficiently strong to begin the erection
of a church building on land presented'by Thomas E. Blanch, and on July
20th, 1865, the corner stone of the present stone building was laid. The
building was consecrated September 7th, 1866. Rev. S. G. Hitchcock
remained rector till his death on Sept 14th, 1877. He was succeeded by:
Rev. Joseph M. Waite, from Ja.nuary ist, 1878 till May ist, 1883, and
Rev. Theodore M. Peck, from June ist, 1883, to the present time.

THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT SUFFERNS — CHRIST

CHURCH.
For some years prior to the organization of this society, services ac-
cording to the riteS' of the P. E. Church, were held in different private
dwellings, especially in that of George W. Suffern, by Rev. S. G. Hitch-
cock, and at this residence on August 2Sth, i860, the present society was
legally incorporated. Efforts were at once begun to build a house for
worship. A site was obtained from W. B. Maltbie and wife, and the work
of construction begun. On June loth, 1864, the church was consecrated
by Bishop Horatio Potter. Until 1874 the edifice stood without change.
During a storm on November 23d of that year, however, the steeple was.
blown over. The present one was built shortly after this catastrophe.

269

The rectors of this' parish have been: Revs. Eastburn Benjamin, F.
W. Lusen, Henry R. Howard, John Steele, C. B. Coffin, Joseph F. Jowitt,
Edwin J. Lessel, A. B. Leeson, G. E. Pumcker, F. T. H. Horsefield, and
since April 7th, 1878, Rev. R. S. Mansfield. A flourishing parish schgol
is connected with this church.

THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT NYACK — GRACE CHURCH.

In his missionary labors among the people of the County, Nyack was
not overlooked by Rev.' S. G. Hitchcock, and services according to the
forms of the P. E. Church were held in Union Hall as early as 1859, The
establishment of this church society, however, depended on the efforts of
Rev. Franklin Babbitt, who came to Nyack in 186 1, and began holding
regular services. The first meetings of the church were held in the school
room of Christopher Rutherford's Military Academy, now Rockland Col-
lege, beginning in October, 1861, and continuing until the. chapel was
ready for occupation in February, 1862. After seven years indefatigable
work, the congregation had grown large and strong enough to erect a
church edifice. 'Work was begun. The corner stone of the new structure
was laid by Bishop Potter, August 25th, 1869, and the building conse-
crated by the same church dignitary, May 30th, 1882.

At the opening of the chapel Mr. Babbitt established a parochial day
school, and, in the years which have elapsed, has given his time to an
evening school as well, when circumstances warranted its existence. With
the church society a prosperous Sabbath school is connected. At the be-
ginning of Rev. Franklin Babbitt's rectorship, but a dozen communicants,
according to this form of faith, existed in Nyack, and to his efforts under
God, often against grievous obstacles, does the present large congregation
owe its existence.

ST. JOHN'S p. E. CHURCH AT NEW CITY.

In 1866, Rev. E. Gay, Jr., began holding service in the Court House,
and awakened interest among the people. A congregation was formed
and in 1866, St. John's parish was organized. In 1867, the congregation
felt themselves sufficiently strong and began the building of a church edi-
fice on a site donated by Charles 'W. Root. The structure was consecrated
at a later time. The rectors of this parish have been : Revs. Thomas
Marsdon, R. S. Mansfield, Mr. Cruikshank, Mr. Capron, J. F. Esch, and, at
present, Thomas Stephens. A Sabbath school was organized at the time
the parish was established and is now in a prosperous condition.

270

THE P. E. CHURCH AT SPRING VALLEY — ST. PAUL'S.

On August 1st, 1868, this society was legally incorporated. For some
time previous to this, the services of this church had been held by Rev. S.
Hitchcock at different residences in the village until, in the early part of
that year, 1868, Mr. A. B. Noyes fitted up one of his buildings, formerly
used as a cider-mill, as a place for meeting. Services were then held in
this building for several years. The corner-stone of the present church
edifice was laid August Sth, 1872, by Bishop Potter, but the building,
owing to the financial obligations resting upon it, has never been conse-
crated. The first rector of this parish was- Rev. R. S. Mansfield, from
August nth, 1868, to April 7th, 1878. He was succeeded by Rev.
Joseph Tragget, and he by the present laborer. Rev. Thomas Stevens.

THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT STONY POINT. — GRACE

CHURCH.

The first services of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this township
were held in 1869, by Rev. E. Gay Jr., who resigned his charge of Trinity
parish in Haverstraw during that year. In the spring of 1871, services
were begun at Tomkins Cove. In July, 1877, services were held, and a
Sunday School was organized at Caldwell's Landing. On November 9th,
1 88 1, the erection of a house for worship was begun on a site donated by
Charles H. Jones, which was sufficientlyadvanced toward completion to per-
mit of services being held in it during the Summer of 1882, and which was
consecrated under the title of the House of Prayer March 29th, 1883. In
April 1884, a parish was organized under the name of Grace Churchy
Stony Point, with Rev. E. Gay, rector.

ST. LUKE'S P, E. CHURCH — HAVERSTRAW.

Until September 19th, 1871, the congregation at Benson's Corners,
and at HaverstraW were under the direction of one and the same vestry ;
at that time the latter congregation was incorporated under the name of
St. Luke's Church in the Village of Warren. The further history of this
society is that of Trinity Church and need not be repeated. Services are
held on Sunday afternoons in the building formerly built by the Baptists.
A parochial school and Sabbath School exist in connection with these
societies. Of St. John's in the mountains, full mention will be made later.

THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH AT ORANGEVILLE.

In 1853, a minister of the Universalist faith — Rev. Mr. Rainor — begun
preaching in Rulef Van Houten's mills at this place, and so far succeeded

271

in organizing a society that in 1856, a house for worship was erected on
property donated by Tunis Cooper. In 1857, Mr. Rainor was succeeded
by Rev. Henry Lyon, who preached at Orangeville on alternate Sabbaths
till 1871. Upon his resignation, Rev. C. C. Gordon took charge of the
church and continued in this field of labor for some time. Since his with-
drawal the church has been without a pastor, though services are held
occassionally.

A Sunday School in connection with this church was early organized,
and is now in a flourishing condition under the superintendence of George
R. Van Houten.

THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH AT NYACK.

In 1859, Rev. Henry Lyon extended his field of labor in our County,
and began preaching at Nyack on alternate Sunday afternoons. These
services were held at first in the residences of members of the congrega-
tion, but in 1868, when the wigwam was opened, the congregation met
there. In 1870', the congregation felt strong enough to erect a house for
worship, and work was accordingly begun on a site purchased for, and
presented to the society by Mrs. Mary Gunn Partridge. The first service
was held in the basement of the new building in 1871, Rev. C. C. Gordon
preaching the dedicatory sermon. Among the ministers not mentioned,
who have officiated in this church are ; Revs. Mr. Shepard, W. P. Payne,
J. A. Seitz, J. C. Partridge, and F. Hitchcock, who continued holding ser-
vice till his death in 1883. Since that time the church has been without
a regular pastor.

TRUE REFORMED CHURCH. — MONSEY.

In speaking of the "Brick Church," it was stated that a split from the
congregation occurred June nth, 1824. The seceding party, with their
pastor, Rev. James D. Demarest, withdrew from the Classis of Paramus,
and connected itself with the True Reformed Synod of Hackensack. In
the spring of 1825, this society was organized as the True Reformed
Church at Monsey, and shortly after, work was begun upon a house for
worship on land granted for the purpose by Judge Sarven. The site of
this first building was about one-third of a mile north of Monsey, at the
intersection of the Spring Valley road with that leading from Monsey to
Viola. The spot is still marked by a burying ground.

In 1827, the edifice was opened for service, and continued to be used
by this congregation till 1869, when it was sold to Samuel D. Haring. In
1868, the site of the present church was donated by Samuel D. Haring;

2/2

work was begun upon the new building, and on August 19th, 1869, it was
dedicated to the worship of God. The ministers of this society have
been : Revs. James D. Demarest, John Y. De Baun, Abram Van Houten,
and since 1865, John R. Cooper, The corigregation is now connected
with that at Nanuet in support of a pastor.

TRUE REFORMED CHURCH.— NANUET.

In July, 1824, a portion of the congregation of the Reformed Protes-
tant church at Clarksville seceded from that society, and on the thirteenth
of that month presented a petition to the classis of Hackensack for union
with that body. On August 25th, 1825, this society was duly incorpor-
ated as a distinct body. The first services of this church were held in a
barn, which stood on property now-belonging to W. Van Weelden, and
later, until the house for worship was built, in an old stone house belong-
ing to James De Clark. In 1826, the church edifice was built and occu-
pied. The pastors of this church have been : Revs. V. S. Lansing, James

D. Brinkerhoff, James D. Demarest, Abram Van Houten, and since No-
vember, 1865, John R. Cooper.

By 1825, the secession which had been going on for many years in the
Dutch Reformed Church Society, reached the congregation at Tappan and
led to a split in that church. On February 24th, 1826, the seceders or-
ganized a society under the name of the True Reformed Church, with
Cornelius Blauvelt, Daniel C. Haring, John A. Ferdon and Daniel Aury-
ansen as its first officers. A frame house for worship was erected, and
the society continued in existence till 1856, when the building was sold to
the Methodists.

CHRIST'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. — MASONICUS.

The early history of this congregation is connected with that of the
.church at Mahwah. In January, 1855, Rev. N. Wert, pastor of the church
at Saddle River, began work among the Lutherans in our County, with
the idea of building up a church at Ramapo. Until a house for worship
was erected, services were held in the dwelling of Adolphus Shuart, or in
A. M. Litchholt's barn. Ground for a building was first broken on Wan-
namaker's Corner, but the donation of the present site by Mrs. Margaret
Straut led to the erection of the edifice at Masonicus. On October nth,
the completed church was dedicated by the Rev. N. Wert. The pastors
of this church since the departure of Mr. Wert in 1856 have been: Rev.

E. De Yoe, 1856 to 1874, and Rev. T. J. Yost, from 1875 to 1884. A
Sabbath-school connected with this church is successfully conducted.

273

GERMAN PRESBYTERrAN CHURCH.

On May 29th, i860, a party of the Germans, who have settled between
]*|Januet and New City, organized a church society, and were incorporated
under the name of the Dutch Evangelical Church. Shortly after, the
present edifice, standing just west of the road frem Nanuet to New City,
was built on land purchased by Henry Screver. Until 1879, this society
retained its first name, but then that was changed to the German Presby-
terian Church. The pastors of this church have been : Revs. Mr. Warren-
berger, Bartholomaus Kruise, C. D. Rosenthal, George Loock, John U.
Tschudi. A Sabbath-school, which was organized by Rev.'C. D. Rosen-
thal, in connection with this church, is in existence and is well attended.

THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERN CHURCH AT HAVERSTRAW.

The first services of the German United Congregation in Haverstraw
were held in 1857. From that time till the organization of the German
United Societies, which took place in the building of the Methodist Prot-
estant Society, January 8th, 186 1, mission services were held. Rev. Mr.
Wahrenberger, who also preached at the Dutch Evangelical Church in
Clarkstown^see above — was the first pastor, and was followed- by Rev.
Mr. Wirtz, who occupied the pulpit from January, 1 866 to 1 867, and Rev.
Mr. Bergen Under this pastor a division occurred in the congregation
and a portion of it withdrew with the pastor, organized the Gerinan Luth-
eran ^Church, and erected a house for worship on Division street. Rev.
Mr. Berger, after remaining in charge of this new organization for some
time was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Sommers.

. After the separation, that portion of the congregation, which wor-
shipped in the building of the Protestant Methodist Church, purchased,
November 26th, 1867, and organized under the name of the German
Evangelical Church. Among the pastors who supplied this pulpit was
Rev. Mr. Weinacher, who died during his ministry in Haverstraw. The
following ministers officiated in one or the other church. Revs- Strecker,
C. A. Weisel, Winteieck, H. Schoppe, under whom the unhappy division
was healed and the people united, P. Andrus and A. Tully.

In 187s, the two congregations united under the name of the German
Evangelical Lutheran Church. Since that time the society has grown in
membership, and has built a school and parsonage. A Sabbath school,
which is connected with the eburch, has a large attendance.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, MONSEY.
It has already been seen, that when the congregation of the True Re-
formed Church Society erected a new edifice in 1869, the old building was

274

purchased by S. D. Haring. By him the structure was moved to its pres-
ent site, and, after being thoroughly renovated, it was dedicated September
1st, 1869. Until November ist, 1870, there was no change in the owner-
ship of the building. Then it was sold, and in 1 87 1 again sold, the last
purchase being made by the Congregational Society, who have since
worshipped in it. The ministers of this church have been : Revs. George
Hicks, Lemuel Jones, and Ernest G. Wesley.

CONGREGATIONAL CH URCH— TAIXMANS.

In the autumn of 1 870, a Sabbath School was started in De Baun Hall
by Henry Tallman and wife, Mrs. J. H. Goetchius and Francis Gurnee.
From the interest manifested in this school arose the determination to
build a church, a determination strongly encouraged by the pastor of the
Lutheran church at Masonicus, Rev. E. De Yoe. The first intention of
the society was to erect a building, dedicated to the tenets of the Lutheran
church, and the corner stone of the structure was laid by a Lutheran min-
ister. Ere the edifice was completed, circumstances arose which led to a
change in the first idea, and the building was completed and dedicated as
a Congregational church in 1874. The pastors of the society have been;
Rev. Samuel Switzer, Lemuel Jones, Ernest G. Wesley, Mr. "Wright-
meyer. A Sabbath School is connected with the church.

THE QUAKER CHURCH AT LADENTOWN.
Long before the first group of immigrants, from Hempstead, Long Is-
land, thought of the far distant wilderness in which they were eventually
to found a new Hempstead, members of the Society of Friends, had found
a refuge from persecution among them. When the emmigrants at length
moved to our County, many of their Quaker neighbors joined with them,
and settling back by the present Ladentown, began here the form of wor-
ship which seemed best to them. For many years their services were
held in private residences, but at length, having gained sufficient strength,
this Society erected a house for worship in 18 16 on land given for the pur-
pose by Benjamin Secor. The frame building of this society still stands,
but the membership is small. From one or another cause the belief has
lost ground among us, and few beside the decendants of the first Quaker
settlers are now active members of the Society.

•IHE AFRICAN M. E. ZION.— NYACK.

In i860, through the efforts of John W. Towt and George Green, a
house for worship was built for this congregatiou on Burd street, and it
was aided financially until it became able to sustain itself In the years

275

which have passed, the society has steadily increased in strength and now
has a large membership with a flourishing Sabbath school.

THE AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH.— HAVERSTRAW.

This society was organized at the same time as the African church in
Nyack, and in its early history was supplied by the same pastor. The
church edifice which stands on Division street was built through the
efforts of the friends of the church and the congregation.

In May, 1882, rooms were hired on Piermont Avenue at Nyack, for a
Synagogue, and services according to the rites of the Jewish church have
since been held regularly.

It may not be uninteresting to read the statement, that two score years
ago — in 1845, there was not an Episcopal, Congregational, Roman Cath-
olic, Jewish, Universalist or Unitarian church building in Rockland County.

Besides those Sabbath-schools which have been mentioned, there have
been others established in the County at points, sometimes far distant from
houses of worship, in which not only the children of tender years have
been instructed in religious precepts during the Sabbath, but in which
also " children of a larger growth " have been directed and strengthened,
to better meet the never ceasing conflict of life, by the different forms of
religious worship.

I have already made mention of the Sunday-school established in con-
nection with the Middletown Baptist Church. The next Sabbath-school
started in our County seems to have been that begun in 1828 by James
Stevens. This school assembled on the property now owned by Samuel
Coe, situated near the mountain in the northern part of Clarkstown. On
the first Sunday that this school was opened, there were five and twenty
scholars. The following summer saw this number increased to one hun-
dred, and in the third year the attendance had reached two hundred. For
many years this school continued in existence, but was finally discontinued
because of the organization of church societies, and the erection of houses
for worship in the neighborhood.

THE UNION SUNDAY-SCHOOL OF SPRING VALLEY.

This school was founded by Rev. Christopher Hunt, pastor of the
Reformed church at Clarksville, in the Spring of 1 830 with the idea of
supplying the lack of means for worship existing in the section about the
Dutch Factory. For some twenty-one years the school was continued in
the district school building of the neighborhood, being often interrupted
and discontinued by the vote of the majority at a district meeting. Fin-

2/6

ally, on June 29th, 185 1, after a long discontinuance, the School was again
reorganized with I. Remsen Blauvelt as Superintendent. Owing to the
fact that permission to use the school house could not be obtained till
the annual meeting in December, the Sunday school was re-begun in the car-
riage house of Stephen D. Herrick. There it continued for three months and
then was moved to a small building near by, where it continued two
months longer, and was then moved to the school house. In July, 1852,
the last move was made to the Union Sunday School house, which had
been erected for its special use. For about ten years longer the school
was continued, and was at length disbanded because of the organization of
church societies in the neighborhood.

THE UPPER NYACK OR " STONE CHURCH " SUNDAY SCHOOL.

A Sabbath school was organized in this building in 1835 with Robert
D. Clement as Superintendent. After the building of the Methodist church
at Nyack this school was abandoned. In 1859, it was reorganized through
the efforts of GeOrge Green and William and Peter Voorhis. For many
years it was supported almost entirely by George Green, and school was
held only nine months in the year. For the past five years, school has
been held throughout the year, and religious services during the week.
Matthew Green is the present Superintendent. The school is non-sec-
tarian.

THE SOUTH NYACK OR " WAYSIDE CHAPEL " SUNDAY SCHOOL.

On January 22d, i860, a Sabbath-school was organized at the house
of Mrs. Hester Onderdonk in South Nyack. By 1 866, the school had
grown strong enough to warrant the erection of a building, and on No-
vember 4th of that year a lot was purchased. On November 17th, 1867,
the corner stone of the present chapel was laid, and on February 7th,
1869, the building was dedicated. Religious services are held in the
chapel whenever practicable on Sabbath evenings. From the start, the
general care of this school has been in the charge of John L. Salisbury.

THE LAKE AVENUE BAPTIST SUNDAY-SCHOOL.
This school was organized by A. P. Campbell in 1866, and sufficient
lunds having been obtained through his efforts together with those of
J. Polhemus and A. Smith, the erection of a building was begun on land
donated for the purpose by Mrs. Bridges. On October loth, 1867, the
Lake Avenue School-house was dedicated free of debt. A. P. Campbell
was the first Superintendent. When the infirmities of age compelled Mr.
Campbell to rehnquish his charge of the school, it was carried on for some

277

time by the neighbors. At length, however, the building was closed. In
1882, George F. Morse, assisted by George A. Ennis, re-opened the build-
ing and reorganized the school. Interest was again awakened. The edi-
fice was repaired and renovated, and the organization is now in a pros-
perous condition. Religious services are held in this building during the
week, whenever opportunity offers.

THE WEST NYACK CHAPEL SUNDAY-SCHOOL.

The first meeting of this school was held in the old building, across
the road fi-om the present edifice, on October i8th, 1874, D. D. Smith, J. C.
Wool, George D. Cooke, James P. Cooke and William D. Felter being
present and aiding in the work. On June 1 3th, 1 877, the West Nyack S. S.
Association was organized for the purpose of holding, besides Sabbath
school, prayer meetings and other religious services. The first officers of
the school, under the regular organization, were : Edwin Outwater, Super-
intendent ; Victor S. H. Waldron, Secretary and Treasurer. In the same
year, 1877, a lot of ground was given to the Association by William Still-
well, and a building erected which was completed early in 1878, and dedi-
cated on June 2d of that year.

ROCKLAND COUNTY SABBATH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.

This association was organized at a meeting held in the Reformed
Church at Nyack, March 12th, 1867, for the purpose of more thoroughly
systematizing Sunday school work, of obtaining more correct statistical
returns, and of gathering into the schools all the children of the County.
The first officers of the organization were : David D. Smith, President ;
Christopher Rutherford, G. O. House, J. Remsen, George Wright, D. D
S., and J. O. Blauvelt, Vice-Presidents; Rev. George J. Van Nest, Secre-
tary and Treasurer; and J. G. Haring, M. D., W. A. Sherwood, William
S. Gilman, Jr., Warren M. White, and G. S. Wood, Town Secretaries.

Following D. D. Smith, who served as President for ten years, have
been : George S. Wood, of Stony Point, and H. B. McKenzie, of Haver-
straw, who has held the office since 1877. Since its organization, annual
and semi-annual meetings of the Association have been held at different
places in the County. Recently town organizations, auxiliary to that of
the County, have been formed for the better accomplishment of their good
work.

Authorities referred to: History of Trinity and St. Lukes, by Rev. A. T. Ashton. History
of St. Anns and St. Johns, by Rev. P. J. O'Meara. History of St. Catherines, by Rev. M.
Kuhiien. History of the Stony Point M. E. Church, by Rev. W. R. Kiefer. History of
Ramapo, by Rev. E. B. Cobb. History of Clarkstown, by H. P. Fay. Lecture, "30 Years in
Haverstraw,'' by Rev. A. S. Freeman, D. D. History of the Union Sunday School, by I. R
Blauvelt. History of the Nyack Baptist Church, by George F. Morse.. County Records.

CHAPTER XV.

SLAVERY IN ROCKLAND COUNTY— THE "UNDERGROUND RAILROAD "—THE
COUNTY BUILDINGS— THE ROCKLAND COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY- THE
ROCKLAND COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY— AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY—
ROCKLAND COUNTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION— THE ROCKLAND COUN-
TY HISTORICAL SOCIETY— CIVIL LIST OF THE COUNTY.

Slavery was introduced into this Colony almost at its first settlement,
and early became one of the staple articles of commerce. In 1644, negro
slaves were imported from Brazil, and were entered as part of a general
cargo of merchandise. Twenty years later the directors of the West India
Company wrote the director at New Netherland that a contract had been
entered into with one Symen Gilde, of the vessel Gideon, to transport a
cargo of 300 slaves from Loango to New Netherland. These slaves, the
letter states, were only to be used for agricultural labor in the New Neth-
erlands, and under no circumstances taken out of the district. In 1676,
the Governor of this Colony was instructed that there was no objection to
the introduction of negro slaves into New York, provided, however, that
those slaves should not be brought from Guinea and should only be sold
in New York by the Royal Company or its agents. Two years later
Governor Andros stated that " some few slaves are sometimes brought
from Barbados, most for provisions, & Sould. att abt £10 or ;^35,
Country pay."
• Like other articles of merchandise, these slaves early became subjected
to the laws of the Colony governing imports and exports. A customs
duty was fixed upon them, and was regulated by the demand for the com-
modity. In a certain sense realizing the wrong they were perpetrating in
this traffic with human beings, the Dutch legislators of those early days
endeavored to make amends for the wrong by manumitting the slaves
after a certain length of service. They further passed laws making it a
capital crime to wilfully kill a slave, and inflicted punishment upon such as
should deliberately maim their bond people. Many laws were enacted
for the baptising and educating of the negroes in the Christian religion.
Our ancestors were consistent in the spread of religious light.

And yet, paradoxical as it may seem at first glance, slavery was un-
popular among the people of this Colony from the beginning. As early

279

as August 4th, 1628, Rev. Jonas Michaelius wrote, from New Amsterdam,
to Rev. Adrianus Smoutius, in Old Amsterdam : " The Angora slaves
are thievish, lazy and useless trash." People still living, who remember
the slaves in our County of two centuries later, agree that the reverend
gentleman's statement applied as perfectly to the bond-men of 1828 as to
those of 1628.

While their useless expense was a serious objection to their possession
at all times, a still more potent objection was found when, in 1 7 1 2, the
slaves in New York rose in insurrection and killed nine Christians. It is
necessary to say but little regarding that uprising. Perhaps the thought-
ful reader may see many more objections to the custom than I have space
or desire to point out. The uprising occurred in the late evening and
only lasted till the appearance of armed force. Then the slaves sought
safety by hiding in the woods on New York Island. On the morning fol-
lowing the uprising, these slaves were hunted and captured, but not " till
six had made away with themselves." In all, one and twenty were execu-
ted. Some were burned, some hanged, one broken on the wheel, and one
hung alive in chains. The theory of Christianity without its practical
workings does not seem to have been successful with these negroes.
Doubtless this was, as we have been told, because they were not human ;
because the animal so largely predominated. We seldom hear of animals
committing suicide, but the utter horror of that life of bondage, the dread-
ful misery of days of unrequited toil, in a strange land, among cruel task-
masters, led these negroes to revolt, and caused six of them to commit
suicide rather than bear the weary burden longer.

Slavery was introduced in this County by the settlers on the Tappan
patent. The slaves were never numerous, and the custom was never pop-
ular among our people. The different laws passed by the State Legisla-
ture, one during the Revolution, by which all slaves, who enlisted in the
army with the consent of their owners, should be free ; another, enacted in
1798, providing for their gradual emancipation, and finally that of March
31st, 1 817, which decreed, that all slaves born after July 4th, 1 799, should be
free, males at the age'of twenty-eight, females at the age of twenty-five,
while all slaves born before 1799, should remain slaves for life — prepared
the people for the abolition act of 1828, and that act was greeted by most
of the people in our County with more joy than by the slaves themselves.

28o

In

1702 "

In

1723 "

In

1731 "

In

1737 "

In

1749 "

In

1800 "

In

1810 "

In

1820 "

In

1830 "

In 1698 the number of slaves in our County was ^19

(( H It It tf Q^

it ti (f (( ft J Ay

" " " " " 184.

II (( it it it 2Q^

(I tt It tt tt 260

tl It tt tt u N ^ J

tt tt tt tt '^ 2 T^

" " " " " 124.

" " " " None,

The forms of the bills of sale so closely resemble each other that a speci-.
men will answer : " Know all men by these presents that I Isaac Onder-
donk of the Town of Orange in Rockland County and State of New
York for the sum of two-hundred and fifty dollars in hand paid or secured
to be paid. Have bargained and sold and hereby do bargain and sell to
' John Roe ' of the Town aforesaid his executors, administrators and as-
signs, one certain negro man named Jack aged nineteen years on the first
day of May next or thereabout. To have and to hold to him, his execu-
tors, administrators and assigns for ever, which said negro man I deliver to
him the said 'John Roe' at the sealing of these presents — and I the said
Isaac Onderdonk for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators do
warrant and defend the said ' John Roe ' in peaceable possession of the.
said negro man against all persons whomsoever.

Witness my hand and seal the twenty-fifth day of March, one thousand
eight hundred and nine."

Isaac Onderdonk." [seal.]

" Sealed and delivered in presence of us :
P. Taulman.
David Clark."

Like other forms of property, these slaves were also transferred by
will. Thus in the last will of Abraham Snedeker in June, 1771, is a
clause in which he leaves to Abram Thew his " Negro man Tune, my
Negro woman Suke, their two youngest children Harry and Sara, and the
young wench named Nan."

Yet, even in those days there were people not conscience-hardened;
who realized that in this traffic with human beings they were dealing with
that over which they had no control. And, to be consistent in their Hves,
these citizens freed their bond people. Among the bills of freedom thus
given, I find the following : " To whom these presents shall come. Know

28l

ye that John Blauvelt, of the town of Henjistead, in the county of Rockland
and State of New York is minded and by these Presents Does freely Man-
umite a Negro man named Will aged about twenty-one years ; and said
Negro appearing to be a hail hearty well man, , both in body and
limbs and whereas John myer and Abram Onderdonk Poor-masters of
the town of Hemsted abovesaid having Duly took the case into considera-
tion ; and think the said Negro man of sufficient abilities to provide for
himself, and Do by these presents allow his manumission."

Witness our hands the Seventh Day of april one thousand Eight
hundred. and four."

" John Myer.

Abraham Onderdonk.

Overseers of the Poor.''

" To all to whom this present writing shall come may in any way con-
cern. Know ye that I, Abraham Van Houten, of Clarkstown,in the County of
Rockland, and State of NewYork, have manumitted, and by these presents
do manumit a negro woman by the name of Jane, to be forever hereafter
Manumitted and Declared Free of and from me, the said Abraham Van
Houten, my Heirs, Executors, Administrators and assigns, in Witness
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty- third day of
April, one Thousand Eight Hundred and Eight."

"Abraham Van Houten. [seal.]

" Witness Presents signed :

John Van Houten.

Jacob Wood."
" Entered by JOHN Wood,

• Town Clerk."

Once again, before the Civil War cast its gloom over the Nation, slav-
ery became an important factor with a few people in this County.
While in that mysterious and secret, but active and thorough movement for
the escape of fugitive slaves known as the " Underground railroad," the
west bank of the Hudson River was not on the direct line of travel, still it
was used to an extent now unknown. The station next south of Nyack
was at Jersey City, that next north, at Newburgh.

The station at Nyack was in charge of Edward Hesdra, who lived at
that time on the south side of the turnpike, almost opposite the reservoir.

282

Id/ attention was not drawn to this matter till after Hesdra's demise,
and that of the few who aided him. The almost absolute secrecy which
was preserved by those interested in the matter, has prevented me from
obtaining statistical data on the subject, and we can now but learn of the
main features of the system as carried on here.

The plan of the " Underground railroad" was so arranged, that only
a few leaders knew its complete workings. The agent at Jersey City knew
of Hesdra's place, and Hesdra knew the agent at Newburgh. Any one
of these three might or might not know the agent next south of his place.
If so, that was as far as their knowledge extended. After nightfall, the
escaping slave would start from Jersey City with full instructions how to
travel, and a tliorough description of Hesdra's house. Before daybreak,
he would reach Nyack, see Hesdra, and then disappear. After he was
rested, fed, and if necessary, clothed, he again started under the cover of
darkness, and ere another day broke was safely hidden in Newburgh. So,
station by station he advanced in his flight, till at length, crossing the
Canadian border from this land of liberty, he breathed the air, a freeman.

It speaks well for the retentive memory of these fleeing negroes, that
they so seldom made errors in regard to the places they were directed to.
Travelling only at night, and in a strange country, in constant fear of cap-
ture, they could ask no directions, but must trust entirely to their percep-
tion and recollection. Looked at in this way, their success in escaping
from the happy condition of their bondage, seems miraculous. In only
one case have I heard of a run-a-way making an error in regard to his
destination at Nyack. This fugitive passed Hesdra's in the darkness, and
reached a vine>ard on the property of. George Green, at Upper Nyack.
Fortunately he was discovered by the owner of the farm, and safely di-
rected to his haven of refuge.

Another, and most active worker in the " Underground railroad" was
John W. Towt. Most of his efforts for fugitive slaves were conducted in
New York in conjunction with the leading Abolitionists, Arthur and Lewis
Tappan, and with them he labored most earnestly in all abolition move-
ments. Only once, after his coming to Nyack, was Mr. Towt called upon
to lend personal assistance to a fugitive negro. On that occasion, he
concealed the run-a-way in his house until he was able to travel further,
and then saw him safely ofi" on the way to" freedom.

Doubtless this all seems strange to a younger generation now coming
on the stage of life. The thought that a living being, guilty of no crime,
should ever have had to pass through our soil in time of peace by skulk-
ing and hiding from human sight, appears well nigh impossible. Perhaps

283

it is well so. Perhaps the part of wisdom is to conceal from the children
the crimes of the parent, to hide from them the fact, that the South with
slavery was a large purchaser, the North without slavery, a large seller ;
that for the sake of business the North endeavored in every way to over-
look the damning wrong perpetrated by her- no more guilty sister, and
stooped to the lowest social position, that of slave-catcher, for a few dol-
lars. The last act preceding the result, the " Fugitive Slave Law," was
necessary before we could fully see how debased we had become. In a
later chapter we shall find that punishment, that retribution only waited.

In Rockland County were many, who, for one reason or another,' de-
fended slavery. The passage of the " Fugitive Slave Law " found those
citizens willing and anxious to execute its mandates, and because of the
existence of this slave-hunting feeling, the almost absolute secrecy of the
" Underground railroad " system became imperative. It was realized
among the pro-slavery residents, that escaping negroes were being passed
through this section, and dire were the threats made against Abolitionists
if they were detected, but those engaged in the enterprise took good care
not to be discovered.

In another chapter we have traced the County Buildings from their
original erection at Tappan till their removal to New City. The first
Court House after the separation and creation of our County was built in
1798-9, at New City. In 1802, this structure was injured by lightning.
Until 1820, this building sufficed for the wants of our people, but it was
too small and inconvenient for a growing section and a new one was
determined on. It was one thing to decide on the necessity of new
County buildings ; when it came to deciding where they should be built,
a very different problem was met. That New City was the most central
part of the County could not be disputed, so far as the geographical
center was concerned ; but New City was by no means the spot most
easy of access in our territory, and, like its predecessor, Tappan, instead
of being built up by the presence of the public buildings, it seemed to sink
into deeper lethargy. To the west of it was Ramapo, a thriving and pop-
ulous village; to the Northeast, Haverstraw which was rapidly increasing
in population. From those two villages came most of the law business of
the County and from them the majority of the jurors were drawn. It
was natural then, that each of these townships should insist that the new
edifice must be built within its borders.

The controversy which followed was one that has had many repetitions
in our history, Local interest and local jealousy were roused, and neither
township would yield. As was usual in such contests, the whole subject

284

was taken to the State Legislature, and, on April 19, 1823, an Act wa&
passed authorizing the erection of a new court house and jail in the
County and appointing D. M. Westcott, of the town of Goshen, in Orange
County ; Benjamin Barney and James Wood, Commissioners to locate the
site.

This proceeding but compHcated matters, and the wrangling factions of
Haverstraw and Ramapo turned from each other to attack the Commis-
sioners. To escape the conflict which appeared inevitable, those Commis-
sioners at length proposed that Ramapo, Haverstraw and Orangetown
each select a delegate to meet and confer, and that the opinion of a
majority should be final. This was agreed to and Peter De Noyelles, of
Haverstraw ; William Yeury, of Ramapo, and John E. Green, of Orange-
town were chosen delegates. So bitter was the feeling between the
peoples of the two first-named townships that the delegate of each
assured Green privately that, should he select Nyack as the site, each
would vote with him to prevent his rival township from obtaining the
prize.

The choice of Nyack as the County seat was about the last thing
Green desired. With strict economic views, he regardeid the enforced
idleness of court week as subversive of all forms of commercial business,
as tending to disorganize industry. The temptation which many, who
were drawn to the court house while court was sitting, had to convivial
greetings at the tavern bars, was conducive to disorder and confusion;
and last, but by no means least, the presence of lawyers, who, for their
own convenience, are apt to settle near the depository of a county's
records, seemed likely, to him, to lead to a litigious spirit.

Influenced by these views, John E. Green decided to leave the site of
the public buildings at New City, and in this decision the other delegates
concurred. Accordingly, work upon the present Court House was begun
in 1827, and the structure was completed during the following year. In
1873 a fire-proof addition was added to the Court House, at an expense
of $23,000, for the purpose of affording greater safety to the records. In
1856 a new jail was erected at a cost of some $8,000.

Perhaps no decision was more unfortunate than that of the choice of
New City as the site of the public buildings. Ere the structure was com-
pleted a steamboat was running from Nyack, and, within a few years,
almost every village in the County had better communication with the
other villages, and with the outside world, than the County seat. It was
not till 1875, that a railroad spur was at last run to New City, and, even to
this day, that hamlet is viewed by our own and the lawyers of other coun-

28s

ties, who have to visit it on business, as the most out-of-the-world spot
that could possibly have been chosen.

While many capital crimes* have been committed in this County, capi-
tal punishment has been meted out to but one person, sentenced by a civil
court. In 1793, Isaac Jones was hanged at New City for the crime of
murder. My search for records in this case has been almost in vain, and,
with the exception of the items, which I add, taken from the Supervisor's
records, and the heresay remembrance of old people, I can learn nothing.

The stories of the crime, though differing as to the immediate cause of
the act, all agree on the fact that the murderer and his victim were both in-
toxicated, and that, in a drunken brawl, Jones stabbed one of a number
who beset him. I have heard it said that the evidence in the case, if
given to-day, could not have resulted in conviction. Unable, on the few
records left, to enter into speculation, enough to know that Isaac Jones
was found guilty and sentenced to death. He was confined in the jail at
New City till the day for execution and hanged just south of the present
County buildings in that village. The Supervisor's records contain :

" To Daniel Coe ; for making irons for Isaac Jones a criminal

befo^'e execution. £ 0.8.0

'"To Evert Hogenkamp for timber and making a gallows, coffin,

etc., for Jones. - - - 1.4.0

*' To John Wallace Jr., for guarding the Goal when Jones was

under sentence of death. 5- 19-6

"To William Bell and two others for the like service. 4.12.6

" Ebenezer Wood for John Cole, John Palmer and 30 others

for the like service. - 17. 12.6

" To John Cole for iron work done for Isaac Jones in Goal. 9.0

" To Walter Smith for ammunition to the guard for the Goal

when Jones was under sentence. 14.6."

The Sheriff at the time of the execution was Thomas Waters.

Until 1837, ^° alms-house existed in the County. Perchance a refer-
ence to the Supervisor's record may explain the needlessness of a home
for the poor in early days. It was a simple manner of settling the subject
when, as has been shown in a previous chapter, the great class of mendi-
cants could be classed as vagabonds and transported out of this into
another county. In other cases, however, when circumstances forbade
this summary way of avoiding charity, the applicants for alms were board-
ed at the residences of private individuals and the bills charged to the
County; or, if only aid was needed, the Supervisors gave it aijd charged the

286

County. Thus in the records of 1755, we find an entry " John Kinner for
4 yards of cloth for the Widow Rude ;£"i.i8.o" "George Thompson for
nursing and attending Susannah Smith in sickness, for 6 weeks ;£'2.8.o."
" Captain Thomas Smith for keeping Susannah Smith's child one week,

;^0.4.0."

Among the items for 1 762, appear the following charges for charity :
"To Isaac Roades for a pair of half- worn shoes for Hendric'k. ^0.4.0

" To the same for a pair of shoes and old trowsers. 12.6

"To William Oldfield for ^ gallon rum and digging Mary's grave. 8.6
" To 6 yds. tow cloth at 2s.6d for Cornelius Decker, a poor person. 15.0
" To 4^ pounds of soap for said Decker. 1.6

" To ^ hundred of flour and carting it for said Decker. i i.o."

At length this primitive method of disposing of paupers was rendered
impracticable by the increasing population, and a County farm of 42 acres
was purchased in July 1837, ^^ Mechanicsville, now Viola, and an alms-
house erected.

From the opening of this charitable institution until the present time,
it has been used as a place of restraint for County people, who have been
smitten by loss of reason, but not severely enough to require confinement
in an asylum. In his report to the New York Medical Society in 1864,
Dr. Sylvester D. Willard thus speaks of the alms house : " The whole pop-
ulation of the Rockland County poor house is 50. During the year there
were 16 insane people among the number, but at present the number in
confinement is 10. Of these 6 require occasional confinement: one has
been in the poorhouse since 1841. Only one male is capable of labor.
The remaining 9 invalids have neither " amusement, occupation nor em-
ployment except reading and singing ; the house has not a full supply of
water, and no bath tubs. The building is of wood, two stories high,
' rooms, 6xib, ceilings, 9x8 feet. The bedsteads are of wood, and fastened
to the floor. Sleeping rooms are not heated."

In 1870, the Supervisors determined on the erection of a building for
the care of insane persons. In 1879, this structure was completed, was
rejected as an asylum, and was turned into a home for male paupers.

THE ROCKLAND COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.

This society, the oldest continuous organization in our County, was
organized on June 4th, 18 16, with' Joseph Dedereras President, Cornehus
C. Blauvelt, Secretary, and John Cole, Treasurer. No records except the
original constitution, with one or two amendments, existed till 1828. The

28;

society was designed for the purpose of supplying the poor with copies of
the Bible, and, at a later period, added to this the education of the chil-
dren of the poor.

In 1838, the society was reorganized as the Young Men's Bible Society
of Rockland County, with Rev. Peter Quickj President, Revs. Peter Allen,
Jared Dewing, Isaac D. Cole and Mr. I. M. Dederer, Vice-Presidents,
Cornelius Sickles, Secretary, and John Polhemus, M. D., Treasurer. In
November, 1847, another reorganization took place, and the society be-
came the Rockland County Bible Society. The officers of this new body
were : Hon. Hugh Maxwell, President ; Judges William Fraser, Edward
Suffern, and James Garner, Vice-Presidents ; Rev. A. M. Kettle, Sec-
retary, and D. D. Smith, Treasurer. This society still exists a strong
and active organization.

THE ROCKLAND COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

In 1730, Dr. Osborn came to Haverstraw, and from that time till his
death attended to the maladies of such as called upon him. After this
first physician came his son. Dr. Richard Osborn, who began practice in
Haverstraw precinct before the Revolution. At this time also Dr. John
Outwater was practicing in Tappan. At this early period there was but
little demand for medical skill. The population was small ; the manner
of life among the people healthful ; and such intercourse as was held with
the outside world seems not to have introduced pestilence.

While the records of the large towns of those days show a plentiful
number of impostors and quacks, this County seems to have been free
from them, and the only record of layman treatment that I find was in
1755, when Adam Weisner was paid £/^-\g-^ " for keeping old Decker's
daughter two months and twenty-six days and doctoring her.''

Early in the Revolution, after the disasterous battle of Long Island, the
army hospital was removed to Tappan. The medical staff at that time
consisted of William Shippen, Chief Physician of the Flying Camp ; Isaac
Foster, Department Director General ; Ammi R. Cutler, Physician General
of the Hospital ; Phillip Turner, Surgeon General of the Hospital ; WiUiam
Burrett, Physician and Surgeon General of the Army. Beside these,, were
Surgeon Van der Weyde, whq, with George Clinton, escaped capture after
the surrender of Fort Clinton, by swimming across the Hudson River;
and Dr. James Thatcher, whose Military Diary has preserved many of the
events of the War of Independence for us.

The first Medical Society in Rockland County was organized in 1829,
with Dr. Abraham Cornelison, President. From the close of the Revolu-

288

tion till the organization of the County Society, the list of physicians
seems to be unknown. Dr. Abraham Cornelison was located on the road
from Clarksville to the brewery, and bills of his for 1813-14 and '15 exist,
Dr. John Polhemus, by the old mill at Clarksville, and others, doubtless,
in other sections of the County. In the Coe burying ground, near the
English church, is a stone to the memory of Jesse Coe, M. D., who died
in 1825, at the untimely age of thirty-five years, and in the same plot is
a stone erected to the memory of Dr. William Duzenberry's wife, Marga-
ret, who died August 3d, 1828.

The first society does not seem to have flourished. So onerous are
the duties of a physician, so uncertain the time that he can call his own,
that the time and labor of attending a meeting, even, but once a year,
was a burden. Then, too, the distance was great for most of the members,
and the roads not over- excellent. These causes led to a gradual decay of
interest, and the virtual death of the organization.

From the origin of the Society till its reorganization in 1850, many
physicians practiced in the County, among whom were : Dr. Mark Pratt,
who settled in Haverstraw in 1833, and remained there till his death in
1875, and Drs. Smith, Noble, Lee, Hegeman, Johnson, Lilienthal, Ropeke,
McKnight, Reisberg, Slip, Talman, Chamber, Bogert, Staal, Springer,
Tyler, Allen and Owen.

In 1850, the Medical Society was reorganized with Dr. John Deniarest
as President, the following physicians being present and becoming
members.

M. C. Hasbrouck. James A. Hopson. Lucius Isham.

Chas. Whipple. J. C. Haring. . John Purdue.

Daniel L. Reeves. James J. Stephens. Chas. Hasbrouck, of N. J.

S. S. Sloat Jacob S. Wigton.

The Presidents of the Society following Dr. John Demarest have been:
Caleb H. Austin, 1854. Jacob S. Wigton, 1870-71.

John Purdue, 1855. * James J. Stephens, 1876.

J. C. Haring, 1856-57-58-59, James A. Hopson, 1877.

John Demarest, 1860-61. Edward H. Maynard 1878.

Moses Cantine Hasbrouck,

1862-63-64-65. C. H. Masten, 1880.

S. S. Sloat, 1866-67 and 1872. Gerrit F. Blauvelt, 1881.

Thomas Blanch Smith, 1868-69. A. O. Bogart, 1882.

Among the medical men who have joined the society since its reorgan-
ization are, besides those mentioned among the presidents : Daniel Lake

289

and C. L. Humphrey, of Spring Valley ; Bernard O'Blenis, J. C. Haring
and J. Hengler of Clarksville ; William Govan, of Stony Point ; Benjamin
O. Davidson, John O. Polhemus, Frank Hasbrouck, George A. Mursick,
W. S. Stevenson, C. H. Teneyck and J. W. Swift, of Nyack ; H. H.
House, of Rockland Lake ; Rykman D. Bogart of Pearl River ; E. B. Laird,
D. F. Wemple and Thomas C. Wood, oT Haverstraw ; N. R. Van Houten,
of New City, and G. H. Hammond, Wm. S. House, Henry Reisberg, H.
C. Near, John Sullivan, Isaac J. Wells and George A. Lockwood.

Many others doubtless have practiced the healing art in this County,
but their names have passed away. They lived, they labored as no other
men except physicians ever will labor,, they died. Yet, though the names
of these simple country physicians be forgotten, their work lives. It is
through these earnest men that Medicine has advanced, has ceased to be
a theory, has become a science. They have met pestilence and from their
battle with it arose quarantine. They have seen the agony produced by
the surgeon's knife, and to alleviate it discovered ansesthesia ; the perils of
travail have been overcome and its pains diminished ; they have made the
blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk ; they have lived close to
the example of the Good Physician, and died in the consciousness of work
well done.

ROCKLAND COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

In the Spring of 1844, B. P. Johnson, then Secretary of the State
Agricultural Society, suggested to N. C. Blauvelt, of our County, the ad-
visability of calling a meeting of the citizens, with a view to forming a
society for the encouragement of agriculture. Accordingly, Mr. Blauvelt
called such a meeting, and on June 29th, 1844, many of our farmers met
at the Court House in New City and organized the County Agricultural
Society, with Abraham Stephens, President, and N. C. Blauvelt, of Spring
Valley, Secretary.

The first County Fair was held in 1844, and for several years after-
ward, on the common in front of the Court House. In those days more
attention was given to agricultural products, and there was no horse
racing. The Rockland County Messenger said, in regard to one of the
features of a fair of those days : " Five teams of oxen entered the list for
a ploughing match, and earned for themselves great credit as adepts in
this manly art." At length some of the citizens, who kept fast horses and
wished a place to try their speed, leased the common, laid out a half-mile
track, fenced in their property, and permitted the Agricultural Society to
use the grounds. Horse racing, after this, became part of the regular
programme of the annual exhibitions.

290

In 1875, J- A. Van Riper opened a fair ground, with a half-mile race
track, at Spring Valley; whereupon the Agri<:ultural Society selected that
place for their fairs, and erected buildings on the spot. These new grounds
were objectionable to many, and from the feeling thus caused sprang a
second agricultural society, which selected for its annual fairs the old
grounds at New City. Forty-two exhibitions have been held by the So-
ciety since its organization.

ROCKLAND COUNTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

This organization was effected on October 29th, 1859, with S. D.
Demarest, President ; Ebenezer Lane, Vice-President ; L. Wilson, Secre-
tary, and T. H. Gimmel and H. D. Gesner, Executive Committee. The
first name of the society was, " The Rockland County Educational Asso-
ciation," and its purpose was the advancement of education in our County.
In i860, it was thought that greater benefit could be obtained by joining
with the teachers in Westchester county. Accordingly union was formed
under the name of the Hudson River Educational Association.

This organization soon died and the teachers in this County again con-
sulted among themselves. The society is now called the Teacher's Asso-
ciation of the County of Rockland. Within the past few years this body
has increased its activity, and is now exerting a most excellent influence
in our social life. It is a pleasing feature of later years that our citizens
are taking greater interest in educational matters, and encourage, by that
interest, the labors of our educators. It is a pleasing feature, that the too
often over-worked and under-paid teacher is at last being appreciated as
the only sure hope of a successful continuance of this republican form of
government. It is a pleasing feature that both the number and the pro-
portion of the illiterate in Rockland County is steadily decreasing and the
number, who are obtaining a higher education, increasing.

ROCKLAND COUNTY HISTORICAL AND FORESTRY SOCIETY.

On February 22d, 1878, a meeting of people, who took an interest in
the history of this County and desired to obtain the story of its origin,
progress and vicissitudes ere that story should have become altogether
legendary, was held at the Rockland Female Institute, now the Tappan
Zee Hotel, for the purpose of organizing a county historical society, which
should be the collector and custodian of historical records. On February
30th, of the same year the organization was completed and the society in-
corporated, under the name of the Rockland County Historical and Fores-
try Society, by Hon. John W. Ferdon and Charles W. Miller, of Pier-

291

mont ; Dr. C. R. Agnew and W. S. Oilman of Palisades ; John L. Salis-
bury and Garret Van Nostrand, of Nyack ; Henry Whittemore, of Tap-
pan ; and W. S. Searing, of Tomkin's Cove.

Like many exemplary movements, this one, after a brief period of ac-
tivity, fell into a condition of lethargy. The distances between the larger
villages were great, and it was difficult to obtain a well attended meeting.
Then, too, the majority of the people did not altogether understand the pur-
poses of the Society, and were loth to yield their documents and curios to
its keeping. A few noble efforts were made to excite enthusiasm, efforts
that, while they seemed to produce but little effect at the time, did really
tend to educate the public for the future, and then the Society passed into
a condition of dry rot and seemed in a fair way to pass from existence.
Through the efforts of some of its former members it was rescued from this
fate and has now become an active and growing organization, that already
is accomplishing a task that generations to come will be thankful for, and
that has a bright future before it.

We have given the list of the Representatives in Congress, and the
State Legislature from this section till the organization of Rockland County.
It is now my duty to add the names of our citizens, who have since been
chosen to represent us in the councils of the Nation and Sta.te.

Thirteenth Congress.
From May 24th, 1813, till March 3d, 1815. 3d District, comprising Rockland and Westchester.

Peter DeNoyelles,

Seventeenth Congress.
From December 3d, 1821, till March 3d, 1823. 3d District, comprising Rockland and Westchester.

Jeremiah H. Pierson.

Twenty-Third Congress.
From December 2d, 1833, till March 3d, 1835. 2d District, comprising Kings, Richmond and

Rockland.

Isaac R. Van Houten.

Twenty-sixth Congress.

From December 2d, 1839, till March 3d, 1841. 2d District, comprising Kings, Richmond, and

Rockland.
James B, L. Montanya.

Thirty-Second Congress.
From December 1st 1851, till March 2d, 1853. 7th District, comprising Rockland and Westchester.

Abraham P. Stephens.

Forty-sixth Congress.

14th District, comprising Rockland, Orange and Sullivan.

John W. Ferdon.

292

STATE SENATE.

John Suffern, from Jan. 28th, 1800, till April 6th, 1803.
Benjamin Coe, from Jan, 27th, 1807, till June 19th, 1812.
Samuel G. Verbryck, from Jan. 25th, 1814, till April 14th, 1817.
Abraham B. Conger, from Jan. 6th, 1852, till July 21st, 1853.
John W. Ferdon, from January 1st, 1856, till April l8th, 1857.

Benjamin Coe, 1798-9.

Sam'l G. Verbryck, 1800-1-4- 7-9

-20.
Peter D.e Noyelles, 1802-3.
Joh^n Coe, 1805.
John Haring, 1806.
Peter S. Van Orden, 1810-15-24.
Cornelius A. Blauvelt, 1816-17.
*Abr. Gurnee, 1818-19-21-25-

26.
Cornelius Blauvelt, 1822.
John I. Suffern, 1823-1854.
*Edward Suffern, 1826-1835.
Levi Sherwood, 1827.28.
George S. Allison, 1829-30.
JohnJ. Eckerson, 1831.
Isaac I. Blauvelt, 1832.
James D. L. Montanya, 1833.
Daniel Johnson, 1 834-1 836.

STATE ASSEMBLY.

AbrahamJ. Demarest, 1837.
David Clark, 1838.
Benjamin Blackledge, 1859.
William F. Eraser, 1840.
Edward De Noyelles, 1841-2.
Cornelius M. Demarest, 1843.
John Haring, Jr., 1844.
Joseph P. Brower, 1845.
Samson Marks, 1846.
John A. Haring, 1847.
Lawrence J. Sneden, 1848.
Matthew D. Bogart, 1849.
Brewster J. Allison, 1850.
Jacob Sickles, 1851..
John Demarest, 1852.
Nicholas C. Blauvelt, 1853.
John W. Ferdon, 1855.
Edward Whitemore, 1856.
James Westervelt, 1857.

Wesley J. Weiant, 1858-9.
Peter S. Yeury, i860.
William R. Knapp,i86i-i874.
James S. Haring, 1862-63-64.
Prince W. Nickerson, 1865-66.
James Suffern, 1867-69.
Thomas Lawrence, l858.
James M.Nelson, I870-71-78.
Daniel Tompkins, 1872.
William Voorhis, 1873.
James C. Brown, 1875"
George W. Weiant, 1876-7.
James W. Husted, 1879-80.
John Cleary, 1881-2.
William H. Thompson, 1883.
John W. Felter, 1884-5.
George Dickey, i886.

* The election of 1826 was contested by Edward Suffern.
and Edward Suffern declared elected.

Abraham Gurnee was unseated.

Authorities referred to "Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New
York.'' County Records, " Transactions of the New York State Medical Society." " History
of the Rockland County Medical Society,'' by William Govan, M. D. " The New York Civil
List."

CHAPTER XVI.

PERIOD OF CIVIL WAR — THE POLITICAL FEELING IN ROCKLAND
COUNTY AND THE ELECTION OF i860.

THE EFFECT OF THE SHOT ON FORT SUMTER— SPLIT OF THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY INTO PEACE DEMOCRATS, AND WAR DEMOCRATS OR UNION
MEN— EARLY VOLUNTEERING AND THE ORGANIZATION OF COMPANIES
—THE MOVEMENT AMONG THE UNION MEN TO GIVE FINANCIAL AID
TO VOLUNTEERS AND THEIR FAMILIES— THE EARLY CONCEPTION AND
GROWTH OF THE ROCKLAND COUNTY BRANCHES OF THE U. S. SANI-
TARY COMMISSION -THE OUTBURST OF ANGER AMONG THE DISLOYAL
AT THE ORDER FOR A DRAFT— ORGANIZATION OF SECRET SOCIETIES
AMONG THE LOYAL MEN OF THE COUNTY FOR SELF-PROTECTION—
THE HISTORY OF THE DRAFTS— THE ELECTION OF 1864— THE DEMON-
STRATIONS OF JOY OVER THE NEWS OF THE END OF THE CONFLICT—
THE CENSUS OF ROCKLAND COUNTY'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WAR.

In a previous chapter I made mention of the poHtical feeling among
a vast majority of the voters of our County, and gave, what appeared to
me, the reasons for that feeling. Little change had occurred in the belief
of the people during the three score and two years which had elapsed be-
tween the organization of the County and the election of 1 860. Few im-
migrants had arrived within our boundaries, and few had gone forth.
Dominant by such majorities as to be secure beyond peradventure, the
Democratic party had indulged in bitter. family fights for office and such
spoils as existed, but its organization was so perfect that, on all important
questions, the warring factions joined against their common enemy.

One after the other, in the years that had passed since the erection of
the County, the Democrats of Rockland had seen the decay and death of
the Federal and Whig parties, and had come to look upon the opponents
of their principles as malcontents, as disgruntled office seekers, as, in fact,
political anarchists, who, if they could not rule, would ruin the Nation
rather than see it well administered by their political enemies.

With this feeling they viewed the organization of the Republican
Party, seeing in it nothing more important than the old anti- Democratic
movement, unless it was perhaps, that this new organization had allied
itself with and adopted the principles of that band of fanatics known as
AboHtionists. The election of 1856, dispelled in a measure this sense of

294

security. The events, which followed each other with such startling ra-
pidity between that election and the campaign of i860, the uproars in the
National Legislature, the insurrection of John Brown and the threats of
resignation made by Representatives from the Southern States in case a
Republican was elected to the presidency; had centered attention on this
new party, and led the Democrats to unite in a solid front.

And yet neither party realized the meaning of the contest of i860.
The Democrats stillfelt that their opponents only sought office. That
those opponents meant to carry out the idea of the abolition of slavery
never seemed probable. Such a statement might be made to the masses,
threats of the introduction of ex-slaves into competition with the laborers
of the County were often indulged on the stump as were pleasantries re-
garding the Republican desire to have miscegenation made legal ; but
among the thinking Democrats the subject was not mentioned as a likely
contingency. Nor were the Republicans less ignorant of the result of the
campaign. Time after time compromise had followed compromise, and
they viewed the threats of secession made by the Southern Democrats, as
a bold attempt to retain power or the usual prelude to a demand for the
extension of slavery. A majority and a vast majority of the Republican
voters of i860 in this County did not expect to see abolition successful.
A still greater majority of the Democratic voters did not expect to see the
doctrine of State Sovereignty carried into rebellion.

After an unusually active campaign, in which many of the leading
statesmen of the time stumped the County, the election was held Novem-
ber 6th, 1 860, and gave the following results :

United Candidates :

Orangetown.

Havers traw.

Breckenridge, )

1st. Dist. 2d. Dist. 3d. Dist.

1st. Dist. 2d. Dist,

Douglass, >

422 288 79

419 250

Bell, * S

Lincoln,

174 155 59

378 122

United Candidates :

Clarkstown.

Ramapo.

Breckenridge, )

1st. Dist. 2d. Dist. 3d. Dist.

1st. Dist. 2d. Dist.

3d. Dist,

Douglass, >

230 121 216

124 75

HS

Bell, )

Lincoln,

29 60 92

103 153

8S

Total United Democrats : 2,369.

Total Lincoln :

1,410.

Democratic majority : 959.

As all of my readers know, the result of the election was the choice of
Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States by a popular majority
greater than that of any one of his rivals, and by a majority of 57 votes in
the Electoral College.

For a time the feeling in Rockland County was one of uncertainty

295

No one knew just what course to follow. The Democrats, beaten at last
after years of authority, had to await the action of their national leaders
before they could agree on a line of policy ; and the leaders, with the sole
exception of those composing the Southern wing, who had a definite
policy in view, had no plans. The Republicans, after the subsidence of
their first enthusiasm over the victory, awaited anxiously the action of the
South.

It is unnecessary to enter into the details of the events that occurred
in the Nation at large, between Dec. i, i860 and April 14, 1861. These
belong to the broader field of national history, and the reader must refer
to works devoted to the subject for information. My duty is to confine
myself as closely as possible to the effect produced upon the people of
Rockland County by these events. In entering upon this work I fully
realize the delicate nature of my task. Too young to take any active
part in the contest, but old enough to distinctly recall the bitter feelings
engendered by the fratricidal strife ; the severing of the friendships of years,
the disruption of social ties, the hatred which arose between neigh-
bors, the threats uttered against each other by active partisans of one or
the other side, with all these recollections vividly awakened, it may seem
unwise that I should more than touch upon this period. Still another
objection may be urged — that by education and association during the
war and by observation since, my political bias is Anti-Democratic.

Yet, in spite of these things, I prefer to dwell somewhat upon this
time. • Beyond the mad passions of the contest there appears a something
grand, God-like. Men who took sides during the Civil War were driven
to that course, not by military or civil authority, but by their views of
what was right. They acted under the influence of an IDEA. The war
is ended. The bitterness of the war is nearly, will soon be forgotten.
What families in England are still estranged by recollections of their civil
wars ? The idea for which the war was fought will live forever.

With abiding faith in the good of men, who follow an idea through
persecution even unto death ; with confidence in the existence of this
Government so long as her citizens shall be moved to act for what they
think right, I now undertake the labor of telling the story of our County
in the war, uninfluenced by party bias or personal hatred. From all
sources, without regard to political taint, I have drawn my data, and will
give it without fear and without favor.

The secession of one after another of the Southern States produced a
peculiar political condition in our County. The Republican party still
viewed the action as part and parcel of a more than usually determined

296

effort to obtain fresh concessions, and was outspoken in its condemnation
of the movement. The Democratic party began the division w^hich after-
ward obtained. One wing adhered absolutely to the radical doctrine of
State Sovereignty. It accepted as a right, the act of secession, sympa-
thized in every movement of the revolting States, and denied with reiter-
ated asseveration, the constitutional power of the National Government
to coerce a State. The other wing, while willing to adhere to the princi-
ples of its party up to a certain point, stopped short as it faced the inevit-
able issue of those principles, and announced its faith in the inviolate
nature of the Federal Union.

Even while events were in this strained though still non-belligerent
condition, matters at Washington had grown so warlike, that the militia
of the State was placed under marching orders. On January sth, 1861,
the 17th Regiment N. Y. S. M., Colonel Edward Pye, was ordered to-
be in readiness to move instantly. It was not called upon to advance
further at this time, but at a later period, as we shall see, was sent to the
front.

Finally, on Saturday, April 13th, 186 1, the news reached our County
that Fort Sumter had been fired upon, and on the following morning
the daily papers brought"" an account of its surrender to the Confederate
forces. Perhaps I may digress for a moment and endeavor to reproduce
the scenes in Nyack during April 13th and 14th, 1861. On, the former
day the news was received with a dumb uncertainty : no one seemed to
fully realize the awful tidings that war had begun. On the latter, which
was Sunday, Spier street, leading to the old steamboat dock, was filled
with people, while the dock was crowded, all awaiting the arrival of the
steamboat Aurora with the morning papers. Long before the papers,
could be distributed, the news that Sumter had fallen spread to the out-
ermost edge of the waiting crowds. Instantly meri became frantic with
rage and patriotism ; the church congregations, which had begun service,,
were soon made aware of the news by the cheers and yells in the streets, ■
and by eager couriers, who hastened to the sacred edifices bearing the
news. From every pulpit in Nyack that day, arose fervent and patriotic
prayers, and from every pulpit words were spoken that stirred men's
souls.

On the receipt of the news in Rockland County, party ties were
abruptly broken. The radical wing of the Democratic party assumed the
stand-point of disunion under the name of "Peace Democrats," while the
Union wing at once joined the movement to save the Nation, and became
known as "War Democrats."

297

The first burst of patriotic enthusiasm in our County bore instant fruit.
At the call of the President for volunteers to save the Union, recruiting
was begun in Nyack, which led the County in this matter, and by May
1st, 1 86 1, the following company, lettered G, was ready to take its place
in the 17th Regiment, N. Y. S. Volunteers, called the "Westchester Chas-

seurs.

Captain, James H
First Lieutenant, Luther Caldwell.
Brevet Second Lieutenant, L. C. Mabie.
Second Sergeant, Chas. H. Hawkins.
Fourth Sergeant, Geo. E. Ingalls.
Second Corporal, Towt J. Waldron. *

Fourth Corporal, George Phillips
Foley, T. V.

Demarest.*
Second Lieutenant, James H. Christie.
Orderly Sergeant, William Matthews.
Third Sergeant, Jacob Baker.
First Corporal, Anthony Lydecker.
Third Corporal, Chas. H. Putnam.

Bolmer, Henry
Bennet, J. H.
Baker, David
Blauvelt, Isaac*
Bertenshaw, Philip
Curtis, Harvey
Conover, J. H.
Dailey, John
Devoe, George
Decker, George
Dutcher, David
Dutcher, Jacob
Dealing, Wm. H.
Dines, James N.
DriscoU, James
Ennis, Wm.
Foster, George
Foster, Anthony

Garrabrant, Alfred
Hawkins, George
Harrison, Bernard
Hoffman, Joseph*
Ives, William*
Knapp, James
Lyng, George
Meissner, Charles*
Mondawka, W.
Minerly, Joseph
Neve, George
Neal, Walter B.
Palmer, John H.
Parcells, John
Putney, Burril
Ryder, Alexander
Ryder, John H.

Rose, David
Salters, Dennis
Smith, I. D.
See, Thomas
Tremper, George*
Thompson, A. G.
Waldron, Edgar N.
Waldron, Wm. J.
Waldron, Carrol S.
White, Adam
White, Richard
Wood, Henry
Wood, John N.*
Wood, Daniel*
Wotten, Daniel
Dean, Isaac
Dean, Daniel
Baker, Wm. H.

On the evening of May 8th, 1861, the farewell services of Company G.
were held in the Dutch Reformed Church at Nyack. Long before the
hour appointed for the exercises to begin, th-at edifice was crowded, and
after the volunteers had entered, it was difficult to find standing room.
The sermon was given by William G. Haeselbarth, from the text found,
Isaiah XXVI : 12; an address was delivered by L. D. Mansfield, and a
copy of the Bible was given to each volunteer by William Voorhis.

On the following morning, Thursday, May 9th, the company rendez-
voused at Union Hall, and marched from there to the steamboat landing,
foot of Smith Place, from whence it was transported to New York by the
steamboat Isaac P. Smith.

It seems wise to follow the further course of this organization before
continuing with the story of events in the County. On its arrival at the

*Died in service.

298

City, the company was quartered at the Park Barracks, where it remaihed
till June 14th. Then it was moved to Staten Island. While at New
York, Luther Caldwell was promoted to the position of Paymaster of the
1 7th Regiment, and L. C. Mabie became First Lieutenant of Company G.
At Staten Island the men received their uniforms, consisting of light blue
pantaloons, dark blue coat and cap, and light blue overcoat. On June
2 1 st the start for Washington was begun. The subsequent history of this
Nyack company is brief During the autumn of 1861, dissention arose
between the officers and men of the organization, and the company was
disbanded, the men being billeted among the other companies of the 17th
Regiment. Thenceforth the local identity of the original company was
lost. That the services of the men who composed it were not lost, is only
too grimly told by the asterisks which mark so many names.

To return to the County, and, for the sake of clearness, still continuing
with Nyack ; we find the feeling produced by the outbreak of the war
not only dividing all social ties, but even extending so far as to affect the
places chosen for public meetings. Union Hall, situated on the north
side of Main street, a few steps west of Broadway, became the resort and
head-quarters of all Union partisans, while only next in the frequency of
its use was the chapel of the Rockland Female Institute, or, in warm wea-
ther, its grounds. The disunionists met at the York House, corner of
Main street and Piermont avenue.

A public meeting was held in Union Hall, May 24th, 1 861, to take
some action in regard to assisting the families of volunteers until such
time as should permit them to be beyond danger of want. At this meet-
ing a relief organization was eflfected with the following officers :

Isaac S. Lydecker,
Aaron L. Christie.
Tunis Smith.
George Green,

William Voorhis,

President, D. D. Smith.

• Vice Presidents.

D. D. Demarest,
JohnjW. Towt,
Peter De Pew,
D. J. Blauvelt,

Secretaries.
Daniel Burr,

F. L. Nichols,
Isaac Hart,
John V. Burr,
Wm. B. Collins.

Col. Isaac Sloat.

The following committee was appointed to take charge of and supply
the families in need of aid :

John W. Towt,
David D. Smith,
Tunis Smith,
George Green,

William Voorhis,
D. D. Demarest,
John V. Burr.
Isaac Sloat,
William B. Collins.

D. J. Blauvelt,
John W. Moison,
R. P. Eells,
S. G. V. Edwards.

299

D. p. Demarest was made the treasurer of this organization. During
the meeting speeches were made by Wm. G. Haeselbarth, Isaac Sloat and
others. John W. Moison made a forcible plea, that Blauveltville should
be permitted to do her share in the work in hand, and a letter was read
from L. D. & C. F. Mansfield pledging $ioo toward the fund. I may be
permitted to state here, that the people of Blauveltville had contributed
$700 toward tlie purpose of this meeting by July 4th, 1861.

While Nyack was thus actively moving in the cause of the Union,
other parts ot the County were by no means idle. As early as April 22d
a public meeting was held in the Wigwam at Haverstraw for the purpose
of encouraging volunteering and raising funds to assist the families of
recruits. The Wigwam had been erected on the common directly south
of the Central Presbyterian church and was opened to the public July 27.
i860. This edifice was used by the Unionists during the war. ' The meet-
ing was organized as follows :

General George S. Allison, Chairman.
John I. Cole, Secretary.

The following committee was appointed to receive and disburse con-
tributions.

Henry M. Peck,

Alexander Davidson,

Gen'l G. S Allison,

Alexander WaldrOH;

Rev. Fred. L. King,

J. L. DeNoyelles,

Rev. Patrick Mahoney,

Rev. J. J. Smith,

William Call,

• Rev. Dr. Crane,

Rev. A S. Freeman,

John W. Felter,

The following 1

citizens at once subscribed to the fund :

George S. Allison,

$100

William Knight,

fioo

John Biggs,

$ 25

William Call,

100

Samson Marks, Sr.,

100

Edwin Brockway,

2S

H. M. Peck,

100

Isaiah Millburn,

100

T. J. Fredericks,

2S

John M. Gardner,

100

George Benson,

100

R. A. VerValen,

25

John D. Gardner,

100

Levi D. West,

SO

Sam'lA. VerValen,

25

Silas D. Gardner,

100

F. J. Wiles & Co.,

5°

C. P. Hoffman,

25

A. Davidson,

100

Robert Smith,

IS

Wm. J. Penny,

25

Calvin Tomkin.'!,

100

Uriah Washburn,

5°

A Friend,

25

Daniel Tomkins,

100

John I. Cole,

5°

J. 0. Schlieder,

25

G. C. Vancleaf,

25

Thos. Shankey,

SO

I. M. Gardner,

25

John OldHeld,

100

Geo. S. Wood,

so

G. G. Allison,

25

J. L. DeNoyelles,

100

J. H. Stephens,

SO

Abram Felter,

25

Arnet Seaman,

100

Bradley Keesler,

SO

James King,

10

By May 25 th, 1861, the officers of this association were : George S.
Allison, President; George S. Oldfield, Secretary; Edward Pye, Treas-
urer. In December of the same year the committee had fifty families to
care for.

300

Enlistments in Haverstraw were early begun, and continued through
the summer of 1861. By October, a company called the DeNoyelles.
Guards had been formed, consisting of the following men :

Abbott, John
Ackerman, Wm. E. *
Adams, F. C.
Agnew, James
Allison, Wm. J.*
Babcock, S. W.
Babcock, J. P.
Barry, John
Blower, John
Brooks; Dan'l
Broderick, P.
Burke, Edw.
Buno, B. B.*
Call, Nicholas,
Conklin, W. S.
Conklin, Lorenzo D.*
Coleman, John
Connolly, Mat.
Cornelison, James
Cornelison, Wm.
Cosgrove, W. M.
Creney, Jas.
DeBevoise, Pete.
Doyle, Hugh
DeNoyelles, P.
DeNoyelles, John. F.

Captain Edward Pye *
DeLaMontanya, J.
Dolson Chas.
Frazer, Wm. M.
Fletcher, T. A.
Frederick, Levi
Gardner, Fenton
Glassing, Adam
Gurnee, F. M.
Hastings, Thos.
Hedges, Ira M.
Hedges, Jesse B.
Herod, Wm.
Holden, Jas.
Hinman, W. C*
King, John. W.
Knapp, Chas. E..
Knapp, J. N.
Knapp, Daniel E.*
Jersey, Enos
Jones, J^ihu *
l^arkin, Jas.
Luke Jas.
Mackey, S. G.
McGuirk, John
McDonald, John
Nye, M.

Phillips, Edw.

Odell, Abram
Osborn, P. M.
Palmer, John
Peck, Joseph*
Phillips, John »
Rose, J. J.
Ryan, Patrick
Seely, R. J.
Snedeker, Abram
Smith, John H.
S h, Dick O.
Smith, Wm. G.*
Slack, Wm. C.
Sherwood, Wm. L.
Stammers Geo. *
Stalter, John
Scott, Wm.
Titus, John J.
Terry, Seth
Turner, Chas. G.
Thompson, Edw.
Traphagen. R. D.
Welch, Richard
Weiant, Edw.
Wright, Wm. H.
Phillips, Wm. H.

On October 13th, 1861, the DeNoyelles Guard attended the Central
Presbyterian church for their farewell service. The exercises on this occa-
sion were conducted by Revs. Mr. Marsh, Dr. Crane, Mr. Hepburn and
A. S. Freeman. On the following day, October 14th, a flag, raised through
the efforts of Misses L. Ver Valen and L. Demarest, was presented to the
company by Rev. A. S. Freeman, the exercises being conducted in the
lot east of the Wigwam. On Tuesday, October 15th, 1861, the company
marched to the steamboat landing, through streets crowded with people,
and took passage on the steamboat Isaac P. Smith for New York. On
reaching the city, the men were transported to Harlem, and entered camp
at the Red House with their regiment, the 95 th New York Volunteers.
Thenceforth the organization was known as company F.

Even while this company was being enlisted, recruits were received for

* Died in service.

30I

another organization, and as soon as arrangements were completed, Col-
onel A. F. Ingold, A. S. Gurnee and L. B. Weaver moved to the Wigwam
and set actively to work. By November 20th, 1861, the Stephens Guards
were ready to leave Haverstraw for the camp at Harlem.

Captain, A. F. Ingold. Lieutenant, A. S. Gurnee. Lieutenant, J. H. Weaver.

Aiken, Isaac Knapp, Isaac Osborn, Chas. W.*

Brewster, Morgan Knapp, George Thorn, William

Brewster, Dan. B. Weiant, Wm. Phillips, George

Benson, William Keesler, Bradley Phillips, Wm.

Bostedo, Charles Keesler, Daniel Stalter, Theodore

Waldron, Charles Monroe, Jesse Stammers, Jos."

Fales, William McCormick, Jas. Smith, Richard

Hammond, Theo. Lent, James Springted, Winfield

Hill, Jas. M. Weiant, Alexander Seeley, John
Hudson, John

On the morning of November 21st, 1861, this company started •
Marching first to the quarters at Beebe's, the members had breakfast, and
then went to Bogert's dock where they took the steamer Metamora for
New York. On arriving at the city they were transported to Harlem and
entered camp with the 95th Regiment New York Volunteers as Com-
pany B.

In October, Dominick Kenedy began recruiting at Haverstraw for the
9Sth Regiment. By December 5th, 1 861, he had obtained twenty-seven
members for a new company, and left Haverstraw with this nucleus for the
camp at Red House. Beside these organized companies, volunteers were
being recruited at Haverstraw for other regiments. As early as August
lOth, 1 86 1, ten recruits were obtained from Johnsontown and two from
Haverstraw for the 5 th Regiment New York Volunteers. In October of
the same year. Captain James E. McGee was recruiting for Company F,
of the Irish Brigade. A month later, Lieutenant Samuel W. Babcock
was appointed to recruit for the 95 th Regiment, and had his quarters at
W. W. Oldfield's — the Washington Saloon. By December, Lieutenant J.
H. Weaver was recruiting for the same regiment, having his quarters on
Main street.

The 95 th Regiment, N. Y. Volunteers, was largely made up of Rock-
land County men. It was at first called the "Warren Rifles," and its
first Chaplain was Rev. A. S. Wolfe, of the M. E. Church at Mechanics-
ville, now Viola ; its first Surgeon, Dr. S. S. Sloat, of Haverstraw. The
reghnent remained in camp at Harlem till February 20th, 1862. It was
then moved to New Dorp, Staten Island, and lay there till March 8th, of
the same year, when it started for Washington with 900 men. The first

* Died in service.

302

colonel of the regiment was George H. Biddle, who resigned, owing to
bad health, in the fall of 1863. He was followed by Edward Pye, who
died in June, 1864, from wounds received at the battle of Cold Harbor.
From that time till the regiment was mustered out of service, on July
1 6th, 1865, it was under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel James Creney.
During its service in the field this command had 1,900 men. It was
mustered out with 255.

The loyal movement in the western part of the County was as spon-
taneous and active as that among the citizens of the east. At the news
that Fort Sumter had fallen, that war had been begun, meetings for the
raising of troops to support the Union were held at Ramapo Works and
Sloatsburgh, and, on September 7th, 1861, a rousing Union meeting was
held at Sufferns, with the following gentlemen as chairman and assistants :

Henry L. Pierson, President. • .

Vice-Presidents :
Charles D. Wood, Isaiah Paterson, A. C. Wannamaker,

John D. Christie, Abraham Cornelius, D. C. Cooper,

Charles T. Ford, Henry Kelly, John Crum,

E. J. Straut.

Speeches were made by H. S. Barnes, Abram S. Hewitt, Henry L.
Pierson, Jr., W. B. McLauren and others. In November, 1861, Lieuten-
ant-Colonel J. Fred Pierson opened a recruiting office at the Post office at
Ramapo Works to obtain volunteers for the ist Regiment, N. Y. Volun-
teers. Most of the volunteers from this section, however, enlisted in com-
panies formed in Nyack and Haverstraw.

At Spring Valley, a meeting for the purpose of raising volunteers and
obtaining funds to provide for their families, was held at the Union
School house as early as April 30th, 186 1. At this meeting Leonard
Gurnee was chosen Chairman, and Henry E. Armstrong Secretary, while
speeches were made by W. B. McLauren, Frank Charlton, Stephen D.
Herrick, John Stillwell and others. A second meeting was held in th«
Spring Valley House, May 8th, 1861, under the following officers:

Andrew Hopper, Chairman.

Vice-Presidents,

Peter Yeury, William Van Wagenen, Henry Sherwood, Henry De Ronde.

Henry E. Armstrong, Secretary,

A collection was taken up at the meeting for the benefit of volunteers

Francis Charlton,
William Van Wagenen,

H. E. Armstrong,
Andrew Smith,

303

and their families, and the following committee appointed to solicit sub-
scriptions for the fund :

W. B. McLauren,
E. E. Straut.
W. T. Hesketh.

Recruiting was begun, not only in the companies at Nyack and Haver-
straw, but also by Captain J. G. Wellington at Nanuet. By October 1861,
the local company, known as the Nanuet Guards, was about half enlisted,
and barracks had been erected for their accommodation a little east of the
railroad station. At a later period, an attempt was made to merge this
organization into some other company and the Guards at once disbanded.

Upon this termination of his efforts in Ramapo township, J. G. Well-
ington visited Nyack and opened a recruiting office for the purpose of en-
listing a company of sharpshooters to be known as " Mad Anthony
Wayne Scouts." In Nyack, since the departure of Company G., vol-
unteering had been energetic, and the following members of Companies
A. and B., 127th Regiment, New York Volunteers, had enlisted:

Smith, Henry E.
Smith, George
Snedeker, Chas. H.
Thompson, Alfred G.
Tompkins, Brundage
Tompkins, James
Tucker, Edward

Ayres, Wm. H.*
Ackerman, Edw. H.
Ackerman, James
Benson, Wm. A.
Brewer, Isaac, S«
Christie, C. A.
Christie, D. I.
Cooper, George
Conover, A. Jr.
Creany, James
Conklin, Samuel
De Baun, Henry
De Baun, John
Forshay, Simeon

Fields, James
(iorry, Thomas
Henderson, John
Hoffinan, George

Hefferman,

Kelly, Richard
Lowdie, Alfred *
Murray, James
Osborne, Jesse
Rhodes, Josiah
Rutherford, John
Rodgers, Charles
Scott, Daniel
Seaman, Tunis D.
Waldron, Albert.

Tallman, Peter
Warner, Chas. H.
Warner, T. V. W.
Ware, J. Bradley *
Welsh, Thomas *
Wood, George W.
Ward, John

Among the other volunteer regiments, which contained men from our
County, I may mention the the 65th N. Y. Vols, organized in July, 1861,
as the 1st U. S. Chasseurs. This organization took from Rockland the
following :

Brooks, Leonard Rose, Albert Whitaker Lewis

Falter, John Lent, James Hinman, W. C*

Kirkpatrick, Hiram Lawson, James McKenzie, John

Weinant, Edward

The 6th N. Y. Heavy Artillery was organized and mustered into
service at Yonkers, on Sept. 2d, 1862, as the 135th Regt., N. Y. Vols.

*Died in service.

304

On October 3d of the same year, the organization was changed from an
infantry to an artillery regiment. The following are among the volunteers
from Rockland :

Company K, 6th Artillery.
Captain, Wilson Defendorf.
First Lieutenant, Charles H. Leonard
Campbell, Wm. Higgins, R. E.*

Cypher, Edwin Hyer, George'

Conklin, Alfred • Haeselbarlh, Frank

Dailey, John G. Jordan, William J.

Dean, Chas. Murphy, Peter C.

Dean, John Meissner, Chas. Jr.

Dickey, Wm. ' Osborn, Cornelius

Felter, Isaac Phillips, Wm.*

Hagerman, Chas." No. 1. Phillips, George

Wotten, John H.

No. 2. Phillips, George
Sherman, Wm.
Smith, Daniel.
Tetnure, Irvin
Temper, Wm. N.
Waldron, Matthew
Wergen, Simon
Youmans, Timothy*
Youmans, Wm. H.

Other company members from Rockland County.

Anderson, George
Allison, Geo. G.
Babcock, E.
Babcock, Wm. H.
Babcock, H. H.
Basset, M. V.
Blanch, Isaac*
Bolmer, Abr.
Frisbie, Wm. A.
Call, John
Conklin, F. P.
Concklin, Francis
Concklin, Geo. W.*
Concklin, Wm. G.*
Conklin, Orville
Cosgrove, Henry
Davidson. John
Fields, Valentine*
Dutcher, Uavid

Fostor, Henry
Hudson,. Lemuel H.
Higgins, Wm.
Ennis, Geo. A.
Ennis, Henry
Jones, Jno. II.
Jones, Geo. H.
Henion, John
June, Baxter
Gilman, Wallace
Larkin, Jas.
Goose, Wm.
March, Isaac
March, Wm.
Mann, D. L.
Hudson, Chas.
Morgan, D.
Miller, Jno. C.
Moore, J. W.

Nife, Geo.
Nife, Abram.
Neilor, And.
Phillips, Geo. H.
Purdy, Edward
Parcells, Wm.*
Tallman, Chas. W.
Sutherland, Geo. B.
Weyant; Wm.
Rose, Jacob
Rose, James
Rose, Moses
Rose, John
Strickland, J. H.*
Strickland, Jno.*
Strickland, J.
Wood, Daniel K.
Youmans, J. E. *
Yerks, Wm. H.

The 6th Artillery, which was recruited in the 8th Senatorial District,
comprising Westchester, Putnam and Rockland Counties, was mustered
into service with i,ioo men. It was engaged in the following battles:
Wapping Heights, July, 1863; Wilderness, May 6th and 7th, 1864;
Laurel Hill, May 12th; Po River, May iSth; Ellison's Farm, May 19th;
North Anna River, May 23d ; Bethesda Church, May 30th ; Mechanics-
ville Pike, June 2d and 3d; Front of Petersburg, June 18th and July 26th ;
Burnside's Mine Explosion, July 30th ; Cedar Creek, October 19th, 1864 ;
Bermuda Front, Jan. 22d and April 2d, 1865. The regiment reached

*Died in service.

30S

New York to be mustered out July 2d, 1865, with 698 men. Of these
about 250 were original volunteers, the balance being one year men,
recruited while the regiment was in the field.

At the invasion of Pennsylvania by the Army of Northern Virginia, in
1 863, the militia regiments of this and neighboring States were hurried to
the front. Among those called upon for duty was the 1 7th Regiment, N.
Y. S. M. This organization at once responded and left Yonkers,' July 8th,
1863, nearly 400 strong. The companies from our County in this Regi-
ment were "D," of Stony Point; "F," of Haverstraw, and "I," of Ram-
apo. The officers and men of these companies at the time of departure
"were as follows :

John p. Jenkins, White Plains, Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding.
Wm. Govan, M. D., Surgeon. F. L. Nichols, Quartermaster.

COMPANY D. STONY POINT GUARDS.
Captain, E. W. Christie.

First Lieutenant, M. D. Marks.
First Sergeant, E. Rose.
Third Sergeant, D. D. Mackey.
First Corporal, P. G. Rose,
Third Corporal, John Loyd.
Basley, Henry Dykins, Abr.

Bird, Geo. W. Dykins, Thos.

Bradbury, Lewis Fox, Henry

Brewster, R. Jones, Chas.

Brooks, N. B. Jones, Samuel

Burras, W. H. Jonej Peter

Call, James King, A. J.

Crum, George Marks, S. J.

Davidson, T. Macauly, Wm.

Decker, Wm McElroy, Chas,

Herman B. McKenzie, Wm.

Second Lieutenant, Abr. "S. Vanderbilt.
Second Sergeant, Robert Sims.
Fourth Sergeant, W. F. B. Gumer.
Second Corporal, J. H. Owens.
Fourth Corporal, T. W. Blauvelt.

Oldfield, W. W.

Peterson, Benj.

Peterson, David

Phillips, R.

Phillips, J.

Rose, J.

Rose, Peter

Smith, Geo. S.

Van Wart, C.

Van Wart, Jacob
Percival, Drummers.

COMPANY F, INGOLD GUARDS.
Captain, C. P. Hoffinan.
First Lieutenant, Stephen W. Allen. Second Lieutenant, Isaac De Baun.

First Sergeant, Geo. S. Oldfield. Second Sergeant, S. H. Davidson.

Third Sergeant, J. M. Minnerjey. Fourth Sergeant, James Wood, Jr.

First Corporal, Dan. R. Lake. Second Corporal, Wm. Redner.

Third Corporal, Abr. P. Jersey.
Allison, E. T. Fredericks, T. J. Miller, B.

Anderson, Geo. Felter, Edw. Owens, R. H.

Babcock, John Grimshaw, J. Parson, O. W.

Babcock, Hiram Gurney, M. Phillips, Abr.

Babcock, William Gurney, Wallace ■ Robinson, L. V. E.

Blauvelt, S. C. Johnson, W. S. Ritzgo, Henry

Buchanan, R. Kingsland, Wm. H. Ryan, Wm.

3o6

Bengkert, Wm. King, Joe

Cranston, J. King, Stephen

Comerford, A. Keesler, Wm. H.

Denike, C. A. Kirkpatrick, Hiram

Alonzo Bedell, Walter Hicks, Drummers.

Seaman, Wm. A.
Secor, Geo.
Stickinrider, Jno.
Waldron, Matthew

COMPANY I, RAMAPO GUARDS.
Captain, William D. Furman.

First Lieutenant, Reuben Riggs. Second Lieutenant, Augustus Coe.

First Sergeant, C. A. Blauvelt. Second Sergeant, J. J. Wannamaker.

Third Sergeant, Daniel Springsteen. Fourth Sergeant, D. Sherwood.

First Corporal, J. H. Goetschius. Second Corporal, Leonard Cooper.

Third Corporal, Jno. H. Crum. Fourth Corporal, Alpheus J. Coe.

Ackerson, Geo. E.
Bertholf, Edw. O.
Blauvelt, S. P.
Bush, Harvey
Charlton, Francis
Coe, Larry, D. N.
Conklin, Nelson
Crum, Edw.
Dussenberry L.
Forshee, C.
Forshee, Hiram
Furman, Wm. H.
Gurnee, Wm. H.*
Hendricks, Wm.
Hoyt, Rufns

Hoyt, Harrison
Hoyt, Wm.
Johnson, A.
Johnson, Levi
Johnson, Robert
Johnson, Tunis
Johnson, Wm. D.*
Jones, B. J.
McElroy, C.
McElroy, J. M.
McMurty, A.
Murray, Wm.
Morris, T. J.
Osborn, A.
Osborn, Chas. H.

Perry, Wm.
Phillips, D.
Sherwood, J. B.
Slim, B. S.
Smith, Alfred
Springsteen, R.
Taylor, Edw. E.
Wallace, John
Walmsley, Edw.
Whaley, Ira
Youmans, C.
Young, Alfred
Young, Charles
Young, Judson

The 17th Regiment N. Y. S. M , which had been called upon for thirty
days' service, was mustered into the United States service July 22d, 1863,
though its time counted from July 8th. It was hurried to Baltimore and
did garrison duty, first at Fort Independence, and later at Fort McHenry.
On August 6th, 1861, the regiment returned to New York, and later to
the County. The trip from New York to Yonkers was made by steam-
boat Metamora. At this town the regiment disembarked for a dress
parade, and remained ashore longer than the steamboat captain liked.
Accordingly, on the return of the Rockland County companies to the ves-
sel, the captain refused to carry them further. The difficulty was at length
compromised by his agreeing to transport them to Nyack, from whence
they were taken to Haverstraw by the Nyack ferry-boat, reaching that
village at 2 A. M.

Fortunate it was for this County, that her soil was not, in the Civil
War, exposed to the march and battles of opposing armies, as in the War
for Independence. In one sense our people did not realize what war was.
The current of ordinary life, of ordinary business, flowed on, unbroken

* T)ied. Gurnee from typhoid fever contracted in camp. Johnson from sunstroke.

307

within our boundaries, and the carnage of battle, the exposure of camp
life, the devastation that marks the track of marching forces, the sicknesses
that beset military cantonments, were too distant to produce the effect
which would have followed personal contact. But in another sense, the
war did come home to us. Of a total population of military age
amounting to 3,979, no less than 558 served in the armies, and of these,
89 died from camp exposure or wounds, or were killed in battle. Surely,
any one who lived during those days of dread — dread, if a battle was not
fought, that the South would be successful ; dread, if a battle was fought,
that the lives of loved ones might have gone out in the conflict, or that
they might' be lying sorely wounded — surely, any one who has passed
through such heartache, in a measure understands what is meant by war.
It is with pleasure that, for a moment, I turn from the enlisting of men,
who went forth to inflict wounds and death, to the noble efforts and work
of the men and women who toiled to alleviate suffering and prevent death.
When Company G. was enlisted, its members were supplied by the
Union women of Nyack with flannel underclothing, handkerchiefs, towels,
socks, combs, brushes, needle-books and havelocks, and on July 9th,
these Union women made up and sent a box of dainties and $25 to the
Nyack Company. During the fall of the same year — 1861 — a number of
the Union women of Nyack organized a branch of the United States San-
itary Commission, which magnificent and unique organization, after every
discouragement from the Government authorities, had at length obtained
recognition, June 9th, 1861. The first officers of the Nyack branch of
the society were :

Mrs. Mary Corey, President.
Mrs. Mary Gunn, Vice-President.
Miss R. Annie Green, Secretary.
Mr. John Gunn, Corresponding Secretary.
Mrs. Elizabeth Hasbrouck, Treasurer.
The names of the members of the Nyack Society, which have come to
me, I .give. I would that this list, as well as that of the volunteers from
this County, was more perfect, and again urge upon the public the im-
portance of getting this matter completed before it is too late.
Mrs. Caroline Dixon, Mrs. John W. Towt,

Mrs. James Cooper, Miss Louise Towt,

Mrs. George Green, Mrs. Christopher Rutherford,

Mrs. George H. Livermore, Miss Sarah M. Green,

Mrs. De Pew Tallman, Mrs. Delos Mansfield,

Mrs. B. Davidson, Miss Lizzie Towt,

Mrs. Blauvelt, (Mrs. Cranston's Mother).

308

Previous to the organization of the Nyack Society, Mr. and Mrs. John
Gunn, and Mrs. Hasbrouck had visited different sections of the County,
asking donations of clothing, etc., and had obtained 106 articles, consist-
ing of bed-clothing, under-clothes, etc. The first meeting of the Society
was called by Mrs, Aaron Remsen, ,and met at Union Hall. After that,
meetings were held every week, at first in the different churches, till the
sexton of one of those edifices objected to heating the building for the use
of " Black Republicans," then at the homes of the members, and finally at
Union Hall. ,

In the winter of 186 1, the Nyack branch of the Sanitary Commission
sent to the Central Association, three boxes of delicacies and several
boxes of clothing. In ,1862, 1,500 articles, consisting of sheets, pillow-
cases, bed-ticks, quilts, pillows, muslin and flannel shirts and drawers, and
50 pairs of woolen socks were sent. In 1863, 800 articles, similar to those
of the preceding year, were forwarded, together with a large amount of
lint and bandages. In 1864, up to November 12th, 534 articles were for-
warded to the, Central Association, On April 20th, 21st, and 22d of this
year, a fair in aid of the Sanitary Commission was held in Union Hall, at
Nyack.

One of the leading features of this fair was an old Dutch kitchen and
dinner. Once again, and perhaps for the last time was seen the Dutch
oven, the open fire-place, the crane, pot-hooks and trammels ; once again
did descendants of the Dutch settlers don short gown and petticoat, and
busy themselves in cooking an old-fashioned Dutch dinner. When the
feast was ready, the company sat around a table, then over two centuries
old, loaded with savory viands, talked in the . County Dutch patois and
sang songs, long forgotten, in the same language.

Another feature of the fair was the presence of Captain Wilson Defen-
dorf, with his Company from the loth Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps,
which was stationed at Tarrytown. Before leaving Nyack, this command
marched up Broadway, to the residence of Jesse Blackfan, stepfather of
the commanding officer, and later, counter-marched in the door-yard of
George Green. The amount raised by the Nyack Sanitary Fair was
$800. To this sum should be added the proceeds obtained from two
fairs held by the pupils of the Rockland Female Institute, at which they
obtained $40 and $12.

The last shipment of articles by the Nyack branch society was made
June 28th, 1865, and was acknowledged as follows:.

309

" U. S. Sanitary Commission,

Woman's Central Association of Relief,

II Cooper Union, Third Ave.,

N. v., June, 30, 1865.
" Mrs. Gunn. Dear Madam:

I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of one barrel and one bale of hospital supplies
from the society at Nyack, according to your note of the 28th inst.

Nyack has worked very faithfully for the Sanitary Commission during the war, and we feel
sincerely thankful. It seems impossible to realize that the work is indeed over. Our friends con-
tinue faithful to the end, as our 27 boxes received to-day show. Hoping that you and the other
members of the Nyack Society will heartily enjoy your well-earned rest,

" I am, gratefully yours,
Gertrude Stevens,

Committee of Supplies.''

The last meeting of the Nyack branch of the Sanitary Commission was
held July 4th, 1865.

On the organization of the military companies in Haverstraw in 1861,
the Union women of that place formed a Sewing Circle, which met at the
homes of its different members, most frequently at that of Mrs. J. L. De
Noyelles.

Among those associated in the work were :

Mrs. A. S. Freeman, Mrs. J. C. Coe, Mrs. Mark Pratt,

Mrs. J. L. De Noyelles, Mrs. J. S. Gurnee, Mrs. A. B. Conger,

Mrs. Edw. Pye, Mrs. Blanch, Mrs. A. Wiles,

Mrs. Henry M. Peck, Mrs. J. W. Crane, . Mrs. Cosgrove,

Mrs. George S. Wood, Mrs. B. McKenzie, Miss House,

Mrs. John H. Stephens, Mrs. J. Gillem, Mrs. Robert Smith,

Mrs. W. C. Hinman, Mrs. Alfred Marks, Mrs. Susan De Noyelles.

Mrs. A. E. Suffern, Mrs. S. C. Blauvelt,

The last named lady knit enough "nice yarn mittens" to allow of a
pair being sent to every man in Company F.

" Camp Ward, Dec. 9, 1861. Alexandria, Va.

"The undersigned, members of Company A. 31st Regt. N. Y. V. would most respectfully
tender to Mrs. Henry M. Peck and the ladies associated with her, their warmest- thanks, for the
very generous present of India Rubber Blankets, Under clothing, Stockings and Mitts, they have
forwarded by express tons." " John Davidson, Madison King,

" Thomas Davidson, Charles Hicks,
"James Thompson, Corp. Wm. H. Baker."

On Feb. loth, 1864, Henry M. Peck stated that several boxes of goods
had been sent to the soldiers by the ladies of Haverstraw, through his
hands valued at $600. Beside this grand work of the women, aid was
given to the U; S. Sanitary and Christian Commissions by church collec-
tions and from the proceeds of lectures. On Dec. ist, 1863, Rev. James
M. Freeman gave, as the result of a collection for the Christian Commis-
sion, $28.75. On April 13th, 1864, Rev. A. S. Freeman delivered a
lecture, for the benefit of the Sanitary Commission, and raised $67.15.
The result of a Thanksgiving collection in November of the same year,
taken in Rev. A. S. Freeman's church, added $61.00 more to the result

3IO

of the noble work carried on in Haverstraw. Among other organizations,
beside those of Nyack and Haverstraw, which worked for the U. S. Sani-
tary Fund, must be mentioned the Piermont Knitting Society.

We must turn now and view an act of the National Legislature, which
created greater excitement and bitterness in Rockland County than any
person living had ever seen during her existence, which completed the
disruption of social relations between Peace Democrats and Unionists ;
which at one time, for a brief instant, seemed likely to terminate in mob
violence ; which ended in the practical annihilation of the disunion influence,
and left it stricken, pitiable in its impotence. I refer to the Act commonly
called the " Conscription " or " Draft Act."

The first outburst of enthusiasm, which had led to volunteering on every
side, was ended. Many had enlisted, regarding the war movement as a
gigantic holiday excursion, expecting it to be terminated in a few months,
and feeling that they could enjoy a good time at Government expense
without inconvenience. The long tampaigns in the West, during which
the battle of Shiloh was fought, which ended in only forcing the enemy
into a more compact and impregnable position ; the dreadful Peninsula
campaign which ended when McClellan and his army were hurled back on
Washington, leaving every step of the retreat slippery with human blood ;
and which was followed by Lee's invasion of Maryland, dissipated all
absurdity in regard to the strength of the contest. Men began to learn
what war meant by 1863. Many had enlisted on account of the emolu-
ment, wages, board and clothing, because there was little employment at
home. The departure of the volunteers, the necessities of the Govern-
ment in every form, created a fresh impetus in business ; employees were
scarce, wages high. Financially, there was no longer any inducement to
enlist.

By the close of 1 862, volunteering had practically ceased, and the calls
for 600,000 men, made by the President on July 2d, and August 4th, of
that year, were unanswered, each State insisting that the other States
should furnish proportional numbers of men for the army. It was at this
stage of affairs that conscription was proposed. If, argued those who fa-
vored the prosecution of the war, we abandon the struggle now, we stand
before the world, not a laughing-stock, for the lives already sacrificed for-
bid laughter, but a helpless semblance of authority. We must go forward,
to do so, we must have troops ; men claim the right to vote ; if they have
this power they should support that which confers the power. It was un-
der such feelings that the Act for enrolling and calling out the National
Forces was passed by both branches of the National Legislature ; in the

3"

Senate without the yeas and nays having been called ; in the House by a
vote of 1 1 5 to 49.

Not without reluctance was the power of conscription conceded. All
men recognized the gigantic stride toward centralization, that it represent-
ed, and all feared the effect of such a precedent. Dire extremity alone
made the motion popular, as dire extremity in 18 14 had led the then Sec-
retary of War, William Eustis, to propose a similar measure. The Con-
scription Act became a law, March 3d, 1863. By its provisions all able
bodied male citizens, irrespective of color, including aliens who had de-
clared their intention to become naturalized, between the ages of 18 and
45 ; were to be enrolled. Those between the ages of 20 and 35 were to
constitute the 1st class, all others the 2d. " The President was authorized,
on and after July ist, 1863, to make drafts at his discretion of persons to
serve in the national armies for not more than three years, any one draft-
ed and not reporting to be considered as a deserter. Persons drafted
might furnish an acceptable substitute, or pay $300, and be discharged
from further liability under (Aat draft."

In accordance. with the Act the enrollment was begun, and in May a
draft of 300,000 men was ordered.

To the disunionists of Rockland County the passage of this Act seemed
too monstrous for belief From the outbreak ol hostilities they had per-
sistently called for peace, insisting that the war was unconstitutional, that
the Nation had no power to coerce a State, which wished to withdraw
from the Union. With unfeigned horror they had seen coercion begun.
At National victories they mourned ; at National defeats rejoiced. Thor-
oughly consistent in following their ideas, except in the rather vital mat-
ter of voting in- a government they disbelieved in, and drawing sustenance
under its protection, while endeavoring in every way to injure it ; these
disunionists viewed the Emancipation Proclamation as an outrage, the
suspension of habeas corpus as an unheard of desecration of the Constitu-
tion. But the slaves freed were the property of men hundreds of miles
away, and so long had they been allowed to express their beliefs without
annoyance, that the probability of the Government interfering with them
at last seemed slight.

The Conscription Act was an entirely different matter. It struck close
home.' They with others would be enrolled; they with others must take
their chance on the turn of a wheel : if drawn, they must either serve in
the armies or pay toward the support of a cause they hated, and conster-
nation and rage filled their minds.

Ever since the beginning of hostilities, the disunionists had drawn

312

more and more apart from the Union men, and at length had come to
form secret organizations for the better manipulation of their plans. In
their wrath at the Conscription Act, these disunionists now turned on
their patriot neighbors and threatened dire consequences if the draft pro-
ceeded. Among the threats was one to burn the residences of prominent
Republicans throughout the County, another, to attack and loot the Pro-
vost Marshall's office at Tarrytown, and destroy the rolls.

Through the imprudent utterances of some of the less intelligent mem-
bers of the disunion party, sufficient information of the incendiary plan
was obtained to determine the Union men on action, and for their mutual
protection and aid, the Rockland County branches of the Loyal National
League were formed. These societies had pass-words, employed titles,
and used the other belongings, that attach to secret societies. That at Nyack
met weekly and oftener, if necessity demanded. Their mission was ended
at the close of the war, and they passed from existence. The branch of
the Loyal League at Haverstraw was organized May 9th, 1863, at a
meeting at Benson's Hall, the following officers being chosen :

Alexander Davidson, President.

Vice-Presidents,
George Benson, Peter Van Valer,

Levi Knapp, Sylvester Knapp,

George S. Sherwood, Richard Washburn,

John I Cole, John Oldfield.

Spencer J. Weiant and Brewster J. Allison, Secretaries.

This society was joined by most of the Union men of Haverstraw

township.

The organization at Nyack was completed about the same time as

that at Haverstraw, and contained among its members the following

persons :

Delos Mansfield, Charles Mansfield,

John V. Burr, Moses G. Leonard,

F. L. Nichols. Edward Burr,

George Green, E. B. Johnson,

Thomas Austin, John W. Towt,

J. B. Pomeroy, D. J. Blauvelt,

John Gunn, Peter Voorhis,

Christopher Rutherford, William G. Haeselbarth.

This Society contained most if not all of the Unioii men [of Nyack in
its membership.

313

For the purpose of enrollment and draft, a board was created in each
Congressional District, consisting of the Provost Marshall, a Commissioner
and a Surgeon. Rockland County was in the loth Congressional District
of New York, together with Putnam and Westchester Counties. In May,
1863, Hon. Moses G. Leonard of Rockland Lake was appointed Provost
Marshall for this District, and established his office at Tarrytown.

It was evidently the part of the disunionists to throw every possible
obstacle in the way of the Government in its efforts to carry out the Con-
scription Act, and their first move was to question the accuracy of the enroll-
ment. A State law existed, requiring an enrolment of all persons liable
to bear arms, but, owing to the neglect of the Legislature to appropriate
money, no enrollment could be had until the means were provided on the
personal responsibility of Governor Morgan. By this enrollment, as re-
ported by Adjutant-General Hillhouse, Rockland County stood as follows :

Population, - - 22,462

Number of men enrolled, 3.979

Number of men exempt, - 988

County's quota, ----- 696

Volunteered since July 2d, 1862, 258

Deficiency, - 438

Liable to draft, - 2,991

This enrolment was regarded as too imperfect for the draft ordered by
the President, and a new one was ordered under the supervision of each
district Board of Enrollment. These local boards were under the com-
mand of the Provost Marshall Generals of each State, and these, in turn,
were under the orders of James B. Fry, Provost Marshall General of the
United States. New York State was divided in three divisions, and the
State Provost Marshall General for the Southern division, which contained
the Tenth Congressional District, was Colonel Robert Nugent, who was
appointed April 25th, 1863.

Under the Board of Enrollment for our district, which comprised
thirty-one townships, the enrolling officers for Rocklandj^ County were:
John I. Cole, for Haverstraw; James H. Christie, for Orangetown; Wil-
liam D. "Furman, for Ramapo, and A. Cornelison, for Clarkstown. These
officers at once began work and soon completed their duties, the first to
finish being A. Cornelison. The enrolment for the County together with
an estimated quota of one-fifth, to which 50 per cent, is added for exemp-
tions, was as follows :

314

Haverstvaw. \ ^^l^; "Jo^^.g. j -' ^{-; ^ q.ota, 176x50 per cent.=.64

Orangetown. \ ^S' ^-=774 } H' f^', Ifj quota, .07x50 per cent.=r6i

I^-apo, \ E; ^\l=S^9 \ l'^ fZl: We 1-'^' 7. X50 per cent.=:o6

Clarkstown, j "^^l S-=54. j 'f .tsl; 35' quota, 70x50 per cent.=:os

As soon as the enrollment was completed, the slips and other neces-
saries were made out and Marshall Leonard prepared for the drawing,
which was ordered to be begun at Tarry town in the loth District, July
20th, 1863. Meantime the disunionists had grown bolder in their threats
to resist the draft, proclaiming, beside the usual formula about the uncon-
stitutionality of the measure, that the enrolment was unjust and burden-
some. In pursuance of their plan of action a mass meeting, to discuss the
legality of the Conscription Act, was advertised to be held in Tarrytown,
Monday, July 20th, 1863.

Through his deputy marshalls, the Union men in his District, Revs.
John Quinn, of St. John's Church at Piermont, and Patrick Mahoney, of
St Peter's Church at Haverstraw, and Michael Murphy, his hired man,
Marshall Leonard was informed, that a delegation from New York City
was to be present at the proposed mass meeting, that incendiary speeches
were to be made, and that, in all probability, a riot would follow, in which
the Marshall's office was to be destroyed, with the books, slips, enrolment
lists and other contents. On the morning of July 17th, when the Provost
Marshall reached Tarrytown, he learned that a mob from the lower West-
chester towns was on its march to Tarrytown. What preparation had
been made by the disunionists of that place to aid them, no one knew.
The Provost Marshall's office was defenceless — it will be remembered that
the 17th Regt. N. Y. S. M., had started from Yonkers for the front July
8th — and if the outbreak had been advanced three days, as appeared
probable, little resistance seemed possible.

With all haste the books and papers of the office were packed in the
carriage of James A. Hamilton, of Irvington, who happened to be in the
village, and by him were driven out of town and safely concealed The
next step was to obtain the muskets from the Tarrytown Military Aca-
demy, and with these, and the shot-guns, that could be secured in the
village, as many as could be supplied were armed. This armed guard
was stationed in and around the Provost Marshall's office. From two to
three score Union men had by this time collected, armed with every con-
ceivable weapon, and at once organized for duty. The mob, delayed by
its fondness for liquor, at last reached Irvington, where it was met by word

315

from Tarrytown, that as it was ahead of time and unexpected, no aid
could be given it, while the Marshall had made thorough preparation for
determined resistance. At this point it disintegrated, and the members
returned to their homes. At the first alarm word had been sent to the
Union men in the District, and by afternoon aid came from every quarter.
A company, which was to remain on duty till military help could be ob-
tained, was formed among the citizens, and in the care of this guard every-
thing was left for the night.

Among the incidents of that day should be mentioned an act of
Michael Murphy. Learning that there was trouble in Tarrytown, he
started from Mr. Leonard's home at Rockland Lake, to meet him at the
ferry landing, earlier than usual, and, before proceeding to the dock, drove
up to Mr. Rutherford's Military Academy in Nyack, from which he ob-
tained the muskets. On reaching the river he found that the last boat for
Tarrytown had gone. On Marshall Leonard's arrival at Nyack, the mus-
kets, which Murphy had loaded in a row boat to take across the river,
were replaced in the wagon and driven to the residence of William Voor—
his, in Upper Nyack — the house next north of the old stone church —
where they were concealed in the cellar.

The next day Marshall Leonard and a number of the Union men of
the District visited New York to obtain military aid. At first they were
disappointed, the Military Commander General John A. Dix, referring
them to Governor Seymour and he hesitating to render assistance. In this
plight, Mr. Rhind, one of the party who had a brother in the navy, sug-
gested a visit to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. It was made. The Comman-
dant, Rear- Admiral Hiram Paulding, listened to their story, and promised
them all possible help. On their return to New York, the committee call-
ed upon the Police Commissioners and stated their fears, receiving prom-
ise of aid from them likewise.

At 4:30 o'clock, on the morning of July 19th, a strong police force un-
der the command of Captain Dickson and Sergeants McCleary and Bar-
nett, left New York to patrol the lower Westchester towns ; and a few
hours later an U. S. gunboat sailed up the river and anchored off Tarry-
town.

The presence of this gunboat, which patrolled the river from Tarry-
town to Haverstraw, was a revelation to bpth Union &nd disunion men.
It represented a mighty government, which, however much disturbed by
distant foes, could still watch and care for its interests every where and
punish without fail those who injured them. It brought fresh courage to
the loyal people of Rockland County. It cast so great a fear upon the

3i6

disunion men, that from the peaceful Sunday, when it was first seen at
anchor, till the close of the war, no further open threats of violence were
heard, and no acts of violence committed.

The draft riots in New York were at length ended by sharp measures.
Veteran troops were forwarded to that city to prevent further outbursts.
The militia was returning from the front. People at last realized the fact
that the Government at Washington was in earnest, and meant to carry
out the draft. Instantly, pleas for more time to meet the emergency came
from the townships in the loth District.

At a special town meeting held in Orangetown, it was voted to borrow
$30,000 on the credit of the town, to cover the exemption fee of $300 of
every one who should be drafted. In Clarkstown and Ramapo, it was
resolved at special town meetings, that each person residing in those town-
ships, liable to the draft, should pay $25 to the committee-man of his
school district on or before September 12, 1863, which should go into a
general fund, to be used to pay exemptions ; those who did not pay were
not to enjoy the benefits of this sum. It was further resolved in each
township, that the Supervisor should petition the Legislature to permit
the raising of a sufficient sum by a tax upon taxable property, to pay the
exemptions of such as might be drafted over the amount raised by the
$25 payments.

In Haverstraw township, which, the reader will remember, at that
time embraced the present township of Stony Point, a call for a special
meeting to raise money for the purpose of paying exemptions, was signed
by sixteen of her leading citizens on September loth. Pursuant to that
call, a special town meeting was held at Benson's Corners on September
17th, and organized with Prince W. Nickerson as Chairman, and S. C.
Blauvelt Secretary. At that meeting the following resolution was adopted:

" Whereas : The President of the United States, in his superior wisdom, by a Proclamation
dated September l6th, 1863, has suspended the writ of Habeas Corpus, and whereas it is apparent
that the suspension of said writ has reference to the pending draft, and the electors of the town of
Haverstraw may unconsciously place themselves in antagonism to the 'powers that be,' and sub-
ject themselves to severe penalties by reason of any action that they may take ;

Resolved : That the electors of said town suspend all action in reference to procuring exemp-
tion from the operation of the Conscription Act."

The firemen of Warren, however, raised a fund, to exempt any of
their number who'might be drawn, by the contribution of $50 per man,
and petitioned the people of the village to aid them. This, the citizens
decided to do, at a special election, and voted to raise $900, or as much
of it as was needed, by a general tax upon the taxable property in War-
ren village.

317

Perhaps a word in regard to Haverstraw in the draft matter is neces-
sary.. From the beginning, her people proclaimed that the enrolment in
her case was incorrect, that it was taken when the laborers in the brick-
yards and the employees in the rolling-mills, print works and other fac-
tories were at their busiest season. Many of these men were non-resi-
dents, and at the end of their season, before the drawing occurred, had
gone from Haverstraw, leaving her citizens with a disproportionate quota.
This complaint is certainly worthy of attention. But the drawing as origin-
ally ordered, was to have been held on July 20th, when this floating pop-
ulation was still in Haverstraw. It was, not held at that time, because the
violent feeling of the disunionists led them to threaten opposition to the
draft instead of preparing to meet it. When it was discovered that the
National Government was not in sport but thorough earnest, a plea for
more time was made from all the townships, and through the clemency
of that Government, which many of the residents had threatened to resist,
in Haverstraw so openly that the gunboat had to patrol the river as far as
that village, the extension of tirne was granted. This delay in time per-
mitted the departure of the artisans and laborers.

On September Sth, 1863, Provost Marshall Leonard reported to
Colonel Robert Nugent, Acting Assistant Provost Marshall General, that
he was ready to begin the drawing, and suggested to him the advisability
of having a military force at Tarrytown during the days of the draft. The
draft began Wednesday, September 23 d, 1863. On Tuesday, September
22d, three companies of the 26th Michigan Volunteers and one battalion
of the 2d Connecticut Flying Artillery with two guns, arrived at Tarry-
town and went into camp. On the following morning a detachment of
60 men of the Metropolitan Police, under Inspector Dilks, reported to
Marshall Leonard for duty. The drawing proceeded in the most peaceful
manner. Rockland County was drawn during the third day.

The number of men from this County held for service by this draft was
204. Of the conscripts, an even half dozen served in person, namely :
Odell Gardner, of Haverstraw ; Richard Williams, Isaac Osborne, John
Van Zile, Lewis Matthews, of Ramapo, and Wm. Brown, a Negro, of
Clarkstown.

On October 17th, 1863, the President called for 300,000 volunteers,
and ordered a draft to fill all deficiencies which might exist, Jan. 5th,
1864. Under this call the quota for Rockland County was 221 hien
divided among the towns thus :

Haverstraw - 91 Clarkstown 38

Orangetown SS Ramapo 37

3i8

In order to facilitate recruiting, a recruiting agent was appointed for
each town in the loth District, by the Board of Enrolment, by Dec. ist,
1863. Those appointed in our County were: Lieut. James H. Christie,
for Orangetown ; Capt. William D. Furman, for Ramapo ; William
Snyder, for Clarkstown, and Frederick Tomkins, for Haverstraw.

A special town meeting was held at the Town House, in Orangetown,
on Dec. 21st, 1863, at which it was resolved that every person liable to
the draft should pay $25 before Jan. 4th, 1864; that the town should
offer a bounty of $350 cash for volunteers to the number of 72; that
$28,000 or as much of it as was needed, should be raised for those boun-
ties by the issue of town bonds of the value of $100 or upward ; that a
committee of seven should be appointed by Town Clerk, Henry Blauvelt,
to obtain volunteers. The following were appointed :

I. P. Smith, David I. Tallman, Richard De Cantillon.

John H. Westervelt, Lawrence Mann, C. Van Antwerp,

Tunis J. Blauvelt.

On Dec. 28th. a special town meeting in Clarkstown resulted in a
resolve to give a bounty of $380 for volunteers, and that the sum of
$19,000 be raised by tax to meet this appropriation. On Dec. 31st, the
people of Ramapo decided, at a special town meeting, to pay $375 bounty
for volunteers, and to raise $18,000 by tax for this purpose.

On Jan. 1 1 th, 1 864, a special town meeting was held at Benson's
Corners. It was then decided, by a vote of 186 to 108, that the town of
Haverstraw should raise 75 men, or as many of that number as possible,
by a bounty of $350 each ; that the Supervisor should raise $27,000 on
the town's credit, this latter to be met by a general town tax, for the
purpose of paying these bounties ; that each person liable to be di-awn
should pay $25, the money from this fund to be used, first to pay boun-
ties and then to pay exemptions for such as join the fund; that John I.
Cole, Prince W. Nickerson, James Eckerson, Denton Fowler and Richard
Washburn should be the committee to receive the $25 payments, and that
the committee should have the power to reduce or remit this sum in the
cases of people too poor to pay, they to have the same benefit as the
payers.

On January i8th, 1864, another special town meeting was held in
Haverstraw, in pursuance of a call issued January 13th, to reconsider the
resolutions passed January i ith. At this meeting those resolutions were
rescinded by a majority of 137, and the following carried by a vote of 134:

319

That volunteers and substitutes be furnished for all persons who pay $25
and are drawn. That the Supervisor of the town should borrow on its
credit a sufficient sum to pay each volunteer or substitute not more than
$400. If a sufficient number of volunteers or substitutes could not be
obtained, then the exemption fee of each man, who had joined the fund,
should be paid. By February i8th, the Supervisor reported that 312
people had paid $25. Of these, 144 at a later period withdrew their
money.

By March loth, 1864, volunteering to fill the quotas had been carried
on in the district to the following extent: Veteran re-enlistments, 358 ;
volunteers, 613 ; Invalid Corps, 4. The number above or under the quota
for each township in our County then stood as follows :

Orangetown, over quota, 44 Ramapo, over quota, 40

Clarkstown, " " 14 Haverstraw, under quota, 133

A special town meeting was again held at Benson's Corners on March
30th, 1864, at which the Supervisor of the town of Haverstraw was em-
powered to raise $36,000 for bounty purposes on the town's credit, no
single bounty to exceed $300, and further, " to raise 120 men to fill the
quota of said town, or so many thereof as in the opinion of the Town
Board of said town it may be just right for the said town to furnish as her
proper quota, under the late calls of the President for men." All former
resolutions passed at any special town meeting since the beginning of the
year, were rescinded. On April 2 1st, 1864, the Rockland County Mes-
senger contained the following editorial :

"OUR QUOTA."

" Our four towns present quite a contrast with reference to the draft, Or rather, we should say,
Haverstraw is quite in contrast with the other three towns. Including all calls for troops, Ramapo
has not only filled her quota, but has ten surplus. Orangetown will have a deficiency of one;
Clarkstown oi sev/fnteetit and Haverstraw o^ two hundred and twelve.^^

Previous to the second draft, on March ist, 1864, Hon. Moses G.
Leonard resigned from the position of Provost Marshall and W. W. Pier-
son, of Westchester County, was appointed in his stead. The second draft
began on May 9th, 1864. Three hundred and eleven were drawn from
Haverstraw and sixteen from Clarkstown. The other townships had
filled their quotas. On the same day that the draft occurred, " the Super-
visor of Clarkstown presented sixteen volunteer enlistments, effected pre-
vious to the draft and the notices (to drafted men in that township) were
not served."

In the second draft the names were taken from the same enrolment as

320

that used at first, and, for reasons of which I have spoken, Haverstraw had
1 26 names drawn of persons who did not report. In this draft her people
determined, if possible, to put in men, instead of paying exemptions, and
for this purpose offered the sum of $300 to each drafted man, who would
furnish a substitute, he to furnish the difference between this amount and
the bounty paid. By June 9th, 1864, only 17 volunteers had been ob-
tained by the payment of bounties ranging from $500 to $600. Under
these circumstances a further draft became necessary to meet the defici-
ency, and the drawing of 213 names was held on June isth. This drew a
protest from the people of Haverstraw. For various reasons a new en-
rollment had been ordered for Rockland County, and Silas G. Mackey
appointed enrolling officer for Haverstraw.

On June 23d, at a special town meeting held at Benson's Corners,
resolutions were passed that the Board of Town Auditors should raise a
sum, not exceeding $75,000, or so much thereof as might be necessary,
for the purpose of paying bounties to volunteers for the army or navy
during the continuance of the war. It was then voted that all previous
resolutions made since January ist, 1864, should be rescinded.

The third call for men, made by the President, was issued July i8th,
1864, and gave 500,000 as the number needed. Quotas for this call were
based on the revised enrolment.

To meet this demand, the people of Orangetown, at a special meeting
held during the first week in December, voted to raise the bounty to $800
per volunteer. The draft to fill the quotas took place at Tarrytown, Sep-
tember 23d, 1864. Orange and Clarkstown, having filled their quotas,
were not drawn upon; but 194 names were called from Haverstraw, and
1 12 from Ramapo.

The annual meeting of the Board of Supervisors jn our County was
held October 4th, 1864. At this the following resolution, introduced by
William Dickey, Supervisor for Orangetown, was unanimously adopted :
" That the resolutions passed by this Board at their special meetings, held
June 14th, June 23d and September 2d, 1864, empowering the several
towns to raise the sums therein named severally, are hereby reaffirmed ;
and that, in addition, and for the same purpose, and in the same manner,
the town of Orangetown be empowered to raise a further sum of $25,000 ;
the town of Clarkstown, $8,000; the town of Haverstraw, $75,000, and
the town of Ramapo, $25,000." Early in December, 1864, the President
called for 300,000 more men, and gave till February 15th, 1865 to raise
this number, fixing that date for a draft to fill all deficiencies. The quotas
for Rockland were :

321

Haverstraw, 136 Ramapo, 81

Orangetown, 107 Clarkstown, 82

Before the close of the year, the people, at special town meetings in
Orangetown, Ramapo and Clarkstown, had determined on raising volun-
teers by the payment of bounties, the funds for which should be obtained
by a tax on taxable property. In Haverstraw a special meeting was held
January 5th, 1865. At this it was determined, that each person in the
town liable to be drawn should pay $25 into a fund to be used, either for
the purpose of paying exemptions or bounties, on or before January 20th.
Any drafted person who had not paid this sum would have to pay $100
to obtain the benefits of the fund. It was further decided, that sufficient
money be raised by a tax on taxable property, to meet any deficiency.
This Special meeting was followed by another at Benson's Corners on
February 3d, at which it was resolved to test the legality of the resolutions
held on January 5 th, because, among other things, it fixed no sum for
bounties. At this meeting it was further resolved to pay $300 for each
substitute.

A drawing took place in Tarry town on February 21st, 1865, at which
1 1 2 names were taken from Haverstraw. The other townships in our
County having filled their quotas were not called upon.

Still another special meeting was held at Benson's Corners on Feb-
ruary 27th, at which the resolutions passed at the meeting of January 5th
were re-affirmed as according to an act of the Legislature, passed February
loth, 1865. It was then resolved that a further sum of $10,000 be raised
if necessary, and that the bounties offered should be : $300 for one year
men ; $400 for two year men ; $600 for three year men, and $100 hand
money in addition thereto. Before any further calls were made. General
R. E. Lee had surrendered, closely followed by Gen'l Johnson, and the
long war was over.

In summing up the results of the draft, the Rockland County Journal
for August 4th, 1865, makes the following statement: " Each of our towns
has met in full all the calls upon it with the single exception of Haver-
straw, which is indeed the only town in the entire district which had not a
surplus at the time of the order to stop recruiting.

The vast expenses of the war, the appreciation in values, the tremen-
dous issue of promises to pay, called greenbacks ; led to recklessness in the
handling of money, led to dishonest practices. One very common method
in connection with the draft was for the Supervisors of the towns to
pocket the difference between what the towns offered for bounties and the
bounty paid. Thus if the bounty offered was $300, and the Supervisor

322

obtained a substitute for $200, in too many cases the $100 difference was
not turned back to the town's credit. It is with pleasure that I here
record the action of John E. Hogencamp, Supervisor for Clarkstown from
1862 to 1867. With every temptation which beset others, and with too
common usage as an example, this public officer remained true to his con-
stituents and his manhood, and every dollar that he could save for his
electors was turned into the town funds. The amount expended by Clarks-
town, in filling the different calls made for men, was $115,891.25.

In regard to the debt incurred 'for war purposes, known as the War
Debt, Rockland County was one of the first in the State to pay it in full
and her financial record on this momentous matter stands among the
highest in the State.

It is necessary now to review the political actions of our citizens dur-
ing the period of Civil War. I have already said that the Democratic
Party was abruptly split into two wings by the opening of hostilities, a
schism which constantly widened, until by the autumn of 1 861, each fac-
tion had adopted principles which prevented any possible re-union. The
Peace or disunion, I would here state that I use the name disunion in its
correct sense and not as a title of reproach, party named its adversary
" Black Republican," a name intended to express obloquy and given
because of the abolition principles held by its members. The Republicans
retaliated by calling their opponents '" Copper-heads," a term of oppro-
brium taken from a venomous and sluggish snake common to the North-
ern States, which bites without the warning given by the rattlesnake.
Each side gloried in its appellation, members of one wearing pinsjmade
from the Indian heads cut from the copper coin then in circulation.

Shortly after President Lincoln's inauguration he called an extra ses-
sion of Congress to meet July 4th, 1861. To this the Peace Democrats
sent a petition from our County, addressed to " The Honorable, the Senate
and House of Representatives in Congress assembled," which was signed
by the names that follow it, most of the signatures being in the original
handwriting of the signers.

" The undersigned citizens of the State of New York beg leave to present to your honorable
body most respectfully the following petition, to wit :

While they hold themselves ready to maintain and uphold their government in the constitu-
tional exercise of all its powers, yet they would respectfully pray, for the purpose of preventing
the horrors of civil war, and for securing the perpetuity of our Union, that you will adopt the
policy of an immediate General Convention of all the States as suggested in the Inaugural of the
President, or any other compromise by which these ends may be obtained. Earnestly deploring
civil war as the greatest calamity that can befall a nation, we pray you may adopt any
COURSE that may bring peace to our distracted country.

323

John M. Baker,
David I. Tallman.
M. M. Dickinson,
Henry Palmer,
P. A. Harring,
John Wm. Voris,
Martin Knapp,
■John Stephens,
John Storms,
■Cornelius Seaman,
George-Stephens,
Jacob Mackie,
H. L. Sherwood,
A. T. Seaman,
Claus Meyer,
Isaac L. Sherwood^
JohnH. Ryder,
William L. Richards,
Peter Stephens,
James C. Wool,
A..B. Cornelison,
John C. Polhemus,
James F. McKenzie,
Thos. Van Orden,
George Derondi,
D. D. Ackerman,
H. T. Blauvelt,
H. B. Fenton,
Jacob Horn, •
John W. Stephens,
John Tallman, Jr.;
Samuel Helms,
Abr. Iserman,
John Iserman,
A. G. Polhemus,
James P. Woertehdy,
John A. Bogert,
John T. Blanch,

D; Van Houten,
Jacob H. Derondi,
Spencer Youmans,
Henry House,
John S. House,
William Palmer,
Joseph Wool,
I. F. Hawpton,
Abr. F. Laloe,
John Vanhouten,
Nelson Gurnee,
Joseph Baker,
Spencer Gurnee,
A. J. Smith,
J. A. Vanderbilt,
Wm. R. Knapp,
John Blauvelt,
Chauncey Brady,
Aaron Ryder,
George Knapp,
Joseph Blauvelt,
Isaac Blanch,
Christine Huber,
Jacob Blanch,
Christian Popp,
Isaac Tallman,
Nelson Stephens,
P. Wm. Nickerson,
Garret Stockum,
John J. Post,
Wm. Bleecker,
Tunis Blauvelt,
Jeremiah Knapp,
P. D. W. Smith,
S. D. Demarest,
Leonard A. Gurnee,
Daniel M. Clark,
C. C. Burr,
A. -H. Tyson,

J. E. Hogencamp,
A. A. Demarest,
Wm. D. Youmans,
Isaac Ver:valen,
T. A. Demarest,
Peter Van Houten.
Win. Coates,
Wm. Knapp,
J. C. Haring,
Peter A. Smith,
Samson Marks, Jr.
John Garrabrant,
Wra. Garrabrant,
H. Hoffman,
John Morphed,
C. H. Demarest,
R. H. Cooke,
G. A. Demarest.
Chas. E. Smith,
Aaron T. Remsen.
Edwin P. Palmer,
A. Van Tassel,
M. Green,
G. W. Chamberlain,
J. W. Bates,
Thos. Burd,
Ed. McGowan,
Rich. Grandwell,
John W. Felter,
A. Blakeslee,
John Palmer,
Peter Conklin,
James Allen,
Peter De Pew,
David 0. Storms,
Peter T. Stephens,
William Dickey,
Richard Gilhuly,

Shortly after this petition had been forwarded the following call was
issued :

"PEACE! COMPROMISE!! UNION!!!

' ' All persons that are in favor of preserving the Union of States, by a peaceful settlement of
our present difficulties, and opposed to the si£EDDiNG OF BLOOD unnecessarily, all who are
in favor of freedom of Speech, and the Press, and the right of Petition, all who are opposed to an
Enormous National debt, and direct taxation, are invited to attend a public meeting to
be held at the York House, in the village of Nyack, on Monday evening, July 15th (1861), at 7J^
o'clock, for the purpose of giving a calm and decided public expression of their views and senti-
ments."

324

Peter De Pew, John G. Perry, Garret Sarvent,

Thomas Lawrence, Henry E. Storms, Henry Palmer,

Daniel M. Clark, Wm. Dickey, James C. Wool,

Wm. Palmer, George W. Towner, R. De Cantillon,

Peter Stephens,

The meeting was called to order by Peter De Pew, who nominated

John Nafie as Chairman. William Dickey then nominated the following

Vice-Presidents :

William R. Knapp, A. A. Demarest, J. J. Ackerson,

P. W. Nickerson, Thomas Ackerson, J. D. Swartwout,

John B. Gurnee, John Storms, Sr., Marcus Hoffman,

John A. Johnson, Jabez Wood, Azariah Ross,

Joseph Wool, P. D. W. Smith, Henry House.

M. M. Dickinson and George P. Stephens were made Secretaries of
the meeting. Among the resolutions adopted were the following, intro-
duced by Thomas Lawrence :

Resolved : That while we yield to none in love for the Union of our States, in respect and at-
tachment to our glorious flag, and in fealty and willing obedience to the Constitution and laws of
the United States, we nevertheless protest against the attempt to subjugate the people of any State,
to bayonet them into a love for our Union, or sabre them into brotherhood.

Resolved : That every Government having a written Constitution for its guide, should strictly
adhere to its very letter, and no emergency can justify its violation. That the frequent violation
of the Constitution of the United States by the present Executive, and by those under his authority,
deserves, and should receive the unqualified condemnation of every American citizen.

Resolved: That we earnestly entreat our fellow citizens throughout the length and breadth of
our land without distinction of party, to meet together and place the seal of popular condemnation
upon the acts of violence and aggression which are dividing our beloved Union ; inviting foreign
interference ; subverting Constitutional and State rights ; educating a republican people to favor
a dictatorship destructive to the dearest rights of freemen, and tending to the wildest anarchy and
despotism."

The next call for a Peace Meeting was as follows :

PEACE ! PEACE ! ! PEACE ! ! !

Patriots Arouse!

" All persons in favor of Peace, and the preservation of the Union, all who are opposed to the
destruction of our glorious country by the present fratricidal war, all who are opposed to
an ENORMOUS National and State tax, and in favor of freedom of speech, and the right
OF petition, are invited to attend a mass meeting, to be held at the Court House, at New City,
on Saturday, the 20th day of July, inst., at 12 o'clock, noon, for the purpose of adopting such
measures as will tend to a peaceful settlement of our present National difficulties, and permanently
restoring our beloved country to its once happy and prosperous condition."

Wm. R. Knapp, John Nafie, Peter Stevens,

J. B. Gurnee, J. T. Ackerson, J. G. Perry,

Joseph Wool, Thos. Howell, R. De Cantillon,

-T. Ackerson, J. M. Baker, Garret Sarvent,

Jabez Wood, Richard Gilhuley, W. Palmer,

J. J. Ackerson. R. H, Cook, Isaac Hart,

325

M. Hoffman,
D. D. Demarest,
H. House,
M. M. Dickinson,
Peter De Pew,
Henry Palmer,
H. E. Storms,
D. M. Clark,
Wm. Dickey,
W. Willett,
J. L. Conklin,
W. Perry,
G. C. Stephens,
David Munn,

A. Haring,
A. J. Storms,
E. P. Rose,
I. A. Lydecker,
Thos. Lawrence,
P. W. Nickerson,
J. A. Johnson,
A. A. Demarest,
John Storms, Sr.
M. D. Bogert,
J. D. Swartwout,
J. S. Haring,
D. I. Tallman,
A. Ross,

James Wool,
Joe. Blauvelt,
George Dickey, Sr.
G. A. Demarest,
John L. De Noyelles,

F. Van Orden,
A. Smith,

I. W. Canfield,
Levi Gurnee,

G. A. Harring,
Jim Coates,
Wm. Skelly,

J. T. Blanch,
Sylvester Gesner.

The meeting was organized with John A. Johnson, as Chairman.

Secretaries.
Abr. D. Blauvelt, Abr. A. Demarest,

M. M. Dickinson, Jacob Horn,

John A. Bogert, Thos. Howell,

Garret A. Blauvelt, John H. Stephens,

Among the resolutions passed at this meeting was the following :

" Resolved, That we witness with dismay the Constitution violated in many of its plainest
provisions ; the military power over riding the civil ; the liberty of speech and of the press, the
writ of habeas corpus, that venerable and almost sacred safeguard of the citizen — all, all swept
away, or ruthlessly trampled upon by those in power, under the specious plea of a military neces-
sity."

The "War Democrats" through James Smith Haring, Chairman, and
Wm. Govan, M. D., Secretary of the Democratic Central Committee for
Rockland County; called a meeting at New City, for October 5th, 1861.
At this meeting Hon. Wm. F. Fraser, was chosen to the chair, and
Nicholas C. Blauvelt, J. S. Haring, Joseph Cosgrove and Austin L. Fitch,
were elected Vice Presidents, while M. M. Dickinson, J. L. De Noyelles and
William W. Gurnee, were chosen Secretaries. Speeches favoring the
Union over party and expressing a determination to sustain the Govern-
ment, were made by Hons. A. E. Suffern, Moses G. Leonard, A. B. Con-
ger and others.*

The following resolutions were then passed unanimously :

'^Resolved, That we acknowledge our allegiance to the general government, and recognize in
the present unhappy crisis of the public affairs, our duty as loyal and patriotic citizens to sustain the
government in restoring its authority throughout the Republic.

" Resolved, That the rebellion which has been inaugurated and is being carried on in certain of
these States against the authority of the United States, and the enforcement of the laws therein.

*See note at end of chapter.

326

has for its unholy object the disseverance of these States, the overthrow of the Constitution, the
subversion of the laws, and the dissolution of the Federal Union.

"Resolved, That we believe the rebellion against the government by the so-called Confederate
States is without just cailse, palliation or excuse, and that it deserves, as it received, the abhorrence
and detestation of every good citiztn and loyal subject, and that it may be effectually and forever
suppressed and destroyed, we hereby tender to the government our undivided support in its loyal
and praiseworthy efforts to meet it force by force.

"Resolved, That the government should, by all the power of its arms, and every requisite
expenditure of its treasure, prosecute this war for the maintenance of its jurisdiction, the supremacy
of its authority, obedience to its laws, and for the protection and vindication of every guaranteed
right — National, State and individual — until the Constitution be acknowledged and re-established,
the Union restored, the flag of the Republic, the symbol of nationality and union, with not a star
obscured, not a stripe erased, float proudly from every eminence throughout the land, and our
common country march on her future course in all the majesty of peace, justice and freedom."

From this time till the close of the war, many of the "War Democrats "
acted and voted with the Republicans under the name of the Union Party,
and received from the other wing all the hatred and vituperation with
which they treated the Republicans. Political feeling was carried into the
churches, and dissolved the ties of Christian brotherhood, and between pas-
tors and peoples ; it entered the family circle and estranged blood rela-
tions.

Such was the political animosity which existed at the opening of the
campaign of 1 864. For that contest the Republican party had renom-
inated Abraham Lincoln, while the Democrats had selected George B.
McClellan. As weapons of offence the latter party openly denounced the
prolongation of the war, while privately they condemned the Emancipa-
tion Proclamation, the draft and the suspension of habeas corpus. Once
again, and for the last time, a Peace meeting was held at New City, on.
August 5th, 1864. It was organized by the selection of the following:

Marcus Hoffman, Chairman,

Vice-Presidents.

John Nafie, Luke Van Orden, Jacob Horn, Daniel Lake.

Secretaries.
M. M. Dickinson, H. Fenton, Henry Palmer.

A series of peace resolutions were read by Thomas Lawrence and
adopted. A letter was read from Hon. Gideon J. Tucker, expressing sin-
cere sympathy with the meeting, and regret that he could not be present,
as he was in 1861 ; and a speech was made by C. Chauncey Burr, of Bergen
County, N. J., from which I quote an opening extract ; " About three years
since, I had the honor to address the people of Rockland County, and I
then denounced the present war as a crime against humanity and the

327

Constitution. That sentiment was then applauded to the echo by the
Hsteners."

The election took place on November 8th, 1 864. In the campaign of
i860, 3,779 votes were cast in our County, and the Democratic majority
was 959.

Haverstraw.

Orangetown.

1st Dist. 2d Dist.

3d Dist.

' 1st Dist. 2d Dist.

3d Dist.

Lincoln

152 121

126

171 188

90

McClellan

126 275

Clarkstown.

286

253 242

Ramapo.

79

1st Dist. 2d Dist.

3d Dist.

1st Dist. 2d Dist.

3d Dist.

Lincoln

■ 92 153

116

36 59

134

McClellan

128 129

189

248 106

224

For Governor.

Haverstraw

Orangetovra.

1st Dist. 2d Dist.

3d Dist.

1st Dist. 2d Dist.

3d Dist.

Seymour

126 280

286

258 242

79

Fenton

153 "6
Clarkstown.

125

171 188
Ramapo.

90

1st Dist. 2d Dist. 3d Dist.

1st Dist. 2d Dist.

3d Dist.

Seymour

127 128

189

247 106

225

Fenton

93 153

For

112
Assembly.

36 59

132

Haverstraw.

Orangetown.

1st Dist. 2d Dist.

3d Dist.

1st Dist. 2d Dist.

3d Dist.

Nickerson

128 277

286

254 244

80

Fenton

151 107
Clarkstown.

120

165 180

Ramapo.

87

1st Dist. 2d Dist.

3d Dist.

1st Dist. 2d Dist.

3d Dist.

Nickerson

126 122

190

246 106

220

Fenton

89 150

109

34 59

128

'he total \

^ote cast for Presic

iential Electors was 3.723-

Democratic

majority, 847.

And now events hastened to the inevitable issue. The awful hammer-
ing process, which Grant had been pursuing upon the Army of Northern
Virginia, the march of Sherman, the annihilation of Hood's army, all be-
spoke the approach of the end. The political hope of the South died on
Lincoln's re-election.

It is not uninteresting to look over the files of our County papers dur-
ing the period of the war. At first they are filled with military ardor and
military news, to the exclusion of other data ; later, the military news is
condensed, while the usual County news becomes more prominent ; to-
ward the last they settle down to a few brief items concerning the opera-

328

tions of the armies, while the greater part of the papers is filled with
information regarding burglaries, church sociables and donations, the an-
nual fair, reviews of concerts and other matters of local import. There
had been occasions during the later years, when some of the papers dwelt
more fully on military events. 'Tis not difficult to recall an old and sorely
stricken man, bowed and broken, writing the obituary of a son, killed at
Gettysburg. 'Tis not likely that those who lived in those times will for-
get the sorrow which filled them when they saw the local papers in
mourning for Colonel Pye. As a rule, however, military information had
become so much a part of the daily events that slight attention was paid
to it by the County sheets. Oh, the long, long, weary war !

Early on Monday, April lOth, 1865, the residents of the County along
the river bank heard the firing of guns across the river, and, suspecting
from the character of the news during the last few days what it indicated,
anxiously awaited the arrival of the morning papers. Those papers told
of the surrender of General Robert E. Lee and his army. Immediately
began a scene of rejoicing. The private schools in Nyack were closed,
bunting was displayed from every Union house, and enthusiastic congratu-
lations were exchanged between the loyal people. At Haverstraw all the
schools were closed and the children marched through the streets two
abreast, singing patriotic songs ; guns were fired ; flags unfurled, and
the church bells were rung during the remainder of the day and nigjit.
On board the steamboat Isaac P. Smith an impromptu meeting was organ-
ized by Hon. Moses G. Leonard, and speeches were made and songs sung
during the continuance of the trip.

Ere a week elapsed, the flags, which had been thrown to the breeze at
Lee's surrender, were dropped to half-mast at Lincoln's assassination.
The last act in the drama of rebellion was a cruel murder. A description
of the long funeral procession, which escorted the martyr to his grave, is
not appropriate in this work, and I can only mention the part our people
took in the matter. Grief among the Union people was universal, and
emblems of mourning were profuse. In the calamity, even a majority of
the disunionists seemed sobered and saddened, though a few of the most
outspoken expressed gratification and rejoicing till advised to be quiet.
The funeral train journeyed north on the Hudson River Railroad. On the
day it passed through Tarrytown, the ferry-boat between Nyack and that
place transported such crowds of people as she never carried before and
never did again, to see the train.

As rapidly as possible, after the surrender of Johnson's army, the Union
armies were disbanded and the men returned to their homes. Those from ,

329

Nyack arrived on the steamboat early in the summer, and were received
at Nyack by the citizens, and a procession composed of the fire depart-
ment, students of Rutherford's Academy, and civic societies, and escorted
to Union Hall. In front of that building speeches were made by repre-
sentatives of both parties, a most unwise proceeding, which led this last,
and what should have been happiest action in connection with the struggle,
to end in bitterness.

According to the State Census Report, taken in 1865, Rockland County
furnished 558 men to the Civil War, of whom 89 were killed in battle, or
died from wounds or sickness in camp. The statistics (for the correctness
of which I will not vouch), stand as follows: Clarkstown furnished 74
men, of whom the greatest number enlisted in any single organization was
in the 6th New York Heavy Artillery. Haverstraw furnished 198 men,
of whom many enlisted in the 95th Regiment New York Volunteers, and
many in the 6th New York Heavy Artillery. Orangetown furnished 123.
Many in the 17th Regiment New York Volunteers, the 127th Regiment
New York Volunteers, and the 6th New York Heavy Artillery. Ramapo
furnished 163 : many in the 9Sth Regiment Volunteers; the 124th Regi-
ment Volunteers; the 6th New York Heavy Artillery, and the 17th Regi-
ment N. Y. S. M. Of these troops, 127 were discharged at the end of
their term of service ; 1 26 resigned or otherwise left the service. At the
• time of taking the census, the condition of health in 195 was good; in 37
permanently impaired. Of the deaths :

Killed in Battle, 25

Killed by Accident, i

Died of sickness not acquired
in service, i

Died of Wounds, 13

Died of sickness acquired 37
Unknown, 12

The months and years of enlistment are given as follows :

1861.

Apr. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov, Dec.

16 21 6 8 26 14 40 21 10

1862.

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

42433 4 64 33 862

1863.

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

6 3113 48 44516

33Q

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May.

18 5 16

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May.

I 7 12 4 I

1864.

"une. July. Aug. Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

2 4 I I 29

12

2

6

1865.

Unknown, 60

See Appendix — A.

NOTE.
While obtaining material for this chapter, I was told by a member^ of the War Committee that
there was treason in that committee ; that certain members of it would hasten from the meetings
and give information of the proceedings to the leaders of the disunionists. Inquiry among other
members of the Committee confirmed this statement, and I was given the names of men who were
said to be guilty. I have been unable to find any written or printed proof of this statement, and
have therefore refrained from giving it as fact. In the case of the meetings of the Peace and War
Democrats, however, I have taken the names from hand-bills, newspaper files, and the reports of
the proceedings. The reader who sees these names attached to resolutions condemning the Gov-
ernment ; then to resolutions sustaining the Government ; and then to resolutions decrying it
again, can judge of the fine sense of honor and patriotism, which must have been inherent in these
men, as well as I. That they were regarded as intelligent, is evinced by the fact that they were
selected to fiJ the offices which are necessary in any organization.

Authorities referred to: "American Politics," Johnson; "The Civil War in America,"
Draper; "Notes on Nyack;" "A Retrospect," from the Rockland County Journal; "New
York and the Conscription of 1863," James B. Fry ; "Adjutant-General's Report for the State of
New York." Evening Journal and Herald Almanacs. Files of the New York Herald; Rock-
land County Messenger ; Rockland County Journal. " The American Conflict," Greely ; "New
York State Census Report." Copy-Book of the Provost-Marshall's Office, (through the kindness
of Wm. G. Haeselbarth). Letters and Minutes of the Nyack branch of the Sanitary Commission-
Hand-bills, Advertisements, &c., &c.

CHAPTER XVII.

ORANGETOWN.

ERECTION OF THE TOWN— AREA— ORIGIN OF NAME— CENSUS— FIRST TOWN
MEETING — HISTORIES OF TAPPAN — GREENBUSH— MIDDLETOWN—
■ NYACK—PIERMONT—PaLiSADES—ORANGEVILLE— PEARL RIVER— RAIL-
. ROAU FROM SPARKILL TO NYACK— HIGHLAND AND MIDLAJSTD AVEN-
UES—TOWN OFFICERS.

As we have already seen in the chapter relating to patents, a tract of
land about eight miles long, by from three to five miles wide, was granted
to sixteen men on March 24th, 1686, and named in the grant the town of
Orange. • We have also read that at the time of this grant, the division
line in this colony and East Jersey was not understood, and that the grant
extended into the latter province. When the division line between the
two States was finally agreed upon, part of the grant of 1686 belonged to
Bergen County, and the area of Orangetown was reduced to 16.023
acres. Still further have we learned, that when this section was set off as
a County, in 1683, it was named by the courtiers, whose only desire was
to please their royal patron, after the son-in-law of that patron. It was a
foregone conclusion therefore, that the first town erected in that County
should be given the County's name. But, besides the cognomen accorded
it by the grant, it was often called by the early settlers and their descend-
ants other names. That of the Indians — Navvasunk Lands — was used
frequently till the middle of the Eighteenth Century ; and that of the
tribe from which it was purchased — the Tappaens — which was given to
their first settlement by the early colonists, was often extended to a
broader use, and the whole patent called Tappan Town. Up to a very
recent date I have heard the l^st written name and doubt not, that among
the older families in the County, it is often used to designate the village o
Tappan.

It has been already stated that the census returns of Orangetown,
during its early history, were returns for the whole County, and that any
attempt to separate the population according to towns, appears futile.
Not till 1738, do I find any mention of such division, when Eager, in his
History of Orange County gives the population of each of the four towns.
A hiatus again occurs till 1790, after which the census returns are returned,
without intermission.

33'

In 1738, Orangetown had 830 inhabitants. In 1835, Orangetown had 2079 inhabi

In 1790, " " 117s

In 1800, " " 1337

In 1810, " " 1583

In 1820, " " 2257

In 1825, State Census, 1536

In 1845, " " 3227

In 1855, " " 5838

In 1865, " •' 6166

In 1870, U. S. Census, 6810

In 1880, " 8266

tants.

The truthfulness of census reports is .always open to suspicion, and
reference to the returns of 1820, in the above table, will only confirm
doubt.

The earliest record of the town is of an election April, 1 744. At this
were chosen : " Henry Ludlow, Town Clark and Supervisor ; John Cor-
nelius Haring and John Ackerson, overseers of the fence ; Dolph Lent,
constable ; John Ferdon, John Nagle, John Perry, Commissioners of the
highways; Overseers of the high road: Robert Holly, for the Green-
bush; J. Bartus BJaufilt, for the wagon road; Daniel Vervelia, for Closter;
Thomas Van Houtten, for Skeairecloy; Daniel Blaufilt, for John Clows
Land (Clausland); Johannies Bogart, for the mill road; Johannies Meyer,
pound master ; Renier Wortendyke, Dirck and Tisa Borgard, Assessors ;

John , Peter Dau, to record the quit rent; Daniel Skureman and

Cornelius Tallman, overseers of the poor; Abraham Smith, collector."

The early records of the County, as set forth in the Documents relat-
ing to the Colonial History of the State, give constant legislative acts
intended to prevent the tresspass of swine. In keeping with those acts is
the following resolution, agreed upon by the inhabitants of Orangetown,
in April, 1783 :

" That No Swine, having their noses well ringed and yoked with yokes
the length of the pieces running up and down, being below the Lower
Cross piece at Least five inches and above the Upper Cross piece at least six
inches, Shall be liable to be impounded. Swine not so ringed and yoked,
Who shall get into any person's inclosure, may be impounded, and, unless
the owner Redems them in four days after notice Shall be given by adver-
tisement, be put up at the Church Dore of Such impounding by. paying
the damages and costs and three shillings for each Swine So impounded,
then the Swine so impounded to be Sold at publick Vendue, and the resi-
due of the money arising by such sale, after Such damages. Cost and
pounding Shall be paid to be delivered to the overseers of the poor.

Recorded by me,

M. HOGENKAMP, Town Clerk,"

333

TAPPAN.

Whenever, in entering upon local history, we come upon unlimited
and unbounded sections of land under a local name, it is safe to feel that
we are treading on soil granted to first settlers. Their scope was wide
and they took full advantage of it. In the neighboring State of New
Jersey, we have Paramus, which formerly was the name of all the country
from Sneden's Landing, to the Ramapo ; Pasacack or more commonly,
Pascack ; a like unlimited tract. In our own County was Kakiat, later
Hempfstead, which covered all the present Ramapo Township, and ex-
tended east to the Hackensack : and Tappan, which was only confined by
the boundaries of the Orangetown patent, and the smaller neighborhood
ol Greenbush.

Tappan Landing was the present Piermont. Tappan Slote, the
present Sparkill. The village proper of Tappan, was as we have seen, the
, first organized hamlet in the whole section from Newburgh to the Jersey
line. Here were built the first houses ; here were organized the first
church society and school ; here were erected the first house for divine
worship the first court house and jail ; and then — Tappan Village
stopped.

Eradicating those villages which have since taken other names from
her history, and placing the history of her church under the chapter de-
voted to that subject; we find but little left to say. In 1694, a school
was organized in the village under the charge of Hermanus Van Huysen.
For many years this .place was the County Seat, the county buildings were
located here and here the Board of Supervisors met. In May 1832, the
Rev. Jacob Cole, ppened a boarding school in the village which was con-
tinued for about a year. The building of the Erie Railroad left the vil-
lage to the south and the opening of the Northern Railroad in 1857-59
passed by it to the east. Recently, the New York, West Shore & Buffalo
Railroad, has passed through the hamlet, and it may be that this enter-
prise will bring to Tappan more life.

Similar to that of Tappan is the history of Greenbush. This place,
now known as Blauveltville, obtained its name from some object of physi-
cal nature. In the original patent for Orangetown, we find the name as
the Greenbush. At this place, near the present graveyard, settled one of
the original patentees of the Orangetown grant, Lammert Ariansen, and
built a storehouse. In the case of this man, as in that of others in those
days when patronymics were changed to suit the necessity or fancy of the
time, his trade became at length his surname and from Lammert Ariansen
the Smith we find Lammert Smidt or Smith. Three sons were left by

334

this settler. Garrett, who was the great grandfather of the late Cornelius
T. Smith and Rachel Lydecker, settled south of the Greenbush Swamp.
Abraham remained on his father's place, and Cornelius built on what was
then called the ridge, west of the present Erie Railroad.

BLAUVELTVILLE.

Till the construction of the Erie road, this place bore the name of
Greenbush ; then, in honor of Judge Cornelius J. Blauvelt, it was given its
present name. Like Tappan, it is a small agricultural hamlet with oiie
store, a blacksmith shop, and a few houses. The first storekeeper remem-
bered was John Blauvelt, who was succeeded by Judge Blauvelt, he by
Isaac Dederer, and he by Smith Demarest. John Raab then took the
store and conducted it till 1882. In 1867, a store was built and opened
by the firmof Edebohls & Lediger. Mr. Edebohls died in 1871, and Mr,
Lediger has since continued the business.

The post office was first started here on October 14, 1828, with Cor-
nelius J. Blauvelt as postmaster. On April 9, 1834, this office was dis-
-continued, but was re-established June 25th of the same year, with Cor-
nelius J. Blauvelt in charge. In 1840, Michael Klain became postmaster,
and held the position till April 12th, 1844, when he was succeeded by
Isaac M. Dederer. On March 31st, 1854,, Simon D. Demarest became
postmaster. He was followed by John Raab, Feb. 3d, 1864, Henry Ede-
bohls, Jan. 6th, 1868, and George M. Lediger, Feb. 24th, 1871.

On May 15 th, 1809, John I. Blauvelt gave a lot of ground for the erec-
tion of a school. Shortly after, a building was erected, which was called
the Greenbush Academy. This edifice was of stone and two stories in
height, the first floor being used for the teachers' residence and a school-
room, while the second floor was turned into a public hall. About 1850,
this building was torn down, and the present structure was erected.

The Roman Catholic Juvenile Asylum property at Blauveltville, was
purchased in December, 1878, by the Sisters of the order of St. Dominic.
Its design is the education of indigent female children.

MIDDLETOWN.

The name Middletown was given to a section of Orangetown situated
about a mile west of the Orangeville mills. It was so called because, in the
days of early settlement in the then Orange County, the tavern that stood
here was midway between the pioneers on the Kakiat patent and those at
Tappan. As early as 1720, a log house and tavern owned by a man
named Ackerman, was built in this section on the farm now owned and

335

occupied by John A. Bogert. Some of the foundation of this old tavern
can still be seen. In 1780, this log house was torn down by David
Bogert, who then owned the property, and a stone house erected further
north. Shortly after the completion of this structure, an earthquake
occurred, which cracked the walls from the roof almost to the founda-
tion.

Perhaps it may not be amiss to mention in this connection the legend
told of Marias' Rock, a boulder situated on the property of Lansing
Blauvelt about a mile south of Nanuet oa the Middletown road. Tradi-
tion has it that in 1730, a little girl some ten years old, was lost from the
Tappan Settlement and never after heard from. A few years later, the
skeleton of a child was found lying on the rock, which now bears the lost
girl's name, and this was supposed, doubtless correctly, to be the remains
of the wanderer.

What a vivid picture this gives of the Wilderness our forefathers set-
tled, of the frightful solitude they entered. Barely a few years over a
century and a half have passed since a ten year old child, wanderinginto the
woods after berries or wild-flowers, became lost in a section, where now it
would be impossible to get beyond the sound of a gun from a human
habitation and walked on and on, screaming for help, till exhausted and
famished, she fell asleep on the hard stone. Years passed before her
skeleton was found.

NYACK.

On the southwest shore of Long Island, between the present villages
of Bay Ridge and New Utrecht, formerly lived an Indian tribe named
Nayack, Nayeeck, Neyick, or Nyack. At this place, as we have read in
the chapter on patents. Van Cowenhoven bought land after his disappoint-
ment in regard to the Staten Island grant. The present Gravesend Bay,
was then called Nyack Bay, and in it the English fleet anchored previous
to their capture of New Amsterdam in 1663. Suddenly the name of
Nyack, as applied to that section ceases, and I next find it, applied to the
present village of that name, on the Hudson, in an old deed bearing date,
1764, under the spelling Niack. There can be no doubt, that during the
intervening years, some former resident from the original Nyack on Long
Island, moved to the newer Nyack, and finding it nameless gave it
baptism.

In the chapter relating to patents, I have already mentioned the ear-
liest patentees of this village, as Claes Jansen in 1671, and Harmanus
Dows — now Tallman — and Tunis Paulson previous to 1678.

The growth of the village was slow. In 1799, so little value was at-

336

tached to its future, that the property lying between the present ist avenue
on the north, and De Pew avenue on the south, and extending from the
river to Highland avenue, was purchased by Abraham Lydecker for
$4,000. In a previous chapter I have spoken of the lane that led from
Nyack to the King's highway. Besides this, a road, if the reader cares
to consider a lane as a road, passed up the present Hudson street, and at
Franklin street branched, one lane being continued down Franklin street
to Hillside avenue, then down the present Smith avenue to Piermont
avenue, and followed the course of that road to the present Piermont. On
the present Broadway, north of Main street, there were gates at the end
of every farm — one stood at the corner of the present i st avenue as late
as 1 8 10, and the last, at Mr. Pollock's place, was removed within, a score
of years. On the mountain road at Upper Nyack, just east of Highland
avenue, is a deep hollow — still known by the older residents of the vicinity
as " Spook's Hollow." From this, north, ran a lane that continued to the
property now belonging to Joseph Hilton, where it turned east and north,
and finally reached the mountain near th6 terminus of Broadway.

While Nyack had but this small communication inland, the valley itself
was very productive, and in addition to the agricultural products, a good
business as we have seen had already grown up from the quarries. To
meet the wants of the growing hamlet, Abraham and Harman Tallman,
Peter De Pew and Captain Stephen Meyers, built the first market sloop —
the Aurora — in Nyack, in 1804. This vessel landed at the first dock in
Nyack, the remains of which can be seen between De Pew avenue and the
flock factory dock. In the same year Abram Tallman opened the first
store in the village on the site of the present Smithsonian Hotel. This
store was later sold to the firm of Austin & Edgar, who eventually failed.
The next store was opened by Tunis Smith, grandson of Lammert Arian-
sen Smidt, in the building standing on Main street, at the head of Court
street, in 18 10, and this was followed by one opened by Peter Smith, on
Main street, at the head of Cedar street.

A few years later John Green, started the first lumber yard just north
of the dock at the foot of Main street, and followed by opening a store in
1 8 19, on Main street, at the foot of Canfield street. Later this store came
under the firm of Green & Gurnee, and after the latter's death Green &
Goetchius. Next, Benjamin Blackledge, opened a store on the site of the
present York House — corner of Main and Court streets. Coming down
to more recent days, we find D. D. Demarest, opening a store and lumber
yard at the present steamboat dock, foot of Smith Place, in 1833. In
1839, we find the Smith's buying Demarest's store, Azariah Ross building

337

the large brick store, on the corner of Court and Main streets, opposite
the York House, and D. D. Demarest opening the store, corner of Broad-
way and Burd street, now occupied by R. Gedney.

Meanwhile Upper Nyack had awakened to activity, pushed by the
same cause that was aiding Nyack, the quarry business. In 1824, the
first store was opened by John Van Houten, on the property now owned
by J. P. Voris. This was afterward occupied by T. Smith Tallman, and
was then used by Richard Gilhuly, as a restaurant from 1861 till 1864.
Elijah Appleby, opened a store in 1833, on Broadway opposite the new
school. In 1840, Daniel Clark took this store afterward moving up to
the property now owned by J. W. Schuler on the corner of Broadway and
Tallman street, and later when Tallman street was opened to the river by
T. S. Tallman, in 1850, he moved to the spot now occupied by George
Stephens.

The first drug store opened in Nyack was by J3.mes Clark, on the
corner of Broadway and Burd street, in 1843. This store afterward passed
into the hands of Johnson, Townsend & Pomeroy, then to Erastus Van
Houten, afterward to Wolheim, to Corner, and finally to Philip Moeller.
Next came Mrs. Blauvelt's drug store, still occupied by her, in 1858, and
De Graff & Ross in 1872. The population of the village in i860 was
2,016; in 1865, 2,400.

It is now necessary to look at another business started by the quarry
growth, that of boat building. The early vessels that sailed on the river
were known as "keel boats" and "board boats." The first, built with a
deep keel, had far greater carrying capacity than " board boats," because
their holds, as well as decks, could be used for storage. But it was only
when deep water ran close to the shore that these boats could be landed,
and for Tappan Landing and Haverstraw, they were practically useless.
For shallow water, the flat bottomed vessel with lee-boards was used.

The first centre-board boat of any size built in this County, if not in
the world, was constructed at Nyack, in 1815, by Henry Gesner, for Jere-
miah Williamson, and named the " Advance." On one of his trips to
Pavonia with stone, Williamson had seen a Staten Island skiff with a
centre-board, and the ease with which she was handled, and the closeness
with which she sailed to the wind, determined him to try the centre-board
in a larger vessel. In the "Advance" the board was set through the keel,
which was built of two pieces, with a space for the board, bolted together,
instead of, as at present, alongside. As may be imagined, there were
many detractors of the new idea, who said that it would be impossible for
the weakened keel to be as strong as an unbroken stick of timber, and

338

that wood and iron could never be put together strongly enough to stand
the wrenching of the heavy board amidships. In spite of their gloomy
view the "Advance" did succeed. Like wine, she improved with age,
and in later years made the remarkable record of six trips, between New
York and Nyack in six days, starting on her first trip with a load of
stone early Monday morning and returning from her sixth trip Saturday
evening.

In 1825, the centre-board sloop, "Parthenia" was built at Nyack, for
use on Long Island Sound. In this case the board was placed alongside
the keel, and secured by the bed piece as at present. Again opponents
to the idea felt positive, that, while a centre-board might work in the com-
paratively smooth water of the river, it would fail in the rougher water of
the Sound. The " Parthenia " disappointed these disparagers and proved
very successful. From this time, centre-board boats were almost univer-
sally built for inland navigation.

Up to 1830, when a marine railway was built at Staten Island, it had
been customary for the purpose of cleaning a boat, to run her ashore on a
sandy beach at high water, and on the ebb tide to scrub her bottom, and
apply a coat of tar below the water line. But the beginning of railways
at Staten Island, compelled Nyack builders to advance still further, and
add this improvement to their yards. The first marine railway in Rock-
land County was built by John Van Houten at Upper Nyack, on the
property now owned by J. P. Voris, in 1834. Next, John Felter built a
railway just south of Van Houten's in 1839. In later years Felter's yard
came into the hands of William H. Dixon. In 1874, Voris owned it, and
built two large coasting schooners there. Since that time it has been dis-
mantled.

Shortly after this beginning, the Smiths built two railways at Nyack,
in or near the ferry slip. Mr. Ross followed in 1845, by building a ways
where those by the foundry now stand. Perry put down the next ways
at the dock below the gas-house ; and in 1853, Isaac Canfield built two
railways in the yard since 1867 belonging to Edward Smith. Nurtured
by the demands of the quarry men, boat building at Nyack grew with
rapidity, The most busy season in the yards was in 1835-6, when there
were sixteen new vessels on the stocks at one time.

An attempt to name the different vessels built at Nyack would be out
of place even if the task were possible, and I may but make brief mention
of those that were out of the ordinary run. In 1863, Wm. Dickey built
two steamboats for the Camden & Amboy R. R. Co. on the property now
belonging to Wilson Defendorf, and in 1865-6, he built the " Chrystenah "

339

in front of the foundry at Nyack. I would state here that the " Chrys-
tenah " was a new boat, and not, as so many think, huilt from or on any part
lof an old hulk. In later years yacht building has grown to large dimen-
•sions here. At Nyack, too, were built the " Duck," a steamboat experi-
ment for canal towing, and the catamaran " Henry W. Longfellow,"
•designed by Wm. Voorhis and launched in 1880. This vessel as built
•consisted of two segar-shaped hulls 200 feet lojig, 5 ^ feet diameter at the
largest part and 9 feet apart. The hulls were made of boiler iron ,\ inch
in thickness at the centre, thinning toward the ends. On the hulls rested
.a single deck 125 feet long, 25 feet breadth of beam, on which was built
the saloons. The original motive power was a Well's balance engine of
476 horse power, and a six-blade propeller of 8 feet diameter.

In 1882, the domed vessel " Meteor " was built at Edward Smith's
yard. This vessel, built as an experiment, "was mastless and covered with
a " turtle back " dome, or oval roof, from stem to stern. The " Meteor"
was 156 feet long over- all, .21 feet 8}4 inches extreme beam, and, as
■originally built, had a doubled balanced engine, capable of 400 revolutions
per minute. She was built for the American Quick Transit Co. of Boston
and was intended to demonstrate that a vessel of this construction was
more rapid and less liable to injury from the sea than those with masts
and undomed. In lieu of spars, the large vessels are to have auxiliary
iscrews, that can be used in case of accident to the main engine.

On May iSth, 1883, there was launched from the yard of J. P. Vorisat
Upper Nyack, the steamboat. " Wilbur A. Heisley," built for the Long
Branch & Seabright Steamboat Co. This boat was 1 5 S feet length of
keel ; 33 feet beam ; 7 feet depth of hold, and 3 feet draught loaded. She
was moved by a Ward's tubular boiler and a large stern paddle wheel.

We must now turn to the manufacturing interests of Nyack. July
1 2th, 1826, Wm. Perry started a shop for the manufacture of shoes in
Upper Nyack. In 1828, he removed to Main Street just west of Broad-
way, and, his business steadily increasing, by 1832, he found it necessary
to employ a dozen men.

Following Perry, we find Daniel Burr starting a factory, and shortly
after forming a partnership with Nathaniel and Edward Burr, under the
firm name of Burr & Co. A year later Nathaniel left the firm and started
alone and the firm name was changed to Daniel & Edward Burr, and still
later, the members of this firm separated, each going in business alone. In
1855, Edward Burr sold his business to T. Austin and John Burr, who,
under the firm name of Austin & Burr, opened in Union Hall. Later
Frederick Dezendorf, joined this firm, the name becoming Austin, Burr &

340

Co., and bought out the business of Daniel Burr. In a short time, the
firm name again changed, Dezendorf starting alone.

In 1857, the firm of Ketchel, Caywood & Burr, was organized, chang-
ing two years later into Ketchel & Caywood, John Burr having started
alone. About the same time, the firm of Smith & Baker started in the
shop of Wm. Perry. About 1864, Dezendorf gave up the business at
Nyack, and was succeeded by Mr. Cooke. Later, Edward Burr returned
to Nyack and began business continuing for three or four years.

Daniel Burr was the first to introduce the sewing machine into the
Nyack business. Previous to the general introduction of the machine,
very much of the sewing on shoes was done at the employee's home, and
it was a common sight to meet people from Rockland Lake, from the
mountains at Lyons Hill, now called Mountain View avenue, from Clarks-
ville and from Piermont ; walking to Nyack with a great bundle of finished
shoes. In 1866-67, Ketchel & Caywood built the factory on the corner
of Railroad and Depew avenues, and introduced the steam sewing
machine. They were the pioneers in steam power in Nyack. Later the
firm changed, by reason of the withdrawal of Caywood and the entrance
of Purdy, into Ketchel & Purdy. Later this firm failed and for some time
the factory stood vacant.

In 1876, the shoe business which had fallen into a torpid condition,
was again revived. The year previous — 1875 — C. B. Kenedy had begun
the manufacture of this commodity on Broadway, but now the business
was given greater impetus by the opening of the factory at Railroad and
De Pew avenues, by G. T. & C. Morrow ; by P. Morrell's and A. H.
Jackman's entrance into the business at Nyack ; and by the opening of a
factory by Wm. E. Tuttle. In 1878, Conrad Doersch began the manu-
facture of shoes, followed in 1879 by Charles Theis on the corner of Main
and FrankUn streets, and Jacob Siebert, who started in a 40x80 feet frame
building on Main street.

In 1879, G. T. Morrow built a brick factory, three stories and basement
40x125 feet, on the corner of Railroad arid Cedar Hill avenues. On his
removal to this building, the old factory was occupied; the ist floor by
C. B. Kenedy, and the 2d by Conrad Doersch, the 3d by P. Morrell. In
1884, G. W. Tremper & Sons began manufacturing on Main street
Jackman's present factory is a brick building, three stories in height and
40 feet wide by 180 feet deep. Besides the manufacturers mentioned,
the shoe business has been carried on in Nyack by Mr. Gardner, by Mr.
Gedney, and by Glenn & Hadley. The total product of the different
manufacturers for 1884 was 688,424 pairs of shoes. The pay roll of the
employees was estimated to be $5,600 per week.

341

In 1832, John Tallman, later Tallman & Randall, began the making of
pianos in a small shop on Burd street. Later they moved up to Fifth
avenue, and erecting a large building, carried on the business for a num-
ber of years. After the retirement of Tallman & Randall from the busi-
ness, Mr. Thompson, formerly an apprentice with them, started in a small
shop on Piermont avenue. In 1850, Mr. Ross joined Thompson and
they built the factory corner of Broadway and Third avenue. In 1853,
Thompson died and the business stopped. Four years elapsed before the
factory was again opened and the business recommenced by Sumner
Sturtevant in 1857. In recent years additions have been added until
the building is now 40x60 feet.

The manufacture of carriages and sleighs was begun in Nyack by
Aaron L. Christie in 1835, when he opened a shop on Main street near
Broadway, moving to the present site in 185 1, and carried on by him
till 1871, when the business came into the hands of A. E. & J. H. Christie.
Following Christie, "E. L. Wright began the wheelwright business in 1843,
and still later, Taylor opened a shop on Main street.

In 1840, Henry and Abram L. Storms began the manufaetu-re of
wooden ware in a factory, still standing as the large frame building corner
ofBuTd and Cedar streets. In 1850, the business was moved to De Pew's
old grist mill, at the place now occupied by Grant's Flock Mill, and when
steam power was used, a brick engine house was added. In 1856, the
factory caught fire and the old mill burned down, the brick engine house
only being saved. After the fire, the present factory was built. For
many years the wooden ware business was very heavy, branch factories
existing in several places.

Previous to 1850, the -manufacture of sulphur matches was carried on
in De Pew's mill for a number of years by a Frenchman, named George
Dimfelt, who employed about a dozen children in the business. But little
can be learned of this industry.

The first stone yard at Nyack was started by Tunis Smith at his place

'at the head of Court street, and, later, his son C. T. Smith, engaged in the

business. In later years, Blakie started a stone and marble yard on Main

street, east of Franklin. In 1854, Blakie having left the business, George

Towner started a mafble yard on Main street.

In 1850, Wm. Crumbie & Sons opened the Nyack foundery, being
later joined by Captain Isaac P. Smith. Under their management many
engines were built and '"set up," and the works obtained a wide-spread
reputation. Thomas Magee bought the foundery in J863, and has since
carried on business at it. Under Magee's management many "boilers have
been made, but he has had little to do with the manufacture of engines.

342

In 1879, George W. Griffen began business in Smithsonian Hall, and
his enterprise, the Rockland Car Head Lining and Decorated Ceiling
Works is still in operation. In 1881 Coplestone began the manufacture
of hats in a brick factory, 32 by 96 feet, situated at the foot of Smith
Place. Two years before, 1879, the factory of the Rockland County
Straw Works had been built by Nelson Puff at the Bight.

In 1 88 1, the wooden-ware factory, which had remained closed for
several years, was again opened by D. A. Grant as a Flock Mill, and the
business has been continued. The material made at this mill is used in
the manufacture of woolen goods and wall paper.

In 1883, the Lockwood Manufacturing Company was incorporated for
the purpose of manufacturing wrought iron railings. The first ofificers
were W. F. Storms, President ; E. B. Sipple, Secretary and Treasurer.

Nyack has been used as a summer resort for many years. The first
hotel in the village, the Mansion House, was built by C. T. Smith in 1827,
jvnd stood on Main street, just east of the Voorhis building, to make room
for which, it was torn down in 1878. It was a large, shingle-sided build-
ing, with two stories and an attic, facing Main street. During the first
epidemic of Asiatic cholera in 1832, this house had eighty guests, and Mr.
Smith was compelled to hire other houses to accommodate his boarders.
In 1829, Peter Smith opened his house on Main, at the head of Cedar
street tor boarders, and was followed in a short time by Robert Hart.
The building of the Orange led largely to the growth of this business and,
as we Jiave seen in the chapter relating to her, special note was made of
the accommodation for^boarders in the advertisement of the boat.

In 1849, the Pavilion was built, and opened by Abram P. Smith. It
has since been added to as occasion required, until it has now attained
large dimensions. In later years, the increased demand has led to the
opening of other houses, and the building of the Palmer, now Prospect,
House. Among the buildings thus employed is the Tappan Zee House,
which was formerly the Rockland Female Institute, and was first opened
for summer boarders by the Mansfields in 1859; the Smithsonian Hotel,,
formerly the residence of D. D. Smith, the Clarendon and others.

In 1835, the first post-office was opejied in John Van Houten's store
at the landing in Upper Nyack, and Van Houten was post-master. The
mails were carried by the steamboat, and that for Nyack was kept in a
segar box. In those days of primitive honesty, the inquirer for letters
was handed the box and allowed to sort his own material out. Following
Van Houten in 1836, Samuel Canfield received the appointment as post-
master and the office w^ moved to his place of business, the Dry Dock

343

Hotel, corner of Main and Canfield streets. In 1844, Charles Humphrey
was post-master, and the office was taken to his residence, corner of
Broadway and Main streets, now occupied by Lydecker & Wool. Under
the administration of Taylor and Fillmore from 1849 to 1853, William B.
CoUins was post-master, and had the office on Main near Cedar street.
From 1853 to 1861, D. D. Demarest was post-master, and the office was
kept in his store, corner of Broadway and Burd street, now occupied by
R. Gedney.

In 1 86 1, Aaron L. Christie was appointed post-master by Lincoln, and
held the office continuously till his death in July, 1880. His daughter,
Sarah L. Christie, was then appointed, and held the office till July, 1885,
when Orlando Humphrey was appointed. During the period while Mr.
Christie was post-master, the office was moved several times. It was first
opened on Broadway, on the spot where Hinton's stationery store now
stands.

In 1869, a law rating offices according to their mail distribution was
passed, the classes running from i to 4 ; Nyack was classed as third. In
1878, the Nyack office was the largest in the County. Two southern
mails were made up daily, and in summer, a northern mail was added,
by tapping the Hudson River Railroad at Tarrytown. Besides these, a
daily mail was made up for Piermont, Sparkill and stations up the" branch "
of the Northern Railroad, and for Clarksville, New City, Haverstraw and
Rockland Lake. The opening of the New York, West Shore & Buffalo
Railroad led to the carrying of the mail for these inland towns by that
road, and the business of the Nyack office was reduced.

The first fire company was organized in Nyack, October 4th, 1834,
and " Orangetown, No. i " was purchased. This first machine was a
" bucket " engine^ worked by cranks. This engine was kept in service for
a half century. It wks in use at the burning of the Arrow, and at every
large fire since, and for eighteen years was the only engine in the village.
Cornelius T. Smith was the first captain or foreman. In 1884, No. i
Company bought a Button steam fire engine, and have obtained a new
house in South Nyack, near the railroad station. " Mazeppa " Fire Com-
pany, No. 2, was organized December 27th, 1852. The first officers were
Wm. Perry, foreman; James Marks, assistant. In January, 1884, this
Company bought a Silsby steam engine. A hose carriage was pur-
chased in 1876. Mazeppa's old house was on Burd street, in the rear of
the Commercial Building. Its present two-story brick building is on
Main street, east of Broadway.

January 29th, 1863, "Empire" Hook and Ladder Company, No. i

344

was organized, and a truck house built at Upper Nyack. Geo. W. Baker
was the first foreman ; Henry Palmer, the first assistant foreman. " Jackson "
Engine Company, No. 3, was organized May 9th, 1867, with Charles G.
Crawford, foreman, and James E. Smith, assistant. Re-organized May
2d, 1882; George Gurnee was elected foreman, and James H. Christie,
assistant. The machine is a hand engine, and the engine house stands
on Jackson avenue. In September, 1880, "Jackson " Hose Company was
organized, with Frank Outwater, foreman, and Henry Strack, assistant.
The carriage was purchased in 1883. The chief engineer and his assistants,
of the Nyack Fire Department, are elected for two years, under an act of
Legislature passed in 1859. George Dickey is chief engineer at this time,
with John Foley, first assistant, and August Gross, second assistant.

The largest fires at Nyack have been, the burning of the Roman
CathoHc Seminary in 1838; the Arrow, at the Nyack landing, in 1840,
and again later; the Storm's Wooden- ware Factory, in 1856: Sickle's
mill, in 1 865 ; Remsen's house, the barns of Isaac S. Lydecker and Garret
Sarvent, and the factory corner of Railroad and De Pew avenues. Besides
being at these fires, Nyack engines have been sent to Sing Sing, Tarry-
town, Piermont, Rockland Lake and Tenafly to aid in fighting fires.

Since the introduction of the telephone to the village an alarm gong
has been placed on the truck house at Upper Nyack and connected widi
the telephone office, as has the fire bell in Nyack. I think it proper here
to relate a personal observation of the workings of the department. On
November 21st, 1884, a barn was burned at Upper Nyack, two miles
north of the Post office and a mile away from the nearest apparatus. The
fire was discovered about eleven o'clock in the morning when every one
was at work. The news of the fire was telephoned to Nyack by a neigh-
bor, and, within twenty-five minutes from the discovery of the flames, an
engine was on the spot, followed so rapidly by the rest of the department,
that inside of forty-five minutes the whole apparatus was at the fire. Ac-
customed, as I am, to the paid and drilled Metropolitan departments, I
must express my pleased surprise at this wonderful celerity in the volun-
teer department of a country village.

The first school at Nyack, built before 1800, stood near the present
reservoir on Main street. It was built of unhewn logs, the spaces between
them being filled with clay, which, when dry, was impervious to wind or
weather. The seats were rough slabs, taken from the saw mill, and had
no backs ; the desks, also slabs, were raised but little higher than the seats.
The name of the first teacher was Davenport. In 1806, a new school
building, two stories in height, was erected on Broadway, a few feet south

345

of the present post office. The school room of this building was down
stairs, the second floor being used as a hall. In 1827, this building caught
fire and was destroyed. It was rebuilt, but only one story high. In 1837,
the school building was moved to its present situation. In 185 1, a new
building was erected on the same site, and Archibald Stewart became
teacher. In 1867, a large addition was built to the school, and it remained
sufficiently large to accommodate its pupils till, in 1884; then another ad-
dition became necessary and was built.

School No. IX., at Upper Nyack, was organized in 1844, with Jacob
Voorhis, George Green and John T. Demarest, as Trustees. The first
building was erected in 1845, on a lot donated by Wm. Palmer, on the
south side of the mountain road, a little distance east of the present Mid-
land avenue. N. G. Spencer was the first teacher, and his salary was $25
a quarter. In 1867, the school was repaired and an addition erected.
Until 1884, this school was used ; then a lot was bought, west of Broad-
way, in Upper Nyack, and a new frame building erected. This new house
was first occupied in January, 1885 ; Garret Sarvent, J. P. Voris and Har-
vey Gilchrist, Trustees.

The records of the Rockland County Female Institute contain the fol-
lowing entries : " A meeting of sundry gentlemen was convened by the
Rev. B. VanZandt, pastor of the First Reformed, Protestant Reformed
Dutch Church, of Nyack, at Union Hall, in the Village of Nyack, on Sat-
urday evening, December 9th, 1854. The following persons were present :
Simon V. Sickles, F. L. Nichols, John W. Ferdon, George Green, I. M.
Dederer, Henry Oakes, D. D. Smith, Peter DePew, Thomas Burd, Tunis
DePew, M. G. Leonard, D. D. Demarest, James Cooper, R. P. Eells, I. S.
Lydecker and Rev. B. VanZandt. Simon V. Sickles was called to the
Chair, with B. Van Zandt, Secretary." Among the Rules and Regula-
rions for a Female Institute at length adopted, were the following :

" The name of the institute shall be the Rockland County Female In-
stitute ; the same to be under the government of a board of trustees, rep-
resenting the different -religions of the county, one third of whom shall
be elected annually by the shareholders."

" The object of the institute shall be to provide the best facilities for a
practical, thorough and complete female education, on the same system of
instruction as is adopted in the female seminary at Mount Holyoke." The
following people subscribed for the stock at $50 a share :

346

Shares.

Shares.

Shares.

S. V. Sickles,

i6o

Isaac Sloat,

2

M. S. Seymour,

S

Peter DePew, -

4

C. T. Smith,

2

B. Van Zandt, -

2

D. D. Smith, -

S

Wm. B. Collins,

2

H. E. Storms,

10

M. G. Leonard, -

10

J. W. Towt,

4

I. W. Canfield,

4

I. M. Dederer,

2

P. H. Taulman,

lO

E. B. Johnson,

- 2

Henry Oakes,

2

Wm. Naugle,

S

James Coates,

- 2

Azariah Ross,

2

C. Winters,

2

Wm. Devoe,

2-

T. Smith Tallman, -

2

Jesse Blackfan,

2

James Westervelt,

10

L. F. Fitch,

ID

S. V. Sickles,

40

J. V. B. Johnson,

2

Abram T. Bell,

2

Geo. Green,

■ - 4

C. J. Blauvelt, -

10

Rev. JaredWest,

2

F. L. Nichols,

10

Abram S. Crum,

2

Peter Voorhis, -

s

J. W. Ferdon,

10

Edward Green, -

- 10

S. M. Huyler & Sisters

1 - ID

Thos. Burd,

- lO

J. C. Demarest,

2

H. E. Storms, -
Wm. E. White,

5

D. D. Demarest,
James Cooper,

- 2

Wm. H. Lee, -

lO

2

2

~

+

D. J. Blauvelt,

I

J. J. Ackerson,

2

R, De Cantillon,

2

Wm. Dickey,

2

E. E. Conklin,

10

R. P. Eells,

2

Silas Seymour, -

- 10

The building now known as the Tappan Zee House, was erected and
opened August 28th, 1856, under the charge of Rev. B. Van Zandt.
Simon V. Sickles, who had conceived the idea, who placed $10,000 in the
stock of the school, and who gave it other and valuable aid, never lived to
see the result of his life's ambition ; he died two days after the opening of
the institution.

Had Sickles lived to watch over and guide the career of his work, the
result might have been different : as it was, the Institute in no particular
fulfilled its founder's wish. Mount Holyoke Seminary was the design he
aimed to follow ; but like many other grand designs, after the death of the
artisan, who had planned and struggled, the current of this idea turned
awry.

B. Van Zandt remained in charge of the Institute till January 27th,
1858, when he was superceded by L. Delos Mansfield, who received his
appointment March ist, 1858. For the first few years the finances of the
institution were well managed, and every evidence of success was seen :
then reverses and difficulties were encountered, which, when ended, left-the
Institute the private property of Mansfield. For many years the institu-
tion remained under Mansfield's management, but it never recovered from
financial difficulties, and was finally closed.

In 1858, Christopher Rutherford, opened a private school at Ny^ick,
and in 1859-60, through his efforts the Military Academy was built for
him and opened under the trusteeship of Richard De Cantillon, Wm.
Prall, J. W. Towt and Wm. Aspinwall. In the excitement of the Civil
War, military tactics were introduced in many institutions of learning, and

347

to the literary schedule of his academy, Rutherford added the manual of
arms. A man of great scholarly attainments, urbane and of fine presence ;
a conscientious man and teacher ; there are many sons of Rockland, who
look back to him with respect. Mr. Rutherford continued his labors till
1870, the last year oppressed by the sufferings of Bright's disease, when
he died, and the academy was closed.

In 1876, the institution was again opened by W. H. Bannister, A. M.,
under the name of the Rockland College. In 1 878, the college was incor-
porated under the Regents of the University of this State, with the follow-
ing trustees :

Hon. George M. Van Hoesen, President.

Merritt E. Sawyer, D. D. Demarest,

R. De Cantillon, I. W. Canfield,

Wm. H. Jersey, M. W. De Baun,

Hagerman Onderdonk, James D. Smith,

D. F. Ackerson, J. H. Edwards,

Edmund Ehlers, Andrew Fallon.

Under its present management Rockland College furnishes educational
facilities for both sexes.

The number of private schools that have been established at different
times in Nyack, is large and most of them have been well sustained. At
present Willistine Hall, started 1881, by the Misses J. A. & J. Kempshall
and since conducted by them, is situated at Upper Nyack. The Nyack
Kindergarten, started in 1878, by Miss S. C. Robinson; and the school
kept by Imogene Bertholf, are the principle private schools.

The first public burial place at Nyack, was on the point north oi the
" Bight " in South Nyack. When the first interment in this ground took
place, is not known. The last body was buried there in 1834, and in 1873,
the remains of those lying on the point were removed to Oak Hill Ceme-
tery. About 1730, a place of sepulcher was started on the Mountain Road,
in Upper Nyack, west of Broadway. There lie many of the early settlers in
the Nyack Valley, and the names of the Sarvents, Perrys, Snedekers,
Palmers and Knapps, can still be deciphered. There were buried Major
John L. Smith, who died August 22d, 1797, and his brother. Captain
Auri Smith, officers in the War for Independence. The last body was in-
terred at this spot about 1 867. In 1 800, the Presbyterian Cemetery was
started, and used for a place of entombment till 1850, when the last body
was deposited there. In 1869, the bodies were removed to Oak Hill
Cemetery. In 18 10, burial was permitted on a lot of the farm of Joha

34^

Gesner, in the present South Nyack, and shortly after a negro burial
ground was opened on the property of M. Cornelison, near the same spot,
but little is known of the interments at these places. Another place of
burial for negroes was on the south side of the Mountain Road in Upper
Nyack, immediately west of the old school building and between it and
Midland avenue. At the time the Roman Catholic College was being
built at Upper Nyack, in 1832, on property now belonging to George
Green, a chapel was opened in the rear of an old house, that stood north
of and nearer the road than the present residence. In the yard attached
to this chapel several of the laborers, who died while the college was being
built, were interred. After the college was burned and the property
abandoned ; most of these bodies were removed.

The necessity of establishing a universal cemetery at Nyack was much
discussed in 1847, and in February, 1848, a meeting of the citizens of
Nyack was called, for a public consideration of the subject. The idea
was approved, and the present site, then the property of D. D. Smith,
selected.

On June 27th, 1848, Oak Hill Cemetery was dedicated in the presence
of three thousand people, two -thirds of whom were from New York. City.
The exercises began at one o'clock, with a prayer by the Rev. Mr. Dow-
ling, followed by an anthem sung by a choir under the direction of Mr.
Baldwin, choirister of the Carmine street church. The Rev. Mr. Dunbar
and the Rev. Dr. Adams then delivered eloquent addresses. The dedica-
tion service was then performed by Rev. Dr. Hardenberg. At the close
of the dedicatory service, the Hon. Hugh Maxwell delivered an appro-
priate oration, which was followed by a second anthem ; a prayer by the
Rev. Mr. Hageman and the benediction by the Rev. Mr. Dewing. The
Rev. Dr. Dewitt presided at the meeting.

Under its original organization, D. D. Smith was proprietor of Oak
Hill Cemetery, and Thomas Burd, Isaac P. Smith and Jones F. Conklin
the first Trustees, with John Mace of 75 Carmine street, Superintendent.

Up to March 17th, 1865, •diis place of burial remained the property of
D. D. Smith, and such adjacent land as was purchased and added to the
grounds was also vested in his name. Under this arrangement, D. D.
Smith received four-fifths of the purchase money obtained from the sale
of lots, while one-fifth was retained by the trustees for the improvement of
the grounds. On the date in 1865, above mentioned, a special act was
passed by the Legislature incorporating the cemetery. By the ternts of
this act, D. D. Smith transferred all of the unsold land in the cemetery to

349

the trustees and with them fixed a price on the unsold lots. Of this price
Smith was to receive seventy-five per cent.

In 1850, the number of lot owners in Oak Hill was one hundred and
fifty, the -price of a lot $25, and that of a grave from $4 to $6. In 1870,.
the number buried in this cemetery was 1,827, and by October 12th,
1885, the number had reached 4,415.

The Rockland County National Bank was opened for business June
23, i860, on the south-east corner of Court street and Smith Place with
the following Board of Directors.

Isaac P. Smith, President.
A. D. Morford, Cashier.
Isaiah Milburn, D. D. Smith,

Tunis Smith Wm. Voorhis,

C. A. Morford, Wm. R. Knapp,
George Conklin, ^ A. J. Storms,

D. J. Blauvelt, H. I. Haight,
Wm. Skelly, I. M. Dederer,
John Peck, C. A. Fellows,

E. V. Haughwart.

After the passage of the National Bank Act of February, 1863, this
institution became a National Bank with a capital of $100,000. In 1866,
D. J. Blauvelt was elected President in place of Isaac P. Smith deceased.
The bank continued on the corner before mentioned for some years, and
was then removed to the corner of Broadway and Burd street, in the
Commercial Building. Through bad management in its loans and the
peculation of employees, the funds of the bank were exhausted, and while
on Dec. 29th, 1877, the Bank statement showed a capital of $100,000 and
a surplus of $40,000, on Dec. 28th, 1878 it suspended payment.

This action was hastened by the failure of the North River & New
York Steamboat Co., which was indebted to the bank in the sum of
$27,575.00, and of the firm of D. D. Smith, Jr. & Co. who had been
loaned both as a firm and as individuals about $100,000. The failure,
following closely on that of the Rockland Savings Bank, caused much
feeling against the officers of the National Bank, who were generally be-
lieved to have been guilty of, to use the mildest term, gross carelessness.
The stockholders finally decided that a voluntary liquidation was their
best way out of the difficulty, and under the management of the late
President the affairs of the bank were settled, paying to the stockholders
in all four and one-quarter cents on the dollar. The Directors at the
time of the bank's failure were :

■ 3SO

D. J. Blauvelt, President.

A. D. Morford, Cashier.
John W, Towt, Moses G. Leonard,

Isaac S. Lydecker, I. M. Dederer,

Arnet Seaman, Nicholas Blauvelt.

The Rockland Savings Bank was incorporated April 14th, 1871, and
opened for business July ist, 1871, with the following Board of Directors:

S. W. Canfield, President.
R. P. Eells, Secretary and Treasurer.
A. A. Demarest, Isaac Pye,

John B. Gurnee, Isaac Hart,

N. C. Blauvelt, E. B. Weston,

John Wessel, W. E. White,

S. B. Cole, James C. Wool,

S. H. Doughty, Wm. H. Whiton.

James Ketchel.

The Bank continued in existence till July ist, 1877, when a receiver
was appointed and the affairs of the bank wound up with a loss of $38,000.
The President and Treasurer of the bank were indicted by the Grand Jury
on several counts and were acquitted. Civil suits were then brought
against them and pressed for some time, but with no result.

The Directors of the bank at the time of its failure were :

S. W. Canfield, President.

R. P Eells, Treasurer and Secretary.

A. A. Demarest, Isaac Pye,

Wm. B Collins, J. W. Moison,

N. C. Blauvelt, E. B. Weston,

John Wessel, Wm. E. White,

S. B. Cole, Jas. C. Wool,

S. H. Doughty, Wm. H. Whiton,

Jno. I. Polhemus, Abr. P. Smith.

The effect of these failures, while most disasterous to Nyack at first,
seems to have been a blessing in disguise, inasmuch as it has banished
from the leading places of that village men who had obtained public con-
fidence without deserving it, and whose methods delayed the growth of
the town.

The Nyack National Bank was incorporated in March, 1878, with a
capital of $50,000, and. began business in the building formerly occupied

3SI

"by the Rockland County National Bank, corner of Broadway and Burd
street. The first Board of Directors were :

Wm. C. Moore, President.

C. A. Chapman, Cashier.

S. R. Bradley, Quentin McAdams,

Rudolph Lexow, William Voorhis,

J. Weddle, George C. Stephens,

Peter K. Knapp.

During the year 1872, a number of the men at that time prominent
in Nyack affairs, began the discussion of incorporating the village of Nyack,
under a general act for the incorporation of villages passed by the Legisla-
ture April 20th, 1 870. The original intention of those who led in this
movement, was to include the present village of Upper Nyack, and to
extend southerly beyond the present south bounds of South Nyack.
Their design, as expressed among themselves, was to use the taxes ob-
tained from the outlying sections of the incorporated village, in the imme-
diate streets of the town, and to out vote the few tax-payers at a distance
by those who were benefited. This design was early suspected by Garret
Sarvent, of Upper Nyack, but for some time the suspicions were uncon-
firmed.

It came to pass, however, that positive proof of the intention of those
who were at work in Nyack was put in the possession of a resident in the
upper village, and the people of that place decided to incorporate the vil-
lage of Upper Nyack. With this object in view, preparations were made
as rapidly and secretly as possible, and on September 28th, 1872, the vil-
lage of Upper Nyack was incorporated, only twenty- five days before
Nyack. The bounds of this village are : The Hudson River on the east ;
the division line between Clarks and Orangetowns on the south; the
mountain on the north, and on the west, by the middle of Highland avenue
from the southern division line to the Mountain Road, and from thence
by a line running north-east till it reaches the north boundary a few feet
east of Midland avenue.

The first officers of the newly incorporated village, elected September
28th, 1872, were:

Garret Sarvent, President.

Trustees.
Charles A. Fellows, William H. Jersey,

Peter Voorhis.
Wm. H. Kipp, Collector. Isaac V. Smith, Treasurer.

D. M. Clark was appointed Clerk.

352

The term of office for the first officers lasted only till March 19th, 1873,
when, at the annual election the same Board was returned. In the elec-
tions that have since occurred, Garret Sarvent has been returned to the
office of President, a position he has thus held consecutively for over
twelve years.

Under its new government the streets of Upper Nyack have been
macadamized, and Broadway lighted by oil lamps. The low rate of taxes
has drawn to it the main office of the Union Steamboat Company, and
for a short time, the Pacific Mail Company. The post-office at Upper
Nyack was established in August, 1885, with George C. Stephens, post-
master.

The vote on the question of incorporating Nyack was given on October
23d, 1872. The total number of ballots cast was 484, of which 292 were
for, and 192 against incorporation. The first officers elected were D. D.
Demarest, President — who had 341 votes to 1 86 for T. Blanch Smith —
David L. Crane, Isaac Vervalen, Charles E. Hunter, Trustees ; William
B. Collins, Treasurer ; Isaac W. Canfield, Collector ; William T. B. Storms,
Clerk. As in the case of Upper Nyack, these gentlemen only held office
till the annual election, March 19th, 1873. At that time, D. D. Demarest
was re-elected by 367 votes as against 38 for T. Blanch Smith, and 8
scattering ; William H. H. Purdy was elected a Trustee in place of
Charles E. Hunter ; and J. De Baun, Collector, in place of Isaac W. Can-
field.

Under the first administration, from October 23d, 1872, till March
19th, 1873, from fifty to seventy-five oil lamps were purchased and placed
on the streets, and Smith Place and Burd street from the steamboat dock
to Broadway, Broadway, from De Pew avenue to Main street; Main street
to Franklin avenue, and Franklin to the old railroad station, were
covered with crushed stone.

In the election held March i8th, 1874, T. Blanch Smith was elected
President by a vote of 346 as against 215 votes cast for D. D. Demarest.
James E. Smith, C. De Baun, J. I. Polhemus, Charles E. Hunter and
George A. Cox were chosen Trustees; William B. Collins, Treasurer;
Stephen De Clark, Collector; William T. B. Storms, Clerk.; and Charles
J. Crawford, Police Justice — Crawford declined to serve and Charles H.
Meeker was appointed.

This year Broadway was macadamized with lime stone, from Upper
Nyack to the bridge near Hudson avenue and graded at First avenue.
De Pew and First avenues were graded from Franklin avenue to Broad-
way. The election in March, 1875, resulted in the choice of T. Blanch

353

Smith, President, with a few scattering votes against him ; James E.
Smith, C. Debaun, D. A. Ackerman, C. C. Powell, Abr. L. Smith,
Trustees. Wm. B. Collins, Treasurer; Alonzo Johnson, Collector;
Peter Stephens, Police Justice ; Wm. T. B. Storms, Clerk. In April,
T. Blanch Smith died and ' Wm. B. Collins was elected by the Board of
Trustees to the position of President while George Collins was appointed
Treasurer.

Meantime the fate which Upper Nyack had escaped, was falling heav-
ily on the lower portion of the village. The heavy tax-payers claimed
that they were the sufferers, while the non-taxpayers out- voted them, and
at length they presented a petition to the Trustees asking that a meeting
be called to determine whether the village should remain incorporated or
not. This petition was denied. The petitioners then appealed to the law,
and obtained a mandamus from the Supreme Court to compel the Trustees
to call a meeting. On the day appointed, however, an injunction was
served on the Trustees to prevent the election.

In March, 1876, Wm. B. Collins was chosen President by a vote of 357
as against 168 for D. D. Demarest ; Jno. A. Sickles and A. L. Smith, Trust-
ees, in place of C. C. Powell and A. L. Smith ; Orlando Humphrey,
Treasurer; Peter Stephens, Police Justice ; Wm. T. B. Storms, Clerk,
and J. G. Perry, Collector. Perry refused to serve and J. C. R. Eckerson
was appointed in his place. Little was done by the Board except to com-
bat the anti-corporationists, who accused it of criminal extravagance and
corrupt motives, while they constantly endeavored to force a vote on the
question of annulling the incorporation. To the charge, the Board re-
plied, that they were unjustly blamed for the acts of previous Boards,
while in the Legislature they attempted to obtain a repeal of the law by
which citizens were allowed to vote upon the question of a continuance of
a corporation.

In the election held March, 1877, Tunis De Pew received 172 votes for
President as against 169 for Wm. B. Collins; J. N. Perry, Garret Blauvelt,
and George Dickey, were elected Trustees ; Orlando Humphrey, Treas-
urer; Charles J. Crawford, Collector; Peter Stephens, Police Justice;
Charles H. Meeker, Clerk. Tunis De Pew refused to serve, and Wm. B.
Collins was declared President. Blauvelt and Dickey refused to serve,
and C. C. Powell was elected in their places. The anti-corporationists
had labored constantly, and, at length, compelled the Board of Trustees to
call a meeting, at which the question should be settled. August 7th,
1877, was appointed; and on counting the ballots there were found 71
for incorporation, 282 against. On February 7th, 1878, the first incor-

354

porated village of Nyack passed from existence, with Wm. B. Collins,
President; and C. C. Powell, J. N. Perry, A. L. Smith, J. A. Sickles,
Trustees. With the exception of some hydrants, the remains of a few
street lamps, and a book-case, the village possessed nothing. The Treas-
urer reported that he had transferred $ioo, which was in the treasury, to
the Supervisor ; and the Collector reported the amount of unpaid taxes
as $2,000.

Before the end -of the incorporated village, two suits had been begun
against it, one of which was settled by the Trustees ; the other was that
of John J. Blauvelt, for damage caused to his property by the grading of
De Pew avenue.

On May 25th, 1878, the citizens of South Nyack decided to incorpor-
ate the district bounded on the north by Cedar Hill avenue; south, by
the south line of the property of the late C. T. Smith; west, by the old
Nyack patent line. At the first election held, June 22d, 1878, Garret
Van Nostrand was elected President; John G. Perry, R. J. Lyeth, G. D.
Wilson, Trustees; Wm. C. Moore, Treasurer; T. D. Seaman, Collector,
and C. H. Meeker, Clerk. During the winter of 1882-3, an attempt was
made to extend the limit of South Nyack as far north as De Pew avenue,
and a petition was presented to the Board of Supervisors to that effect.
But the people of Nyack regarded this as an attempt to obtain the school
building and opposed the movement vigorously. The matter ended by
the Supervisors denying the right of petition. On February 27th, 1883,
the village of Nyack was re- incorporated, and at. the first election Wm. De
Groot was chosen President ; John A. Burke, E. B. Sipple, George F.
Morse, Trustees; Nicholas Blauvelt, Treasurer; G. W. Hart, Collector;
and Edw. H. Cole, Clerk.

Gas was first introduced in the village by the Nyack and Warren Gas
Light Company, which was incorporated November, 1859, I- W. Canfield,
Manager.

The gas works were built in their present location, and the first mains
laid in the same year. Later, Hon. William Voorhis bought out the
works and became President. The Nyack Water Works Company was
chartered March 28th, 1873, through the efforts of Hon. William Voorhis,
its President. The first reservoir, standing east of Hillside avenue, prov-
ing insufficient to meet the demands, a second was built near the Pros-
pect House, followed by a third on Main street, near the ice house. The
supply being still insufficient, Mr. Voorhis tapped the Hackensack near
the turnpike bridge in 1883, and by means of a powerful steam pump,
forced the water up to his reservoir. By this procedure an unfailing sup-
ply is guaranteed.

sss

On October 28th, 1883, the Westchester Telephone Company opened
an office in the Commercial Building, Broadway and Burd street, with E.
E. Blauvelt, Manager. The Nyack Comet Band was organized in No-
vember, 1879, Frederick Noll being its first leader.

The first public hall in Nyack was on the second floor of the school,
built in 1 806. From the time of the destruction of this building by fire
in 1827, till the building of Union Hall by R. P. Eells in 1853, no place
of public resort existed. Such lectures, concerts or other amusements
as were heard in the village took place in the Presbyterian church, or in
a little building that stood on Main street, and the speeches of political
campaigns or Independence Day were generally made in De Pew's Grove,
which stood just south of De Pew avenue, and stretched from the present
school to Franklin avenue. Within two score years celebrations have
been held in that grove, of which now, but a few trees remain.

Union Hall, standing on the north side of Main street, just west of
Broadway, was at once a success. There, were held the various fornis of
amusement, that appealed to the taste and pocket books of the villagers,
for many years. There, were heard the first words of ominous import
which betokened the approaching storm of civil war. There, during that
war, met the Union men of the village, and that branch of the Loyal
League established in Nyack ; and there, when the Nyack Veterans re-
turned at the close of the war, was a public reception given them.

In 1869, the Smith's closed the second floor of their store at the steam-
boat dock and turned it into a public hall, under the name of Smithsonian
Hall. This resort remained open, until the failure of the firm in 1878 led
to a transfer of the property. In 1873, Louis Hoffer, built a hall on De-
Pew near Franklin avenues, 40 by 90 feet, and with seating capacity for
600 people, which he named the Nyack Opera House. In i88i, Hon.
Wm. Voorhis opened a hall, corner of Main street and Broadway, 40 by
100 feet, and with seating room for 585 people, which he named Voorhis
Hall. In 1868, the wigwam was opened by A L. Christie, on the corner
of Broadway and Church street, and used as a public hall for several years.
In this building Horace Greeley spoke during the campaign of 1868.

The Rockland County Journal was established at Nyack by Wm. G.
Haeselbarth, in 1850, the first copy appearing Saturday, August 3d, as a
twenty-eight column 19 by 36 inch paper. The first three editions were
printed in New York City. Up to 1861, the paper favored the Demo-
cratic Party, but on the first attempt at disunion, it entered upon the
cause of the government. With fearless incision, Haeselbarth attacked
the disloyal and drew upon himself and paper threats of vengeance. He

356

was supported heartily in his course by the Republicans of Nyack, how-
ever, and the organization of the Loyal League, allayed the fierce desire
for destruction that pervaded the more rampant members of the opposi-
tion.

In 1 867, the Journal was bought by John Charlton, and the steam
press was introduced by him in 1873. At a later period the paper was
enlarged to eight pages and during 1882-83, a sixteen page paper was
issued. In 1859, Robert Carpenter, foreman of the Journal, left that office
and on May 19th, of that year brought out the first issue of the People's
Advocate. The second issue bore the same title, but ere the third was
issued, Carpenter had formed a partnership with Wm. Wirt Sikes, later an
U. S. Consul, and the name of the paper was changed to City and Country.
This business arrangement continued till Sikes left the concern and the
paper remained in the hands of Carpenter. Until 1868, the paper was
independent in politics. Then it took up the principles of the Democratic
Party, and has adhered to them since.

In 1880, Carpenter died, and E. C. Fisk took the management of the
paper. In 1881, Fisk and J. J. Hart, purchased the paper and it con-
tinued in their hands till September 20th, 1883, when Fisk became
sole proprietor and editor. In November 1884, a stock company bought
the paper and now controls it. In 1 867, the Monthly Gazette was started
by C. A. Morford, Jr., but had only a brief existence. On February 14th,
1879, the Rockland Advertiser was started by M. F. Onderdonk, with
four pages, fourteen inch columns. In a short time H. G. Knapp, took
charge, and conducted the paper under the name of the Rockland Adver-
tiser, and Chronicle till September 1881 Then Lafayette Markle, ob-
tained the paper and has since managed it under the name of the Nyack
Chronicle.

The Tappan Zee Boat Club was organized in 1871, and obtained a
barge, gig, six-oared shell, besides many private boats. The shed used
as a boat house by this club stood at the foot of Spier street, on the north
side of the present boat house, and the upper part was used by Chas.
Haines, boat builder. The club passed from existence in 1879. The
Nyack Rowing Association was organized in May 1881, with J. H. Blau-
velt, President ; Alex. Pollock, Vice President ; Edw. Merritt, Treasurer.
The boat house, on the remains of the old steamboat dock foot of Spier
street, was built and opened June 15th, 1882.

Oneko Lodge, No. 346, I. O. O. F., was organized March 28th, 1848,.
with the following officers and charter members : J. N. Johnson, N. G.;
S. Gesner, V. G.; Jno. Tfurnbull, Sec'y.; W. B. Collins, Treasurer; Henry

357

Gesner, A. A. Lydecker, P. Baker and W. Bedell. In August 1867, the
number of the lodge was changed to 122. Rockland Encampment, No.
37, I. O. O. F. was instituted August 21st, 1867, with Thos. Lawrence,
C. P.; W. B. Collins, H. P.; Nelson Puff, S. W.; John H. Blauvelt, Scribe;
N. Blauvelt, Treasurer ; George H. Cooke, O. H. Dutcher, L. W. Coates ;
C. D. Snedeker and T. Campbell. Ruth Rebekah Degree, No. 4, I. O.
O. F. was organized December 30th, 1869, with Nelson Puff, N. G.; Mrs.
J. Perry, V. G.; Mrs. James Ketchell, Secretary; Patience E. Cook,
Treasurer.

. Rockland Lodge, No. 723, F. & A. M., held its first communication
July loth, 1872; the charter being granted June 4th, 1873. The first
officers were: Charles H. Wessels, W. M.; Charles H. Meeker, S. W.; T.
Blanch Smith, J. W.; J. H. Blauvelt, Treasurer; George H. Cook, Secre-
tary; Stephen De Clark, Tyler. Nyack Division, No. 203, S. & D. of T.,
was organized June 12th, 1867, with Christopher Rutherford, Worthy
Patriarch.

Waldron Post, No. 26, G. A. R., was organized May 24th, 1867, and
named in honor of Towt J. Waldron ; the first Commander was Jas. H.
Christie. The charter ©f the Post was surrendered in 1875. On January
30th, 1879, the Post was re-organized as No. 82, with Robert Avery,
Commander. John Hancock Post, No. 253, G. A. R., was organized in
January, 1882, with George F. Morse, Commander, and thirty members.
Post Silliman was organized July 21st, 1880, with twenty members. The
first Commander wasW. H. Myers. The Post had the honor of being the
first composed of colored veterans in the State. The Jewish Society, of
Nyack, was organized in March, 1 870, with A. M. Brown, President ;
Isidore Senigaglia, Vice-President ; Robert Seigel, Secretary ; N. M.
Kosch, Treasurer.

Besides these societies, there are in Nyack : The Choral Society, or-
ganized January 12th, 1880; The National Provident Union, May 2d,
1883; Rockland County Branch, A. S. P. C. A., September 24th, 1875 ;
Rockland County Society, Prevention of Cruelty to Children, 1884; The
Orangetown Law and Order Society, organized February 19th, 1884, with
Garret Van Nostrand, President ; Seth B. Cole and William Best, Vice-
Presidents ; Howard Van Buren, Secretary.; John H. Blauvelt, Treasurer.
The Nyack Helping Hand Association was organized October 2d,
1882, with George F. Morse, Superintendent; Mrs. J. G Partridge and
Wm. Lydecker, Assistant Superintendents ; Charles Theis, Secretary ;
Mrs. J. M. Ackerman, Assistant Secretary; Mrs. Alexander Hudson,
Treasurer; Mrs. C. F. Randolph, Assistant Treasurer. This association

358

grew out of the charitable labor of the benevolent citizens of Nyack, and
was intended to work still greater good by united effort. In the year
ending November ist, 1884, this association had received $414.04, and
expended $307.76.. It had helped 41 families and 137 individuals, and
given relief to 123 individuals. Beside money, it received large dona-
tions of food supphes, clothing, coal and medicines.

PIERMONT.

The early settlers on the Orange Town patent made the creek or slote
nowknown as Sparkill their outlet, and, in the progress of time, one of them
built a mill upon it, in which, as necessity demanded, a mercantile business
was carried on. The dam, belon'ging to the old mill, became the head of
navigation on the slote, and, by the dam at the spot where Haddock's
store now stands, was the Tappan Landing, the first port of entry in the
County.

In this old mill a store was opened long before the Revolution, by
Abraham Mabie, who kept it till the close of that war. About 1783, this
store came into the possession of Major Abraham Taulman, who managed
it till his death in 1835, when it passed into the possession of his sons.

During this period the name of Tappan as applied to the spot gradu-
ally ceased to be heard, and the place was either spoken of as the Landing
or Taulman's Landing, the point outside of it being called Taulman's
Point. This name continued till the building of the N. Y. & Erie Rail-
road in 1839, when Dr. Lord, combining the name of the long pier built
for that corporation, with the mountainous nature of the surrounding
country, called it Piermont. At the same time the Sparkill, which had
theretofore been commonly spoken of as the slote or creek, received its
present name.

The nature of the valley of the Sparkill is such, that but two main
roads can exist and the opening of those from the south must have been
contemporaneous with the settlement of the Landing. On the north, the
road was probably opened as soon as settlement along the river bank
occurred.

Major Taulman continued business in the old mill till 1805, when a
new building was erected for a store. We have seen that at his death the
store passed into the hands of his sons. They continued the business till
1856, when they sold out to John Myers who kept the store for a year.
In 1857, Roger Haddock bought Myers out and began business. He
remained in the old building till 1876, when he moved into a new store
that he had had built the .previous year. This new building is of brick.

359

three stories in height and 40x88 feet in size. One of the floors of this
building is used as a public hall and is known as Haddock's Hall.

Beside the store and grist mill at the landing proper, a saw and grist
mill was erected further up the slote, early in this century, by John Moore,
a negro, on property purchased from a Mrs. Graham. In 18 10, Moore
added to this business by starting a carding mill, which gave employment
to three men. In 18 15, William Ferdon bought Moore out, put improved
machinery in the mill, and for many years ran it successfully as a woolen
factory. In i860, he rebuilt the structure, added still further improve-
ments in machinery and let it to parties from Paterson, N. J. The mill
changed hands once or twice in the next few years, and was finally de-
stroyed by fire. At one time fifteen people found employment in this
factory, spinning yarn and making blankets.

It may not be amiss to say a word further regarding John Moore.
His trade was that of building mill wheels, and, among others constructed
by him, was the wheel for De Pew's mill, which stood on the site now oc-
cupied by Grant's flock mill in Nyack. He was also a partner of Mr. De
Pew for some time, and was regarded as an intelligent, upright man. His
daughter, Mrs. Sisco, and grand-daughter, Mrs. James West, are now
living on Piermont avenue in Nyack.

After the building of steamboats, a dock was run out at the mouth of
the present Sparkill and it was there that the Orange landed, and that the
Rockland was built. When the long pier was constructed, little further
use was found for the old wharf and it gradually went to decay.

The post office at this place answered for both the Landing and Tap-
pan and seemed to have been kept part of the time in one place and part
in another. On March 2Sth, 18 15, Philip Dubey, was appointed post-
master, and the name of the office was Orange. Dubey then owned the
'^6 House. On May 28th, 1830, Morris Bartow was made postmaster.
April 9th, 1834, Peter H. Taulman became postmaster, and the name of
the office was changed to Slote. This change lasted for only a few days,
and on April 30th, 1834, we again find the name of the office, Tappan.
Finally, June 26th, 1839, the name of the office became Piermont. After
•Taulman, David Clark became postmaster, April 28th, 1848, and he has
been followed by S. A. Jessup, May 15th, 1867 ; John B. Wandle, May
17th, 1872; and Richard Wandle, January 13th, 1881. In 1872, May
13th, Sparkill, which up to 1870, bore the name of Upper Piermont, was
given a separate office with Isaac A. Spencer, as postmaster. He was
succeeded May 5th, 1880, by Lucretia Spencer.

36o

The first schoolhouse at Piermont was built early in the century, and
stood on the east side of the creek, on the road to Palisades. The lower
part of the building was of stone, which was whitewashed, the upper part
was wood, painted red. This building remained in use till 1845, when it
was succeeded by a new frame house. In the course of time, the demands
upon the facilities of the schoolhouse led to its enlargement. No further
change was made till 1884, when the present school building was erected
at an expense of $5 ,000.

The growth of Piermont depended entirely on the opening of the Erie
Railroad, the location of its eastern terminus at this place, and the building
of the locomotive and car works. On the withdrawal of this industry,
the village began to decline. For an account of the building of the Erie
■Road, the reader is referred to Chapter XII. In due course of time, two
round houses, a machine, car and paint shop, foundry, planing mills and
the -Other structures needed at a railway terminus were constructed here,
the total number of buildings covering at least four acres. This was the
period of Piermont's greatest prosperity, and in i860, her population
reached 2,426. In 1852, the directors of the Erie Road, having had that
clause in their charter, which prevented them from running in New Jersey
repealed, made the eastern terminus of the road at Pavonia. After this,
their works were gradually removed to that place, the large round house
and other buildings were destroyed by fire, and at length, the few remain-
ing structures were taken down, and disposed of in various ways. A
newspaper item in January, 1 862 tells us, that one-half of the inhabitants,
and many buildings had already gone, and the remainder were to be
moved before spring.

Until the opening of the Nyack spur of the road in 1870, Piermont re-
mained the terminus for passengers and freight on the Northern Railroad,
but since that time, it has gradually fallen into a condition of decrepitude,
from which there appears to be no relief

The village of Piermont was incorporated in 1850. The first oflScials
consisted of Peter H. Taulman, President ; J. G. Blauvelt, James A. Hop-
son, S. S Post and J. I. Walsh, Trustees ; and Cornelius Hoffman, Clerk.
Following P. H. Taulman, the Presidents of the village have been : James
Westervelt, 1853; J. G. Blauvelt, 1854; John R. Baker, 1856; David
Clark, 1857; Andrew Fallon, 1858; John W. Blauvelt, 1865; Andrew
Fallon, 1866; Marcus Hoffman, 1867; John B. Wandle, 1868; Richard
V. D. Wood, 1871 ; John Van Orden, 1873 ; Roger Haddock, 1882. The
corporate limits cover an area two miles long and one and a half wide.

The Fire Department was organized in 1852, with James Westervelt

36i

as Chief. The first machine — Empire No. i, and the engine house were
the property of the Erie Railroad Company. Protection Company, No.
I, was organized in 1856, with David Cole as Chief This company dis-
banded in 1878. Besides the destructive fires in the Erie Companies'
buildings, the fire department has had an unusually large number of serious
fires to combat. Perhaps the most disasterous conflagration was that which
started at an early hour on the morning of November 20th, 1861. Flames
were first discovered in Van Voorhis' meat market. The water supply
gave out in a short time, and the following buildings were consumed : H.
Cooper's two-story frame house ; I. Van Voorhis' market drying house and
barn, sheds, etc.; N. H. Lusk, two-story building and barn; A. L. Brown's
clothing store; F. Bemhardy's drug store; Jacob Wagner's saloon; a
building forty by thirty feet belonging to J. V. B. Johnson ; a two-story
building belonging to the Judge Blauvelt estate; the building used by
Jacob Harrison as a clothing store, and the store and dwelling of Moses
Oppenheimer.

-Among the societies, social and secret, in Piermont, may be named:
Piermont Lodge, No. 83, I. O. of O. F., which was organized February
1st, 1843, with William DeVoe, N. G.; D. A. Mabie, V. G.; John J.
Lawrence, Secretary; John B. Wandle, Treasurer.

Wawayanda Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M., was organized in June,
1853, with D. B. Parsons, W. M.; R. H. Black, S. W.; E. G. Bennett, J.
W.; John Randall, Treasurer; D. C. Noe, Secretary Levi F. Ward, S.
D.; John R. Baker, J. D.

Rockland Chapter, No. 204, R, A. M., was organized in April, 1867,
with John Van Orden, Jr., H. P.; W. L. Lawrence, K.; W. S. Van Hou-
ten, S.; Sumner Sturtevant, C. of H.; John W. Hutton, P. S.; D. Crans-
ton, R. A. C; A. Smith, M. 3d V.; J. W. VerValen, M. 2d V.; S. D.
Clark, M. ist V.; J.J.Lawrence, Secretary; A D. Onderdonk, Treasurer.
American Legion of Honor, Rockland Council, No. 491, was organized
in April, 1881, with F. B. Wright, Commander; L. G. Clark, Vice-Com-
mander; L E. GiUies, Secretary; Geo. Pierson, Jr., Collector; George
A. Knapp, Treasurer ; Ward Phillips, Guide ; G. V. A. Blauvelt, Warden ;
J. W. Adriance, Sentry ; E. G. Tucker, Past Commander.

The Law and Order Association, of Piermont, was organized in Feb-
ruary, 1884, with Hon. John W. Ferdon, President; L M. Dederer and
Cornelius Auryansen, Vice-Presidents ; R. Haddock, Treasurer, and T.
M. Peck, Secretary.

The Piermont Rowing Association was organized in October, 1879,
with E. N. Whiton, President; L. G. Clark, Vice-President; F. B. Wright,

362

Secretary : G. A. Knapp, Treasurer ; J. A. Styles, Captain; A. X. Fallon,
Lieutenant. During the winter of 1879-80 a fine boat house was built.

In 1847, Eleazer Lord, LL. D., gave two hundred acres of land, at the
point of the mountain near the present Sparkill, for the purpose of a ceme-
tery, which he named Rockland Cemetery. At the time of this donation,
the Erie Railway had its eastern terminus at Piermont : that place was an
already populous and growing village, and the grant of land for public
sepulture was not only a kind, but also a necessitous act. But another
purpose was intended by Mr. Lord beside that of creating a merely local
place for interment. The situation of his donation, on the main line of
travel to and from a growing city, led him to expect this place for burial
would be used by the inhabitants of New York. Greenwood had been in-
corporated barely nine years, and was far more difficult of access than
Piermont ; and the local church-yards in the metropolis were already
over crowded.

The change of the Erie Railroad route, that caused the decline of
Piermont, left Rockland Cemetery far from the line of travel. The ground
became overgrown with weeds, and was a picture of desolation. In 1880,
a change was worked through the efforts of William H. Whiton, Andros
B. Stone, George S. Coe, Jose M. Munez, John W. Ferdon, and others,
the cemetery was again placed in excellent order at a large cost. Most
prominent among the spots of interest in this beautiful place for burial is
Mount Nebo, upon which an observatory fifty feet in height has been
erected, from which an extensive view can be had. The height above the
sea on this observatory is 750 feet.

Among the many mad acts perpetrated in the southeastern part of our
County, during the era of real estate speculation, from 1870 to 1876, was
one incorporating the Sparkill Creek Canal Company.. The redundancy
of this name should have been sufficient to kill the project. This corpora-
tion was formed for the purpose of opening a canal from the New Jersey
line, where the Sparkill crosses it, to the Hudson River. The capital was
fixed at $100,000, and the incorporators were: John W. Ferdon, Hiram
Slocum, Luciel Saniel, Ambrose Girandat, Isaac Smith Homans, Jr., H.
G. Torrey, A. A. Demarest, J. V. B. Johnson, Walter Phelps, D. W.
Kipp, C. Auryansen, Roger Haddock. Further than the passage of the
act by the Legislature, on May 2d, 187 1, the project never advanced.

Ere leaving the subject of Piermont it seems proper to speak of the
road side cave or mine hole, a short distance from Haddock's store. This
presents an excavation of two passage ways ; the one extending in a west-
outhwest CO urse, a distance of five and seventy feet ; the other extending

363

west bearing rather north for a distance of between forty and fifty feet.
These passage ways are cut through solid rock and range from four to six
feet in width, and from three to nine feet in height. At the extremity of
the longest passage is a beautiful spring of water about six feet in diame-
ter, and eighteen feet deep. Nothing is known as to when or by whom
this excavation was made.

PALISADES.

The first name by which this place was recognized, was that of the
Westchester county ferryman, who gave the permanent appellation to his
home landing of Dobb's Ferry. That the landing on this shore was often-
times called Dobbs Ferry during the Revolution is undoubted. That
name was never popular among our County people however, possibly
because of its liability to be mistaken for the opposite hamlet, and shortly
after the Revolution the name Sneden's Landing was generally used.
That members of the Sneden family already conducted a ferry or were
about to, in the early days of the War for Independence, is evinced by
the order from the County Committee of Safety, forbidding them so to do.
For years this spot was known as Sneden's Landing, and then the name
was changed to Rockland. After existing for a number of years under
that name, it was again abruptly re-christened and called Palisades. The
hamlet contains many fine residences, and its streets and avenues are
handsoihely laid out. The old wharf, where for so many years, the pro-
duce of a large section of country was brought to be shipped by steam-
boat, has almost disappeared. All that remains of its old time customs, is
a row boat ferry which still exists for the benefit of the casual traveller.

ORANGEVILLE.

This is a hamlet in the western part of the township on Narranshaw
Creek. The first mill in" the place was built in 1780 for Abram Cooper
and John De Pew. The present building was erected for Rulef Van
Houten, in 1862, and is at present conducted by Edw. C. Van Houten.
A short distance southeast of Orangeville, on the Hackensack River, stand
the Orangeburg Mills. The first mill on this spot was built in 1770,
by a Mr. Mabie, a Huguenot settler who moved into Orangetown in early
days. At a later period the large building known as the Atlantic Factory
was built here for Peter C. Mabie, and about the same time, C. P. Mabie
started a store in the hamlet. The nearest railroad station to this neigh-
borhood is probably that on the " Branch " though the New Jersey and
New York Railroad station at Pearl River, is but a short distance away.

364

ORANGEBURG STATION.

This is a country railway station and post-office, situated about half
way between Sparkill and Blauveltville on the " Branch." A small chapel
for Sunday school and church services, built by James E. Haring stands
here. The post-office was started Feb. 2>th, 1 861, with Henry A Blau-
velt as postmaster, and was discontinued Aug. 21st, 1867. It was re-es-
tablished Jan. I2th, 1880, with James A. Haring postmaster. On Dec.
24th, 1883, he was followed by Rachel A. Blauvelt.

PEARL RIVER.

This is a local village in the extreme south west of Orangetown, and is
a station on the New Jersey and New York Railroad. The place takes its
name from the creek that passes near it, in which many pearl mussels have
been found. Pearl River contains one store and a hotel. The post-office
was organized Jan. 17th, 1872, with Julius E. Braunsdorf as postmaster.
He was followed on Sept. 20th, 1880, by James Serven. In 1873, the
iEtna Sewing Machine Works were erected by Mr. Braunsdorf and car-
ried on till his death in 1880, giving employment to 100 men. Sincethat
closing, until within a short period, the buildings have stood idle. An
effijrt is now being made to use them for another branch of business.

/

THE NYACK AND NORTHERN RAILROAD.

For many years before the final construction of this railway spur, cer-
tain citizens in Nyack had endeavored to have the railroad from Piermont
extended along shore to that village. Each and every one of these efforts
were frustrated by property owners along the proposed route, placing so
high a valuation on their lands, that the financial success of such an exten-
sion seemed impossible. At length in 1867—68, when the mad specula-
tion that followed the Civil War was raging, these enterprising citizens,
who had ever labored for the. extension of the Erie Railroad, determined
that longer waiting would be ruinous and that, if the road could not be
brought along the shore, some other way of getting it extended must be
found. Several informal rheetings and interviews took place between
those favoring the project and finally a delegation waited upon Messrs.
Fisk, Gould, Sisson and Roorback, officers of the Erie & Northern Rail-
roads in relation to the matter.

These men entered into the idea and promised, that if the people of
Nyack would raise the sum of $60,000, they would add $40,000, making
a sum sufficient to construct a road. The Nyack people at once began

36s

the endeavor to raise their amount, but only succeeded in obtaining $28,000.
Upon learning this, the railroad men generously offered to accept that
sum, and make good the balance themselves. Having obtained the Nyack
subscription, the proposed road was immediately bonded for $100,000,
a sum amply sufficient to cover all expense, and the bonds sold. By this
arrangement the railroad men paid not one cent, and had $28,000 from
Nyack.

The building of the road was begun in August, 1869, and it was
opened in May, .1870. The occasion of the formal opening was a gala day
for Nyack. The piiEicers of the Erie and Northern Railroads visited the
place on a speciali train, were, received and welcomed by a display of flags,
and the firing of cannon, and were given a dinner at the St. Nicholas
Hotel on Main street., -As soon as the road was completed, it was leased
to the Northern Railroad Company, and has since been operated by it.

HIGHLAND AND MIDLAND AVENUES.

Though these roads pass for about an equal distance in the townships
of Clarks and Orange, I have deemed it wise to speak of them in the chap-
ter on Orangetown. The Tweed Ring had reached the summit of its
power. It had prostituted legislatures, influenced the Executive, extended
its corrupting presence to the Bench ; it had piled up a city debt in New
York to an enormous figure, had so distorted public opinion and morality,
that people began to think policy the best honesty, and money, however
obtained, the sole criterion of social success ; and finally, it had defied
with contempt, any attempt to overthrow it, and by reason of its immun-
ity from punishment, had led to the formation of local rings in other
places.

It was at this time, that the era of fantastic speculation in real estate
reached Nyack. The opening of the Nyack and Northern Railroad had
briskly advanced the price of real property; the extravagance which fol-
lowed the war led to the use of a credit system, at once impracticable and
dangerous ; and people planned cities, erected buildings, and made fabu-
lous wealth, in the maddest dreams that ever floated across the mental
visions of an ordinarily common sense community.

Among the citizens of that section of the County between Rockland
Lake and Sparkill, there were many who owned large farms, which the
tremendous advance in value of land together with the rapid building o'
railroads throughout the country, permitting distant sections to enter into
active competition with the Hudson River valley, had rendered unprofitable
for agricultural purposes. These large land holders were seized with the

mania for speculation, and determined to open their farms to purchasers.
With this object in view, the Legislature, which was dominated by the
Tweed Ring, was appealed to, and the Representative from Rockland —
James Nelson — was found to be a willing tool for the work.

In the session of 1871, an act, authorizing the making and openir^ of
two roads, was brought before the Legislature. One of these roads — now
known as Highland avenue — was to extend, from the intersection of the
highway running east of Rockland Lake, with the highway running from
the lake to Rockland Lake landing, to the highway running from Upper
Piermont to Orangeburg. This road was to be sixty feet in width, was
to be opened, graded, macadamized, guttered and curbed, and the com-
missioners appointed to oversee the building of it were directed to " make
and flag suitable walks along and upon either side of the same, and, also,
to make all necessary culverts." The aggregate of expenses for all pur-
poses was not to exceed $10,000 a mile. The cost of this work was to be
met from taxes assessed on property lying within a quarter of a mile
from the centre of the avenue, along its length and on "two strips of land
lying immediately north and south of the termini of said avenue, within
the limits of one-half mile north and south, respectively, by half a mile
east and west. " The commissioners were authorized to assess the pro
rata tax upon each piece of property included within the taxable limits,
and to appoint collectors to obtain the assessment ; and they were further
empowered " to sell the lands assessed, upon which the said assessment
shall remain unpaid for the space of thirty days after the time for and the
return of said warrant by said collector or collectors, * * * in the
same manner as the Comptroller of the State is authorized to sell lands for
the non-payment of assessments for taxes."

The commissioners named for appointment in this bill were : Peter
Voorhis, David J. Blauvelt, William L. Lawrence, William A. Shepard,
William Voorhis, W. C. Templeton, William H. Whiton, Henry Brinker-
hoff, and Nelson Puff.

The other road now known as Midland avenue, was to be opened from
Main street in the village of Nyack to the Hook Mountain. It was to be
70 feet in width, was to be graded, paved, curbed and guttered and the
commissioners were empowered at their discretion, to cause side walks to
be constructed and flagged. The cost of constructing this avenue was to be
met by taxes assessed upon all property lying within nine hundred feet of
the centre of the avenue.

In case the assessments were not paid in thirty days after the time for
the return of the collector's warrant, the assessed property was to be dis-

367

posed of in the same manner as in the case of Highland avenue. The
commissioners named for appointment by this bill were : Peter Voorhis,
Marcena M. Dickinson, Richard P. Eells and William C. Templeton.

The scheme for the passage of these bills was strongly backed, and for
a time it appeared as though the project would be forced through. In
view of the success of the measure the commissioners, named in the bill,
began individual preparations for gain. One bought a tract of mountain
land and erected a stone crusher for the purpose of furnishing gravel for
the road : others purchased property contiguous to the proposed highway,
and members of the Tweed Ring contemplated the erection of a large
hotel on the top of the Hook Mountain.

Through the merest accident the citizens living along the proposed
roads who were not in the ring, learned of this bill and after difficulty ob-
tained a copy. At once opposition was started. Meetings were held, re-
monstrances were signed and a committee consisting of George H. Liver-
more, Hagaman Onderdonk, Daniel Clark, and Isaac Hart, was sent to
Albany, to petition against the passage of the proposed act. It was then
recognized how strong the influence in favor of the bill was and the com-
mittee, after combatting those who labored for the roads to the utmost, at
length returned defeated.

By this tinie the full scope of the contemplated work was understood
by those resident in the County and anger against the planners of the ave-
nues, which were commonly called " boulevards " owing to Tweeds con-
nection with the boulevard in New York city, was expressed on every
side. Again the opponents of the proposed act petitioned against it, and
a second committee, consisting of Isaac Hart, Garret Sarvent and George
Green, visited Albany to appeal against the passage of the bill. This
committee was joined by Francis Tillou, who bitterly objected to the
measure. In spite of the earnest protestation of almost all the property
holders, not named as commissioners, along the proposed route, it was
found impossible to prevent the passage of the bill. But one course re-
mained open, that of amending it so as to remove its dangers as far as
possible. This was accomplished, and the act relating to Highland ave-
nue was so amended as to abolish the clause for curbing, graveling, con-
struction of culverts, and flagging of sidewalks ; the expense of building
was limited to five instead of ten thousand dollars a mile, and the time for
the redemption of property was fixed at one year. The commissioners
named in this amended act were: Peter Voorhis, John N. Perry, William
L. Lawrence, William A. Shepard, William Voorhis, Richard DeCantillon,
William H. Whiton, Henry Brinkerhoff" and CorneHus T. Smith.

368

The amendments to the act relative to Midland avenue consisted of
the exclusion of the clauses relative to grading, curbing, building culverts
and flagging sidewalks, the reduction of the expense of construction from
five to three thousand dollars per mile, an extension of the time for the
redemption of property to one year, and an extension to three years for
the time ol building the road. The Commissioners appointed by ,the
amended act were : Peter Voorhis, Marcena M. Dickinson, George Green,
Garret Sarvent and Isaac Hart. The last named gentleman declined to
serve and George H. Livermore was appointed in his place.. Under this
Board of Commissioners, the avenue was surveyed, opened and con-
structed for the sum stated in the amended bill, and the Commissioners
discharged. In the case of Highland avenue, litigation was almost im-
mediately begun because of unjust and illegal assessment. Work was
stopped when the road was partially finished and all of the road bed, with
the exception of the portion between Rockland Lake and the mountain
road in Upper Nyack, has become overgrown with underbrush and
weeds.

James Nelson, the Member of Assembly, who labored so hard for the
passage of the bill, was overwhelmingly defeated in the elections of 1871,
entirely through the efforts of Garret Sarvent, and because of his actions
in the matter. Highland avenue still remains an open field for years of
legal complications and legislative interference.

Rinear Kisarike, 1722.
Cornelius Haring, 1723-28.
Cornelius Smith, 1729-31.
Barent Nagle, 1732-33.
Gabriel Ludlow, Jr., 1734-

39-
Henry Ludlow, 1740-46.
John Ferdon, 1747.
Adolph Lent, 1748-57.
David Blauvelt, 1758-59:
Daniel Haring, 1760-63.
Abraham Haring, 1764.
Johannes Blauvelt, 1765.
Thomas Outwater, 1766-74.
John M. Hogencamp, 1779-

80, 1 783-1 796.

Henry Ludlow, 1744-45.
Robert Hallett, 1746-47.
JohnDe Wint, 1748-52.'

SUPERVISORS.

Jonathan Lawrence, 1782.
James Perry, 1 797 -1800-

1804.
James Demarest, 1801.
Sam'l G. Verbryck, 1802-3-

6-19-28-1829.
James Perry, 1804-5.
John Perry, 1820.
Richard Ellsworth, 1823.
William Sickles, 18124-27.
Isaac I. Blauvelt, 1830-34.
Benj. Blackledge, 1835-38.
John Haring, Jr., 1839-41.
John J. Haring, 1842.
John T. Blauvelt, 1843-45.
John S. Verbryck, 1846-47.

TOWN CLERKS.

Richard Blauvelt, 1 799-181 7

1825-27.
Cornelius Sickles, 1818-20.

Simon D. Demarest, 1848-

49.
Wm. E. Smith, 1850-51.
John C. Blauvelt, 1852-54.
J. J. Lawrence, 1855.
M. M. Dickinson, 1856 57.
James S. Haring, 1858-63-

1865-71.
William Dickey, 1863-64.
Isaac M. Dederer, 1872-73.
D. D. Demarest, 1874-75
Henry A. Blauvelt, 1876-

79-
Hagaman Onderdonk, 1882.
George Dickey. 1880-81,

1883-4.

John S. Verbryck, 1848-49.
Henry A. Blauvelt, 1850-54
1869-72.

369

Thomas Cutwater, 1754-55

1761-73.
Andries Onderdonk, Jr.,

1758-60.
Jan Myndert Hogenkamp,

1778-91.
James Demarest, 1792-97.
Tunis Smith, 1798.

Richard Ellsworth, 1821-22.
David Clark, 1823-24.
C. I. Blauvelt, 1828-29.
J. J. Demarest, 1830-38.
J. B. Blauvelt, 1834-40
Abram House, 1841-45.
George Van Houten, 1846.
J. Youmans, 1847.

Richard P. Eells, 1855-56.
A. T. Blauvelt, 185^-58.
John W. Blauvelt, 1859-67.
James S. Haring, 1868.
John H. Blauvelt, 1873.
John A. Haring, 1874-82.
W. B. Slocum, 1883.
Eugene C. Fisk, 1884.

Authorities referred to : Extracts from village papers ; Lectures by William G. Haeselbarth ;
Session Laws; Papers and documents contributed by George R. Van Houten; "Notes on
-Nyack," published in 1878 ; Books and papers contributed by Garret E. Green.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE TOWN OF HAVERSTRAW.

ORIGIN OF THE NAME— ERECTION INTO A TOWNSHIP— AREA-CENSUS—
HISTORIES OF HAVERSTRAW VILLAGE— THIELL'S CORNERS— GUR-
NEL'S CORNERS OR MOUNT IVY- GARNERVILLE— SAMSONDALE-
JOHNSONTOWN— WEST HAVERSTRAW— MONROE AND HAVERSTRAW
TURNPIKE— HAVERSTRAW COMMUNITY— TOWN OFFICERS.

It is claimed that the name of Haverstraw appears on a map found
among the Dutch archives in Amsterdam, supposed to have been made
about 1616. It may be so. We know that Hudson sailed up the river
seven years before ; that Adrian Block first built on the site of the present
New York City two years before; and that the permanent settlement oc-
curred ten years later, in 1626, and it may be somewhat of a tax on
human credulity to believe, that at that date a map was made of a wilder-
ness in which one place is located as "the Haverstroo " or " Haverstroo,"
still such a thing is not impossible.

The first mention I find of the name is in the map of New Netherland,
by A. Vanderdonck, made in 1656, and it is there spoken of as Haver-
stroo." In June 1658, occurs the second mention of the name, that I
have found, in Stuyvesant' s Journal of his visit to Esopus ; " that the
murder had not been committed by one of their tribe, but by a Newesink
Savage, who was now living at Haverstroo, or about there ;" again in
1660 and 1664, the name occurs and after that is frequently used. It is
doubtless true that this name was given to the place on account of the
wild oats which grew along the river banks.

From 1686 till 1719, the present town of Haverstraw was included in
the laws, taxes and militia duties of Orangetown. But that valley was
increasing so rapidly in population, the distance was so great and the trail
so poor between it and Tappan, that the inhabitants petitioned for sepa-
rate existence and on June 24th, 17 19, the following act was passed:

" An Act to enable the Precincts of Haverstraw in the County of Orange, to chuse a Supervi-
sor, a Collector, two Assessors, one Constable, and two Overseers of Highways. * » »

Whereas, Several principall Freeholders and Inhabitants of Haverstraw, in the County of
Orange, in Behalf of themselves and others, have by their Petitions to the General Assembly,
prayed they may be enabled to elect one Supervisor, one Collector, two Assessors, one Constable
and two Overseers of the Highways, by Reason of their great Distance from Tappan, in the said
County. '

371

Be it therefore enacted, by his Excellency the Governor, Council, and General Assembly, and
by the authority of the same ; That from and after the publication of this Act, it shall and may be
lawful for the Inhabitants of the Districts and Precincts of Ilaverstraw, in the County of Orange,
from the Northernmost bounds of Tappan, to the northernmpst bounds of Ha,verstraw, and they
are hereby required and imppwered to assemble and meet together, at the most Convenient place
in the said Districts, and Precincts, on the first Tuesday in April, annually, and then by a plurality
of voices to elect and chuse among them one Supervisor, one CoUeotor, two Assessors, one
Constable, and two Overseers of the Highways, and the said Officers so chosen shall be of the
Principall Inhabitants and freeholders, within the Districts above said, and also be invested with
all the Powers, and be obliged to such Services and Duties as all other and like officers in the
County of Orange, afore said, are impowered and obliged to do.

And the Assessors and Supervisor so chosen shall act in Conjunction with the rest of the like
officers in the said County when and as often as occasion shall require, anything to the Contrary
hereof in any wise notwithstanding."

In accordance with this Act the inhabitants of Haverstraw proceeded
to hold their first town meeting and elect their town officers.

The Orangetown patent bounded the town within circumscribed limits,
but the erection of the Haverstraw precinct gave a practically unlimited
area to the jurisdiction of the new town's officers. The present townships
of Clarks, Ramapo and Stony Point were all included under the name of
Haverstraw, and the town possessed in 1790, 85,720 acres, about six times
the area of Orangetown.

As in the case of Orangetown, no separate census existed for Haver-
straw before 1738, when 654 people were resident within its limits. Be-
tween that date and 1790, the next census, the Pond patent, Kakiat,
Scotland and Ramapo Clove had been largely settled and the population
had increased to 4,826. The separation of the present towns of Clarks
and Ramapo in 179 1, brought the population of Haverstraw proper down
to more moderate figures.

In 1738, Haverstraw had 654 inhabitants. In 1835, Haverstraw had 2865 inhabitants.

In 1790, " " 4826 " In 1845, " " 4806

In 1800, " " 1229 " In 185s, " " 6747

In 18(0, " " 1866 " In 1865, " " 4113

In 1820, " " 2700 " In 1870, U. S. Census, 6412 "

In 1825, State Census, 2026 " In 1880, " 7022 "

The same remark concerning the census of 1820, holds true in the case
of Haverstraw as of the other towns. The change ofthe^figures in 1865, is
due to the separation of the town of Stony Point from her territory in the
early part of that year.

HAVERSTRAW VILLAGE.

As we have seen in Chapter H, the earliest grant of land in the County
was to Balthazar De Harte in 1666, and reads : " All that tract of land
lying on the west side of Hudson's river called Haverstraw, being on the

372

north side of the hills called Verdrietig Hook, on the south side of the
Highlands, on the east side of the mountains, so as the same is bounded
by Hudson's river and round about by high mountains." In Chapter HI,
I have spoken of the early transfers of land in the patent, and stated the
names of the original owners of the property on which the village now
stands.

The first road in Haverstraw was the continuation of the King's high
way, which connected the early settlers with their neighbors in Tappan-
town. This was soon followed, as the influx of settlers from Long Island
to Kakiat began, by a road from the river to the new Hempstead, a road
which was later continued on to Sidman's Pass and down to Tappan and
became the military road of the Revolution. Scarcely had these lines of
communication been cut through, however, when the opening of Hassen-
clever mine and the erection of iron works along Florus Falls Creek, led
to the construction of a road from the King's highway along the creek and
Stony brook to the mine.

Already I have made mention of the dock where Andre is supposed to
have landed in Haverstraw, and of that built by Edw, W. Kiers near the
outlet of the Short Clove before the Revolution — this latter dock is now
owned by Felix McCabe.

About 1812, John Allison ran out a dock in front of his property, a
little north of the present steamboat landing ; DeNoyelles built a dock on
his land nearly opposite the end of South street, and Captain John Felter
built still a third landing near the foot of Main street. For many years
DeNoyelles' landing was the most public one, and from it the steamboats
ran in early days, thus giving it the name, by which it is still known
among the older people, of the lower steamboat landing.

As in the case of Tappan Landing and Nyack, Haverstraw had its
early market sloops, which amply sufficed to carry to the city the settler's
surplus products and bring back the few luxuries they wished. Until the
advent of the steamboat, these sailing vessels were the only means of
communication by water, and the few travellers of those early days found
them both rapid and comfortable enough. The price of passage was a
"York" shilling; the time made depended, in great measure, on the direc-
tion and force of the wind and tide, though some of the vessels wer?
furnished with sweeps, and, if becalmed, both passengers and crew were
expected to work their passage down. It is said thaj: more than once
vessels have been propelled the entire, distance in this manner.

While the entrance of steamboats upon the route made terribly sad havoc
with the sloop owners' profits, the market vessels were still continued.

373

The first steamboats, landing at Grassy Point, were too distant to be a
serious injury, and even when the Rockland came, and, later, the Warren
was built, these relics of an earlier age remained. I append an advertise-
ment.

" Market Sloop. Haverstraw and New York. The subscribers will
run for the season the new and fast sailing Sloop Sarah Francis, leaving
the Dock of Abraham Jones, formerly J. Felter's, every Tuesday at 2
o'clock, P. M., and New York every Friday at 3 o'clock, P. M.

N. B. — All kinds of freight and produce taken on reasonable terms.
The boat will run as soon as the ice will permit.

H. & W. R. Knapp."
Haverstraw, February 22d, 1849.

Besides these market sloops, one, the J. G. Pierson, was built for the
purpose of carrying the products of the Ramapo Iron Works to the city.
From the factories, the goods were brought to the Haverstraw Landing
in huge wagons, drawn by six mule teams. I have shown the causes
which led to the withdrawal of this business from Haverstraw.

This village did not begin its growth as early as either Ramapo or
Nyack, but for many years, until the discovery of James Wood revolu-
tionized brick making, remained a country hamlet. In 1855, Jacob Wan-
dell wrote in a letter to his sister Catherine Van Houten, the following
description of the present village, at the close of the last century :

'• My father removed from Tappan Sloat to Haverstraw in the year
1794. There was no village there then, only one house. Captain Shep-
herd bought the field where the village is built, of Joseph Allison, for ;^io
($25), an acre. When he moved there, it was sown with rye. The river
bank was the handsomest I ever saw. From Grassy Point down to where
James Wood first set a brick- yard, (this was on the river bank directly
opposite the burying ground of the De Noyelles family), was a beautiful
row of large chestnuts and oak trees, growing all along the banks. It was
a beautiful walk."

Of that high river bank, the De Noyelles burying ground, still remain-
ing on the top of a high hill, surrounded with clay pits, and viewed by
brick makers with anxious eyes, is the only relic left. I have already
spoken of the early transfers of land in the present Haverstraw village, until
it became the property of Allison and De Noyelles. In 1 792, Joseph Alli-
son sold to Thomas Smith and John Shepherd the land bounded by the
Present Broadway, West street. South street and Hudson River. In his
will, Joseph Allison left to his wife, Elsie, the portion of his real estate lying

374

between the present Broad and Main streets, and on the west side of
Broadway, all the land between West Side avenue, (the road leading to
the cemetery), and that part of Broad street which is west of Broadway.

Thomas Smith, who was the patriot brother of Joshua Hett Smith,
previously mentioned, built a house where the United States Hotel now
stands. This was the first house built on the lot, and was two stories in
height, with a flight of stairs outside leading to the second story. It was
burned early in this century. Smith died in November, 1795. In 1803,
this lot was surveyed and divided into house-lots by Teunis Smith, of
Nyack.

A street, now called Middle street, was run through the centre of the
property from east to west, and numbered streets, beginning with First
street, next the river front, were run across this. The price of a lot on
the present Front street was $50. Before the beginning of the century,
a lot on this property had been given for the Methodist church, and a
house of worship was erected in 1800.

From a letter signed " Epsilon," written for the Rockland County
News, November loth, 1846, we get the following description of Haver-
straw village in early days: " The farm of Thomas Smith covered the
village before it was laid out in 1803. In 1804, there were only four
houses in the place — Mrs. Green's, a short distance above Mr. Prall's ; an
old house on Martlin's corner, kept as a tavern and store ; a small old
house on the corner near Mrs. Martha De Noyelles, kept as a tavern ;
Judge De Noyelles' below J. S. Gurnee's. Only four buildings existed
between the Hudson and the present Garner's factory." I may quote
still further from " Epsilon," and give his description of the village in
1846, in this connection. "Now, there are three hundred dwellings in
Haverstraw, including Samsondale and Garnerville, beside factories. There
are five churches, two being built, one academy, twelve stores, one print-
ing office, four clergymen, four physicians, one attorney. The amount of
capital invested in Peck's iron and chemical works. Garner's calico, and
Higgins' carpet factory, is $1,000,000. The annual product is $1,500,000.
The number of hands employed is 1,000. There are 27 brick yards in
operation, which employ 650 hands, and produce about 70,000,000 bricks
a year."

By 1837, almost all the land between the present Main street and the
neck of land known as the " Narrow Passage," was owned by George S.
and Michael Allison. In that year, following the mania for real estate
speculation then prevailing, these men had this tract surveyed and cut
into building lots, and streets were run through and given the names, many

375

of them still retain. The new village was called Warren, after the doctor
General Joseph Warren, who was killed at Bunker Hill, and the develop-
ment of the brick industry caused a rapid growth of the place.

The first store in Haverstraw was opened by George Smith, before
1815, and stood on the south corner- of the present West Broad street and
Broadway. Smith, it is said, charged so high a price for everything, that
an opposition store was started by George S. Allison across Broadway.
Liquor held a prominent place as a commodity at that time, New England
rum seeming to be the favorite beverage. If we may judge from a re-
mark I recently heard, that purchasers would produce a shilUng and ask
for "a penny-worth of tobacco, a penny-worth of sugar, and the rest in
New England rum ; " the business of those days was not in the nature of
dry goods. The first hotel in Haverstraw was built on the spot where
Thomas Smith's house had burned, and was kept by Sarriuel Johnson, as the
Johnson Tavern. The present United States, built in 1852, stands on the
same site. The American Hotel was preceded by the Temperance House,
opened in 1848, by C. A. Rand and C. T. Mills. Where the saloon of
Levi West stands on Main street, Abraham Van Tassel kept a tavern in
1 8 19. It was here that the first meeting of the Free Masons was held in
1853. About 1820, De Noyelles and Gurnee opened a store at their
dock, later, the steamboat dock. This was the principal store in the vil-
lage at that time. Perhaps, although we have read " Epsilon's " letter, a
view of the village, which has changed so radically and rapidly, as seen by
Rev. A. S. Freeman, D. D., in 1846, may be of interest. ,

Where the Central Presbyterian Church now stands was an open field
and fields of grain stood between it and Main street. From the village to
Grassy Point stretched a bautiful grove of pine trees, and back of Grassy
Point Landing was a sloping bank with gardens and shade trees.
Front street, now filled with handsome residences, had then a few inferior
buildings. On the corner of Main and Front streets, on the site of the
present United States Hotel, stood a dilapidated wooden tavern kept by
J. Marting, and from that corner, up Main street, to the National Bank
building, stood a row of wooden buildings, which were swept away by fire
in 1850. Almost all the village north of Main street, including Rockland,
Broad, Division, Clinton, was a farm. Near the present residence of Ira
M. Hedges, was a little school house kept by D. B. Loomis, after he left
the Academy. Later this site was occupied by the Warren Hotel. Oppo-
site Felter Bros, bakery, where L. D. West's restaurant stands, was the
blacksmith shop of Amos Allison. The present steamboat landing was
not used as such till 1865, when it was rebuilt by D. D. & T. Smith.

376

Among the store keepers of those days were : Wm. R. Lane, hardware ;
J. F. Mills, who opened a book store and restaurant, and whose rhyming-
advertisements, together with those of his rival in business " Uncle Benny"
Smith, who was located on Main street, can be found in the files of the
Rockland County Messenger of those days. Dr. Charles Whipple opened
the first regular drug store in the village but drugs had previously been
sold by Mr. Sherwood. In 1848, this store was bought by S. C. Blauvelt,.
who still carries on the business. In 1847, the store keepers of Haver-
straw, announced in the Messenger, that thenceforth business should only
be done on a cash basis.

The brick industry, which has made Haverstraw, we have already con-
sidered. Another manufacturing interest developed by the brick industry
I am now to mention. In 1 848, Myron Ward and R. A. VerValen, opened
the Warren Foundry immediately south of the steamboat dock for the
manufacture of stoves and ploughs. Upon tjie invention of the Automatic
Brick Machine by VerValen, in 1852, their manufacture was begun in the
foundry and has been continued till the present time. This industry em-
ploys from twenty to forty men. Myron Ward left the business in 1851.

The first school house in this village, built in 18 10, stood opposite the
site of the present M. E. Church. The first teacher was a young Irish-
man named Quinn. While Quinn was teaching the " young idea how to
shoot," Cupid shot, and the pedagogue fell in love with and married one
of his pupils, Eliza Wandell.

Whether such a startling, albeit romantic, termination to the course
of education led the parents of that time to hesitate about sending their
daughters to school or not, cannot now be answered ; but certainly little
further record of educational matters in Haverstraw exists till the year

1847-

In 1847, D. B. Loomis was principle of the public school. He re-
signed later and took charge of a school held in part of an old house,
which stood near the present residence of I. M. Hedges. Loomis was fol-
lowed at the Academy by I. I. Foot, Sheldon, Rev. S. W. St. John,
George Secor, L. Wilson, Austin, W. P. Fisher. In 1847, Mr. Sanford
opened a boarding and day school, and with his literary work combined
dancing lessons.

In 1852, H. M. Peck, Amos Briggs and others invited Lewis B. Hard-
castle, at that time teaching in Nyack, to open a school of advanced
grade in Haverstraw. Accepting the invitation, Hardcastle purchased the
property now known as the Mountain Institute from Geo. E. De Noyelles
and erected beside the house a two story school building. The Institute

377

was opened Oct. 31st, 1853. Among the corps of teachers at the begin-
ning of the school were ; C. M. Dodd, Mr. Jamieson, H. B. Millard, and
Miss Mary Rutherford. Hardcastle continued the school tHl the fall of 1 8 56,
when he was succeeded by H. B. Millard, who kept it till the spring of 1857.
L. H. Northrup assumed charge of the Institute May 4th, 1857, and con-
tinued till the fall of i860. For some months the Institute remained
closed. It at length was re-opened April i6th, 1 861, under the present
principle, Lavalette Wilson.

Up to 1854, Haverstraw was without fire apparatus of any sort ; then
the burning of Geo. De Noyelles' barn on the evening of Jan. 22d, roused
the people to a recognition of their insecure condition. A meeting of the
citizens was called at the ball-room of the American Hotel on the evening
of Jan. 28th, 1854, and the necessary funds for a Hook and Ladder truck
subscribed. Rescue Hook and Ladder Co. was organized with Asbury
De Noyelles, Foreman, and James Creney, Assistant Foreman. The com-
pany remained in existence till April, 1859, when it was compelled by
financial difficulties to transfer its. apparatus to the village authorities whO'
assumed the liabilities- In August 1881, a HoUoway's fire extinguisher
was obtained and attached to Rescue Hook and Ladder Company. The
first truck house was situated in the M. E. Church shed yard-
Warren No. I Engine Company, was organized May 15th, 1854, with
G. S. Myers as Foreman, and obtained its hand . engine in September,
of that year. In 1881, the company was disbanded by the Board of
Trustees, because of personal ill will among its members. On December
13th, 1 88 1, Warren Company was re-organized with Fred. Glassing, Jr.,
Foreman ; John Braham, Assistant Foreman.

Lady Warren, Steam Fire Engine Company, was organized in July,
1869, with James H. Fleming, Foreman. It was re-organized February
20th, 1 87 1, and a steamer obtained; this engine was rebuilt in 1876. The
engine house of the company stands on Division street.

Triumph Hose Company was organized September nth, 1878, with
Daniel De Groot, Foreman ; John Bernhart, Assistant Foreman. By the
act of 1859, a Chief and two Assistant Engineers of the Fire Department
are elected. The first chief was Samuel A. Ver Valen. Besides the great
fire of 1850, there have been few destructive conflagrations in the village.
The distance between Haverstraw and the church grave yards at Tap-
pan, Clarkesville, or Kakiat, rendered interments in local burial places a
necessity. The Allison and DeNoyelles families located places of sepul-
ture for the dead of their families on their farms. The earliest record in
the DeNoyelles ground is that of John DeNoyelles, who died January

378

nth, 1775. The Waldron cemetery, situated by the side of the present
" West Shore " Railroad, about half-way between Haverstraw station and
Stony Point, was used as a general place of burial. The earliest record I
have seen is that of Charlotte Ming, August lOth, 1792. On the north
side of the road from Haverstraw to Ramapo, opposite the residence of
the heirs of David Burns, and about midway between Mead's and Felter's
corners is a burial place, donated by Colonel David Burns to the public.
The oldest stone found there is that which marks the resting place of
Phebe Smith, April 19th, 1803. Besides these places of interment, the
church yard at the present Garnerville, was opened in 1 790 ; and piany
bodies were laid at rest on private farms.

At length, John S. Gurnee, John D. Gardner, John R. McKenzie,
Isaiah Milburn, Lewis R. Mackey, Walter S. Johnson, Silas D. Gardner,
Leonard Gurnee, and Asbury DeNoyelles purchased thirteen acres of
land of Asbury DeNoyelles for $1,200 as a cemetery for the Methodist
Church. On Thursday, July 7th, 1853, this spot was dedicated as Mount
Repose Cemetery, with appropriate ceremonies.

The ground was laid out in lots, and Isaiah Milburn and John S. Gur-
nee were authorized to give deeds for them. At a later period trouble
arose, and a partition suit was begun. The land was sold at auction by
order of the Court, and was bid in by Clarence Conger, who gave G. G.
Allison power of attorney to sell the lots. Such is the present condition
of the cemetery.

The first newspaper published in the old County of Orange was the
" Goshen Repository," from which I have quoted in this work, issued at
Geshen as early as August 14th, 1778. The first paper published in
Rockland County was the NorlA River Palladium, which was started in
January, 1829, by Ezekiel Burroughs, in West at the head of North street.
It had but a brief existence. The next paper was attempted in 1829. It
was owned by J. T. Smith, and was called at first the Rockland Register.
This sheet was brought out by Smith, who was then District Attorney, to
aid him in his aspirations for a higher office, and was edited by Burroughs.
After the election, in which Smith was defeated, the name of the paper
was changed to the Rockland Gazette. In 1833, the Rockland Advertiser
was started by John Douglass, and a year later, this paper and that of
Smith's were combined under the name of the Rockland Advertiser and
Family Gazette. Soon after the paper ceased to exist. In 1834, Alex*
ander H. Wells began the publication of the North River Times. This
paper also had an ephemeral life. During the existence of the two last-
named rival papers, the public was kept interested by the spicy articles

379

which appeared in one or the other, from the pens of contributors. One
of the most incisive of the local writers was Dr. Mark Pratt.

In 1844, a paper called the Rockland County News was begun by
John L. Burtis. Thirty-two numbers of this sheet were issued ere it died.
The Rockland County Messenger was started by Robert Marshall, May
17th, 1846. Until 1852, the paper remained under Marshall's manage-
ment. It was then taken by its present veteran editor and proprietor,
Robert Smith, and for four and thirty years has been ably conducted by
him. Since Mr. Smith has owned the paper a complete file has been pre-
served.

In 1879, the Haverstraw Herald was begun for political purposes. It
lasted through a campaign. In April, 1883, the Sentinel was started by
the efforts of Rev. R. Harcourt, as a temperance advocate. At first
printed by the Rockland County Journal presses, in Nyack ; it was at length
moved to Haverstraw in April, 1884, and in the autumn of that year
was bought by its present editor, B. A. Farr. It is still conducted in the
interest of the temperance cause.

The post office at Haverstraw was established July i^st, 1815, with
George Smith as first postmaster. On Jan. ist, 18 17, Smith was followed
by Epenetus Wheeler and his successors have been : Samson Marks, May
1 8th, 1818; Abraham Marks, May 3d, 18 19; Peter De Noyelles, April
9th, 1834; Lawrence De Noyelles, December 19th, 1840; Isaac Sherwood,
June 24th, 1 841 ; Sylvester Clark, January 23d, 1845 ; John S. Gurnee,
January I9th,i849; Isaac Sherwood, January 29th, 1850; Samuel C.
Blauvelt, July 30th, 1853 ; Isaac Sherwood, May 7th, 1861 ; Richard A.
VerValen, October 2 2d, 1877; Isaac M. Purdy, April 17th, 1882.

At the close of 1853, the residents of this village made preparations
for incorporation. A petition was presented to the County Court by
Henry P. Cropsey, Samuel C. Blauvelt, Abraham De Baun, Garret De
Baun, Lewis R. Mackey, John C. Coe, James Creney, D. C. Springteen,
John De Baun, Ezra Mead, A. E. Suffernand Samuel A. VerValen, pray-
ing for the incorporation of the village. A survey of the proposed limits
was made February 6th, 1854, and the boundaries were as follows :

"Commencing on the bank of the Hudson River at a willow tree standing at the southwest
corner of the brick yard of John Gardner, running thence south 6lJ degs. west lo chains ; thence
north 24^ degs. west 20 chains 38^ links ; thence north 51 degs. west 7 chains to a Hickory tree ;
thence north 38^ degs. west 10 chains 23 links to a fence running east and west ; thence north 48^
degs. west 39 chains 5° links to a cheslnnt tree ; thence north 28^ degs. west 25 chains 18 links,
to a large rock ; thence north ^\ degs. east 25 chains 53 links; thence north 74 degs. east 4 chains
50 links to Peck's railroad, and crossing of highway leading to Grassy Point ; thence along said
railroad north 88 degs. east 48 chains ; thence south 51 degs. east, still along said railroad and
the bank of the Hudson River, 18 chains 60 links to dock; then along the west shore of Hudson
River, southerly in chains to the place of beginning. "

38o

The area embraced within the Hmits marked by this survey was 493
acres, and the number of inhabitants was 1,760

Pursuant to an order of the Court, held February 14th, 1854, incorpo-
rating all that part of the township of Haverstraw, described in the order,
as a village by the name of Warren, provided a majority of the electors of
the proposed village should assent thereto ; an election was held at the
residence of John Begg, on March nth, 1854. At this election 187 votes
were cast of which 179 were for incorporation and 8 opposed to it.

An election for village officers was held at the house of John Begg,
April 8th, 1854, and resulted in the following men being chosen :

Edward Pye, President.

Trustees.

H. P. Cropsey, George De Noyelles,

H. G. Prall, R. A. Ver Valen.

Samuel C. Blauvelt, Clerk. Josiah Milburn, Treasurer.

George S. Myers, Collector. Peter Titus, Pound-Master.

Assessors.
Isaac Sherwood, Daniel G. Smith, Andrew De Baun.
Following that first election, the Presidents of the village have been :

Edward Pye, 1855. John L. De Noyelles, 1858-70, 1877-78.

Cornelius P. Hoffman, 1856. Richard A. Ver Valen, 1871-74, 1883-84.
John I Cole, 1857. James Osborn, 1875-76, 1879-82.

' In 1855, the village charter was amended by an act of Legislature, so
as to make it a road district, which included the Long and Short Clove
roads. In 1859, gas was introduced by E. V. Haughwout, of New York.
Trouble between the citizens and the gas company soon began, and con-
tinued till 1865, when a mass meeting was held to demand a reduction of
rates, and some other radical changes. A conference between the citizens'
representatives and Haughwout followed, and mutual concessions occurred.

Haverstraw has a complicated record of names. In another place, I
have quoted an Act in which she is called Waynesburgh, and will take an
extract from this Act, passed April ist, 18 14, again : " from thence, in a
direct course as nearly as may be, to such a point in the village of Waynes-
burgh, late Warren, as the Commissioners, etc."

For what reason the name Waynesburgh was given to the hamlet, and
the length of time it remained in force, have escaped my search. Warren,

381

the hamlet had already been called, and to Warren it was changed again.
But this name was never a popular one. People had long been accus-
tomed to blend the name of the township and village in one, and call the
latter, Haverstraw. At the establishment of the present Stony Point post
office in 1 847, it was named North Haverstraw. Commerce was carried
on, not with Warren, but Haverstraw, and the name of the village post
office was Haverstraw from its organization. Influenced by these and
other less important reasons, the residents of the village appealed to the
Legislature for relief, and, on April 14th, 1874, that body passed the fol-
lowing act :

" Section i. The name of the Village of Warren in the County of Rockland, incorporated
under the provisions of the Statute of the State of New York, authorizing the incorporation of vii
lages, is hereby changed to ' Haverstraw. ' All proceedings now pending by or against the said
Village of Warren shall be continued in the name of Haverstraw.

" Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately."

On June ist, 1874, fire limits were established for the village which
still govern the place. Under the rule of the village officials this place
increased in population and material well-being. In 1865, the number of
residents had increased to 2,150 and the proportion of increase still con-
tinues.

In 1854, the second floor of S. C. Blauvelt's drug store w-as enlarged
and fitted up as a public hall, called Warren Hall. This was first used
Oct. 26th, 1854, for a temperance meeting, at which Judge Allison pre-
sided andD. B. Loomis was secretary. Addresses in the interest of tem-
perance were made by Edward Pye and the clergymen of the village.
The question of temperance had become one of vital interest in this section
of our County before this meeting. As early as the Spring of 1851, H.
G. Prall and some thirty others had issued a call for a mass meeting to
take action on the illegal selling of liquor on the Sabbath. In response to
that call a large gathering of citizens took place in the Academy and the
meeting resulted in the formation of a vigilance committee and the swearing
in of ten special constables for the purpose of detecting and bringing to
justice such people as violated the law.

Since that time the fight against the traffic had continued and resulted
in the year of which I speak, 1854, in the election of John I Suffern "as
Member of Assembly, on the Temperance Ticket. From that period till
1882, the subject of temperance was agitated time and again. ' In this
latter year it broke out with renewed violence, and reached a vital stage
in the "ballot-box outrage " of March 20th, 1883.

I may be permitted to give a brief account of this affair. In the elec-

382

tion held for town officers at the time mentioned, two party tickets were
in the field— one, the regular Democratic ticket, the other, a Citizen's ticket.
Two ballots were cast by the voters of each party — one, the General Town
Ticket, containing the names of all the town officers, except that for Excise
Commissioners, this latter being on a separate ballot. The voting pro-
ceeded quietly, and at sunset at the close of the polls, the proper officers
began counting the ballots. The General Town Ticket was counted first,
and the result found to be in favor of the Citizens' Party.

The Excise Commissioner ballot was next prepared for canvassing.
During the computation of the result of the Town Ticket, the room in
which the election had been carried on was gradually filled with people
who had entered by ones and twos. The canvass of the Excise Ticket
had but just fairly started when the lights were extinguished, the stove
overturned and dragged to the door, burning coals falling on the floor ;
the table holding the ballots was smashed and overset. Instantly there
followed a rush for windows and door ; missiles were thrown, chairs and
stools broken ; in fact, the room was wrecked so thoroughly by riot and
fire, that the completion of the canvass was impossible.

Every attempt was made by the proper officials to bring those con-
nected with this outrage to justice, but by one means or another all es-
caped punishment. It was from the feeling growing out of this affair,
that the Sentinel newspaper was established.

To return again from a digression, which for the sake of sequence, it
seemed wise to make; the next mention I find of Warren Hall, is on
Saturday, November i8th, 1854, when Warren Lyceum was organized in
it with A. E. Suffern, President ; and Edward Pye, Secretary. Among
those who lectured during the first season were : A. E. Suffern, Rev. A.
S. Freeman, Rev. J. West, Edw. Pye, Wm. E. Haeselbarth, Rev. Van
Zandt, Rev. J. Cory, R. J. lanvooski, L. B. Hardcastle, Rev. P. J. H.
Meyers, Rev. W. Van Doren, Prof Schumacher and Samuel Osgood.
Among those who took part in the debates were : R. A. VerValen, C. P.
Hoffman, and Messrs. Brower, Lilienthal, Penfield, Coleman. Previous to
the opening of this public hall, gatherings of the people for entertain-
ment were usually held in some one of the churches. Business or political
gatherings seem to have often been held in the Union Hotel. In i860,
the Wigwam was built on the common, south of the Central Presbyterian
Church, and opened to the public on July 27th, of that year. This be-
came the headquarters for public meetings, and, later, for volunteers, en-
listed to save our Nation.

383

In 1 87 1, the Haverstraw Bank was organized as a State institution,,
with a capital of $100,000. The first board of directors were :
Isaac Odell, President.
Ira M. Hedges, Vice-President.
George S. Smith, Cashier.
George S. AlHson, George S. Wood,

Richard A. Ver Valen, John I. Cole,

John W. Gillies.
The bank opened its doors for business on Main street, April 15 th,
1871. The institution continued a State bank till February 27th, 1875,
when it was changed into a National Bank, with a capital of $50,000.
The first board of directors under the change were :

Ira M. Hedges, Theodore Fredericks, George S. Wood,

Jacob Odell, George S. Allison, Richard Ver Valen,

R. Redfield, John W. Gillies, John I. Cole.

The institution has been well conducted, and, though two periods of
great business depressions have occurred since its start and institutions of
trust have been swept down around it, its reputation stands well for care-
fulness and wise management.

The Haverstraw Savings Bank opened its doors for business in 1871,
with the following officers and trustees, who composed the various com-
mittees :

A. E. Suffern, President.

William Govan, First Vice-President.

Richard A. VerValen, Second Vice-President.

Garret O. House, Secretary and Treasurer.

G. G. Allison, , D. R. Lake, Theo. Frederick,-

E. W. Christie, Geo. R. Weiant, Peter E. Lee,

Jno. Turnbull, Frederick Tomkins, J. M. Nelson,

Wm. Call, Jr., ' Levi Knapp, Louis Hohn,

Robert Smith, Theo. Gardiner, Wm. H. Wiles,

John Taylor, Jno. Connley, Jas. A. Barnes,

Chas. Kreuder, Denton Fowler, John Keenan,

Thos. Burke, Amos Briggs, Belding Barnes,

Wm. E. King.

The institution paid five per cent, interest on deposits and seemed in a
prosperous condition till 1879, when it failed. The depositors in the de-
funct institution were paid 65 cents on the dollar.

384

Projecting well out in the river, with a bay on each side, is Pullen's
Point, more generally known as "Peck's dock." The original
name of this point is said to have been derived from one William
PuUen, who was Sheriflf of the County from 1730 to 1 731, and
who, it seems, by his liberal views on religious topics excited the ire of
John Allison and Thomas Hughs, for in 173 1, these men entered com-
plaint against him for saying, " that the Pope of Rome was a good Christ-
ian." When Mr. Peck started the-works at Samsondale, this point was the
most convenient place on the river for the shipment of his productions.
At it he built a dock and to it extended a railroad from his works. Here
was built the only marine railway in Haverstraw, in 1851, by Henry Gar-
ner. It was at first carried on by Mr. Wiltsea, then by G. W. Snedeker,
and at present by Henry Rodermond & Son. And here, owing to the
depth of water and ease of access from the channel, the early Albany day
boats, Armenia and Daniel Drew, landed for several years on their trips
up and down the Hudson. The decadence of the industries at Samson-
dale, and the opening of railroads, changed the tide of travel. Pullen's
Point is too difficult of access from the village to make it the regular land-
ing, and now this once famous dock is relegated to the shipment of bricks,
and to the ship yard artisans.

This village has been visited on several occasions by storms of extraor-
dinary violence which have caused great damage. On July 9th, 1853, a
storm of tornado character struck the place. During its continuance, an
old frame building, formerly used as the weaving shop of Higgin's carpet
factory, and after the cessation of that business, turned into a tenement
house, was blown down. It was occupied by the families of brick yard
laborers, who worked for Peck, Rutherford & Knapp. In this accident
six people were killed and many wounded. Besides this house, many
other buildings were damaged, and great injury was done to the brick
yards along shore. In October, 1846, another storm visited Haverstraw,
and among other injuries blew down the unfinished walls of the Central
Presbyterian Church.

On March 27th, 1870, a terrible easterly gale swept along the Atlantic
coast doing great injury. The exposed position of Haverstraw rendered
the effects of the storm here exceedingly damaging. Seventeen vessels
were either sunk at their anchorage or driven ashore, one at Grassy Point
was driven up into the streets ; five brick yards were washed away ; two
lumber yards were destroyed and a coal yard passed from existence. The
total loss was estimated at $200,000.

We have seen that before the building of the Hudson River Railroad,

385

the inhabitants of Haverstraw, who wished to reach New* York City in
winter, were compelled to ride to Piermont, and that to accommodate these
travellers, Charles P. Snedeker, ran a stage between the two places. I
have also mentioned the number of ferry charters which were granted
after the Hudson River road was built.

While these ferry boats were of value in open weather, they were use-
less after ice had formed ; and the residents of the village were then as
distant from the Metropolis as ever, unless the river was solidly frozen.
1857, was one of the many severe winters that closed the Hudson River
firmly, and during that season, Silas G. Mackey, ran a regular line of
•stages to Cruger's Landing on the ice.

Stony Point Lodge, No. 313, F. & A. M., was established in the vil-
lage June 17th, 1853. The first meeting was held in the old tavern kept by
A. Van Tassel. The first officers were : Henry Christie, W. M.; John
Hunting, S. W.; Samson Marks, J. W.; A. H. Richmond, T.; Edward
Payson, S.

lona Lodge, No. 128, K. of P., was organized December 7th, 1874,
with the following charter members : Alonzo Bedell, Louis Echstein, Ed-
ward Bedell, Cyrillus Myers, J. R. Smith, M. Washburn, John Gordon,
George S. Myers, Charles Sears, M. Richmond and E. M. Newman.

The Ancient order of Hibernians, was established April 5th, 1882,
with the following officers. Nicholas Murphy, County Delegate ; Wm.
P. Bannigan, President; Thos. Finnegan, Vice-President; ^Edw. Ryan,
Recording Secretary; Thos. Sweeny, Financial Secretary; James Mc-
Laughlin, Treasurer.

THIELL'S CORNERS.

In the latter half of the past century, a Dane, named Jacob Thiell,
arrived at Haverstraw, and following the Minisceongo till he reached the
location which now bears his name, he bought some 3,000 acres of land
^nd settled. In a short time, Thiell utilized the water power which the
<;reek afforded, and started, in this secluded spot, a forge upon his
property.

Little can be learned of this industry, except that it is reported to
have been in operation during the Revolutionary War. Jacob Thiell died
l)efore the beginning of this century.

The spot on which he had settled slowly grew. In 1793, a grist mill
was started further down the creek by Thiell, and carried on in conjunc-
tion with the forge. In 1862, a mill or factory, which stood some half
mile east of Thiell's by the highway, was used by William McGeorge as a

386

tannery and candle factory, and carried on till 1866. The increased popu-
lation led, as we have seen, to the building of a Methodist church at this,
place, and further life was given to the hamlet by the advent of the N. J.
and N. Y. Railroad, in 1 874. It was made a post-office village in 1874,
with Levi Knapp as first post-master ; he was succeeded by Sylvester
Knapp.

In 1850, Henry Essex, who eight years before had occupied part of
the Samsondale works, leased the site of the old forge, and carried on the
manufacture of needles. This occupation he abandoned in 1880, and the
works are now dismantled. In his busiest years, Essex employed seven
hands in this industry.

. gurnee's corners or mount ivy.

About four and three-quarter miles west of Haverstraw on the road tO'
Ramapo, formerly stood the residence of W. F. Gurnee. At this place a
road, known as the King's road, runs south to Hempstead and Spring
Valley. Not far from the Corner is the house, formerly owned by John
Hewitt and his wife — Anna Gurnee — in which Hon. A. S. Hewitt was
born. Like many other places in the County called " Corners " with the
prefix of the nearest resident property owner to designate the locality,
this spot calls for no special mention. On the opening of the N. J. and
N. Y. R. R., it was made a station and called Mount Ivy.

Not far west of Gurnee's Corners, John Anderson started a file factory
and continued work for some years. The plant was then bought out by
its present proprietor, John H. Secor, and is still continued, furnishing
employment for four or five men.

GARNERVILLE.

As early as 1760, Cornelius Osborn erected a grist mill on the bank
of the Minisceongo, where the Calico Works now stand. From the time
of this mill till 1828, no further attempt seems to have been made to use
the water power at that spot. Further up the creek, however, near the
bridge, over which the road to Mead's Corner passes, a rolling mill and a
nail factory were established early in the present century by John I. and
George Suffern.

Previous to the building of these works, a grist mill occupied their site
and at a later period the buildings were used in the manufacture of vari-
ous products, their last use being that of a paper mill. This industry
was carried on by John I. Suffern from 1850 to 1858, for the manufacture
of coarse wrapping paper.

387

In 1828, John Glass, a Scot by birth, bought 45 acres of land on the
south side of the Minisceongo, at the present village of Garnerville, and be-
gan the erection of buildings for calico printing, a business he had
been engaged in in his native land. By the spring of 183 1, the industry
had obtained a firm start and gave every prospect of future success. On
June 7th of that year. Glass took the first load of his goods to the dock
at Grassy Point for shipment to the city. Violent opposition existed at
this time between the owners of the steamboats Waterwitch and General
Jackson. The first named boat had scarcely left the landing, and the
goods were rapidly being loaded on the Jackson when her boiler exploded,
killing fourteen people among whom was John Glass.

Until 1835, Httle was done at these works. Then they were purchased
by William Cowdrey and held by him till May ist 1838, when James
Garner, Thomas Garner and Charles Wells bought the property. Under
this new management, the print works rapidly grew. From time to time,
as the business extended, additions were made to the buildings, and a
village sprang up about the factory which was given the name of
Garnerville. In 1853, the Rockland Print Works Company was incor-
porated, with a capital of $100,000, for the purpose of "Printing, and
Dyeing Woolen, Cotton, or Linen goods."

The growth of calico printing led Resolve Waldron and Charles Ben-
son to start a steam chemical factory on the south side of the Haverstraw
and Monroe Turnpike, just east of the old toll gate, in 1840. The object
of this factory was the manufacture of Pyroligneous acid, which was much
used in calico printing. This industry was abandoned in 1843, but a
year later it was re-begun by William Knight, in a factory near Cedar
Pond.

The post office at Garnerville was established in June, 1875, with John
D. Norris as post master, a position which he retains at the present time.

SAMSONDALE OR WEST HAVERSTRAW.

In 1830, Elisha Peck, head of the firm of Peck & Phelps, returned
from England, where he had been in the interest of the firm's business for
many years, bringing with him the niachinery for a rolling mill. Land
on the Minisceongo creek had already been purchased by Anson Phelps,
and on this land the firm established a rolling mill, wire, and other works.
To the village which sprang up around these works, and which was
founded almost entirely by the necessities of the employees and their fam-
ilies. Peck gave the name of Samsondale, in honor of tTie ship Samson, on
which he had returned from abroad.

388

At the time these works were erected, the road which is still known as
the " Ramapo Road," ran as at present. From it, at the corner just
southeast of the old factories, a road turned northwest, passed through
the hollow by the works, and then turned to the north, to reach Grassy
Point. The road, which now passes on by the Presbyterian church up to
the West Shore Railroad depot, was not then in existence, and the traveller
who desired to reach the section now known as Stony Point village, had
to ride up to Mead's Corners, and then round through the present Gar-
nerville to Benson's Corners, or else, drive down to Grassy Point, and
from thence to his destination. The present road was opened by Mr.
Peck, and beside it were erected a number of small houses for his em-
ployees. Some of these buildings, doorless, windowless, desolate-looking,
still stand on the west of the highway on the level of its old grade.

The industry started at Samsondale was continued for some time, under
Peck & Phelps. Then the latter partner left the business, which was
carried on by Peck alone, till, in 1842, a change in the tariff laws rendered
it unprofitable, and the works were closed. Previous to this, a chemical
factory and screw works had been added to the industries of the hamlet.

Upon the withdrawal of Mr. Peck from business, the mill was hired by
Henry Essex, who carried on the manufacture of needles in it till 1844,
when it was leased by Higgins & Co. for a carpet factory. Under this
firm one hundred looms were employed, and some 250 people obtained a
livelihood. In 1850, Higgins & Co. closed the works here, and removed
to West 43d street. New York City. The screw factory and wire works
were at first leased by Day, Newell & Day, after Mr. Peck closed up, and
turned into a lock factory. At a later period they were occupied by
Hicks & Payson, who carried on the manufacture of percussion caps.

Since that time, the buildings have been leased by various parties, for
different manufacturing purposes. On the morning of July 21st, 1885,
one of the buildings, which was then used as a cracker factory and feed
mill, caught fire and was entirely consumed.

While Elisha Peck was still engaged in business, he built a tramway
from his factory to the dock at Pullen's Point, for the transportation of his
material ; this road is still in use, being now employed for the shipping of
brick.

Previous to February loth, 1883, a survey and census was taken of an
area of i, 24-100 miles, comprised in the present bounds of West Haver-
straw. The resident population within this area was found to be 1,602.
A call was then issued for an election to be held at George Taylor's hall,
on March 29th, 1883, to determine the question whether or not the terri-

389

tory should be incorporated as a village by the name of West Hayerstraw.
The total vote cast at this election was 202, of which only 1 3 were in the
negative.

The boundaries of the village are : South, by the village of Haver-
straw, and the Ramapo road to its junction with a road that leads south
to John Springsteen's ; West, by a line running from this junction to the
Stony Point line, near the N. J. and N. Y. Railroad; on the North,
from the Stony Point boundary eastwardly to the road leading north from
Benson's Corner, and by a line which continues the course of the said
boundary to a point on the Minisceongo Creek, north of the Farley house,
on the lands of the Haverstraw Clay and Brick Company ; and on the
East, by a line running southerly from the above point to the north line
of Haverstraw. The first officers were :

Adam Lilburn, President.

Trustees.

John Taylor, Theodore G. Peck, James G. Scott.

Henry M. Peck, Treasurer. Charles W. Gordon, Clerk.

JOHNSONTOWN.

In the closing years of the last century, several brothers named John-
son, who were employed by a ship-building firm, came into this mountain-
ous section to get out ship timber. At this time, the mountains were
heavily wooded, and the supply apparently inexhaustible, and, with the
prospect of a long residence before them, the Johnson brothers settled on
the site of the present hamlet. At this spot, others; who were engaged
in one way or another among the mountains, gradually settled. A store
was started to supply the wants not only of these settlers, but also of those
who were occupied as charcoal burners, or in the making of wooden ware,
and who dwelt in the surrounding territory, and the settlement was called
Johnsontown.

At the entrance of the Methodists into the County, this hamlet was
visited by them and a mission established, which, in the course of time,
grew strong enough to warrant the building of a church for that worship.
The hamlet has gradually increased in population, and at present, three
stores, that of John Secor, of Burton & Matthews, and of Johnson, are
kept open. A sulphur spring of reputed medicinal value has been found
in this neighborhood.

On March loth, 1824, a Legislative Act was passed for the incorpora-
tion of the Monroe and Haverstraw Turnpike. In the petition praying
for this Act it was set forth, that Roger Parmele and others had opened

39°

this road through the wilderness from the Orange Turnpike near Parmele's
slitting mill to the creek landing at Haverstraw at their own expense. Few
inhabitants resided upon it, and the burden of keeping it in order fell en-
tirely upon the projectors. With an idea of making it partly, if not
absolutely self-supporting, the following residents in both Orange and
Rockland counties signed the petition : Roger Parmele, Joseph Blackwell,
Hudson McFarlan, George Kyle, Robert Parkinson, Samson Marks, Abr.
Gurnee, Abram Goetchius, George Weyant, Matthew Benson, Walter
Brewster, Samuel Brewster, Samuel Goetchius, Samuel Smith, John
Suffern, Edward De Noyelles, Lawrence De Noyelles, John F. Smith,
Abram Dater, Jacob Marks, Elias Gurnee, John B. Secor, John Rose,
Harman Felter and Jacob Odell.

The first Board of Directors were : Roger Parmele, Hudson McFarlan,
Resolvert Waldron and George Kyle. A toll-gate was erected near the
" Sand-field," and continued in operation till the repeal of the Act incor-
porating the Company. This occurred April 28th, 1870, and by the pro-
visions of the Act for repeal Abram Weiant was appointed to settle up the
affairs of the road.

Perhaps one of the most unlikely events in this township was the start
of a communistic settlement within its boundaries. Utopian ideas have
influenced a few people in every generation. A belief that the whole
human race would live together in a common brotherhood, with a common
interest from common toil, and thus avoid the competition, the successes,
the failures of life as now presented to us ; has been taught in theory since
history has been recorded. Often too, the principle has been put in prac-
tice and has ended many times in failure and sorrow.

The Haverstraw community, like its predecessors began with every
prospect of success. In 1826, a body of citizens, composed of artisans
from almost every industry, to the estimated number of eighty, settled
upon land previously purchased from John I. Suffern, at a spot now
marked by the station of the N. J. & N. Y. Railroad west of Garnerville.
The habits and characters of the members of this community are recorded
as good. They were industrious. They are said to have displayed more
than ordinary intelligence.

Upon the land which they had bought were dwelling houses, out
buildings and a saw and rolling and slitting mill. A church was estab-
lished in which lectures on ethical or industrial subjects were given.
Everything seemed bright before the nascent colony. Then, at the expi-
ration of a few months — five it is stated — the Haverstraw Community, like
most of its predecessors, collapsed and disappeared from the face of the
earth.

391

The founders of the experiment were Jacob Peterson, George Houston,
Robert L. Jennings, and a Mr. Fay. The price asked for the land they
tought, some 130 acres, was $18,000 and of this, one third was in cash,
the remainder being left on mortgage. At the crash of the enterprise, the
mortgage which was held by John I. Suffern, threw the property back into
liis possession.

SUPERVISORS.

Cornelius Haring, 1723-24.
Jacobus Swartwout, 1 725-

27-1730-34.
Cornelius Kuyper, 1 728-29-

1740.
Gabriel Ludlow, 1735-1738-

39-
Garret Snedeker, 1736-37.
Adrian Onderdonk, 1 741-43
Guisbert Kuyper, 1744-52-

1780-81.
John Coe, 1753-63-
John De Noyelles, 1764-71.
Edward Wj Kiers, 1772-79.
Tunis Kuyper, 1782-85.
David Pye, 1786-91.
Benjamin Coe, 1 792-1801.
Samuel Smith, 1802-5.

Nathaniel Dubois, 1806-7.
Andrew Suiifern, 1808-9.
Abraham DeCamp, 1810-11.
David DeBaun, 1812.
Samuel Goetchius, 1813-14-

1821.
Halstead Gurnfie. 1815-17.
James Taylor, 18 [8-20.
John I. Suffern, 1822-23.
Matthew Gurnee, 1824-25-

1828-29.
Charles Smith, 1826-27.
Lawrence DeNoyelles 1830-

31-1834-1839-41.
James De La Montagne,

"832-33-1837-38-
Jacob Hauptman, 1835.
Henry Christie, 1836.

John W. Felter, Sr., 1842-

46-1853-54.
George E. DeNoyelles, 1847

-52-
Andrew Debaun, 1855-56.
Wesley J. Weyant,l8S7.
Wm. R. Knapp, 1858-59.
] ohn Lawrence DeNoyelles,

i860.
Prince W. Nickerson, 1861-

64.
John I. Cole, 1865,-67.
Samuel C. Blauvelt, 1868-74
Henry Christie, 1875.
John W. Felter, 1876-79.
Josiah Felter, 1 880.

Authorities referred to : Documents relating to Colonial History S. N. Y. U. S. and N. Y.
.State Census Reports. Magazine of American History, Vol. xiii. " History of Haverstraw " by
A. S. Freeman, D. D., and W. S. Pelletreau. Lectures "Thirty Years in Haverstraw" and
" Thirty Years in Rockland County," by A. S. Freeman, D. D. Files of the Rockland County
Messenger. Session Laws, S. N. Y. I am indebted also to William Govan, M. D., John Law-
lence De Noyelles and Alonzo Wheeler, for information.

CHAPTER XIX.

NEW HEMPSTEAD, HAMPSTEAD OR RAMAPO.

DATE OF ERECTION— AREA— ORIGIN OF NAME - FIRST TOWN MEETING-
CENSUS— HISTORY OF SUFFERNS— SLOATSBURGH— DATERS OR PLEAS-
ANT VALLEY— RAMAPO— STERLINGTON—HILLBURN—KAKIAT OR NEW
HEMPSTEAD — SCOTLAND — SHERWOODVILLE — MECHANICSVILLE OR
VIOLA— CASSADY'S CORNERS— LADENTOWN— POMONA— SPRING VALLEY
—MONSEY—TALLMAN'S— MISCELLANEOUS— HISTORY OF THE OLD TAV-
ERNS—NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK RAILROAD STATIONS — THE
ORANGE TURNPIKE— STAGES— TOWN OFFICERS.

In the history of this town I shall draw largely from the History of
the Town of Ramapo, by Rev. Eben B. Cobb.

At the same time and for the same reasons, that led the people of the
present Clarkstown to petition for a separate town existence, the residents
of Ramapo asked the like privilege, and, in 1791, the town of New Hemp-
stead was erected with an area of 34,545 acres.

Among the early settlers within the limits of the present town were a
number of families from about Hempstead, in Queens county, and these
immigrants gave to their new home the name of the one they had left,
distinguishing it from the older settlement by calling it New Hempstead.
The Indian name of this section was Hackyackawek, which soon became
corrupted by the settlers to Kakiat, and for many years this portion of
the County was indifferently called by either name. Upon the erection
of the town, the name, that the settlers from Long Island had given their
settlement, was adopted for the town. New Hempstead remained the
appellation of the township till March 3d, 1797, when the Legislature
passed an act from which the following extract is taken : " That the town
of New Hempstead, in Orange County, shall hereafter be called, known,
and distinguished by the name of Hempstead, any law, usage or custom,
to the contrary notwithstanding."

Mr. Cobb, in his history of the town, regards this name as growing from
an error in orthography, and thinks that Hampstead instead of Hempstead
was intended. In proof of this view, he says : " We are led to this con-
clusion from the fact that in the town records and on deeds after this, the
name is most frequently written Hampstead, and that Horatio Gates Spaf-
fard, * * in a Gazetteer, published by him at Albany in the year 18 13,.

393

states that from correspondence ' with old inhabitants of the Town, and
same of its present officers,' he adopts the name of Hampstead." I would
add to these reasons, that in the New York Civil List, under the caption
of Obsolete Towns, the name is given as Hampstead.

Whatever the Legislature may have intended, however, Hempstead
was the legal name given ; and now followed " confusion worse con-
founded-" If the prefix of New, had failed to distinguish this from the
Long Island town, certainly matters were not bettered when that prefix
was dropped. I, myself, recall hearing old people speak of the town,
usin^ the Indian or its other designations indifferently, and for some time
found difficulty in recognizing that all the names applied to the same sec-
tion ; we may judge then how confusing such a multiplicity of names
would be to a stranger. And, as if to add still further to the intricacy,
the church at Clarksville, until 1840, was officially entitled : The First
Reformed Dutch Church of New Hempstead.

Such a condition of affairs could not long be tolerated in a town so
rapidly increasing in importance, and in the fall of 1828, a meeting of the
residents was held at Cassady's Corners to petition the Legislature for a
change. " The meeting is reported by those still living," says Mr. Cobb,
" as ' quite stormy,' owing to the various names which were proposed.
One was for calling the town Columbus, after the discoverer of America ;.
another, Denton, in honor of Abraham Denton, the first man who settled
in the town ; another, Seamantown, after Jacomiah Seaman, the first
white child born in the town ; another, Ramapo, after the river and moun-
tains of that name found in the town. Still another advocated New An-
trim, after the place called New Antrim., founded by John Suffern near
the point of the mountain, and still one more thought Mechanicstown
should be the name, after a hamlet by that name just springing into life
in the centre of the town.

At last, after much discussion, it was by a plurality of votes decided
to petition the Legislature to make the name Mechanicstown." The
Legislature did make it Ramapo, influenced, it is said, by a letter from
Hon. J. H. Pierson, favoring that name. If posterity had no other cause
to be grateful to Mr. Pierson, this act alone should make us revere his
memory. Perhaps no greater wrong has been perpetrated in this country
than the extinction not only of the Indian race, but also of their very
names. The first mention of the name that Mr. Cobb has found is in a
deed dated August 1 0th, 1700. It is there spelled Ramapough. In 1708,
it is written Romopock ; and later, becomes Romapuck or Ramapuck,
Ramapaugh and Ramapo. Tradition gives its meaning as clear or sweet-
water.

394

The first town meeting in Ramapo, was held on the first Tuesday in
April, 1791, at the house of Theunis Cooper, near the " Brick Church."
The presiding Justices were Samuel Goetchius, Theunis Cuyper, and John
Sufifern ; and the following officers were elected : Gilbert Cooper, Super-
visor and Town Clerk ; Abram Onderdonk, Garret Serven, Joseph Goet-
chius, Assessors; Henry Howser, Collector; Abram Onderdonk, Aury
Blauvelt, Overseers of the Poor ; Jacob Deronde, Peter Van Houten, Al-
bert Cooper, Commissioners of Highways : Albert Cooper, Joseph Lyon,
Constables ; Stephen Gurnee, James Onderdonk, Henry Young, John S.
Coe, John Myer, Thomas Onderdonk, Fence Viewers ; Hendrick Wanna-
maker. Garret Eckerson and Johanes Smith, Pound Masters.

In spite of the difficulty in regard to the choice of a name, Ramapo
pushed forward rapidly. From the erection of the town till 1835, it
excelled any of the other towns in population. Then it lost in the race,
and now ranks third.

In 1800, Ramapo had - 1,981 inhabitants.

" 1810, " " - 2,313

" 1820, " " - 2,072 "

" 1825, State Census, 2,379 "

" 183s, " " 2,576

" 1845, " " - 2,911

" 1855. " " - 3,4H

" 1865, " " 4,330

" 1870, U. S. Census, 4,649 "

" 1880, " " - 4,952

NEW ANTRIM OR SUFFERN.

The first owner of land in the village, as we have seen, was Jacobus
Van Buskirk, who, in 1762, obtained a mill site on the Mahwah River. In
September, 1763, John Suffern, who was born near Antrim, Ireland,
moved to the site of the present village, and secured an acre of land on
the south side of the present Nyack Turnpike. Soon after, he removed
diagonally opposite, and built upon the site now occupied by the house of
George W. Suffern. Here he started a store at the division of the roads,
one of which passed westward, through Sidman's and Smith's Passes, to
reach the villages in the towns of Goshen and Minnisink, the other
running north-easterly through Kakiat to Haverstraw and King's Ferry,
which was the first in the present town.

As we have heretofore read, valid titles could not be obtained to real
estate in this part of the ^town till after Jan. i8th, 1775. As soon as secur-

395

ity in possession was assured, Suffern began the purchase of land, one of his
first bargains being for the mill right of Van Buskirk. Here he ran a grist
mill for many years. Shortly after, he started potash works, not far from
his store, and about 1813, he built a forge on the west bank of the
Mahwah, south of the Nyack Turnpike. Mr. Suffern also built and car-
ried on a woolen factory on the Mahwah, about a quarter of a mile south
of the Nyack Turnpike. These were the early industries of New
Antrim.

Upon the opening of the Erie Railroad in 1841, the village took the
name of Suffern in honor of its founder. At this time radical changes had
taken place. The road to Haverstraw had been much shortened from
those days when one had to pass through Kakiat to reach that place, and
though, as we have seen, the attempt to build the Waynesburgh and New
Antrim Turnpike had ended in failure, still the Haverstraw road had be-
come of so much importance that it was kept in good order. The Nyack
Turnpike had been long since cut through and had materially shortened
the distance to the river, and both these roads joined the Orange Turnpike
in the village. With these wagon routes was now combined the railroad.

The first post-office in Rockland County was established at New
Antrim, Oct. 4th, 1797, and John Suffern became the first postmaster.
The ofiice at that time was in Suffern's store. In 1 808, this office was
discontinued. From 1844 till 1849, the office for the Ramapo works was
kept by George W. and Jno. C. Suffern, in the store now occupied by
Alanson Traphagen, but the Suffern office was not estabHshed till March
loth, 1858. At that time George W. Suffern was postmaster and held
the office till 1861, when Alanson Traphagen received the appointment.
He held the office till 1 868, when Dwight D. Baker became postmaster.
Baker was succeeded by James Wannamaker in 1882, and the office was
moved to the postmaster's store. In August, 1885, Peter D. Johnson be-
came postmaster.

The first store in the present village was built in 1842, by George W.
Suffern. In 1884, the village contained 20 stores, 90 houses, 2 hotels, and
a population of about 600 people.

Ramapo Lodge, No. 589, F. & A. M., was instituted June ist, 1865,
with Charles E. Suffern, W. M. ; S. M. Hungerford, S. W. ; George M.
Crane, J. W. ; R. F. Galloway, Treasurer; Daniel Sherwood, Secretary;
W. D. Furman, S. D. ; Stephen A. Ronk, J. D. ; John W. Crum, S. M.
C; John H. Wannamaker, J. M. C; Peter Sines, Tyler; A. R. Leport
and W. T. Howard.

Ramapo Council, 436, A. L. of H. was instituted February 21st, 1880,

396

with D. B. Baker, D. Cooper, C. F. Whitner, A. S. Bush, T. J. Yost, A.
Zavistoskie, W. H. HolHster, W. D. Hall, J. L. Crane, E. Whitner, A. S.
Zabriskie; A. C. Sherwood, and E. Roberts, charter members.

Industry Encampment, No. 103, I. O. O. F., was organized December
loth, 1883, with the following officers: H. R. Porter, C. P.; D. S. Wan-
namaker, H. P.; Harrison Bull, S. W.; John Finch, J. W.; W. G. Eaton,
Scribe; E. S. Roberts, Financial Secretary; G. E. Remsen, Treasurer; J.
H. Wambough, Guide ; J. L. Crane, J. Woods, J. Zabriskie and P. Slaven,
first, second, third, and fourth watch ; A. S. Bush and W. H. Sutherland,
inside and outside sentinels ; G. P. Miller and W. Blauvelt, guards of tent,^

On November 23d, 1874, a violent storm passed over the village, dur-
ing which the tower of the Episcopal Church was blown down and several
buildings ujnroofed. No lives were lost. In February, 1875, the railroad
station, erected in 1862, was destroyed by fire. Though the residents of
the village had borne about two-thirds of the expense of this building, the
railway company collected the insurance, and have, so far, done little
toward restoring the citizens' money by erecting a respectable station
house.

Among the great conceptions — still born — were the Ramapo Land'
and Water Company, incorporated April 23d, 1869, and the SufTern Dime
Savings Bank, incorporated April 27th, 1869, Neither enterprise passed
beyond the act incorporating it.

dater's works or pleasant valley.

The early industries of this place have been considered in Chapter X.
In 1854, the forges were finally abandoned. Upon a portion of their site
a store was built, which is now occupied by Geo. W. Dater, grandson of
the founder of the works ; while upon another portion stands a large
building, erected in 1882, by Hon. Charles Siedler, of Jersey City, for mill
purposes, but, as yet, unoccupied. Since 1871, Edward Allen has used
the building, formerly occupied by his father, Adna Allen, as a hoe
factory, for a grist mill, to which he added saw and bark mills in 1878.

Half way between Pleasant Valley and Sloatsburg, formerly stood a
gristmill used by the Sloatsburg Manufacturing Company. In 1874, this
building was purchased by Mr. Knapp, and started as a shoddy mill. In
1878, it was burned by spontaneous combustion, but was immediately
rebuilt, and now employs 21 hands, and turns out 18,000 pounds of
shoddy in bulk, per month.

397
SLOATSBURG.

The first owner of land at this place was Wynant Van Gelder, who
purchased the site of the present village from the Indians, March 7th,
1738. Isaac Van Duser, married Van Gelder's daughter, and obtained by
gift from his father-in-law, the tract of land where Sloatsburg stands, on
June 13th, 1747. Stephen Sloat in the course of time, won the hand of
Van Duser's daughter, and received as dower the property which now
bears his name, June 3d, 1763. The Indian name of this place was Pothat
or Pothod. The original Sloat mansion is still standing, and is occupied
by a decendant of Stephen Sloat. In days gone by this building served
as a public house on the road from New York to Albany.

We have followed the early manufacturers of this place in Chapter X,
and seen that the factories were closed in 1878. In 1882, the old mill
was re-opened by Robert McCullough, and has sihce been used for the
manufacture of spun silk thread.

The post-office at Sloatsburg was established March 27th, 1848, with
Jonah Brooks, as first postmaster. He held the position till 1 849, when
Jacob received the appointment and retained the office till 1852. In that
year Henry R. Sloat became postmaster. He was followed August 26th,
188s, by Theodore Haffi

This hamlet contained in 1884, six stores, and about fifty houses. It--
is the location where the only remaining gate on the Orange Turnpike is
standing.

THE V — PIERSON'S DEPOT — STERLING JUNCTION — STERLINGTON.

When the Erie Railroad was opened in 1841, the company built a Y
at this spot, to turn their locomotives — a similar Y exists at Sparkill sta-
tion, and was formerly much used. At a later period, the railroad com-
pany built a station-house at this point, and the place was called Pierson's
Depot. In 1865, the Sterling Railroad was opened, and the place then
began to be called Sterling Junction. In 1882, on the establishment of
the post-office, the name was again changed to Sterlington.

The first post-office established at this place was opened as Pierson's
Depot, April ist, 1847, with George Mapes as post- master. The office
was discontinued June i6th of the same year. On July ist, 1882, an
office was again opened as Sterlington, with John C. Messimer as post-
master. The Sterling Mountain Railroad, ^-6 miles in length, was built
to carry ore from the Sterling iron mines and furnaces to the Erie Rail-
road. The company was organized May i8th, 1864, and the road opened

398

November ist, 1865. The western terminus of this railway is at Lake-
ville, formerly Sterling Lake, another in the many instances of change in
name without improvement. As originally built, the gauge of the road
was six feet, but in 1882 it was altered to four feet, eight and one-half
inches.

RAMAPO WORKS — RAMAPO.

For previous history of industries see Chapter X. In 1852, a new
move in manufacturing interest was attempted here. A large building for
a file factory was erected by Davis, Evans & Co. For some reason the
enterprise fell through. In 1864, the manufacturing interests of this vil-
lage were revived by C. T Pierson, who started the Ramapo Car Works
in the building formerly occupied by Davis, Evans & Co., standing just
west of the church.

In 1866, the Ramapo Wheel and Foundry Company was organized,
with H. L. Pierson, President ; George W. Church, Treasurer ; C. T.
Pierson, Secretary, and W. W. Snow, Superintendent. The company
leased the old cotton mill, and is now manufacturing car-wheels and rail-
road castings. Beside those used in this country, many of the wheels
from this shop are shipped to Cuba and South America.

The first store opened at this place was in the old Pierson homestead,
shortly after the completion of the works. In 1805, the building at present
occupied by WilHam Van Wagenen, was built for a store. The post-office
was established on November nth, 1807, as the Ramapo Works, with J.
H. Pierson, post-master. In 1821, Silas Sprague became post-master,
and held the office while J. H. Pierson was a Member of Congress. In
1823, J. H. Pierson was again appointed, and held the office till 1844,
when George W. Suffern was appointed. He was succeeded, in 1847, by
John C Suffern, who remained post-master till 1849, and was followed by
Edward V. Lord. In 1850, J. H. Pierson was again appointed, and was
followed by John W. Ten Eyck in 1851, and he by Lucius D. Isham in
1853. In 1857, J. G. Pierson was appointed post-master, and remained
in control of the office till 1862, when Abram Cornelius took charge. In
1863, Charles T. Pierson became post-master, and held that position till
1880, when he was succeeded by George B. Pierson. The name of the
office was changed from Ramapo Works to Ramapo in 1879.

WOODBURN OR HILBURN.

In 1795, John Suffern erected a saw-mill on the Ramapo, about one
mile south of the present Ramapo. This was followed in 1 848, by a char-

399

coal forge, for the manufacture of merchant-iron and to this, a rolling-mill
was added in 1852. These works employed about 25 hands. The works
were abandoned in 1872.

In August of that year, George Coffin, George Church and W. W.
Snow purchased property at this place from James Suffern, and planned
and began to lay out a village, to build houses, and to encourage and as-
sist their employees to purchase lots, and erect homes. The place was
first called Woodburn, but, when an application was made in 1882 for a
post office, it was found that a place with a similar name already existed
in the State, and the appellation of Hilburn was chosen instead.

The first school in this hamlet was erected in 1873, through the efforts
of Rev. Peres B. Bonney and the generosity of the subscribers, on a plot
of ground given by J. B. Suffern, and was used for both Sunday and day
school, and also for church purposes. In 1884, it was found necessary to
build a large addition to the edifice. In 1873, water, was carried into the
village, and every dweUing supplied. In 1876, a brass band was formed,
under the leadership of Charles G. Hoar. The post office was established
here on July i8th, 1882, with Wm. W. Snow as first post master.

On July 13th, 1881, the Ramapo Iron Works were started in buildings
erected near the Erie Railroad. W. B. Wilkins was elected President,
George Church, Treasurer, R. J. Davidson, Secretary, and F. W. Snow,
Superintendent.

Turning now to that part of the town, which lies between Clarkstown
and the mountain, we find an abrupt change from the mountain scenery
of Ramapo Clove, to a fertile, agricultural country, well watered by the
Mahwah, formerly Haverstraw, Saddle, and Pearl Rivers, formerly Pascack
Brook, and the head streams of the Hackensack. And it can cause no
wonder in our minds, that in the early days of our history, before man
had touched the dark and rugged fastnesses, and wrested from this forbid-
ding gorge, nature's aid, had toiled and moiled to win the fickle goddess.
Fortune, and at last had succeeded in so combining art and nature, that
the Clove has n(jw become a spot as beautiful as any the world can show.
It can cause no wonder, that when the pioneers appeared in our County,
they shunned this repellant pass, and selected sites for homes in the open
country to the east.

But the infeHcity of the soil was not the only cause which led the first
settlers to avoid the Clove. Uncertainty as to titles, as we have seen in-
fluenced them also. For these reasons the valley to the east of the
mountains was first settled. Philip Vors, (English Fox), is supposed to
have been the first white man to locate in this section and he, in 1700,

400

built a log house about a hundred yards from the present dwelling of
David Fox, near the 14th mile stone. In 1726, he built his third and per-
manent house, a stone building 20 feet square.

Fox was not long alone, for in 1 7 1 2, arrived the band of immigrants
from Long Island, who made Kakiat their home. On September 2ist,
1739, when Charles Clinton, in surveying Cheesecocks patent, came to
^' the houseof Edward Jeffers," from " Van Dusers, in ye Clove," situated
about a half mile east of Suflferns, he notes in his journal: "Observed
houses and settlements on every side." The first of the Kakiat settlers
was "Abram Denton, and his child, Jacomiah, is claimed to have been the first
white child born in the town.

KAKIAT OR NEW HEMPSTEAD.

At the beginning of this chapter I have spoken of the origin of Ihe
name of this hamlet. Here was built before 1754, the first Presbyterian
Church in the County and the first church in which divine service was
conducted in English ; here John D. Coe kept a store and tavern at which
in 1769, the Board of Supervisors met and in 1780 John Andre, stopped
to dine, with his guard on the way to Tappan.

The first post office established at this place was on September i ith,
181 3, under the name of Kakiat. No business was ever transacted at
this office. In 1829, the office was re-established under the name of
West Hempstead, with Amasa Coe as. post master.

SHERWOODVILLE.

Jacobus Van Buskirk, it is said, built a grist mill on a branch of the
Mahwah, at this place, before the Revolution, and operated it for some
years ; the business was then changed and the building used as a bark
mill until 1825. At that time J. Sherwood obtained the property and
turned the old building into a factory for fulling cloth and carding wool, a
business he continued till 1845. Since 1845, the mill has been used for
the manufacture of cotton bats, by Jonathan and Elias Sherwood.

About 1 800, a grist mill was erected, near the one above mentioned, by
Gilbert Cooper and carried on for many years. It is now owned by
Abram Cooper. The junction of the roads near this mill formerly was
known as Cooper's Corners.

Less than a mile southwest of Sherwoodville, and one-eighth of a mile
west of the Sufferns and Haverstraw road, stands Blauvelt's foundry. The
first industry started here was a saw and grist mill, probably in the last
century. About 1830, Richard Blauvelt, who had inherited the property,

401

added to this mill a foundry for the manufacture of ploughs. In this
foundry, it is claimed, was burned the first hard coal used in this section,
by Richard Blauvelt. The works are now carried on by Edward Blau-
velt, son of the originator.

LADENTOWN.

A generation passing away, only recognized this name, as locating a
■section where ignorance, lawlessness, and, Godlessness held full sway ; where
every crime known in the calendar was committed, and where, if a stranger
inadvertently entered, it behooved him well, to " leave a,ll hope behind."
As usually happens, when a section obtains a bad name, the further removed
the people were, who conversed on the topic^ the worse grew the reputa-
tion of this locality, and none painted it so black as those who had never
been near it. I speak entirely within the bounds of truth when stating,
that so ill-favored did the name of Ladentown become to the inhabitants
of this County, residing in other sections, that an unintentional stigma is
■cast upon people born there, and the expression "a Ladentowner " denoted
and to a certain extent still denotes, a social pariah.

Situated midway between Suffern and Haverstraw on the highway, is
a collection of some dozen houses and three stores. This hamlet is Laden-
town. The name of the place is derived from Michael Laden, an Irish-
man, who at one time was employed as a nail cutter in the Ramapo works
and who, in 1816, left that employment and opened a store and tavern
near the present residence of Charles Hedges. Laden's old bu ilding
still standing a short distance west of Hedge's dwelling.

Owing to his acquaintance with the teamsters of Pierson's works, to
the fact that the liquor traffic in the Clove had been stopped, and because
of its location midway on the road to and from the landing at Haverstraw,
Laden's tavern at once became the stopping place on the road. Here the
teamsters partook freely of the liquors they could not get at home, an9,
-adding to their supply in Haverstraw, either disturbed that village with
their riots or else returned to Laden's and created trouble there. With
this unruly condition of affairs was added the fact, that not infrequently
-dances were held at the tavern to which the mountaineers came, and these
usually ended in brutal fights and noisy confusion. Such seems to have
been the only sins that the hamlet proper can be held responsible for.

But the name of Ladentown was applied to a far wider section.
Throughout the mountains which stretched in almost primeval wildness
from Laden's tavern north, and w^est, dwelt a population so sunken in ig-
norance, so isolated from civiHzation that it seemed foreign to our century,
and tales of this people, were attributed without regard to exactness to

402

all the residents of this neighborhood. This population of the Ladentown
mountains maintained an existence by burning charcoal, getting out hoop-
poles, or making bockies, baskets, and other wooden ware. Squatters in
these wilds in early days had had children and grandchildren born to
them, who had rarely if ever been outside of their mountain homes. Too
fe\^ schools have ever been in the County, and those schools that did exist
were near the thicker settlements. The good work of churches has ever
been going on, but the wild and inaccessible mountains were far distant
from the early houses of God.

So it had come to pass, that the little knowledge originally possessed by
those who had first settled in the mountains, had been lost in their child-
ren till at last a population existed but little removed from barbarity. Of
this population strange tales are told of propiiscuous association of the sexes,
of children born out of wedlock, of ignorance so dense, that on at least two
occasions women over twenty one years of age confessed, when called to the
witness stand, that they had never heard of and knew not the meaning of
the name of God, and of moral perceptions so blunted, that the difference
between mine and thine, when applied to the property of non-residents
was not considered. As in every human population so here, there were
gatherings of the residents at which too free a use' of stimulants would be
indulged in followed by the usual orgies which occur on such occasions.
Serious as these social and moral defects were, they seem to have been the
only sins committed. It must rest with the reader to judge whether these
people were more sinning in their ignorance or more sinned against by a
civilisation, that for nearly a hundred years passed them by.

Large tracts of these mountain lands were owned as they still are by
non-residents of the County, and these owners made constant complaint
regarding and often employed men to prevent the cutting of their forests.
This led to ingenious devices on the part of the mountaineers, and the
watchers reported, that by tying his coat tightly about the trunk of the
tree above the line of cutting, the woodman could so deaden the sound of
his axe blows as to render it impossible to hear a sound a few hundred feet
away. Tunis Smith, sometime Surrogate and a noted surveyor, from
whom this information regarding the Ladentown mountains was obtained,
related that on one occasion he accompanied Mr. Lorillard through a por-
tion of his property. One night they lodged at one of the better houses
and Lorillard, sitting before the fire after supper, complained bitterly of the
way his wood was stolen to make baskets. The owner of the house and
whilom host thereupon stated, that he had never made a basket in his life.
Tunis Smith rose earlier than his companion next morning, and in walking

403

about before breakfast came upon an out-house filled from floor to rafters
with bockies. As he turned away his host came upon him and said :
" Mr. Smith, I said I never made baskets. I didn't say anything about
bockies. Don't bring Mr. Lorillard around this way"

The first missionary who entered these mountains probably and laid
the foundation for 'the spread of civilization was, paradoxical as it may
seem, Michael Laden. In the furtherance of business he began barter
with the mountaineers, exchanging his groceries and dry goods for the
wooden ware made by the residents in the woods. As the business grew,
he had stated days of the week on which he would visit certain localities,
and at last the exchange grew so great that more than one wagon had to
be sent out. In 1836, Laden sold his property to John J. Secor, and re-
moved to New York City, where he opened a wooden ware house.

Ere many years had elapsed, baskets and later wooden ware began to
be made by machinery, the old charcoal forges passed from existence, and
those sources of income were removed from the people dwelling in the
mountains. Then came another important civilizing epoch for the moun-
_ taineers, one as paradoxical as Laden's influence, I refer to the Civil War.
Volunteers from this wild territory were numerous. When the War
ended or their term of enlistment expired, these volunteers returned to
their mountain homes with new ideas and broader views of their mission
in life and they leavened the whole section. In 1865, the Methodist de-
nomination, which had been at work in this locality for half a century,
built a house for worship at Ladentown, and met with success. In 1 869,
Rev. E. Gay had his attention drawn to those living further north, and
started Sunday schools at the Sandfield, on the old Haverstraw and Mon-
roe Turnpike, in the school house and at the bark mill in the woods. At
the latter place a log cabin was fitted up for services and Sunday school.
Margaret E. Zimmerman of New York becoming interested in this mission
proposed the erection of a church and with her aid the corner-stone of the
present church edifice at St. John's was laid June 23d, 1880, by Rev. E.
Gay, Jr. In the fall of that year the building was opened with appropriate
services. By the kindness of Mrs. Zimmerman a day school is maintained
and regular services are held in the church. A post-office was established
at St. Johns in 1882. The Ladentown post-office was estabhshed on Dec.
15th, 1871, with Charles A. Hedges as postmaster. The office was soon
discontinued.

404

MECHANICSVILLE OR VIOLA.

About the year 1824, Luke Osborn started a blacksmith shop, The-
unis and Henry Crum opened a silver plating factory, Henry Shuart
erected a wheelwright shop, and Cornelius and Matthew Demarest began
a tannery, on the road leading from the present Forshay's Corners to
New Hempstead, and on account of these industries, the wife of Dominie
Demarest suggested Mechanicsville as the name of the hamlet. The
place grew with such rapidity, that at the town meeting called in 1828, to
select a name for the township, a plurality of those present decided on
Mechanicstown.

In 1866, John H. Goetchius built and opened the store still managed
by him. On April 3d, 1882, a post office was established at this hamlet,
by the name of Viola, a name selected by J. H. Hopper, the relevancy of
which, it is difficult to discover. John H. Goetchius was appointed post
master.

FORSHAY'S, FORSHAY'S CORNERS — ACKERMAN'S OR CASSADY'S

CORNERS.

In 1851, W. S. Forshay built a small shop for the manufacture of
segars, about a mile north of Viola. The business proved profitable, and
in i860, more room having become necessary, the present factory was
erected. The industry now employs twelve hands and turns out 600,000
segars annually.

Two and a half miles from Sufferns, on the road to Haverstraw, a
road leaves the Haverstraw highway and runs east, through Viola and
New Hempstead to New City. This was the military road of the Revo-
lution. From the long residence of members of the Forshay family at
this spot, the junction has taken its name. During the early days of the
century, Joseph Conklin conducted a distillery here. A short distance
east of the Haverstraw road, on this road to New City, stands a grist and
cider mill, which was built about 1808 by a man named PuUish. In 18 14,
Theunis Cooper bought this structure and used it as a grist and saw mill.
It is now conducted by Abbot Cooper.

A mile east of Viola is Cassady's Corners. I have used the name
of Ackerman's Corners also, because at one timp the place was so called
from D. D. Ackerman, who lived at the junction ; priority, however,
undoubtedly entitles Cassidy to the name. At this place Archibald Cas-
sady dwelt before the beginning of this century, and at his house town
meetings were held for seven and twenty years.

405

SPRING VALLEY.

In the year 1842, a meeting of the farmers of this neighborhood took
place, to petition the Erie Railroad Company for a railway station. In
reply, the company assented to stop their freight trains, if the residents
would build a house. A plot of ground was obtained, the necessary
money and material subscribed, and under the superintendence of Samuel
C. Springsteel and Jacob Straut, a platform, with a wooden building 10 by
1 2 feet upon it, was erected. Henry Iserman at once occupied the station
house, and established in it the first store in the village, an act which, as
he had not thought it necessary to obtain the consent of the builders,
caused no little annoyance.

At the meeting to decide upon a name for the nascent village, Samuel
Coe Springsteel suggested that of Spring Valley, and after some discussion
that name was adopted. Previous to the adoption of this name, the rail-
road people had called the place Pascack, while to another station, built a
little further southeast, the name Laurel Hiil was given ; both of these
names were eventually dropped.

Following Iserman, Jacob T. Eckerson opened a small store, and was
succeeded by Isaac Conklin, who later built the brick store, now occupied
by Smith & Burr. The Fairview House was begun in 1868 by Jacob A.
Van Riper, and opened to the public in the following year. In 1884,
Spring Valley contained 29 stores, 3 restaurants, 2 hotels, 2 livery stables,
&c., and had a population of some 900 people. At the present time its
inhabitants are discussing the advisability of becoming incorporated.

The post-office at Spring Valley was established June sth, 1848, with
Aaron Johnson as the first post-master. Previous to that year, Monsey
had been the post-office village for that neighborhood, and Johnson the
post-master at Monsey. He remained at the head of the Spring Valley
office but eleven days, and was succeeded by Levi Carman, June i6th,
1848. In June, 1849, Richard W. Coe was appointed post-master, and
held the office till December of that year, when he was succeeded by
Gerritt DeBaun, who filled the position till 1851. At that time, Erastus
Van Zandt became post-master till 1858; John A. Johnson, from March
loth till October 2d, 1858; Andrew Smith, from October 2d, 1858 till
1869; Stephen H. Burr, till 1873, Egbert B. Johnson, from 1873 till 1879,
Jacob E. Haring, from 1879 till 1882; Stephen H. Burr, in 1882, and
John D. Blauvelt in August, 1885.

Columbian Fire Engine Company, No. i, was organized June 24th,
1 861, with Andrew Smith, Foreman; John G. Cooper, Assistant Fore-

4o6

man. The company was named after Columbian Hook & Ladder Com-
pany, No. 14, of New York City. The first machine was paid for by
subscription.

MONSEY.

This hamlet is five miles east of Sufifern, on the railway between that
place and Sparkill. In 1840, Eleazar Lord, then President of the Erie
Railroad, bought 8^ acres of land at this place, upon which a station
platform was built. Kakiat was cut upon this platform, as the name of
the to-be village, but when the road began operations, the station, at the
suggestion of Judge Sarven, was called Monsey, after an Indian chief by
that nUme.

In a short time Angus McLaughlin built a twelve foot square shanty
at this place, which he opened as a restaurant. The following year, 1843,
Dr. Lord sold the property he had bought here to Aaron Johnson, who
built and opened the first store in the village. The place has now six
stores, two blacksmith shops, one carpenter shop, a lumber and coal yard,
a steam feed mill, and a hotel.

The post-office was first established here February 13th, 1846, with
Aaron Johnson first post- master. In June, 1848, as we have seen, it was
moved to Spring Valley. On July loth, 1848, the office was re-estab-
lished at Monsey, with Aaron Johnson as post-master. In 1855, John H.
Wigton was appointed to the office and held it till 1859, when he was suc-
ceeded by Levi Sherwood, who remained in charge till 1 862, when Samuel
G. Ellsworth became post- master. On September loth, 1885, Levi Sher-
wood was again appointed.

Brewer Fire Engine Company, No. i, was organized April 22d, 1879,
with H. E. Sherwood, Foreman, S. H. Secor, Assistant Foreman. The
first apparatus was a Babcock Chemical Engine, which was retained till
the present Hook and Ladder Truck was obtained. A fire bell was pre-
sented to the firemen in 1885.

The Monsey Division of the Sons of Temperance was organized De-
cember 27th, 1883, with the following officers: Levi Sherwood, W. P.;
Mrs. M. Brady, W. A.; E. C. Brady, R. S.; D. B. Smith, A. R. S.; W.
Van Houten, F. S. ; Rev. P. D. Day, Chaplain ; Edwin Dicks, Conductor ;
Cassie Palmer, Assistant Conductor; Julia Rhinesmith, I. S. ; Edward
Ketchum, O. S.

407

TALLMANS.

This place, three miles east of Suffern, takes its name from Tunis I.
Tallman, who settled here in 1836, and opened a store and tavern. The
first station was built in 1844 by Tallman, but was soon after abandoned.
In 1856, Henry T. Tallman built a second station at Tallmans, which
stood till 1868, when the present house was erected by the neighbors.
The first store in the village, built in i860 by H. T. Tallman, is now "occu-
pied by T. R. Montrose. The first blacksmith shop was started in i860
by Henry Van Orden, and the first wheelwright shop was opened in 1867
by Stephen Van Orden. The village now contains a church, three stores,
two grist mills and twenty houses.

The post-office was established here June ist, i860, with Henry T.
Tallman first post-master. He retained the office till 1878, when Garret
Wortendyke was appointed. Thomas R. Montrose became post-master
in 1879.

At the opening of the New Jersey and New York Railroad in 1875,
six stations were located in the town — Spring Valley, Union, New Hemp-
stead, Summit Park, Alexis, Pomona. Any one who is familiar with our
County's history, will doubtless recognize the pertinence of these names
at once. Only one station calls for notice — Pomona — where a post-office
was established June 2ist, 1876, with John Brockway as post-master. In
1880, Isaac L. Secor became post-master, and was followed, in 1883,
by George E. Potts.

In the southeast corner of Ramapo township, a mile and a half south
of Spring Valley, on the old post road, is the neighborhood known as
Scotland, from the nationality of the first settlers. On Pascack Brook,
south of Scotland, and on the stream, which runs parallel with and on the
west side of the old road, many branches of industry were formerly con-
ducted. On the latter brook there was a feed, a saw and a grist mill, and
Carson & May's slitting mill. On the former, beside three saw and grist
jnills, George and Benjamin Hill had a foundry and machine shop.

A high hill in this neighborhood still bears the name of Scotland Hill,
and here also is located the Scotland graveyard, long since abandoned.

On December 29th, 1827, a post-office was established at Scotland,
with Peter D. Tallman as post-master. On June 5 th, 1848, this office was
discontinued.

About a mile sbuthwest of Tallmans, is the hamlet called Masonicus —
an Indian name. Here, from 1800 to 1820, Cornelius Wannamaker kept
the Masonicus store and tavern, and here, in 1855, the Masonicus Church

4o8

was built. Between Scotland and Masonicus is Saddle River, on which
are located one grist and one saw mill, and a stream on the east side of
Cherry Lane, on which are situated a grist and saw mill, and two mills
which combine both these industries. At the junction of the Saddle River
road with the Nyack turnpike, John Yeury formerly kept a tavern. This
property later passed into the hands of Peter P. Jessey, who kept a store
here for many years.

I have tried to tell in another part of this work how the early inhabit-
ants found amusement. As new settlers arrived in the County, the old
customs disappeared. The community of feeling, the tie of friendship
brought about by long association in suffering and success, could not well
have been extended to and would not have been appreciated by these new
comers. Hence, the barn-dances and corn-huskings of an older time
gradually gave way to the new order of things. But the axiom, that
human nature is the same through all the world, was ever true. Young
people desire relaxation and pleasure, and when these were no longer af-
forded at home, they sought them abroad. To meet this demand a new
form of business was started — taverns.

A generation of people still living requires no explanation of what a
tavern was, but there is a generation just entering the struggle of life,
and there. are generations yet to come to whom this name, as used in days
gone by, might be an enigma. It seems wise, therefore, to pause a mo-
ment and look at these places. The old wayside inn of the Revolution,
was a house where man and beast could obtain refreshment and comfort
on their journey, and the focus for all the gossip from the city and coun-
try. The modern hotel is a place where the traveller can obtain board
and lodging.

The tavern combined the uses of the ancient inn and the modern hotel,
but to them added a third, a most important use, that of a public dancing
hall. It was seldom that the taverns were used by casual travellers. At
the most flourishing time of their existence, communication between busi-
ness centres had found other channels beside the highways. They were,
used by the residents of this and neighboring counties, who found it nec-
essary to pass by them, as a place for lunch and a spot where their
horses could be fed.

The taverns were usually built upon the public highways, midway be-
tween two villages. Somewhere down stairs were a bar and dining room.
On the first floor above was the ball room, running the length of the
building. The remainder of the house was used for family purposes.
This was the usual arrangement subject always to the changes necessitated

409

by the architecture of the building. At a short distance from the house
was a barn, and attached to it was a long shed fitted up with horse troughs
for the accommodation of such travellers as carried the food for their ani-
mals with them.

These taverns were the resort for all the young people for miles around.
In winter a dance would be held almost nightly in the ball room, the par-
ticipants being couples, who had started out for a sleigh ride, and on stop-
ping at the tavern and finding others present had organized a set. At
times, generally the eve of some holiday, the proprietor would give a ball,
but this in little wise differed from the usual dance save perhaps in the
greater number of people present. These taverns were also the scenes of
brawls. Any public resort where ugly dispositioned people meet and
drink is liable to siich disturbances — but the conflict, if it passed to blows,
ended without serious injury to either party. The revolver was yet un-
known.

The mention of the " Red Tavern," " 76 House," " Stephen's Tavern "
in this County, of " The Jug," " Jim Bogert's " and " Nagle's " taverns,
in northern New Jersey ; will call back to the older reader, recollections
of many happy hours. But above all and far beyond all, in the memory
of people three score years of age and upwards, natives of Rockland ;
stands the tavern known as " Aunt Kate's." So widely popular was this
hostelry of Mrs. Catherine Tallman's, that I have considered it more ap-
propriate to speak of the customs of this era in social life, in the chapter
devoted to the town in which she lived and reigned, than to place it else-
where.

The days of inns passed away in this County upon the influx of
strangers, and when the immigration had grown sufficiently large,
taverns also ceased to be popular. The increase of population, the intro-
duction of outside labor, the acquisition of wealth, led to the formation of
classes in society and each now finds its amusement in its own way.

Between New Hempstead and the "Brick Chrrch" is Summit Park
Cemetery incorporated in 1882, with Andrew Johnson, President; Wm. H.
Parsons, Secretary ; Aaron D. Johnson, Treasurer ; and John F. Haupt-
man, W. P. Hope, Peter S. Van Orden, John Haring, J. E. Jersey, and
Wm. R. Pitt, Trustees, The grounds of this place of sepulcher consist of
an acre and a half, principally deeded by Erastus Johnson. At the Brick
Church graveyard, the oldest dates found are on the stones marking the
resting places of William Smith, September 23d, 1794 arid Hannes Smith,
January 8th, 1794.

About three quarters of a mile northeast of Ladentown, on the road

4IO

from Sufferns to Haverstraw, and on the extreme bounds of the township,
is the place called Camp Hill, from the fact that during the Revolution,
the American Army was in camp there.

Returning once more to the Ramapo Valley. From the Orange Turn-
pike west to the apex of the triangle in which our County ends, is a suc-
cession of mountains, still retailing much of their primeval solitude. In
these hills, two and three-quarter miles from the store at Sloatsburg, is a
sheet of water called by the Indians, Pothat or Potake, by early surveyors,
Van Duser's Pond, known to residents of the County as Negro Pond, and
found on old maps of Rockland under the speUing of Niggar Pond. West
of this, and forming part of the boundary line between this State and New
Jersey, is another pond, called Shepherd'b.

•In the field notes of a survey made October 27th, 1774, occurs the fol-
lowing: "Begun at the 17 miles end and continued our range N. 54 deg.
15 m. West; at 44 Chains, square Northward, about 12 or 15 Chains, a
high, steep, rocky mountain, ; at 60 Chains in a swamp ; at 68 Chains,
the West edge of said swamp ; at 80 Chains, set up a chestnut stake with
No. XVIII. in negro Guy's improvement, and put stones round it, North-
easterly of his house."

Tradition has it, that a " good Mr. Rutherford," who owned large
tracts of land, allowed people to settle on it where they chose. Many of
that unfortunate race, whose ancestors were torn from their native land,
and survived the horrors of the " middle passage," to become the bond-
men of a Christian people, seeni to have settled in these mountain wilds at
an early day ; to have made homes among these forbidding rocks, and to
have cultivated the sterile land, till even now, it is said, the cleared field
and orchard of one of these fore-time negro settlers can be seen on the
west of Negro Pond.

As has been said in speaking of Ladentown, the abandonment of man-
ufactures and the development of machinery in the production of wooden-
ware have withdrawn employment from many of the dwellers in these
mountains, still, a large industry is carried on in getting out hoop-poles
and cord-wood, and Sloatsburg, which is the depot for this business, has
much of this material shipped yearly.

We must turn again to the general history of the township, and learn
the history of the Orange Turnpike. Early in the settlement of the
County, a road was forced through this Clove to permit the passage of
settlers on their journeys to and from the settlements along the Delaware.
As those settlements grew, as the section north of the mountains became
populated, this, the only .real pass between the Hudson and the Delaware

411

into the interior of the State, came into constant use. The Revolution
still further demonstrated the need of an excellent highway through the
Clove, and finally the industries, which sprang up along the Ramapo
River in the closing years of the last century, necessitated a better means
of communication. - To accomplish this, the Orange Turnpike Company
was incorporated by an act of Legislature, April 4th, 1800, at the request
of the following people :

Wm. Wickham, David M. Westcott,

John Steward, Antony Dobbin,

James Everitt, Jonathan Sweezy,

James Carpenter, John Wood,

Thomas Waters, Solomon Smith,

James W. Wilkin, John Gale, Jr.,

William Wickham, George D. Bradner, John Webb, Daniel Marvin,
and Seth Strong Selah were appointed Commissioners. Two hundred
and fifty shares of stock at $25 per share, were issued and taken up by
67 people among whom were Aaron Burr, Peter Townsend, Seth Marvin,
J. G. Pierson & Brothers, John Suffern, &c.

At the time of the organization of this company, the old " Albany
Road," bending to the north shortly after entering the State, ran in front
of the present Episcopal Church at Suffern to what is now the Nyack
Turnpike, where it turned to the left, following the course of the present
Nyack Turnpike to a point between the Catholic and Methodist Churches,
then striking directly across to the Eureka House, it proceeded westward
along the Ramapo. The Turnpike Company opened the road parallel to
the present railroad from the New Jersey line to the present Hilburn
works and then lifted it from the valley to the side of the mountain. On
May 3d, 1 869, the Legislature authorized the Company to abandon the
western half of the road. The Turnpike Company to-day own but ten
miles of road, reaching from the New Jersey line, and on this there is only
the toll-gate at Sloatsburg.

From Nyack and Haverstraw stages were run to Piermont during the
winter season ere the railroads were extended to those villages ; but at the
best of times this means of communication was but temporary, only while
the river was closed, and the vehicles used were the outgrowth of exped-
iency. Already a generation has risen to whom these stage lines are un-
known. If this be true of the eastern section of our County, with what
interest must it be noted that, within the memory of men still living the
Ramapo Valley was the passage way for stages running from New York
via Paterson to Goshen, Newburgh, Albany and the West.

412

In 1798, the fare by the Goshen stages for a seat from Ramapo to-
New York was i is. 4d., and 2s. for a trunk. In r8 10, the time schedule can
perhaps best be given by a copy of the mail arrivals at Ramapo.

DATE.

NORTH.

SOUTH.

DATE.

NORTH.

SOUTH.

Jan. 1st,

....

Jan

17th,

....

7:15, A. M.

' 2d,

9:05, P. M.

. . .

1 8th,

9:00 P. M.

....

' 3d,

....

2:45, A. M.

19th,

9:50, A. M.

' 4th,

. . . !

....

20th,

....

....

' Sth,

Midnight.

2:4s, A. M.

2 1 St,

....

2:45, P. M.

' 6th,

....

....

22d,

8:00, A. M.

....

' 7th,

6:50, A- M.

23d,

9:40, P. M.

....

' Sth,

11:50, A. M.

....

24th,

Noon.

' 9th,

9:10, A. M.

2Sth,

11:30, P. M.

....

' loth.

....

10:34, A. M.

26th,

4:40, A. M.

' nth,

10:41, P. M.

27th,

....

' 1 2th,

....

....

28th,

7:40, A. M.

' 13th,

....

8:30, A. M.

29th,

4:10, A. M.

....

' 14th,

10:50, P. M.

3:40, A. M.

30th,

10:50, P. M.

....

' I Sth,

....

....

31st,

8:20, A. M.

' 1 6th,

10:30, P. M.

....

In 1 8 1 2- 1 3, Henry I. Traphagen and William Southerland were running
the stage with four horses. They were succeeded in 18 14- 16 by Levi and
William Alger. In 1 8 1 7, Joseph French ran an extra stage from New-
burgh to New York four times a week with four horses. In 1819-20,
Garret Bampa ran " through the Franklin Turnpike gate," and Abram
Clearwater carried the stage on " through the Orange Turnpike gate." In
1 82 1, Sturgis began running the stage. In 1823, Stephen Sloat had
charge of it. In 1824-25, Dr. T. G. Evan^. In 1826, Stephen Sloat &
Co.; 1827-29, H. H. Zabriskie & Co. (daily)- 1830, Stephen Sloat &
Co. (daily.) It was in those days that the Sloat mansion, at Sloatsburg,
served as a tavern on the post road.

How strange this sounds in these days of lightning expresses, drawing
room cars and electric appliances, which have annihilated space and time.
It seems wise that we should review the period for a better realization of
what our country and County were, and lor a better appreciation of what
those silent giants — inventors — have accomplished for this western conti-
nent.

413

Gilbert Cooper, 1 791-1798.
James Onderdonk, 1798-

1801, 1802-4.
Wil.iam Dusenbery, 1801.
Gilbert T. Cooper, 1805-6.
Peter S. Van Ordeii, 1807-

1811-1819.
David De Baun, 1811-1814.
Garret Sarven, 1814.
Abraham Gurnee, 1815-1818
James Taylor, 1818-1820.
John J. Gurnee, 1 821.
Peter R. Van Houten, 1822

-1830-31.

SUPERVISORS.

Nicholas L. Haring, 1826.
John Haring, 1839.
James Yourey, 1840.
John A. Haring, 1837, 1843

-1844.
John J. Coe, 1841.
Cornelius Demarest, 1842.
John Demarest, 1845-47.
William Forshee, 1848.
John B. Gurnee, 1849-51,

1861.
Frederick Van Orden, 1852-

54-
Nicholas C. Blauvelt, 1855-
6.

Peter P. Jersey, 1857.
John Crum, 1858-9.
Henry R. Bloat, i860.
John D- Christie, 1862.
Erastus Johnson, 1863-4.
Andrew Smith, 1865.
James Suffern, 1866-70.
Dwight B. Baker, 1872-3.
Peter L. Van Orden, 1874-5
Jacob Snider, 1876.
George W. Suffern, 1870-

71, 1877-1883.
Peter Tallman, 1883-84.
A. D. Blauvelt,

Gilbert Cooper, 1 791-2,

1804-8.
John Conklin, Jr., 1793-4.
Arch. Cassady, 1795-7, 1 799

-1802, 1837-1843, 1847-

1853-
Gilbert T. Cooper, 1798.
Andrew Onderdonk, 1802-3

TOWN CLERKS.

Garret Sarven, 1809-1814,

1815-1818, 1820.
John Knap, 1814.
Theunis Cooper, 1821.
James Taylor, 1822-26.
Isaac Finch, 1830-31.
Theunis J. Cooper, 1844.
Peter Tallman, i88o.

Tunis Cooper, 1845-6.
John G. Serven, 1854-1859.
D. D. Ackerman, 1859-61,

1863-71.
Thomas Reed, 1862.
William H. Gray, 1872.
Wm. H. Parsons, 1873-79.
Esler Sherwood, 1881.

From 1 791 till 1802, town meetings were held at the house of Theunis
Cuyper, just southeast of the "Brick Church;" from 1802 till 1863, at
Cassady's Corners ; and from 1 863 till the present time, at Monsey,

Authorities referred to : History of Ramapo, by Rev. Eben B. Cobb, assisted by. E. Frank
Pierson. New York State Session Laws. New York State Civil List. Archives of the Rock-
land County Historical Society.

CHAPTER XX.

CLARKSTOWN.

ORIGIN OF NAME— DATE OF ERECTION INTO A TOWNSHIP— AREA— FIRST
TOWN MEETING— CENSUS— HISTORY OF CLARKESVILLE, NEW CITY—
ROCKLAND LAKE -NANUET— DUTCH FACTORY— MACKIE'S AND STAGCS
CORNERS— WALDBERG, SNEDEKER'S OR WALDBERG LANDING—
STRAWTOWN— BARDON'S STATION— PEAT BEDS— SILVER SPOON FAC
TORY— THE BREWERY— BURIAL PLACES— TOWN OFFICERS.

In the chapter relating to the transfer of land in early days, it was
seen that the lower part of the Kakiat patent was sold to a party of five
men, in 1716, among whom was Daniel De Clarke. De Clarke's property
was divided, and parts of it sold. In one of these sales, baaring date July
16, 1764, the property is described as being at Clarke's Town. This is the
first mention I find of the name. This town was separated from the town
of Haverstraw, on March i8th, 1791, and was one of the four townships in
existence at the time the County was erected. The boundaries of the
town will be found with those of the County. The number of acres in-
cluded in the new town was 24,091.

The same causes which had led the people of Haverstraw to petition
for a separate town government nearly three quarters of a century before,,
influenced the inhabitants of the present Clarkstown and Ramapo, in 1791.
Steadily had the population increased and with that increase had grown
up serious objections to the distance necessary to be traveled to attend town
meetings. Then too, the area of the old town of Haverstraw, was far
larger than its officers could carefully attend to. The roads were bad, the
demands on their time onerous and the temptation to shirk their duties,
great. It was with mutual pleasure therefore that the people of the old
and new towns separated.

The first minutes of a town meeting, that can now be found, read as
follows : " At a Town meeting held on Thursday, the 4th day of April,
1 809, by the inhabitants of Clarks Town, at the New City. Present, John
I. Blauvelt, Peter D. Smith, Resolvert Stephens, Justices ; Peter Stephens,
moderator ; John J. Wood, town clerk ; Abram Snyder, supervisor ;
John Van Houten, Richard Blanch, Dowe Tenure, assessors ; Martines J.
Hogenkamp, collector ; Abraham Polhamus, James Vanderbilt, poor-
masters ; Dowe D. Talljnan, Abraham Cole, Hendrick Stevens, con-

415

stables ; Hosman Perry, Jacob Vanderbilt, Peter D. Demarest, commis-
sioners of highways; Abraham Storms, Isaac B. Van Houten, Samuel
DeBaun, fence viewers; Abraham Storms, Isaac B. Van Houten,
Samuel DeBaun, pound masters.

Road masters : Jacob Wood, John Jersey, Aurt Ramsen, Peter P. Dem-
arest, Jr., Isaac I. Blauvelt, Henry A. Snyder, John C. Van Houten, Abra-
ham Garrison, Thomas Ackerson, Jr., Daniel Thew, Garret Smith, Henry
Stephens, Jacob Myers, Abraham D. Blauvelt, Charles Benson, Dowe
Tallman, John E. Smith. William House, Adrian Onderdonk, Simon Post,.
John Felter, Solomon Waring, Jesse Beagle, Aury Demarest, Peter Ben-
son, Garret T. Snedeker, Theodorus Ramsen.

To be raised for the poor $400.

Every dog that is bit by a mad dog is to be Killed Immediately ; $5
fine for every 24 hours that they live afterward, the money to go for the
use of the poor.

The Town Clerk is for to get a New Book for to enter the proceedings
of the Town.

To be raised for Roads and Bridges $70.

The Law Respecting fishing in the Ponds with Seins Passed Last year
is to stand.

Entered by John J. Wood,

Town Clerk."
The second largest town in area of the County with more tillable land
than any of the others, Clarkstown, is devoted almost entirely to agricul-
ture. No large villages are within its bounds. Until recently, all its com-
munication with the Metropolis was by water, except in the extreme south-
western corner, and at no place on all its river front can the water be
reached without crossing intervening mountains. Yet, despite these ob-
stacles, the growth of the town has been steady though slow.

In 1800, Clarkstown had 1806 inhabitants. In 1845, Clarkstown had 2797 inhabitants.

In i8to, " " 1996 " In 1855, " " 3572

In 1820, " " 1808 " In 186s, " " 4023 "

In 182s, State Census, 2075 " In 1870, U. S, Census, 4137

In 1835, " " 2176 " In 1880, " 4382

As in the case of the other towns suspicion must rest on the report of

1820.

NEW CITY.

In 1774, the court-house at Tappan was destroyed by fire. During
the seven and forty years that Tappan had been the county-seat, the sec-
tion of the County north of the mountains had become well populated.

4i6

while Haverstraw exceeded Orangetown in its number of residents. Fair-
ness demanded that in the building of a new court-house a more central
location should be selected, and the site at New City was chosen.

The old settlers had a strong faith that at the spot where the County
buildings stood, a city must of necessity spring up, so, when in 1 774, it
was decided to locate the court-house in Clarkstown, they named the new
site New City. This new city has followed the old one of Tappan in the
vigor of its growth. The 'first hotel at New City was opened by Jabez
Wood, and this was followed by one opened by Abraham Hogenkamp.

The post-office at this place was established May 12th, 18 15, under the
name of Clarkstown, with Peter D. W. Smith as postmaster. He has
been followed by: Abram Hogenkamp, December 28th, 1822; Jabez
Wood, July 23d, 1839; William H. Melick, June 30th, 1849; John H.
Stephens, February 13th, 185 1; A. J. Van Houten, August 7th, 1855;
Alcibiades Cornelison, June 8th, 1861, and Peter DeBevoise, July 19th,
1872. The name of the office was changed to New City, July 5th, 1876.

In 1844, the Rockland County Agricultural Society was organized,
and its annual exhibitions or fairs held at New City till 1875. Even this
addition to its income failed to give the hamlet stronger life. In 1875,
the Nanuet and New City Railroad, now owned by the New Jersey and New
York Railroad, was opened, and gave the place better communication with
other parts of the County and State.

The first school built at New City stood on the common, near the site
of the present County Clerk's office. From there, it was moved to where
the hotel known as "Kossuth's " stands, and in 1853 to its present loca-
tion. A new school building was erected in 1880. At the beginning of
the century. Wood had a tannery a few feet east of the " street," which
was discontinued about 1825, and at a later period, members of the same
family carried on a distillery on the brook west of the "street."

A little east of the main road, near the Trotting Park in New City, is
an old grave-yard, long disused and overgrown with brambles and ivy.
Among the dates still legible are two, " 1733, M. C," and " 1734, L. C,"
and still a third, " 1733, C. S.," bears the same early record.

CLARKSVILLE, NYACK TURNPIKE OR MONT MOOR.

When Daniel De Clarke advanced into the wilderness, which formerly
occupied the soil of the present Clarkstown, and wrested from that wil-
derness a home, he may have felt that the spirit of justice in men in the
coming years, would lead them to unhesitatingly acknowledge his cour-
age and perseverance as the pioneer in this section, by retaining his cog-

417

Tiomen as the name of the hamlet he settled. If such were his feelings
"we, his followers, fully realize that he was far from right. The
township does indeed bear his name with the elision of the final letter, but
the hamlet known as Clarkestown as long ago as 1764, has been re-named
by the fastidious generations since and called Clarkesville, Nyack Turn-
pike, and now Mont Moor. The relevance of this last name, is, perhaps,
known to the person who gave it.

The location of the church at this spot in 1752, gave the hamlet a
definite existence, and its importance was further added to by the erection
■of grist and saw mills on the brook, which flows in front of the old church.
Not till after the opening of the turnpike was there further business growth
in the present village, and the hamlet more nearly resembled the present
Orangeville than any other place. With the turnpike came a change of
business centre and of life.

The first business enterprise was begun by William O'Blenis, who
opened a store on the southeast corner of the pike and Sickletown road.
In 1835, Samuel DeBaun was running a distillery on the opposite corner,
Tvhere the hotel now stands. Five years later, the distillery was torn
down to make room for the present hotel, which was built for Thomas War-
ner. The presence of store and tavern led to the establishment of a
blacksmith at the corners, and then came the wheelwright shop.

While these changes were being made on the turnpike, a new enter-
prise was begun near the old church. In 1835, James Newsen utilized
the water power of the brook by erecting a horse-blanket and woolen fac-
tory on the site now occupied by Abram Demarest's saw mill. Its exist-
ence was brief, and by 1838, it had been abandoned. About 1840, a
cooper shop was built alongside the old road to Nyack, which ran north
of the swamp, by Hiram Purdy, and added to the industries of the place.

The post-office was established under the name of Nyack Turnpike
June 25th, 1834, with William O'Blenis as first post-master. He was
succeeded October i6th, 1852, by Samuel G. Ellsworth. Since that time
the post- masters have been : John R. Ten Eyck, October 24th, 1857;
Samuel G. Ellsworth, October 1st, 1858; William J. Wilcox, May 23 d,
1859; James I. Lydecker, May loth, 1861 ; John T. Smith, April iSth,
1872; Benjamin Smith, December 15th, 1875; and Cornelius R. Martine,
September loth, 1885. On April 19th, 1880, the name of the office was
changed to Mont Moor.

The district school of Clarksville, built on the site of the original edi-
fice, which was erected toward the close of the last century, stands along-
side the road from Pye's corner north to the brewery. It looks a relic of

4i8

the idea, that such a building was good enough for the parents and must
needs be for the children. It may be of interest to notice the long period
that a school has existed at this place for a full appreciation of what I am
now to relate.

This neighborhood has the doubtful honor of having been. the scene of
the last trial for witchcraft held in New York State, possibly the last
among a so-called civilized people.

The supposititious victim of demoniac power in this Clarksville case, was
the widow of a Scotch physician, named Jane Kanniff, who moved into the
hamlet prior to 1816, took a small house situated a few rods west of the
old church on the New City road, and devoted herself to the care of her
only child, a son by a previous marriage, named Lowrie.

Jane, or as she was called in the vernacular of the Clarksville people,
Naut Kanniff, seems to have been exceedingly eccentric, a person who
would now be regarded by alienists as insane ; but her vagaries at the
worst took a harmless form. She was odd in dress, preferring parti-colors
of wondrous diversity, queer in the fashion of arranging her hair. She
was unsocial in a neighborhood where every one knew each other ; and
morose or erratic when forced to meet people. With these traits and
habits, she combined one other. From her deceased husband she had
gathered a smattering of medicine, and now, when placed where she could
get at the herbs known in her Materia Medica, she made wondrous decoc-
tions with which she treated such as came to her for aid, and I have been
informed by those who knew her, with most excellent results.

In a spot where all others were connected by ties of blood or marriage,
the advent of this stranger could but create comment, and the actions of
Mrs. Kanniff formed an interesting topic of conversation. Inadvertently,
perhaps, her name became associated with Satanic influence and her deeds,
theretofore regarded as harmless, began to assume an appearance of dia-
blery. The distrust of Naut soon spread from their elders to the children
of the neighborhood, and, when compelled to pass her house on errands,
the young ones of Clarksville would scurry by with palpitating hearts and
starting eyes, looking askance for some manifestation of the evil one.

It did not take a long time for Jane Kanniff to learn the belief, con-
cerning herself, that was gaining ground and the effect of that knowledge
was to aggravate her oddities.

There seems to have been no one act of monstrous import that pro-,
voked the trial, but rather a culmination of suspected misdoings. The
house wives of the locality found great difficulty in making their churnings
" come off" well, and fwo or three averred that upon emptying their

419

churns they had discovered the form of a horseshoe plainly ourned in the
bottom. A worthy member of the church after passing a sleepless night,
distracted by the lowing of his cattle, found, on visiting his farm yard in
the morning, the best milker of the herd standing in a farm wagon. From
that hour she is said to have yielded no milk.

Circumstances such as these, were of grave character in a God fearing
peaceful community. It seems not to have occurred to these intelligent
citizens that perhaps heat applied to the milk to aid the churning, and the
known proclivity of the domestic dog to chase cattle ; might have been
factors in these events. They sought a preternatural cause, and fixed on
the baleful influence of Naut Kanniff. It was determined that she should
be tried for witchcraft.

A shrewd suspicion probably, that not only would no legally appointed
judge listen for a moment to such a charge, but also that those who made
it would become a public laughing stock ; led the worthy people to take
the law in their own hands ; and from similar considerations they forbore
mentioning their determination to their dominie. But the desire for jus-
tice was uppermost in their minds, and only reputable citizens were
permitted to act in the matter. The choice for judge resulted in the selec-
tion of the resident physician and the jury was composed of the farmers
in the neighborhood.

It may occur to the reader as it has to the writer, that the occupation
of the 'practice of medicine might unfit a man from acting impartially as a
judge in this case, the more especially because the accused interfered with
that occupation by her treatment of disease. Such an idea however seems
not to have entered the minds of her neighbors.

The place selected for the trial was an old mill, which stood on the
site of the present mill, just south of Pye's Corner. The mode of trial
was by balance. The suspected woman was brought to the mill, was
seated in one dish of the big mill scale, and held till a board-covered,
brass-bound Dutch Bible was placed in the opposite dish. If, in the test
which was to follow, the Bible outweighed the woman, it would be con-
clusive evidence that she was in league with the evil one. If to the con-
trary, she raised the Bible, it was equally conclusive she was innocent. It
is with regret I have to record that Mrs. Kanniff outweighed the Bible,
sending it to the ceihng with a mighty bound ; a regret which will be
indulged by others, who, with a curiosity equal to my own, would much
cared to have seen what the gentle men present would have done had the
. Holy Book sent the woman to the beam.

420

slaughter's landing or ROCKLAND LAKE.

In 171 1, John Slaughter bought a tract of land in the Clove, at the
present Rockland Lake, and built a landing which bore his name till
changed by Barmore, Felter & Co., in 1835. Up to that time, the lake
and the country about it was called the " Pond," Quaspeck having been
lost or abandoned.

Until the genesis of the ice business, this spot was but an outlet for
the back country, and held the same position, as a landing, as Snedeker's,
Sneden's, Huyler's. The introduction of one form of business called for
the establishment of others. A hotel became a necessity, as soon as the
ice company had settled its plant, and that at the landing, now controlled
by James Ackerson, was built by Barmore & Leonard in 1839. The first
landlord was Captain Isaac Cook. In 1844, Thomas Ackerson took
charge of this hostelry, and retained it till his death in 1883.

A year after the building of the hotel at the landing, in 1840, A. P.
Stephens, later Member of Congress, built and opened the first store at
Rockland Lake. At a later period this store passed into the possession
of L. F. Fitch, and finally, in i860, was turned into a hotel. It is now
occupied by Walter Ackerson.

I have already spoken of the fierce competition for the control of the
ice at Rockland Lake, which followed the organization of Barmore, Leon-
ard & Co., in the chapter devoted to the business interests of the County ;
and then stated that this company purchased the landing. Prevented by
their ownership from using the old dock, Cheeseman and Andrus built
the lower dock, now used by Miranda's stone crusher, in 1841. Upon
their removal from the Lake, this dock ceased to be of use for many years.

Influenced by the prospect of future growth, E. E. and J. L. Conklin
started a wheelwright and blacksmith shop' at the Lake in 1842. This
firm at once took charge of the manufacture and repair of all the ice
wagons and tools of Barmore, Leonard & Co., a business they retained till
1856, when the construction and repair shops of the Knickerbocker Com-
pany were erected in New York City. From that time, most of the work
of the Knickerbocker Company was done in the city, but the Conklin
brothers continued their business till the death of J. L. Conklin in 1 864,
when the shops were closed.

In 1850, Francis Powley built the marine railway at Rockland Lake
for Barmore, Leonard & Co., who used it for the construction and repair
of the vessels engaged in their business. At first, this ship yard was
under the management of John G. and Henry Perry, who conducted it

• 421

for a few years, when George Dickey took charge of it. He carried it on
till hi.s death. Since that time, nothing has been done, and the yard has
disappeared.

In 1872, John Mansfield established a stone-crusher at the lower land-
ing, and carried on the industry for a short time, when the plant was
bought by M. M. Miranda. Under his charge, the business has increased
till at present it ranks among the important industries of our County.
Four crushers are worked from April till December in each year ; an av-
erage of from 75 to 90 vessel loads of crushed stone are shipped annually,
and employment is given to from 25 to 65 men, according to the season,
and the demand for the product.

In 1873, James W. Smith obtained the grove now known, as Sylvan
Grove, and fitted it up as a resort for pleasure parties.

The post-office at Rockland Lake was established March loth, 1842,
with Thomas J. Wilcox as first postmaster. In 1845, he was succeeded by
A. P. Stephens, who held the office till Feb. 8th, 1850, when he was fol-
lowed by Leonard F. Fitch. Sept. i6th, 1853, E. E. Conklin became
postmaster and he has been succeeded by Austin T. Fitch, May 23d, 1859
and Thomas H. Woodcock, Feb. i6th, 1864.

The Knickerbocker Fire Engine Company of Rockland Lake was or-
ganized May 25th, 1861, with William Hoffman, Foreman; J. L. Conkhn,
Assistant Foreman. Several severe fires have occurred at the Lake. In
1 841, the icehouse at " Stony Point " was burned ; in 1863, another- ice-
house was destroyed by fire, and in 1879, still a third was consumed.
After the Knickerbocker Co. was organized a shed was built over the
dock at the Hudson on the river face of which was the painting of a
gigantic man clad in Knickerbocker costume. This shed caught fire in
1870 and was utterly destroyed.

The first school in this village was held in a building belonging to John
Smith, which stood on the lake side of the road opposite the property now
owned by Sorrel. Tradition has it that the building had been used by
Smith as quarters for his slaves and that he manumitted his bond people
and gave their foretime home for the purpose of a school and meeting
house. On March 19th, 1812, Hercules Ryder gave to Daniel Brady,
George Myers and Samuel De Baun as trustees of the Union school
house, a lot of land at the location of the present school house on the road
near Valley Cottage. Among the teachers in this school was Moses G.
Leonard, who wielded the ferule in 1828. The present school building
was erected in 1861.

The first public school in the village was opened in a building erected

423.

on a site given by Mr. Wells for that purpose, in 1835. This building,
now used as a dwelling, stands opposite the present school house. The
present house was built in 1850, on land given by John D. Ascough.
George M. Dennett, Thomas I. Wilcox, and E. E. Conklin being elected
trustees for that year.

On October 13th, 1853, it was decided to make afree school district of
the one at the Lake according to a Legislative Act for the establishment of
Union Free Schools passed in 1852. This school continued free until
January ist, 1857, when, in accordance with a decision reached on Jan.
.17th, 1856, the free school system was abolished in the district.

NANUET.

Until the opening of the Erie Railroad in 1841, this village had no ex-
istence, and not over a half dozen houses stood between the Turnpike and
schoolhoilse. The first name of the place was Clarkstown, a name it re-
tained till 1856, when, at the suggestion of James De Clark, the present
name, taken from that of an Indian chief, was given. This is one of the
few, rare, instances in our County where, in christening a place, the old
Indian names have been used.

The first store in the village, now owned by S. M. Drew, and used as
a dwelling house, was built by David De Clark, in 1841. This was also
the first railroad station. In 1849, D. P. Demarest built the house, a
part of which was and still is, used as the station. In 1852, Dr. M. C.
Hasbrouck built the brick store now occupied by William Hutton, Jr.,
and it was at once occupied by John W. and Henry O. Hutton, who, in
combination with their other business, started the first lumber yard in the
village. The Hutton Brothers also introduced a department devoted to
agricultural implements, and kept on hand both mowing and raking ma-
chines. In 1869, the building now used by the firm was erected and
opened in 1870.

The first hotel in the village was opened by Peter Demarest, Jr., and
was conducted, after his death in 1839, by his son, D. P. Demarest. This
hostelry, known as the " Old Red Tavern," stood just south of the present
Nanuet schoolhouse, and before the Turnpike was opened, was on the
main road from Sufifern to Tappan Slote. In the early days of this tav-
ern a grocery store was connected with it, which seems to have passed
from existence when the railroad was opened.

In 1867, Abram D. Brower started a foundry in the buildings now
used as a dwelling house, and standing south of Samuel Blauvelt's wheel-
wright shop. Brower continued the business but a short time, and then
the place was closed, t As early as 1794, Major CorneUus I. Blauvelt

423

owned and conducted a saw-mill on Narranshaw, Naurashazink, or Naur-
ashank Brook, a short distance southwest of the present village. About
1810, this property was sold to Abram C. Blauvelt, and since then has
been owned by Aurt Van der Wall, Isaac Pye, David Benson, and the
present owner, Gustav Boliz. As at present conducted, a considerable
business is carried on in ship timber and kindling wood, and recently a
turning lathe was added to the industry.

The Nanuet school " can without difficulty be traced back to 18 12.
At that time, Abram C. Blauvelt * * * was teacher, and was ex-
empt from military duty on that account. The schoolhouse was an old
red building, 14^ by 13^ feet on the outside, and it stood south of the
Yeury barn, about where the road crosses the sWamp, westward. This
building is still standing on Henry E. Insley's place." In 1844^ that part
of the school at present occupied by the primary department, was erected
on the lot where it now stands, and in 1 869, the part used as the grammar
school was built. The first mention of a school library was in 1839.

The Nanuet Fire Engine Company was organized in i860, with Wil-
liam H. Snyder, Foreman, and J. W. Demarest, Assistant Foreman. In
1862, the company received a charter from the State Legislature. Until
the erection of their engine house in 1868, the firemen used to meet in
" Mechanics Hall." No severe fires have visited the hamlet.

The Nanuet Debating Society was formed by several of the residents of
Nanuetj prominent among whom were C. A. Blauvelt, C. A. DeBaun,
Andrew Hopper, A. J. Demarest, David Bogert and Nicholas C. Blauvelt,
about 1845, for the purpose of combining with social intercourse a dis-
cussion of the important questions of the day. The old school house was
purchased by the society and used as their place of meeting. Upon the
disorganization of this society the Nanuet Temperance Society occupied
the old school building for several years. " Mechanics Hall " was opened
to the public by Samuel B. Blauvelt and C. L. Ackerson, in the spring of
1863.

The post-office was first established at Nanuet, March 6th, 1846, and
David DeClark, was the first post master, the office being kept in his brick
store. On February 13th, 185 i, David P. Demarest, became post master,
and he has been followed by Williani H. Snider, October 21st, 1862;
Edward Hutton, August 3d, 1870 ; and William Hutton, August 1885.
The Nanuet Cemetery first came into general use at the time the
church adjoining was built. The stone of Daniel DeClark however bears
the date of a year earlier, September 22d, 1825.

424

DUTCH FACTORY.

In i8i2, a cotton factory was built at this place, and was given the
above name from the fact, that a majority of the stockholders were de-
scendants of the original Dutch settlers of this section. This factory,,
which was used exclusively for the manufacture of cotton yarn, was
burned in 1824. The property was then sold to John Gerow, who built
and carried on a saw-mill on the spot. In a short time Gerow sold the
mill to J. & L. Van Riper, who took down the saw-mill and erected an-
other cotton factory in 1830. Under the Van Riper's management cotton
yarn, coarse cotton blankets and candle wicking were manufactured, and
the waste was used in making cotton bats. This factory, like the first^
was burned in 1858. The Van Riper's then rebuilt on a larger scale, and
began the manufacture of mosquito netting and hat buckram. In 1865,
a stock company called the Spring Valley Manufacturing Company, was
formed and the business was carried on more extensively than ever until
the financial depression of 1873, fell disasterously upon the company, and
the factory was closed.

From 1873 till 1882, the factory remained idle. Under a judgment
against the company the property had been sold, and had been bought in
by a Mrs. Ward, of New York City, who could neither use nor dispose
of it. In the latter year the factory was bought by Wm. Hyenga, who
began, and has since carried on in it, the manufacture of briarwood pipes.

A short distance above the Dutch factory. Cornelius Blauvelt owned
and conducted a saw and grist mill in 18 12. This property was later
purchased by James Eckerson, who carried on the old business for a
number of years. In 1853, the firm of A. & I. R. Blauvelt was formed,
and this firm bought the mill and used it for the manufacture of stock-
ings and yarn. This business was continued by the firm till 1858, when
the term of partnership having expired, Abram sold out to I. R. Blau-
velt, who carried on the business till 1865.

Just below the Dutch factory stands a charcoal mill, which is carried
on by James Smith. This was originally built for a grist mill by Jacob
Serven. Later it came into the possession of Lucas Eckerson, who sold
it to Harman Westervelt ; then it was purchased by John Stilwell, who
in time sold it to John V. Smith. Under this last owner it was continued
as a grist mill till 1857, when the business was changed to grinding char-
coal. This industry was continued by John V. Smith till his death, and
since then has been continued by the present proprietor, James Smith.

On the northwest corner of the junction of the turnpike with the road
which passes the Dutch factory, J. Mackie formerly owned property, and

425

to locate the neighborhood this place was called " Mackie's Corners. In
the northeastern part of the township, at the junction of the Short Clove
road with one which passes the residence of Cornelius DePew, John Stagg
erected a brick blacksmith shop in 1852, and this place took the name of
" Stagg's Corner's." In recent years, a settlement of no inconsiderable
size has sprung up here, and a church edifice of the M. E. Society has
been built.

CEDAR GROVE CORNERS OR WALDBERG.

At the junction of the road running from Pye's saw-mill to Rockland
Lake, with the road between Haverstraw and Nyack, a church was built
in 1830, which bore the name among the people of the " Pond " or " Yel-
low Church." At a later period ^this junction was called Cedar Grove
Corners, from a grove of cedar trees which stood on the opposite side of
the road from the church. In 1835, the Central Hotel was built by
Abram B. Snedeker just north of the corner. A few years later, by 1845,
A. B. Conger began to purchase land in this section, and in the course of
time, built a residence not far from the Long Clove, which he named
Waldberg. This name gradually spread to the neighborhood, and prior
to i860 had been adopted by the residents of the school district as the
name of the locality.

SNEDEKER'S landing OR WALDBERG LANDING.

The lack of sufficient depth of water at Haverstraw village led to the
establishment at this place of a ship-yard and marine railway for the
repair of vessels engaged in the brick business. In 1845, the railway
was laid down, for Tunis M. and George W. Snedeker, by Joseph Walker,
since largely known as the proprietor of Vinegar Bitters. For several
years a prosperous business was carried on, and for one or two years the
local steamboats made this a landing place. The building of marine rail-
ways at Tomkin's Cove and Rockland Lake in 1850, and at Peck's dock
in 185 1, drew business from this yard, and it was at length abandoned.
The dock is rapidly being washed away, and an old house alone marks
the site of a once important landing. In the general change of name for
this section, the locality became known as Waldberg Landing, and it is so
recorded on the charts of the U. S. Coast Survey.

While on the river front, I may perhaps speak of a project which was
agitated between 1845-50. This was, the building of a carriage road from
the end of Broadway at Upper Nyack, under the mountains along the
river to Snedeker's Landing. The citizens of Haverstraw and Nyack

426

joined in the movement, and a sufficient sum of money to build the road
was subscribed. The enterprise was stopped by the extravagant price
asked for his property by Isaac I. Blauvelt, who owned the river front at
Calico Hook, south of Rockland Lake landing.

STRAWTOWN.

On the road, running south from Pye's saw mill toward Clarksville and
next west of the Hackensack River, is a neighborhood, which has been
known by the above name since a period beyond the memory of living men.
Many reasons have been given for the appellation, among which the fol-
lowing seems as suitable as any. The increasing settlement of this section
gradually led to an increase in the number of saw mills and a reduction in
the price of shingles. Advantage was taken of this by the farmers of the
County, and shingle roofs replaced the straw- thatched barns of an older
time. In this neighborhood alone did the residents adhere to the old
custom, and from their evident admiration for thatch, the remaining people
called them " Strawtowners." In 1854, a store and shoe factory were kept
in this locahty by Nathaniel Burr.

BARDON'S STATION.

In 1 86 1, a German, by name John Bardon, settled at this place and
opened a distillery, gradually the neighborhood became settled by German
immigrants and, when the railroad from Nanuet to New City was built, in
1875, this hamlet was made a station, taking for its name that of Bardon.
The first and only store in the hamlet was then built by Bardon and has
since been carried on by him and his family.

From the few villages of which I have spoken, it can be realized how
thoroughly devoted to agriculture this township is. Shut in by the ridge
of trap rock, which forms the Palisades and which has its origin but a short
distance from the northwest boundary, on the north and east ; and shel-
tered on the west by the high hills of eastern Ramapo ; abundantly irri-
gated by the head waters of the Hackensack and the many streams which
. flow into that river, this section is well fitted for farming. The quarry
business which at one time formed a profitable source of income, has long
been abandoned for all -practical purposes. The getting out of peat, which
was found in large quantities in the township — one bog of 40 acres, 6 feet
deep and estimated to contain 40,000 cords, south of the Long Clove,
another near Walberg of 40,000 cords, and still another west of Nyack
in the Valley of the Hackensack — while at one time in 1838, started as a
business venture did not prove lucrative and was abandoned.

427

Among the industries of Rockland County in past days, mention must
be made of the Silver Spoon Factory carried on by Joseph Blauvelt. This
business was at first started in a small house south of New City in 1820
As the demand up on Blauvelt increased, more and more room had to be
used, and finally he moved east of New City on the road to the brewery.
The material employed in the factory was sent to the County from New
York stores, for which the manufactured articles were made. Beside sup-
plying these metropolitan stores, however, Blauvelt did considerable local
business and furnished many of the residents with silver ware. Horse
power was employed in the business and some dozen people earned a living
at the work. The industry was continued for many years and was not
absolutely abandoned till 1865.

The building known as the " Rockland Brewery," which stands on
the east side of the road from Clarksville to New City, about two miles
north of Isaac Pye's corner, was built in 1855, by Huber & Aschenhei-
mer. Previous to the erection of this building, a brewery had been car-
ried on in a frame building, a short distance northeast of the Rockland
Brewery. The business had riot proved successful and had been, discon-
tinued, and the building was later used for the making of wine and vin-
egar. ^

When Huber & Aschenheimer first started the Rockland Brewery,
the motive power was by horse and hand. After two years, the brewery
was sold to Kiser & Maas, who failed, and the property fell into the hands
of their creditors. In 1865, J. G. C. Schmersahl purchased it, remodeled
the buildings, excavated a pond, put up ice houses, and introduced steam
power. Under his management the business was carried on successfully
for some time, and then came into the hands of the present proprietors,
Schmersahl & Cross, the son and son-in-law of J. G. C. Schmersahl.
Brewing was practically discontinued shortly after, and the place is now
used as a hotel and pleasure ground.

The building of the New York, West Shore and Buffalo Railroad
through the town in 1883, gave rise to three stations; Nyack Turnpike,
Valley Cottage, two and three-quarter miles southeast of the Rockland
Lake post-office, and Conger's, situated a short distance northeast of the
Waldberg Church.

On March 20th, 1873, a post-office was established at Valley Cottage,
with James A. Green, as post-master. It seems not to have been a suc-
cess, and six years later, March 17th, 1879, it was discontinued.

I have already spoken of the burial grounds at New City, Nanuet and
Clarksville, and in the history of Nyack have given the history of Oak

428

Hill, which extends into Clarkstown, and the old ground at Upper Nyack.
More than in any other township, were interments in Clarks made in pri-
vate ground. The isolation of the settlers from other settlements, the
distance that existed between the early settlements and the few early
churches, were greater than elsewhere Hence the number of family bur-
ial plots is very large. One of the oldest places of sepulture in the town is
probably that which stands south of the road leading from New City to
Hempstead. It is said that the date of either 1 703 or 1 708 has been
found on one of the tombstones. On the Long Clove road, near Pye's
saw mill, stands a local grave yard, and another about a mile further
north, stands just east of the Hackensack. On the road from Waldberg
church to Pye's saw mill, some six hundred yards west of the church, is
a burial ground, and others are on the property of Onderdonk on both
sides of the road from Rockland Lake to Valley Cottage ; on the fast
side of the mountain road, formerly called the Lyon's Hill road, near its
junction with the mountain road that leads from Upper Nyack to Valley
Cottage; on the south side of the King's highway, between John Storms'
old hotel and Valley Cottage; and a negro burial. ground stands west of
the Hackensack swamp, and north of the Turnpike.

SUPERVISORS.

David Pye, 1791-92.

Isaac Blanch, 1793-96, 1801-

2.
Claus R. Van Houten, 1797-

98-99. 1803-4.
Resolvert Stephens, 1805-7.
Abram Snyder, 1808-11-19.
Richard I. Blanch, 1812,15-

20-24.
James Stephens, 1816-18.
Abram P. Stephens, 1825-

32-37-

John J. Wood, 1809-12.
Abram Cole, 1813.
Ebenezer Wood, 1814-20.
Abram Hogenkamp, 1815-

19-26.
Jabez Wood, 1822-27-32,
Henry R. Stephens, 1823-

25.
John E. Hogenkamp, 1833-
35-42-

Abram Hogenkamp, 1826.
Albert Ly decker, 1831.
Jacob P. Demarest, 1833.
John O'Blenis, 1834.
A. J. Demarest, 1835.
Joseph P. Brower, 1842-48
John E. Hogenkamp, 1845-

62-66.
Matthew D. Bogert, 1846.
Jacob J. Eckerson, 1851-52.
E. E. Conklin, 1853.
John T. Blanch, 1854.

TOWN CLERKS.
Peter T. Stephens, 1834.
Abram B. Hogenkamp,

1843-44.
John T. Cole, 1845.
Harman Blauvelt, 1846.
Isaac Blanch, 1847-50.
Abram A. Stagg, 1851-55-

58, 59-
Abram J. DeBaun, 1856-57.

Aaron T. Polhemus, 1856-

57-
Isaac Tallman, i858-59>
James L. Conklin, 1860-61.
Peter T. Stephens, 1867-68.
Tunis Blauvelt, 1869, 71-73.
Isaac Van Nostrand, 1872-

77-
Nelson Stephens, 1874.
Barne Van Houten, 1879-80.
J. G. Demarest, 1881-82.
F. P. Demarest, 1883-84-

85.

Martin Knapp, i860.
Thomas L. De Noyelles,

1861-70-75.
Alfred Phillips, 1871-73.

Paul D. Spotte, 1874.
Joseph De Noyelles, 1876-

Authorities referred to : History of Clarkstown, by H. P. Fay. N. Y. S. Geological Re-
port, by W. W. Mather. Archivfe of the Rockland County Historical Society.

CHAPTER XXI.

STONY POINT.

DATE OF ERECTION— ORIGIN OF NAME— AREA^t-FIRST TOWN MEETING-
CENSUS— HISTORY OF GRASSY POINT— STONY POINT— TOMPKIN'S
COVE— CALDWELL'S, LANDING- DOODLETOWN—IONA ISLAND— STONY
POINT PROMONTORY— BEAR HILL— PINGYP HILL— THE HOUSE OF THE
GOOD SHEPHERD— LARGE TREES.

The people of Haverstraw township had seen two sections talcen from
their vast area and still their territory contained 27,084 acres. The de-
velopment of the brick industry and the growth of the limestone business
rapidly increased the population of the north end of this territory, and
the inhabitants of the present town of Stony Point, felt that they should
have a separate representative in the Board of Supervisors. With this
cause was combined another. Haverstraw has long had the reputation of
taking all political offices for her own people, and the inhabitants in the
north end of the township found, that when they desired some of the pub-
lic places, their wishes were unheeded as long as possible, and when re-
fusal would no longer be tolerated, only the smallest crumbs that fell from
the political table were allotted to them. These things bred ill-feeling,
dissatisfaction grew by a constant interchange of grievances between the
people who felt themselves injured, and at length the creation of a new
township was advocated and secured.

On March 20th, 1865, the town of Stony Point was erected by Act of
Legislature, with the following boundaries : " Beginning at a point on
the Hudson River, the southeast corner of the land of Abraham B. Con-
ger, about twenty-one chains southerly from the end of the steamboat
wharf at Grassy Point, and running thence south about eighty-five and
one-half degrees west eighteen chains to the 'Minisceongo Creek, and
southwest corner of said A. B. Conger's land ; ' thence along said Minis-
ceongo Creek, southerly, westerly and southerly, to the northeast corner of
the land known as the ' Silas D. Gardner farm ;' thence along said farm
south eighty-eight and one-half degrees, west fifty-four chains to the pub-
lic road leading from North Haverstraw to Benson's corner; thence along
said public road, and west line of the said Silas D. Gardner's farm five
chains and eighty-five links to southeast corner of the land of William C.

430.

and James A. Houseman ; thence along the Hne of said Houseman's land
to the south line of William Call's land, the south line of Washington
Waldron's land, the south line of Benjamin F. Valentine's land, and
through other lands, north sixty-six and three-quarters degrees west, one
hundred and thirty-five chains fifty links to an apple tree on the south side
of the public road in front of Hiram Phillip's house ; thence along said
road, on the south side to the junction of the Monroe and Haverstraw
Turnpike ; thence along the south side of said turnpike westerly to the di-
vision line between ' Great Mountains lots,' three and four; thence fol-
lowing said division line north forty-five degrees, west to the division
line between the Counties of Orange and Rockland ; thence along said
Orange County line northeasterly to the Hudson River ; thence along the
west shore of said Hudson River, southerly to the place of beginning."
The new township, which was named from that bold, rocky promontory
which Anthony Wayne made historical, contained 17,792 acres of land
much of it rocky and unfertile in the extreme.

The first town meeting was held on April nth, 1865, at the store of
Robert Kerr ; Frederick Tomkins, Abraham S. Vanderbilt, and George
Knapp presiding, and Wesley J. Weiant was elected Supervisor, Benson
Briggs, Town Clerk, and Alexander Waldron, Wesley J. Weiant, Alfred
M. Wiles and Josiah M. Dalson, Justices. By the Legislative act which
created the town, Henry M. Peck, Edwin Marks, Henry G. Knapp, Wil-
liam Benson, Abram Weyant, and Alexander Waldron were appointed
Commissioners, to apportion the town debt' on each town according to the
valuation of the real estate on the last assessment- roll of the town of
Haverstraw.

Owing to the nature of her land. Stony Point presents little induce-
ment for agricultural immigrants, and her population, slowly increasing,
is almost entirely located along the river banks. The census gives :

1865, - 2,186. 1875, 3,272.

1870, 3,205. 1880, 3,308.

GRASSY POINT. '

To the present observer, the dun-colored sand hills, crowned with a few
tumble-down shanties, the ugly clay-pits, the long rows of roofs covering
brick-kilns, and the clouds of smoke and dust that hang over this village
in summer, must cause its name to appear satirical. But there have been
other days for Grassy Point, when the beauty of its verdure, which grew
down to the very river edge, and its charming location made it a delight-
ful place for residence. It was in those days of pristine lovliness that the
name it now bears was given it.

431

In tracing the early transfers of land in Haverstraw, we found that by
purchase the property now embraced in the village came into the hands
of John Allison. Allison died in 1754 and left the tract to his son Joseph,
describing it in his will as " being a tract purchased of Albert Minnie and
others, bounded North and East by Hudson River, South by the moun-
tains, and running Westerly by Minisceongo Creek and the mountains."

Previous to his death, Joseph Allison gave to his sons John, William
and Joseph, a deed for all the land between Minisceongo Creek and
Hudson's River and the "Narrow Passage," described as "all that tract
of land in Haverstraw called the further neck, bounded North and East
by Hudson's River, West, by the marsh, or salt meadow, and South, by a
fence, as it runs across the narrow passage, and stands nearly opposite the
point of land and meadow of Mr. Thomas Hay's farm, on the west side of
the creek, containing 103 J^ acres, more or less." This land they were to
sell. If it brought £600, they were to retain that sum as their portion of
their inheritance ; if more, all over and above £600 was to be paid to
him.

On April 9th, 1798, this land was sold to Jacob Sabriska, who, in a
brief time, sold ,it to William Denning, Jr., and he, on July 4th, 1798,
sold it to his father, William Denning. This William Denning, Sr., was a
lawyer, who had accumulated sufficient wealth to permit of his passing his
summer months in the country. Not far from the end of Grassy Point, he
erected a handsome house, and remained a summer resident of our County
till the time of his death.

At the time Denning built his house, the whole tract of land above
described was heavily wooded with magnificent oak and chestnut trees.
At the mouth of Minisceongo Creek, which, by reason of a long strip of
meadow just southwest of the causeway that leads to Penny Bridge was
narrower than to-day, was a high hill or bluff covered with trees and
grass. At a later period, a small wharf was built which projected into the
creek just opposite Crum Island. After several years. Denning sold ten
acres at the south end of his purchase to William Smith, a nephew of
Joshua Hett Smith, who built a large two-story house on his purchase,
beautified the grounds, and gave to his place the name of Rosa Villa.

I have gone thus fully into detail to show that however much of a
misnomer Grassy Point may seem now, there was a time when the name
was appropriate. After the death of Denning, who was a brother-in-law
of Joshua Hett Smith, his property passed through the hands of Philip
Verplanck, Isaac L. Pratt, Dr. Lawrence Proudfoot, who bought it with
the intention of cutting it up into lots. It was Proudfoot who built the

432

•double house still standing near the steamboat wharf. At this time, the
tract was divided into three parts, of which the northernmost came into
the possession of David Munn in 1834, the middle one, after some trans-
fers, was purchased by A. B. Conger, and the third was bought by Thomas
Murphy and E. Warner as a speculation. The latter also purchased the
Crom farm, on the opposite side of the creek. In 1837, Murphy and
Warner failed, and their property later became the cause of the case of
Worall lis. Munn.

The first steamboat landing at Grassy Point was built by Dr Law-
rence Proudfoot about 1830, and for many years, owing to the depth of
water, it was the stopping place for steamers passing up and down the
river. Till the Rockland extended her trips to Haverstraw, this landing
was the shipping point for steam communication with the city for that
section of our County north of the mountain. The first hotel at Grassy
Point was kept bj'^ Dr. Proudfoot in his double house. On the north side
of that house was a small addition in which Proudfoot kept a small store
and bar, and in which the first post-office was opened. In 1845, O. C.
Gerow opened a general country store in a. building a few feet west of
Proudfoot's house. In 1848, James Creney opened a hotel at the Point,
on the property now occupied by Thomas Dinan, and kept it till 1850,
when he purchased property at Haverstraw and moved to that place.
The first lumber yard at the Point was started by W. F. B. & A. Gurnee
and George H. Smith.

In speaking of the industries of the County, mention was made of the
large iron works erected along Floras Falls Creek and of the brick yards
stretching along the river shore. Another industry now demands note.
In the spring of 1845, John I. Wiles moved from Orange county to
Grassy Point with his family, and opened a shop for the purpose of doing
business in the shape of blacksmith or wheelwright work. On the death
of John I. Wiles, in 185 1, the business, which even then had become
profitable, was carried on till 1855 under the name of F. J. & A, M. Wiles,
and from that time till 1861 under the name of V. J. Wiles & Co. Since
1 86 1 the business has been managed by A. M. & W. H. Wiles. As busi-
ness increased new works were added. In 1871, a foundry was built and
started, and at the present time this branch of industry, which began in
such a humble way, gives employment to many score men and is used in
manufacturing machinery for flour and saw mills and brick-making.

The number of vessels engaged in the transportation of brick from the
County made marine railways and ship yards near Haverstraw a vital
necessity. Snedeker's Landing had become a thing of the past and at

433

Tomkin's Cove and Peck's old dock were the only ship yards north of the
mountain. Regarding the opportunity as a good one, George L. Wicks
started a yard at Grassy Point where the depth of water wag favorable to
the enterprise, and put down a marine railway in the autumn of 1883.

The first post-office at Grassy Point was opened on July 30th, 1834,
with James De La Montanya as postmaster. On Aug. 21st, 1834, the
name of the office was changed to North Haverstraw, and it retained this
name till Sept. loth, 1836, when it was changed back to Grassy Point.
In 1838, Thomas Murphy became postmaster and held the position till
1844, when he was succeeded by Edward Strang and he in turn was followed
by Oliver C. Gerow in 1845. On Sept. sth, 1845, the office was discon-
tinued. On April 14th, 1871, the post-office at Grassy Point was re-es-
tablished with Alfred M. Wiles as postmaster.

NORTH HAVERSTRAW — FLORUS FALLS OR STONY POINT.

Eighteen years before the separation of the present township of Stony
Point from that of Haverstraw, the population in the northern part of the
territory had increased to such an extent as to warrant the establishment
of a post-office in that section. Through the effiirts of Dr. William
Govan, an office was established in his house and named North Haver-
straw.

The starting of this office made a change in the location of the busi-
ness centre in this section. Theretofore the thickest population had been
up the road toward Bulson's, and the few stores opened in the neighbor-
hood were nearer the old tavern than Dr. Govan's corner. The only
church edifice, that of the Methodist Society, which had been built in
1834, stood on the site of the present structure, and the prospect looked
altogether in favor of the village, which could already be forseen, starting
in that location. The establishment of the post-office stopped this growth
and created the present village.

This section bore the name of North Haverstraw till the separation of
the territory, and the erection of Stony Point township, when it was
changed to Flora Falls, the appellation of a pretty little cascade, which
falls into the creek of the same name by the district school house in the
present village of Stony Point. So evidently is this name a corruption of
Florus, that I have so entitled it. The original owner of this property
was Florus Crom. He, as well as others in the early days of settlement,
was spoken of by his Christian name and this cascade, being a good guide
to a locality and on Crom's property, was spoken of as Florus' Falls The
name of Flora Falls was attached to the village till 1870, when it took that
of Stony Point.

434

The post-office was established at this village on April ist, 1847, with
William Govan, M.D., postmaster. On May nth, 1850, Wm. Knight
was appointed postmaster and held the office till June 2Sth, 1853, when
Dr. Govan was re-appointed. On Nov. 17th, 1856, Wm. Brewster became
postmaster but held the office less than a month when he was superseded
December 13th, 1856, by Dr. Govan. On November i6th, i860, William
Penny was appointed to the office, and he has been followed by : William
Knight, from May 31st, 1861 to April 7th, 1870 — during his term of
office, on March 27th, 1865, the name of the office was changed from
North Haverstraw to Flora Falls ; Ezekiel O. Rose, from April 7th, 1870,
till January 21st, 1885 — during his term, on July 27th, 1870, the name
was changed from Flora Falls to Stony Point ; Mary A. Penny, from Jan-
uary 2ist, 1885 till August nth, 1885, and. the present postmaster,
Richard B. Stalter, August nth, 1885.

The first drug store in this village was opened by E. O. Rose in 1865,
and this was followed in 1883 by one opened by William Govan, M. D.
The first pubHc hall — AlHson's Hall — was built in 1873 by B. J. Allison.
Following the change produced by the establishment of the post-office,
Theodore Smith built a store on the site now occupied by the store of E.
O. Rose, which was occupied by William Knight, and in 1862 Richard
Marks built a store on the site of that now occupied by Joseph Penny.
This was destroyed by fire in March, 1865, being then occupied by Robert
Kerr.

In 1 844, William Knight bought the machinery which had been in use
in the chemical works of Waldron & Benson, and started a chemical work
for the manufacture of Pyroligneous Acid, not far from Cedar Pond. This
industry, which furnished acid for the Garnerville Print Works, gave em-
ployment to three or four men, and was continued till 1868.

TOMKINS' COVE.

On another page will be found the early title to this land. As early
as 1789, a small kiln had been started at the limestone cliffs by John
Crom but, as in the case with brick making and stone quarrying, little
was done before this century. From the time of Crom till 1838, nothing
seems to have been accomplished with the quarries, and at the time of
Daniel Tomkins' advent, the present scene of industry was a wilderness
of bushes and rocks. In fact, Tomkins discovered the limestone only by
searching carefully from Hoboken to the present Tomkins' Cove. During
and after his search, he made several trips on foot between Haverstraw
and Newark.

435

In the spring of 1838, having purchased twenty acres of land the
year before for $100 an acre, Daniel Tomkins embarked at Newark, N. J.,
onboard a sloop named, Co^M'yawc^, with. sixteen men, one woman, one
horse, one cow, and a small quantity of lumber, and set sail for his new
home. Upon arriving at the now thriving hamlet of Tomkins' Cove,
the men and women were landed by small boat, while the animals were
lowered into the water and allowed to find their own way to shore. A
shanty for shelter was at once erected, and on the following day the work
of quarrying out the limestone was begun.

This branch of business proved a success from the outset, and has
steadily continued to increase in importance. Beside the manufacture of
lime, the company owning the cliff has added to its business by crushing
lime stone for macadamizing purposes.

When first begun, the business at Tomkins' Cove was carried on
under the name of Tomkins, Hadden & Co. At a later period, the firm
was changed to Calvin Tomkins & Co., and the members were Calvin
and Daniel Tomkins and Walter Searing. In 1859, the Tomkins' Cove
Lime Company was formed, and since that time the business has been
conducted in its name.

The establishment of one industry soon led to a demand for another,
and about 1842, a store was opened near the landing by Calvin Tomkins
& Co. In 1850, the ship yard was started, and a marine railway laid
down for the accommodation of vessel owners. It may not be uninter-
esting to know in this connection that the original vessel which brought
the immigrants to the Cove, the Contrivance, is still in a good state of,
preservation, and makes regular trips to and from New York city.

Until 1874, the old district school house, a small wooden building
which was open for only a brief period during each year, was the sole
educational institution in this section. Then the present Union School
edifice, was erected, and presented to the public by Calvin Tomkins.

The post-office at this place was established March isth, i860, with
Warren Searing as the first post-master. He held the office till January
25th, i872,when he was succeeded by Walter T. Searing, who fills the posi-
tion at the present time.

GIB-RALTAR — CALDWELL'S LANDING.

At the point of the frowning Thunder Mountain, called by its Dutch
name, Donderberg, Joshua Colwil, a descendant of John Cholwell, one of
the original patentees of the Cheesecocks patent, had made a home before,
the beginning of this century, and on. March 19th, 1800, was granted by

436

Legislative act, the right, in conjunction with Joseph Travis, of Peekskill,
to run a ferry across the river from his landing to that of Travis. By
what means Colwil's name became transferred to Caldwell is as unknown
as the change from Chowell to Colwil, but it did become so altered, and
the old name of Gibraltar gradually gave way to that of the first ferryman.
A short time ago, one Charles H. Jones, a resident of Long Island, who
owned some property at Caldwell's, exerted influence enough to get the
railroad company and post-office authorities to give his name to the Point.
Who this Jones is ; what d .eds he has performed that should entitle him,
a stranger to our soil, to grace old Donderberg with his name, I have yet
to learn. It is to be hoped that sooner or later the residents of Stony
Point township will demand a change of the name back to Caldwell's.

At Caldwell's was carried on one of those visionary schemes that will
be possible so long as people shall seek wealth without labor. On a pre-
ceding page I have said, that when the heavy ordnance was being
moved from Stony to West Point, on its abandonment by the Americans,
the flat boats engaged in the transportation were fired on by the Vulture
and one of them sunk. In later days, a rumor was started to the effect
that the famous pirate. Captain William Kidd, had lost his vessel at this
point, and that untold treasure lay at the bottom of the river awaiting
recovery. One story has it that a prospector for gold started the tale by
his implicit confidence in his divining rod, which is reputed to have indi-
cated the presence of gold at this spot ; and, that on a superficial drag of
the bottom a cannon was brought up. Another story is to the effect that
a cannon fouled the anchor fluke of a sloop, and was hove up by the
sailors.

' Without pausing to learn how the cannon was discovered, enough to
know that such an event did occur and was at once taken advantage of
to obtain money. A stock company, named the Kiifd Salvage Company,
was formed June 20th, 1 844, and a large amount of stock was put on the
market in January 1845. A prospectus in pamphlet form, called " Wonder-
ful Mesmeric Revelations, giving an account of the discovery and a de-
scription of a sunken vessel near Caldwell' s Landing, supposed to be that of
the pirate, Kidd, including an account of his character and death at a dis-
tance of nearly 3,000 miles from the place" was published. Then a coffer
dam was built at the extreme end of the Point, and a steam engine set at
work pumping it clear. Some cannon were found, one of which was set
in the curb at the corner of Wall and Broad streets. New York City, and
one passed into the possession of William Blakely, of Verplanck's Point.
Work was continued at this folly till 1848, from one to three

437

dozen men being constantly employed ; stock was floated in England
as well as in this country ; a fortune was expended in keeping the
dam intact against the tremendous pressure of water, and then — the en-
gine stopped ; the laborers disappeared, the stock company passed from
existence, the Sheriff wound up the business, and the English cannon, cap-
tured by Anthony Wayne, and thought to have been destroyed by a shot
from the Vulture, were returned to land to oxidize and become dust.

Abram V. Thompson and. his son-in-law, Henry Sheldon, were active
in the management of this transaction. Mr. Crane was the engineer in
charge of the work. The property was bought by William Blakely, of
Verplanck's Point.

The post office at Caldwell's was opened in October, 1885, with James
A. De Groot as post master. Another event in the history of Caldwell's
calls for mention. In the war of 1812, it was soon demonstrated that the
hope of the United States lay in her fleet, and the Navy received every
encouragement. A new yard was planned, less exposed to attack than
that at Brooklyn, and Caldwell's Landing was talked of because of its
safety, and the great depth of water at it. But, according to the tradition still
preserved in this section, the legislatoi-s who decided on this spot, reckoned
without their host. Colwil, or Caldwell was a Federalist of the most pro-
nounced type. In his estimation, as in that of many of his confreres, the
war with England was not only needless, but actually iniquitous, and he
would lend no hand in the struggle. With this feeling, he placed so dis-
proportionate a valuation on his property that the Government at once
abandoned the project.

DOODLETOWN.

On the north side of Donderberg, and extending from that mountain
north to Peploaps or Fort Montgomery Creek, and from the inlet west of
lona Island to the Orange county line, is a vast tract of inhosjjitable
mountain and rock which bears the name of Doodletown. How this name
was obtained is a matter for conjecture. At the time of the battle of Forts
Clinton and Montgomery, the assaulting forces divided in this section and
that division under Sir Henry Clinton, which formed the right wing, had a
severe conflict with the American Militia at Highland Lake. That militia
was composed of farmer lads, few of them over five and twenty years of
age, and one of these boys may, in his enthusiasm, have shouted out
" Give them Yankee Doodle !" a song that was even then popular. The
shiboleth thus uttered clung to the spot and gave it its cognomen.

It is needless to say that this locality is sparsely settled, and that only
by woodmen who are engaged in cutting and hauling wood to the land-

438

ing northwest of lona Island, for the brickyards, and their famihes. When
Beveridge bought lona Island, he attempted to civilize this section and
erected a church edifice, of which I have already spoken, in 1851. Day
school is held during nine months of the year in this building, which is
called the Mountville Church. Mountville is populated, by one occupied
house, and a family residing in the basement of the church. At the north
end of Doodletown, is Highland Lake, and the Pell mansion on the site
of Fort Clinton.

lONA ISLAND.

The original name .of this place was " Waggons " a corruption of
" Weyant's Island," being so called after the name of its owner. In 1847,
it was purchased by John Beveridge, of Newburgh, and on it his son-
in-law, Dr. E. W. Grant, began the cultivation of vines, and the propaga-
tion of the " lona Grape" in 1858. At one time a vineyard of twenty
acres, several thousand fruit trees, and eleven houses for the culture of
grapes, were in operation. Dr. Grant carried on business till 1 868. Then
he failed in business, and his property was taken by De Graff, who ob-
tained the mortgage against it from the Bowery Savings Bank. The '
Island was hired by Hasbrouck & Busnell, and fitted up as an excursion
ground. It remained in the possession of these managers for some time,
and then fell into other hands by whom it has since been carried on as a
pleasure ground for excursion parties.

The territory of lona Island consists of about 200 acres of marsh land,
which is overflowed at high tide, 60 acres of rocky woodland and about
40 acres of soil cleared for tillage. The Island is at the northern limit of
the sea breeze.

STONY POINT PROMONTORY.

We have already traced the ownership of the Point till it passed into
the possession of the heirs of Rachel Lamb. On May 17th, 1802, James
Lamb Armstrong sold one-eighth of the tract to Richard W. Brewster.
Later, Abraham and wife sold one-eighth to Samuel Brewster, Catharine
Waldron sold one-fourth to Wm. H. Brewster, and Cornelius Waldron and
his wife sold one-eighth to the same purchaser.

In 1 826, the National Government purchased a site on the Point for
the erection of a lighthouse, and on March 23d, 1826, the State Legisla-
ture ceded the land to the United States. Difficulty in obtaining a title
was found, owing to the existence of minor heirs and of heirs residing in
other parts of the country. To obviate this difficulty, an act was passed
appointing Commissioners to appraise the land and report its value. These

439

Commissioners valued the lot taken at $300, and the title was then de-
clared vested in the United States, the money being deposited with the
Court of Chancery, and the proceedings recorded in the County Clerk's
office. The lot chosen includes the old fortifications within which the
lighthouse stands. This house is 179 feet above the sea level and burns
a "fixed white light." The fog signal is a bell struck by machinery at
intervals of fifteen seconds.

On July i6th, 1850, a demonstration occurred at Stony Point in honor
of the seventy-first anniversary of its capture by General Wayne. Gen-
eral Aaron Ward of Sing Sing presided and addresses were delivered by
Hon. Hugh Maxwell, A. B. Conger, William Nelson of Peekskill and Ed-
ward Pye. It rained furiously all day. In 1857, the cornerstone of a
monument to commemorate its capture by Wayne, was laid at Stony
Point with imposing ceremony. Speeches were made by Hon. Amasa J.
Parker, Hon. B. V. Butler, Erastus Brooks, A. B. Conger, Colonel Scrug-
ham, and John Lawrence De Noyelles, and letters read from Franklin
Pierce, Ex-President ; Martin Van Buren, Ex-President ; Hon. John A.
King, Lewis Cass, Daniel S. Dickenson, Hamilton Fish, Washington Irving
and others. At the centennial anniversary of the capture of the Point
this corner stone was looked for and was found wanting.

On J-uly i6th, 1879, occurred the looth anniversary of the capture of
the Point. A great celebration was planned, in which civic and military
powers should take part and in which the National, State and County
governments should be represented. On the part of the National govern-
ment a detachment of artillery was sent to the Point by General Schofield
commanding at West Point, and the vessels of war, Minnesota and Con-
gress were anchored in the stream. On the part of the State, the 7th
Brigade N. G. S., N. Y. was ordered to be present. The intense heat of
the day — 102 deg. in the shade — the limited space on the summit of the
Point, the lack of sufficient preparation for the multitude that attended,
all combined to render the demonstration less successful than was hoped
for.

BEAR HILL AND PINGYP HILL.

The former mountain, situated on the west border of Highland Lake,
rises to a height of more than 1,000 feet above the lake, and 1,123 feet
above sea level. The latter mountain is situated in the western part of
the town, on the Cedar Pond road, three and three-quarter miles from
Stony Point village. In regard to the origin of the name, one story at-
tributes it to the gorge, claiming that the name means a narrow passage.
I incline to the opinion of Wm. Govan, M. D., that it is derived from the

440

Latin word piniger, meaning pine-bearing, as the mountains in this vicinity
were formerly heavily wooded by that tree.

The charitable institution known as the House of the Good Shepherd,
is situated in a beautiful location in the town, and is devoted to the noble
work of caring for homeless orphans. This institution originated in the
village of Haverstraw in 1865, when Rev. E. Gay, Jr., then rector of
Trinity parish, was left, by the death of their parents, in charge of seven
orphans. A house on the corner of Broad street and Broadway was taken
in that village, and Mrs. Sarah A. Waters employed as a matron. On
April 1st, 1866, the children were removed to Garnerville and remained
theretill 1872, when through appropriations of $17,000 by the State Legis-
lature and donations of $12,000 from individuals, the managers were ena-
bled to purchase the property and erect the buildings now owned by them.

For the first five years of its existence, the institution was regarded
as a " parish home of Trinity " parish. In 1870, a board of managers was
incorporated by act of Legislature under the title of " The House of the
Good Shepherd, Rockland County, New York," and consisted of the fol-
lowing members : E. Gay, Jr., Hon. James M. Nelson, Wm. Govan, M.
D., John Taylor, Francis Payson, Charles H. Dabney, A. G. Wood, S.
Russell, Jr., Frederick Tomkins, S. G. Hitchcock, Rev. Franklin Babbitt,
R. S. Mansfield, Walter Delafield, George W. Burr, and Wm. fl. Tom-
lins. In this institution the children are taught the common branches of
education and the various industries of farm, household and family life.

Two trees, standing within the township of Stony Point, deserve notice
for their size, and in the case of one, for its historical association. On the
road which passes the residence of John De Camp, and opposite that resi-
dence, is a magnificent walnut tree, which antedates tradition. At the
height of a foot from the earth, the trunk of this veteran measures 17 feet,
6 inches in circumference. A short distance northeast of the Treason
House, and in a field on the opposite side of the highway, stands another
magnificent walnut tree, which measures 21 feet, 3 inches in circumference
at a height of one foot from the earth.

Under this latter tree, it is said, that the Continental Army was paid
while in this County. It may be a cause for rejoicing to learn that the
Continental Army was ever paid anywhere. Originally there were two
trees at this spot, and both were purchased by a keen speculator. One
was cut down and made up into furniture, which was sold at exorbitant
prices as relics. Ere the other could be cut down, a popular clamor
against the desecration had arisen in the neighborhood, and the purchaser
abandoned his project.

441

SUPERVISORS.

Wesley J. Weiant, 1865-66. Hiram Osborn, 1876^77.
Daniel Tomkins, 1867. William E. King, 1878-79.

George W. Weiant, 1870-75.

TOWN CLERKS.

Frederick Tomkins, 1868-

69-1880-84.
William K. Hammond, 1885.

Benson Briggs, 1865.

Edward A. Thompson.

Authorities referred to: "Session Laws, S. N. Y.;" " U. S. and State Census Reports;"
" History of Stony Point,'' by Rev. E. Gay, Jr.; "History of Haverstraw," and lectures;
"Thirty Years in Rockland County," by Rev. A. S. Freeman, D. D.; "Nautical Almanac;"
Lossing's " Hudson from its Source to the Sea."

442

APPENDIX A.

LIST OF VOLUNTEERS BESIDE THOSE ALREADY GIVEN.

In regard to the following list of volunteers from Rockland County, in the Civil War, I would
state that I have taken the names from newspapers, muster rolls and the memories of veterans. 1
regard the list as most imperfect so far as completeness goes. Repeated efforts to have the
friends of volunteers, or veterans themselves, send their names together with the arm of the ser-
vice to which they belonged, and other data relative to their war life to me, have failed. To ac-
cept the rolls of the G. A. R. Posts would be incorrect because many veterans have moved from
the County whose names do not appear and many names do appear of veterans who were not resi-
dents of Rockland, at the time of enlistment. I can only advise the people of the County once
again, that it would be wise to send the names of relatives or friends who enlisted from this County
to the Historical Society, before it be too late. The least claim a veteran can have upon us, is
that his name should be recorded in history. »

The following names are taken from the Rockland County Messenger, of 1861 :

Jones, John C.

Jones, Noble

Jones, Morton

Jordon, Frank

Johnson, Alonzo

Kunzle, Conrad*

Kinch, Gilbert

Osborn, Chas.

Palmer, John Sr.,

Palmer, John Jr., 95th Regt.

Pince, John

Holden, Dennis

Hadler, Fred.

Hassler, Lewis

Herring, C. B.
Morrisy, John
Hutton, Fred.
Haight, Wm. H.
Feller, Chas. B.
Wallace, Wm. 1st N. Y. V.
Wallace, John
Weymouth, Wm.*
Wilkins, J. W.
Olmstead, F.

Goodrich, Chas. lythN.Y.V.
Gernand, Philip 17th N.Y.V
.\cton, Joseph
Brown, Geo. A.
The following are taken from different official sources :

From 9Sth Regt., iV. Y. S., Vols., and other regiments.

Conklin, Eugene

Conner, John

Calhoun, J. W.

Seely, C. B.

Singler, Augustus*

Curtis, John

Dennis, J. W.

Domminick, L.

Kenny, Jas.

Miller, John

Matthews, Orin

Matthews, Wm. 17th N.Y.V

Tompkins, S. B.

Tremper, Daniel 17th N. Y. V.

Dikens, Wm.*
Blauvelt, Wm.*
Kelly, James
Burns, Patrick
Lupton, John
Gardenier, Geo. M. D.
Garrison, Jno. W.
Lusk, Sidney* 87th N.Y.V.
Smith, Herman *66th N.Y.V
Campbell, John D.*
Conklin, Peter A. i66th N.

Y. V.
Dyson, John 6ist, N. Y. V.
Onderdonk, J. H.* 128th,

N. Y. V.
Thompson, Uriah* 26th, U.

S. Vols.
Rembon, Carl
McGeorge, Wm.
Decker, John H.

McClellan, Wm.
Dyson, Wm.
Studley, Jno. H.
Herbert, Theo.
Brown, Geo. M.
McGovern, Chas.
Brooks, Wm E.

Boyd, John

Fenton, Jas. L.* Engineers'
& Mechanics' Regt.

Matthews J. B. Navy.

Brooks, John, Navy.

Brockway, John H.*Navy.

Brockway, Ezekiel* Navy.

Tremper, George* 146th, N.
Y. V.

McManus, John

Jordan, Patrick

Adams, Robt.

Ferguson, Joe.

Tompkins, Fred. Quartermaster, 6th N. Y. Heavy Artillery,
Tompkins, Theodore F.* 6th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.

Barnes, Alexander
Avery, Chas. A.
Beisinger, Edw.
Stiners, George
Mott, Wm.
Maroney, Geo.
Garrison, f. M.*
Collins, Austin, * l73d,N.Y.V.
Miller, S. A.* 12th U. S. A.
Ulrich, M* 4th N. Y. Art.
Cisco, Francis* 26th U. S.

Vols.
Lowe, Michael
PhiUips, J. S.
Pitt, Sylvester
Phillips, Joe.
Oldfield, George*
Foster, Richard* Navy.
Miller, A.
Brewer, Edw.

443

The following members of the 17th N. Y. S. M., held the rank opposite their names in the
volunteer troops raised in New York State to serve in the Civil War :

Pye, Edw. Col. gsth Regt. Gurnee, A. S. Captain 95th. Cowdory, S. F. Captain i62d

Burnes, B. B. Captain 95th,
Snediker, Abr. Captain 9Sth.
Brewster, D. 1st Lieut. 95th

Regt.
Williard, J. Lieut-Col.

Creeney, James Lieut-Col.

95th Regt.
Jenkins, Jno. P. Adjutant

6th Art.
Keesler, ist Lieut 95th Regt.

Regt.
Mackey, S. G. Captain 95 th

Regt.
Eiggs, R. 1st Lieut. 9Sth

Regt.

*Died in service.

John SufTern, March 21st,

1798.
James Perry, March 26th,

1806.
Samuel Goetchius, March

1st, 1816.

Peter Taulman, 1 798.
Tunis Smith, 1807.
Peter Taulman, i8o8.
Garret Onderdonk, 1 810.

Edward Suffern, 1818.
John T. Smith, 1820.
William F. Eraser, 1833.
Horatio G. Prall, 1847.

John R. Coe, 18

David Pye, 1798.
Abraham Cornelison, 1805.
Thomas Howard, Jr., 1808,

1811.
John Cole, 1810.

APPENDIX B.

CIVIL LIST OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

COUNTY JUDGES.

Edward Suffern, June ist,

1820.
William F. Fraser, June,

1847.
Edward Pye, November,

1855.

SURROGATES.
Richard Blauvelt, 1 81 1.
Bernard O'Blenis, 1820.
James Stephens, 1821.
John Van Houten, 1829.

_ DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, t

Andrew E. Suffern, 1853.^
Thomas Lawrence, 1859.
Marcena M.Dickinson, 1862.
L. V. E. Robinson, 1868.
Hiram B. Fenton, 1869.

COUNTY TREASURERS.il

Matthew D. Bogert, 1851.
John B. Gurnee, 1869.

COUNTY CLERKS.

David Pye, 1822.
James Stevens, 1828.
David Pye, 1831.
Abraham Hogencamp, 1834.
Isaac A. Blauvelt, 1846. ^
Cyrus M. Crum, 1868.

Andrew E. Suffern, 1859.
*Seth B. Cole, March 28th,

i88i.
George W. Weiant, 1881.

John J. Wood, 1837.
George Benson, 1841.
Horatio G. Prall, 1845.
County Judges since 1847.

Delos McCurdy, 1872.J:
Seth B. Cole, 1872.
Marcena M. Dickinson, 1875 .
Alonzo Wheeler, 1878.

Daniel D. Demarest, 1875.

Abraham De Baun,^ 1850 —

June.
John E. Hogencamp, 1850

— November.
Abraham A. Demarest, 1856.

Jacob Wood, 1798.
Peter Taulman, 1799.
Peter Stevens, 1800, 1808,
1811.

SHERIFFS.

Richard Blauvelt, 1831.
Harmon Blauvelt, 1834.
John W. Felter, 1837.
John C. Blauvelt, 1840.

William Perry, 1858.
Daniel C. Springsteen, 1864,

1870.
William J. Penny, 1867.

444

Even Hogencamp, 1804.
Isaac Blanch, 1810.
Thomas Hay, 18^14.
John B. Haring, 1818, 1821,

1828.
Abraham Stephens, 1820.
A. P. Stephens, 1825.

Archibald Cassady, 1^43.
Asbory DeNoyellesf 1846.
Hageman Onderdonk, 1849.
Henry L. Sherwood, 1852.
John H. Stephens, 1855,
1861.

Charles B. Benson, 1873.
William Hutton, 1876.
Henry Christie, 1879.
John A. Haring, 1882.
William A. Thompson, 1885.

Edward Suffern, 1859.
Simeon D, Demarest, 1862.
Nicholas C. Blauvelt, 1865.

SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS. ir

Leander V. E. Robinson,

1868.
Thos. W. Suffern, 1880,

1883.

Nelson Puff, 1871.
Spencer Wood, 1874.
William Van Wagenen, 1877.

* Seth B. Cole was appointed to fill unexpired term of A. E, Suffern, deceased.

T Previous to 1818, Rockland, with Delaware, Dutchess and Ulster Counties, formed the 9th
District, in which this office was filled by appointment.

t Filled vacancy, caused by resignation of incumbent.

II Previous to the Constitution of 1846, this office was filled by appointment by the Super-
visors.

J Appointed, vice Blauvelt, deceased.

If The office of County Superintendent of Common Schools was held by Nicholas G. Blau-
velt, appointed in 1843. Office abolished in 1847. Previous to 1857, School Commissioners
were appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

%