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Full text of "General history of Duchess County from 1609 to 1876, inclusive"

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GENERAL HISTORY 



OF 



DUCHESS COUNTY 



FROM 



1609 TO 1876, INCLUSIVE 



ILLUSTRATED WITH 

NUMEROUS WOOD-CUTS, MAPS AND FULL 
PAGE ENGRAVINGS. 



By PHILIP H. SMITH 



PAWLING, N. Y. : 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 

1877. 



Entered according to act of Congress, in tlie year 1877, by 

PHILIP II. SMITH, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, D. C. 



DKLACET fc WALSH, Printers, Amenia, N. Y. 



PREFACE. 



HISTORY of DUCHESS COUNTY, one of the wealthiest, 
most intelligent, and most abundant in historical mate 
rials of all the shires of the State of New York, has 
never before been written. A large proportion of her 
sister counties have had their historians. Putnam, form 
erly part of DUCHESS, Orange, Ulster, and Litchfield in Con 
necticut, have each been made the subject of a volume of his 
tory, in which the eminent deeds of her children have been 
recorded for the instruction and entertainment of cotempora- 
ries and posterity. Whether the present volume will supply 
the deficiency remains for a discerning public to determine. 

In behalf of his efforts the author would state that all his 
spare moments have been devoted to this object for a period 
of nearly three years. During this time he has traveled 
through each town, visiting places of interest, and noting down 
the more important matters that came in his way ; copying old 
records, and questioning the oldest inhabitants in relation to 
the early history of the localities. 

He has also made free use of such authorities at hand as 
would aid him in the work. He has aimed to avoid burdening 
the pages in the body of the book with unnecessary references, 
w r hich, while they may lend the appearance of authenticity to 
the volume, serve but to confuse the general reader. He 
would, however, acknowledge the following as having been of 



8 PREFACE. 

great assistance, and trusts this acknowledgment will be 
sufficient: " History of Amenia," by Newton Reed; "Blake s 
History of Putnam County;" Bailey s and Brinckerhoff s 
works on Fishkill ; " The Hudson, from the Wilderness to the 
Sea," " The Pictorial History of the Revolution," and other 
works and papers bv Lossing; " Bolton s History of Westches 
ter ;" "O Callaghan s History of New Netherlands ;" " Dunlap s 
History of New York ;" " New York Historical Collections ;" 
SpafTord s, Disturnell s, French s, and Smith s Gazetteers ; 
" Moulton s History of New York ;" and other sources space 
would fail us to mention. 

In the portion devoted to the history of the churches of 
the county, the effort has been made to deal impartially with 
all denominations. If more space has been given to one 
society than another, it is because the facts connected there 
with have been preserved with more care, and made more easy 
of reference. A word in relation to the wood-cuts which are 
embodied in the work. The sketches were, in most cases, made 
directly from the buildings, and engraved on wood, by the 
author. As these constitute the first and only work of the 
kind ever attempted by him, the reader will kindly pardon the 
deficiency if not quite up to the standard of artistic excellence. 
It was suggested that the book would lack an essential feature 
if devoid of illustrations ; and as the expense of having the 
engraving done at a regular establishment, would more than 
balance the profits that could reasonably be expected from the 
sale of the book, the author was, from necessity, forced to do 
the work himself. They are believed, on the whole, to be as 
truthful as cuts usually are. 

The writer is well aware that he cannot expect to please all 
classes alike. What, to one person, would be of no conse 
quence, would be replete with interest to another. The effort 
has been made to abridge so as not to weary the patience of 
the general reader, and at the same time not to omit what 
might prove interesting and important ; while it is believed 
nothing superflous has been inserted. If any reader finds his 
favorite theme has not been dwelt upon as profusely as he 
could wish, he should bear in mind that another is the better 
pleased for the abridgement. If, in the subsequent chapters, 
there should be found a little tendency toward the romantic, 
suffice it to say that by far the greater portion of readers find 
delight in such topics. The romance of a locality is as much a 
part of its history, as is the name of its occupant, or the value 
of its land per acre. 



PREFACE. 9 

It is believed that the outline map, which forms a part of 
the work, will add not a little to its value. The preparation of 
the stone on which it is printed necessitated an original outlay 
of a considerable sum. and is believed to be one of the 
most complete of the kind ever issued in a local history, giving, 
as it does, many of the minor details only to be found in 
expensive maps. 

The author expects to be reminded of errors and omissions. 
He lays no claim to perfection. But he has the- satisfaction of 
knowing he has done the best he could under existing circum 
stances. Had he more leisure and means at command, he is 
confident he could have added much more that might prove of 
interest. It has been his object to make a book that would 
be read, rather than praised and not read, as would most 
likely be the case with a strictly statistical work. 

It may not be egotistic to state that this volume, whatever 
its merits may be, is essentially the work of the County, both 
as regards its literary and its mechanical execution. A home 
made article is always the more prized from its being the work 
of ourselves. 

The writer takes great pleasure in acknowledging the many 
favors shown by individuals of the different towns, by way of 
aiding him in the collection of data. Many friendships have 
been formed, which he values as he would life-long acquain 
tances. Did he not think their modesty forbids, he would be 
pleased to mention them by name in this connection. 

In conclusion, if the results of the efforts embodied in this 
volume shall be to rescue one fact from oblivion, the perpetua- 
ation of which will prove beneficial to the community ; or if 
its perusal shall suffice to while away an agreeable hour around 
the evening lamp, the author will consider his work has not 
been in vain. PHILIP H. SMITH. 

Pawling, N. Y., 1876. 



CONTENTS. 



MAP OF THE COUNTY 

TITLE PAGE 5 

PREFACE 7 9 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 10 1 1 

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 1 2 1 4 

ORTHOGRAPHY OF NAME 15 16 

ABORIGINES 17 22 

EARLIEST MENTION 23 24 

TOPOGRAPHY 25 26 

GEOLOGY INCLUDING MINERALOGY 27 30 

BOTANY 31 3 6 

ZOOLOGY 37 4 

PATENTS 41 47 

COUNTY ORGANIZATION 48 50 

MILITARY HISTORY 51 96 

GENERAL HISTORY 97 108 

AMENIA 109 131 

10 



CONTENTS. I I 

BEEKMAN 132 143 

CLINTON 1 44 1 48 

DOVER 149 173 

FISHKILL INCLUDING KAST FISHKILL AND WAP- 

PINGER 174 2 I 4 

HYDE PARK 215 225 

LAGRANGE 226 235 

MILAN 236 240 

NORTHEAST 241 256 

PAWLING 257 297 

PINE PLAINS 298 323 

PLEASANT VALLEY 324 331 

POUGHKEEPSIE 332 371 

RED HOOK 372 385 

RHINEBECK 386 406 

STANFORD 407 416 

UNION VALE 417 422 

WASHINGTON 423 434 

WAPPINGER 435 

APPENDIX A COMPRISING TOWNS IN PUTNAM Co. .439 471 

APPENDIX B 472 501 

GENERAL INDEX 502 507 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



1. Frontispiece View of Poughkeepsie, 4 

2. Hut of Lavina Carter, Schaghticoke, 20 

3. Maringoman s Castle, Chief of Waoranacks, 22 

4. Plan of Fort Constitution, 58 

5. Beverly Robinson House, 63 

6. Winegar House, in 

7. Round Top Meeting House (restored), 114 

8. Old Separate Meeting House, 117 

9. House built by Deacon Barlow, 124 

10. Old John Boyd House, 125 

1 1. Delamater House, 127 

1 2. Old Hoag House, 129 

13. Old House near Amenia, 131 

14. Freemanville Palace, 135 

15. Episcopal Church (Poughquag), 136 

1 6. Col. Vanderburgh House, 140 

17. Joshua Burch House (restored), 141 

1 8. Old Poughquag Tavern, 142 

19. Noxon House, 142 

20. Old Mill at Hibernia, 145 

21. Creek Quaker Church (Clinton), 145 

12 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 13 

22. Dover Stone Church from the outside looking in, .... 152 

23. Dover Stone Church from the inside looking out,. . . 153 

24. Oldest House in Dover, 159 

25. The Morehouse Tavern, 160 

26. Branch Preparative Church, 168 

27. The Teller Mansion, 188 

28. The Wharton House, 191 

29. The Verplanck House, 198 

30. Old Dutch Stone Church, 208 

3 r. Episcopal Church (Fishkill), 210 

32. Stone House, near Landing (Hyde Park) 218 

33. Stone House at East Park, 219 

34. Moore s Mill Rear View, 229 

35. Old Hotel Stand at Sprout Creek, 232 

36. Old Wilbur Mill, 237 

37. The " Lafayette House," 239 

38. House built by Ezra Clark, 252 

39. Pawling Institute, to face page 272 

40. Old Catholic Church, Pawling, to face page 273 

41. The Kirby House, 274 

42. LaFayette s Headquarters, 279 

43. Hicksite Church (Quaker Hill), 281 

44. Tom Howard s Hotel, 290 

45. Old House (Pawling), 291 

46. Johnson Meeting House, 294 

47. Monument, 296 

48. Shekomeko in 1745, 313 

49. Monument at Wechquadnack, 316 

50. Buettnor s Monument, 316 

51. The Lasher House, 318 

52. Old Pine Tree (Pine Plains), 319 

53. Ruins of the Harris Scythe Factory, 320 

54. Cotton Factory of Garner & Co., 325 

55. Baptist Church (Pleasant Valley), 330 

56. Soldiers Fountain, to face page 336 

57. Views in Eastman s Park, to face page 360 



14 ILLUSTRATIONS. 

58. Van Kleeck House, 340 

59. Livingston s Mansion, 341 

60. Clear Everett House, 343 

6 1. Old Quaker Church, Mill Street, 353 

62. Court House (Poughkeepsie). 355 

63. City Hall (Poughkeepsie), 359 

64. Catholic Church, Cannon Street, 362 

65. Jewish Synagogue (Poughkeepsie), 365 

66. Horse Ferry Boat. 366 

67. Collingwood Opera House, 371 

68. Country School House, 383 

69. Monument at Madalin, 384 

70. Heermance House, 400 

71. Montgomery House, 401 

72. The Village Smithy, 406 

73. Paul Upton s House, 412 

74. Old Skidmore Mill, 418 

75. Nine Partner s Boarding School (restored), 428 

76. Duchess County Alms House (Washington), 432 

77. Putnam County Poor House (Kent), 452 

78. Diagram of Duchess County, 100 years ago. to face page 500 

79. Poughkeepsie Bridge -as it will appear when finished, 508 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



ORTHOGRAPHY OF NAME. 



HOULD DUCHESS be spelled wither without the "/?" 
Usage, say some, should determine its orthography, no 
matter how the name originated. If this rule prevails, it 
is difficult to conceive how any change in a language can 
ever legitimately occur. The worst faults in a language have 
the prerogative of usage in their favor, and should there 
fore be allowed to remain. 

A grievous error was committed when the "k" was clipped 
from almanack, systematic/^, and the "" expunged from 
rumour, odour, &c. In olden times they wrote Rhme&r^, 
Viskill; and Poughkeepsie was written in every imaginable 
way except the one now generally adopted : why not do so 
now ? 

It must be admitted the English language has been greatly 
strengthened and made more musical by the changes it has 
underwent since the earlier writers ; but all these improvements 
have been of necessity in opposition to usage, and which of 
them ought of right to prevail ? 

Says a. writer in the New York Evening Post, speaking of 
this subject : "A curious error in orthography has crept in 
it being usually spelled with a / possibly from association 
with the early Dutch settlers along the Hudson. A similar 

15 



1 6 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

mistake is made in the spelling of Litchfield, a town and county 
in Connecticut, whereas the English Lichfield, whence the name 
comes, is never so spelled." 

In the present volume the / has been left out, believing 
this to be the correct spelling. We submit the following, by 
a standard authority, by way of substantiating our position : 

"DEAR SIR: In reply to your inquiry, I state that the 
name of our county was given in compliment to the Duchess 
of York, whose husband, the Duke of York, received from his 
brother, King Charles the Second of England, a grant of the 
territory in America, then known as New Netherland, and 
now as the States of New York and New Jersey. 

The title of Duchess, the wife of a Duke, was derived from 
the French, in which language it is spelled duchesse. Previous 
to the publication of Dr. Johnson s English Dictionary in 1755, 
the word was spelled in the English language with a letter /. 
Johnson dropped the / and also the final e of the French word, 
and it has ever since been correctly written in English, duchess. 

With the change in the orthography of the word in the 
standard lexicon of the English language, the spelling of the 
title of our county should have been changed in our records 
and elsewhere. The error has been perpetuated, not for any 
reason, but through mere inadvertence. 

I earnestly hope that you will have the name of our County 
spelled without a / in your forthcoming history, because it is 
right, and not perpetuate an error, because of hoary prece 
dents. Yours, &c., BENSON J. LOSSING. 



"ABORIGINES. 



f HE history of the; present limits of DUCHESS COUNTY, 
prior to 1682, belongs to the Red Man.* But those 
ages in which he lived undisputed possessor of the soil 
are as a sealed book, to which the historian turns in 
-vain for the records of the past. 

There are those who write that this section of country 
was without Indian habitations. Such, too, was the dream in 
.regard to the land of the Iroqiwis, until Sullivan s blazing torch 
lighted the hills and valleys with the crackling flames of forty 
Inirning villages. Yet tradition, and the somewhat fragmen 
tary history that has been gleaned, abundantly show that these 
forest clad hills once resounded with the war-whoop, and the 
^moke from the wigwam ascended from the valley, f 

After the advent of the Europeans, the Indians were gradu 
ally dispossessed of their happy hunting grounds, sometimes by 
purchase, and not unfrequently by fraud.! 

* Near the border* of this county, in the State of Connecticut, evidences have boon 
sTrtssid of a grand seat of tlie native inhabitants of this country before the Indians, who 
lit rely inhabited it. had any residence here. There are stone pots, knives of a. peculiar 
(cfnd, and various other utensils of such curious workmanship as exceeds the skill of am 
JfjiuJians since the English became acquainted with them. 1 robably they were contempo- 
rriwseous with the mound-builders of the west. 

f As late as 17"w the banks of the Hudson were thickly populated bv the Indians. 
7"LVl< oil s Hist, West. 

$ The Wappintrcrs asserted and proved fraud in the purchase of that tract of land 
*j>iw -embraced in 1 utnam County. 

i 7 -b 



1 8 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

As though by the stern decree of fate, the original proprietors 
of the soil have melted away before the white man, until not a 
vestige of pure Indian blood remains within the County limits ; 
and even the recollection of such a race is fast becoming 
obliterated. 

Among the Highlands lived the clan of Wiccopees, a tribe 
of the Waoranacks* Above them lived the tribe of Wap- 
pingers, whose name is still preserved in that of the picturesque 
streamf flowing into the Hudson. Their chief locality was the 
valley of the Fishkill, or " Matteawan" Creek, the aboriginal 
name of which, according to the popular traditions of the 
country, signified "good furs," for which the stream was an 
ciently celebrated. But modern etymology more accurately 
deriving the term from "metai," a magician or medicine man, 
and "wian." a skin, it would seem that the neighboring Indians 
esteemed the peltries of the Fishkill as "charmed" by the 
incantations of the aboriginal enchanters who dwelt along its 
banks, and the beautiful scenery in which these ancient priests 
of the wild men of the Highlands dwelt is thus invested with 
new poetical associations. 

The wigwams of the Wappingers and their sub-tribes extend 
ed eastward to the range of Taghkanick mountains, which sepa 
rate the valley of the Hudson from that of the Housatonic. 

A few miles north of Wappinger s Creek was a sheltered 
inlet at the mouth of the Fallkill, affording a safe harbor for 
canoes navigating the " Long Reach" between Pollepel s Island 
and Crom Elbow. The aboriginal designation of this inlet 
was Apokeepsing, "a place of shelter from the storms ;" and the 
memory of this once famous harbor for the canoes of the river 
tribes is perpetuated in the name of Poughkeepsie. 

Bands of Minnissinks, from the west shores, were intermin 
gled in various portions of the county. The Sepascoots lived 



* Van Dcr Donck places the Waoranacks and Mincces in the Highlands on the cast 
side of the river, and south of Matteawan Creek. 

t Wappingers Creek called by the Indians Mawenawasijrh. On Van Der D^nck s 
map three of the Wappincrers villages are located on the south side of the ]\Iattca\van. 
North of that they are called the Indians of the Long 1 Reach, and on the south as the 
Highland Indians! Mejrrieskon and Ninham are the only names of Indian chiefs of this 
tribe that have come clown to us. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 1Q 

at Rhinebeck, and had their principal seat eighteen miles north 
of Poughkeepsie, and three miles east of the river. 

Still further north, near Red Hook Landing, lived another 
clan of the Wapphigers. Here tradition asserts a great battle 
was fought between the River Indians and the Jnx/i/ois Con 
federates; and the bones of the slain were said to be visible 
when the Dutch visited the spot. 

Above the Wappingers, and northward and eastward of 
Roeliff JanseiYs Kill, the lodges of the Mohegans extended, 
occupying the whole area of the present counties of Columbia 
and Rensselaer. 

A remnant of the Pequod tribe, from Connecticut,* once 
lived near Ten Mile River, in the present town of Dover. 
With the Mohegans they assisted in the war with King Philip ; 
after the death of that chieftain, the Connecticut colonists 
drove them out of that province. 

These were the Schaghticoke Indians, a remnant of which 
yet live in a narrow valley between the Housatonic River and 
Schaghticoke Mountains, in the borders of Connecticut. Their 
Sachem, Gideon Mauweesemum, (afterwards contracted to. 
Mauweehu or Mauwee,) first lived in Derby, than in Newtown.. 
and afterwards in New Milibrd. In 1729, thirteen Indians, 
including Gideon, claimed to be owners of all unsold lands in 
New Fairneld." A deed of that year exists among papers at 
Hartford, disposing of above lands for sixty-five pounds, signed 
by Cockenon, " Mauweehu," and eleven others. This was 
doubtless the town of Sherman, four miles west of the ancient- 
residence of the New Milford Indians. Gideon afterward 
removed to Dover, New York. 

One day while hunting upon what is now Preston Moun 
tain, he discovered the clear stream and luxuriant meadows of 
the Housatonic Valley, which so delighted him that he moved 
thither with his tribe, and the place became known as Schagh 
ticoke. He issued invitations to his old friends at Potatuck, 
at New Milford, to the Mohegans of Hudson River, and other 
tribes to come and settle with him. In ten years from the 
time of his arrival one hundred warriors had collected under 
him. A large accession was had from the New Milford Indians 
in 1736, after the death of Sachem Waraumaug. 

* Indian name, (.Miiimektukgut. 



20 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

They had not enjoyed their happy valley many years before 
they were disturbed by the arrival of the whites. The settle 
ment of Kent commenced in 1738, and was prosecuted rapidly. 
The Moravians first visited the tribe in 1742 ; Gideon was the 
first convert, and was baptized in 1743. Gideon was the name 
given by the missionaries. 

The settlers encroached upon the lands of the Indians, and 
the latter petitioned Assembly to have a tract of unoccupied 
land set off to them, lying below the village of Kent, on the 
west side of the Housatonic, which was granted. 

In 1767, Mauwee and many other old persons being dead, 
they became anxious to remove to Stockbridge, and petitioned 
the Assembly to have their two hundred acres sold, which was 
refused on the plea that the land did not belong to the Indians, 
but to the colony. The tribe at this time numbered about six 
hundred souls. 

In October. 1771, the following, evidently the production 
of the Indians themselves, was presented to the Legislature : 

" We are poor Intins at Scutcuk in the town of Kent we 
desire to the most honorable Sembly at New Haven we are 
very much a pressed by the Nepawaug people praking our 
fences and our gates and turning their cattle in our gardens 
and destroying our fruits, the loss of our good friend 4 years 
ago which we desire for another overseer in his stead to take 
Care of us and see that we are not ronged by the people we 
make choice of Elihu Swift of Kent to be our trustee if it [be] 
plesing to your minds." 

In 1775 the Assembly ordered the lands to be leased, to 
pay their debts and defray expenses. In 1860, Aunt Eunice 
Mauwee, granddaughter of Gideon, died at the advanced age 
of 103 years, and with her passed away the last pure royal 
blood. She had been an exemplary member of the Congrega 
tional Church in Kent for upwards of eighteen years. A grand 
daughter of hers, " Vina" Carter, is still living in Schaghticoke. 

During the Revolution, many of the 
Schaghticoke warriors joined the Ame 
rican Army, and quite a number of 
them were killed. 

The following different ways of 
spelling the name of the tribe are 

nut of Lavina7vin^rca7to-. taken from the manuscripts of one of 
the celebrated men associated with the Commission at Albany: 
Schaticook, Scaaticook. Schaackticook, Skachticoke. 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 21 

On the west bank of the " Mahicannittuck"* or Hudson 
River, dwelt the Minnissinks, Nanticokes and Mincees, who 
were denominated " Esopus Indians." Says an historian : 
" The affinities of the Mohegans with the Mincees, and 
through them with the Delawares, are apparent in the lan 
guage, and were well recognized at the time of the settlement." 

Says Schoolcraft : " The Mohegans and Mincees were two 
tribes of Algonquin lineage, inhabiting the valley of the Hud 
son between New York and Albany." 

Below the Highlands, in the present county of Westchester, 
dwelt the powerful tribe of Waoranacks. 

A band of Mohegans was located in the vicinity of the 
village of Pine Plains, of whom an interesting account is given 
in the chapter devoted to that town. 

The Shenandoahs were a sub-tribe, dwelling near the moun 
tains of that name, who, at the time of the Revolution were 
reduced to one man. 

" These tribes were mostly in subjection to the Iroquois, 
and acknowledged it by the payment of an annual tribute." 

INDIAN GEOGRAPHICAL TERMS. 

A tract of meadow land " lying slanting to the dancing 
chamber," north of Wappingers Creek, had for its eastern 
boundary a creek called Wynogkee. Crom Elbow Creek was 
called Equorsink ; lands adjoining on the Hudson, Eaquaqua- 
nessink ; so given in a patent to Henry Beekman, the bounds 
of which ran from the Hudson River "east by the side of a 
fresh meadow called Mansakin, and a small creek called Man- 
capawimick" 

The boundary line of the Great Nine Partners Patent 
began " at the creek called by the Indians Aquasing, and by 
the Christians Fish Creek. The Christians spoken of above 
made free use of the word fish, no less than three streams 
emptying into the Hudson being given that name. Roeloff 



* Other prominent Indian names are Mohegan, Chatemuc, Cahotaten. 



22 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Jansen s Kill, Sankpenak, was the dividing line between the 
Mohegans and Wappingers : a difference in dialect is shown by 
the geographical terms. 

The universal name the Mincees have for New York, says 
Heckewelder, a Moravian Missionary among the Indians, is 
Laaphaivachking, or "the place of stringing beads." 




C istlo, Chief of Waoranacks. 



EARLIEST MENTION. 



1609, the Dutch East India Company fitted out a small 
ship, named the Half Moon, with a crew of twenty men, 
Dutch and English, and gave the command to Henry Hud- 
son. On the 3d of September of that year Hudson an 
chored within Sandy Hook. From the i2th to the 2oth of the 
same month he was employed in ascending the river which bears 
his name. This river is represented, in the journal of that 
voyage, as being in general about a mile wide, and of good 
depth, abounding in fish, among which were a great store of 
salmons." 

As he advanced he found the land on both sides growing 
higher, until it became very mountainous." This high land, 
it is observed, " had many points ; the channel was narrow, 
and there were many eddy winds." During the passage the 
natives frequently came on board of the ship. He sailed 
onward through the pass guarded by the frowning Dunderberg. 
and at nightfall anchored near West Point. Leaving his 
anchorage next morning, he ran sixty miles up along the varied 
shores which lined the deep channel. " Delighted every 
moment with the ever-changing scenery, and the magnificent 
forests which clothed the river banks with their gorgeous autum 
nal hues, Hudson arrived, toward evening, opposite the 

2 3 



24 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

loftier mountains which lie from the river s side, and anchored 
the Half Moon near Catskill Landing, where he found a loving 
people and very old men." 

Hudson appears to have sailed up the river to a point a 
little above where the city of Hudson now stands. Not 
wishing to venture further with the ship, he sent a boat in 
charge of the mate, who went as far as the present site of 
Albany. 

"Weighing anchor on the 2yth, Hudson passed down the 
river, with a fair north wind, past the wigwams of the loving: 
people at Catskill, who were ; very sorrowful for his departure, 
and toward evening anchored in deep water near Red Hook- 
where part of the crew went on shore to fish. The next two 
days were consumed in working slowly down to the lower end 
of the long reach below Poughkeepsie, and anchored in the 
evening under the northern edge of the , Highlands.* Here he 
lay wind-bound for a day. in a very good roadstead, admiring 
the magnificent mountains which looked to him as if they had 
some metal or mineral in them. 

" The wild game sprung from their familiar retreats, startled 
by the unusual echoes which rolled through the ancient forests-., 
as the roar of the first Dutch cannon boomed over the waters 
and the first Dutch trumpets blew the inspiring airs of the dis 
tant Fatherland. The simple Indians, roaming unquestioned 
through their native woods, and paddling their rude canoes 
along the base of the towering hills that lined the unexplored 
river s side, paused in solemn amazement as they beheld their 
strange visitor approaching from afar, and marveled whence 
the apparition came." 

Such is the account given of the first visit of the white man 1 
to the shore of DUCHESS, made nearly three centuries ago. 



the yk inityiof Fitehkill, on tho Hndsoi 



TOPOGRAPHY. 



UCHESS County lies on the east bank of the Hudson,, 
centrally distant 60 miles south from Albany, and about 
75 miles north from New York. Its greatest length, 
^T north and south, is about 38 miles, and its greatest 
Irceadth 26. Its form is nearly that of a parallelogram. It is 
bounded on the north by Columbia County; on the east by 
Fairfield and Litchfield Counties, in the State of Connecticut ; 
and on the south by the County of Putnam. Opposite 
Duchess, on the west side of the Hudson, lie the counties of 
Orange and Ulster. 

Its surface is principally a rolling and somewhat mountain 
ous upland, broken by the deep valleys of the streams. The 
Taghkanick Mountains, extending through the east border of 
the County, are from 300 to 500 feet above the valleys, and 
from 1000 to 1200 feet above tide. The declivities of these 
mountains are generally steep, and in some places rocky. 

The Matteawan, or Fishkill Mountains, constitute a high 
broad range, which extends nearly north and south, and 
occupies the central part of the county. A spur from this 
range extends along the southern border to the Hudson, form 
ing the northern extremity of the Highlands. These mountains 
have an average elevation of about 1000 feet above tide, the 



26 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

highest peaks along the southern border attaining the elevation 
of 1500 to 1700 feet. In the southern part of the County the 
mountain declivities are steep and rocky ; but toward the north 
the country assumes a rolling character, broken by rounded 
hills. The western part of the County is a rolling upland, 
occasionally broken by deep ravines and isolated hills, and 
terminating upon the Hudson River Valley in a series of bluffs 
TOO to 1 80 feet high. 

The Taghkanick Mountains run in a northeast and south 
west direction, passing into Putnam, at which point the Hudson 
River forces a passage through them. On the west side of 
the river they assume the name of Kittatiny Mountains, and 
continue their course into New Jersey and Pennsylvania under 
that name. The Taghkanick system forms the most eastern 
Appalachian Mountain Range, and extends through the 
counties of Columbia. Rensselaer, Washington, Ulster, Greene, 
Albany. Saratoga, and other counties west of the Hudson River. 

On the west rolls the majestic Hudson, the " River of 
Mountains," as appropriately named by its eminent discoverer. 

The greatest part of the streams that drain the county are 
tributaries of the Hudson. Principal of these are the Sawkill, 
Landimans, Crom Elbow, Fallkill, Wappingers and Fishkill. 
Sprout Creek is a considerable branch of the Fishkill. Ten 
Mile River, otherwise called Weebutook or Oblong River, runs 
south through Amenia into Dover, where it turns east and dis 
charges its waters into the Housatonic, in the State of Connecti 
cut. Ten Mile River receives Swamp River from the south. 
Croton* River, takes its rise in the southeast part of the 
county, and Roeliff Jansen s Kill flows through a small portion 
of the extreme northern part. 

Among the highlands in the central and eastern parts are 
romantic lakes, noted for the purity of their waters and the 
beauty of scenery immediately about them. 



* Indian name Kitchawan, a term descriptive of a large and swift-flowing current. 
-Croton, the present name, is said to have been adopted from an illustrious sachem who 
lived in the limits of Cortlandt, Westchcster County, or as others say "who lived and 
exercised his authority at the mouth of the stream." 



GEOLOGY. 




County in the eastern partis primitive, granite and 
gneiss being the principal constituents. 
Geologists differ in opinion whether the Taghkanick* 
system should be ranked with the primary or transition. 
It is composed of brown sandstone, limestone, and green 
shales or slaty rocks. It contains some minerals, and furnishes 
a fine limestone for building, but has few or no fossils. The 
soil which overlays this system is generally good, and often 
highly fertile. 

The county comprises extensive alluvial and diluvial deposits. 
The former consist of sand, gravel, loam, &c. The latter are 
a stiff blue clay beneath, a yellowish brown clay above this, 
and sand on the surface. The marine shells found in these 
clays, belonging in some instances to extinct species, show that 
these deposits were made at an earlier period than those thrown 
down by rivers or oceans in modern times. To this system 
belong also the boulders scattered in the county. 

MINERALOGY. 

Extensive and valuable deposits of brown hematite occur in 
various parts of the county. 

* Tlic Tafrlikunick system is claimed by some as corresponding to the Cambrian 
system of Mr. Scdgwick, and by others to be newer formations changed by heat. 

27 



28 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Fishkill Bed is situated about three miles northeast of the 
village of Hopewell. The ore, which is chiefly limonite, pre 
sents all the varieties from the compact brown hematite to the 
yellowish clayey ochre. The brown ore is usually in the form 
of rounded nodules, which are sometimes hollow ; and when 
this is the case, the inner surface is highly polished, and has 
the appearance of having undergone fusion. Not unfrequently, 
beautiful stalactites are found in these balls ; and occasionally 
a black powder supposed to be oxide of manganese. This 
bed, as well as the other beds of limonite found in this part 
of the county, is situated at the junction of mica or talcose 
slate with the grey and white limestone. 

Clove Bed. This is an extensive deposit of brown hematite 
in the southwestern part of Union Vale. Like most of the 
ore beds in this district, it is worked to the day, as it is tech 
nically called. It contains a larger proportion of the ochrey, or 
fine ore, than the Fishkill bed, and which is usually considered 
the most valuable. Associated with this ore are minute crystals 
of oxide of manganese. This locality is further deserving of 
notice from the fact that the rare mineral gibbsite is associated 
with the hematite. 

Foss Bed. Situated in the town of Dover, one mile and a 
half west-southwest from the furnace of the Dover Iron Com 
pany. In extent this bed seems to be inferior to either of the 
above beds, and contains a larger proportion of foreign sub 
stances, and work on it has for some time been discontinued. 

Amenia Bed. An enormous deposit of hematitic iron ore, 
near the village of Amenia. It presents all the varieties 
observed at the other localities, and contains a fair proportion 
of the yellow pulverulent ochre so much esteemed by iron 
smelters. There are several beds of the same ore in the 
vicinity of that just mentioned, such as the Chalk Pond and 
Indian Pond Ore Beds, and another at Squabble Hole.* 

Pawling Bed. Situated about a mile and a half west from 
Pawling Station. This is an extensive deposit of brown hema- 

* Layers of the oxide of /me are formed in the chimney of some of the furnaces in 
this county, proving that this mineral also exists in the ore. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 29 

tite, of a superior quality. The ore yields from forty-five 
to fifty per cent, of metallic iron, and lies near the surface of 
the ground. 

Other beds have been opened within the county, and are 
being more or less extensively worked. 

The iron region just described is undoubtedly a part of the 
great series of deposits which has been traced in nearly a 
northern direction through the States of Connecticut, Massa 
chusetts and Vermont. 

Bog iron ore* has been found in various parts of the county, 
though not in sufficient quantity to attract much notice. 

In the southeast corner of the town of Northeast is a thin 
vein of galena, f Several openings are to be seen, which are 
said to have been worked, as early as the year 1740, by a com 
pany of Germans, the ore being sent to Bristol, England. 
Soon after this they were abandoned, but were re-opened during 
the Revolution, since which time they have been entirely neg 
lected. 

Unimportant localities of the sulphuret of lead have been 
noticed in the towns of Amenia and Rhinebeck. 

Beds of marble, similar to those found in Massachusetts 
near the borders of this State, exist in the towns of Amenia, 
Dover, Pawling, Beekman and Fishkill. In Dover, the quar 
ries have been extensively wrought ; and the marble which they 
yield, although dolomite, is pure white, fine-grained, and takes 
a medium polish. Clouded marble occurs in the towns of 
Amenia and Northeast. 

Hudson River Slate forms no inconsiderable part of the 
rock formation in the western part of the county. This rock 
has been quarried at Red Hook for flagging, and in various 
places for roofing slate. 

Deposits of marl have been noticed in the towns of Rhine- 



* Hog ore is deposited in swamps, the bottoms of which arc clay, liardpan. or some 
other strata impervious to water. It is continually accumulating, so that it may be removed 
two or three times in a century, it has various shades of color, from a yellow to a dark 
brown. One variety is liable tu blow up, sometimes destroying the furnace in which it is 
being smelted. 

t The principal ore from which the metal lead is extracted. 



30 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

beck, Northeast, Pine Plains, Stanford, Red Hook and Milan. 
Often they are associated with peat. Two localities of graphite* 
occur : One at Fishkill Hook, and another about two and a 
half miles south of Fishkill Landing. 

A sulphur spring occurs one mile and a quarter north- 
northwest of the village of Amenia. 

Dark colored calcareous spar is found in Rhinebeck. 

In the town of Fishkill, near Peckville, a little north of the 
line of Putnam County, there is a large bed of talc in the 
primitive rock, which has been opened as a quarry of soapstone. 
Its value is impaired in consequence of minerals being found 
imbedded in it. 

A deposit of kaoline (porcelain clay) has been found near 
Shenandoah, East Fishkill, on lands of Mr. Seymour Baxter. 
The clay has been tested, and is pronounced first-class. Kao 
line proceeds from the decomposition of the mineral feldspar. 
This, in making porcelain, is mingled with a fusible earthy 
matter called petitnse. 

Inflammable carburetted hydrogen gas is emitted from the 
bottom of a lake in Northeast. 

Crystalized garnet occurs abundantly in mica slate in the 
vicinity of the Foss Ore Bed, and also at the Stone Church, in 
the town of Dover. 

Besides these are found calcite, asbestus, staurotide. epidote, 
green actinolite, anthophyllite, and tourmaline. 

* Black lead. 



BOTANY. 



TJTNDER this head, little more than a brief mention of the 
j^j more common and most important productions can be 
t ^\Cf* given, as an attempt at an exhaustive treatment would 
of itself fill the limits of this volume. 

e> 

The forest trees form a large portion of the vegetable 
wealth of the county,* though the display in this respect is far 
inferior to what it was at the time of settlement ; the clearing 
up of the soil for purposes of agriculture, and the avarice of 
man, have, in a great measure, denuded the mountains and 
valleys of the magnificent forest trees that were once their 
pride and glory. 

The cone bearers ( Conifcne ) which are nearly all evergreen 
trees, are well represented in our Flora. There are several 
species of Pine. Tamarack (P. Pendiila) differs from all 
other pines in its leaves, which fall at the approach of Winter. 
Hemlock, Spruce. Red Cedar and Arbor Vitse belong to the 

* There was not an unbroken forest here when the first settlers came; as the fires of 
the Indians, in their pursuit of game, had destroyed the timher on the dry lands, except a 
ie\v specimens of oak, white wood and wild cherry, some of which attained great size. 
On the plains were scattered small oaks which had sprung up after the fires, and by the 
creeks and in wet lands there were large buttonwood and black ash trees, while all the 
streams were overhung with a mass of alders and willows. The mountains, it lias been 
said, were covered with a less dense growth of wood than at present. It is evident that 
in the valleys, the white wood or tulip tree, and the wild cherry have given place to other 
trees, as the clni : and that on the mountains, the chestnut has greatly increased. Tic 
mountains, being burned over also by the Indians, were so hare, that the wild deer wore 
plainly seen from the valley- below. [History of Amenia. 

31 



32 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

same natural family. The last mentioned variety is conspicu 
ous along the Hudson for its cone-like growth ; and is some 
times found in the interior in swampy places, and is then known 
as White Cedar. 

The Oaks are still more numerous. White Oak ( Quercus 
Alba) is one of our most valuable timber trees. The wood is 
of great strength and durability, and is used when these quali 
ties are required. Other varieties are the Red Oak ( Quercu* 
Rubra), Pin Oak ( Quercus Paluster), and Black Oak ( Qiier- 
tetron. ) 

The White P^lm* ( Ulmus Americana), when growing in 
moist rich soil, is one of the thriftiest of the forest trees. 
The Red or Slippery Elm ( Ulmus Fulva) known for the 
mucilaginous properties of its inner bark, and Witch Elm 
{ Ulmus Montana) are found. 

The Plane or Button wood (Platanus), Ash (Traxinus), 
Basswood, Lime or Linen (Selia), Beech (Tagus), Birch 
(Petula), and Dogwood ( Cornus), are more or less common. 
The latter possesses many of the medicinal properties peculiar 
to Peruvian Bark. 

Shell Bark Hickory ( Carya Alba) bears the common white 
walnut, so pleasant to crack by the Winter fireside. 

The Chestnut ( Castanea) is a variety of the European, 
differing only in its smaller and sweeter nuts. The Tulip or 
Whitewood (Liriodendrori) is the pride of our forests for its 
majestic growth, symmetrical form and handsome foliage. 

The Sycamore (Plantanus), the Poplars and the Willowsf 
are of little value except as shade trees. The Locust (Rolnnia} 
is a tree of rapid growth, graceful form, its wood hard and 
nearly indestructible, and is not a native of the county, but is 
cultivated for sale, and as an ornamental tree. 

Among the varieties of Maple (Acer) are the Sugar Maple, 



* From the bark of the -white elm the Indian manufactured his light canoe. Thesw- 
were sewed together with thongs made from the sinews of the deer. One of them waw 
capable of holding from 12 to 14 men, or 150 bushels of corn. 

f The Willow exhibits a remarkable hardihood. If a young willow be inverted, th? 
branches will become roots and the roots put forth leaves like the branches. If a branch 
be inserted into the ground, either by the lower or upper end, or by both at once, it will 
take root and flourish. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 33 

.-J3 large and handsome tree, well known as furnishing the sap 
rom which maple sugar is made ; the Red, the White, and the 
Mountain Maple or Moosewood. Curled Maple and Birdseye 
Maple are only accidental varieties of the Sugar Maple. 

The mountain sides and woods are clothed with a growth 
<siF shrubs, as the Whortleberry, Sweetfern, Rhododendron and 
fche Mountain Laurel. Anemone and Violets, the Cowslip or 
-Marsh Marigold whose yellow cups illuminate the swamps, the 
Woodbine, Bloodroot and the Skunk Cabbage, serve to mark 
lebe opening Spring. The last mentioned, though pleasing 
neither in name nor odor, possesses a kind of beauty, and is 
SL^e earliest to appear. 

The Pond Lily said by Hawthorne to be " the most satis 
factory of flowers" is a plant, the flowers of which, attached 
ta& long stems, float upon the surface of the water in slow flow 
ing streams, and in ponds having muddy bottoms ; like the 
Ifrimrose and Four-o clock, opening in the early morn to rejoice 
LD the Summer sunshine, and in the afternoon closing again to 
s-ieep through the night. The botanical name is Nymph<za, so 
called from the fact that the Greeks associated the Pond Lily 
with the water nymphs. 

Besides those mentioned, the more frequent plants of low 
g-rounds and margins of streams are the Iris, Sweet Flag* or 
Cjalamus Root, Forget-me-not, whose bright blue flowers con 
tinue from early Spring till frost ; Arrow Leaf; Cat-tail Flag, 
fwed of boys, and shaped like a cannon-sponge ; together with 
numerous varieties of Rush and Sedges. 

Plants of the group called by botanists Composite to which 
t.he Asters and Golden-rods belong, forming one-ninth of our 
entire flora, are characteristic of the Autumnal vegetation, 
l^arrow, Boneset, Tansey, Wild Hyssop and some few others 
are medicinal; most of the order are but weeds, as every 
farmer who has had his land overrun with Canada Thistles and 
SPigweed can testify. The Sunflowers and Jerusalem Arti- 



* A plant having aromatic and medicinal qualities, and with us are small weakly 
; but liates and other travelers in the Amazon speak of seeing them of enormous 



34 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

chokes are not natives, but are sometimes found in waste 
places near habitations. Sweet Cicely, an umbelliferous plant 
of sweetish taste, is found in certain localities. The Wild 
Carrot, poisonous in its native state, is, when cultivated, the 
esculent Carrot of the garden.* 

In the deep recesses of woods and swamps, the Arum and 
the Orchis are met with. Poison Hemlock, by a draught of 
which Socrates is said to have died, with other introduced and 
native plants, as the Milkweed, Plantain, Canada Thistle, Poke 
Weed, Thorn Apple, Oxeye Daisy,, and Dandelion, belong to a. 
class that might be denominated "wayside plants," from their 
commonly occupying a position beside roads and fences. The 
Plantain has been called by the Indians "white man s footstep," 
because it is found wherever he has placed his dwelling. The 
more it is trodden down, the more luxuriantly does it grow. 

Of the family Rosacecz are the Eglantine, or Sweet Brier, 
Rose, Blackberry, Strawberry, Thornbush, Service Berry or 
Shad Bush, Wild Plum and the lofty Wild Cherry : the latter 
is much used in cabinet work. 

Of the Labiate or the Mint tribe, Spearmint or Julep Weed 
Peppermint, Pennyroyal, Catnip, Balm and Mountain Mint 
are generally known. 

A few of the Nightshade tribe are natives, as the Bitter 
sweet and Deadly Nightshade, the latter of which has a sus 
picious appearance, and is reputed poisonous. 

Buckwheat is one of the Polygonacea, and of the same 
order are the common Sorrel, Water Dock and Smart Weed. 

Shrubby plants are numerous ; many species are highly 
ornamental ; others, from their virtues, are admitted into the 
Pharmacopoeias ; others, again, are poisonous. Of this latter 
class is the Swamp Sumac, simple contact with which, or mere 
exposure to its effluvium, being sufficient in many cases to pro 
duce a most painful eruption of the skin. Mercury or Poison 



* The cabbage, in its wild state, is a slender branching herb, with no appearance of a 
head. The potato, in its native wilds of tropical America, is a rank running vine with 
scarcely a tuber upon its roots:. A.11 the rich varieties of the apple have sprung by artificial 
means from an austere forest fruit. The numerous and splendid varieties of the dahlia 
are the descendants of a coarse Mexican plant with an ordinary yllow flower. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 35 

Oak (sometimes called Poison Ivy) is less active than the 
preceding, but sufficiently so to cause all who are easily 
affected by vegetable poisons to shun its neighborhood. The 
leaves of the common Sumac are used in the manufacture of 
Morocco. 

The wild upright Honeysuckle, the broad-leaved Laurel, 
and the gorgeous May Apple, make the woods gay by the pro 
fusion of their flowers. 

The Dwarf Laurel (known also as sheep-poison and lamb- 
kill) is a pretty little bush, but has a bad reputation, its leaves 
being said to poison sheep. 

The Elder, and the Hazel, prized for its nuts, are found in 
every coppice. The Whortleberry; the Bilibery, frequent in 
swamps and shady woods, and the agreeably acid Cranberry, 
abound. 

The banks of every stream and rivulet are fringed with 
Willow, Alder, and Spice Wood. Witch Hazel is, in the eyes 
of the superstitious, a most notable shrub, because, in the 
moment of parting with its foliage, it puts forth a profusion of 
gaudy yellow blossoms, as though from enchantment, giving to 
November the counterfeited appearance of Spring. 

No class of plants is so widely distributed as the grasses. 
They form the principal portion of the herbage of the earth,, 
giving to the hills and plains their lovely green. Though our 
flora contains many native species, only a small number are of 
value, our meadow grasses being, with some exceptions, of 
foreign origin. The principal varieties are Clover, Timothy, 
Sweet Vernal grasses, which, when half withered, give out a 
pleasant odor of vanilla, Blue Grass and Rough Grass, most of 
which have spread all over our pasture grounds. Some grasses 
are peculiar to the sands ; their matted roots, forming a thick 
sod, prevent the loose soil from being carried away by water or 
wind. Many others, by their annual decay, aid in fertilizing 
the soil. Phragmites, the largest grass of the Northern States, 
looking at a distance like Broom Corn, grows by the borders of 
swamps and ponds. 



36 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

The Wild Oat, and Chess, into which many people errone 
ously believe Wheat and Rye degenerate, are found. 

Ferns and fern-like plants occupy a wide extent of territory ; 
such as the common Brake, under which the sportsman is sure 
to find the rabbit and the partridge. The Scouring Rush is 
used for polishing wood and metals. 

In moist thickets, conspicuous from its red fruit, is the 
Winter Berry, once used for the cure of fever and ague. * 



* In the Report of a Geological and Botanical Survey of the State made by order of 
the Legislature previous to 1850, the whole number of flowering plants in the State was 
said to be 1450. Of these 1200 are herbaceous, and 150 may be regarded as ornamental. 
Of woody plants there are 250 species, including about SO that attain the stature of trees. 
Of native and naturalized medicinal plants there are 100 varieties. 



ZOOLOGY. 




AMMALIA. By mammalia are meant all those ani 
mals having warm blood, a double heart, and bringing 
forth its young alive. Of the Carnivora, or flesh- 
eaters, may be mentioned the Mole, Raccoon, Skunk, 
Weasel, Mink, Otter, Dog (five varieties of which are native), 
Black Bear* Wolf and Panther. 

Of the Rodentia, or gnawers, are the Fox the Red, Striped 
and Flying Squirrel ; the Woodchuck, or Ground Marmot ; 
the Musquash, or Muskrat ; the common Rat, Mouse, and 
the Grey Rabbit ; the Beaver and the Porcupine. 

Ungulata. Animals with toes covered with a horny case, 
or hoof. Of these we have the Hog, Horse, Ass, Ox, Goat, 
Sheep, Fallow Deer, Moose and Buffalo.^ 

Aves, or Birds. Birds of prey, Accibitres, include Eagles, 
Hawks and Owls. Passeres, birds of passage. This class in 
cludes most of those birds that depart for a more southern 



* Such as arc not now found here in a wild state are printed in italics. 

t The vast gorges of the Highlands and these vales once abounded with the buffalo. 
[TrumbuH s Hist. Conn. 

Van Uer Donck, writing of this vicinity in 1656, saj s : " Buffaloes are tolerably 
plenty, but these animals keep mostly toward the southwest, where few people go. It is 
remarked that half these animals have disappeared and left the country. 

An early European traveler, visiting this vicinity, thus writes home: "The animals 
here are of the same species as ours, (except lions and other strange beasts) ; many bears,, 
wolves, which harm nobody but the small cattle: elks and deer in abundance; foxes,, 
beavers, otters, minks and s r uch like." [Doc. Hist. New York. 

37 



38 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

clime in Autumn, and return in the Spring. Galluuz, or Cock 
tribe, include our domestic fowls, Wild Turkey, Partridge, &c. 
Natatores, or swimmers, includes Loons, Wild Ducks and 
Geese, &c. The following embraces the birds most common 
in the county, in addition to those already mentioned : 

The Great Horned Owl,* that makes the woods resonantwith 
its solemn hoots at night-time ; the little Screech-Owl that utters 
a harsh, disagreeable noise in the vicinity of barns and dwellings 
during the still hours of darkness ; the Whippoorwill,| whose 
plaintive cry issues from the thicket during the Summer twi 
light ; the Nighthawk, making its peculiar whirring noise as it 
dives after its prey ; the Chimney Swallow, that peoples the 
chimneys of old dwellings ; the Barn Swallow, Martin, King 
fisher and Humming Bird ; the little Wren that loves to linger 
near the habitations of man ; the Blue Bird, one of the earliest 
of Spring ; the Brown Thrush ; the Cat-Bird, the noisiest of 
our song birds ; the American Robin, Wood Pewee, Phebe- 
Bird, Blue Jay, Crow, Crow Blackbird and Meadow Lark ; the 
Bobolink,:}: that rejoices in the sunny meadows during the 
months of May and June ; the Sparrow, Bunting and Chip- 
ping-bird; the Yellow-Bird, or American Gold Finch, that 
revels in the pastures and stubble fields of Autumn ; the Snow 
Bird that comes riding on the storm blasts of Winter ; the Red 
Bird, Woodpecker, Turtle Dove, Quail, Plover, Woodcock and 
Snipe. 

According to a survey made previous to 1850 there are 
nearly i.ooo varieties of birds found in the State. The Eng 
lish Sparrow has been introduced, which multiplies so rapidly, 
and is of such a contentious disposition as to cause the appre 
hension that the smaller native birds will be driven off. 



* " The clamorous owl that nightly hoots." [Shakspeare. 

t The notes of this solitary bird, from the ideas which are associated with them, 
seems like the voice of an old friend, and are listened to by almost all with great interest. 
At first they issue from some retired part of the woods, the glen or mountain ; in a few eve 
nings we hear them from the adjoinii g coppice, the garden fence, the road before the door, 
and even from the roof of the dwelling house, long after the family have retired to rest. 
Every evening and morning his shrill and rapid repetition-; are heard from the adjoining 
wood s; and when two or more are calling out at the same time, and at no great distance 
from each other, the noise, mingling with the echoes from the mountains, is really surpris 
ing. Some of the more ignorant and superstitious dread seems on the decline. 

J The happiest bird of our Spring is the bobolink [Irving. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 39 

Reptiles. There are three orders of reptiles found, viz. 
the Serpent, the Lizard and the Turtle tribe. Of the serpents, 
two species are venemous, the Copperhead and Rattlesnake. 
The other varieties are the common Blacksnake; the Pilot 
Blacksnake, or Racer, found in the Highlands and Fishkill 
Mountains ; the Milk dr Chicken Snake ; the Striped Snake ; 
the Grass or Green Snake ; the Brown Water Snake or Water 
Adder a snake with its tail tipped with a horn, and frequently 
regarded with terror, but without cause ; the Water Garter 
Snake, and the Hog-nosed Snake, called also Deaf Adder, 
Spreading Adder, &c. 

Amphibia. Animals living both on the land and in the 
water. Of these there are the common Bull-Frog ;* the Amer 
ican Toad, a harmless and useful animal; the Peeper or Cricket 
Frog, called at the South the Savannah Cricket ; and the com 
mon Tree Toad. 

Fishes. Of the Fishes found in the County, including the 
Hudson River, there are so many varieties as to forbid a men 
tion of all. Among them are the Perch, Bass, Catfish, Mullet, 
Roach, Pond Shiner, Eel, Pout, Sucker, Trout, Dace, Minnow, 
Pickerel, Pike, Lamprey, (sometimes called Lamper Eel), 
Common Pond Fish, Chubsucker, Shad, Salmon, Sturgeon, 
Shark, Eel, Mossbunker, Porgee, Hudson River Sea Horse, 
&c. Over 900 varieties are found in the State. 

Insects. The order Coleoptera, beetles, is very numerous. 
The Boring Beetle, the Tumble Bug, Ground Beetle, Horn 
Bug, and some others of brilliant colors, are the most common 
of this class. Orthoptera includes the Cockroaches, Crickets, 
and Grasshoppers. The Katydid, so well known by the pecu 
liar sound produced by its wing-covers on early autumn nights, 
belongs to the latter family. Homoptera includes the locusts ; 
one species of these is noticeable for remaining seventeen years 
in the grub state. Hemiptera, bugs, comprises many of the 
insects injurious to vegetation, particularly the May Bug, Lady 
Bug, Apple-tree Blight, cS^c. Lepidoptera, butterflies, are very 

* The most wonderful are the bull-fro<rs, in size about a span, which croak with a 
ringing noise in the evening. fDoc. Hist New York. 



40 HISTORY O v DUCHESS COUNTY. 

numerous. Among those that fly during the day the best; 
known are the small yellow-winged Butterfly, and the large- 
yellow and black Butterfly. The variety and beauty of their 
colors attract universal attention. Some of the nocturnal 
species are very large. 

Common in the low grounds, during the Summer evenings, is. 
the Fire-fly an insect whose bright phosphorescence illumines: 
the darkness. The Indians have the following chant to this 
flitting, white fire insect : 

Fire-fly, fire-fly! bright little thing; 
Bright little fairy bug; night s little king. 

Schooler aft s Oneota. 

Arachnidce, Spiders, though a separate class, may be men 
tioned here. Some of them are very large and possessed of 
great beauty. The Long Legs, Clawed Spider, Tick, Mite-,,. 
Louse, &c., also belong to this order. 

The Worms have not yet been made the subject of general! 
investigation. 



PATENTS. 



j] HE Dutch Government sometimes granted lands in the- 
colonies without the formality of Indian Purchase ; but 
it was the custom of the English first to extinguish the : 
aboriginal title. It was customary to apply to the Gov 
ernor and Council for leave to purchase. If granted, an Indian 
treaty was held, and a deed obtained, a warrant was issued for 
the Surveyor General for a survey, and the map and field notes 
were reported. The Attorney General was then directed to pre 
pare a df aft of the Patent, which was then submitted to the 
Governor and Council, and, if approved, was endorsed upon 
parchment, recorded, sealed, and issued. 

The fees incident to the procuration of a patent were im 
portant sources of revenue to the officers concerned. Only 
1,000 acres could be granted to one person; but this rule was 
evaded by associating a number of merely nominal parties ; and 
the officers through whose hands the papers were passed were 
often largely interested in the grants. In this respect the Co 
lonial Government became exceedingly corrupt, and stood 
greatly in need of a reform like that wrought by the Revolution.. 



42 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Iii a few isolated cases, grants of land were made directly by 
the Crown, and consequently do not appear in our offices. 
Patents of land were generally very formal, and abounded in 
repetitions. The grants were " in fee and common socage," 
and included with the lands all "houses, messuages, tenements, 
erections, buildings, mills, milldams, fences, inclosures, gardens, 
orchards, fields, pastures, common of pastures, meadows, 
marshes, swamps, plains, woods, underwood, timber, trees, 
rivers, rivulets, runs, streams, water, lakes, ponds, pools, 
pits, brachen, quarries, mines, minerals, (gold and silver ex- 
cepted), creeks, harbors, highways, easements, fishing, hunting 
and fowling, and all other franchises, profits, commodities, and 
appurtenances whatsoever." This enumeration of rights, more 
or less varied, was embraced in all land patents. 

Colonial grants were usually conditioned to the annual pay 
ment of a quitrent, at a stated time and place named in the 
patent. This payment was sometimes due in money, and often 
in wheat or other commodity. Others were conditioned to the 
payment of skins of animals, or a merely nominal article, as 
simply an acknowledgement of the superior rights of the 
grantors. An important source of revenue was formed by 
these quitrents, which, after the Revolution, became due to 
the State. In 1786 it was provided that lands subject to these 
rents might be released upon payment of arrears, and fourteen 
shillings to every shilling of annual dues. Large amounts of 
land, upon which arrears of rent had accumulated, were sold 
from time to time, and laws continued to be passed at intervals 
for regulating these rents until 1824, when an act was passed 
for the final sale of all lands which had not been released by 
commutation, or remitted by law. Such lands as then re 
mained unredeemed were allowed to be released by payment 
of $2.50 to each shilling sterling due. In March, 1826, the 
last sale took place. In 1819, the arrears for quitrents, 
amounting to $53,280, were taken from the general fund, and 
given in equal proportions to the Literature and School Funds. 

It was the custom of the patentees to let the land to those 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 43 

who would settle on it, paying little or no rent*" for a term of 
years except the taxes. In this way the tenant came under a 
modified form of the ancient feudal system. f 

The earliest recorded Patent issued, embracing land 
within the limits of DUCHESS, was that granted to Francis 
Rombout and others, October lyth, 1685, and known as the 
Rombout Patent. The two Fishkills are included within that 
grant. 

Poughkeepsie Patent, and Schuyler s Patent, granted to 
Peter Schuyler, June 2, 1688, were included in the present town 
and city of Poughkeepsie. 

The Great, or Lower Nine Partners Patent, granted 
May 27, 1697, to Caleb Heathcote and others, comprising a 
strip of land some eight or ten miles in width, and extending 
from the Hudson River to the Oblong, covered the territory, 
very nearly, now included in the towns of Clinton, Pleasant 
Valley, Washington, Stanford, the lower portion of Hyde 
Park, and parts of Amenia and Northeast. This patent was 
granted before the Oblong was ceded to New York, and was 
bounded by what was then the Colony line. It was divided 
into thirty-six principal lots, besides nine " Water Lots," extend 
ing across the lower part of Hyde Park. The lots were nearly 
equal, containing about 3,400 acres, varying to some extent 
according to the quality of the land. 

The Philipse Patent (comprising nearly the present County 
of Putnam, which was set off from DUCHESS in -1812) was 



* Large tracts of land in Albany-urn! Kcnsselaer Counties, portions of the estates of 
the first Patrnons (patrons) are. yet (187(i) in possession of the family. After 1840, many 
scenes of violence nnd bloodshed were -witnessed on these lands, growing out of disputes 
with tenants, when they wore called upon to pay even the most nominal rent that was 
demanded. Social and political questions arose and produced two strong parties. The 
opposition shown by the tenantry was termed Anti-Kentism, Conciliatory measures were 
finally proposed by which the tenants were allowed to buj- the land, and obtain a title in 
fee-simple. In time the whole estate will thus pass into the hands of numerous new own 
ers. These angry disputes have already become items of past history. [Lossing. 

t The nature of feudal laws may be illustrated by a single example: William, the 
Xorman Conqueror of England, divided the land of that country into parts called baronies, 
and gave them to certain of his favorites, who became masters of the conquered people on 
their estates. For these and certain privileges, the barons, or masters, were to furnish the 
king with a stipulated amount of money and a certain number of soldiers when required. 
"The people had no voice in this matter, nor in any public a flairs, and were essentially 
slaves to the barons. Out of this state of things originated the exclusive privileges yet 
, : 2iijoycd by the nobility of Europe. [Ibid. 



44 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

granted June 17, 1697, to Adolph Philipse, * a merchant of" 
New York. As shown by the patent it included Pollepel s Island, 
and contained a little more land than is now comprised by Put 
nam, the extreme northwest corner being retained in DUCHESS- 
in order to adapt the dividing line to the topography of the 
country. 

Rhinebeck Patent, granted June 17, 1703, to Henry Beek- 
man, was located on the Hudson River, within the limits of 
the present towns of Rhinebeck and Red Hook. The land 
granted to Peter Schuyler, Governor of New York, called the 
Magdalen Island Purchase, the lands purchased of the Widow 
Paulding and her children by Dr. Samuel Staats, and all the 
land granted to Adrian, Roosa, and Cotbe, were likewise in 
cluded in these two towns. 

Beekman s Patent, granted June 25, 1703, to Henry Beek- 
man, included the present towns of Beekman, Pawling and 
Dover, except the Oblong, Union Vale and a portion of 
Lagrange. 

Little or Upper Nine Partners Patent, granted April ioth. 
1706, to Sampson Boughton and others, embraced very nearhr 
the territorial limits of the towns of Milan and Pine Plains,, 
and a portion of Northeast. 

THE OBLONG. 

By charter of 1662, the territory of Connecticut extended 

* Adolph Philipse died in 1749, without issue, leaving his estate to his Nephew,. 
Frederick Philipse. The latter had five children, Frederick, Philip, Susai]iiah,-Mary anJ 
Margaret. Frederick was disinherited, Margaret died when young, and the property was 
divided among the remaining three. Philip left a widow, who married one Oglevie ; Susan 
nah married Beverly Kobinson, and Mary married Cpl. Itoger Morris. On the 7th of Feb- 
1754, the Patent was divided into nine lots, the division and allotment of which can bc- 
understood by reference to the appendix in this Avork. On the 14th of January, 1758. previons- 
1o the marriage of Mary, a deed of marriage settlement was executed, by which her estate 
was vested in such children as might be born under the marriage, reserving only to herself 
and husband a life interest in the property. When Kobinson and Morris and their wives 
were attainted, their property was sold, chiefly to former tenants. In 1809, John Jaeol* 
Astor bought the heirs of Morris in this property for 20,000. The State, to protect those- 
who held title from the Commissioners of Forfeiture, passed a law, April 16, 1827, directing 
five suits to be prosecuted to judgment in the Circuit Court of the S. Dist. of N Y., and 
presented by writs of error to the Supreme Court of the U. S. for review and final decision. 
If against the defendants, the State agreed to pay $450,000 in 5 per cent, stock, redeemable 
at pleasure, and if the decision included the improvements that had ben made by occupants 
$250.000 more. Three suits were tried, each resulting in favor of Astor, when the Comp 
troller was directed to issue stock for the full amount, with costs. The amount issued wa* 
$561,500. Few suits have been tried in the State involving larger interests to greater num 
bers, or which were arjjued with more ability than this. In the suit against James Carver 
the counsel for the plantiff were Messrs Oakley, J. O. Hoffmai., Emmet, Platt and Ogden ; , 
for the defendant were Talcott, (Attorney Gen.) Webster, Van liureu, Ogden, IlonVmse 
and Cowles. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 45 

westward to the "South Sea," and by patent granted in 1664, 
the territory of the Duke of York was bounded east by the 
Connecticut River. This gave rise to conflicting claims. 
Commissioners were sent over in 1664 to settle the controversy, 
when it was agreed that the line should run " from a certain 
point on Long Island Sound north-northwest to the Massachu 
setts line," under the impression that this line would be parallel 
to the Hudson Paver, and twenty miles from it. At that time 
the country north of the Sound was an unknown land, and its 
geographical features little understood ; hence the manifest 
misconception, for such a course would strike the river below 
West Point. 

When the error was made apparent both parties agreed to 
rectify it, and another commission was sent over. But the 
people who had settled on the lands defined by that boundary 
near the Sound, very earnestly desiring to retain their civil con 
nection with the Connecticut colony, it was agreed by that 
colony to cede to New York an equivalent in territorial extent 
to the present towns of Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan 
ad Darien, an area twelve miles by eight 61,440 acres. 
The agreement was completed and subscribed by the commis 
sioners at Dover, on the i4th of May, 1731, after the entire 
survey had been made by them, and the monuments set up. 

This Equivalent Land, cr Oblonr, rs it is now generally 
called, was a strip of land 580 rods in width, extending along 
the east side of the Counties of DUCHESS, Putnam, and the 
north part of Westchester, comprising 61,440 acres. This strip 
was divided into two tiers of square lots, called five-hundred- 
acre lots, though exceeding that amount. A Patent, embracing 
this territory, was granted to Thomas Hawley and others, and 
allotments made to individuals of the company, and by them 
sold to emigrants, " who received a guarantee of title from the 
Colonial Government." It was the security of this title that 
caused these lands to be eagerly sought after. The Crown also 
issued a patent for these lands to Joseph Eyles and others, an 
.English Land company, who endeavored to maintain their 



46 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

claims ; the litigation was brought to an end by the war of the 
Revolution. 

The survey was made by running a random line from a 
given point to the Massachusetts boundary, and the true bound 
ary between New York and Connecticut, found by perpendicu 
lar surveys from this random line. This accounts for the fact 
that the monuments that mark the boundary between the two 
States are not in a true line ; which has excited more or less 
controversy for many years, and is not even yet settled. The 
Governor of Connecticut, in a recent message, called the 
attention of the Legislature to this matter. 

Livingston s Manor, patented July 22, 1686, three years 
after the organization of DUCHESS, was included in the County 
until 1717, when it was taken off and annexed to Albany 
County. The patent of this Manor conferred upon Robert 
Livingston,*" the patentee, feudal privileges, and imposed an 
annual quitrent of "28 shillings. The Manor contained 160,- 
240 acres, and included, very nearly, the territory now embraced 
in the Towns of Clermont, Germantown, Livingston, Gallatin, 
Taghkanick, Ancram and Copake, in Columbia County. It 
contained two purchases: The Livingston purchase, obtained 
of the Mohegan Indians in July, 1683, and the Taghkanick 
purchase, obtained August loth, 1685. In 1701 there were 
but four or five houses on the Manor. From and after 1716 it 
was represented by a member in the General Assembly. 

In June, 1736, Hon. Cadwallader thus writes to President 
Clarke, in relation to the frauds, &c., made use of in obtaining 
patents : " It is very difficult for the King s officers, who live 
in the Provinces, to guard against frauds in petitioning for 
lands described by natural limits, such as brooks, hills, &c.. 
&c., though actual surveys be made previous to the grant, 
because the names of such being in the Indian tongue, are 
known to few Christians, so that the proprietors are sometimes 
tempted to put those names upon the places that they think 

* Kobert Livingston, ancestor of the Livingston family in this County, was an emi 
grant from Scotland, and was connected by marriage with the Kensselaer and the Schnyler 
families. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 47 

more convenient for them. Now, sir, if it be so difficult for 
the officers who live on the spot to prevent abuse, how much 
greater must it be at such a distance as England is from us, 
and how great will the temptation be to commit frauds. This 
method of granting land in England must be of great preju 
dice to the settlers of the country and the improvement of 
uncultivated lands/ 



COUNTY ORGANIZATION. 



UCHESS County was organized Nov. i, 1683. It was 
provisionally attached to Ulster, because of its few 
inhabitants, until 1713, when it was represented sepa 
rately in the General Assembly of the Province. The 
original act defines its boundaries to be " from the bounds of 
the County of Westchester, on the south side of the Highlands, 
along the east side as far as Roeliff Jansen s Kill, [now Liv 
ingston s Creek,] and east into the woods twenty miles." In 
1717, Livingston s Manor was taken from its northern part, 
and in 1812 Putnam County was organized and taken from its 
southern portion, reducing its area to 765 miles, its present 
dimensions. 

The first civil divisions of the County were established 
Dec. 1 6, 1737. By aid of General Assembly, it was then sep 
arated into three Divisions : South Division, extending from 
below the Highlands to Wappingers Creek ; the Middle Divi 
sion, from the latter to Cline Sopas (Little Esopus) Island ; 
and the North Division, from this point to the northern border 
of the County. Each Division elected a Supervisor. 

PRECINCTS. 

The municipal regulations of a Precinct were much the 
48 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 49 

same as those of a Town. At first, while the County was but 
sparsely settled, the territorial limits of Precincts were quite 
extensive ; but as the population increased, it w r as found con 
venient to sub-divide them. It would hardly be of interest to 
the general reader to specify the boundaries of all the Precincts 
that have been erected within the County, even if it were 
practicable. 

By act of Dec. 16, 1737, the present area of Putnam 
County, except the Oblong, was styled South Precinct, and in 
December, 1743, it was extended to the Connecticut line. It 
is also mentioned in early records as Fredericksburgh Precinct. 
March 24, 1772, this territory was divided into Southeast Pre 
cinct, comprising, nearly, the present Towns of Patterson and 
Southeast ; Philipse Precinct, now Putnam Valley and Philips- 
town ; while the remainder, or Carmel and Kent, retained the 
name of Fredericksburgh Precinct. 

Beekmans Precinct*, formed Dec. 16, 1737, was bounded 
nearly, by the geographical limits of Pawling and Dover except 
the Oblong, Union Vale and part of Lagrange. Pawling Pre 
cinct, including the Towns of Pawling and Dover, was set off 
from Beekmans Precinct December 3ist, 1768. 

Rombout and Fishkill Precincts embraced the Fishkills and 
a part of Lagrange. 

Rhinebeck Precinct, including Rhinebeck and Red Hook, 
and Poughkeepsie Precinct, were formed December i6th, 1737. 

North Precinct comprised territory in the northern part of 
the county. Northeast Precinct was formed from it December 
1 6th, 1746, and embraced the Little or Upper Nine Partners 
tract. 

Crom Elbow Precinct included territory between North 
and Beekmans Precinct, and extended from the Hudson River 
to the Connecticut line. Amenia Precinct was taken from it 
March 2oth, 1762. 

Charlotte Precinct just previous to the Revolution, com- 



* South, Beekmans. Crom Elbow and North Precincts were extended across to tht 
Connecticut line December 17, 174-:!. 



50 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

prised Stanford, Clinton and Washington, and was settled 
about 1750. 

A general organization act was passed March yth, 1788, 
dividing the State into fourteen counties, which were sub 
divided into townships, instead of Precincts. By that act 
DUCHESS comprised twelve towns, viz : Amenia, Beekman, 
Clinton, Fishkill, Northeast, Pawling, Poughkeepsie, Rhine- 
beck, Washington, Kent, Philipstown and Southeast, the three 
last named being now included in Putnam County. 

Further changes have been made since that time, and 
there are now nineteen towns and one incorporated city, 
comprised within the County. 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



;f HE 1 9th of April, 1775, was a memorable day in the 
history of the Colonies. On that day, upon Lexington 
Common, in Massachusetts, was the first patriot blood 
shed. The people were already irritated almost beyond 
endurance by the oppressive acts of the British Parliament, as 
well as the disdain with which that body treated their most 
earnest protests ; and when the news of the massacre of seven 
of their countrymen was heralded throughout the country by 
the swiftest messengers, one sentiment seemed to pervade the 
hearts of the people that of uniting in armed resistance 
against oppression. The storm had burst, and every day was 
adding fearful intensity to its force. The farmer left his plow 
in the furrow ; * the mechanic dropped his chisel, and the 
student threw aside his books ; and shouldering their muskets 
sought the patriot army and enrolled themselves in its honored 
lists. A few, from motives of self-interest, or awed at the 
desperate undertaking of coping with the armed power of 
Great Britain, were zealous partisans of the King. 

Ten days after the bloody tragedy at Lexington, the people 
of the city of New York called a public meeting. At that 

* This is said to be literally true in the case of Gen. Putnam, who, when he received 
the news from Lexington was plowing in the field ; stripping the harness from the horse, 
lie mounted upon his back, and was off for the field of action without even bidding his fam 
ily farewell. 

5 1 



52 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

meeting they formed a general association, adopted a pledge, 
and transmitted a copy thereof to every county in the State 
for signatures. 

The object of this pledge was to secure unanimity and har 
mony of action in the ranks of the lovers of liberty, and also 
to ascertain who could be relied on in the expected struggle : 
in a word, to commit the people to one side or the other. To 
sign the pledge was to sign their own death-warrant if they 
failed ; and to refuse to sign was to draw upon themselves the 
hatred and distrust of the patriots. The most zealous Whig 
could but regard the issue as doubtful, with but one chance in 
many in his favor. But the men of that age were schooled to 
danger and difficulty, and they had made up their minds to die 
rather than submit. 

It may be expected the zeal of the patriots could, ill brook 
the sentiments of their Tory neighbors. Thus were the feel 
ings of enmity engendered between members of the same 
community, and often of the same family ; which frequently 
..culminated in the shedding of blood. * 

THE PLEDGE. 

k Persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties of 
America depend, under God, on the firm union of its inhabi 
tants in a vigorous prosecution of the measures necessary for its 
safety, and convinced of the necessity of preventing anarchy 
.and confusion which attend a dissolution of the powers of gov 
ernment, WE, the Freemen, Freeholders, and Inhabitants of 
DUCHESS, being greatly alarmed at the avowed design of the 
Ministry to raise a revenue in America, and shocked by the 
bloody scene now acting in Massachusetts Bay, do in the most 
solemn manner resolve never to become slaves, and do associ 
ate, under all the ties of religion, honor, and love to our 
country, to adopt and endeavor to carry into execution 
whatsoever measures may be recommended by the Continen- 



* For an account of these local feuds the reader is referred to the chapters rela .ing t< 
the several towns in the body of this work. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 53 

tal Congress, or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention, 
for the purpose of preserving our constitution and of opposing 
the several arbitrary acts of the British Parliament, until a 
reconciliation between Great Britain and America, on consti 
tutional 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 property." 

As before stated, a copy was sent to every county in the 
State. Committees were appointed, who were to thoroughly 
work up the territory, and report to the Association the names 
of those who subscribed to the pledge, together with a list 
(called the black list) of those who refused. 

On the 1 5th day of August, 1775, a return was made, at 
the house of Jacob Griffin, in DUCHESS County, of the names 
of 502 persons who signed, and soon after of 261 who did 
not. 

On the 23d of the same month, a return was made in Fish- 
kill, by the Committee, Dirck G. Bririkerhoff, Chairman, of 
the names of 252 persons who signed in Beekmans Precinct, 
and of 134 who refused. 

Of signers in Poughkeepsie, during June and July of that 
year, a list of 213 names appears; also a list of 82 who 
refused. 

Returns were also sent in from Northeast Precinct, Amenia, 
Rhinebeck and Charlotte Precincts. The whole number of 
"Associators" within the county was 1820 ; whole number refus 
ing to sign was 964. (See appendix.) 

A few subscribed with certain limitations. 



I do agree to the above Association so far that it doth not 
interfere with the oath of my office, nor my allegiance to the 
King. ISAAC SMITH. 

Not to infringe on my oaths. 

ABRAHAM BOCKEE. 

This may certify to all people whom it may concern that I, 



54 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

the subscriber, am willing to do what is just and right to 
secure the privileges of America, both civil and sacred, and to 
follow the advice of our reverend Congress, so far as they do 
the word of God and the example of Jesus Christ, and I hope, 
in the grace of God, no more will be required. 

June 8th, 1775. JOHN GARNSEY. 

The following serve to show the continual alarms and dan 
gers that harassed the people of that day, when neither property 
nor life was for a moment safe. 

Resolutions calling out the Militia of Westchester, Duchess and 

Albany. In Convention of Representatives of State of New 
York. Fishkill, Dec. 21, 1776. 

Whereas, It appears highly probable that the enemy s army 
meditate an attack upon the passes of the Highland on the 
east side of the Hudson River, and the term of enlistment of 
the Militia under the command of Gen. Clinton expires on the 
first of this month, and 

Whereas, His Excellency, Gen. Washington, has warmly 
recommended to this State to exert themselves in procuring 
temporary supplies of Militia 

Resolved, That the whole Militia of Westchester, Duchess. 
and part of Albany be forthwith marched to North Castle, in 
Westchester county, well equipped with arms and ammunition, 
and furnished with six days provisions, and blankets, and a pot 
or camp kettle to every six men, except such persons as the 
field officers shall judge cannot be called into service without 
greatly distressing their families, or who may be actually en 
gaged in the manufacture of saltpetre, or of shoes and clothing 
for the army. 

Resolved, That the Militia be allowed Continental pay ra 
tions, and that such men as cannot furnish themselves with 
arms shall be supplied from the public stores. 

The commanders of regiments were empowered to hire or 
impress as many teams as were necessary for transportation of 
baggage. 

Commissary-Gen. Trumbull was notified to make timely 
provision for the subsistence of said Militia. 

Col. Cheevers, Commissary of Ordnance, was applied to for 
a loan of small arms for those destitute. 

In 1777, while Burgoyne was threatening the northern part 
of the State, a considerable body of the Tories of DUCHESS 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 55 

County were collected at Washington Hollow, and made a for 
midable demonstration of their hostility. An expedition was 
set on foot to break up the gang. A company of fifty or sixty 
started from Sharon, Conn., and was joined on the way by 
others, until the party numbered two hundred. They halted 
for the night a little north of the Hollow, and in the morning 
made an attack on the Tories. Some escaped, but thirty or 
forty of them were made prisoners, and were sent to Exeter, 
New Hampshire, where they were kept in close confinement for 
two years.* 

ARMY MOVEMENTS, REMINISCENCES, ETC. 

It will be remembered that DUCHESS, previous to 1812, em 
braced the territory now included in Putnam county. The his 
tory of this whole section, therefore, up to that date, properly 
belongs to the county which forms the subject of this volume, 
and will be so treated in these pages. 

During the troublous times of our early history, DUCHESS 
County was frequently the theatre of the movements of armed 
forces, but no battle is recorded as having taken place within 
her limits. 

A short time previous to the French and Indian War, Lord 
Louden passed through the County with troops and baggage on 
his way north to attack the French outposts. The old post 
road leading through the Highlands was built by his direction. 
Previous to this there was only a path used by Indians, leading 
from Westchester to Fishkill. 

It is recorded that, about this time, a detachment of 
soldiers from the Colony of Connecticut, passed through 
Dover and Amenia, likewise to reinforce the troops designed 
to operate against the French. 

,A considerable detachment of the American army lay en 
camped in Fishkill during the campaign of 1777, and after 
ward at different times. Gen. Putnam was in command a part 
of the time, and was succeeded by Gen. Parsons. 

* History of Sharon. 



56 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

During the year [1777] that Burgoyne was trying to force 
his way down the Hudson, Gen. Washington moved three 
brigades into the limits of Patterson (now in Putnam Co.), 
where they were encamped in order to reinforce Gates had he 
been forced to retreat, and check the enemy. 

About the year 1778 a portion of the American forces 
were stationed in the present town of Pawling. Gen. Washing 
ton had his headquarters there a short time. 

In 1780, a detachment of troops occupied a line of 
barracks, called the " Hempstead Huts," located in what is 
now Philipstown ; they were capable of accommodating 2000 
men, and as late as 1850 the chimneys were yet standing, the 
huts having been burned. 

After the battle of Monmouth, in the summer of 1778, 
that portion of the American army that crossed the Hudson, 
not long after that memorable battle, was distributed in 
winter encampments along the Highlands, from West Point to 
Danbury. Putnam was given the command at D anbury 
(burned about this time by Lord Tryon), and Gates was sent 
farther east. By forming this line, which communicated with 
another line west of the Hudson, it was hoped to pervert any 
movement of the British troops to rescue the prisoners captured 
by Gates at Saratoga. These were about taking up their line 
of march for Virginia, and their route was north of the Ameri 
can cantonments. Entering our county at Amenia, they 
passed through Verbank, Arthursburg and Hopewell, reaching 
the Hudson River at Fishkill Landing, and crossed over to 
Newburgh. From the 23d of September to the close of 
November, after the prisoners had passed, Gen. Washington 
had his head-quarters in Fredricksburgh Precinct, now included 
in the present towns of Patterson, Carmel and Kent. 

About a mile north of the Westchester line, at the main 
entrance to the Highlands in Philipstown, is situated Conti 
nental Village. During the Revolution this place was guarded 
by American troops, and two small forts erected for its defense,. 
the remains of which are yet to be seen. It was burned r 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 57 

during the month of October, 1777, by a detachment of 
British troops on their way to co-operate with Burgoyne, after 
Forts Clinton and Mongomery had been captured by the 
enemy. During the same month, after burning Kingston, the 
British soldiery landed and set fire to several buildings at 
Rhinebeck Flats. 

During this period, a number of fortifications were 
constructed at different points, and obstructions placed in the 
river, to guard against British invasion. 

At the Wiccopee Pass, about four miles south from Fish- 
kill Village, two small forts were built and garrisoned by 
American troops, to guard the pass, and protect the military 
stores at Fishkill. The locations of these forts are yet plainly 
marked. 

From Anthony s Nose, a peak 1500 feet high, near the West- 
chester line, a large boom and chain extended, in 1776, to 
Fort Montgomery, on the opposite side of the Hudson. This 
was the second obstruction attempted in the Hudson, the first 
being at Fort Washington, in Westchester County. The great 
length of this chain ; the bulk of logs which were necessary to 
support it ; the immense amount of water which it accumulated 
and the rapidity of the tide ; all these were difficulties which 
for a time baffled all efforts of the engineers to perfect it. Its 
own weight parted it twice ; and when the English ship struck 
it, the chain broke with the facility of a piece of twine. It 
was built at the Ringwood (N. J.) Iron Works, and its con 
struction exhausted the public treasury, costing ^50,000, 
Continental money. Its links were made of iron bars two 
inches thick, and was over 1800 feet in length. 

A third chain was stretched across from Fort Constitution 
to West Point. The links weighed from 100 to 150 pounds 
each, and the entire chain weighed 186 tons. Its length was 
1500 feet, and was buoyed up by large spars placed a few feet 
apart, secured by strong timbers framed into them, and firmly 
attached to the rocks on both shores. In the fall it was drawn 
on shore by a windlass, and replaced in the spring. It was 



.58 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

never broken by the enemy. T\vo of the spars with their 
connecting links are preserved at Washington s Headquarters 
at Newburgh, and several links of the great chain may be seen 
at the laboratory at West Point.* 

A fourth obstruction consisting of spars, pointed, and their 
ends connected by iron links, extended across from Pollepel s 
Island to the west shore. 

Fort Constitution f was erected on Constitution Island 
[Martlaer s Rock] in 1775, the west side of which is formed of 
steep precipices, and which is situated in a sharp bend of the 
river opposite \Vest Point. Other fortifications were built on 
the east shore of the Hudson : two redoubts on Redoubt Hill, 
called North and South Redoubt ; two on Sugar L oaf Moun 
tain, and one on Anthony s Nose Mountain. 

In 1777, this county was for a time in possession of the 
enemy. During the autumn of that year a British force of 
3000 men, under Gen. Vaughan, was sent up the river to 
co-operate with Burgoyne. The presence of this force terrified 



* In the Artillery Laboratory at West Point are deposited several interesting- trophies 
and relics of the Devolution. In the center of one group is a large brass mortar, mounted, 
taken from the British when Wayne captured Stony Point, two small brass mortars 
captured from Burgoyne at Saratoga, and a portion of the great chain at Constitution 
Island. 

The iron of which this chain was constructed was mainly wrought from ore of equal 
parts, from the Sterling- and Long- Mines, in Orange Count.". It was manufactured by 
Peter Townshend, of Chester, at the Stirling Iron Works, in the same county, situated 
about 25 miles back from West Point. The engineer of this work was Capt. Thomas 
Mackin, and was completed about the middle of April, 1778. and on the 1st day of May 
stretched across the river and secured. Col Timothy Pickering, accompanied by Capt. 
Mackin, arrived at the house of Mr. Townshend late on Saturday night in March of that 
year, to engage him to construct it. Townshend readily agreed to perform the work, and 
the party set out, in the midst of a violent snow storm, for the Stirling Works. At day 
light on Sunday morning the forges were in operation. New England teamsters carried 
the links, as fast as manufactured, to West Point, and in the space of six weeks the chain 
was completed. Its weight was one hundred and eighty tons. 

When Benedict Arnold was arranging plans for the surrender of West Point this 
chain became an object of his special attention. A few days before the discovery of his 
treason he wrote a letter in a disguised hand and manner to Andre, informing him that 
lie had weakened it by ordering a link to be taken out and carried to the smith, under 
pretense that it needed repairs, and assured his employer that the links would not bu 
replaced before the forts would be in possession of the enemy. 

t Fort Constitution and its outworks were quite extensive, and cost about $25.000. 
Remains of the fort and batteries are still to be seen on the Island. 




Plan of Fort Constitution 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 59 

the inhabitants. For ten days after passing the barriers of the 
Highlands, they amused themselves by burning and plundering 
the houses of the Whigs along the river. The Livingston 
Mansion, on the banks of the Hudson one-fourth mile south 
of the city of Poughkeepsie, still bears the marks of a cannon- 
shot fired into it during that expedition.* After the surrender 
of Burgoyne, this hostile fleet set out on its return, and this 
section of the country was freed from their presence. 

DUCHESS has furnished some of the most brilliant and use 
ful actors in the early history of our country. Such were 
Montgomery, the hero of Quebec, the Schencks, and others of 
imperishable renown. 

Among the old buildings closely associated with the most 
stirring events of our country s history, may be mentioned the 
Wharton House, the Dutch Stone Church, the English Church 
and the Verplank House, in the town of Fishkill ; the Livings 
ton .Mansion and the Van Kleek House, in Poughkeepsie ; the 
Beekman House in Rhinebeck ; the Quaker Church in Paw 
ling ; and St. Philip s Chapel and the Robinson House in 
Philipstown. 

St. Philip s Chapel, so-called in the Revolution, says Blake 
in his History of Putnam Co., is the Episcopal Church near 
Garrisons, which was built in 1770 by Col. Beverly Robinson, 
and was used as a barrack during the Revolution. 

The Robinson House was built by Beverly Robinson f 
about 1750, who was an officer in the British army, and 
son-in-law of Adolph Philipse, proprietor of Philipse Patent. 

In the center building is the large dining-room where the 
traitor, with his wife, and two of Washington s aids-de-camp 
were at breakfast, when a messenger dashed up to the door 
and handed him a letter, which the stupid Jamieson had for 
warded by express to Arnold, informing him of the capture of 



* See chapter devoted to the town and city of Poughkeepsie. 

t Beverly Robinson took sides with the mother country, and his property was confis 
cated and sold by the Commissioners of Forfeiture. He moved his family to New York, 
and accepted a Brigadier-General s Commission in the British army. His family never 
returned : but it is said that when the enemy moved up the Hudson alter the fall of Fort 
Montgomery, he visited his home to which he was destined never more to return. 



60 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Andre and the discovery of the papers. This house has been 
kept from dilapidation and decay by repairs when needed, but 
in no way has it been changed from its original appearance. 
" The same low ceiling, large and uncovered joists, the same 
polished tiles around the fire-places, and the absence of all 
ornament which marks the progress of modern architecture, 
preserve complete the interest which the stirring incidents of 
that period have hung around the Robinson House." 

Enoch Crosby, the original of Harvey Birch, in Cooper s 
Spy, was a resident of the town of Carmel, and was elected a 
deacon of the Gilead Church * of that town. He died about 
the year 1830, in the town of Southeast. 

" The Spy Unmasked," a small thin volume by Capt. H. 
L. Barnum, contains memoirs of P^noch Crosby, taken in 
short-hand from Crosby s own lips. Some discredit the work ; 
but Lossing asserts on the assurance of Doctor White, whose 
father was well acquainted with Crosby, that the narrative of 
Barnum is substantially correct. It contained the veritable 
incidents which were the foundation of the most thrilling inci 
dents of that powerful romance, "The Spy," and was 
intended mostly for private distribution among the numerous 
relatives of the hero. 

During his infancy his parents resided in Southeast, and 
his childhood was passed in the midst of that picturesque- 
region. In the romance the " Spy" is represented as being 
nearly fifty years of age, collecting his information under the 
guise of a pedlar, and making his reports personally to General 
Washington, with whom he had secret interviews in the caves 
and recesses of the mountains in the neighborhood ; but at 
that period Crosby was only about 25 years of age, and had 
served an apprenticeship as a shoemaker before the breaking 
out of the War of Independence. He served occasionally as 
an enlisted soldier in the regular service; was one of the one 
hundred men who in 1775 marched to Lake Champlain, and 
engaged in the battles in that quarter until Quebec was 
stormed. After his return he remained quiet for a while, and 
was then employed in the " secret service" to obtain informa 
tion of the movements of small expeditions sent out by Sir 
Henry Clinton to collect forage, and gather recruits from the 

* This society was organized in the vicinity of Carmel village about the commence 
ment of the Revolution. They worshiped in a log building until 1792, when a more 
commodious building was erected. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 6 I 

Tories of the Neutral Ground. Emissaries holding commissions 
from British sources, whose doings were cloaked under a 
pretended neutrality, were actively and successfully engaged in 
organizing the Loyalists into bands to join the Royal army in 
New York. He was several times taken prisoner, and as often 
escaped from custody ; which at last excited the suspicions of 
the Tories. Deeming it unsafe to mingle with them longer, he 
joined the detachment of the American army under Heath, 
then stationed in the Highlands. 

Crosby was a witness at court in New York City in 1827, 
and was recognized by an old gentleman who introduced him 
to the audience as the original of Harvey Birch. The fact 
become noised abroad. The Spy, dramatized, was then in 
course of performance at one of the theatres ; Crosby was 
invited to attend ; his acceptance was announced ; and that 
evening a crowded house greeted the old soldier. 

After the close of the war he took up his abode at or near 
the place where he spent his childhood. A recent writer in the 
Fishkill Standard thus speaks of him : 

" What knowledge 1 personally have of the prototype of 
the Spy is limited to a very short period in the first decade 
of my life ; and the venerable man himself was upon the very 
precincts of that unknown country from which no tidings are 
ever transmitted. He was residing with his son upon his farm 
about two miles southeast of Carmel village, in Putnam County. 
A portion of the farm borders upon the er.st bran :h of the 
Croton, and it has lately been taken by the Croton Water 
Board, of New York, to be submerged by the waters cf the new 
reservoir now in process of construction in that vicinity." 

From Salem, Andre was brought to the Red Mills, in the 
town of Carmel and was lodged at night in the house of 
James Cox. While here, two soldiers were stationed at each 
door and two at each window of the apartment. The follow 
ing is said to have occurred while at this house : " A little 
child lay asleep in its cradle. Andre stepped near, and the 
child, which had just awoke, looked up to him and smiled. 
His feelings were touched ; and in tones of melancholy and 
tenderness he said : Oh, happy childhood ! we know your 
peace but once. I wish I were as innocent as you. "* From 
the Red Mills he was brought by way of Continental village to 



62 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

the Robinson House under guard of a hundred horse, and 
from thence to West Point. 

A grist mill was filled with grain at the Red Mills, for the 
supply of the army, and soldiers were stationed there to guard 
it. 

The notorious Joshua Hett Smith, to whose house Arnold 
conducted Andre after their midnight interview at the foot of 
Long Clove Mountain, was arrested at Fishkill and brought to 
the Robinson House a short time previous to the arrival there 
of Andre. He secreted the latter all day, furnished him with 
a coat, saddle and bridle, accompanied him to Pine s Bridge, 
and giving him some Continental money, left him. Six 
miles below T here Andre was arrested. Smith was tried before 
a court-martial, and imprisoned in the jail at Goshen, Orange 
County, from which he escaped into British lines. 

During the years 1779 and 80, Washington frequently 
crossed the Hudson from West Point, inspecting the outposts, 
and visiting the Eastern States. Daniel Haight kept tavern 
on the cross-road leading to the Peekskill and Coldspring 
Turnpike, in Philipstown. The Commander-in-Chief was in 
the habit of stopping at " Haight s Tavern" to rest himself and 
suite in passing to and from Continental Village and the east. 
Mr. Haight said he never knew Washington to commence a 
conversation unless first spoken to, or he desired something to 
be brought to him. Calling at the tavern one day, as he 
entered, the servant girl ran up stairs, and when half way up, 
fell. Washington broke into a hearty laugh, and turning 
around, he said to his host, "It is the first time I ever saw a 
person fall up stairs." Mr. Haight used to remark that was 
the first and only time he saw. the Commander-in-Chief laugh. 

The Robinson House, around which the stirring incidents 
of the Revolution have woven such an interesting and melan 
choly interest, is situated in the southwest corner of Philips- 
town, about 400 yards from the Hudson. It is about two 

* While here, and looking in a mirror in his room, he saw a hole in the arm-pit of his 
coat, and perceiving that the officer in command observed it also, lie smiled, and said he 
presumed Gen. Washington would give him a new coat. 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 63 

miles southeast of West Point, and four miles south from the 
village of Cold Spring. Its halls have been hallowed by the 

tread of Wash 
ington, Knox, 
Greene Put-, 
nam, Steuben, 
Kosiusko, Par- 
sons, Heath, 
McDougal 
and Lafayette; 
and it also 

held the traitor Benedict Arnold. It was here, in the upper 
back room of the main building, that Arnold completed the 
drawings and specifications that were designed to aid the 
enemy in obtaining possession of West Point. 

In 1756, Colonel George Washington visited his firm friend 
Beverly Robinson, and announced an intention of remaining 
his guest for a time. A negro attendant was ordered to bring 
in his portmanteau, additional fuel was cast into the broad and 
cheerful fireplace, an extra bottle of wine was placed upon the 
table, and Col. Washington was duly installed as a choice 
claimant of unrestrained hospitality. Seated with Mr. and 
Mrs. Robinson, and overwhelmed with attention, the visitor 
exhibited signs of disquiet and dissatisfaction. His uneasiness 
became so apparent that his entertainers endeavored to rally 
him, or at least, to ascertain its cause. At length, an idea 
shot into the mind of the hostess. Hastily leaving the apart 
ment, she soon returned, accompanied by a beautiful young 
lady, whom Washington, with countenance beaming joyfully 
arose to greet with becoming respect. The young lady was 
Mary Philipse, sister of Mrs. Robinson, and daughter of the 
owner of the Philipse estate. 

Strange to say, the time of her appearance and the period 
of the return of Washington s vivacity were coincident ; per 
haps it was only accidental. Midnight found this young lady 
and the Virginia Colonel alone, and in deep conversation. 



64 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Daylight found them still together. The Colonel, smitten by 
the graces and accomplishments of a lady as beautiful as 
Nature s rarest works, was endeavoring to win her heart. He 
made his confession, but the lady hesitated. At last she 
informed Washington, in set terms, that she loved another ! In 
other words, she refused him ! The greatest of modern men 
was vanquished, and by a woman. 

Years rolled on, and the two again met in the old Beverly 
mansion. A few days before the execution of Andre, Washing 
ton received a letter from his old friend and retainer, Col. 
Beverly Robinson, requesting a private interview. The request 
was granted. Late at night, Mr. Robinson, accompanied by 
a figure closely muffled in a cloak, was admitted to the 
General s apartment. The two men, for a moment or two, 
gazed at each other in silence, and then abruptly embraced. 
Suddenly disengaging himself, Washington said : 

" Now, Sir, your business." 

" It is to plead for Andre." 

Washington assured him that his determination was fixed, 
and that Andre must certainly suffer the penalty due his 
offense. Nothing would avail. " I have one more argument," 
said Mr. Robinson, " behold my friend !" 

The heavy cloak which enveloped the mysterious stranger 
fell to the floor, exposing the mature figure of Mrs. Morris, the 
" Mary" whom he had so unsuccessfully wooed years before. 
Her name was uttered with a start by Washington; but 
instantly recovering, he said : " This trifling is beneath your 
station, and my dignity : I regret that you must go back to 
Sir Henry Clinton with the intelligence that your mission has 
proved fruitless. See that these persons are conducted beyond 
the lines in safety," continued he, throwing open the door and 
addressing one of his aids. 

Abashed and mortified, Mr. Robinson and his sister-in-law 
took their leave. The woman had gained a conquest once, 
but her second assault was aimed at a breast invulnerable. 

The Co nmander-in-Chief, at the time of Andre s capture, 



HISTORY OF DUGHESS COUNTY. 65 

was on his way from Hartford, and charging the route which 
he had first proposed, came by way of West Point. At Fish- 
kill he met the French Minister M. de la Luzerne, who had 
been to visit Count Rochambeau at Newport, and he remained 
that night with the Mirister Very early next morning he 
sent off his luggage, with orders to the men to go with it as 
quickly as possible to "Beverly," and give Mrs. Arnold notice 
that he would be there to breakfast. When the General and 
his suite arrived opposite West Point, he was observed to turn 
his horse Into a narrow road that led to the river. Lafayette 
remarked, " General, you are going in a wrong direction ; you 
know Mrs. Arnold is waiting breakfast for us." Washington 
good-naturedly replied: " Ah, I know you young men are all in 
love with Mrs. Arnold, and wish to get where she is as soon as 
possible. You may go and take your breakfast with her, and 
tell her not to wait for me. I must ride down and examine 
the redoubts on this side of the river." The officers, however, 
with the exception of two of the aids, remained. When the 
aids arrived at Beverly, they found the family waiting ; and 
having communicated the message of Gen. Washington, 
Arnold s family and the two aids sat down to breakfast. Before 
they had finished, a messenger arrived in great haste, and 
handed Gen. Arnold a letter, which the latter read with evident 
emotion. 

The self-control of the soldier enabled Arnold to suppress 
the agony he endured after reading this letter. He arose 
hastily from the table; told the aids that his presence was 
immediately required at West Point, and desired them so to 
inform General Washington on his arrival. Having first 
ordered a horse to be ready, he hastened to Mrs. Arnold s 
chamber, and there with a bursting heart disclosed to her his 
dreadful position, and that they must part, perhaps forever. 
Struck with horror at the painful intelligence, this fond and 
devoted wife swooned, and fell senseless at his feet. In this 
state he left her, hurried down stairs, and mounting his horse, 
rode with all possible speed to the river. In doing so, Arnold 

C2 



C6 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

did not keep the main road, but passed down the mountain, 
pursuing a by-path thro the woods, and which is now called 
* Arnold s Path," until he came to Beverly Dock. Here he 
took a boat, and was ro-.ved to the Vulture. He marie use of 
a white handkerchief in passing the fortifications along the 
river, which created the impression that it was a flag boat. On 
reaching the Vulture, he made himself known to Captain 
Sutherland, and then calling on board the leader of the boat 
men who had rowed him off, informed him that he and his 
crew were prisoners of \var. This act was considered so con 
temptible by the Captain, that he permitted the man to go 
on shore, on his parole of honor, to procure clothes for hirn- 
se f and comrades. This he did and returned the same clay. 
When they arrived in New York, Sir Henry Clinton, holding 
in jiiit contempt such a wanton act of meanness, set them all 
at liberty. 

When General Washington reached Beverly, and was 
informed that Arnold had departed for West Point, he crossed 
directly over, expecting to find him. Surprised to learn that 
he had not been there, after examining the works he returned. 
General Hamilton had remained at Beverly, and as Washington 
and his suite were walking up the mountain road, from Beverly 
Dock, they met General Hamilton coming hurriedly towards 
them. A brief an J suppressed conversation took place between 
Washington and himself, and they passed on rapidly to the 
house, wnere the papers that Washington s change cf rente 
lia^ prevented his receiving, had been delivered that morning ; 
and being represented to Hamilton as of pressing importance, 
\vere by him opened, and the dreadful secret disclosed. 
Instant measures were adopted to intercept Arnold, but in vain. 
General Washington then communicated the facts to Lafayette 
and Knox, and said to the former, more in sorrow than in 
anger, " Whom can we trust now ?" He also went up to see 
Mrs. Arnold ; but even Washington could carry lo her no con 
solation. Her grief was almost frenzied ; and in its wildest 
moods she spoke of General Washington as the murderer of 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 67 

her child. It seems she had not the remotest idea of her hus 
band s treason ; and she had even schooled her heart to feel 
more for the cause of America from her regard for those who 
professed to love it her husband s glory being her dream of 
bliss. 

The following is an extract of a letter dated Tappan, Oct. 
2, 1780, detailing the villainy of Arnold and the capture of the 
unfortunate Andre. It furnishes an interesting account of 
that critical incident in the War of the Revolution :* 

" You will have heard before this of the infernal villainy of 
Arnold. It is not possible for human nature to receive a 
greater amount of guilt than he possesses ; perhaps there is 
not a single obligation, moral or divine, that he has not broken 
through. His late apostacy is the summit of his character. 
He began his negotiations with the enemy to deliver up West 
Point to them, long before he was invested with the command 
of it, and while he was still in Philadelphia, after which he 
solicited the command of that post, for the ostensible reason 
that the wound in his leg incapacitated him for active com 
mand in the field. It was granted him on the 6th of August, 
since which time he has been assiduously ripening his plans, 
but the various positions the army assumed, prevented their 
being put into execution. 

" On the right of the 2ist ultimo, he had an interview with 
Major Andre, the Adjutant-General of the British Army. This 
gentleman came on shore from the Vulture man.of-war, which 
lay not far from Tellers Point, to a place on the banks of the 
river, near to the Haverstraw Mountain, where he met Arnold, 
who conducted him to the house of Joshua H. Smith (the 
white house), within our lines, and only two miles from Stony 
Point. They arrived in the house just before day, and stayed 
there until the next evening, when Major Andre became 
extremely anxious to return by the way he came, but that was 
impossible, for the two men whom Arnold and Smith had 

The letter was first published in the P.ostou Gazette, under date of October 1C 
1780. 



68 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

seduced to bring Andre on shore, refused to take him back, 
It then became necessary that he should return to New York 
by land. He changed his dress and name, and thus disguised 
passed our posts of Stony and Verplancks Points on the even 
ing of the 22nd, in company with Joshua H. Smith; he lodged 
that night at Crompond, with Smith, and in the morning pro 
ceeded alone on the road to Tarrytown, where he was taken 
by some volunteers about fifteen miles from "Kingsbridge. 
Andre offered them any sum of money, and goods, if they 
would permit him to escape, but they declared that 10,000 
guineas, or any other sum, would be no temptation to them. 
It was by this virtue, as glorious to America as Arnold s 
apostacy is disgraceful, that the abominable crime of the 
latter was discovered. 

"The lads in searching him, found concealed under his 
stockings, in his boots, papers of the highest importance, viz : 
Returns of the ordnance and its distribution at West Point 
and its dependencies; artillery orders, in case of an alarm; 
returns of the number of men necessary to man the works at 
West Point, and its dependencies ; remarks on the works at 
West Point, with the strength and working of each ; returns 
of the troops at West Point, and their distribution; state of 
our army, &c., transmitted by General Washington to Arnold, 
for his opinion, which state had been submitted to all the 
general officers in the carnp, for their opinions. Beside these, 
it appears that Arnold had carried with him to the interview, a 
general plan of West Point and its vicinity, and all the works, 
and also particular plans of each work on a large scale, all 
elegantly drawn by the engineer at that post. But these were 
not delivered to Major Andre, and from their requiring much 
time to copy, it was supposed they were not to be delivered 
until some future period. 

"From circumstances, it appears that it was not Arnold s 
intention to have deserted, but that he meant to be taken at 
his post, which, from the disposition of its troops, it was easy 
to have seized. General Washington, on his return to camp, 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 69 

determined to visit West Point, and in pursuance of that plan, 
was viewing some redoubts which lay in his way to Arnold s 
quarters. He had sent out servants there, and Major Shaw 
and Dr. McHenry had arrived, and were at breakfast with the 
traitor when he received intelligence by letter of Andre s being 
taken. His confusion was visible, but no person could divine 
the cause. He hurried to his barge with the utmost precipita 
tion, after having left word that he was going over to West 
Point, and would be back immediately. This was about ten 
in the morning. 

"The General proceeded to view the works, wondering 
where Arnold could be ; but about four o clock in the after 
noon he was undeceived, by an express with the papers taken 
on Andre. The apostate was at this time on board the 
Vulture, which lay about five or six miles below Stony and 
Verplancks Points. Major Andre was brought to West Point. 
A board of general officers examined into his case, and upon 
his most candid confession, were of opinion that he was a 
spy, and according to the usage of nations, ought to suffer 
death. Andre enjoyed a high reputation in the British army, 
was of the most polite and accomplished manners, and was 
extremely beloved by Sir Henry Clinton. His deportment 
while a prisoner was candid and dignified. He requested no 
favor, except that he might be allowed to die the death of a 
soldier, and not on a gibbet. Rigorous policy forbade grant 
ing a favor which at first seems immaterial. An army sympa 
thised in the misfortunes of the Chesterfield of the day. But 
if he possessed a portion of the blood of all the kings on 
earth, justice and policy would have dictated his death. The 
enemy, from hints that some of the officers dropped 
appeared to be inclined to deliver Arnold into our hands for 
Major Andre. But they afterward declared it to be impossible. 
If it could have been effected, our desire to get Arnold would 
have rendered the exchange easy on our part. 

"The British army are in the utmost affliction on account 
of Major Andre, and have sent repeated flags on the subject. 



70 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Yesterday they sent General Robertson, Andrew Elliott, and 
William Smith, Esqrs. The two latter were not permitted to 
land. General Green met General Robertson ; he had noth 
ing material to urge, ; but that Andre had come on shore 
under the sanction of a flag, and therefore could not be 
considered as a spy ; but that is not true, for he came at night, 
had no flag, and the nature of his business was totally 
incompatible with the nature of a flag. He also said they 
should retaliate on some people at New York and Charlestown ; 
but he was told that such conversation could neither be heard 
nor understood. After which, he urged the release of Andre 
on motives of humanity, and because Sir Henry Clinton was 
much attached to him ; and other reasons equally absurd." 

The following is the defence read by Andre before the 
Court which condemned him to death as a spy: 

" I came to hold a communication with a general officer of 
the American army, by the order of my o.vn commander. I 
entered the American lines by an unquestionable authority 
when I passed from them it was by the same authority. I 
used no deception. I had heard that a provincial officer had 
repented of the course he had taken, and that he avowed he 
never meant to go as far as he had gone, in resisting the 
authority of his King. The British Commander was willing to 
extend to him the King s clemency yea, his bounty in hopes 
to allure others to do the same. I made no plans, I examined 
no works. I only received his communication, and was on 
my way to return to the army, and to make known all I had 
learned from a general officer in your camp. Is this the office 
of a spy ? I never would have acted in that light, and what I 
have done is not in the nature of a spy. I have noted neither 
your strength nor your weakness. If there be wrong in the 
transaction, is it mine ? The office of a spy, a soldier has a 
right to refuse; but, to carry and fetch communications with 
another army, I never heard was criminal. The circumstan 
ces which followed after my interview with General Arnold, 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 71 

v.-e-e not in my power to control. He alone had the manage 
ment of them. 

" It is said I ro:le in disguise. I rode for security incog, 
as far as I was able, but other than criminal deeds induced me 
to do this. I was not bound to wear my uniform longer than 
it was expedient or politic. I scorn the name of a spy ; 
brand my offence with another title, if it change not my pun 
ishment, I beseech you. It is not death I fear. I am buoyed 
above that by a consciousness of having intended to discharge 
my duty in an honorable manner. 

It is said that plans were found with me. This is true, 
but they were not mine. Yet I must tell you honestly that 
they would have been communicated if I had not been taken. 
They were sent by General Arnold to the British commanders, 
and I should have delivered them. From the bottom of m/ 
heart I scorn to screen myself by criminating another ; but r- O 
fur as I am concerned, the truth shall be told, whoever suffers,. 
It was the allegiance of General Arnold I came out to secure, 
It was presumed many an officer would be glad at this time 
to retrace his steps ; at least, we have so been informed, thai! 
I, who came out to negotiate this allegiance only, be treated 
as one who came out to spy out the weakness of a cnmp ? If 
these actions are alike, I have to learn my moral code ancv.v 

" Gentlemen, Officers, be it understood that I am no sup 
pliant for mercy ; that I ask only from Omnipotence not from 
human beings. Justice is all I claim that justice which is 
neither swayed by prejudice, nor distorted by passion, but that 
which flows from honorable minds, directed by virtuous defer- 
mirations. I hear, gentlemen, that my case is likened to that 
of Capt. Hale, in 1775. I have heard of him. and his misfor 
tunes. I wish that in a l that dignifies men, that adorns and 
elevates human nature, I could be named with that accom 
plished but unfortunate officer. His fate was wayward, and 
untimely cut oft", yet younger than I now am. He went out, 
knowing that he was assuming the character of a spy. He 
took all its liabilities into his hand, at the request of his great 



72 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

commander. He was ready to meet what he assumed, and all 
its consequences. His death the law of nations sanctioned. 
It may be complimentary to compare me to him, but it would 
be unjust. He took his life in his hand when he assumed the 
character and the disguise. I assumed no disguise, nor took 
upon myself any other character than that of a British officer 
who had business to transact with an American officer. 

"In fine, I ask not even for justice ; if you want a victim 
to the manes of those fallen untimely, I may as well be that 
victim as another. I have, in the most undisguised manner, 
given you every fact in the case. I only rely on the proper 
construction of these facts. I have examined nothing, learned 
nothing, communicated nothing, but my detention, to Arnold, 
that he might escape if he thought proper to do so. This was, 
as I conceived, my duty. I hope the gallant officer, who was 
then unsuspicious of his general, will not be condemned for 
the military error he committed. 

" I farther state that Smith, who was the medium of com 
munication, did not know any part of our conference, 
except that there was necessity for secrecy. He was counsel 
for General Arnold in various matters, but was absent from all 
interviews I had with him ; and it was Smith who lent me this 
dress-coat of crimson, on being told that I did not wish to be 
known by English or Americans. I do not believe that he had 
even a suspicion of my errand. On me your wrath should 
fall, if on any one. I know your affairs look gloomy ; but that 
is no reason why I should be sacrificed. My death should do 
you no good. Millions of friends to your struggle in England, 
you will lose, if you condemn me. I say not this by way of 
threat ; for I know brave men are not awed by them nor will 
brave men be vindictive because they are desponding. I should 
not have said a word had it not been for the opinion of others, 
which I am bound to respect. 

" The sentence you this day pronounce will go down to 
posterity with exceeding great distinctness on the page of his 
tory ; and if humanity and honor mark your decision, your 
names, each and all of you, will be remembered by both 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 73 

nations when they have grown greater and more powerful than 
they now are. But if misfortune befalls me, I shall in time 
have all due honors paid to my memory. The martyr is kept 
in remembrance when the tribunal that condemned him in for 
gotten. I trust this honorable court believes me, when I say 
that what I have spoken was from no idle fears of a coward. 
I have done." 

The following copy of a hurried letter to a forage agent in 
the neighborhood, bears date the day that Washington and 
Arnold parted: 

To Mr. Jefferson, Fredericksburgh, N. Y. 

Headquarters, Rob. House, September, iQth, 1780, 

SIR. You will please to pick out of the horses you now 
have in your custody, or which you may hereafter receive, a 
pair of the best wagon horses, as also two of the very best 
saddle horses you can find for my use. You ll send them to 
me as soon as possible. 

I am, Sir, your most obedient Servant, 

B. ARNOLD, M. General. 

Jan. 7, 1777. Capt. James Reed petitions to be relieved 
from the operation of the rules adopted in regard to the trans 
portation of flour to the army at the eastward. Capt. Reed 
was Assistant Commissary, and was directed to send flour for 
the army at the east, but was hindered by a certain embargo 
on flour crossing the colony line. Judah Swift disregarded 
these orders of the Provincial authorities, and sent, in the 
night, two sleighloads of flour to the east by way of Kent. On 
the Kent road, near the colony line, the drivers encountered 
the guard, whom they overpowered. The object of this embargo 
seems to have been to prevent the flour going into the hands 
of the enemy. Trusty persons received a permit to go with 
the flour to certain points, and in several cases these persons 
agreed to bring back a load of salt. 

Feb. 7-15,1776. Account of guns delivered to Capt. Child, 
-and apprised by Dr. Chamberlain, C. Marsh and C. Atherton. 

S. D. 

i Gun of Stephen Warren 3 o o 

i Gun of Levi Orton. . . i 10 o 



74 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

s. r. 

Gun of Jedidiah Bump 2 15 o 

Gun of Benjamin Delyno 2 o o 

Gun of Peter Chne i 15 o 

Gun of Nathan Barlow 2 5 o 

Gun of Benjamin Hall 2 o o 

Gun of Sylvan us Nye 3 15 o 

Gun of Gershom Reed 3 10 o 

Gun of Eliakim Reed -. 3 10 o 

i Pistol of Joseph Pennoyer o 10 o 

The following are extracts from Revolutionary papers 
relating to the county. 

DUCHESS County, 3<1 December, 1776. 
Gentn. Nothing but the strongest necessity coul-i induce 
us to trouble you with an application of so extraordinary a 
nature, but if we are esteemed worthy your confidence as 
friends to our struggling country our sincerity will atone for what 
in common cases might appear indecent. Our invaded State 
has not only been an object of the special designs of our 
common enemy, but obnoxious to the wicked, mercenary 
intrigues of a number of engrossing jockies who have drained 
this part of the State of the article of bread to such a degree 
that we have reason to fear there is not enough left for the sup 
port of the inhabitants. We have for some months past heard 
of one Helmes who has been purchasing wheat and flour in 
t l 21 2 p ir:s, v.th vv iic i t i2 v 2!! a f 2^ l ;e I ir~ u livjrsilly dissiiited. 
This man with us is of doubtful character, his conversations are 
of the disaffected sort entirely. Fie has now moving from 
Fishkill toward Newark we think not less than one hundred 
barrels of flour, for which he says he has your permit, the 
which we have not seen. However, we have, at the universal 
call of the people, concluded to stop the flour and Helmes, 
himself, uacil this express may return. We ourselves think 
from the conduct of this man that his designs are bad. 
We have the honor to be your humble servts. 

HENRY LUDINGTON. 
JOSEPH CRANE, Junr. 
JONATHAN PADDOCK. 
ELIJAH TOWNSEND. 
To the Honorable the Council of Safety for the State of N. Y.. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 7 5 

DUCHESS COUNTY, May 6th, 1776. 

Sir It having been represented to the general committee 
of this county that the southern regiment of militia was too- 
large and extensive, containing twelve companies, and cover 
ing a space of country upwards of thirty mile in length, we 
have therefore, not only because in other respects it was 
expedient, but al^o in compliance with tie resolution of 
Congress prohibiting a regiment to con ist of more than ten 
companies, divided it, and instead of one have formed the 
militia in that quarter into two regiments. Enclosed you have 
the descriptions of the regiments, together with a list of 
persons nominated for field officers. As this part of our militia 
will remain unregimented till the officers receive their com 
missions, we must request that the commissions be made out 
as soon as possible, and sent to the Committee in Rombout s 
Precinct, with directions to forward them to officers immedi 
ately. I remain (by order of the committee) your very humble- 
servant. EGBERT BENSON, Chairman. 

The description of the t vo above regiments was as follows: 

One regiment to cons : st of all the militia in Pawling 
Preempt, (except the northern company,) all the militia in 
Sxitheist Precinct, and all the militia on the northern and 
mid lie short lots in Fre lericksburgh Product, in the county 
of Duchess. John Field, Colonel Andrew Morehouse, Lieut. 
Col. Jonathan Paddock, ist Major Isaac Tallman, 2nd 
Major Isaac Crane, Adjutant Reuben Crosby, Quarter 
Master. 

The other regiment to consist of all the militia in Frecler- 
icksburgh Precinct, (except the northern nnd middle short 
lots) and all the militia in Phelps (PIiili[/.e) Precinct, in the 
county of Duchess. Moses Dusen bury Co!. -Henry Ludding- 
ton, Lieut. Col. Reuben Ferriss, ist Major Joshua Nelson,. 
2nd Major Joshua Myrick, Adjutant Solomon Hopkins, 
Quarter Master. 

[Letter from Joseph Crane, Chairman Southeast Precinct 
Coin, to Eg. Benson] 



76 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Dear Sir Yesterday I saw one Allaby, a sergeant of 
Captain Dellman, taken prisoner at Ward s with Major Dain. 
He made his escape from the guard house in New York on the 
evening of the i5th inst. He gives a favorable account of the 
prisoners taken with him. * * Allaby says the enemy lost 
fourteen in the action at Ward s, six of those they carried off 
wounded died between Ward s and Williams , and the seventh 
died as soon as they reached Valentine s. Every commissioned 
officer, save one ensign, was killed. On their arrival at King s 
Bridge, the commanding officer of that post came to the door 
of his lodgings, when the prisoners were paraded, and said, 

" well, you have got a parcel of the d d rebels, have you ?" 

4i Yes, but we have paid d d dear for them. I am the 

only officer left alive," replied the surviving ensign. 

He further tells me, that the day before he left New York, 
he read in the papers an account of the enemy s loss in the 
Danbury tour, estimated between 300 and 400 men, and that 
he had often heard them say to one another that the Danbury 
route had been more expensive to them, in proportion to the 
number of their troops, than the Lexington tour. 

We are now expecting fresh visits from the Tryonites. A 
number of the enemy s ships are in the Sound. Yesterday 
morning upwards of twenty of them drew up against Fairfield, 
and appeared to be in a landing posture. The alarm reached 
us by 12 o clock the same day, but by night we were informed 
theysoon came to sail again and went westward of Norwalk. 
I have the pleasure to assure you that our people are evidently 
better disposed, as well as better prepared otherwise, to bid 
them welcome, than ever we were before, and the general say 
is that in case Tryon is not gone to account for his former 
murders, tis hoped he will " again grace his murderous train 
with his presence, and happily meet what Heaven has declared 
shall be the fate of him in whose skirts shall be found the 
blood of men." Your most obedient, 

JOSEPH CRANE. 

Morris Graham, Robert R. Livingston, and Egbert Benson 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 77 

were elected deputies to represent DUCHESS County in the 
Provincial Convention held at New York city, April 20, 1775. 



DUCHESS COUNTY COM.. August 18, 1775. 

Resolved, That the Committee in each Precinct be attended 
by a sufficient guard to go to the persons called Tories, and in 
a friendly manner, request them to part with their firelocks for 
the use of the Continental Forces, at a reasonable price, to be 
affixed by one of the Committee and a person to be elected 
by the person parting with the firelock, and in case of their 
disagreement, then the appraisement to be made by a third 
party to be nominated by the two other appraisers, and upon 
refusal, to take such firelocks forcibly, and to value them, and 
keep a list of the names of the persons from whom such fire 
locks shall be taken, together with the value of each firelock. 



Nov. 27, 1775, three men, Jacobus Ostrum, Johannis 
Medlar, and Barent Lavis, were ordered to be taken in custody, 
and confined in goal, for enlisting men in DUCHESS County to 
join the King s troops. 



Your Committee to devise ways and means to obtain intel 
ligence from the Committee of Safety at New York city report : 

Resolved, That Uriah Mitchell and Samuel Duyckman be 
employed as Ryders ; Mitchell to set out from Fishkill, and 
Duyckman from New York the same day ; meet at the house 
of John Plagg, this side Croton River ; exchange mails, return 
to their respective stages the day following, so as to arrive as 
early as possible on that day ; set out again the day after, to 
continue as long as the state shall see fit to employ them, at 
r6s. per day. 

In July, 1776, Richard Cantillon and John Parkinson, pro 
posing to set up an extensive Linen Manufactory in DUCHESS 
County, to provide for the inhabitants and army, petitioned 
that twelve men and themselves be exempted from being 
drafted into the militia when called into service. 



The Committee of the County, Egbert Benson, Chairman, 
ordered that an account of salt in the County be taken, for- 



78 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

.bidding any person to sell or take it out of the County until 
further orders. The officers employed to take the account 
were authorized to send for persons and examine them under 
oath. Thomas Storm was sent to the State Convention to 
.inform that body there was not more than one bushel for each 
family; that the article was exceedingly wanted ; that the com 
mittee wanted advice whether it be sold and distributed, or 
;-sent to the army. 
August 21, 1776. 

Li Convention of Representatives of State of Nciv York,\ 
FISHKILL. Dec., 21, 1776. j 

The whole militia of Counties of Westchester, DUCHESS, 
and part of Albany be forthwith marched to North Castle, 
wjll equipped with arms and ammunition, and furnished with 
:six days provisions and camp-kettle to every six men. 

FISHKILL, January 15, 1777. 

We, the subscribers, Mary Hawley, wife of Edward Haw- 
ley, and Bridget Morgan, with leave of the Committee of 
Safety, about to repair to New York, do severally, solemnly 
swear on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God not to give, 
communicate or convey any intelligence either by speaking, 
writing, or otherwise, relating to the army of the United 
American States, or relative to the State of New York, or the 
controversy now subsisting between Great Britain and the said 
American States, to any person or persons whomsoever, and 
that we will not do any act, matter or thing to the prejudice of 
said States, or ether of them, nor convey any letter or writing 
without leave of the Committee of Safety, after their inspection. 

MARY HAWLEY, 
BRIDGET MORGAN. 



1 1 General Convention DUCHESS County ,\ 
MARCH 25, 1777. j 

The within Petitioner, Lieut. Col. Birdsall, is considered 
"by this Committee a person deserving the attention of the 



HISTORY O7 D JCHE.33 COUNTY. J<) 

p lblic, and comply with his request in recommending him to 
the Honorable Convention of the State. The farm formerly 
in possession of Mor.es Northrup and that of Archibald Camp 
bell is now unoccupied, and will very well suit his purposes. 
By order of Committee. 

NATHAN PIERCE, Chairman. 



Isaac Sheldon, Theodore Van Wyck, and Henry Living 
ston, Jim., constituted the Committee of Sequestration about 
the year 1777. 



Nov. 7th, 1775, an alarm was given to the effect that the 
Tories of DUCHESS and Westchester threatened to visit Orange 
County. 

The convention of the State, in session at Fishkill, ordered 
prisoners now in confinement at Peekskill, for thefts and 
plu i Lvm^ tli.; in nVtrits of the S .ate, to goil at Poughkeepsie, 
there to remain until delivered by due course of law. 



May 5th, 1777, the Convention recommended each county 
to orga uze a Com. of Safety, within the county, to guard against 
intestine divisions, which the enemy was laboring to promote. 



At an early period during the Revolution, one sergeant and 
fourteen privates from each regiment within the county were 
sent to Fishkill to erect barracks. Each man so drafted was 
to furnish himself either with a good sufficient spade, shovel, 
stubbing hoe, felling ax, or corn hoe, and every other necessary 
for his accommodation. 

[Return of Militia officers for Southeast Precinct, Duchess 
Co. N. Y.] 

SOUTHEAST PRECINCT COMMITTEE, August 2ist, 1775. 

Pursuant to a Resolution of Provincial Congress, Ordered 
that Thomas Baldwin, Esquire, and Mr. Nathaniel Foster, two 
of the members of this Committee, notify the Militia of this 



So HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Precinct, consisting of one Beat (lately commanded by Johrb 
Field, as Captain) to appear on the 25th instant at the place 
of parade, that the said Militia, under the direction and inspec 
tion of the said Baldwin and Foster, may arrange themselves 
into a military company, agreeable to said Resolution of 
Congress. That said Militia do then and there make choice 
of military officers by a majority of votes, to take the command 
of said company, and that the said Baldwin and Foster make 
return of their doings to the chairman of this Committee. 

JOSEPH CRANE, Chairman. 

Having duly executed the above Order of Committee, we 
hereby certify that the Company of Militia of said Southeast 
Precinct, agreeable to said order, did assemble ; and they 
have, by a fair majority of votes, made choice of Commissioned 
Officers to take command of said company, agreeable to the 
Resolution of Congress, as follows, viz : William Mott, 
Captain ; Benjamin Higgins, First Lieutenant ; Ebenezer 
Gage, Second Lieutenant ; Nathaniel Green, Jun., Ensign. 
THOMAS BALDWIN 

NATHANIEL FOSTER. 



[Return of Minute-officers in Southeast Precinct, Duchess. 
County, New York.] 

SOUTHEAST PRECINCT COMMITTEE, Sept. 22, 1775. 

Ordered, that those persons who have arranged themselves. 
in the character of Minute-Men in this precinct, do assemble 
themselves on the 26th inst., in order to choose out of their 
Company the several officers which agreeable to directions of 
our Congress, are to command such companies ; and that 
Thomas Baldwin, Esq., and Mr. Nathaniel Foster, members 
of this committee, do attend and inspect such choice, and 
make return thereof to the chairman of this Committee. 

JOSEPH CRANE, Chairman. 

SOUTHEAST PRECINCT, Sept. 26th, 1775. 
We hereby certify that agreeable to the foregoing order,, 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 8 1 

the Company of Minute-Men referred to did, on the 26th inst. 
assemble, and under our inspection, make choice of Joshua 
Barnum, Jun., as Captain; William Marsh, First Lieutenant > 
Eliakim Barnum, Second Lieut ; Jonathan Crane, Ensign. 

THOMAS BALDWIN, 
NATHANIEL FOSTER. 

In a Plymouth paper, in July, 1825, appeared the following 
notice of an application for a pension by one of Arnold s 
bargemen, detailing the manner of his departure from " Bev~ 
erly Dock." 

"Application was made this week in this town for assist 
ance in making out the necessary documents for a pension by 
one of the bargemen in the barge that conveyed Gen l Arnold 
to the Sloop of War Vulture. He was bow-oarsmen in the 
boat, next in rank to the coxswain, whose name was James 
Larvey. His memory is remarkably accurate, and his veracity 
is unquestioned. The day before the flight of Arnold, he 
brought him with Major Andre, from Lawyer Smith s, below 
Stony Point, to the General s headquarters. They conversed 
very little during the passage. The General told his aid, who 
was at the landing when they arrived, that he had brought up 
a relative of his wife. Arnold kept one of his horses con 
stantly comparisoned at the door of his quarters, and the next 
morning, after breakfast, fled in great haste with the coxswain 
close behind on foot. The coxswain cried out to the barge 
men to come out from their quarters, which were hard by, and 
the General dashed down the foot-path, instead of taking a 
circuit, the usual one for those who were mounted. The barge 
was soon made ready, though the General, in his impatience, 
repeatedly ordered the bowman to push off, before all the men 
had mustered. The saddle and holsters were taken on 
the barge, and Arnold, immediately after they had pushed off, 
wiped the priming from the pistols, and primed anew, cocked 
and half-cocked them repeatedly. He inquired of Collins 
if the men had their arms, and was told that the men came in. 
such haste that there were but two swords, belonging to him- 

f 



"82 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

self and the coxswain. They ought to have brought their 
arms, he said. He tied a white handkerchief to the end of his 
cane for a flag in passing the forts. On arriving at the Vulture 
he took it off and wiped his face The General had been down 
in the cabin about an hour when the coxswain was sent for, and 
by the significant looks and laughing of the officers, the men 
in the barge began to be apprehensive that all was not right. 
He very soon returned, and told them they were all prisoners 
of war. The bargemen were unmoved, and submitted, as to 
the fortunes of war, except two Englishmen, who had deserted, 
and who were much terrified, and wept. 

" The bargemen were promised good fare if they would 
enter on board the Vulture, but they declined and were hand 
cuffed, and so remained four days. Gen. Arnold then sent 
for them at New York. In passing from the wharf to his head 
quarters, the two Englishmen shipped on board of a letter-of 
marque, then nearly ready to sail. The others, five in number, 
waited on Arnold, who told them they had always been atten 
tive and faithful, and he expected they would stay with him. 
He had, he said, command of a regiment of horse, and Lar- 
vey, you, and Collins, may have commissions, and the rest 
shall be non-commissioned officers. Larvey announced that 
he could not be contented he would rather be a soldier where 
he was contented, than an officer where he was not. The 
others expressed or manifested their concurrence in Larvey s 
opinion. He then gave the coxswain a guinea, and told them 
they should be sent back. At midnight they were conveyed to 
the Vulture, and the next day sent on shore. This worthy 
and intelligent applicant perfectly remembers Major Andre s 
dress, when they took him up in the barge, from Smith s house 
to Arnold s headquarters blue homespun stockings a pair of 
wrinkled boots, but lately brushed blue cloth breeches, tied 
at the knee with strings waistcoat of the same blue surtout, 
buttoned by a single button black silk handkerchief once 
around the neck and tied in front, with the ends under the 
waistcoat, and a flapped hat." 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 83 

Joshua Hett Smith, to whose house Arnold conducted 
Andre after their midnight interview " at the foot of Long 
Clove Mountain, near the low-water mark," was arrested at 
Fishkill, under charge of being in complicity with the treason 
of Arnold. He was tried before a court-martial, but was set 
at liberty on the plea that he was a civilian, and therefore out 
of the jurisdiction of a court-martial. He was soon after 
arrested by a civil process, and imprisoned in the jail at 
Goshen, Orange County, from which he escaped, and returned* 
with the British army to England. Some years ago he 
published a little volume entitled " Major Andre," in which he 
gives an account of his relations with Arnold, his arrest, trial, 
and imprisonment, and endeavors to show he knew nothing of 
the real business between the British Adjutant-General and 
America s great traitor, coupled with great abuse of Washing 
ton, Greene and other patriots. The following is an extract of 
that part of it relating to his arrest at Fishkill, his arrival at the 
* Robinson House," and his interview with Washington : 

Having given him (Andre) directions about the road he 
was to take upon crossing the bridge, with a message to my 
brother, the chief justice, whom he knew, we parted. I pro 
ceeded on my way to Fishkill, taking Arnold s headquarters at 
the Robinson House on my route ; I mentioned to Gen, 
Arnold the distance I accompanied Mr. Anderson, which 
gave him apparently much satisfaction. His dinner being 
ready, I partook of it, and in the evening proceeded to Fishkill 
to my family. Here I found General Washington had arrived 
in the course of the afternoon, on his return from visiting 
Count Rochambeau, and I supped with him and a large retinue 
at General Scott s. The next day I went on business to 
Poughkeepsie, and returned to Fishkill the ensuing evening. 
It was on the 25th of September, about midnight, that the 
door of the room wherein I lay in bed with Mrs. Smith, was 
forced open with great violence, and instantly the chamber 
was filled with soldiers, who approached the bed with fixed 
bayonets. I was then, without ceremony, drawn out of bed 



84 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

by a French officer named Govion whom I recollected to have 
entertained at my house not long before, in the suite of the 
Marquis de LaFayette. He commanded me instantly to 
dress myself, and to accompany him to General Washington, 
having an order from the General, he said, to arrest me. The 
house was the residence of Col. Hay, who had married my 
sister. The family was thrown in great confusion ; the 
females especially were in the deepest distress ; indeed the 
shock so much affected Mrs. Smith that she never fully 
recovered from it ; and, which, added to my subsequent 
sufferings, was the cause of her death. I perceived that any 
opposition would be ineffectual. Col. Hay desired to know 
for what cause the arrest was made ; to which Govion would 
give no satisfactory answer. I then desired the privilege of 
having my servant and one of my horses to go with him to 
General Washingon, at Robinson s house, which he refused ; 
and I was immediately marched off on foot a distance of 
eighteen miles. 

" At length on my arrival at Robinson s house, I was 
paraded before the door, under a guard. General Washing 
ton soon afterward came to a piazza, and looked sternly and 
with much indignation at me ; my countenance was the index 
of my mind, and the beautiful lines of Horace occurred to me, 
si fractis et illabiter orbis inupaviclum feriunt, que ruinae] 
etc. On his retiring, I was ordered into a back room, and 
two sentinels placed at the door. After as much time had 
elapsed as I supposed was thought necessary to give me rest from 
my march, I was conducted into a room, where were standing 
General Washington in the centre and on each side Gen. 
Knox and the Marquis de LaFayette, with Washington s two 
aides-de-camp, Cols. Harrison and Hamilton. 

" Provoked at the usage I received, I addressed General 
Washington, and demanded to know for what cause I was 
brought before him in so ignominious a manner ? The 
General answered sternly, that I stood before him charged 
with the blackest treason against the citizens of the United 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 85 

States ; and that he was authorized, from the evidence in his 
possession, and from the authority vested in him by Congress, 
to hang me immediately as a traitor, and that nothing could 
save me but a candid confession who in the army, or among 
the citizens at large, were my accomplices in the horrid and 
nefarious designs I had meditated for the last ten days past. 
I answered that no part of my conduct could justify the 
charge, as General Arnold, if present, would prove ; that what 
I had done of a public nature was by direction of that General, 
and, if wrong, he was amenable, not myself, for acting agreea 
bly to his orders. 

" He immediately replied, Sir, do you know that Arnold 
has fled, and that Mr. Anderson whom you have piloted through 
our lines proves to be Major John Andre, Adjutant General 
of the British army, now our prisoner ? I expect him here 
under a guard of one hundred horse, to meet his fate as a spy, 
and unless you confess who were your accomplices, I shall 
suspend you both on yonder tree, pointing to a tree before 
the door. In a short time I was remanded into the room 
and urged to a confession of accomplices, with General 
Washington s declaration that the evidence he possessed of my 
being a party was sufficient to take away my life. 

"Sometime afterwards, Col. Hamilton came to me, and 
compassionately, as he said, recommended me to declare all I 
knew respecting the business of which I was accused, observing 
that many were mistrusted, who, if they confessed, would be 
in a worse situation ; but as he supposed this was not the case, 
I had now a chance to save my life, and for the sake of my 
family I ought to preserve it with many more expressions to 
the same effect. 

General Washington then came into the room, and ques 
tioned Col. Hamilton why lie was so long speaking to me ? 
The Colonel replied, General, I know Smith has meant well 
during his agency in this transaction, for in all our public 
meetings in New York, his general demeanor spoke a spirit of 
moderation, nor could he be persuaded to any other opinion 



86 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

than that this contest between Great Britain and her colonies 
would be compromised, as in the business of the stamp and 
other acts of which we complained to the British Government 
in our petition by Gov. Perm, etc. 

" Gen. Washington then said in a gentle tone of voice, 
Col. Hamilton, I am not yet satisfied ; take him into the back 
room ; we must know something more about this business. I 
was then conducted into the recess from which I was brought,, 
was about to take some refreshment, when one of the sentries, 
pausing at the door, vowed that if I touched any of the bis 
cuits that were in the room, he would shoot me dead. The 
fact was the room was a kind of a butlery, in which Mrs. 
Arnold had placed her stores, and I was in the act of taking a 
piece of the biscuits. I made no reply to the sentinel ; but 
remained nearly two hours in this confinement, when I heard 
the tramp of a number of horses near the place where I was 
confined, and soon after could distinguish the voice of the 
unfortunate Andre, and of Gen. Washington and his suite, who 
soothed him with all the blandishments that his education and 
rank demanded ; he was courted with a smile in the face, when 
worse than a dagger was intended for his heart. I distinctly 
heard Col. Hamilton say to a brother officer, who came out of 
the same room, that Major Andre was really an accomplished 
young man, and he was sorry for him, for the General was- 
determined to hang him. 

" It was nearly dark, when a very respectable young gen 
tleman entered the room, and politely desired me to accom 
pany him. I was in hopes this was a prelude to rny emanci 
pation, and I requested the honor of his name ? He answered, 
It is Washington. I said, I presume, sir, you hold the rank 
of Colonel. He told me he held no rank at all. He then 
conducted me to the back part of Robinson s house, where 
there were two horses, desired me to mount one of them, and 
by his guidance in a way I had never been, we soon reached 
the bank of the river opposite West Point. Here I was 
delivered to the custody of a Capt. Sheppard, of the New 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.- 8y 

Jersey Continental troops, and did not observe that I had been 
guarded by a troop of horse until I was placed in the ferry 
boat, and saw them follow Mr. Washington up the mountain ; 
two boats followed us composed of the guard. If I had any 
inclinations to throw myself overboard, I was so well guarded . 
that I am certain that I should have been taken out of the 
water ; for the main object of General Washington in detain 
ing and trying me, was to obtain a knowledge of General 
Arnold s confederates in the army, as well as in Congress. In 
fact, this defection of Arnold had excited such a general sus 
picion, that no one dared trust another ; and nothing but exe 
crations were heard from hut to hut." 



The following recapitulation of the Judgment of the Court 
Martial before whom Major Andre was tried, the order from 
Washington approving the same, and directing its execution, 
is taken from the " Revolutionary Orders" of the Commander- 
in-Chief, edited by Henry Whiting, Lieut. Col. U. S. Army,, 
from the manuscripts of his father, John Whiting, Lieut, and 
Adjutant of the 2nd Regt. Mass. Line : 

" No. 80, HEADQUARTERS ORANGE TOWN, ) 
October ist, 1780. ) 

The Board of General Officers,* appointed to examine into 
the case of Major Andre, have reported ist, That he came 
on shore from the Vulture Sloop of War in the night of the 
2 ist of September last, on an interview with General Arnold, 
in a private and secret manner ; 2ndly, That he changed his 
dress within our lines, and under a feigned name and disguised 
habit, passed our works at Stony and Verplank s Points on the 
evening of the 22nd of September last, and was taken on the 
23d of September last, at Tarrytown, in a disguised habit, and 
being then on his way to New York, and when taken he had in 
his possession seveial papers which contained intelligence for 
the enemy. 

* Tlip Board referred to consisted of Major-General Gre<ne, as President, and Majoi 
Generals Marquis de LaFayette, and Baron Rteuben. 



88 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

" The Board, having maturely considered those facts, do 
.also report to his Excellency, General Washington, that Major 
Andre, Adjutant-General of the British Army, ought to be 
considered as a Spy from the Enemy, and agreeably to the law 
and usage of Nations, it is their opinion that he ought to surfer 
death. The Commander-in-Chief directs the execution of the 
.above sentence, in the usual way, this afternoon, at 5 o clock."* 

THE WAR OF l8l2. 

For several years the war cloud had loomed dark and 
threatening over the land. Difficulties with foreign powers 
began to thicken ; insults were heaped upon our flag, and our 
solemn protests were greeted with scorn. Great Britain was 
first and foremost in these acts of insolence. She claimed the 
right to board American vessels and carry off pretended 
deserters from the British navy, and right boldly did she 
exercise her claims. Under color of capturing deserters, 
hundreds of American seamen were forcibly impressed into 
the British service. 

In addition to this, English cruisers hovered near the 
principal ports of the United States, for the purpose of 
intercepting merchant vessels, which were carried to England 
as lawful prizes. May i6th, 1811, the American Frigate 
President, hailed the British Sloop of War Little Belt, and 
.received a cannon shot in reply. The former answered the 
challenge by a broadside. A sharp action ensued, in which 
Little Belt had eleven men killed and twenty-one wounded ; 
which punishment induced her commander to return a suitable 
answer. The conduct of both commanders was approved by 
their respective governments, and matters assumed a still 
more threatening attitude. 

During this period the Indian tribes along our borders 
showed symptoms of unrest, and several outbreaks occurred in 



* Fn the "After General Orders," it was announced that " the execution of Major 
Andre is postponed till to-morrow." In the "Evening Orders" of the same date, it was 
announced Major Andre K to be executed to-mo-row at 12 o clock, precisely. A battal 
ion of eighty .files from each wing is to attend the execution." 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 89 

the frontier settlements. These Indian irruptions were justly 
attributed to British emissaries, sent among them for that 
purpose. Still our government was loth to appeal to war, as 
the last resort to settle our difficulties and protect our interests, 
but was at last forced to admit that forbearance was no longer 
a virtue. On the first of June, 1812, Madison, in a message 
to Congress, reviewed the state of affairs at some length, 
intimating the necessity for war. The Committee of Foreign 
Relations reported a manifesto as the basis of a declaration o* 
war ; and on the fourth of the month Mr, Calhoun presented 
a bill drawn by Mr. Pinckney for the purpose. The bill was 
considered by both houses, with closed doors, and was passed 
by both houses with fair majorities. On the i;th it was signed 
by the President, who on the i9th issued a proclamation, 
formally declaring war against Great Britain. 

The effect of this war was severely felt by the people of 
DUCHESS. The depreciation of Continental money, the 
demoralizing effect of the war upon the country, and the 
disturbance of industrial pursuits were among the causes that 
bore heavily upon them. The differences of sentiment touch 
ing the national questions then at issue, were sharply defined 
here. There was only a partial response to the call for 
volunteers, though there was no violent opposition to the 
measures of the government. Some volunteer companies 
were raised and equipped, and drafts made. Col. John Brush 
commanded the troops from DUCHESS County which were 
stationed at Harlem Heights. 

The imperfect sanitary arrangements of the military service 
exhibited in that war, as well as the lack of moral enthusiasm 
among the soldiers, were in marked contrast with what was 
shown in our late terrible struggle, yet some important ends 
were attained in the War of 1812. which Mr. Lossing terms 
<; The Second War for American Independence." 

OFFICERS IN THE LATE REBELLION. 

The ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH REGIMENT was organ- 



90 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

ized at Poughkeepsie, New York, to serve for three years.. 
The companies of which it was composed were raised in the 
County of Duchess. It was mustered into the service of the 
United States October u, 1862. Mustered out of service 
June 8, 1865, in accordance with orders from the War De 
partment, and the recruits transferred to the Sixteenth Regiment 
New York Volunteers. The following are the principal battles 
in which the Regiment was engaged : Gettysburgh, Lookout 
Mountain, Buzzard s Roost, Resaca, Dallas, Gulp s Farm, Peach 
Tree Creek, Averysborough, Atlanta, Savannah, Raleigh. The 
record of the Regiment is a noble one, reflecting great honor 
upon the County that sent it forth. But a little more than 
one third of those that went out with the regiment returned 
with it. 

COLONELS. John H. Ketcham, (Brevet Brig.- Gen. U. S. 
V.} commissioned Nov. 3, 1862, and resigned March 2, 1865. 
Alfred B. Smith, (Brevet Brig.- Gen. U. S. V.} commissioned 
April 12, 1865, mustered out with regiment June 8th, 1865. 

LIEUTENANT COLONELS. Charles G. Bartlett, commis 
sioned Nov. 3, 1862, discharged October 27, 1864. Alfred B.. 
Smith, commissioned Nov. 30, 1864; promoted to Colonelcy 
April 12, 1865. Joseph H. Cogswell (Brevet Col. N. Y. V.} 
commissioned April 22, 1865 ; mustered out with regiment, 
June 8, 1865. 

MAJORS. Alfred B. Smith, commissioned Nov. 3, 1862, 
promoted to Lieut. -Col. Nov. 30, 1864. Joseph H. Cogswell, 
commissioned Nov. 30, 1864, promoted to Lieut-Col. April 
22, 1865. Henry A. Gildersleeve, (Brevet Lieut.- Col. U. S. 
V.} commissioned April 22, 1865, and mustered out with 
regiment 

ADJUTANTS. William Thompson, commissioned Novem 
ber 30, 1862, discharged Aug. 6, 1863. Stephen V. R. Cruger.. 
commissioned Sept. 30, 1863, promoted to Captain Nov. 21, 
1864. William S. Van Keuren, commissioned Nov. 21, 1864,. 
promoted to Captain April 22, 1865. Cyrus S. Roberts, com:- 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 9! 

missioned April 22, 1865, but not mustered. William H. 
Bartlett, commissioned Dec. 22, 1865, not mustered. 

QUARTERMASTERS. George H. Gaylord, Brevet Captain 
U. S. K) commissioned Nov. 3, 1862, resigned March 9,, 

1863. Henry C. Smith (Brevet Captain N. Y. V. and U. S. K), 
commissioned April 1863, and mustered out with regiment. 

SURGEON. Cornelius N. Campbell commissioned Nov. 3,. 
1862, mustered out with regiment June 8, 1865. 

ASSISTANT SURGEONS. Stephen G. Cook, commissioned 
Nov. 3, 1862, resigned October 16, 1864; recommissioned. 
Henry Pearce, commissioned Nov. 3, 1862 ; resigned April 7.. 

1864. Stephen G. Cook, commissioned Dec. 20, 1864,. 
declined. Alexander Hammill, commissioned Jan. 31, 1865,, 
mustered out with regiment. 

CHAPLAINS. Thomas E. Vassar, commissioned Nov. 3, 
1862, discharged August 6, 1863. E. O. Bartlett, com 
missioned Nov. 30, 1863, mustered out with regiment. 

CAPTAINS. Joseph H. Cogswell, commissioned Nov. 3, 
1862, promoted to Major Nov. 30, 1864, Robert C. Tripp, 
commissioned November 3oth, 1864; mustered out with 
regiment. Robert McConnell, commissioned Nov. 3, 1862, 
resigned October 20, 1864. Stephen V. R. Cruger, (Bievet 
Lieut.- Col. N. Y. V. and Major U. S. V.) commissioned 
Nov. 21, 1864, mustered out with regiment. Henry A. 
Gildersleeve, commissioned Nov. 3, 1864, promoted to Major- 
April 22, 1865. William S. Van Keuren. (Brevet Major N. 
K V.} commissioned April 22, 1865, mustered out with regi 
ment. William R. Woodin, (Brevet Lieut- CoL N. Y. V.) 
commissioned Nov. 3, 1862, mustered out with regiment. 
Andrus Brant, commissioned Nov. 3, 1862, resigned Dec. 
1 8, 1863. Obed Wheeler, (Brevet Major A r . K K) com 
missioned Jan. 1 8, 1864, mustered out with regiment. John 
L. Green, commissioned Nov. 3, 1862, mustered out with 
regiment. Edward A. Wicks, (Brevet Major U. S. K) com 
missioned Nov. 3, 1863 mustered out with regiment. Platt 
N. Thorn, (Brevet Lieut- CoL U. S. K) commissioned Nov. 3, 



92 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

1862, mustered out with regiment; Benj. S. Broas, com 
missioned November 3, 1862 ; discharged Nov. 25, 1863. 
Richard Titus, {Brevet Major N. Y. V.} commissioned Dec. 7, 

1863, mustered out with regiment. John S. Schofield, commis 
sioned Nov. 3, 1862, mustered out with regiment, June 8th, 1865. 

FIRST LIEUTENANTS. Henry Gridley, commissioned Nov. 
3, 1862, killed in action at Kulp s Farm, Ga.. June 22, 1864. 
William Wattles, (Brevet Captain U. S. V.} commissioned 
Sept. 1 6, 1864, mustered out with regiment. Albert Johnson, 
-commissioned Nov. 3. 1862, discharged May ist, 1863. Benj. 
J. Hevenor, commissioned June 28, 1863, failed to muster. 
Robert C. Tripp, commissioned Dec. 7, 1863, promoted to 
Captain Nov. 20, 1864. Andrew J. Ostrom, commissioned 
Nov. 30, 1864, mustered out with regiment. Edgar P. Welling, 
commissioned Nov. 3, 1862, died Oct. 21, 1863, at Tulla- 
homa, Tenn. James P. Mabbett, commissioned Nov. 30, 

1863, resigned October 4, 1864. Frank Mallory, commissioned 
.Nov. 21, 1864, mustered out with regiment. Robert S. 
Mooney, commissioned Nov. 3, 1862, resigned Nov. 6, 1862. 
J. Curtis Smith, commissioned Nov. 30, 1864, mustered out 
with regiment. Henry J. Hick, commissioned Jan. 20, 1865, 
mustered out with regiment. Obed Wheeler, commissioned 
Nov. 3, 1862, promoted to Captain Jan. 18. 1864. Perry W. 
Chapman, (Brevet Major and Captain N. Y.V. (commissioned 
Jan. 1 8, 1864, mustered out with regiment. 

SECOND LIEUTENANTS. James P. Mabbett, commissioned 
Nov. 3, 1862, promoted to First Lieut. Nov. 30, 1863. Wil 
liam Wattles, commissioned Nov. 30, 1864, promoted to First 
Lieut. Sept. 16, 1864. J. Curtiss Smith, commissioned Sept. 
1 6, 1864, mustered out with regiment, June 8, 1865. William 
H. Bartlett, commissioned Nov. 30, 1864, mustered out with 
regiment. Robert C. Tripp, Jr., commissioned Nov. 3, 1862, 
promoted to First Lieut. Dec. 7, 1863. Andrew J. Ostrom, 
commissioned Dec. 7, 1863, promoted to First Lieut. Nov. 30, 

1864. Richard Germond, commissioned May 1865, not mus 
tered. Rowland H. Marshall, commissioned Nov. 3, 1862, 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 93 

died September 13, 1863, at Georgetown, D. C. James B. 
Furey, commissioned Nov. 30, 1863, mustered out with regi 
ment. Frank Mallory, commissioned Nov. 3, 1862, promoted 
to First Lieut. Nov. 21, 1864. Henry J. Hicks, commissioned 
Nov. 21, 1864, promoted to First Lieut. Jan. 20, 1865. 
Charles H. Smith, {Brevet Major U. S. F!) commissioned May 
17, 1865, mustered out with regiment. Charles P. Barlow, 
commissioned Jan. 18, 1864, mustered out with regiment. 
John D. Brown, commissioned Nov. 30, 1864, mustered out 
with regiment. John Sweet, commissioned Nov. 3, 1862, died 
August 13, 1863. Benj. T. Murfelt, (Brevet First Lieut. 
U. S. V.} commissioned Sept. 16, 1864, mustered out with 
regiment. Charles J. Gaylord, resigned March 18, 1863. 
Landon Ostrom, commissioned Sept. 16, 1864, mustered out 
with regiment. Benj. M. Van Keuren, commissioned April 
22, 1865, not mustered. John McGill, mustered out with reg 
iment, June 8th, 1865. 

THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT was 
organized at Hudson, N. Y., to serve for three years. The 
companies of which it was composed were raised in the 
counties of Columbia and Duchess. It was mustered into 
service of the United States September 4, 1862. Mustered 
out of service July 12, 1865, in accordance with orders from 
the War Department. The principal engagements in which 
this regiment was engaged were those at Cedar Creek, Fishers 
Hill, Winchester, the siege of Port Hudson, and the Red 
River Campaign. \Ve give below the officers of the regiment 
from this county : COLONEL, James Smith, commissioned 
June 19, 1863, discharged June 7, 1864. LIEUT.-COLONEL, 
Francis S. Keese, (Brevet Colonel N. Y. V.} commissioned 
Jan. 22, 1864, mustered out August 28, 1865. MAJOR, 
Robert F. Wilkinson, commissioned Jan 27, 1865, mustered 
out with regiment July 12, 1865. ADJUTANTS. John P. 
Wilkinson, commissioned May 27, 1863, resigned Dec. 19, 
1863; Ambrose B. Hart, commissioned Feb. 28, 1865. 



94 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

mustered out with regiment. QUARTERMASTERS. Alexander 
Annan, commissioned Sept. 19, 1862, resigned July 29, 1863 ; 
.Sylvester H. Mace, commissioned Oct. 7, 1863, mustered out 
with regiment. 

ASSISTANT SURGEON. C. H. Andrus, commissioned Sept. 
10, 1862, promoted to Surgeon iy6th N, Y. Volunteers, Aug. 
14, 1864. 

CHAPLAIN. John Parker, resigned March 28, 1863. 

CAPTAINS. Jeremiah S. Pearce, commissioned Aug. 2, 
1864, mustered out with regiment. Charles E. Bostwick, 
commissioned Sept. 10, 1852, promoted to Major Ninety-fifth 
U. S. C. T. May 23, 1863. Thomas N. Butcher, commission 
ed July 4, 1863, mustered out with regiment July 12, (865. 
George Parker, commissioned Sept. 10, 1862, promoted to 
Lieut-Col. 9oth U. S. C. T. August 30, 1863. Henry H. 
Sincerbox, commissioned Oct. 27, 1863, mustered out with 
regiment. Arthur De Wint, commissioned Sept. 10, 1862, 
resigned March 19, 1864. John J. Williamson, commissioned 
April 28, 1864, mustered out with regiment, John A. Van 
Ketiren, commissioned Sept. 10, 1862, resigned February 14, 

1864. Charles R. Anderson, commissioned March 26, 1864, 
mustered out with regiment. Frederick Wilkinson, co^i- 
missioned June 21, 1864, mustered out with regiment, July [2, 
1865. 

FIRST LIEUTENANTS. Ransom A. White, commissioned 
August 2, 1864, mustered out with regiment. Howard H. 
Morse, commissioned Sept. 18, 1862, resigned August 13, 
1863. Spencer C. Doty, commissioned Jan. i, 1863, resigned 
July 23, 1863. Jacob Armstrong, commissioned Feb. 28, 

1865, mustered out with regiment. Charles Van Tine, com 
missioned July 20, 1864, mustered out with regiment. Colum 
bus L. Keyes, commissioned Nov. 30, 1863, mustered out with 
regiment. John I. Schouter, June 21, 1864, not mustered; 
mustered out with regiment as sergeant Co. I. 

SECOND LIEUTENANTS, Henry Rothery, commissioned 
July 20, 1864, not mustered; mustered out with regiment as 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 95 

private in Company F. Benjamin T. Benson, commissioned 
Aug. 2, 1864, mustered out with regiment July 12, 1865. 

A number from this county enlisted in the " People s 
Zouaves" (44th, N. Y.) in 1861. This was largely made up of 
students and professional men from all parts of the State, and 
during the war was frequently called upon to occupy posts of 
the greatest danger, it being considered as one of the most 
reliable regiments in the service. Recruits from this county 
joined other arms of the service, but we have not space to 
mention .?11 here. Suffice it to say, no county in the State was 
represented on the bloody battle fields of the late rebellion by 
a nobler set of men than was OLD DUCHESS. 

During the progress of the Rebellion, it became a favorite 
idea with the leading minds of the County of Duchess in mil 
itary matters, that a regiment should be sent out composed of 
and officered by Duchess County men. Many of her citizens 
had already responded to the call of the nation ; but being 
widely distributed among the various arms of the service, and 
in different regiments, it was thought that Duchess could not 
be properly represented in this way. After a deal of effort the 
Governor finally gave his consent, and the idea took a tangible 
form in the i5oth Regiment N. Y. S. V., with a camp located 
at Poughkeepsie. This regiment was made up of some of the 
noblest sons of Duchess, the mechanic and student, the 
farmer and accountant, joining heart and hand, in the support 
of their country s flag. In due time this regiment was sent to 
the front, where it participated in some of the severest actions 
of the war. It was first engaged in the battle of Gettysburg!! 
a most terrible ordeal for a raw regiment where it behaved 
with signal gallantry. In all the engagements in which it after 
ward took a part, it upheld the honor of the section that sent 
it forth ; and it is said the regiment can boast of never having 
been broken by the enemy when in line of battle. 

But at last the strong arm of the Rebellion was broken ; 
the two great armies which had been so long engaged in mor 
tal combat laid down their arms, and .peace once more reigned 



96 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

over the distracted country. The i5oth, with her battle flags. 
torn and begrimed with the shot and smoke of the fight,, 
took her place among the 200,000 veterans that marched in 
review before President Lincoln, on their return from the war. 

The people of Duchess were impatient for the coming 
home of their soldier sons. Delay after delay still kept them 
absent, and not a few anathemas were vented against the powers- 
that controlled their movements. 

At last the day was appointed that the regiment was to 
return at Poughkeepsie. The day wore away, and no boat 
appeared ; evening came, and deepened into night, but still its 
coming was unheralded. The citizens retired to their homes, 
and the town was enveloped in quiet. 

About midnight a solitary watchman descried the boat 
coming up the river. The signal was given from Kaal Rock, 
which awoke the city from her slumbers. The population 
turned out en masse, to welcome her defenders. Every dwel- 
ing and place of business on the principal streets was illumi 
nated. The i5oth embarked, and marched up Main Street 
between two closely packed files of men, women and children ; 
while the loud huzzas that rent the air made the scene one 
long to be remembered. 

Let us not forget to bestow praise to others who repre 
sented our County in the great Rebellion. Those of the gallant 
1 2 8th, who so nobly faced the leaden shot at Fort Hudson,. 
and confronted the enemy on other hotly contested grounds^ 
are worthy a high place in our memories. All honor to the 
" Heroes of Duchess." 



GENERAL HISTORY. 



^i HE early inhabitants of DUCHESS came into this territory 

/HP- 

\) without any concert, each family purchasing land inde- 

v?S? pendently of the others, and without any previous 
t (ff arrangement for establishing civil or religious organiza 
tions. In this they were unlike many of the early communities 
of New England, where the settlements were made under the 
direct supervision of a regular organization, both civil and 
religious. The former came together without any mutual 
purpose, except that of bettering their condition ; the latter 
set out at once with all the advantages accruing from a unity of 
purpose and a settled form of government. However, notwith 
standing the diversity of their origin, these immigrants soon 
began to lay the foundation for their future welfare by setting 
up the institutions of the Christian religion, and by assiduously 
cultivating that love of freedom which has characterized the 
people of DUCHESS through all the trials of her early history. 
DUCHESS County was organized Nov. ist, 1683, and 
provisionally attached to Ulster because of its few inhabitants, 
provision being made for the freeholders in DUCHESS to give 
their votes in the County of Ulster the same as if they lived 
there. At the same time Orange County had some fifty 



98 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

families under the protection of New York County. In the 
year 1713 DUCHESS was considered competent to take care of 
herself, though containing less than five-hundred inhabitants, 
including women, children and blacks, and was then first 
represented in the General Assembly of the Province. The 
original act defines its boundaries as follows : 

The DUCHESS County, [The DUCHESS S County] to be 
from the bounds of the county of Westchester, on the south 
side of the Highlands, along the east side as far as Roeliff 
Jansen s Kill, [now Livingston s Creek,] and east into the woods 
twenty miles." 

DUCHESS County was not settled as early as Westchester, 
Orange, or Ulster Counties. It was covered with heavy timber, 
and was in many places swampy. Early settlers thought it 
unhealthy. None but the Dutch cared to venture on these 
grounds, and hence settled Fishkill. 

. The first settlements were made by the Dutch, at Fishkill 
and afterwards at Rhinebeck, previous to 1690. A settlement 
was begun at Poughkeepsie about the year 1700. Along its 
river region, French Refuges, called Huguenots,* settled, and 
about the year 1741 New Englanders came into its eastern 
borders, f A portion of the county was settled upon lease 
holds, which here as elsewhere led to difficulty. 



* The Huguenots, or French Protestants, came from Europe 1 , and were a parr of the 
50,000 prosecuted, who fled from France four years before the revocation of the Edict of 
Nantz. The cruelties they suffered in France are beyond anything else of the kind on 
record, and in no age was there such a violation of all that is sacred, either with relation 
to God or man; and when we consider the exalted virtues of that glorious hand of brothers 
we are amazed while we are delighted with their fortitude and courage. Rather than 
renounce their Christian principles, they endured outrage shocking to humanity, persecu 
tions of unheard of enormity, and death in all its horrors. To be a Huguenot was enough 
to ensure condemnation. Whoever bore tin s name were arraigned for their lives, and on 
adhering to their profession were condemned by merciless judges to the flames. Some of 
the name and character were murdered in cold blood, and massacred without any legal 
forms of justice, 

t The following copy of a letter now (I860) in possession ofT. Van Wyck Brinkcr- 
hoff, of East Fishkill, throws some light upon the early history of the County : In the 
year 1S23 I saw Isaac Upton, a coaster from Newport, who informed me that about 1700 he 
came up the North Kiver, to Poughkeepsie, and in company with another person, went to 
Mabbitt s store, in Washington, on business. That, on their return, they took a circuitous 
route from Pleasant Valley, and passed the house of a German by the natne of Hoffman, 
who was then 118 years old. He supposed himself to be the first settler in Da-lies.* 
County. When young lie deserted from a Dutch ship of war in New York, squatted where 
he then lived, built him a shanty, and lived a number of years a solitary life without being 
able to find a white woman for "a wife. Afterward he found a German family at Khine- 
beck, married, and lived where he then was to that advanced age. I was informed that 
he died two years afterward, at the age of P20. Signed. PAUL UPTON." 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 99 

JUNE 27th, 1776. For some months a mob has frequently 
.assembled and ranged the eastern part of the manor of 
Rensselaer. Last week they appeared at Mr. Livingston s 
with some proposals to him : but he being from home, they 
returned to Mr. Rensselaer s son s, about two miles from 
Claverack, where, not finding him at home, they used some 
insulting words, and left a message for Mr. Rensselaer, that if 
he did not mset them next day at their rendezvous, they would 
come to him. On the 26th. the sheriff of Albany, with 150 
men under his command, went to disperse the rioters, who 
were assembled it is supposed to the number of sixty in a 
house on the manor. On the sheriffs advancing to the house 
they fired upon him, and shot off his hat and wig, but he 
escaped unhurt many shots were exchanged on both sides. 
Of the militia, Mr. Cornelius Tenbrook, of Claverack, was 
killed, and seven wounded. Of the rioters three were killed 
(two of them the ringleaders) and many wounded, among them 
was Capt. Noble (one of the chief instigators) in the back, 
The rioters retreated to Captain Noble s house, where they 
formed a breastwork, and did not quit the house till the sheriff s 
party left the place. He afterward went to Poughkeepsie to 
get assistance from the regulars to disperse the whole ; but the 
regulars were gone to Pendergraft s house, on Philipse Patent, 
in DUCHESS County. 

We hear from Fredericksburgh,* in DUCHESS County, that 
on Saturday last, as a party of regulars stationed there, under 
the command of Major Brown, were crossing a bridge, they 
were met by about 30 of the rioters, who were going to join 
Pendergraft, their chief s party a skirmish ensued, wherein 
two of the regulars were wounded, and it is supposed a much 
greater number of the rioters, who generally dismounted and 
lied to the cornfields and bushes, leaving some of their horses 
and guns, which were taken, and one prisoner. Several more 
were taken that night. The next evening they sent a flag of 
truce with 50 followers, who were all lodged in the meeting 
house, and the next day several more parties came in. 
Pendergraft s wife was gone to persuade her husband to accept 
of the Governor s mercy, as were many more wives of the 
rioters. We hear of no lives lost. It was reported that 300 
of the rioters lodged at Quaker Hill, intending to attack the 
regulars on the i3th tilt. [Letters from Claverack. 

* Patterson Village, or the City, during the Revolution and previous thereto, says 
Blake in the History of Putnam County, was called Fredericksburgh. The village, nn ti! 
1 he Harlem Railroad was built, was" located about one-halt mile west of the railroad 

station. 



TOD HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Pendergraft was afterwards taken, tried before Judge Hors- 
mander for high treason, and sentenced to be executed, but 
was afterward pardoned. Fifty to sixty others were fined, 
imprisoned or pilloried. Soon after the sentence of Fender- 
graft, an advertisement appeared, offering a good reward to 
any one willing to assist as executioner, and promising disguise 
against recognition, and protection against insults.* 

In 1689, the inhabitants of DUCHESS, like those of Ulster 
and Albany, took part against Leisler. This was during the 
period of civil commotion occasioned by the accession of 
William, Prince of Orange, to the throne of England, and 
which agitation extended to her colonies. Leisler had assumed 
the office of Governor, and the people of the above-mentioned 
counties refused subjection to him. Milbourne, a son-in-law 
of Leisler, proceeded to the disaffected territory with a con 
siderable armed force, which had the effect of reducing the 
colonists to subjection. 

For a time the progress of population was slow. In the 
year 1714, or thirty-one years after the organization of the 
county, it contained only sixty-seven freeholders, and an aggre 
gate number of souls, including twenty-nine slaves, of 445. 
The following are the names of the freeholders, as they appear 
in the Dutch records : 

Jacob Kip, Jacob Plough, Matieis Sleyt, Evert Van Wag- 
enen, William Ostrander, Lowrens Ostrout, Peter Palmater, 
Maylvell Pulmatier, William Tetsort, Hendrick Pells, Peter 
Vely, John Kipp, John De Grave, Leonard Lewis, Elena Van 
Der Bogart, Bartholomus Hogenboom, Baltus Van Kleek, 
Frans Le Roy, Barent Van Kleeck, John Ostrom, Hamen 
Rinders, Mindert Van Der Bogart, Johanes Van Kleck, Lenar 
Le Roy, Swart Van Wagenen, Henry Van Der Burgh, Elias 
Van Bunschoten, Thomas Sanders, Catrine Lasinck, Wedo, 
Peter Lasinck/- ey Scouten, Mellen Springstun, Johnes 
Terbets, John Beuys, Garratt Van Vleit, Abram Beuys, Wil 
liam Outen, Andreis Daivedes, Frans De Langen, Aret Mas- 

* Dunlap s Hist. N. Y. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. IOI 

ten, James Husey, Roger Brett, Peter De Boyes, Isaac Hen- 
dricks, Jehu Breines, Jeury Sprinstan, Peck De Wit, Adaam 
Van Alssed, Cellitie Kool, Harmen Knickerbocker, Johanis 
Dyckman, Sienjar, Jacob Hoghtslingh, Dirck Wesselse, Wil 
liam Schott, Jacob Vosburgh, Tunis Pieterse, Hendrick Bret- 
siert, Roelif Duytser, Johannis Spoor, Junjoor, Abraham 
Vosburgh, Abraham Van Dusen, Willem Wijt, Lauwerens 
Knickerbocker, Hendrick Sissum, Aenderis Gerdener, Gysbert 
Oosterheut, Johannis Dyckerman, Junjor. The intelligent 
reader will readily distinguish, in the quaint orthography of the 
above list, many of the family names of the present time. 

French s Gazetteer says of this county : " The most 
important articles of manufacture are cotton and woolen goods, 
prints, iron ware, flour, malt liquors, cordage, leather, oil, 
paper, &:c. Its manufactured products in 1845 exceeded 
$25.000,000." 

This County, now so populous and opulent, was assessed 
in the year 1702 below any other, contributing only ^18 to 
a general tax of ^2.000. 

In 1729 the County was thus described: " The south part 
is mountainous, and fit only for iron works ; but the rest con 
tains a great quantity of good upland, well watered. The only 
villages in it are Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, though they 
scarcely deserve the name. There is no Episcopal Church in 
it. The growth of this county has been- very sudden, and 
commenced but a few years ago. Within the memory of 
persons now living, it did not contain twelve families ; and 
according to the late returns of the Militia, it will furnish at 
present about 2500 fighting men." 

In 1723 its population was 1,083 j ni T 737? 3<4 T 8 > ^ n J 746, 
8,806; in 1/71, 22,404. 

On the 27th of May, 1775, a Provincial Congress * was 
convened at New York, and efficient measures immediately 
taken for the military organization and defense of the country. 

* Up"ii the adjournment of this ( onirress in September, for .1 month, tlioy delegated 
their posvcrs to a Committee of Safety, composed of throe members from the c ty and 
county of New York, and one from each of the other counties. Thus it must have 
consisted of l(j members. 



102 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Two regiments were authorized to be raised, bounties offered 
for the manufacture of gunpowder and muskets in the province, 
and fortifications were projected at Kingsbridge and the High 
lands. 

July 6th, 1776, the Provincial Congress met at White 
Plains and took the title of " The Representatives of the State 
of New York." On the first day of the meeting they received 
the Declaration of Independence, and immediately passed a 
resolution approving it. Soon after they enacted a law, that all 
persons residing in the State, and enjoying the protection of 
its laws, who should be found guilty of siding with its enemies, 
should suffer death. 

Their deliberations were conducted under constant excite 
ment and alarm, and their places of meeting were continually 
changing. From New York they moved to Harlem, King s 
Bridge, Yonkers, White Plains, Fishkill, Kingston and Pough- 
keepsie, and in 1784 returned to New York. Two sessions 
were afterwards held at Poughkeepsie, and three at Albany, 
before the final removal to the latter place in 1797. In March. 
1778, a concurrent resolution directed the Secretary of State 
and the Clerks of the Counties to put their records into strong 
and light enclosures, to be ready for instant removal in case of 
danger. 

A court house and jail were first ordered to be built at 
Poughkeepsie July 2ist, 1715, for the use of the County, but 
they do not appear to have been completed until nearly thirty 
years afterwards. In 1760, an act authorized the conversion 
of a jury room into a jail, and four years after money 
was raised to complete the arrangement. The act of April 
nth, 1785, appropriated the sum of ^15,000 to re-construct 
the building, which had been destroyed by fire, and Cornelius. 
Humphrey, Peter Tappen, and Gilbert Livingston were appoint 
ed a building committee. A further tax of ,2000 was 
ordered in 1786, and another of ,1300 in 1787. In the 
meantime prisoners were sent to the Ulster County jail. By 
act of March iQth, 1778, the Sheriff s mileage was reckoned! 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 103 

from the house of Myndert Vielle, in Beekmans Precinct. 

The buildings were again destroyed by fire on the night of 
September 25th, 1808 ; the prisoners were removed to the 
Farmers Hotel, and the courts held sessions in the Reformed 
Dutch Church. 

The act for the construction of the present building was 
passed March 24th, 1809, and $12,000 was raised for that 
purpose. James Talmadge, John B. Van Wyck and John Van 
Benthuysen were appointed building commissioners. The next 
year $15,000 additional was raised, and the building was soon 
after completed. It contains the court-room, clerk s office, 
and all the usual county offices, except that of surrogate, 
which is in a small building adjacent. A new jail was built 
separate from the court house about the year 1860. 

In March, 1807, a bill was introduced into the Legislature 
to divide DUCHESS County. The bill passed the Senate by a 
vote of sixteen to thirteen, but it was rejected in the Assembly 
by a vote of forty-eight to forty-seven. In a motion to recon 
sider the vote stood forty-nine to forty-nine, but the speaker 
voting in the negative the motion was lost, and DUCHESS 
County was not divided until five years afterwards. After an 
interval of several years a line, called the Philips and Robin 
son s Line, was surveyed through DUCHESS County, two miles 
north of the Putnam County line, and parallel with it, and an 
attempt made to extend the latter County to that line ; but 
the measure proved a failure. 

By act of April nth, 1808, semi-annual fairs of sale were 
directed to be held in this County, under the management of 
five commissioners, to be appointed by the Judges of Common 
Pleas. These fairs were to be supported by a tax of one per 
cent on all sales, one-half to be paid by the purchaser, and 
one-half by the seller. 

At a meeting of the Supervisors, held in January, .1721, 
among the items of expense allowed are the following : To 
Trynte Van Kleek, widow, for victualling; the assessors and 



104 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

supervisors, 95. To Jacobus Vander Bogart, Esq., for the 
assessors and for horse fodder, 3$. 

In the list of expenses allowed at a session of supervisors 
and assessors in 1726, the following are among the items 
allowed : To Col. Leonard Lewis, for three gallons of rum for 
assessors and supervisors, at two meetings, at 53 per gallon. 
155. To Widow Vander Bogart, for victualling assessors and 
supervisors, and clerk, and sider furnished, ^i 75. To Hen- 
drick Bass, for destroying a wolf, allowed in the act, 6s. To 
Harmanus Reynders, for tending and waiting on the justices 
and assessors and supervisors, clerk, is allowed for a year s 
service, 2. To Cornelius Vancler Bogart, Collected for two 
people that ran away out of his tax list last year, which he did 
not receive, their taxes in all, ics. 

"The burning of a white man and negro for incendiarism, 
which took place in Market Street about a century ago, was 
witnessed by a large concourse of people. The horrors of the 
scene were indescribable ; it seemed as if the sufferers never 
would die, but continued their screams of agon} longer than it 
seemed possible for any one to live under the circumstances. 
After the fuel under them had been nearly exhausted, and their 
charred and half consumed bodies had fallen among the coals 
and ashes, the negro s jaws continued to open and shut, as if 
yawning, for some minutes, as the people crowded around to 
witness the end." 

" But there was another scene of horror which took place in 
Poughkeepsie in the early part of the Revolution, which ex 
ceeded, if possible, the burning above alluded to. Two boys 
from Fishkill, only about sixteen years of age, were arrested 
as spies. Being without friends, they were undefended; were 
tried and condemned to be hung, and were actually executed 
on Forbus Hill. " 

" The trial and execution of an unfortunate man from 
Beekman, named Brock, which took place about 1770. is too 
melancholy to dwell upon. He, too, was poor and friendless; 
and was arrested for passing a counterfeit hard dollar, which it 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 105 

was proved had been given him. At the trial he had no 
defense, and he was found guilty, and sentenced to be hung, 
and his body delivered to the surgeons for dissection ; all of 
which took place at Poughkeepsie." 

TRAVEL AND POST ROUTES. 

The only post road in the State in 1789 was between New 
York and Albany, running through Fishkill, Poughkeepsie and 
Rhinebeck, and the number of post-offices in the State was 
only seven. 

In an old N. Y. City paper, bearing date Oct. 2cl, 1797, 
occurs the following advertisement : " Vermont stages [mail 
and passenger] will leave New York every Monday, Wednesday 
and Friday morning, at 8 o clock, run to Bedford the first 
day, the second to Dover, the third to Stockbridge, and fourth 
to Bennington, Vermont. Fare of each passenger five cents 
per mile." Tims it appears that Duchess early enjoyed the 
privilege of two mail routes, extending through its eastern and 
its western borders, communicating with New York City. 

Letters the few that were written were mainly carried 
by private hands. Newspapers from Hartford and Pough 
keepsie were carried by post-riders on horseback. Such was 
the custom within the recollection of many of our old 
residents. 

Under the caption " New Mail Route, an old copy of the 
Poughkeepsie Observer has the following : " Proposals will 
be received by the Post Master General, until the 27th of 
September. 1817, for carrying the mail once a week from 
Poughkeepsie to New Milforcl, (Conn.) via Beekman, 
Pawling. c. 

Elihu Stewart, familiarly called Captain Stewart, father of 
Elihu Stewart, Esq., of Sherman, Conn., was the successful 
bidder. I-Ie was succeeded by one Page, who conducted the 
route until he failed, when Stewart again resumed charge of it. 
At this time the mails were carried through three times each 
way, every week. Finally a Mr. Butler took the contract, 



106 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

agreeing to carry the mail from New Milford to Poughkeepsie 
and return each day, a distance of nearly seventy miles, over a 
very mountainous road. Though frequent relays of horses 
were provided, this was found to be hardly practicable, and 
several horses were killed on the road before the plan was 
discontinued. Butler was succeeded by McKibbin, who con 
tinued on the route until the completion of the Harlem Rail 
road to Dover Plains. The old Poughquag Tavern (now the 
residence of Daniel Thomas, Esq.,) was called the half-way 
house, where man and beast were refreshed. 

THE SHARON CANAL. 

About the year 1821, the New York and Sharon Canal was 
projected, Many enterprising men took a lively interest in it, 
though some looked upon it as a visionary scheme. The canal 
was proposed to be constructed from Sharon Valley down by 
the Oblong River, and by the Swamp River, to the sources of 
the Croton in Pawling, and by the Croton either to the Hudson 
or the Harlem River. The Harlem Railroad runs over very 
nearly the route proposed for the canal. An extension of the 
canal north through Salisbury to Great Barrington, in Massa 
chusetts, was also contemplated. The preliminary survey was 
made, and about sixty thousand dollars contributed. This 
money was deposited with a broker in New York, who failed. 
This so discouraged the managers that the project was 
abandoned. 

In 1826 the project seems to have been renewed, and 
and a Report of the Canal Commissioners was made to the 
Legislature, of surveys and estimates by an engineer employed 
by the Commissioners. The estimated cost of the Canal to the 
Hudson was $599,232 ; and by the route to the Harlem it was 
$1,232,169. This included the whole expense of excavation, 
aqueducts, locks, bridges, and everything essential to the 
completion of the work. A survey was made of ponds and 
streams which could be made to supply the canal with water, 
and an estimate given of the amount of transportation that 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 107 

might be expected. We have no record of the project after 
this. Cyrus Swan, of Sharon; Joel Benton and Thomas 
Barlow, of Amenia ; William Tabor, of Pawling ; and Mark 
Spencer, of Amenia, were among the projectors of this enter 
prise. 

SOIL, CLIMATE, ETC. 

The soil is in general a fine quality of sandy and gravelly 
loam. Upon the hills it is in some places, composed of 
disintegrated slate ; and upon the Hudson River intervales it is 
a deep rich alluvium. The richness and variety of its soil, 
and its proximity to the New York market, insure a rich return 
for all agricultural labor ; and it ranks foremost among the 
various counties in the State. In cultivated area it is excelled 
only by Jefferson, Oneida, Otsego and St. Lawrence ; and in 
cash value of farms by Monroe and Westchester only. Farm 
ing is of a mixed character, all branches being successfully 
pursued. Owing to the facilities afforded by the network of 
railroads throughout the County, the sending of milk to New 
York has become an important branch of business, That part 
of the County along the Hudson has considerable ornamental 
farming and gardening, where are the country seats of men of 
opulence. 

Owing to its somewhat elevated position, the climate of the 
County is colder than in some of the adjacent counties of the 
same latitude. 

A considerable amount of manufacturing is carried on, the 
principal establishments being located in Poughkeepsie and 
Fishkill. The commerce by means of the Hudson is 
extensive. In 1850, whale fishing was prosecuted here to a 
considerable extent, several large ships being employed. About 
that time eight or ten steamboats, and a considerable number 
of sloops, schooners and barges, were employed in the coasting 
trade. 

The following facts may interest the general reader: In 
1687 the Governor and Council levied a tax of half a penny 



108 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

on every pound out of the estates of the freeholders of 
DUCHESS County. 

A further act was passed Sept. loth, 1692, " To raise So 
men out of DUCHESS and Ulster to protect Albany from 
Indians during the winter." In 1713 empowered DUCHESS to 
elect a Supervisor, Assessor and Collector. 

Previous to 1718 no records were kept in DUCHESS County. 
Whatever records may have been kept are lost. None are to 
be found in Ulster County. 

The cities of Newburgh and Po keepsie now contain more 
inhabitants than the whole State of New York in 1695. In 
1723 there were 195 taxable inhabitants in DUCHESS County. 



AMENIA. 



POPULATION, 2,700. SQUARE ACRES, 84,568. 



MENIA is one of the original towns formed by act of 
March 7, 1788. It comprises the width of the Oblong 
^tf) tract, and the east tier of lots in the Great Nine 

Vfj J 

Partners. 

The origin of the name is too obscure to venture even a 
guess upon. It is noticeable from the fact that it is the only 
locality bearing the name in the whole country. Young, a 
minor American poet, applies this term in his " Conquest of 
Quebec," in a description of the several provincial troops em 
ployed in that campaign. 

The Taghkanick Mountains extend along the east border, 
and the Highlands belonging to the Fishkill Range extend 
through the west part. The wide valley separating these two 
ranges occupies the central portions. The declivities of the 
mountains are often steep and sometimes rocky, and their 
highest summits often reach the altitude of 300 to 500 feet 
above the valleys. Amenia Station is 500 feet above tide 
water. The soil is a clayey and sandy loam. 

The principal streams are the Weebutook or Ten Mile 

109 



110 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

River, Wassaic Creek, and West Brook, and their branches. 
A low range of limestone, hard and brittle, of a bluish color, 
considerably disintegrated where it crops out, extends north 
and south through the valley. Near the village of Wassaic are 
striking evidences of geological changes in the far-off aeons of 
the world s infancy. The bed of the valley is a succession of 
low hills that were washed up by the waters of some Paleozoic 
Lake, that at one time filled the valley. Dig into the sandhills 
and you will see the works of the waves left in the ripples of 
the sand. 

A gentleman who had travelled extensively in Europe, said 
he never saw a lovelier valley than that of Amenia. No 
country affords finer contrasts of mountain, hill, ravine, wood 
and cultivated plain. All its approaches from the west are 
beside streams, through gorges, up and down steep declivities 
as wild and varied as those of far-famed Switzerland. The 
contrast between the fairness of a clear Summer afternoon and 
a ragged thunder storm in the night is not greater than that of 
the fair fields of Lithgow, and the stern, dark mountains and 
fearful ruggedness of Deep Hollow. 

Amenia Village, The City, Wassaic, Amenia Union, South 
Amenia, Leedsville, and Sharon Station are post villages. 

Richard Sackett was here several years before any other 
settlement was made, probably about the year 1711. He 
located at the " Steel Works," about one mile south of the 
village of Wassaic, so called because a furnace and foundry 
were established there during the Revolution, to manufacture 
steel for the use of the army. The site of the works is still 
covered by coal dust and cinders. Mr. Sackett was connected 
with the Livingstons in the settlement of the Palatinates at 
German or East Camp, now Germantown, Columbia County. 
In the Colonial Records we read: " March n, 1703, Richard 
Sackett petitioned government for license to purchase (of the 
Indians) a tract of land in DUCHESS County, east of Hudson s 
River, called Washiack." "Oct. 20, 1703, license granted." 
"Nov. 2, 1704, patent granted to Richard Sackett & Co., for 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



said land, containing about y ; 5oo acres, or thereabouts." Mr. 
Sackett was one of the company known as the Little Nine 
Partners. He died in 1746, and was buried on the hill, in a 
little cemetery not far from his residence. At the time that he 
established his family in Amenia, there was not another white 
family nearer than Poughkeepsie, or Woodbury and New Mil- 
ford, in Connecticut. 

Uldrick Winegar and his son, Capt. Garrett Winegar, were 
the next settlers. They were of the Palatinates at East Camp, 
and located at Amenia Union about the year 1724, where they 
entered upon land without any title, except from the Indians. 
Afterward, when the Oblong was confirmed to New York, and 
surveyed, he received a title from the proprietors of that tract. 
It is worthy of note that no mention is made of any block 
house, or any defense against the Indians, put up by these 
early settlers, though isolated for many years from any other 
white settlements ; while in Litchfield, between 1720 and 1730, 

there were five houses sur 
rounded by palisades, and 
f.oldiers w ere stationed 
ihere to guard the inhab 
itants while at work, and 
at worship on the Sabbath. 
Uldrick died in 1754, at 
The wine-gar House. the age of io2years, and 

Garrett the year following. Their graves and those of many 
of their descendants are in that beautiful burial ground near 
Amenia Union. 

Hendrick Winegar, the oldest son of Capt. Garrett, resided 
for several years at the foot of the West Mountain; in 1761 he 
built the large stone and brick house a short distance west of 
Amenia Union. He was ancestor of the families of that name 
in Kent, Conn. 

The Rows, likewise Germans, are believed to have been of 
the Palatinates, and settled near Amenia Union, soon after the 
Winegars, and previous to 1731. Henry Nase settled below 




112 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

them, near the town line. His memorial stone, in the cemetery 
at Dover, says : " Henry Nase, born in High Germany, died 
Dec. 14, 1759, about 64 years old." The old houses, built by 
these early settlers, of which there were as many as seven or 
eight near Amenia Union at the beginning of the present cen 
tury, were objects of special interest. The Delamaters were 
French Huguenots, and settled here previous to 1740. 

The first highway from Salisbury was from Weatague 
through Lakeville, Ore Hill, Sharon Valley, and Sackett s Farm 
in Dover, showing the intercourse of these Dutch families. 
The first important immigration to this town was not until the 
year 1740, and it appears that ten years afterward the popula 
tion was sufficient to encourage the people to institute public 
worship in three places. 

In the journal of Abraham Rhinke, one of the Moravian 
Missionaries, who preached at u Nine Partners and the Oblong" 
in 1753, he says: "The people came here five years ago in 
expectation of bettering their fortunes by the purchase of cheap 
farms, and for the enjoyment of religious liberty." From this 
it would appear that the influx of population was about the year 
1748 ; and it also affords an idea of the sentiment of freedom 
in religion, entertained by the early settlers. 

At the time of settlement a remnant of the Pequod Indians 
had a village in the northeast part of the town,*" called Wech- 
quadnach, on the west side of Indian Pond. Some Moravian 
missionaries began to labor with them about the year 1740. 
with evident success ; but so annoyed were they by the officers 
of the Colonial Government, that in a few years they were 
driven out of the State. These Christian laborers w r ere charged 
with being Jesuits, and emissaries of the French. Although 
the charge proved groundless, it may be some palliation of the 
jealousy of the Colonists, that the French were sending their 
emissaries among the Indians in other quarters to incite them 
against their English neighbors. It should be noted that it w r as 
not the local authorities that suspected the peaceable savages, 



The town limits, or rather the precinct limits, have been since changed. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 113 

for they were held in the highest esteem by the whites. After 
ward, one of the Moravians, Rev. Joseph Powell, ministered 
to a congregation near Indian Pond. He died in 1774, and 
was interred, with some of his people, in the burial ground 
near their house of worship. A more extended account of the 
Moravians in DUCHESS County is given in the chapter on Pine 
Plains. 

Several Indian burial places are spoken of in tradition : 
one on the lands of Myron B. Eenton ; another near Amasa 
D. Coleman s, still the burial place of families in the vicinity. 
At a place by the river called the ;: Nook," near South Amenia, 
the Indians were accustomed to hold their noisy pow-wows. 
There were a few wigwams near the outlet of Swift s Pond. 

Amenia is topographically divided into three valleys. In 
arly times each valley had its separate place of worship, each 
-church being of the same order Presbyterian or Congrega 
tional. The oldest was organized near the centre of the town, 
and was named " Carmel. in the Nine Partners." In 1750, 
Abraham Paine, Jun., "was set apart to the work of the min 
istry by solemn ordination by laying on the hands of the Pres 
bytery, and by the power of the Holy Ghost." Mr. Paine and 
some of his church soon became affected with the notions of 
the " New Lights," or " Separatists," which lead to some disa 
greement with the more conservative of the congregation. 
The house of worship known as the Red Meeting House" 
was built in 1758. and stood about a mile northeast of the 
village of Amenia, near the burying ground. It was a square 
building, two stories high, with a gallery on three sides, and 
seated with square pews. This house was built and afterwards 
repaired by contributions from persons not strict adherents to 
the Congregational polity, and was occupied harmoniously in 
later years by the Congregationalists, Baptists and Methodists. 
In the Summer of 1770. the celebrated Whitefield preached in 
the Red Meeting House to the crowds that followed him all 
the country round Elder Elijah Wood, a Baptist, was the 
acceptable minister of the congregation for several years. In 

h 



114 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

the early part of the present century the line was gradually 
drawn between the three denominations, and each sustained a 
separate organization. In 1811, this church was connected 
with the associated Presbytery of Westchester, and in 1815- 
with the Presbytery of North River. In the same year Rev. 
Joel Osborne became pastor, giving to the church one-third of 
the time. 

The congregation in the Oblong Valley, known as the 
Oblong Society, was made up partly of families living in Con 
necticut, the church edifice being located at Amenia Union. 
about twenty yards west of the colony line. It was a capacious 




The Hound Top Meeting House (He>ttred). 

building, with galleries, and with doors on three sides. The 
roof had four sides, terminating at the top in an ornamental 
cupola, which gave it the name of "The Round Top Meeting 
House." It was built in 1755, and in 1786 it was taken down 
and another erected near where the present church edifice 
stands. The society was organized in 1759,* seventeen years 
before the Revolution, twenty-nine years before the organiza 
tion of the town, and about ten or fifteen years after the prin 
cipal settlements had been made. Palatinates and Huguenots. 



* In 18-50, tlie congregation at South Amenia held memorial services in commemo 
ration of its one him Iredth anniversary, and a historical discourse was read. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 115 

escaping from the fire of persecution, and Puritans from New 
England composed the membership. 

The first preaching there of which there is any record, was 
by a Moravian missionary in 1753. named Rhinke. Rev. 
Kbenezer Knibloe was installed first pastor. He came from 
the Philipse Patent, near " Kent s Parish," or Carmel. He 
was a Scotchman by birth ; his manner unfortunately was such 
that members in his congregation, fired with patriotic zeal, 
became suspicious of his loyalty to the cause of the king, and 
he was dismissed after serving them sixteen years. The evi 
dence, however, was clearly against the suspicion ; and, after 
the war, he again ministered to them acceptably until his 
death, which took place in 1785. Marriages, recorded by him. 
numbered 321 ; baptisms, 581. This would seem to indicate 
a population greater than at present. 

While the British were in possession of New York, the 
distinguished Dr. John Rodgers. a Presbyterian, left the city 
and found a safe retreat in the country. He came here in 
1778, out of the way of the disturbing effects of the war, and 
ministered to the people about two years. Rev. Dr. Livings 
ton also spent some time here during the war. 

The following are from the old church records : i; Voted. 
that Capt. Colbe Chamberlain, Lieut. David Doty, Dr. 
Timothy Babcock, and Mr. Benjamin Delano, be quoristers ; 
that Capt. Colbe Chamberlain and Ebenezer Hatch, be 
tithingmen." [The office of tithingmen was to keep the young 
people in becoming order.] In 1778 the society voted to 
give their pastor. Dr. Rodgers, $16 per Sabbath. That season 
the people furnished for Dr. Rodgers family one hundred 
pounds of butter; Simeon Kelsey provided a pig of about one 
hundred pounds ; Moses Barlow a pig and a beef ; and Jedediah 
Bump about six hundred pounds of pork. Dr. Rodgers 
resided a part of the time in the house called Deacon Leon 
ard s house, near George Swift s. 

" Feb. 22, 1786, voted that our present old Meeting House 
be taken down and applied to the building of a new one ; and 



Il6 HISTORY OF DUCHKSS COUXTV. 

that all persons who had any right in the old meeting house 
shall be considered proprietors m the new one. Thus it 
appears the true succession was preserve;] in the house and in 
the congregation. Some of the material of that first building 
is doubtless in the present structure. 

After the death of Air. Knibioe, several ministers were 
engaged temporarily, till 1802, when Rev. John Barnet was 
engaged as preacher, but not as pastor, who continued with 
them upwards of ten years. He was a Chaplain in the war of 
the Revolution, first in Col Hopkins Regiment, of Amenia, 
at Saratoga, and afterwards in the regular irmy. Mr. Barnet s 
salary was sixty pounds per annum, and the use of the 
parsonage farm, which then included, besides the present 
parsonage land, that part of Henry Cline s farm west of the 
highway. A Fourth of July oration by Mr. Barnet in 1812 
was published ; also a funeral sermon for Ambrose Spencer. 
Jim., who was killed at the battle of Luncly s Lane, and who 
had been a pup.il of Mr. Baraet s. In 1015. Rev. Joel Osborne 
became pastor; dismissed at his own request in 1825 ; died in 
Kent, Conn., in 1856. aged 66 years. Rev. Asahel Bronson 
was installed pastor in 1827; Rev. John G. Lowe in 1830; 
Rev. A. Cogswell Frissell in 1843; and Rev. Harry Smith in 
1859. The present .parsonage was built in 1815, and the 
present church edifice in 1849. 

The following is a brief compendium of the history of the 
Smith field Church and Society : 

About the year 1750, at the time when the dark cloud of 
the French and Indian war hung over the Colonies, a plain 
church edifice was erected upon the ground occupied by the 
present building. At an early date two churches occupied the 
ground now covered by the Smithfield Church and Society. 
After the Revolution there was an effort made to unite the two 
which proved successful. Rev. John Cornwall, it is believed, 
preached the gospel in both places until his death. Both 
societies were originally Congregational, and remained so until 
one ceased to exist, and the other became Presbyterian in 




v ;; ; , 

L^ ^-g X.:; & 

Klllilfljr^^ "*" " v 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS CO 117 

1824. It is supposed that the Separate was 

built very nearly the same time with the : n* the City, but ,ve 
have no records of cither. 

It is a well-known far: th.it those a a thorough 

reformation of the Church of England hne of Queen 

Elizabeth were called Puritans ; and thai 

---^T^^^^SEHE"^ left the Church of Kr. gland 

-~E^^~ 7~^- were cal ed Separ^cs or 

^~iEi- Separa : .;r-f;. Some of hoth 
p. .i t ,er : ";-;hi v cfri.e from 
^AX^ ;.eirc: in Aniejica, and 
2& i.i 167-:: commenced ihe 

settled 

The Old Separate Meeting House, in tha V.t ofthis SOr.ioiy 

known as the "Separate may have b< sis, or in 

sympathy with thai branch oi : e n?rne. 

Stephen Kenney settled near the Sc;. ea.i 17/0, 

and was one of the nurabjr \\ r ho si T ae.l oo. eiiar o! he 
organization of the church in the year 1787. K!> arns 

found a home very near the same time at Adams Mi 1 If v ;o 
also signed the covenant as a member of t^c -..! ]:: :am 

Bockee, froni New York, at an early per orl s: i ! e the 

land purchased by his father in the year 1^99, and v, h ; ch has 
remained in the family until a very recent c.a e. aert 

Willson, Sen,, died in 1799, just twelve rears afte- he had 
signed the covenant at the organization of the church, in J7-7. 
He doubtless was among the first settlers. lenjam n Her-ick 
died in ] 778, having ouried t\vo c.Mkrren in the cemetery at 
this place in 1755. only iiv.-- years irst churcli edifice 

was built. No evidence h:;s been found -hat a settle 1 pnstor 
served this church from 1750 to i77 : -;, a ] r.l of twenty-five 
years, and it is prosalile t during this time the gospel was 
preached only by such ministers of Christ as nri jht : oi:rney 
through this section of oor.niry. Among these was the Rev. 
George Whitefiekl. In a letter elated New York, July 29th, 



Tl8 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

1770, he says : " Since my last I have been above a 5oo-mile 
circuit, and have been able to preach and travel through the 
heat and dust every day. The congregations have been large 
and attentive, particularly at Albany, Schenectady, Great Bar- 
rington, Norfolk, Salisbury, Sharon. Smithfield, Poughkeepsie 
and Fishkill." Tradition tells us that church edifices here 
could not hold the people who assembled to hear the most 
wonderful preacher of the age. Near the church was a grove 
of oaks, one of which still stands ; under the shade of this 
grove the people listened to this eloquent man. 

In 1775 the church gave a call to the Rev. Job Swift, 1). D.. 
who faithfully and ably preached the gospel for more than 
seven years. While living and laboring here a son was born 
to him, afterwards known as the Hon. Samuel Swift, LL. D.. 
one of the most learned and honored citizens of Vermont. 
From 1782 until 1812, the church was without a pastor, when 
a call was given to Rev. Eli Hyde. The call was accepted 
and a council called to meet on the 8th day of January, 1813. 
The following churches, by their pastors and delegates, were 
requested to attend, viz : ist Church in Sharon, ist and 2(1 
Churches in Cornwall, South Church in Canaan, Congrega 
tional Church in Southeast, the Presbyterian Church in Pleas 
ant Valley, and the Reformed Dutch Church in Poughkeepsie. 
Mr. Hyde remained pastor a little more than eight years. 
During his pastorate, in the year 1814, the second church was 
built on the site of the old one. He married the daughter of 
his teacher and pastor, the Rev. Samuel Nott, 1). D. She was 
richly endowed by nature and careful culture, and possessed 
great devotion to the cause of Christ. With her originated the 
idea of forming a Bible Society, for the distribution of the 
Word of God among those destitute, and this idea took form 
in the DUCHESS County Female Bible Society, of which she was 
the first President, and which is still doing a good work. It 
was organized several years before the American Bible Society. 

From the close of the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Hyde the 
church was without a pastor for more than three years, when 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. IK; 

the Rev. Robert G. Armstrong accepted a call, and was in 
stalled pastor by the Presbytery of North River, Sept. 20, 1824. 
He was pastor about seven years, being dismissed by the Pres 
bytery in 1831, and at the same date installed pastor of the 
Presbyterian church at Fishkill ; in 1840 he was dismissed to 
the Presbytery of Hudson. 

The Baptist church, at its organization May, 1790, seems 
to have been composed of some from the old Congregational 
Church, and of others who had been members of the 
Baptist Church of Northeast. They chose Rev. Elijah Wood 
for their pastor, who on the 2yth of June administered the 
ordinance of the Lord s Supper to them for the first time. Mr. 
Wood had ministered to the Congregational Church ; but this 
uniting with a new organization did not sunder his fraternal 
iclations with the brethren of the old church. He was a 
native of Norwich, Conn., came to Amenia before the Revolu 
tion ; and was counted among the most active patriots. He 
was not a scholar, but a close student, and an acceptable 
minister. In 1816, this church was greatly revived and 
enlarged. Rev. Mr. Peck, who officiated as pastor two years, 
seems to have been the active agent in bringing about this 
prosperity. He was born in Litchfield. Conn., came to 
Amenia when a young man ; engaged in teaching awhile, 
and then became minister of the church. 

The Methodist Society of Amenia, one of the earliest of 
that denomination in this part of the country, was formed 
about the year 1788, and consisted of eight members. David 
Rundall was the only male member for several years. The 
first sermon was preached in a private house, one half mile 
east of Sharon Station. The meetings were held in this house 
for a time ; when, more settlers coming in, a society was 
formed in the vicinity of the old Red Meeting House. Mr. 
Garrettson formed the first class, and Captain Allen Ward- 
well was the first class leader. 

The late Dr. Wakely was wont to call that part of Amenia 
" The Old Methodist Classic Ground." The important position 



120 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

of this society at that time may be inferred from the fact that 
the New York Annual Conference was held here. It was in 
1808, and the sessions were held in the Round Top School 
House, about half a mile northeast of the Old Red Meeting. 
House. Rev. Bishop Asbury presided and occupied the 
teacher s chair, with the school desk before him ; and the 
preachers sat upon the benches of the pupils. On the Sabbath 
the conference occupied the meeting-house, when the Bishop 
preached. One \\r.\- nd three preaches were stationed 

at this Con f-j i.u lies entertained len or twelve 

of the preachers their horses; and the community 

were so gratified v. v.ifer-Jics thit a cornmitte 

on them with "ding the Fession the and inviied 

them to comj a f;vst church edif e of this society 

was built in 1812, in wrrch the New York Conference met in 
1813, when Bishop Asburv and Me Men dree presided. At 
this Conference c ghty-e- stationed the 

Conference having been oh -..i s : nce 1808. 

At the annual town meeting of the freeholders n>vl inhabi 
tants of the Precinct of Amenia. on the ist Tresd.iv of April, 
1762, at the house of ROVA >::." Michael 

Hopkins was chosen clerk of s .1 "rec. nct. nn.d Capt. Stejmen 
Hopkins was chosen Supervisor ; Sain L : el /oiy and Jonathan 
Reynolds, Assessors; Benj. Benedict, Abrih-vn P.^ine and 
Moses Barlow, Overseers of the Poor, and Corn-d Winegar, 
Constable. 

In the War of the Revolution, the patro ifsm of the citizens 
of Ameiiia, was Taa;iil"e:^ed by prompt ne^n ;ind almost entire 
unanimity. A committee of safety was appointed here, as in 
other town;;. The vigilance of the c was particularly 

directed to the moreinents of the Tories. \ mde prison, 
constructed of logs, was use : " r con ->ccted persons. 

This was buPt abo t of the sent village of 



-\ north of Ilia 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. I 2 

Amenia, and north of where the turnpike now runs. The 
remains of this prison were visible a few years ago. 

When the news of the battle of Lexington reached Amenia 
the military companies came together with a spontaneous will. 
They were addressed by Ephraim Paine, Esq., in a masterly 
oration ; at the close of which Simeon Cook, captain of one of 
the companies, said to his men : " Fellow soldiers ; the time 
has come to give up our liberties, or to defend them with the 
musket. As many of you as are willing to march with me to 
the scene of action, I will lead ; and I will expose myself to 
all the hardships and dangers that you will be exposed to. If 
any of you are unwilling to go, you are dismissed." It is 
added that not one left the ranks. 

In April, 1777, the lead mines at Great Nine Partners were 
explored, with some success, by an agent of Congress. These 
mines were on lands of Mr. Fish, in the present town of 
Amenia, and were explored at the suggestion of Moses Harris. 
The Commissoners appointed by the Provincial Congress were 
Jonathan Landon and Ezra Thompson, and they employed 
John McDonald, an experienced miner from Scotland, (one of 
the distinguished family of that name) who appears to have 
come over for the purpose of aiding the people in their struggle. 
The work at these mines was continued throughout the season, 
as reported by Mr. McDonald. 

Cornelius Atherton, engaged at the Steel Works, in this 
town, in September, 1776, petitioned the New York Council 
for the exemption from military duty of his workmen engaged 
in the manufacture of fire-arms in his contract with Congress. 

Among the citizens in Amenia, who rendered valuable 
service in the wars, none were more worthy of favorable 
mention than the Hon. Ephraim Paine. He was from the 
beginning employed in offices of very high responsibility and 
honor. His integrity and firmness were not less marked than 
was his Puritanic simplicity of manner. He held that there 
should be no distinction in dress, and wore, therefore, the 
dress of a laboring man in the halls of legislation, and in the 



122 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

house ot worship. Many mistakes are mentioned, resulting 
from Mr. Paine s plainness of dress. He was at one time 
treated as a menial by the landlady at whose house he was 
stopping during his stay at court in Poughkeepsie. The only 
rebuke he gave when she apologized was, "you should treat all 
men alike." A gentleman who rode in haste to the house on 
public business gave him his horse to hold while he went in to 
speak to Judge Paine. Another was once looking over the 
Farm for Judge Paine, and, finding a man ditching, asked him. 
" Where is your master?" " In Heaven," was his ready answer. 
Judge Paine s education had been without the aid of schools, 
but his mind was disciplined to a habit of clear comprehension 
and strict accuracy. He was on many occasions in his public 
service a valuable adviser on matters of finance ; he opposed 
decidedly the financial policy of Gen. Hamilton. He was a 
member of the Senate when he died. 

Silas Marsh, called " Lawyer Marsh," was an active patriot 
in civil life. Samuel King and Hon. . Egbert Benson are 
favorably mentioned as stern and true patriots. 

This part of the country was singularly free from any 
disturbance, resulting from the near approach of the enemy, 
or the movements of the American troops. The people here, 
it is said, heard the sound of the cannon at the battle of Long 
Island, and they saw the smoke of burning Kingston ; but 
It " did not come nigh unto them." The nearest encampment 
of Continental troops at any time was that at Pawling in 1778. 
In the summer of that year, a large number of prisoners 
mostly Hessians, taken at the battle of Saratoga the year 
before were marched through this town on their way to 
Fishkill, where they crossed the Hudson. It is said that some 
of the Hessian soldiers solicited the people to aid them in. 
escaping ; a few succeeded, and remained in this country. 

In the early part of the war, a man called at Judge Paine s 
in his absence, who was suspected by Mrs. Paine to be a 
British spy. She persuaded him to partake of refreshments, 
which caused his delay, while she sent for two patriots to arrest 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 123 

him. He was however, an American spy, and the committee 
who knew, him, were obliged to use some deception in plan 
ning his escape, in order that his character might not be 
revealed. He was sent under guard on his way to Poughkeep- 
sie, but managed to escape. 

A young man named Samuel Jarvis joined the army 
from Amenia, where he left a wife and two children. He 
afterwards deserted into the British lines, went to England, and 
married again. After almost a hundred years his legitimate 
family here have recovered his estate left in England. 

In the disturbed condition of society incident to the war, 
lawless and rapacious men used the opportunity to indulge 
their spite, or to gratify their greed for plunder. Even in this 
safe retreat, though so far removed from the armies, there 
were instances of robberies. Philip Nase, Sen., and his wife, 
who lived where their son afterward did, had laid up a considera 
ble sum of gold and silver money and other valuable treasure. 
Four men. in the disguise of British officers and soldiers, came 
one evening, armed with axes, demanded the key to the 
treasure, and threatened death to the family if any resistance 
was offered. The key was given up, and every part of the 
treasure carried off, and never heard from again. 

The attempted robbery of Capt. David Collin, father of 
the late Capt James Collin, came to a different sequel. A 
company of robbers, supposed to be some well-known Tories, 
came to Mr. Collin s house, in the absence of his wife, and 
demanded his money and other treasures. Upon his refusal to 
give up his valuables, they proceeded to hang him, and probably 
would have carried their purpose to a fatal issue, but for the 
timely arrival of his wife, who saved his life and their treasure. 
The family have some memoranda of this event, and of the 
goods concealed. 

Henry, the oldest son of Philip Nase, Sen., was a Tory of 
so positive a character that he left the country and made his 
home in Nova Scotia. It is said he concealed some money 
in great haste at the foot of the mountain, before going away ; 




124 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

when he returned to get it he was not able to find the place,. 
aid it is supposed to be there to this day. 

Deacon Moses Barlow, and his brother Nathan, came from 
Cape Cod in 1756. Before leaving there they had been sea 
faring men. They came by water to Poughkeepsie, and 
journeyed across the country to this place. Their diary speaks 

of a kind hospitality 
extended to them by the 
Newcombs, of Pleasant 
Valley, on their way to 
their new homes. 

Caleb Benton, of Guil- 
ford, Conn., purchased of 
Capt. Lasell, in 1794, the 

House built by De.oon Barlow. P laCC nOW OWned ^ m S 

grandson, Myron B. Benton. He paid for the land in specie, 
at the rate of fifteen dollars per acre, which he brought with 
him on horseback. When his family removed hither, they too- 
came by way of Poughkeepsie. 

Soon after 1750, Abraham Bockee, a merchant of New 
York, came to Nine Partners and entered upon land purchased 
of his grandfather in 1699, which has been in possession of 
the family to the present time. He was one of the Colonial 
Justices appointed by the Crown as early as 1761, at which 
lime he is mentioned as a " Mr. Bokay," a Justice of the Peace 
at Nine Partners, near a place called the City. The immi 
grant ancestor of Mr. Bockee was Johannes Bockee, who came 
to this country in 1685, and who was of that noble Huguenot 
stock that has contributed so many families of worth and 
distinction. Abraham Bockee, was the father of Jacob Bockee, 
a grandfather of the late Judge Abraham Bockee, Jacob 
Bockee, a graduate of King s College, N. Y., was Captain in 
the Revolution of a Company in Col. Willet s Regiment, and 
was a member of the Assembly in 1795 and 1797, where he 
introduced a bill for the abolition of slavery in this State- 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



Phenix Bockee, a brother of Abraham, was Lieutenant in the 
war of 1812, and died in Poughkeepsie in 1814. 

Capt. John Boyd was of Irish descent, and came from 
Orange County previous to 1769. He married the daughter 
of Conrad Winegar, built him a house which is still standing a 
little south of Amenia Union, and in which he died in 1817. 

Lemuel and William Brush, sons of Reuben Brush, from 
Long Island, lived in the west part of the town, not far from 
the City. Lemuel had five sons ; Perlee, Jesse, Platt, John 
and Henry. Jesse was an officer in the Revolution. John 
was the General John Brush who commanded the DUCHESS 
County troops at the Harlem Bridge in the war of 1812, and 
who was afterwards Major General of the Militia. Col. Henry 
Brush was Captain of the Ohio Volunteers in the war of 181 2, and 
was on his way to Detroit with 230 men, 100 beef cattle, and 
other provisions, and a mail, at the time General Hull surren 
dered, August 1 6th, 1812. Capt. Brush had arrived at the 
river Raisin, and was in imminent danger of falling into the 
hands of the Indians under Tecumtha, through the negligence 
of Hull to send a reinforcement. When notified on the 77th, 
by a British officer, with a flag of truce, of Hull s surrender 
with his army, including his own command, he refused to 

accept the notice 
as a u t h oritative, 
escaped with most 
of his stores to 
Ohio. It is said 
thatCapt. Brush pur 
posely allowed the 
whiskey among his 

The Old John Boyd House. StOrCS tO fall into 

the hands of the Indians, which so demoralized them that 
they were unable to pursue the returning party. 

The ancestors of the Carpenter family came from England 
to Massachusetts in 1638. In 1752 Daniel Carpenter 
purchased land in Crom Elbow Precinct, near Salt Point, 




126 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

where he died in 1777. His son Benjamin, being excessively 
annoyed by the Tories, removed to Amenia. This was at the 
time the Tories of DUCHESS County put on such a bold front 
and gathered their forces at Washington Hollow. Mr. Carpen 
ter was three times robbed by them. 

Joseph Chamberlain came from Tolland, Conn., in i7SS- 
and settled on the farm afterwards owned by the Xye family. 
He had four sons; Colbe, James, John and William. The 
latter was a captain in the Revolution, and was in the battle of 
Bennington, Saratoga, and other bloody fields. He lived on 
the farm now owned by J. H. Cline. and kept tavern there. 
which was much frequented during the war. 

Peter Cline (Klein), a native of Germany, came into 
Amenia from Rhinebeck in 1760. He was one of the 
" Redemptioners," who paid for their passage to this country 
by their services afterwards, to which they were bound by the 
captain who brought them over. He located where his grand 
son, Edward E. Cline, now lives, purchasing one-half of Oblong 
lot No. 43. at ten dollars and a half per acre. 

Dr. Benjamin Delavergne settled on the road to Kent, 
previous to the war, and built a dam which is still visible, and 
which yet bears the name of the French Doctor s Dam. He 
took a prominent part in the Revolution, and was Major in 
the Fourth Regiment of DUCHESS County Militia. 

The Justices of the Peace, previous to the organization of 
the Precinct, were Castle, Hopkins, Bockee, Winegar. Smith. 
( rarnsey, and others. The record, kept with admirable clerical 
skill by Roswell Hopkins, Esq., shows the " actions determined" 
in his official service, a period of thirty years, to have been 
2,564. This record also shows the criminal penalties of the 
age, which sometimes read lashes upon the bare back." 
These convictions were by a Court of Special Sessions, held 
by three Justices. Sometimes Justices from other towns were 
associated with them. The fine for breaking the Sabbath, for 
drunkenness, and for profane oaths seems to have been three 
shillings, which went to the poor. Sometimes the penalty 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



127 




imposed was that the criminal be transported out of the 

county. 

The German Settlers and the Delematers had their slaves : 
Jacob Evartson had as many as 
forty, it is said. Most of the slaves 
in this town were manumitted in 
the manner and under the condi 
tions prescribed by law. Owners 
were not permitted to make free 
and cast off any slave who was 
not capable of providing for him- 

House built by Johannes DeJemater. self. Ill 1824, three years before 

the completed abolition of slavery in this State, there were 32 
slaves in Amenia. 

In 1764, the following persons in Amenia Precinct received 
license to keep tavern : Samuel Smith, Robert Johnson, Jona 
than Reynolds, Edmund Perlee, Stephen Ray, Widow Eunice 
Wheeler, Samuel Snider, Michael Hopkins, Simeon Wright, 
Stephen Johns. Icriabod Paine. Benjamin Hollister, Jun.. and 
Daniel Castle. 

In the latter part of the last century the Federal Co. 
was organized, and a Federal Store established in the north 
west part of the town, with Judge Smith at the head. The 
freighting business at Poughkeepsie was a part of their scheme. 
Previous to 1817, another association was incorporated, who 
had their head-quarters at the Federal Store. Their first 
operation was carding wool by horse power. Next they 
moved to the stream near Adam s Mills, and erected a woolen 
cloth manufactory, using water power to propel the machinery. 
The late Capt. Robert Willson was President of the Company, 
and they issued a considerable amount of small bills as 
currency. The property was afterward sold to Lawrence 
Smith, who continued the work of cloth dressing. 

On the small stream passing through the mountains west 
of Leedsville, some time previous to the Revolution, Capt. 
Samuel Dunham had a forge, using the ore from the Amenia 



128 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

bed. It is also evident there was a forge at the Steel Works 
as early as 1770, the ore being taken from the same place. It 
was riot until 1825 that the important works of N. Gridley 
Son were commenced at Wassaic. 

The cast-iron plow was introduced in the early part of this 
century, and the first manufacture of them in this town was by- 
Mr. Calvin Chamberlain, at the City. 

Near the beginning of the Revolution, Capt. James Reed 
and a Mr. Ellis entered upon the manufacture of steel at what 
has since been known as the Steel Works. They obtained 
the iron for their purpose in pigs from Livingston s Furnace at 
Ancram, the first blast furnace in this part of the country. 

About the year 1812 a company was organized in this town 
for the manufacture of woolen goods, styled the "Amenia 
Manufacturing Company." The factory was located on the 
banks of the Weebutook, at Leedsville. Its ruinous walls still 
stand where they were first built, after all those who instigated 
the project have passed away. The principal owners were 
the Barkers, Bentons, Ingrahams, Parks ancf Canfields. 

Shortly after the war, the company issued fractional 
currency, of which the following is a specimen : 



AMENIA MANUFACTURING CO. 

M 

The Corporation of the Amenia Manufactur- c-a 

ing Company prom ^^^ ^^ ise to pay the Q 
bearer on demand 2iO T W E N T Y ~ 

FIVE CENTS, in current bank ^ 

notes, at their store in Amenia. ui 

Geo. Ingraham, Jr., Agent. 
June, 14, 1815 



The bill was 4^ by 2 inches, and printed only on one 
side. 

The failure of the company occurred shortly after, caused 
partly by too much rag money, and partly by the diminished 
profits of woolen mamtfacturing, brought about by the con- 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 129 

elusion of peace with Great Britain. The bell of the factory 
was rung long and loud when the news of peace arrived, but it 
was the death knell of its prosperity. The property was 
purchased by Selah North, who established the business of 
cloth dressing. About the year iSiS the store" mentioned 
in the scrip was sold to Joseph Hunt and Abraham Miller, who 




The Old lion- House. 

did business under the firm of Hunt and Miller. The store- 
was a large building for those times. After the dissolution of 
the firm, Mr. Hunt carried on the mercantile business under 
the sign " Hunt s Old Stand." This was the emporium of 
business for miles around. The post-office was located there, 
and a four-horse stage was a morning and evening arrival. The 
building was finally moved across the river, and converted into 
a gigantic: barn, where it was afterwards burned. 

AMEN1A SEMINARY. 

The Seminar}" building is located in lot No. 32. of the 
Nine Partners * tract, and was set to James Kmmott, one of 
the Nine Partners. James Kmmott was attorney to the King s 
bench, and a member of the Church of England. He was the 
ancestor in the fourth remove of Hon. Judge Kmmott, of 
Poughkeepsie. We next find the title of this site in a family 
named Lord, who built a mansion where the seminary now 
stands, about the year 1740. A son named Kphraim inherited 
the estate as early as 1760; when the tocsin of war was 
sounded, this noble patriot took his musket, joined the Conti 
nental arm\ . served all through the war, drew his pay as a 

*Tha Nine 1 artners was a land company composed of Caleb llcatlicotc, James 
Kmmott, Henry 1 ilkins. llendrick Tenyck, Augustus Craliam, William Creed, John 
Anvtson, Davi i Marshall, and David Jameson, nine iin-n of \veal;h and bi^h social 
tanding. 

i 



130 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUXTV. 

soldier and sent the money home to his wife, who, with an eye 
to business, laid it out in land. Kphraim Lord thus became a 
large land holder in the then Amenia Precinct.* He had one 
daughter, who married Simeon Cook, and at the death of her 
parents came in possession of the entire estate. She had a 
number of children, the youngest of whom distinguished him 
self in the war of 1812, and was advanced to the rank of 
Colonel, and who finally became owner of the homestead, at 
that time known as Cook Hill. 

Jn 1832 this community resolved to have a seminary, and 
the three prominent places named were Amenia Village, Leeds- 
ville. and Amenia Union. Two full years was spent in fruit 
less efforts to locate the ground. In May, 1834, a committee 
was appointed to determine the matter. On Monday, June zd, 
they rendered a sealed verdict, which was not to be opened until 
twenty-four hours after the committee left town. The next 
morning the seal was broken, when it was found that "Cook 
Hill" was the favored spot. The first Seminary building was 
erected in the summer of 1835, and the school opened in the 
fall of that year, with C. K. True for Principal. For a por 
tion of the time since its establishment it has been under the 
management of the M. PI denomination. 

"In 1826 there was a great celebration of Independence 
in Amenia. That was fifty years after the declaration, and it 
is now fifty years since that. A procession \vas formed in 
Amenia Union, and marched under the inspiring strains of 
martial music; down to the old meeting house, a mile and a 
half. The house, which stood in the highway, was packed as 
full of people as the old square pews and broad galleries could 
hold. The officials of the day and invited guests entered the 
front door, in stately order, under the sounds of Hail Columbia, 
by the band. The rest of the congregation crowded in at the 
two end doors. 

"The Chief Marshal of the day was George M. Perry, who 

* Amenia Precinct was formed, from (jrom Elbow 1 rocinct, March 20, 17(i 2. and 
included a part of Amenia. Northeast, and the who:c of Washington, Pleasant Valley 
Stantord. and Hyde Park. 



HISTORY OK DUCHKSS COUNTY. 131 

had, in his younger days, a military bearing. The presiding 
officer was Thomas Barlow. Ksq. ; the chaplains were Rev. 
Abner Morse and Rev. Fitch Reed ; the orator of the day was 
Robert Wilkinson, Ksq., who then resided in Dover. His 
oration was worthy of his reputation as a public speaker. 
The chairman of the committee of arrangements, and one of 
the principal movers in the celebration, was Uriah Gregory, 
who resided then at Amenia Union. The singers filled the 
front gallery, led by the significant gestures of the old chorister. 
Thomas Barlow, Ksq., and Lewis Warner played on the bass 
viol. They sung Hail Columbia with a patriotism that was 
alive. 

" After the services in the church, the procession returned 
in military order, to Amenia Union, where a great feast was 
prepared by Isaac Crane and his family. The tables were 
spread outdoors, under a bower put up for the purpose. Mrs. 
Wilkinson and a large number of other ladies were present at 
the feast. The toasts were fired out of a cannon, as usual. 
The President of the United States was toasted ; the surviving 
heroes of The Revolution were toasted, and the memory of the 
departed heroes, with a plaintive air by the band. Little did 
the company think when they reverently called the names of 
two surviving ex-Presidents of the United States, who had 
been the authors of the declaration, that on that very day they 
died. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died that day, just 
fifty years from the day when they put their hands to the great 
declaration." 




BEEKMAN. 



POPULATION . 1.500. SOVARK ACKKS, 17.230. 



EKKMAX was formed as a town by act of March 7, 
1/88, and embraced land granted to Col. Henry Beek- 
man. The Precinct of that name was formed J )ecem- 
ber 16, 1737, and Pawling Precinct was set off in 1768. 
A part of "Freedom" (now Lagrange) was taken off in 1821, 
and the greater portion of Union Vale in 1827. It derives its 
name from the Beek man family.* At the death of Col. Henry 
Beekman, the tract was divided into lots one mile wide, 
running from the Rombout Patent to the Oblong, and the lots 
divided among his heirs. 

Beekman contains some of the finest farming land in the 
county. Its surface is a broken and hilly upland. Limestone 
and slate crop out at the summits and declivities of the hills. 
The streams are small creeks and brooks, tributaries of the 
Fishkill, and are bordered by wade, fertile intervales. The soil 

* The derivation of this name is thus given by a noted -writer : ;i Tin s great digni 
tary was called Mynher Beckinan. who derived his surname, as did Ovidins Xaso of y ore, 
from the lordly dimensions of his nose, which projected from the centre of his countenance 
like the beak of a parrot. He was the great progenitor of the tribe of the Ueekmans. one 
of the most ancient and honorable families of the province, the members of which do 
gratefully commemorate the origin of their dignity, not as your noble families in England 
would do, by having a plowing proboscis emblazoned on their escutcheon, but by one and 
fill wearing a ritrht goodly nose stuck in the very middle of their faces." [Irving s Knick 
erbocker Hist. X. Y. 



HISTORY OF Di;CHKSS COUNTY. 133 

is a productive, gravelly loam. Sylvan Lake is a fine body of 
water near the west line. The Indian name for this lake is 
A-po-qua-</iii\ signifying- round lake, from which " Ppug-hquag" 
is derived. 

The first settlements are supposed to have been made about 
the year 1710: but the early records are lost. A. Belong 
located in 1716, and kept an inn at an early dav. Rt. Rev. 
Alon/.o Potter. Bishop of Penn.. and his brother, Rt. Rev, 
Horatio Potter. Bishop of the Diocese of New York, were 
born in this town. Lossing, the historian, and ex-Minister 
DeLong. were also born here. 

The Uhls came from German v, and settled in the north 
part of the town. The Haxtuns and Sweets from Long 
Island, and the (iardners and Reisoners from Nantucket, 
settled in Gardner Hollow. A family named Hogeboom came 
to Gardner Hollow, but after remaining a year removed to 
Hudson. The Bakers settled on Pleasant Ridge. The Corn- 
wells came From Long Island, and the Noxons from Rhode 
island. 

]ohn Brill came from Germany, soon after marriage, and 
purchased a large tract of fertile land south and west of 
Poughquag. It is worthy of note that much of the land is 
still in possession of his ancestors, the farms of the Brill 
family lying contiguous to each other from Poughquag to 
Green Haven, a distance of two miles. The Barnards moved 
in at an early date. 

The old part of the upper store building at Poughquag has 
a history worthy of record. It stood, at the time of the 
Revolution, above the present residence of E. L. Williams,, 
and was occupied as a Continental Store. Harness, 
powder, cutlasses, guns, cartridge boxes, and other military- 
stores were kept there. It was guarded by soldiers stationed 
there for the purpose. A man named Champlain had charge 
of it. Among the other old buildings may be mentioned the 
M. E. parsonage barn at Poughquag, which was in former 
times occupied as a distiller}-. Henry L Brill had a fulling 



134 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

mill, on the site of the saw mill now belonging to Daniel 
Thomas. 

There was a grist mill at Green Haven in the Revolution, 
kept by one Vincent. The Bogarts from Holland settled here. 
Richmore Bogart was elected Justice of the Peace, of whom 
some amusing anecdotes are told. Men differed in opinion 
then, as well as now, and had recourse to law to settle their 
difficulties. Squire Bogart was soon required to sit in judg 
ment upon several cases, and uniformly gave his decisions in 
favor of the plaintiff. When asked the reason for so doing he 
replied, " Do you believe any man would be foolish enough 
to bring suit against another, if he did not suppose he had 
good ground for complaint ?" However wise Squire Bogart s 
decisions may have been in the eye of the law. the result was 
to put an effectual stop to all litigation in the neighborhood. 

The Squire fattened considerable pork each year. He was 
at one time advised to feed his hogs on what is commonly 
known as the " Jamestown Weed," being assured that this 
would not only impart an agreeable flavor to the pork, but 
would cause them to fatten much sooner. Accordingly he set 
about raising a quantity of the weed, and when the lime came 
threw it in to the hogs. The result was that every one of 
them died. 

Many stories are told of the Robber Hoag, a noted Tory 
who infested this vicinity during the Revolution. He carried 
on quite an extensive business of horse-stealing, in connec 
tion with his other maraudings. He and his gang were 
accustomed to enter dwellings, and if the people refused to 
give up their valuables, or to tell where they were secreted, he 
would tie them fast in a chair and build a fire under them, and 
keep them there until his demands were complied with. Many 
were so injured by this treatment that they did not recover in 
years. At one time Benj. Noxon was going out in the field, 
and on passing near a clump of bushes, heard the click of a 
gunlock. A glance revealed the Robber Hoag, lurking in the 
bushes. He pretended not to notice the robber, and gradually 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 135 

drew oft", and when at a safe distance ran for home with all his 
might. Hoag was brought up in the neighborhood which w r as 
afterwards the scene of his robberies, and he subsequently told 
the man with whom he had lived, that he had often covered 
him with his riiie as he was hiding about in the woods, and 
bushes, but could never summon quite enough courage to 
shoot. After the war, Hoag fled to Canada. A number of 
years after he came back to Beekman, supposing that his deeds 
had been forgotten, to visit the family of a relative. But he 
was not forgotten ; for a number of persons who had suffered 
from him formed a plan to kill him, and he was forced to fly 
to save his life. 

In what is known as the Noxon Meadow, tradition locates 
a small Indian village, probably some of the Schaghticoke 
tribe. Arrow heads are picked up in that locality ; and a few 
years since the mounds of the graves were distinctly visible. 
Green Haven, Poughquag, Beekmanville and Sylvan Lake 
are small post villages. Freemanville. 
or Guinea, is a settlement of colored 
people in the mountains south of Pough 
quag. Charles Freeman, a mulatto, 
was a large land holder, and important 
personage among them, and is still held 
palate. i n remembrance by the oldest citizens. 
There are three churches in town, viz: Baptist, Methodist, 
and Roman Catholic. An Episcopal Church was built in 1852 
on the rising ground east of Poughquag, was taken down in 
1772. and the material conveyed to Sing Sing camp ground, 
and there converted into cottages. 

The constituent members of the Baptist Church at Beek 
man.* previous to its organization, held their membership 
with the First Baptist Church of Fishkill, from which they 
were regularly dismissed. Their house of worship was 
completed late in the autumn of 1829, at a cost of $3,000, all 

* There was. at one time, a P.aptist organization in the Clove, a few miles from 
Beekmanvillo It was gathered umler the labors of .Mr. I almer. and has since become 
extinct. 




136 



HISTORY OF DUCHKSS COUNTY. 



paid, and dedicated in December following. Dedicatory 
sermon by D. T. Hill, text Rev. xxii ; 9; "Worship God." 
In February ten persons were recognized by a council called 
for the purpose, Rev. Rufus Babcock, D. D., preaching the 
sermon. Elder 1). T. Hill became their pastor, continuing with 
them until 1843. The Duchess Baptist Association has four 
times held its anniversaries with this church. 

The Centennary M. E. Church edifice at Poughquag was 
built in 1839. Previous to this there was a small society of 
two or three members. The corner stone was laid July 24. 
1839; sermon by Rev. Mr. Cochran. The house was raised 
August 10, 1839 ; and the record states no alcohol was used 

on that occasion. At 
the raising, one hundred 
and fifty people dined, 
the ladies furnishing the 
provisions. Henry Wright 
was the builder: Oliver 
Smith. mason. The 
house was formally dedi 
cated January 15, 1840; 
six h u n cl r e d p e o p 1 e 
KiMM-^ni church. present. 

The Roman Catholic Church, built about the year 1860. 
is situated in the west part of the town, near the south borders 
of Sylvan Lake. 

A Quaker Church was early constituted in this town and 
was known as the Apoquaque Preparative Church. Their 
second house of worship was recently sold to a Missionary 
Society, and is still used for religious purposes. The first 
church edifice stood about two miles east of the second one. 
in the burying ground at Gardner Hollow. Morgan Lewis 
leased the land for the first house to the society, at a rent of 
" one pepper-corn a year, if demanded." One of the oldest 
grave-stones in the burial ground, that is distinctly legible, is 
that of Dr. Kbenezer Cary. who died in 1815, at the age of 70 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 137 

years. The stone was removed into this ground from the old 
grave-yard south of the road. 

The following are from the old records in the Town Clerk s 
office : 

At a Town Meeting held, April 7, 1772, for Beekmans 
Precinct, chosen for officers as follows, viz : Maurice Pleas, 
Town Clerk ; Joshua Carman, Supervisor; Samuel Dorland, 
James Vanderburgh, Assessors ; Simeon Noxon, Constable and 
Collector ; Thomas Clements, Maurice Pleas. Inspectors of 
Intestate Estates. 

Memorandum at this Meeting The parties living on the 
Clove Road agreed to work it as follows, viz : that half of 
the inhabitants that live below to work to Andres Buck s Lane, 
and the other half to work from thence to Lieut John Uhls. 

At a meeting held April 2nd, 1776, James Vanderburgh. 
Ksq., Samuel Dorland, John Hall, Ebenezer Cary, and Eliab 
Youmans were chosen a Committee to retire and draw up 
some Prudential Laws relative to height and sufficiency of 
fences within this Precinct, upon which they drew up the 
following and read them publickly to the meeting for their 
approbation, to which the said meeting unanimously agreed, 
and ordered that the same be recorded. [Then follows the 
laws.] 

April 3, 1787 Voted the sum of seventy pounds to be 
raised for the use of the poor of this Precinct. 

April i, 1788. It is hereby enacted that the majority of 
the Justices and a majority of the Overseers of the Poor for 
the time being, shall be and are hereby impowered to bind out 
the children of all such poor persons [as are not able to get a 
livelihood] as apprentices ; and they are also impowered to 
bind out the parents for such time and times as they may 
think fit and convenient. Passed in open Town Meeting, 

J. OAKLEY, Clerk. 

April 7, 1789. Voted that the next Annual Meeting shall 
be held at the Dwelling House of Henry Smith. 

The whole amount of monev received bv us or our 



138 HISTORY OK DUCHESS COUNTY. 

predecessors in office for the use of the common schools 
during the year ending on the date of this report, and since 
the date of the last report for our town is $311.20 of which 
sum the part received from county treasurer is $155.60, the part 
from the collector $155.60 ; that the said sum of money has 
been expended in paying the instructors of the schools of said 
town. The school books most used in the common schools in 
our town are as follows, viz: The Juvenile Spelling Book. 
American Preceptor, English Reader, Walker s Dictionary, 
Daboll s Arithmetic, Murray s English Grammar, Morse s 
Geography, and Historical Dictionary by Ezra Thompson. 
June i, 1835. 

ALLEN BUTLER, ) Commissioners of 
LEWIS .. BAKER, j Common Schools. 

We the Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Pawling, do 
hereby certify, own and acknowledge that Isaiah Burch, 
labourer, his wife and children, is inhabitants legally settled in 
our said town of Pawling. In witness whereof we have 
hereunto set our hands and seals this ninth day of June, in 
the year of our Lord one thousand, eight-hundred and fifteen, 

Signed in presence of 
Jacob Parks, Silas Dutcher. 

ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL > Overseers of the 

& Poor of the 

SAMUEL STEBBINS, ) Town of Pawling. 
April 13, 1816, special town meeting was held at the house 
of Adam Crouse. 

This day received the name of Peter, a black child, son of 
Sude, a slave of Alida Bogert, who was born the iSth day of 
February, 1817. 
May i, 1817. GILBERT B. NOXON, Clerk. 

I, George Cornwell, of the Town of Beekman, in the 
County of Duchess, and State of New York do manumit and 
set free, and by these presents have manumitted and forever 
discharged from my service a certain colored man by the 
name of Harry, who has heretofore been my slave. 

Sept. ii. 1823. GEORGE CORNWELL. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 139 

Whereas application has been made to us, Nathan Miller 
and Reed Crandall, Overseers of the Poor of said Town of 
Beekman, by George Cornwall, who by the above instrument 
of writing has this day manumitted and set free a certain 
colored man named Harry, who has heretofore been a slave to 
said George Cornwell, and therefore we, the said Nathan Miller 
and Reed Crandall, Overseers as aforesaid, do certify that we 
are personally acquainted with the said Harry, a colored man, 
and that we know him to be under the age of forty-five years 
and that he is of sufficient ability to provide for himself. We 
do therefore record the manumission of the above named 

Harry. 

Sept. IT. 1823. NATHAN MILLER ) Overseers of 

REED CRANDALL ) the Poor. 

We the Overseers of Rombouts Precinct do give Margeret 
Deen a permit to go and work where she may best get a living 
and if she should like to be a Precinct charge we the said 
Overseers of Rombouts Precinct are willing to take her and 
provide for her. DERICK BRINKERHOKF. 

Aug. 5. 1772. ISAAC ADRIANCE, 

PETRES BOGARDES. 

Aug. 10, 1800, was born Dinah, a black girl, daughter of 
Susan now in possession of ZACHARIAH FLAGLER. 

I, John Brill, of the Town of Beekman. do by these 
presents manumit and set free my black man named Harry, of 
the age of twenty-nine years, hereby acquitting and exonerat 
ing him of and from all further demands for service to me for 
or on account of his having been born a slave to me. on 
condition of him, the said Harry, becoming legally manumitted. 
Mar. 28, 1817. JOHN BRILL. 

It was the custom in early times, in New England and New 
York, for the inns to be kept by the citizens who were the 
most wealthy and respectable of the people, very often by men 
who had large farms and possessed the means of providing 
ample accommodations. The public houses were then not 
.always located at the intersection of highways, and there was 



HISTORY OF DUCHKSS COUNTY. 



seldom an}- village to give local attraction to a tavern. An 
old resident pointed out the location of an ancient tavern.. 
some yards southwest of the residence of Daniel Thomas, Esq., 
now near the centre of a meadow. Me recollected the sign 
which hung on an apple tree, near to the inn. The road at 
that time ran close to the house, but has since been changed. 
Sixty or seventy years ago, the Doughty Tavern, located 
between Po quag and Beekman. was a noted inn. That and 
the mill opposite was once owned and managed by a Widow 
Dennis, who afterward married N. Doughty, ancestor of the 
present families of that name. Doughty s .Tavern was 
celebrated for its good board, excellent beds, and ample 
accommodations : its iame was in the mouth of every traveler 
journeying that way. At that time emigration from the 
Eastern States was quite extensive. People travelled in 
wagons, usually in trains. As many as twenty or thirty wagons 
were frequently in one train. The custom these emigrants 
brought to the taverns along their route proved no small source 
of their income. 

The Vanderburgb. mansion, a subjoined cut of which is 

given, from a pencil 
sketch in possession 
of the family, built 
some time previous 
to the Revolution, 
and raxed in 1860. 
stood about one- 
fourth of a mile 

The C 1. Vauuc-rburgl, House. noitheastofthe 

village of Poughquag. It was one of the first substantial 
dwellings erected within the limits of the town, and was a fine 
specimen of the better class of dwellings of those early times.. 
It was constructed partly of stone and partly of wood, with a 
broad covered piazza extending the whole length in front, and 
a roomy, well- lighted basement, which was set apart for the use of 
the slaves. In this mansion Col. j as. Vanderburgh had eighteen: 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 141 

children born to him. all of whom reached the age of maturi 
ty, and whose descendants are now reckoned among the most 

J o 

esteemed and influential in the county, and elsewhere. 

Col. Vanderburgh was an officer of note in the War of the 
Revolution. At one time, having returned home sick, the Tories 
of the neighborhood deemed it a favorable opportunity to 
attack him. Knowing the location of the bed he occupied, 
they approached during the night and discharged a volley at 
the house, hoping that some of the balls might penetrate the 
siding and hit his person ; but his wife, having had an inkling 
of the matter, had secured his safety by placing a bulwark of 
pillows about him. It is stated that Genera! Washington was 
once the guest of Col, Vanderburgh at this house, having 
occasion to stop- there when passing between Fi.shkill and some 
eastern point. 

On one occasion, his children in company with some of 
their youthful neighbors were playing with the young slaves in 
the basement. Among their p aythings was an old musket, 
with which they amused themselves by pointing at each other 




and pulling the trigger. The piece contained a charge which 
had been in from time immemorial. It. however, had long 
been used by the children in their play, so long that it was 
deemed impracticable to make it "shoot." But, on that day, 
one of the boys, nicknamed " Lud," we believe, caught up the 
gun. and, aiming at one of the little darkies, cried out "see 
me snoot a black crow." and pulled the trigger. By some 
means the gun went oT. and the little fellow was blown to 
atoms. 



142 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



Another relic, which some of our older readers may remem 
ber, was the house occupied by Joshua Burch, which stood 
west of the road, nearly opposite the residence of Thomas 
Brill, Esq. It was built after the old Dutch style, with long 
rafters, steep roof, with eaYes nearly reaching the ground, and 
stone chimney at one end, with a fire-place of sufficient capacity 
to hold a saw log of moderate size. Burch, it will be remem 
bered, was an early settler and large land-holder, from whom 
some of the finest farm lands of Beekman have been handed 
down. 

The old Poughquag Tavern, (now the residence of Daniel 
Thomas, Esq..) though of not so ancient origin as those just 

mentioned, yet may 
well claim mention 
here. It was built 
about the year i 800. 
by Henry Brill. It 
was afterwards con 
sider ably remodeled. 

oid roushquag Tavern. l>t the front appear 

ance is much the same as it was originally. This was the " half 
way house" for the line of stages, running between New 
Milford and Poughkeepsie. and was well patronized by travelers 
and drovers. Its upper room has often resounded to the tread 
of the "light fantastic toe," and the loungers of the bar-room 
as often regaled with travelers stories, for which the hardy 
adventurous life of those early times afforded abundant 
material. The Noxon house, built about the same time, 
possesses litttlc historical interest. 
It was erected by Benjamin Noxon ; 
and a portion of the brick of which 
it is constructed was manufactured 
on the farm on which it stands. It 
is rapidly falling into decay, and will 
soon be numbered among the things that were. 

The Beekman Cemetery is pleasantly located on the 





Noxon House. 



HISTORY OF DUCHKSS COUNTY. 143 

southern and western slope of a gentle eminence, north of the 
village of Poughquag. It is tastefully laid out, and decorated 
with evergreens, which mingling with the pure white marble of the 
numerous monuments and headstones, produce a pleasing 
effect. 

Th Centennary M. K. church of Poughquag stands on the 
east side and within the enclosure. 

Mines of hematite iron ore are being extensively worked 
near Sylvan Lake, and at Beekmanville. Two blast furnaces 
are located a short distance northeast of the latter place, only- 
one of which is now in operation. 



CLINTON. 



POPULATION, 1,793. SQUARK ACRKS. 24.064, 



L1NTOX was organized March 13^ 1786. Jt was formed 
f) from Charlotte and Rhinebeck Precincts, and derives 
its name from Hon. George Clinton, who was then Gov- 
Vo ernor of the State. It originally embraced territory 
much larger than at present, Hyde Park and Pleasant Valley 
having been taken oft" in 1821. 

Its surface is a rolling upland, considerably broken by hills 
in the north and west. Shultz Mountains in the north part, 
and Sippe Barrack in the west, are the highest points. The 
principal stream is the Salt Point Creek, which flows south, 
near the centre. Crom Elbow Creek forms a portion of the 
west boundary. In the north are several small lakes, the 
largest of which are Long Pond and Round Pond. The soil 
is a slaty loam in the centre and south part ; in the north 
it is a sandy loam. The principal post-offices and villages are 
Clinton Corners, Clinton Hollow, Bull s Head. Hibernia. 
Pleasant Plains and Shultzville. 

Two Irishmen named Everson came into the southeast part 
of the town over one hundred years ago. where they put up a 
144 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 




grist mill, and erected a substantial stone dwelling, both of 
which are still standing. They named the place Hibernia, 
probably by way of keeping alive the memory of the land of 
their nativity. A cut of the mill is here shown, representing 

it as it was originally built, 
since which time considera 
ble changes have been made. 
Stephen Sweet, grandfather 
of John Ferris. Esq., of 
\V a s h i n g t o n. * was t h e 
builder of the mill. Eenja- 
oui Miii at Hibernia. min Sherow, who died some 

years since, at an advanced age, used to tell about being here 
at the time the mill was raised, which they were three days in 
accomplishing. Many of the beams are fourteen inches 
square, ofsolicl oak, and are still in a perfect state of preserva 
tion. A fulling mill was established here at an early date. 
The Parks, the Porters, the Hutchinsons and Coopers 
located at or near Hibernia. 

At Clinton Corners stands the old Hicksite Church called 
the "Creek Quaker Church/ erected, according to the date on 
the roof, in the year 1777. the second of the War of American 
Independence, and therefore wants but one year of being a 
century old. It is one of the few relics left. It is built 
substantially of stone, and has recently been furnished with a 

slate roof, and considerably 
remodeled in its interior. 
The house had originally 
two porches, one for each 
door ; they were afterward 
joined, and extended across 
the whole front of the build 
ing. An orthodox Church 
stands a mile or so north of the Hicksite building, built after 
the separation. 




146 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Before the first house was erected, the people would throw 
up a pile of stones, and gather around to conduct their wor 
ship when permitted to do so by the scoffers and enemies of 
their faith, who frequently molested them in their services. 
When the church was in process of construction, which was 
during the Revolution, the builders on several occasions ran 
away to avoid being pressed into the ranks of the army. Thus 
in the midst of toils and dangers was the church nourished 
and built up ; and in the church yard lie the church fathers, 
calmly resting from all their trials and persecutions. The walls 
of the building are as firm as when first built, and with a little 
care will stand the storms of another century. Within its 
sacred enclosure the fervent prayers of godly men and women 
have been offered up to the Giver of all Good for a century. 
Men have stood up in all the pride and glory of manhood, and 
passed away, and their places have been filled by others, until 
three generations have gone by, and yet the old house stands, 
a beacon on the ocean of time. May it long continue to 
stand, to light the lonely traveler journeying on to eternity. 

At Clinton Hollow is a quaint-looking grist mill, built over 
a century ago. by the Halsteds, who were early settlers in this 
neighborhood. Some of the timber used in it is nearly two 
feet square, of solid oak. A fulling mill was likewise located 
in the vicinity. Grist mills and fulling mills seem to have been 
necessities of the people in those primitive days, and their 
location was the nucleus around which the hamlets and larger 
villages clustered. Then an available mill-site did more 
towards determining the location of a settlement than fertility 
of soil or eligible building plots. The Knickerbackers settled 
near Clinton Hollow at an early date. 

At Shultzville is another mill, probably not as ancient as 
the others mentioned, around which a village has sprung up. 
Here is located a Christian Church edifice, built in 1864, and 
also the Masonic Hall. At Pleasant Plains is a Presbyterian 
Church, a branch of the Pleasant Valley church of that 
denomination. The society was formed in 1837. of twelve 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 147 

members regularly dismissed from the mother church for the 
purpose, and the house of worship built about that time. At 
LeRoy s Corners is another old mill, a store, and a few 
dwellings. 

At the upper end of the Shultz Mountains, in the north part 
of the town, a slate quarry was formerly worked by the Hudson 
River Slate Company, but it is now abandoned. 

The LeRoys and Cookinghams were early settlers near 
Pleasant Plains. The Van Vliets located in this town about 
the year 1755 ; quite a number of that name still reside here. 

Near Clinton Corners stands the mansion built about the 
year 1792, by Abel Peters, now owned by B. Hicks, Esq. 
Peters was an inn-keeper and merchant, and appears to have 
accumulated wealth in the business ; and was withal, a repre 
sentative man of that class who did all the public business 
required by the people of those primitive times. It is said 
that Peters kept his tavern and store in the mansion spoken 
of; but this is denied by a grand-daughter of his, who visited 
here several years ago, and who said the hotel and store stood 
opposite, and have since been removed. The Peters mansion 
was built when she was a little girl ; the brick was manufactur 
ed just in the rear of the house, the materials for which were 
thrown together in a mass, and mixed by means of cattle 
treading in it ; and she remembered driving the oxen for the 
purpose. 

Standing near the road leading from Clinton Hollow to 
Rhinebeck is an old log cabin, built by the Sleight family, in 
which two maiden sisters of that name formerly lived, and both 
of whom recently died in one day. The house is now unoccu 
pied, and is probably one of the first dwellings ever put up in 
the town. 

Agriculture was the chief business of the early settlers, as 
it has continued to be of their successors. Most of the 
tillable land was easily prepared for cultivation ; there was 
plenty of timber for their log cabins and dwellings; the 
country abounded in clear springs and brooks, and it may be 
supposed the pioneers had no trouble in gaining a subsistence- 



148 HISTORY OF DUCHKSS COUNTY. 

The proximity of grist mills made it easy for them, from the 
first, to get their grain converted into flour or meal, and after 
wards furnished a ready market for their wheat, the first pro- 
duct that brought any considerable income. 

Their sugar and molasses were furnished by the towering 
sugar maples that graced the native forest about their lonely 
cabins. Their plain but substantial homespun woolen and 
linen cloth furnished the family with comfortable clothing. 
Their leather was in proportion to their beef and mutton, and 
the bark for tanning was near at hand. The skins were carried 
to the tanner, marked with the owner s initials, and returned 
to him after several months. Then the shoemaker would make 
his yearly rounds, when he would make all the shoes for the 
family for a year. 

Almost every article of food required by their simple habits 
could be raised off their farms ; their appetites were unpam- 
pered, and their active life and vigorous health caused their 
plain food to be relished ; and when anything was required out 
of the usual line the considerable towns of Poughkeepsie and 
Rhinebeck were near at hand to supply them. 

One distinguishing feature of the town of Clinton is that 
there is no hotel kept within its limits at least such is the 
assertion of those who profess to know. The lakes, of which 
there are several, afford fine opportunity for angling ; and we 
may readily suppose were a favorite resort of the Indian. The 
wooded hills which spring up in the picturesque landscape 
have the same appearance as when looked upon by the primi 
tive owners of the soil. Removed from the hurry and bustle 
of commercial life, as well as from the din and smoke of the 
manufactory, Clinton affords a fine retreat to one to whom 
the absence of excitement, and the free enjoyment of rural 
sports and occupations are congenial. 

The following statistics may be of interest : the price oi 
wheat in 1776 was five shillings a bushel just the price of a 
day s work in harvesting. Butter was ten pence per pound. 
The wa-es of a woman to do housework was five shillings a 

O *- 



DOVER. 



POPULATION. 2.279. SO.UARK ACRES. 26.669. 



SOYFR vras formed from Pawling, Feb. 20, 1807. The 
east and west borders are occupied by hills and moun- 
"^-^P tains, and the center by a d-jep, wide valley. The 
-- valley is about 400 feet above tide, and the summits o* 
the hills are 300 to 500 feet higher. Ten Mile River enters 
the north part of the town, flows to near the south boundary, 
thence turns east and discharges its waters into the Housatonic. 
From the south it receives Swamp River, a stream that is 
bordered by swamps the greater part of its course. 

A ridge of limestone extends north and south through the 
principal valley. The principal quarries are between South 
Dover and Dover Plains. Iron ore is also found in abundance. 
The Foss Ore Bed has been extensively worked. The Dover 
Iron Works formerly did an extensive business, but have been 
dosed several years. 

The small streams flowing from the western hills have worn 
deep ravines, and in several places have formed beautiful cas 
cades. About a mile southwest of the village of Dover Plains, 
a small stream Mows down the mountain in a succession of 

149 



150 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

rapids three to twelve feet in height ; and at the foot of each 
fall, smooth, rounded holes, called The Wells, have been worn 
in the rocks to a considerable depth. The holes occupy the 
whole width of the bottom of the ravine, and the rocks on each 
side are shelving and slippery, rendering a near approach both 
difficult and dangerous. One or two fatal accidents are men 
tioned as having occurred here. Above these is situated the 

DOVER STONE CHURCH. 

A small stream of clear water,* after leaving a pond at the 
foot of the southwestern slope of Plymouth Hill, glides in mur 
muring rapids nearly every foot of the way, until it reaches a 
point in the mountains west of Dover Plains village, whence it 
descends in sparkling cascades to the level fields below. This 
small stream, in its passage down this declivity for ages, has 
worn for itself a remarkable channel through the rocks ; and 
at a point toward the foot of the mountain it has wrought a 
considerable cavern, the entrance to it at the outlet of the 
stream being in the form of a Gothic arch. This cavern, from 
the form of its entrance, like that of some old cathedral, bears 
the name of The Stone Church " Dover Stone Church." 
It is a very interesting natural curiosity, with romantic and 
picturesque surroundings, and has attracted thousands of visi 
tors, and will attract thousands more. 

The " Church" is in a wooded gorge of the mountain and 
is reached from the main street of the village by a pleasant 
lane that crosses the stream and expands into a grassy acre or 
two, well shaded, especially in the afternoon, and affording an 
admirable place for pic-nics. From this plat a short and easy 
pathway, cut at the foot of a rocky declivity and along the 
margin of the brook, leads to the door of the Church. At a 
little distance the interior of the Church appears black, but is 
found to be illuminated by a sky-light formed by a fissure in 



* A portion of this sketch of the Stone Church is from the pen of Mr. Lossinjr, and 
is published in the Amenia Times. The views are from sketches, also by Mr. Lossinjf. 
d have been kindly furnished for this work by Messrs. DeLacey te Walsh, proprietors of 

* Timfc 



and 
the Times. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 151 

the rocks above. This light is pleasantly reflected upon the 
rocky sides of the Church from a pool formed by the brook on 
the floor, and reveals a fallen mass of rock which the imagina 
tive observer calls the ki pulpit." Out of the arched door that 
brook the patient architect of the church flows gently, and 
then leaps in cascades and rapids to the plains below. The 
sketches were made many years ago, when the rocks which 
formed the roof approached so near each other that the 
branches of shrubbery on each side entertwined. From 
the apex of this roof, many feet above the floor, the cavern 
gradually widens, until at the base the span of the arch is about 
twenty-five feet. The narrow opening at the top admitted 
sufficient light to show the form of the interior and give it the 
appearance of rays passing through a glass dome. 

The Church has two apartments : the inner one was the 
larger, being about seventy feet in length. The mass of rock 
called the " pulpit," which seems to have fallen from the roof, 
separated them. At the farther extremity of the inner apart 
ment was a beautiful waterfall, over which a stair-case led to 
extensive ledges of rocks at a height of thirty feet, forming 
commodious galleries overlooking the body of the Church. 
The floods and frosts have somewhat modified the aspects of 
this structure. 

The Great Preacher continues the same old service 
within its shadowed recesses that was ccmmenced ages ago, and 
which proceed with the same solemn stateliness whether men 
hear or forbear. Day and night, without ceasing, vespers, 
midnight mass and matins proceed. The deep-toned organ 
peals as if it were the wind, and the chant of the choir mingles 
its silvery tones as musical as the falling of water trumpet 
and cymbal and harp peal and fade and echo, and through 
them tremble tones like the far-off voices of young men and 
maidens singing. At sunrise, through all the long Summer 
day, at twilight, at evening, and louder as the night deepens, 
the eternal service proceeds, unwearied and unbroken by the 
watches of the day, by the changes of season, by the lapse of 



152 HISTORY O.F DUCHESS COUNTY. 

the years, or by the procession of centuries. Individuals, 
families, generations, and races come and go, the Church 
and its solemn monotonies stand ; and within its dark portals 
the same sweep of that awful and mysterious monody is still 
there. The Indian hushed, and heard it ; the white frontiers 
man heard it ; and it mingles just the same with silence, or 
with the shriek of the locomotive as it passes the door. There 
it will be when these have finished their work and passed away. 




Dover Stone Church from the outside looking in. 

The Dover Stone Church, like many other wierd places in 
cur country, has its traditionary legend. History tells us that 
Sassacus, the haughty sachem of the Pequods and emperor 
over so many tribes between the Thames and Housatonic 
Rivers, when, more than two hundred years ago that nation 
made war upon the whites and dusky people of Connecticut 
(the latter, the Mohegans, who had rebelled against his author 
ity), was compelled, by the destruction of his army, to fly for 
his life. Captain Mason, with New England soldiers and 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 153 

allies from Rhode Island and its vicinity, had suddenly invaded 
the dominions of Sassacus. At early dawn in June they fell 
upon a Pequod fort and village, and before sunrise more than 
six hundred men, women and children of the Indians perished 
by fire and sword. The proud Sassacus was seated upon a hill 
overlooking the site of New London, when news of the terrible 
disaster reached him. He and the warriors surrounding him. 
seeing no chance for success in a battle with the invaders, fled 




across the Thames and westward, hotly pursued by the Eng 
lish and their allies, and took refuge in Sasco Swamp, near 
Fairfield. The beautiful Pequod country stretching along the 
shores of Long Island Sound, was desolated. Wigwams and 
gardens disappeared before the despoiling English, and women 
and children were not spared. Sassacus made a stand at the 
swamp, but at the close of a sharp battle nearly all of his fol 
lowers became captive. He escaped with less than a dozen 



154 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

followers, and continued his flight westward. His nation had 
perished in a day. Only the small captive remnant survived 
to transmit to their posterity the traditions of their national 
woes. Sassacus and his handful of followers fled over the 
mountains into the beautiful valley of the Housatonic, to 
Kent Plains, from which they were speedily driven by pursuers, 
and climbing the great hills westward of that region, descended 
into the lovely valley of the Weebutook,* or Ten Mile River. 
There, on the site of Dover Plains village, tradition tells us, 
they encountered a strong band of Mohegan hunters, who were 
also trained warriors, from whom Sassacus and his men barely 
escaped destruction after a fierce conflict, and took refuge in 
the watery cavern now known as the Dover Stone Church, a 
cool and safe retreat at that mid-summer time, when the 
stream was low and the cavern was mostly dry. The Mohegan 
hunters did not discover their retreat ; and a week afterwards 
when the latter had left the valley, Sassacus and his young 
braves, who had been joined by a few other fugitives, followed 
the Weebutook northward, subsisting on the fish with which it 
abounded, and the berries that grew on the plains. They 
made their way to the land of the Mohawks, near Albany, 
craving the hospitality of that nation. That hospitality was 
denied. The sequel is told by Governor Winthrop in his 
Journal," in which, under the date of August 5th, 1637 (two 
months after the destruction of the army of Sassacus) he 
wrote : " Mr. Ludlow, Mr. Pincheon and about twelve more, 
came by land from Connecticut, and brought with them a part 
of the skin and lock of hair of Sassacus and his brother, and 
five other Pequod sachems who, having fled to the Mohawks 
for shelter, with their wampum (being to the value of ^500) 
were by them surprised and slain, with twenty of their best 
men." 

Beside the Wells, and the Stone Church, there is a roomy 
cave in the mountain side, the roof of which is formed by a 



* Weebutook signified u beautiful hunting ground." Such was the intcrprctati 
given by Eunice Mauwee. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 155 

large rock jutting out along distance. To this is attached a 
historic interest. In Revolutionary times there were about 
twenty-five Tories living in and about the village. They were 
obliged suddenly to leave; but instead of fleeing to distant 
parts, they took to the mountain west of the village, and con 
cealed themselves in this cave. Here they were to live by 
pillage ; but their camp fire was discovered by the sharp eye of 
an old hunter, who was ascending another mountain on the 
east side of the valley. The villagers were aroused, a large 
party started on the war-path, and the offenders were banished 
for good. 

There is good evidence for the belief that the Schaghticoke 
tribe of Indians, a remnant of which is now living on the 
banks of the Housatonic River, in the town of Kent, Conn., 
once lived near the Ten Mile River, in Dover. Some forty 
years since, Indian graves were visible on the flat by the high 
way north of "Apple Sauce Hill,"* which would make it 
appear to be the place where this tribe deposited their dead. 
They were mostly Pequods, who, after King Philips s war, were 
driven by the Connecticut troops out of that State, and who 
took refuge from their pursuers in the thickets of an island, 
near the Swamp River in the town of Dover. Tradition 
asserts that they imigrated by way of Danbury ; thence 
westerly until they crossed the swamp lands through which the 
Harlem Railroad passes ; from thence directing their course 
along the west side of the lands, through the present towns of 
Patterson and Pawling. Their chief was Gideon Mauwee.* 

" About a century and a half since, there stood on an emi 
nence overlooking the Housatonic, an Indian, solitary and 
alone, with his eyes fixed on the scenes below. Far beneath 
him rolled the river; before him were spread natural meadows, 
in which the wild deer were quietly feeding ; heavily wooded 
mountains on either side promised an abundance of animals of 

*A family -were moving, and when passing over this hill the wagon upset. In it 
was a barrel of apple-sauce, which rolled down the liill, and its contents were lost ; and it 
ever after was known as Appie-Sauce Hill. Molasses Hill, a little further to the north, 
: was the scene of a similar mishap to a hogshead of molasses. 
t See page 19. 



156 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

the chase, and the sparkling streams bespoke multitudes of 
fish, in short, it vas almost a foretaste of the happy hunting 
grounds which constitute the idea of the Indian s heaven. 
Long he stood upon the crag, and blessed the Good Spirit 
which had led him hither. Then shaking the spell from him he 
sprang nimbly into the depths of the forest." That Indian was 
Gideon Mauwee, that eminence Preston Mountain, and the 
lovely meadows were in the Housatonic Valley, into which 
Gideon and his followers afterward migrated. Still they were 
wont to frequent the vicinity of their former home. They 
visited the swamps to get material for their baskets, and the 
streams and ponds for fish. An old resident mentions seeing 
them about Allis Pond, where they were catching frogs and 
turtles and cooking them. The small speckled turtles, so nu 
merous about the swam}) in early spring, basking in the sun, 
were held by them in great esteem. Though, with one or two 
exceptions, the Indians were entirely harmless, yet the children 
of the early residents used to hold them in mortal fear the 
appearance of an Indian causing them to scamper for clear life. 

Each year the overseer of the tribe would furnish the 
women with blankets, then called " squaw blankets." When 
they traveled, the pappooses were tied up and carried on the 
backs of the squaws. Tabe Elihu, John Warnpee, Rachel, and 
Elihu Mauwee were noted personages among them years ago. 

The first settler upon the Oblong tract in this town, was 
Martin Preston. He located on Preston Mountain ; the cellar 
wall and part of the chimney of the house he built are yet to- 
be seen. When he first came the valley in which the village of 
Dover is located was nothing but a scrub oak plain. The land 
was worth 6d per acre, and on Preston Mountain it brought 
i shilling per acre ; but the old settlers prefered the mountain 
land even at the increased price. Martin was a mighty hunter ; 
sometimes on his hunting expeditions he would go as far as 
the Catskill Mountains. There are many now living who 
remember him. He died at a very advanced age. He was a 
great bee-keeper and used to make quantities of ;< metheglin 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 157 

of the honey. Uncle Martin s metheglin was noted for miles 
around. 

The Hufcuts were early settlers on Preston Mountain. 
Hans Hufcut, great-grandfather of Horace, bought lands of 
Peter Coons, and located there. Gideon Dutcher located on 
the farm now occupied by Patrick Whalen. Silas Belden 
purchased 1000 acres at the foot of Plymouth Hill ; his farm 
comprised lands in Dover, Amenia, and Washington. 

Mrs. Dorcas Belden, one of the first settlers, was riding 
alone on horseback a short distance above Dover Plains, when 
three wolves darted out from the thick woods which skirted 
the road, and sprang at her. She put whip to her horse and 
succeeded in escaping from them. Wild turkies at this time 
were abundant, and a few deer. Bears and catamounts were 
not so frequently met with. 

The Gillets were from Rhode Island, and emigrated here 
about 1742. The Bensons came in soon after. B. Dutcher 
and Christopher Dutcher came from Holland. David Rose 
came at an early date, as did the Tabers and Schermerhorns. 
The Wheelers, Knickerbackers, Osterhouts, Delamaters and 
Van Du/ens are also mentioned as among the early settlers of 
Dover. 

It is said of Epraim Wheeler that he built a house for the 
Methodist parsonage near where William Ketcham lives. 
Kphraim Wheeler, Jim., died at the age of 101 years. 

The village of Dover, as it was seventy-five years ago, is 
thus described: A small house near where the Shunpike* 
now rims ; then Mr. Cornelius Dutcher s house ; a house where 
Perry s school is ; one where Dr. Berry now lives : a small red 
house on the corner; a small house on the right side of high 
way, built by Major Livingston ; an old store below the corner; 
another small house occupied by Jonathan Mabbett ; then the 
residence of James Ketcham, grandfather of John H. 
Ketcham ; next the school-house and church south of the 
bridge and near the cemeterv. 



158 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Mrs. Joseph Belden saw Burgoyne s captive army as it 
passed through the town enroute for Fishkill. They encamped 
on the plain, and she remembered how the tents looked that 
were pitched there. 

It is said that Gideon Osterhout and Derick Dutcher bet 
their farms upon the result of the war of the Revolution .. 
Dutcher lost and gave up his farm. 

A tribe of Indians lived on the plains, probably a remnant, 
of the Schaghticokes. On the farm of William Taber there 
was an Indian orchard, and another near Luther Holley s. 

Horse-racing was indulged in here to a great extent, the 
straight, level roads being well adapted to that kind of sport. 
An extensive tanner} was located at Dover, near the cemetery 
grounds. 

Capt. Miller bought lands in Butt s Hollow, paying $10 
per acre, when land on the Plains was worth only $3 per acre. 

Thomas and Alice Casey came from Rhode Island about 
the middle of the last century. They settled on Chestnut 
Ridge, where they purchased a tract of one thousand acres. 
Their daughter, grandmother of the wife of Mr. Lossing, came 
on horseback, in company with thirteen others, including six- 
blacks, the whole distance from Long Island. Their goods 
were brought by way of Poughkeepsie. 

The first white child born in DUCHESS County was a girl 
named Emigh. Her parents resided in Fishkill. She married 
a Lossing, from whom is descended the family of Lossings of 
which the historian of that name is an honored representative. 
That gentleman has in his possession an Indian deed, granted 
to some of his ancestors, for a large tract of land extending 
from the Hudson River to the Connecticut line, being the same 
territory afterwards covered by the Rombout and Bcekman- 
Patents. 

On the farm of Mr. Lossing is a barn built in 1783, still 
sound and staunch, though ancient in appearance. 

Dr. Konkiput, a Scaghticoke Indian, educated by the 
Moravians, used frequently to encamp on the Ridge. He 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



possessed quite a reputation as a physician, and many people 
now living recollect going to him for medicines. 

Jacob Van Camp and Derick Dutcher were living in the 



north part of Dover previous to 
their houses near Plymouth Hill. 



1731. An old map shows 




The old house 
north o f P h i 1 i p 
Hoag s was built in 
1751. as shown by 
date on chimney, by 
H e ndri ck Dutcher 
It is said to be t lu 
ckiest house in town 5 " 

Oldest House in Town-as originally built. a , K | has been tenanted 

till within a year or so. The house is 32 x 24 feet, and 
formerly had a chimney in it the base of which measured 14 x 
12 feet just half the width of the house, and nearly half the 
length. Its appearance has been somewhat modified in later 
years by the addition of some windows. When Washington 
evacuated Boston, he passed with a portion of his command, 
so tradition says, by the road leading west from Wings Station. 
His troops encamped for the night on the hill across the brook 
west from Philip Hoag s on both sides of the road. Washing 
ton took up his quarters in the old house just mentioned, which 
though located on another road, stood in full view of the 
encampment. The chamber window shown in the cut opened 
into the room occupied by the Commander-in-chief, through 
which he could easily observe the movements of his soldiers. 

Elder Waldo, a Baptist preacher, lived at that time where 
the Misses Hoag now reside. He carried all the milk pro 
duced by several cows into camp, together with other provisions, 
and distributed the articles among the soldiers ; told them 
where he lived, and invited them to come to his house and get 
whatever they wanted to eat. Many of them did so. and 
partook of his generosity ; and to their credit be it said, noth 
ing about the premises was in the least disturbed by them. 



i6o 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



A family named Elliott lived on the place now occupied 
by Mr. Philip Hoag. They were less free with their provisions 
than Waldo, and went to the officers with the request that the 
soldiers be entirely kept off their grounds. The result was 
that not a chicken or scarcely any other eatable was left about 
the premises, the troops making a clean sweep of everything 
the Elliots possessed ; and, notwithstanding their earnest 
entreaties, the officers paid no heed to their complaints. An 
old resident says that Luther Sheldon, who was seven years 
old at the time mentioned, often related to him the incidents of 
the occasion. The next day was rainy, and they remained 
there until the following morning. The fields bordering the 
road at the place of encampment were, at that time, covered, 
with timber, nearly all of which was cut down by the troops, 
and used for their camp-fires. 

It is related of Elder Waldo that on one occasion he went 
to the store, where he saw some coffee beans an article then 
but little known. The Elder enquired what they were, and 
concluded to try a quart or so. He took them home, put the 
whole quantity into the pot. and proceeded to cook them as 
one would field beans ; but after boiling several hours, he 
found they were as hard as ever. Finally, his patience be 
came exhausted, and he took them back to the store in disgust, 
saying that they were worthless he could never boil them soft. 
About one-half mile east of Wing Station, on the Harlem 

Railroad, stands the famous 
* Morebouse Tavern" of the 
Revolutionary period. It is 
located upon the then chief 
highway from Hartford to 
Fishkill. over which military 
officers, troops, and other 
travelers passed. Under its 




roof many 
army have slept. 



of the general offi- 
There Washington, 



Gates. Putnam, Arnold, Heath. Parsons. Lafayette and other 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. l6l 

distinguished leaders have been entertained and there Rocham- 
foeau and his officers have lodged.* 

In a rare work entitled "Travels in North America in the 
years 1780, 1781, and 1782," by the Marquis De Chastellux, a 
French general officer under Rochambeau, who travelled 
extensively in this country, is a journal, written by that officer 
in his wanderings, which was printed on board of the French 
fleet before it left American waters. Only twenty copies were 
printed, for the use of his friends. One of them fell into the 
hands of an English traveler in America, who translated the 
book and published it in London in 1787. In it the Marquis 
describes two of his visits at Morehouse s Tavern. His first 
visit was in December, 1780, when he was on his journey from 
Rhode Island, where the French troops had debarked, to 
Fishkill, to visit Washington at his headquarters at New 
Windsor, on the Hudson. 

De Chastellux says he crossed the Housatonic River at 
Bull s Iron Works," (now Bull s Bridge). " We soon met 
with another, called Ten Mile River, which falls into this, and 
which we followed for two or three miles, and then came in 
sight of several handsome houses, forming a part of the 
district called The Oblong. The inn I was going to is in the 
Oblong, f but two miles further on. It is kept by Colonel 
Morehouse ; for .nothing is more common in America than to 
see an inn keeper a Colonel ; they are, in general, Militia 
Colonels, chosen by the militia themselves, who seldom fail to 
entrust the command to the most esteemed and most credita 
ble citizens." He said he pressed forward his horses to get the 
start of a traveler who had joined him on the road, that he 
might secure lodgings, when, to his great satisfaction, his 
companion did not stop. He found the tavern wholly 
occupied, however, by some New Hampshire farmers, who 
were driving some two hundred and fifty oxen from their State 
to the army. " The farmers, their horses, and their dogs," he 

* Lossinsr. 

t The Marquis must have been misinformed, as t ie house does not stand in the 
Oblong. 



1 62 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

said, " had possession of the inn." They occupied all the 
rooms and all the beds ; and he was in great distress, when a 
" tall, fat man, the principal person amongst them, being 
informed who I was, came to me and assured me that neither 
he nor his companions would ever suffer a French general 
officer to want a bed, and that they would rather sleep on the 
floor." The result was that Chastellux and his aid?s-ds-camp 
had a double bedded room. 

The Marquis passed over the high hills the next morning, 
into The Clove, and going through Beekman, where were 
" several pretty farms and some mills," and Hopewell. 
; inhabited chiefly by Dutch people," he reached Fishkill at 
four o clock. 

The second visit of De Chastellux to Morehouse s Tavern, 
was in December, two years later, whilst he was again on his 
way from Rhode Island to the headquarters of Washington, 
then at Newburgh. The war had ceased ; the preliminaries 
of peace had been arranged between the United States, Great 
Britain and France, and the French allies were about to 
depart from America. The Marquis had taken his usual route 
from Hartford, through Litchfield, down the Housatonic to 
Bull s Bridge, and so along the Ten Mile River to More- 
house s. " On this occasion." says De Chastellux, " I had not 
much reason to boast of the tavern. Colonel Morehouse, after 
whom it was named, no longer kept it. but had resigned it to 
his son, who was absent, so there were none but women in the 
house. Mr. Dillon [a traveling companion], who had gone on 
a little before, had the greatest difficulty in the world to 
persuade them to kill some chickens ; our supper was but indif 
ferent ; and when it was over, and we got near the fire, we saw 
these women, to the number of four, take our place at the 
table, and eat the remainder of it, with an American dragoon. 
who was stationed there. This gave us some uneasiness for 
our servants, to whom they left, in fact, a very trifling portion. 
On asking one of them, a girl of sixteen, and tolerably hand 
some, some questions the next morning, I learned that she, as 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 163 

well as her sister, who was something older, did not belong to 
the family; but that having been driven from the neighbor 
hood of Wyoming, where they lived, they had taken refuge in 
this part of the country where they worked for a livelihood ; 
and that being intimate with Mrs. Morehouse, they took 
pleasure in helping her when there were many travelers, for 
this road is at present much frequented." 

The settlers in Wyoming Valley, in Pennsylvania, whence 
these girls had come, were chiefly families from Connecticut. 
That beautiful valley was desolated with fire, gun and toma 
hawk, in the summer 1777, by Tories and Indians under 
Colonel John Butler. They burned the dwellings, murdered 
many of the inhabitants and carried away women and children as 
captives. The survivors fled eastward over the Pocono Moun 
tains, suffering dreadful hardships in the wilderness. Men, 
women and children made their way back to Connecticut on 
foot. A large portion of them crossed the Hudson at Pough- 
keepsie, and through Holt s New York Journal, then published 
there, their tale of horror, with all the exaggerations which 
fear and suffering and excited imagination gave it, the story 
was given to the world. 

l)e Chastellux says that, observing the poor girl s eyes filling 
with tears as she spoke of her misfortunes, he became more 
interested, and desired more particulars. She told him that 
her brother was murdered almost before her eyes, and that she 
had barely time to save herself by running as fast as she could ; 
that she and her sister traveled in this manner fifty miles, with 
their feet covered with blood, before they found a house. They 
experienced kindness everywhere on the way, and now wanted 
nothing except clothing. 

" Lodgings and nourishment are never wanting in this 
country," the Marquis wrote. " Clothing is more difficult to 
procure, from the dearness of all sorts of stuffs ; but for this 
they strive to find a substitute in their own labor. I gave them 
a Louis [about four dollars and a half] to buy some articles of 
dress with ; my aides-de-camp, to whom I communicated 



164 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

the story, made them a present likewise ; and this little act of 
munificence being soon known to the mistress of the house, 
obtained her esteem, and she appeared very penitent about 
having shown so much repugnance to kill her chickens " 

The Marquis and his companion set out from Morehouse s 
in the morning at nine o clock, and reached Fishkill Village at 
half-past two. having ridden twenty-four miles without stopping. 
They alighted at Boerum s Tavern, (formerly kept by Mrs. 
Egremont,) where they supped, and crossed the Hudson at 
twilight. There at the headquarters (the old Hasbrouck 
house) they found General Washington and wife, Colonel 
Tilghman, Colonel Humphreys, and Colonel Walker. The 
writer describes the famous room with seven doors and one 
window. Washington used it as a dining room. " The 
chimney," says Da Chastellux, " or rather the chimney back, is 
against the wall, so that there is, in fact, but one vent for the 
smoke, and the fire is in the room itself." 

The Marquis makes the following observations on the 
subject of agriculture in DUCHESS, which he obtained from the 
landlord : " The land is very fertile in DUCHESS County, of 
which Poughkensie (Poughkeepsie) is the capital, as well as 
in the State of New York, but it is commonly left fallow one 
year out of two or three, less from necessity than from there 
being more land than the farmers can cultivate. A bushel of 
wheat, at most, is sown upon an acre, which renders twenty 
and five-and-twenty for one. Some farmers sow oats on the 
land that has borne wheat the preceding year, but this grain in 
general is reserved for lands newly turned up. Flax is also a 
considerable object for cultivation. The land is plowed with 
horses, two or three to a plow, sometimes even a greater 
number when on new land, or that which has long lain fallow." 
(The Marquis spelled DUCHESS without the superfluous /.) 

De Chastellux passed through Poughkeepsie on his way 
from Fishkill Landing to Albany, He speaks of the -beauty of 
the scenery at Wappingers Falls. " There I halted a few 
minutes," he wrote, " to consider, under different points of 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 165 

view, the charming landscape formed by the river, as well as 
from its cascade, which is roaring and picturesque, as from the 
groups of trees and rocks, which, combined with a number of 
saw-mills and furnaces, compose the most capricious and 
romantic prospect. It was only half past three when I got to 
Poughkensie, where I intended sleeping, but finding that the 
sessions [of the county court] were then holding, and that all 
the taverns were full, I took advantage of the little remaining 
day to reach a tavern I was told of at three miles distance." 

After mentioning incidents on the way to Staatsburgh, 
Rhinebeck, Livingston s Manor and Claverack, he tells us that 
he arrived at the Dutch settlement of Kinderhook, where he 
had the choice of three or four taverns. He chose Van 
Buren s. " The preference for this, however, does no honor to 
the others." he says. "It is a very small house, kept by two 
young people of a Dutch family ; they are civil and attentive, 
and you are not badly off with them, provided you are not 
difficult to please. It would have ill become me now to have 
been so, for I had nothing but snow, hail, and frost during the 
whole day. and a fireside was an agreeable asylum for me." 

The " young people " here spoken of were the parents of 
Martin Van Buren, President of the United States. He was 
at the time of the visit of the Marquis only twenty days old. 

Late in 1757, Flder William M. Marsh, of Lyons Farms, 
N, J., met by request a number of Baptists at a place spoken 
of in the old church records as " Batemans Precinct," who 
were by him constituted into a church. This society has 
continued up to the present time, and is now known as the 
First Baptist Church of Dover. In January following, Samuel 
Waldo was licensed to preach for them, and was subsequently 
chosen Elder ; in May of that year he was ordained by letter. 

In September they resolved on building a house of worship, 
thirty feet by forty. This was known as the Red Meeting 
House, and stood near the old cemetery grounds, on the brow 
of the hill nearly east from the present church edifice. The 
road has been changed since the first church was built, 



1 66 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

and then ran close to it. The Red Meeting House was for a 
number of years the only place of worship in what is now the 
town of Dover ; all contributed to its erection, irrespective of 
church or creed ; and it was, in effect a union church, as will 
appear from the following, taken from the records : " Voted, 
that we are free for any improvement of public gifts among us, 
let their denomination be what it will, provided they are under 
suitable recommendation." 

In 1761 this church records eighteen baptized, fifty-one 
members, four hundred hearers." At that time it belonged to 
the Philadelphia Baptist Association, composed of twenty-nine 
churches, and was the fourth church, in the order of their 
size, of all that number. A few years afterward the question 
arose as to the obligation of members of the church to conduct 
family worship, a question that caused a serious division of 
sentiment for several years. In 1774, the church settled the 
matter by a vote, which was to the effect that vocal prayer in 
families was binding upon all members thereof. 

Waldo is spoken of as a powerful preacher, and an influen 
tial man. In 1784, he was moderator of the As: ocation. He 
was about twenty-six years of age when he commenced his 
ministry at Dover ; he continued his labors with great success 
with that church until his death a period of more than thirty- 
five years. His ashes and those of his beloved companion, 
Hannah, repose in the old cemetery ground, near the site of 
the Red Meeting House, wherein so much of his ministerial 
labor was performed. 

August 2, 1759 "Voted to commune with the church* of 
which Simon Dakin is pastor." September 6, 1764, the breth 
ren living in the " upper end of the Oblong " formed a separate 
church, which soon became extinct. In 1794, still another so 
ciety was constituted by members of this church, which is now 
known as the Second Baptist Church of Dover. Sept. 13, 
1800, Klder Detherick became pastor. In 1812, Elisha 
Booth wiis ordained pastor at the Red Meeting House. In 

* Northeast Baptist Cluircli. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 167 

the following year, Elders Booth and Job Foss were called to 
preach on alternate Sabbaths. Elder Foss was disowned in 
1817. He was then a large landholder in the vicinity of what 
is now called the Foss Ore Bed. 

The following are statistics of the First Dover Church : 
The present house of worship the third since the society was 
organized was built in 1855, at a cost of $4,564. Present 
membership about ninety. Rev. I. N. Hill, pastor. 

As before stated, the Second Dover Baptist Church was 
organized in 1794, on the 3d of August. Elder Samuel 
Waldo, then stationed at First Dover, was probably the first 
Baptist minister that preached there. Elder Seth Higby was 
their first pastor, continuing with them six years. A few months 
after its organization the church voted to become a corporate 
body, agreeably to the law then just enacted. Timothy Bab- 
cock, Samuel Stevens, and Caleb Sheldon were the first trus 
tees. January 21, 1796, Eliab Wilcox W2S chosen in place of 
Timothy Babcock. The Duchess Baptist Association was or 
ganized with this church in July, 1835, at whose request, urged 
by its pastor, Elder Roberts, the convention was called. Per 
kins, Roberts, Hopkins, Hall, and others have been connected 
at different times with this church as pastors. 

In 1840, a protracted meeting was held with this congrega 
tion, at which Elder D. T. Hill assisted, preaching three times 
a day. Much interest was manifested in the community at this 
time and many conversions resulted. Julia A. Lathrop, a 
member of this church, embarked for Birmah about the year 
1843, to engage in teaching. 

Previous to the Revolution, a Dutch Reformed church was 
commenced on the present cemetery grounds, which was not 
completed. Pratt was the builder. In this house- the Baptists 
first held their meetings. Here Elders Waldo, Detherick, Foss, 
Perkins, and a host of others expounded the Divine Word to 
their followers. In 1844 the building was remodeled and used 
as a Union church. It was afterwards removed, and is yet 
standing in the village of Dover, doing duty as a blacksmith s 



1 68 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

shop. The present house of worship was built in 1833, at a 
cost of $6,000. It was dedicated in the Autumn of that year, 
Elder Perkins preaching the dedicatory sermon. 

There are three Methodist Episcopal churches in the town : 
One at South Dover, built about twenty-one years ago another 
at Dover Plains, and a third on Chestnut Ridge. These 
societies were not of so ancient origin as those of the Baptist 
denomination in this town. 

It is to be regretted that our mention of the M. E. Churches 
of this county is so meagre, compared with the importance of 
that denomination, both as regards number and influence of 
its membership. This must not be attributed to any lack of 
effort in gathering and compiling the materials ; but it is owing 
to the fact that the society as a rule, have neglected to make 
any permanent record of the early local history of the churches, 
as has been done by other denominations. 

A Friends church, known as the Branch Preparative Meet 
ing, was organized here in 1774, by the Monthly Meeting at 

Oblong now Quaker 
Hill. The meeting house 
was built about that 
time, and is yet standing. 
A piece of land was 
attached to it, into which 

Branch 1 reparative Church. the C a r 1 y W O r S h i p C I S 

turned their horses for pasturage, during services. Most of 
them came on horseback. The venerable Augustus Straight, 
of South Kent, Conn., is the only male member living. Much, 
if not all, of the membership of this church is composed of 
persons who are upwards of eighty years old. The ancient 
edifice is still in tolerable repair. It is surrounded by a cluster 
of majestic trees whose moss-covered trunks are in unison 
with the old house they surround ; and is provided with a row 
of sheds, whose green-turfed floor shows the spot to be sadly 
neglected. 

At stated intervals these aged pilgrims meet together far 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 169 

prayer and exhortation. Some have belonged to this society- 
more than half a century. In childhood, and in maturer years; 
they together have listened to the preached Word; and, as 
they pass down the steep of old age, hand in hand they go. 
mutually consoling and congratulating one another as they 
tremble on the brink of eternity. 

Another Friends meeting house was located on Pleasant 
Ridge, of whose early history we have not any record at hand, 

VALLEY VIEW CEMETERY ASSOCIATION. 

This association was organized May 27th, 1871, at Dover 
Plains, by the following persons : John H. Ketcham, George 
T. fielding, James K. Mabbett, George M. Allerton, Egbert 
Butcher, Thomas Hammond, Jr., Joseph Belden, and Horace 
I). Hufcut. The association purchased sixteen and one-half 
acres of land of James Ketcham. It consisted of a beautiful, 
undulating meadow, adjoining the old burying ground, a short 
distance south of the village. " r The ancient hills and moun 
tains stand sentinels around it, hence the appropriateness of 
its name Valley View." At the northern border a stream of 
pure water runs gently over a gravelly bed, seeking its burial in 
the Ten Mile Creek, a short distance away. Its contiguity to 
the old burying ground where lie the buried dead of several 
generations of the Dover Valley contributed in some degree 
to the selection of the ground, and in September following the 
organization of the association, the inhabitants interested in 
the old ground caused the same to be transferred to the 
Association for cemetery purposes the old and new grounds 
together making one cemetery of twenty acres in extent. The 
grounds were laid out by Mr. J. I. Wanzer ; and on the 7th 
day of October, 1871, the cemetery was formally dedicated, 
Hon. Allard Anthony delivering the address. The old grounds, 
mentioned above, was a parcel of land, of about five acres in 
extent, granted May 16, 1818, by John R. Livingston, to the 
inhabitants of a surrounding tract of about four miles square, 
for educational and religious purposes. Part of this was. 



I 70 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

connected with the parsonage, and was sold some twenty-five 
years ago. 

The mill now known as Preston s Mill was kept in former 
times by Elihu Russell, and had a wide reputation, being one 
of the first in this part of the country. The present structure 
was built nearly a century since,* a former one, on the same 
site, having been carried away in a freshet some time previous. 
A fulling mill was early established here. It is related that 
a man named Wilcox once went with a grist to Russell s 
Mill, and was told that he must wait till the next day as there 
were other customers before him. He concluded he would 
not go home without it at all events. Dinner time came, and 
he was invited in to dine with the family. 

Now Wilcox was a man of large frame, and withal a huge 
feeder ; and his bashfulness was not so great as to prevent his 
partaking of the good things with a heartiness that filled the 
heart of poor Russell with dismay. Slipping out unobserved 
he hastened to the mill, poured out the contents of Mr. 
Wilcox s sack into the hopper, and when the latter finally 
emerged from the dining-room, Russell met him with the 
information that his grist was ready. Wilcox took his depar 
ture, happy in the thought that he had secured his grist so 
early, and had made a good substantial dinner out of his friend 
the miller into the bargain ; while the latter was no less rejoiced 
that he had got rid of a customer that was like to have 
exhausted his stock of provisions. 

John Preston opened a tavern about the year 1810. The 
house is still standing, as is also the barn opposite, on which 
are painted figures of cattle. It became a favorite resort 
particularly for drovers ; and Preston s Tavern and its hospita 
ble but somewhat eccentric landlord, were in days gone by 
well known throughout the State. 

Preston once collected the seeds of a noxious weed, put them 
carefully in little paper packages labeled with a high-sounding 



* Tlic- building known as " Titus s Store" was put up by him about the same time. 
Stephen Sweet was the builder of both. See page 145. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. iyi 

"botanical name, and distributed them among his guests, 
representing the plant as bearing flowers of rare beauty. Those 
who accepted the seeds, and planted them as directed, had 
cause to remember the landlord of Preston s Tavern to their 
dying day. 

He was once questioned as to his manner of fattening cattle. 
" My plan," said he, "is to plow a furrow or two around that 
grove of trees, and plant gourd seeds ; the vines run up among 
the branches, and the cows climb the trees and fatten on the 
gourds." 

Jackson Wing opened a tavern at an early date in the large 
brick house now occupied by his son, Ebenezer Wing. This 
was at one time a noted resort for drovers passing through this 
section oi country. Here the town meetings were held before 
the erection of Dover into a separate town. 

The " Old Forge," by which name the locality is still known, 
was located on Ten Mile River, near the State line. Old John 
Griffin used to work in it. An old resident says the hammer 
made a great noise, and could be heard a long distance off. 
At this place an old saw-mill is located, connected with which 
is a traditional story : 

During the Revolution, a man having in his possession a 
quantity of silver money, buried it at the foot of a tree on 
k Weaver Mountain," drove a spike into the tree to mark the 
spot, and ran away to escape conscription. After an absence 
of several years he returned for his treasure, but the bark had 
grown over and concealed the spike, and he was unable to find 
it. Years afterward the timber on the mountain was cut off, 
and the logs drawn to the mill. One day the saw came in con 
tact with an obstruction in a large log, and was shivered to 
pieces. On examination a spike was found imbedded in the 
wood. This called to mind the circumstances of the buried 
money, and efforts were made to find the stump from which 
the log was cut, but without avail ; and the treasure, if tradi 
tion speaks truly, is still lying there. 

In the western part of the town, in the days gone by, when 



172 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

men believed in ghosts, there stood what was known as the 
" Haunted House." Many were the stories connected with 
this building which were rehearsed around the Winter fireside ; 
people were afraid to live in it, and it remained untenanted for 
a number of years ; and the bravest among them would cast 
uneasy glances toward it when they were obliged to pass in its 
vicinity after nightfall. It was said the furniture was offered to 
any one who would go and remove it, but it was found impos 
sible to do so, as unseen hands would snatch away the articles 
before they could be carried out. Strange noises were fre 
quently heard within it, usually on very dark and stormy nights ; 
and strange, unnatural lights could at times be seen Hitting 
about the different apartments. But ghosts are now out of 
fashion, and if they ever lived, they have gone to more congen 
ial climes ; and though the house yet stands, nothing is now 
heard about its being haunted. 

David Allis was an old resident, and lived in the house yet 
standing in a dilapidated condition, near the Jewett school- 
house. He used to preach in the Branch Meeting House. 
He was the man that bored holes in the south side of his 
apple-trees, into which he poured molasses, to make, as he said, 
the apples on that side of the tree sweet. 

At the close of the Revolution a k barbecue" was held at 
Dover Plains. A man named Grant gave the ox, which was 
spitted and roasted whole. Speeches were delivered, and a 
great concourse of people came together. Although the cook 
ing was none of the best and the flesh was either raw or burned 
to a crisp, the patriotism of the people led them to pronounce 
it excellent. 

Preston Mountain has long been the dwelling place of her 
mits. Robert Brownell long ago lived in the rocks there : 
Curtis was another, who kept a cobbler s shop in a cave, to 
which the inhabitants of the neighborhood repaired when their 
shoes needed mending ; and it is said that there is still another 
now living a solitary life on the north part of the mountain. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 173 

There is an old burying ground near the site of Martin Pres 
ton s house, where lie the bones of the first inhabitants. 

Ebenezer Preston, better known as " Captain" Preston, 
was a brother of Martin Preston s, and was one of the earliest 
settlers in the town. He located in the valley of the Ten Mile 
stream, and put up three grist-mills. Two mills are now 
standing on the sites of these old ones ; a third was located at 
The Forge." Thomas Wing was another early emigrant. 
He came from Rhode Island, and settled near where Thomas 
Wheeler. Esq.. now lives. 

William Chapman kept a hotel on the Old Forge road, 
about half a mile east of Preston s Mill, before the hotel at the 
latter place was opened. 

Mistake Turnpike lies partly in this town. It leads over 
the mountain, west of Wing s Station. The name is said to 
have been given it from this circumstance : When the road 
was being built, a large boulder was rolled down the mountain 
side with the view that it should form a part of the wall of an 
embankment. Its momentum was so great as to carry it be 
yond the place intended, out of reach, where it remains to 
this day. 

Allis Pond and Sharparoon Pond are the principal bodies of 
water. Some peat beds have been opened near the line of the 
Harlem Railroad. Both the white and clouded varieties of 
marble are found ; Preston s and Ketcham s quarries are the 
principal openings that have been made. Two blast furnaces 
were built in this town, both of which are in ruins. 



FISHKILL. 



POPULATION, 15,785. SQUARE ACRES. 59.848. 



ISHKILL was formed as a town March 7th, 1788. A 
part of Philipstown was annexed March i4th, 1806. A 
^\$ part of ;i Freedom" (now Lagrange) was taken off in 
^rf 1821. November 29th, 1849, East Fishkill was taken 
from it and erected into a separate township; and May 2oth, 
1875, the town of "Wappinger" was constituted from its 
remaining northern portion. As few or no events of historic 
interest have transpired since its division into separate town 
ships, the facts recorded in this chapter will be considered as 
relating to the whole territory comprised in the original town of 
Fishkill. The early inhabitants called it Vis-Kill, that is, 
Fish-Creek, kill being the name for creek : hence its present 
name. 

The surface is mountainous in the south, and hilly in the 
north. The Fishkill Mountains, extending along the southern 
border, are high, rocky, and precipitous. Old Beacon and 
Grand Sachem, the highest summits, are respectively 1471 and 
1685 feet above tide. These are commemorable from the 
fact that bale-fires were kindled on their tops in Revolutionary 
days, to alarm the inhabitants of the surrounding country in 
case of sudden invasion. 

174 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 175. 

A break in these mountains is known as the Wiccopee* 
Pass. This was carefully guarded during the Revolution, to 
prevent the British from turning the American works at West 
Point. A considerable American force was stationed at its 
upper extremity during the campaign of 1777. 

The Fishkill skirts the foot of the mountains, separating 
them from the hilly region in the northwest. Wappingers 
Creek forms the west boundary. A high rolling ridge lies 
between these two streams ; the highest point is Mt. Hope| 
1000 feet above tide. A series of bluffs, 150 to 250 feet high, 
extends along the river, broken by the valleys of the streams. 
The soil is a clay and gravelly loam. 

Prior to the advent of the English this vicinity was the 
favorite home of the Red Man. Here the priests performed 
their incantations, and ministered at their altars. Until 
recently, there were evidences of their occupation of this 
territory in the traces of their burial grounds, and in the many 
apple and pear trees, planted by Indian hands, that were 
standing. But the memory of the ancient inhabitants is 
rendered more permanent by the beautiful Indian names yet 
applied to streams and localities Matteawan, Wiccopee, 
Shenandoah. etc. We subjoin a deposition made by David 
Ninham, a Wappinger Indian, touching the boundaries of 
tribes etc. : 

DAVID NINHAM, aged thirty-six years, being duly sworn, 
maketh oath that he is a River Indian, of tribe of the Wappin 
gers, which tribe were the ancient inhabitants of the east 
shore of Hudson River, from the city of New York to about 
the middle of Baekmins Patent ; that another of River 
Indians, called Mohegans, were the remaining inhabitants of 
the east shore of Hudson River ; that these two tribes consti 
tuted one nation. That the deponent well understands the 
language of the Mohegans. It is very little different from the 
language of the Wappinger tribe. That the Indian word 
Pattenock signifies, in the language of the Mohegans, a " fall 
of water," and has no other signification. And this deponent 

* So named from the Wiccopees, an Indian clan once living near Shenandoah. 
t Mt. Hope is about one-half mile south of Myers Corners. A beautiful and extend- 
<! view b obtained from its .summit. 



176 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

says that he is a Christian, and has resided some years with 
the Mohegans at Stockbridge. 

his 

DAVID X NINHAM. 

mark 

Sworn the second day of August, 1762, before me. 

WILLIAM SMITH. 

As late as 1700, a powerful tribe, numbering more than a 
thousand warriors, lived in the vicinity of Fishkill Hook. They 
erected a palisade on Fort Hill, for retreat when hard pressed 
by the foe ; their village was located in the valley north of 
this hill. It is but a few years since that this tribe became 
extinct. 

The first land purchased in DUCHESS County was in the 
town of Fishkill. February 8th, 1682, a license was given by 
Thomas Dongan, Commander-in-Chief of the Province of 
New York, to Francis Rombout and Gillian Ver Blanck, to 
purchase a tract of land from the Indians. Under this license 
they bought on the 8th day of August, 1683, of the Wappinger 
Indians, all their right to a large tract afterwards known as the 
Rombout Patent. Gulian Ver Planck died before the English 
patent was issued by Dongan. Stephanus Van Cortland was 
then joined in it with Rombout, and Jacobus Kipp substituted 
as the representative of the children of Gulian Ver Planck. 
On the 1 7th day of October, 1685, letters patent were granted 
by King James the Second. There were 85,000 acres included 
in the patent. Besides paying the natives, they were to pay 
the Commander-in-Chief, Thomas Dongan, six bushels of good 
and merchantable winter wheat every year. 

This Indian deed* is couched in the formal language 
common to all old instruments of that class. The names of 
the Indian granters are : Sackoraghkigh, Megriskar, Quegh- 
sjehapieuw, Niessjatvejhos, Queghout, Asotewes, Wappegereck, 
Nathindaew, Wappape, Ketaghkanns, Mekaghoghkan, Mier- 
ham, Peapightapaeuw, Queghhitaeuw, Memesawogh, Katariogh, 
Kightapinkog, Rearawogh, Meggiech, Sejay, Wienangeck, 

* llecorded in Alb., Book of Patents, vol. 5, p. 72. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 177 

Maenemaeuw, and Guighstierm. The following is a schedule 
of articles paid in the purchase of the land: 

One hunci Royalls, One hun d Pound Powder, Two hun a 
fathom of White Wampum, one hun fl Barrs of Lead, One 
hundred fathom of black Wampum, thirty tobacco boxes, ten 
holl adges, thirty Gunns, twenty Blankets, forty fathom of 
Dumls, twenty fathom of stroudwater Cloth, thirty Kittles, 
forty Hatchets, forty horns, forty shirts, forty p stockins, twelve 
coates of R. B. & b. C., ten Drawing Knives, forty earthen 
Juggs, forty Bottles, forty Knives, fouer ankers rum, ten halfe 
fatts Beere, two him 1 tobacco Pipes. &rc., Eighty Pound 
Tobaco. 

As already observed, the patentees came in full possession 
of their purchase in the autumn of 1685. No positive dates 
of occupancy can be determined from authentic records previous 
to 1708, when a partition by writ of the Supreme Court was 
made of all lands between the Fishkill and Wappingers Creek ; 
the remainder, north and south of these streams remaining in 
common to the several owners. Settlement was begun on the 
Verplanck portion of this division subsequent to the Rombout 
and Van Courtland sections. One-third of the Verplanck 
allotment was afterward apportioned to Andrew Teller, son 
and only child of Henrietta Verplanck. 

January loth, 1709, Roger Brett son-in-law of Francis 
Rombout, one of the original patentees and Catherine his 
wife, gave their joint bond to Capt. Gylob Shelly, of New York, 
for the sum of ^399, 6s. This bond soon falling due, they in 
June, 1713, gave a mortgage deed to the executors of Gylob 
Shelly, covering their part of the division between the two 
streams (their allotment covering* mainly the Fishkill settle 
ment), ; excepting and reserving always out of said premises, 
one tenement, grist-mill and water course thereunto belonging, 
together with 300 acres of land adjoining said mill, now in 
possession of said Roger Brett ; also certain parcels of land 
now in possession of John Terboss, John Buys. Casper Prime, 
Peter DeBoys, and YowrebSpringstead ; also 5,000 acres lying 
and being in any part of the reserved premises." 

1 



178 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Without doubt the persons named in this mortgage were 
the only persons occupying lands on the patent ; and the 
borrowed money was probably used by Roger Brett and wife 
in erecting a house and grist-mill the following year. A grist 
mill has now no especial interest ; its charms would be greater 
were we depending on one single mill for our daily bread. 
This was the first mill built in DUCHESS County ; and for a long 
time Orange County paid tribute to Madam Brett s* mill, for 
by this name it was known far and wide. Roads terminated 
there. "From Wiccopee to Madam Brett s Mill ;" "From 
Hackensack to Madam Brett s Mill." An old gentleman in 
Orange County stated the following : His grandfather used to 
tell him that when he was a boy he was accustomed to go to 
Madam Brett s Mill, that being the only mill to which they then 
had access. The neighbors and settlers for miles would come 
with a bag of grain fastened securely upon the back of a horse. 
When they had all arrived, the horses were tied to each other s 
tails, and mounting the foremost one he wended his way to the 
river. With an Indian canoe he would carry over the grain. 
returning again in the same manner. 

Early in 1742. a company was formed of eighteen persons 
for the purpose of engaging in the freighting business. This 
was probably the first organized freighting concern in the 
county. 

The first settlement of the original town of Fishkill dates 
back as far as the year 1682. Nicholas Emigh was the first 
settler. He embarked for America with Robert Livingston 
about 1672. On shipboard he became acquainted with a 
pretty Dutch girl from Holstein, and they were married before 
they touched American shores. Unwilling to be a mere 
retainer of Livingston, he and his young wife went to Fort 



* Roger, the husband of Madame Brett, was killed when comparatively young. He 
was coming from New York in 1721, on board of a sloop. When entering the mouth of the 
Fishkill the boom of the vessel struck him. causing his death. It is said that his remains 
were interred in the old burying ground near Byrnesville. Madam Brett survived him 
more than half a century, but never again married. She died in 1764. After her deatli 
there were many lease farms in the eastern part of her possessions, in Fishkill Hook, and 
extending east towards Shenandoah. The heirs extinguished those leases and divided the 
property, as directed by her will, and then sold the farms to actual settlers. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 179 

Orange (now Albany), intending to settle upon an island in the 
Hudson, near that place, within the manor of Van Rensselaer. 
But the free spirit of Emigh could not succumb to feudal 
authority, and in 1682 he started for the unbroken wilderness of 
DUCHESS County. He settled at the mouth of the Fishkill, 
purchased a tract of land extending from that creek to Pough- 
keepsie, and eastward to the Connecticut line.* The Rombout 
Patent, however, granted some three years later, to Francis 
Rombout and others, by King James the Second, and the 
Beekman Patent, granted still later to Colonel Henry Beek- 
man. covered the whole territory purchased by Emigh, who, 
having only an Indian deed, was dispossessed by the later 
purchasers holding their authority from the Crown. He after 
wards purchased a large tract in the Clove, from the charter 
proprietors, some of which is in possession of his descendants 
at the present time. 

While at Fishkill a daughter was born to them, the first 
white child born within the limits of DUCHESS County. About 
the year 1700, a young man from Holstein, named Peter 
Lasinck (Lossing), came to DUCHESS County. The little 
Fishkill maiden had grown up to rosy womanhood, and young 
Lasinck and Katrina Emigh wedded and settled in the present 
domain of East Fishkill. They had four sons and four 
daughters ; and it is said that when the oldest of the eight 
died, the other seven were still living, the youngest being 75 
years old. William, the first-born, was the King s collector of 
taxes in 1726. The historian, Lossing, is a descendant of this 
family. 

Until 1712, the nearest blacksmith to the Fishkill settlers 
was at Esopus, then called Wiltwyck. One of Peter Lasinck s 
boys was sent there with a plowshare lashed to the saddle, 
which he was to have sharpened. Having traveled an Indian 
trail homeward for a dozen miles, the fastenings gave way, and 
the plowshare fell to the ground. In the fall the point was 
broken, and the poor lad was obliged to turn back and have 

* ^Ir. Benson J. Lossing- lias this Indian deed in his possession. 



l8o HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

his work done the second time. Altogether he traveled a 
hundred miles to have a plowshare prepared for use. 

The next permanent settler was Peche Dewall, who 
located at Fishkill Landing. He came there in the spring of 
1688. His wife assisted him in clearing up his land. The 
following winter he went to New York with a hand sled ; made 
some purchases, and drew the articles home, though the road 
most of the way was but an Indian trail. In the spring he 
bought a horse for ^3, which was considered a fair price for a 
horse in those days. 

Emigh and Dewall were almost the only settlers here for 
many years. Situated in the midst of a wilderness, remote 
from any settlement ; surrounded by savage Indians and still 
more savage beasts ; provisions scarce and hard to be obtained 
and the long winters cold and severe their situation was by 
no means enviable. A sloop would come up the river 
occasionally, when the captain and some of the crew would 
come ashore, and then all would be solitary again ; and 
months would transpire before they would again learn what 
events were taking place in the outside world. 

From 1700 to 1715, settlement progressed slowly, the 
pioneers locating mostly along the river. The Indians were 
numerous, their village lying near the present site of Fishkill 
Hook. There they had set out apple orchards ; a few of the 
apple trees may yet be seen on the farm of William Waldo. 
They had a little clearing on the farm of Theodore VanWyck, 
where they raised their Indian corn. 

Theodoris VanWyck was one of the first settlers at Fish- 
kill Hook. One of his boys, a lad of twelve summers, used 
to go to the Indian village occasionally, and the squaws would 
give him something to eat. Happening there one day when 
nearly the whole village was absent, he ventured to look into a 
dinner vessel swung over one of their fires, and there saw a 
piece of old horse with the hair on it, seasoned with some 
beans. From that time he declined to eat with the Indians. 
" Where Johnsville is located once stood a dense forest. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. l8l 

The small streams were much obstructed by fallen trees, so 
that the water collected in stagnant pools, and rendered the 
locality unhealthy. These pools were the habitations of veno 
mous serpents and various animals, such as the beaver, otter and 
muskrat. The early settlers were careful about venturing out 
after dark, for fear of the bite of some venomous snake. They 
were obliged to drive their stock into enclosures every night as 
a protection against beasts of prey, and often the wolves and 
panthers would break through and carry away some of the 
sheep and lambs to their dens in the mountains." 

The first settlers of the village of Johnsville, the ancient 
name of which was Wiccopee, was Johannes Swartwout. He 
leased a farm of Madam Brett for three fat fowls a year. He 
made a clearing, erected a log-house near an excellent spring, 
and in 1750 set out an apple orchard. Many of the trees still 
stand. One taken down some fourteen years ago was twelve 
feet around at its base, and fifty feet high. This farm after 
ward came in possession of Rombout Brett, a grandson of 
Madam Brett, who located on it in the year 1770. He sold 
six acres to a blacksmith named Cushman, the first mechanic 
in Johnsville. The barracks of the American army near Fish- 
kill were given to the inhabitants after they were vacated. 
Cushman, with the help of his neighbors, went to the barracks 
and hauled up the material for his house and blacksmith shop. 

The next settler in Johnsville was Joseph Wood. Like 
most of the dwellings of the first settlers, the house was built 
one story high, with a long stoop in front. The roof of the 
house extended over so as to cover the stoop. The house 
had very small windows ; there was no wall overhead, the large 
beams being uncovered ; and the fire-places large enough to 
take in the wood cord lengths. The house was covered with 
cypress and white wood, unpainted, and the floors were laid 
with white oak. Mr. Wood, being located near the mountain, 
was very much annoyed by beasts of prey. The cattle yard 
was so situated as to be commanded by his garret window. 
Often the noise of bears and other wild beasts awoke him in 



1 82 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

the night, when he would repair to the garret window, and fire 
upon them. He would frequently find the carcass of a wolf 
or panther on his going out of a morning, brought down by his 
rifle during the night. 

The first settler near Johnsville was Rodolphus Svvartwout, 
from Long Island. His house was built of stone, one story 
high, and existed as late as 1809. One day his son and a 
negro slave were at work near the house, when they saw a col 
lection of Indians near the present highway. They hastened 
to the spot, and to their surprise they saw a dead Indian, and 
the others were rejoicing over him. Svvartwout asked the 
Indians who killed him, when they all cried out in broken Eng 
lish, " I, I, I." It appeared that the dead Indian belonged to 
a tribe below the mountains, with which they were at war ; 
they had overtaken him there and stoned him to death, and 
each claimed that he had thrown the stone that killed him. 
His scalp was taken off and given to Ninharn. for which the 
latter rewarded them. 

Two Englishmen named Ogden called on Svvartwout one 
day to make inquiries as to where they would better locate. 
Svvartwout showed them through the woods to where is now 
the residence of James VanWyck. The Ogdens thought it 
rather low and wet, and the labor of clearing and draining 
the land too great an undertaking ; they therefore went through 
the woods in an easterly direction until they reached the top 
of a hill near what is now Farmer s Mills. Here they located 
and a portion of the land yet remains in possession of their 
descendants. 

East of Swartvvout s an Englishman settled, by the name of 
John Wood. He built a house where C. Delevan now lives, 
and kept tavern there until his death, which occurred in 1791. 
The Ways, Brinckerhoffs, Depuysters, Algarks, Woods, and 
others, were from Long Island, and settled in and about Fish- 
kill Hook. At this place is a farm of three hundred acres, 
adjoining Putnam county, which was sold in 1796 by the heirs 
of Madam Brett to William Beslev. The Indians who sold 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 183 

the tract remained here long after the sale. They claimed this 
farm as a reservation, until they finally removed West. This 
was the last tract of land given up by them. Their villages 
and apple orchards were mostly on this farm. Some of them 
lingered in Fishkill long after the French and Indian war, and 
then all left. A few of the tribe came back at different times, 
and pretended to claim the farm, averring that they had never 
signed away their right and title. Sometimes they would re 
main a month or more, begging provisions and shooting game, 
and then return to their homes. 

The first settler in Shenandoah was Peter Rickey ; he 
built the first house, and kept the first tavern and store in 
Shenandoah. In early times a single elephant would cause as 
much excitement as a great menagerie at the present day. A 
show once stopped at Rickey s. The showman advertised a 
recently imported animal from Africa, heretofore unknown to 
natural history, called a " Dodo." This drew out a large 
crowd, but the dodo proved to be an imposture. The people 
thereupon tore down the tents, carried the dodo and a Shet 
land pony into the tavern, and told the showman he must re 
fund the money or they would not deliver up his property. 
Finally a compromise was effected, by which the showman was 
allowed to proceed on his way on condition of his treating the 
crowd. 

The first settler at Gayhead was Aaron VanVlack, who 
came from Holland and purchased 600 acres of land of Madam 
Brett, when this County was a wilderness. He built a log-house 
just south of the residence of his great-grandson, Abram Van 
Vlack. A son of Aaron, named Tunis, settled at the village 
of Gayhead, and built the mill. The building used as a tavern 
and store is an ancient structure ; by whom built, and when, 
is uncertain. 

New Hackensack* was settled by emigrants from Hacken- 
sack, New Jersey, after which it was named. The VanBim- 



Indian name, Ac-kkinkashacky. 



184 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

schotens, Snadikers and Vanderbilts were among the first 
settlers. 

The Montforts were the first settlers on Fishkill Plains. 
They came from the Flatlands, Long Island, about the year 
1740. There were two or three by the name of Peter. One 
settled on lands bordering on Sprout Creek ; he went by the 
name of Sprout Peter. 

The first settler in Glenham was Simmerton. He kept 
tavern, in which the first town meeting was held in 1724, when 
the following business was transacted : 

" At a meeting of Sundry Freeholders and Tenements of 
DUCHESS County, assembled this, the first Tuesday in April, in 
the South Ward, the following persons were chosen by majori 
ty of votes to serve for the Ward, viz : Jacobus Swartwout, 
Supervisor; James Hussey, Francis De Langdon, Assessors. 
It is agreed in the South Ward on the day of Election by 
majority of votes that all the fences in that ward are to be in 
height upward to the uppermost part of the rail, or log, or 
rider, four feet four inches, English measure. * * Every 
inhabitor within the ward aforesaid shall be obliged to keep 
good fences around their corn burrows and stacks, which fence 
is to be so close that hogs nor shoats cannot get through the 
same where they run at large, which if neglected shall not 
recover damage." 

Francis De Langdon settled on the road east of Fishkill 
village, on what is now called the Sherwood place. Near the 
house stands a large pine tree, on which a cow-boy was hung 
in the Revolution. He was captured near Johnsville, and 
immediately taken to this tree and hung. The rope was 
fastened to a large limb that projects out over the highway. 

The Brinckerhoffs settled at Brinckerhoffville. They, in 
1721, purchased of Madame Brett, a tract of about 1,700 
acres. Abram kept a store here during the Revolution, He 
also built the mills now known as Dudley s Mills They were 
destroyed by fire in the time of the Revolution, and the 
soldiers of the American army, encamped near by, were set 
to work at re-building them ; in ashort time the present mills. 
were ready for business. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 185 

About this time, tea being very scarce, and having a con 
siderable quantity on hand, Abram Brinckerhoff charged an 
exorbitant price. The women of the neighborhood were 
very much exasperated, as the price was beyond their means. 
Mustering a large company under the command of one 
Catherine Schutt, they marched in military order in front of 
his store. The sequel is told in the following extract from a 
newspaper published at that time : 

AUGUST 28th, 1776. A few days since about 100 women, 
inhabitants of DUCHESS county, went to the house of Colonel 
Brinckerhoff, at Fishkill, and insisted upon having tea at the 
lawful price of six shillings per pound, and obliged that gentle 
man to accommodate them with one chest from his store for 
that purpose. Shortly after he sold his cargo to some Yorkers, 
who, for fear of another female attack, forwarded the nefarious 
stuff to the North river precipitately, where it is now afloat, 
but the women have placed their guard on each side. 

The first settlers in Fishkill Village were Henry Terboss, 
and Rosekrance. The first tailor in town was named Clump. 
He came direct from Holland, and settled in Glenham. 

Fishkill Village, in the time of the Revolution, was the 
largest village in the county. It could boast of an academy, 
two churches, one school-house, a hotel, and a printing press. 
It was the theatre of many thrilling events of the war, although 
no battle was ever fought in the vicinity. In 1789, there were 
but seven post-offices in the State, and Fishkill was one of the 
number. After the Revolution it progressed very slowly in 
population. It is situated upon a beautiful plain, in the 
midst of a fertile country, and surrounded by magnificent 
scenery. Lossing thus describes a visit here in 1848 : " The 
air was a little frosty, but as soon as the sun appeared above 
the hills, the warm breath and soft light of the Indian Summer 
spread their genial influence over the face of Nature, and 
awakened corresponding delight in the heart and mind of the 
traveler. The country through which the highway passes is 
exceedingly picturesque. It skirts the deep, rich valleys of 



1 86 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Matteawan and Glenham, where flows a clear stream* from a 
distant mountain lake and bubbling spring, turning in its 
course many mill-wheels and thousands of spindles, set up 
along its banks. On the south, the lofty range of the eastern 
Highlands, rocky and abrupt near their summits, come down 
with gentle declivities and mingle their rugged forms with the 
green undulations of the valley. Up their slopes cultivated 
fields have crept like ivy upon some grey old tower; and there 
tinted with all the glories of autumn, they seemed to hang in 
the soft morning sunlight like rich gobelins in the chamber of 
royalty." Irving in his narrative of the renowned Stuyvesant 
up the Hudson, thus speaks of the Highlands : 

" Thus happily did they pursue their course, until they 
entered upon those awful defiles denominated the Highlands, 
where it would seem that the gigantic Titans had erst waged 
their impious war with heaven, piling up cliffs on cliffs, and 
hurling vast masses of rock in wild confusion. But in sooth, 
very different is the history of these cloud-capt mountains. 
These in ancient days, before the Hudson poured his waters 
from the lakes, formed one vast prison, within whose rocky- 
bosom the omnipotent Manetho confined the rebellious spirits 
who repined at his control. Here bound in adamantine chains 
or jammed in rifted pines, or crushed by ponderous rocks, they 
groaned for many an age. At length the conquering Hudson, 
in his irresistible career towards the ocean, burst open their 
prison-house, rolling his tide triumphantly through its stupen 
dous ruins. Still, however, do many of them lurk about their 
old abodes ; and these it is, according to venerable legends, 
that cause the echoes which resound throughout these 
awful solitudes, which are nothing but their angry clamors, 
when any noise disturbs the profoundness of their 
repose. For when the elements are agitated by tempest, when 
the winds are up and the thunder rolls, then horrible is the 
yelling and howling of these troubled spirits, making the 

* The chief sources of this beautiful stream are, Whaley Pond, situated lu srh amnig- 
the broken hills of the. eastern Highlands, in the borders of l i\\\ lint, , and a spring at the 
luot of the mountain in The Clove. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 187 

-mountains to re-bellow with their hideous uproar ; for at such 
times,, it is said, they think the great Manetho is returning, 
once more to plunge them in gloomy caverns, and renew their 
intolerable captivity." This fanciful idea, so beautifully 
portrayed by the historian of Knickerbocker, is quite in accord 
with modern science, it being asserted that there are evidences 
that the bed of the river at this point has been changed from 
the location it occupied in some far-off period of the world s 
history. 

Fishkill is a place of much interest to the student of our 
.history. Surrounded by a fertile country,and secured from in 
vasion from below by high mountains, it was chosen during the 
Revolution as a place of deposit for military stores. Here 
were confined the British and Tory prisoners, captured upon the 
Neutral Ground in YVestchester ; and here for a while was the 
encampment of a part of the American army, and also the 
place of deliberation of the State Legislature. 

Matteawan is a beautiful manufacturing village upon the 
Fishkill, about a mile from the landing, at the foot of Mattea 
wan Mountain. It was founded in 1814 by Messrs. Schenck 
and Leonard, at which time the Matteawan Company was 
formed. There are several large factories here of various 
descriptions. In 1840 no intoxicating liquors were permitted 
to be sold within it, and almost the whole population pledged 
themselves to abstain from its use. 

Near the village is situated the mansion built by Roger 
Brett about the year 1710, one of the first built in this town, 
and now more generally known as the " Teller House." The 
building is one story in height, 87 x 36 feet. Its sides and roof 
were originally covered with cedar shingles. It was often 
filled with officers and soldiers during the War of Indepen 
dence, and a large quantity of salt was at one time stored in 
the cellar for the use of the army. 

As the reader is already aware, at the opening of the war, 
the Provincial Congress convened at New York, and began at 
once to devise means to insure the general safety. County 



i88 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 




Committees were organized, which carried the instructions they 
received to the Town or Precinct Committees. Of the Fishkill 
Committee, Dirck G. Brinckerhoff was Chairman, Capt. 
Jacobus Swartwout, Dept. Chairman, and John H. Sleight, 
Clerk. Their first meeting was held on the i3th of July, at 

Capt. Jacob Griffin s, 
who then kept a tavern 
on the Hopewell road, 
just beyond Swart wout- 
ville. The committee,, 
called the "Committee 
of Observation," at once 

The Teller Mansion. set about the perfomi- 

ance of its duty. The "Pledge"* was circulated for signa 
tures, orders being issued that no coercive measure be taken 
to induce persons to sign it ; and a list was taken of persons 
who refused to sign. They were also to attend to the work of 
collecting arms for the Militia buying them of their owners 
whenever practicable, and taking them by force when 
necessary. They were to keep a close watch over the move 
ments of disaffected persons within their jurisdiction, besides 
attending to other matters which rendered their office anything 
but a sinecure. 

In the Autumn of 1776, after the evacuation of New York, 
and the immediate loss of the seaboard, the operations of the 
army were carried farther into the interior of the country. 
Fishkill then became, from its safe position north of the High 
lands, and from its proximity to the fortifications at West 
Point, a place of much consideration. The town was at once 
crowded with refugees, who fled from their homes on Long 
Island and in New York, and sought safety here. One interior 
army route to Boston passed through this place. Army 
stores were deposited here r and workshops established, for the 
manufacture of articles needed by the troops. The Marquis 
de Chastellux.t a French officer who traveled quite extensively 



See piiges 52 55k 



t Se page 162. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 189 

in North America about the time of the Revolution, says : 
;i This town, in which there are not more than fifty houses in 
the space of two miles, has been long the principal depot of 
the American army. It is here they have placed their maga 
zines, their hospitals, their workshops, &c., but all of these form 
a town in themselves, composed of handsome, large barracks, 
built in the woods at the foot of the mountains ; for the Ame 
rican army, like the Romans in many respects, have hardly any 
other Winter quarters than wooden towns, or barricaded camps, 
which may be compared to the hiemalia of the Romans." 

The headquarters of the officers was at the " Wharton 
House," now the residence of Sidney E. VanWyck ; the bar 
racks commenced about thirty rods north of this dwelling, and 
extended near the line of the road to the base of the moun 
tain, where the road turns east from the turnpike. Says a 
writer of this vicinity : " Near the residence of Sidney E. Van 
Wyck, by the large black walnut trees, and east of the road 
near the base of the mountain, was the soldiers burial ground. 
Many a poor patriot soldier s bones lie mouldering there. This 
almost unknown and unnoticed burial place holds hundreds of 
those who gave their lives for the cause of American Inde 
pendence. Some twenty-five years ago an old lady who was 
then living at an advanced age, told the writer that after the 
battle of White Plains, she went with her father through the 
streets of Fishkill, and in places between the Dutch and Epis 
copal churches, the dead were piled up by the side of the road 
as high as cord wood. These were interred in the soldiers 
burial ground. The wounded of the battle who afterwards 
died were buried there. The constant streams of death from 
the hospitals were buried there. The small-pox, which broke 
out in camp and prevailed very malignantly, added many more. 
Many of these were State Militia, and it seems no more than 
just that the State should make an appropriation to erect a 
suitable monument over this spot. Rather than that it should 
thus remain for another century, if a rough granite boulder 
were rolled down the mountain side and inscribed To the 



190 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

unknown and unnumbered dead of t/ie Ajnerican Revolution* 
that rough, unhewn stone would tell, to the strangers and 
the passer-by, more to the praise and fame of the town than 
the living can add to it by works of their own. It is doubtful 
whether any other place in the State has as many of the buried 
dead of the Revolution as this quiet spot in the old town of 
Fishkill." 

This vicinity, says Lossing, is the scene of many of the 
most thrilling events portrayed by Cooper in his ".$.) , a Tale of 
the Neutral Ground." In the Wharton House, Enoch Crosby, 
the alleged reality of the novelist sy?r////^/Af Harvey Birch,* was 
subjected to a mock trial by the Committee of Safety, and 
then confined in the old Dutch Church in the village. Crosby 
engaged in the "secret service" of his country in the Autumn 
of 1776, and eminent were his achievements in making revela 
tions to his Whig friends of the plans and movements of the 
Tories. At that period secret enemies were more to be feared 
than open foes ; among these in Westchester and the southern 
portions of DUCHESS, Crosby mingled freely, for a long time, 
without incurring their distrust. 

While on one of these excursions, he solicited lodgings for 
the night at the house of a woman who proved to be a Tory. 
From her he learned that a company of loyalists were forming 
in the neighborhood, to march to New York and join the 
British army. He became excessively loyal ; and, agreeing to 
enlist with them, he obtained the unbounded confidence of the 
Captain, who revealed to him all his plans. That night, after 
all was quiet, Crosby stealthily left his bed, hastened to White 
Plains, where the Committee of Safety resided, communicated 
the secrets of the expedition to them, and was back to his 
lodgings, unobserved, before daylight. At Crosby s suggestion. 
a meeting was held the following evening, and while in session, 
the house was surrounded by a band of Whigs, sent for that 
purpose by the Committee of Safety, and the inmates were all 

* Sec page 60. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 19! 

made prisoners.* They were conveyed to Fishkill, manacled, 
and confined in the Old Stone Church, one of the relics of the 
Revolution yet remaining. The Committee of Safety, who had 
come up to try them, were at the Wharton House. After the 
examination, the prisoners were all remanded to prison, Crosby 
among the rest. By apparent accident he was left alone with 
the Committee a few minutes, and a plan of escape was devised. 
He effected it through a window at the northwest corner of the 
church, which was hidden by a willow. On reaching the 
ground he was divested of his loose manacles; and with the 
speed of a deer he rushed by the sentinels, and escaped unhurt 
to a swamp, followed by three or four bullets fired at random 
in the gloom. He was made a prisoner twice afterward, but 
managed to escape. f 

The Wharton House has been owned by the Van Wyck 
family ever since its erection. It presents the same appear 
ance, as far as may be, that it did in the time of the Revolu 
tion, its proprietors taking pains 
to keep it so. The writer 
visited it in June 1875, and was 
shown through it by the gentle 
manly proprietor. Sidney E. 
Van Wyck, Esq. There was 
the large square room in 
which the courts-martial were held, and in which the marriage 
mentioned in the " Spy" is represented to have taken place 
with its large windows and high mantels, and tall eight-day 
clock ticking away in the corner, none the worse for its 
century s wear. Mr. Van Wyck exhibited a tea-cup of ancient 
pattern, such as were in use when the traditional lump of sugar 
was suspended from the ceiling, and swung around to the 
guests. Near the house, at the time of the Revolution, was a 
large orchard, some of the trees of which are still standing. 
One of the trees, cut down some ten years since, showed one 

* A recent writer says one rendezvous was the interior of a haystack, from which; 
the inside hay had been removed, leaving the outside form intact. 
t Tict. Field l.ook of the Devolution. 




IQ2 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

hundred and forty distinct rings in the wood denoting as 
many years of life. One old black walnut near the house 
serves as a lightning rod, it being struck by the fluid nearly 
every year. It stands the ordeal well ; but the seams and 
scars visible all over the tree testify to the severe blows it has 
received. 

Another black walnut, also bearing the marks of age, stands 
on the opposite side of the road from the house, and is said to 
have been set out by a slave at work on the farm named Kame. 
During the Revolution the toll-gate was hung on this tree 
this being the turnpike running from Albany to New York. 
The head of the staple driven into the tree disappeared only a 
year or two since. A dwelling house in the vicinity is built, in 
part, from material taken from the army barracks. Mr. Van- 
Wyck is one of the very few who properly appreciate the his 
toric interest attached to the buildings and scenes that are so 
closely associated with the momentous events of our country s 
history. Would that other of the many relics of the Revolu 
tion, now neglected and forgotten, had fallen into the keeping 
of such hands as have the Wharton House, and its surroundings. 

Of the places of public interest, the site of the residence* 
of Mrs. John C. VanWyck may justly claim attention, as there 
the first printing press was set up in this county. Samuel 
Loudon, who had published a paper in New York up to the 
time of its evacuation, removed his press and material to Fish- 
kill. It was for a time the only paper that could be found to 
publish the news of public interest. Says Lossing , An inter 
esting bibliographical fact was communicated to me, connected 
with Fishkill, by Gulian C. Verplanck, Esq. I have already 
noticed the harassing circumstances under which the first Re 
publican Constitution of the State of New York was elaborated, 
discussed, and adopted ; the Legislature retiring before the 
approach of the British bayonets, first to Harlem, then to 
King s Bridge, Yonkers, White Plains, Fishkill, and Kingston. 



* The first Constitutional Convention held a session in this house in the autumi 
of 1776. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 193 

The Constitution of the State of New York was printed in 
1777, and was the first as well as the most important book 
ever ^printed in the State. The people could find but one 
press* in their domain with which to print this work of their 
representatives. It was done by Samuel Louden, who had 
been a Whig editor and pi inter in the city of New York, and 
who had retired with his press to Fishkill, where was the chief 
deposit of stores, hospitals, etc., of the northern army of the 
United States." 

Perhaps the reader may recollect having seen, at the 
Centennial Exhibition, in the Government Building, the sword 
of Washington, bearing the maker s name, J. Bailey, Fishkill. 
Bailey s workshop was standing a few years ago in the village 
of Fishkill, in which the sword was wrought, as other evidences 
beside the maker s name prove beyond a doubt. 

At one time while Washington was in the town he was a 
guest of John BrinckerhofT, who lived in the store house near 
Swartwoutville. He was a very ardent, out-spoken Whig, and 
was pressing zealously his point to learn of certain movements 
which were then going on in the army. Washington 
interrupted, "Can you keep a secret, Mr. BrinckerhofT?" " Oh 
yes, certainly," he replied, expecting to hear an important 
revelation. b So can I," replied Washington. On another 
occasion, when it was time to retire, " General," said Mr. B., 
; You are Commander-in-Chief of the forces of the United 
States." " Yes sir, I believe that I am," answered Washington. 
"General," said Mr. B., " I am Commander-in-Chief, too, of 
my own household, and you are my guest. I am in the habit 
of closing the duties of the day by calling my family and the 
servants together, reading the Scriptures and offering family 
worship. The reading and the prayer will be in the Low 
Dutch language ; but I would be glad to have you join in spirit 
in the worship." To which Washington assented, when all 
bowed together in prayer. 

* When the army was here [Xewburffh] the printing was done by a press at Fish- 
kill, in Dueliess County, as appears from the printed orders of that day. Letters from 
Newburgh. 

m 



194 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Once when Washington passed through the town, the peo 
ple eager to see him, had assembled at a place where the 
roads crossed each other. As Washington rode up and halted 
they all at once uncovered their heads before him. Observing 
this, he said, " Gentlemen, put your hats on ; I am but a man 
like yourselves, and wish no such deference shown me." 

At the time of Arnold s treason, Washington was going 
through here to West Point. The notorious Joshua H. Smith 
was arrested here shortly afterward on charge of complicity. 
Smith afterward published a work in England in which he says 
of the affair : 

" I mentioned to General Arnold the distance I accompa 
nied Mr. Anderson, which gave him apparently much satisfac 
tion. His dinner being ready, I partook of it, refreshed my 
horses, and in the evening proceeded to Fishkill to my family. 
Here I found General Washington had arrived in the course 
of the afternoon, on his return from visiting Count Rocham- 
beau, and I supped in his company, with a large retinue at 
Gen. Scott s. The next day I went on business to Poughkeep- 
sie, and returned to Fishkill the ensuing evening. About 
midnight the door of my room was burst open with great 
violence, and instantly the chamber was filled with soldiers 
who approached my bed with fixed bayonets. I was then 
without ceremony drawn out of bed by a French officer named 
-Grovion, whom I recollected to have entertained at my house 
not long before, in the suite of the Marquis de Lafayette. He 
commanded me instantly to dress myself, and to accompany 
him to General Washington, having an order from him, he 
said, to arrest me. I then desired of him the privilege of 
having my servant and one of my horses to go with him to 
General Washington, which was refused, and I was marched 
off on foot a distance of eighteen miles." 

There is a little fountain bubbling up by the side of the 
road running between Peekskill and Verplanck s Point named 
the Soldier s Spring, from the circumstance that an American 
soldier, while retreating from the enemy, stopped at the 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 195 

fountain to quench his thirst. While so doing, a cannon 
ball that struck the hill above him, glanced obliquely, hit and 
shattered his thigh, and left him mortally wounded by the side 
of the fountain. He was conveyed in a wagon that passed 
soon afterward, to Fishkill, where he expired."* 

The Reformed Dutch Church was built about the year 
1725. It was constructed of stone, quadrangular in shape, 
and the roof came up from all sides to the center. On the 
apex was the cupola, in which the bell was suspended. The 
window lights were small, and set in iron sash-frames. In the 
upper story were port holes for defense against the Indians. 
An old resident used to say, that after peace was proclaimed, 
a grand Fourth of July celebration took place at Fishkill, and 
services were held in this edifice. The gallery was so crowded 
that the supports began to give way, A general rush was 
made for the doors, but no serious accident occurred. 

This church was enlarged soon after the Revolution, and 
changes made in its appearance, f The extension covered 
Madam Brett s burial plot ; and the remains of her and some 
of her descendants now repose underneath the present edifice. 
The walls are three feet thick, and thirty feet in height. The 
name of the architect was Barnes. Every stick of timber, 
every load of stone, lime and sand, were brought on the 
ground by the congregation gratuitously. General Swartwout 
gave the shingles for the roof. The timber was mostly obtained 
from the Highlands. The congregation turned out in full-force 
with horses, oxen, carts, and negro slaves, and hauled the 
material on the ground. Their money gave out before the 
building was completed, and money was borrowed on Long 
Island to finish the work. The interior has been remodeled 
several times. Originally, the galleries were supported by 
iron rods fastened to the timbers above the arch. Then there 
were no columns to distract the view, and the pulpit and side 
pews were elevated six inches above the floor. The pews were 
lowered and columns placed under the galleries in 1806; four- 



Pict. Field Book. f II. D. B. Bailey. 



196 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

teen years afterward, the entrance on Main Street was closed, 
and the pews re-arranged. The building shows no symptoms 
of decay; and of all the churches that have been built in the 
Fishkills none have eclipsed it ; and it still remains an ornament 
to the village. Lossing says he was shown in 1848 a silver 
tankard belonging to the communion service of this church, 
which was presented to the society by Samuel Verplanck, Esq., 
chiefly for the purpose of commemorating, by an inscription 
upon it, a resident Norwegian, who died at the extraordinary 
age of 125 years. 

Several British and Hessian soldiers were at one time 
prisoners in the old Stone Church. The former were captured 
by strategem at Teller s Point, near the mouth of Croton River ; 
the latter were stragglers, who fell in with a party of Royalists 
near Yonkers, on the Neutral Ground. The British soldiers 
were captured by Enoch Crosby and a few men, who composed 
a part of the detachment under Col. Van Cortlandt, then 
stationed on the east side of the Hudson to watch operations 
upon the Neutral Ground. While they were near Teller s 
Point, a British sloop of war sailed up the river, and cast 
anchor in the channel opposite. Crosby and six others pro 
ceeded to the Point, five of whom, with himself, concealed 
themselves in the bushes ; the other, dressed in infantry 
uniform, paraded the beach, the officers on the vessel observed 
him, and eleven men were sent in a boat to effect his capture. 
When the Englishmen landed, the American took to his heels. 
Unsuspicious of danger, they followed. As soon as the 
pursuers had passed his own little party, who were scattered 
about among the bushes, Crosby exclaimed : " Come on my 
boys, now we have them !" At this signal every man sprang up 
in his place with a loud shout ; at the same time making such 
a rustling in the bushes that the British thought themselves- 
surrounded by a superior force, and surrendered without 
resistance. The next day. they were marched to Fishkill, and 
confined in the old Dutch Church. 

The Episcopal Church otherwise called the Trinity, or 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 1Q7 

English Church was built, as nearly as can be ascertained, 
about the year 1760. It was the third church edifice erected 
in the town, and the first of its denominational character on 
the east side of the river above the Highlands. This is one of 
the oldest church edifices in the State. It had originally a 
towering spire, only three feet less than that of the Dutch 
Church, upon which perched the inevitable weather-cock. The 
said venerable bird is still flourishing on another building in 
full sight of his more ancient perch. The interior arrange 
ments are believed to be the same as when first erected. 

It is said ths arch : t3ct, who first ho/I supervision of its 
construction, left with all his men, before the work of framing 
was completed. Some say they were of intemperate habits. 
Another set of hinds was obtained, who were obliged to 
commence anew the work of framing ; it is said the two fram 
ings can be seen in the upper part of the structure. When 
this building was being raised, a workman fell from a height of 
nearly sixty feet, and was instantly killed. The upper portion 
of the steeple was taken off in 1810, as it was considered 
dangerous. Another section was taken off some fifteen years 
since. Otherwise the exterior has never been changed, 
though the building has stood more than a century. 

This church was used as a meeting place for the New York 
Legislature, when it adjourned from White Plains -to Fishkill. 
The session here commenced on the 3d of September, 1776. 
It was also used as a hospital for the sick and wounded 
soldiery. Some years since, while digging a grave in the yard, 
the sexton discovered a skeleton, with bits of scarlet cloth, and 
a brass button, the remains doubtless of a British soldier who 
was buried in his uniform. The following will aid the reader 
in obtaining an insight into the hospital department located at 
Fishkill. 

Whereas the principal Surgeons and Physicians of the 
Hospitals at this place represented to me in December, 1778, 
-then commanding at this Post, that the barracks and Episcopal 
church were so crowded with the sick that their condition was 
.rendered deplorable, and were otherwise in a suifering condi- 



198 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

tion for want of proper covering, and there being no public 
buildings fit to receive or accommodate the sick but the Presby 
terian Church of this town, which impelled me from necessity 
to order the said church to be taken and occupied for the 
purpose aforesaid ; which was accordingly occupied : whereby 
considerable damage has been done to said building, now, 
therefore, I do hereby certify that at the time aforesaid, I 
engaged the public faith that whatever damage should be done 
to the said church would be repaired or repaid by the public. 
Given at Fishkill, the 8th day of March, 1780. 

ALEX. McDouGAL, M. General. 

The Verplanck House is situated a couple of miles north of 
Fishkill Landing, on a bluff overlooking the Hudson. It is. 




The Verplanck House. 

built of stone, a story and a half high, with dormer windows, 
in the style of the best Dutch houses built one hundred years 
ago, and is still in a state of almost perfect preservation. The 
cut of the building here shown is only the ancient edifice, an 
addition having been placed on the north end. It is approached 
from the highway by a winding carriage road traversing a 
broad, undulating lawn, shaded by venerable trees. 

This mansion is remarkable as being the headquarters of 
Baron Steuben when the American army was encamped in the 
vicinity of Newburgh ; and also the place where the Society of 
the Cincinnati was organized in 1783. The meeting for that 
purpose was held in the large square room on the north side 
of the passage. This room is carefully preserved in its. 
original style by the occupants of the dwelling. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 199 

It was at the suggestion of Knox, with the acquiescence of 
the Commander-in-Chief, that an expedient was devised, by 
which a hope was entertained that the long-cherished friend 
ship and social intercourse of the officers of the army might 
be perpetuated, and that at future periods they might annually 
communicate, and revive a recollection of the bonds by which 
they were connected. Pursuant to these suggestions the 
officers held a meeting at the Verplanck mansion, and this 
originated the society. 

The chief objects of the Society were to promote cordial 
friendships and indissoluble union among themselves ; to com 
memorate by frequent reunions the great struggle they had 
just passed through ; to cherish good feeling between the re 
spective States, and to extend benevolent aid to those of the 
Society whose circumstances might require it. They formed a 
general Society, and elected Washington its first President. 
They also made provision for auxiliary State societies. To 
perpetuate the organization, it was provided in the constitution 
that the oldest male descendant of an original member should 
be entitbd to bsar the ORDER and enjoy the privileges of the 
Society. The ORDER consists of a gold eagle, suspended by a 
ribbon, on the breast of which is a medallion, with a device 
representing Cincinnatus receiving the Roman Senators. Sev 
eral State Societies are yet in existence. 

Some interesting Revolutionary reminiscences are given by 
Bailey in his work on Fishkill. Nanna was a colored slave, bcrn 
in the old VanVoorhis house at Fishkill Landing. She used 
to relate that when the British fleet came up the river, all the 
family with whom she was living, except her master and herself, 
left home and sought a place of safety in the Great Nine Part 
ners, at Filkin s, now Mabbettsville. When the British fleet 
arrived in Newburgh Bay they commenced firing their cannon. 
Their house was secluded from the river, but cannon balls 
came over the house and struck near by. One came very near 
striking the house. Her master proposed going into the cellar 
kitchen as a place of greater security, where they remained till 



200 HISTORY OF DUCHKSS COUNTY. 

the fleet passed by. She said when our army arrived at Fish- 
kill, her master was glad to think they now had protection. 
General Putnam came to Fishkill Landing on horseback. Her 
master took her to Fishkill Village, where she saw Generals 
Washington and Lafayette and staff, and also the American 
army, which then was encamped on the flats just north of the 
Highlands. On one occasion she assisted in some arrange 
ments at the house of Robert R. Brett now the Mrs. Van- 
Wyck nouse at Fishkill Village for Washington and his staff^ 
who were then quartered there. In 1828, at the time of the 
abolition of slavery in this State, Nanna became a freevvoman ; 
but she was soon reduced to pinching want, and died a few 
years afterward in a little house near where the Duchess Hat 
Works are now located. 

The following are extracts from newspapers published at the 
time to which they refer : 

JULY 1 2th, 1765. We hear from the Fishkills that for a 
week or two past, a tiger or panther has been seen in the 
woods in that neighborhood, not far from Mr. Depeyster s 
house. It had killed several dogs, torn a cow so that she died 
the same day, and carried off the calf; it likewise carried off a 
colt about a week old. Fight men with their guns went in 
search of it,*and started it at a distance ; it fled with great swift 
ness, and has not since been seen at the Fishkills. 

FISHKILL, Feb. 7th, 1783. It is with pain and regret that 
we mention the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Barber, who was 
unfortunately killed at camp the nth ult. The circumstances 
which led to this unhappy catastrophe, we are told, are as fol 
lows : Two soldiers were cutting down a tree ; at the instant 
he came riding by it was falling, which he did not observe, till 
they desired him to take, care ; but the surprise was so sudden, 
and embarrassed his ideas so much, that he reined his horse 
to the unfortunate spot where the tree fell, which tore his body 
in a shocking manner, and put an immediate period to his 
existence. 

Below is given the copy of a letter which sufficiently ex 
plains itself: 

FISHKILL, Nov. 12, 1777. 

SIR : Ever since my arrival here in this quarter, I have 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 2OI 

been endeavoring to collect the best idea I could of the state 
of things in New York, in order the better to form a judgment 
of the probable reinforcement gone to General Howe. On 
the whole, this is a fact well ascertained, that NewYork has been 
stripped as bare as possible ; that in consequence of this the 
few troops there, and the inhabitants, are under so strong ap 
prehensions of an attack, as almost to amount to a panic, that 
to supply the deficiency of men, every effort is making to excite 
the citizens to arms for the defence of the city. For this pur 
pose the public papers are full of addresses to them, that 
plainly speak the apprehensions prevailing on the occasion. 
Hence I infer, that a formidable force is gone to General 
Howe. The calculations made by those who have had the 
best opportunities of judging, carry the number from six to 
seven thousand. If so, the number gone, and going to General 
Washington, is far inferior ; five thousand at the utmost. The 
militia were all detained by General Putnam till it became too 
late to send them. 

The state of things I gave you when I had the pleasure of 
seeing you was, to the best of my knowledge, sacredly true. 
I give you the present information, that you may decide 
whether any further succor can with propriety come from you. 

The fleet, with the troops on board, sailed out of the Hook 
on the 5th instant. This circumstance demonstrates, beyond 
the possibility of doubt, that it is General Howe s fixed inten 
tion to endeavor to hold Philadelphia at all hazards ; and re 
moves all danger of any further operations up the North River 
this winter. Otherwise, Sir Henry Clinton s movement at this 
advanced season, is altogether inexplicable. 

If you can with propriety afford any further assistance, the 
most expeditious manner of conveying it will be to acquaint 
General Putnam of it, that he may send on the troops with 
him, to be replaced by them. You, Sir, best know the uses to 
which the troops with you are to be applied, and determine 
accordingly. I am certain it is not His Excellency s wish to 
prostrate any plan you may have in view for the benefit of the 
service, so far as it can possibly be avoided, consistent with a 
due attention to more important objects. 
I am, with respect, sir, 

Your most obedient servant, 

ALEX. HAMILTON, A. I). C. 

To GENERAL GATES, 

The following description of the Highlands, by the pen of 



2O2 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Washington Irving, may not be out of place here. It relates 
to the voyage of Dolph Heyliger up the Hudson. 

I have said that a voyage up the Hudson in early days was 
an undertaking of some moment ; indeed, it was as much 
thought of as a voyage to Europe is at present. The sloops 
were often many days on the way ; the cautious navigators 
taking in sail when it blew fresh, and coming to anchor at 
night : and stopping to send the boat ashore for milk for tea ; 
without which it was impossible for the worthy old lady 
passengers to subsist. And there were the much talked of 
perils of the Tappan Zee, and the Highlands. In short, a 
prudent Dutch burgher would talk of such a voyage for 
months, and even years, beforehand ; and never undertook it 
without putting his affairs in order, making his will, and having 
prayers said for him in the Low Dutch Church. In 

the second day of the voyage they came to the Highlands. It 
was in the latter part of a calm sultry day, that they floated 
between these stern mountains. There was that perfect quiet 
that prevails over nature in the languor of summer heat; the 
turning of a plank, or the accidental falling of an oar on deck. 
was echoed from the mountain side, and reverberated along the 
shores ; and if by chance the captain gave a shout of command 
there were airy tongues that mocked it from every cliff. To 
the left a mountain reared its woody precipices, height over 
height, forest over forest, away into the deep summer sky. To 
the right strutted forth a bold promontory, with a solitary eagle 
wheeling about it ; while beyond, mountain succeeded to moun 
tain, until they seemed to lock their arms together, and confine 
this mighty river in their embrace. There was a quiet luxury 
in gazing at the broad, green bosoms here and there scooped 
out among the precipices; or at woodlands high in air, nodding 
over the edge of some beetling bluff, and their foliage all 
transparent in the yellow sunshine. 

In the midst of his admiration Dolph remarked a pile of 
bright, snowy clouds peering above the western heights. It 
was succeeded by another and another, each seemingly pushing 
onward its predecessor, and towering with dazzling brilliancy, 
in the deep blue atmosphere ; and now muttering peals of 
thunder were faintly heard rolling behind the mountain. The 
river, hitherto still and glassy, reflecting pictures of the sky and 
land, now showed a dark ripple at a distance, as the breeze 
came creeping up it. The fish-hawks wheeled and screamed, 
and sought their nests on the high dry trees ; the crows flew 



HISTORY OK DUCHESS COUNTY. 203 

clamorously to the rocks, and all nature seemed conscious of 
the approaching thunder gust. The clouds now rolled in 
volumes over the mountain tops ; their summits still bright 
and snowy, but the lower parts of an inky blackness. The rain 
began to patter down in broad and scattered drops ; the wind 
freshened and curled up the waves ; at length it seemed as if 
the bellying clouds were torn open by the mountain tops, and 
complete torrents of rain came rattling down. The lightning 
leaped from cloud to cloud, and streamed quivering against 
the rocks, splitting and rending the stoutest forest trees. The 
thunder burst in tremendous explosions ; the peals rolled up 
the long denies of the Highlands, each headland making a new 
echo, until old Bull Hill seemed to bellow back the storm. 

There is on the west shore, in full view from the bluffs near 
Fishkill Landing, a large flat rock in the river above New- 
burgh, known as Dcr Duyvel s Dans Kainer, or The Devil s 
Dance Chamber. This rock has a broad surface of about one-half 
an acre (now covered with Arbor Vitae), separated from the 
main land by a marsh. It it here, as tradition asserts, that the 
Indian tribes of the vicinity held their festivals. Hendrick 
Hudson, in his voyage up this stream, witnessed one of these 
pow-wows ; and here it was that Peter Stuyvesant and his crew 
were " horribly frightened by roystering devils," according to 
Knickerbocker. It was the custom of the natives to build a 
fire on this rock, and, grotesquely painting themselves, gather 
about it, with hideous contortions of face and body, evoke the 
Great Spirit to bless their undertakings, under the direction of 
the medicine man. Presently the Devil, or Evil Spirit, would 
appear in some form that either betokened evil to their under 
taking, or prophesied success. For a century after the Euro 
peans discovered the river, these rites were performed upon 
this spot, as many as five hundred Indians having been known 
to encase in the services at one time. Tradition tells the sad 

o O 

fate of a wedding party that once indiscreetly went ashore at 
this point ; 

" For none that visit the Indians den, 
]{<-ttirn a</ain to the haunts of men ; 
The knife is their doom ! oh. sad is their lot! 
He-ware, beware, ot the blood-stained spot ." 



204 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Hans Hanson, a noble Dutch youth, loved Katrina Van 
Vrooman, a plump, rosy-cheeked Dutch damsel. His love was 
reciprocated ; and the pretty maiden consented to become his 
wife. They lived at Alba.ny ; and a journey to New York was 
necessary to procure the marriage license from the Governor. 
Young Hans invited his prospective bride to accompany him, 
attended by a faithful squaw, Leshee. The latter was said to 
have communications with the Evil One ; and was often con 
sulted by the Dutch. In the course of three days the license 
was obtained, when the party set out for home ; and on the 
evening of the sixth, they reached the vicinity of Dans Kamer. 
The company resolved to go ashore and partake of refresh 
ments. Leshee remonstrated, portending that some dire 
calamity would befall them for their temerity; but the evening 
was beautiful, the -place attractive, the Indians were at peace, 
the war-whoop hushed and the sacrificial fires extinguished 
why regard a foolish tradition ? In the midst of their festivities 
they were startled by the fierce war-whoop of the savages, 
closely followed by a flight of arrows. Hans caught the chief 
and held him in front to protect himself from the missiles, and 
got into the boat. The Indians hesitated, fearing to wound 
their captain ; but he gave the war-shout a cloud of arrows 
darkened the air, and the chief fell dead. Hans and his com 
pany tried to escape ; but the Indians pursued, took them back 
and tortured them in all the ways that savage ingenuity could 
devise. They gathered materials for a fire, and the forms of 
Hans and his intended bride were scon mingled with the ashes 
of the pyre The remaining captives were treated more 
humanely, and were finally ransomed by their friends. 

Some years ago this spot was searched for the buried treas 
ures of Captain Kidd ; and a river pilot still dreams semi- 
yearly of the finding of countless chests of gold. 

From Fishkill Landing the view embraces a vast extent of 
mountain and river scenery of rare loveliness, and rich in Rev 
olutionary associations. On the southern verge of Newburgh the 
spectator beholds a low, broad-roofed house, built of stone, 



HISTORY OK DUCHESS COUNTY. 205 

with a Hag-staff near, and the grounds around garnished with 
cannon. That is the famous " Headquarters of General 
Washington" during one of the most interesting periods of the 
war, and at its close. Then the camp was graced by the pres 
ence of Mrs. Washington a greater part of the time, and also 
by the cultivated wives of several of the officers ; and until a 
comparatively few years ago, says Lossing, the remains of the 
borders around the beds of a little garden which Mrs. Wash 
ington cultivated for amusement, might then be seen in front of 
the mansion. That building, now the property of the State of 
New York, is preserved in the form it was when Washington 
left it. There is the famous room, with its seven doors and 
one window, which the Commander-in-Chief used as a dining- 
hall. In that room, a large portion of the chief officers* of 
the Continental army, both American and foreign, and many 
distinguished civilians were at different times entertained. 

We cannot forbear a mention of a jolly Dutchman, named 
Burgune Van Alst, who once lived near Hopewell. He was a 
man that could tell his own stories, crack his own jokes, and 
never whimper a muscle. Uncle Burgune had a pair of fleet 
horses. He went to the river once upon a time his own 
declaration so states to do an errand, and drove, as usual, his 
airy black nags. When about half way home on his return, a 
shower came up as black as a black hat. He had not observed 
it until the rain was close upon him ; so he whistled to his 
blacks, and they started at a pace at which only his horses 
could travel ; but Uncle Burgune declared it was about the 
evenest race he ever had ; could distance anything else, but 
this time it was neck and neck, throughout. For when he got 
home the butter tubs had lost their lids and were full of water 



* An anecdote is toltl illustrative of Baron Stcnben, when the American army was 
encamped at Newburgli, ar the time of the disbanding of the army. Colonel Cochi ane was 
stan lint? in the s .reet, penniless, when Steimen tried to comfort him. For m\ self," cried 
the bravo officer, " I can stand it; but my wife and daughters are in the garret of i hat 
wretched tavern, and I have nowhere to carry them and no means to remove them. The 
Ba-on hastened to The fanvly of Coehrane. poured the whole contents of his purse upon 
the table, and left as suddenly as he had enieml. As the Baron was walking toward the 
wharf a wounded ne ro soldier e.-tme up to him. bi terly lamenting that he had no means to 
^et to Xew York. The Baron borrowed a dollar, handed it to the negro, hailed a sloop ami 
put him on board. 



20(5 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

in the back part of the wagon, and not a drop had touched 
him, not one. As Uncle Burgune grew old, he enjoined upon 
his family that he must not be buried at Hopewell church. 
** You must bury me on the hill behind the barn," said he, " I 
won t stir a step if you take me anywhere else," and it is 
related when the funeral procession started the horses balked, 
and many old ladies were slyly winking and intimating that 
Uncle Burgune was holding the horses. His reason for being 
buried behind the barn was that he wanted to be where he 
could hear whether his black folks threshed or not, for they 
wanted a good deal of watching. 

Petition for aid to erect a church at fish creek Duchess County. 

To his Excellency JOHN MONTGOMERIE Esqr Capt Generall 
and Governor in Chief in and over his Majesties Provin 
ces of New York and the Territories depending thereon 
in America and Vice Admirall of the same &c. 

The Humble Petition of Peter Debois and Abraham Musy 
Elders and Abraham Brinckerhoff and Hendrick Phillips 
Deacons of the Dutch Reformed Protestant Church of 
the fish Creek in DUCHESS County in the Province of 
New York in the behalf of themselves and the rest of the 
members of the said church. 

HUMBLY SHOWETH. 

That the members of said Congregacon being in daily 
expectation of a minister from Holland to preach the Gospel 
amongst them according to the Canons Rules and Discipline 
of the Reformed Protestant churches of the United Neither- 
lands and therefore have agreed amongst themselves to erect 
and build a Convenient church for the Publick worship of God 
nigh the said fish Creek in the county aforesaid but finding 
that the said building would be very Chargeable and therefore 
as in the like cases has been Practiced and is usuall in this 
Province they would desire the aid help and assistance of all 
Charitable and well disposed Christians within this Province 
for the Compleating of said Building. 

They therefore most humbly Pray for your Excellencys 
Lycence to be granted to the said Protestant Congregacon to 
collect gather and Receive the benevolence and free gifts of 
all such Inhabitants of this Province as shall be willing to con- 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 2O"J 

tribute somewhat toward the erecting and building said Church 
as aforesaid for the Publick service of almighty God and that 
only for such a time as yor Excellency will be pleased to 
grant the said Lycence. 
And yor Petitionrs as in duty bound shall ever Pray &c. 

in the behalf of the Elders and Deacons and other mem 
of said Congregacon 28 June 1731. PETER Du Bois 

The Reformed Dutch Churches in Poughkeepsie and Fish- 
kill, from the most reliable authority that can be obtained, 
were both of them organized about the year 1716. Previous 
to this services were performed, no doubt, in both places. This 
was the case at Hopewell, prior to the church organization. 
For the lack of better accommodations the services were held 
in barns. On one time the meeting was being held in a barn 
belonging to Isaac Storm, of Stormville, and the preacher had 
occasion to ask the question, " Who is Beelzebub?" A little 
Irishman perched on a high beam, thinking himself personally 
addressed, sprang to his feet and cried out " Och, mon, that s 
easily tould by a mon of ch racter ; the High Praist of I Till, 
sir." 

The Dutch church at Poughkeepsie was the first church 
built in DUCHESS County, probably about 1720; the one at 
Fishkill was erected some years afterward. There was a glebe 
attached to the latter church, purchased in two lots. One of 
them, " containing seven and almost a half acres," was 
purchased of Madame Brett. The other portion containing 
three quarters of an acre and fifteen rods, whereon to erect a 
church or house," was purchased from Johannis Terboss. This 
was the first church built on the Rombout Patent. 

For twenty years it was the only church on the patent. It 
was attended on alternate Sabbath mornings by people living 
far into the interior beyond Hopewell and New Hackensack. 
For beside the Poughkeepsie church, there was no other 
church, at that day, north of the Highlands, except in the 
vicinity of Albany. Whenever, therefore, the preacher lifted 
up his voice at Fishkill, it was the only voice, the only open 
pulpit in all that land. 



208 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Rev. Cornelius Van Schie was the first pastor. He was- 
installed in October, 1731, and removed to Albany in 1738. 
He was succeeded by Rev. Benj. Meinema. His letter of 
recommendation by the Holland professors speaks of him as 
having undergone a proper course of study, as a " praestantis- 
simum juvenem," a most excellent young man. He was 
called here in 1745, retiring in 1758, and died in Septem 
ber, 1761. Rev. Mr. Van Nist was the next pastor, but died 
in early manhood. Van Nist and Meinema were both buried 
in the burial ground adjoining the church. As population 
increased, church organizations were established at Hopewell 
and New Hackensack ; at the former place in 1757 and in the 
latter the year following. These organizations were afterwards 
associated with Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, and so continued 
for years, having one settled pastor over them all. The 
records of the church at Fishkill were until a late period kept 
in the Dutch language, and extended back to the year 1730. 
On the Fourth of July, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of 
__ American Independence, a 
banner was strung across 
f^SSi the street from the top of the 
poplar tree, under the shade 
of which the first Metho 
dist minister preached in 
Fishkill, to the spire of the 
Dutch Stone Church. A 
procession was formed at 
the lower end of the village, 
headed by a body of cavalry 
dressed in blue and scarlet 

ow Dutch stone church. uniforms, and followed by 

the citizens with flags and banners. Arriving at the church 
the cavalry dismounted, and the procession marched in. A 
band of music occupied the whole front of the gallery, play 
ing " Hail to the Chief." Rev. Dr. DeWitt delivered the 
oration ; Rev. Dr, Westbrook was Marshal of the day, and 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 209 

Gen. Swartwout and other Revolutionary worthies, participated 
in the general rejoicing. 

The old Dutch Church here shown is copied from an old 
engraving in Barber s Historical Collection, and represents the 
more ancient appearance of the structure, together with the 
willow tree partially covering the window through which Enoch 
Crosby effected his memorable escape. 

The second church built in this town was Presbyterian, 
and was erected two miles east of Fishkill, at Brinckerhoffville. 
in 1748. This is worthy of mention as being the first church 
of that denomination built within the present limits of 
DUCHESS. It occupied the site of one burned some years 
ago. It is said that this congregation was collected about the 
year 1746, by the Rev. Mr. Kent. In 1747, Sept. i7th and 
1 8th, the frame of the meeting house was raised, and an acre 
of ground given by Jacobus Terboss as a burial ground and 
site for the building. The condition of the grant was that the 
church be organized in accordance with the order of the King 
of Scotland. The first interment in the above lot was the 
wife of Stephen Ladoe, in Sept. 1747. Rev. Chauncey Graham 
was ordained pastor of this church, in connection with the 
Presbyterian church at Poughkeepsie. In 1852 Mr. Graham s 
connection with the latter church was dissolved by the Presby 
tery then convened at New York, owing to the failure of that 
church to meet their pecuniary engagements. His whole time 
was then devoted to the church in Fishkill. 

The appearance of this first church edifice is thus 
described : It was a wooden building, two stories high, with 
tight shutters on the lower windows. The center pews had 
very high backs, so that nothing could be seen of a person 
when seated but his head. The pulpit was shaped like a wine 
glass, and over it the inevitable sounding-board, fastened to the 
ceiling with iron rods. The galleries were very high, supported 
by heavy columns. The arch only extended to the front of 
the gallery, and under it were large timbers extending across 
the church to keep it from swaying. These timbers were 




210 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

elegantly carved. The church was much disturbed and the 
building greatly damaged during the Revolution. 

The third church erected within the town, the first of its 
denominational character in the present limits of the county, 

and the first on the east side of 
the river above the Highlands, 
was the English or Trinity 
[Episcopal] Church at Fishkill 
Village. This church edifice is 
among the oldest in the State. 
In reference to its erection. Dr. 
Buel furnished several years 
since a copy of a subscription 
paper for the purchase of the 
Glebe in some convenient place 
church. J n Poughkeepsie, Rombout, the 

Great Nine Partners, or Beekman," bearing date April 2nd, 
1766. The subscription states: "And inasmuch as there is 
not any settled church of England in the said county, by which 
means public worship, according to the Liturgie of the said 
church, is altogether neglected." From this statement it would 
appear there might not have been an Episcopal church at that- 
time within the county. 

The first services, says Dr. Buel, were held by Rev. Samuel 
Seabury, in the year 1756. Rev. John Beardsley was appointed 
for the Poughkeepsie, Beekman and Rombout, and accepted 
Oct. 26th, 1766. Beardsley preached his first sermon at the 
house of William Humphrey, in Beekman, Dec. 2ist, 1766. 
from Luke ii: 32. Trinity Church, Fishkill, and Christ 
Church, Poughkeepsie, were united under one rector for nearly 
fifty years. A controversy about the Glebe at Poughkeepsie, 
which they owned together, was adjusted. 

The Methodists first began to hold services in Fishkill 
about the year 1794. The first sermon was preached in the 
street, under a poplar tree near the Baxter House. The 
preacher, named Croft, attracted a large crowd. The first 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 211 

society was formed in Fishkill Hook, about the beginning 
of the present century. Near this place is a gro\*e in which 
the Methodists have held camp-meetings ai various times. The 
first place of worship erected by this denomination, in the 
original town of Fishkill. was built at Fishkill Landing in 1824. 
It is now known as Swift s Hall. At present they have no less 
than eight church edifices in the territory mentioned. 

The first church edifice in the eastern part of the town 
was erected at Hopewell, in 1764; and the following year 
another was built at New Hackensack. Both were Dutch 
Reformed. This period of the church was very much 
disturbed by unfortunate dissensions, being divided into two- 
parties called Coetus and Conferentia. The latter were 
tenacious about old customs, ordination of ministers in 
Holland, and the Low Dutch language in church worship. 
The Coetus party favored the ordaining of ministers in America, 
preaching in English, etc. Each of these parties supplied 
themselves with a preacher of their own belief, who officiated 
over the same churches for nearly ten years. It was a stormy 
period in the church, when bitter feelings were engendered, 
and but little good done. 

" Tumults on the Lord s day at the door of the church were 
frequent. Sometimes the house of worship was locked up by 
one part of the congregation against the other. Quarrels 
respecting the services and the contending claims of the 
different ministers of the two bodies were frequent. The 
ministers were frequently assembled in the pulpit, and public 
worship was disturbed and even terminated by violence. On 
one occasion a minister was forcibly taken out of the pulpit by 
a member of the opposite party. This difference happily 
terminated in 1772."* 

The location of the First Baptist Church of Fishkill was 
formerly at Middlebush, where they owned a meeting house 
and lot. Their present location is on Fishkill Plains. They 
were organized November i3th, 1782, with a constituent mem- 



212 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

bership of eighteen, by Elder John Lawrence, of Pawling, 
and Elder Nathan Cole, of Carmel. The services were held 
at the house of Abraham Van Wyck. Elder James Phillips 
was one of the constituent members, and was called to be 
their first pastor. He served them many years with great 
acceptance, and died in February. 1793. The church licensed 
Jonathan Atherton to improve his gifts, and to conduct a 
meeting at New Marlborough, where a branch was organized, 
which called for his ordination. 

Mr. A. Van Wyck gave the society a deed for a piece of 
land for the site of their house and burial place at Middlebush. 
Elder Lewis was pastor of the church for several years. He 
preached at Middlebush, and in the Union Meeting House, at 
Green Haven. In March of 1821, Elder Burtch and wife 
united with them by letter from Stanford. He served them as 
pastor for several years. When he first settled with them 
they met for worship in private houses. Through his judicious 
labors they succeeded in erecting a spacious house of worship, 
in which he had the privilege of preaching to large and atten 
tive congregations. Elder John Warren, of Carmel, preached 
for them a part of the time for two or three years, and was 
succeeded, in the autumn of 1832, by Elder Isaac Eevan. 
Elders Underbill, Ambler, and others, have since ministered to 
this church with acceptance. 

The Second Baptist Church of Fishkill, ivas organized by a 
council composed of Elders Hull, Sturdevant, Johnson, Ferris, 
etc., which met at the house of N. Miller. February lyth, 
1808. It at first consisted of twelve members. Elders Lewis 
Barrett, and Burtch, preached for them more or less from 1814 
to 1823 ; and then for a period of twenty years were supplied 
a part of the time by Elder N. Robinson, of Farmers Mills. 
Elder Isaac Bevan, then pastor of the First Church in Fishkill, 
supplied them one day in each month for two years. 

Elder Bevan commenced preaching in Franklindale in the 
Autumn of 1837, at which time there was but one Baptist 
member in the place. A series of meetings was held the 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 2 13 

following Spring in a schoolhouse. Elder Bevan was ar-sisted 
by Elder Roberts, of Pleasant Valley. A revival resulted. In 
June, 1838, twenty-three members organized into a church. 
Elders Dowling, Warren, Wilks, Roberts, and Bevan, assisted 
in the constitution. John Johns, from Hamilton, supplied 
them for a number of months. B. Clapp, at his own expense, 
erected a neat and commodious house for the use of the 
church, and for a select school. Elder I). T. Hill became 
their pastor in 1839. He preached for the church at New- 
burgh the same year. C. F. Underbill supplied them for a 
time. The church has sustained a Sabbath School from the 
time of its organization. 

In 1834, a number of brethren belonging to the Kent and 
Fishkill churches, finding it inconvenient to attend public 
worship at a distance of five or six miles over a hilly road, 
resolved, together with some of their neighbors, to build a 
meeting-house. This was done in the summer of 1834. May 
4th, fifteen brethren and sisters constituted themsehes a 
church, to be known as the Baptist Church at Shenandoah, 
and were recognized by a council called for that purpose, 
composed of Elders Barnard, Miller, Robinson, etc. George 
Horton was ordained their first pastor, and Jacob Charlock, 
deacon. The first Baptists known to have preached in this 
place were Elders Cole, Gorton, and Hopkins. They 
preached in the woods, in barns, and in dwellings. For many 
years previous to the erection of their house of worship, the 
neighborhood was notorious for vice and immorality. In 
January, 1836, a series of meetings was held, continuing some 
weeks. Elder Enos Ballard, from the Red Mills, assisted, 
whose labors were richly blessed. It was thought about one 
hundred were converted, fifty of whom were baptized. 

A little before the breaking out of the Revolution, an 
academy building was erected near Brinckerhoffville. To the 
credit of Fishkill be it said, this was the first academy estab 
lished within the county. Dr. John B. Livingston and other 
distinguished men of Church and State are said to have 



:2I4 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

^received their early academic education at this place. For a 
time, Rev. Chauncey Graham taught them. The building was 
surmounted with a cupola, and provided with a bell. Shortly 
.after the Revolution it was taken down and rebuilt at Pough- 
keepsie, where it was known as the DUCHESS Academy. It is 
now used for an " Old Ladies Home." 

Johannas Tur Boss was one of the first representative men 
.in this part of the county. He was elected a member of the 
Colonial Legislature for 1716 to 1728 ; he is also spoken of as 
Judge in old manuscripts. 

Philip Verplanck was a native of the patent, and son of the 
elder Gulian Verplanck, after whom Verplanck s Point is named. 
He represented the Manor of Cortlandt from 1737 to 1764. 

Derick Brinckerhoff was a member of the C^onial Assem- 
,bly from 1768 to 1777 ; was member of the First Provincial 
Congress, chairman of Vigilance Committee of the town in 
the Revolution, a member of the State Legislature, a Colonel 
of the Militia, besides occupying other positions of trust. 

Jacobus Swartwout served as a captain in the French and 
Indian Wars, was a member of the Vigilance Committee, and 
.afterward a member of the State Legislature. 

Judge Abraham Adriance resided in Hopewell. He was 
an active politician, and in 1798 was elected to the Legisla 
ture of the State. 

The Schencks were an old family that settled in and about 
Matteawan and New Flackensack. Some of that name took 
a conspicuous part in the cause of the Colonies during the great 
.struggle for independence. 

Thomas Storm kept a tavern, with store attached, east of 
Hopewell, He was a member of the Vigilance Committee in 
the Revolution, and also of the Legislature from 1781 to 1784. 
He once was candidate for Lieut. Governor of the State. 

Dr. Theodorus and Isaac Van Wyck were representative 
men of a noble family that settled in and about Fishkill Vil 
lage and the Hook. 



HYDE PARK. 



POPULATION, 2,800. SQUARE ACRES. 22,501. 



C-fJYDE PARK was named in compliment to Edward 
Hyde, Lord Cornbury, who was governor of the State at 
the beginning of the last century. It was formed from 
Clinton January 2oth, 1821. The lower part of the 
town embraces most of the tract of land known as the " Nine 
Water Lots," while its extreme north part includes a portion of 
what is locally distinguished as the " manor land, " being a part 
of that granted to Col. Henry Beekman. A portion of the 
Nine Partners tract is likewise included. Hog and Lloyd s 
Hills, in the north part, are the highest points, being each 
about five hundred feet above the river. Crom Elbow Creek 
and the Fallkill, tributaries of the Hudson, are the principal 
streams. Its surface is principally a rolling and hilly upland. 
The following are from the early Town Records : 

The first General Annual Election in Hyde Park com 
menced by opening the Poll at the House of Garrett P. Lan 
sing in said town, on the last Tuesday in April 24, 1821, and 
continued next day at Russell s Tavern and closed the third 

2I 5 



2l6 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

day at P. Bogardus Hotel, in the village of Hyde Park, in 
same town, conducted under the inspection of 

JAMES DUANE LIVINGSTON, Snpennsor. 
REUBEN SPENCER, Town Clerk. 
TOBIAS L. STOUTENBURGH, 1 
PETER A. SCHRYVER, y Assessors. 

CHRISTOPHER HUGHES, ) 

In pursuance of an " ; Act entitled an Act to provide for tak 
ing a census and for other purposes," the Supervisor, Town 
Clerk, and Assessors of the town of Hyde Park, in the county 
of Duchess, convened on the icjth day of May, 1821, at the 
house of Philip Bogardus in the said town, and passed the fol 
lowing resolutions, to wit : Resolved, That owing to the re 
duced size and compactness of the town, it is inexpedient to 
appoint more than one person to take the census of the said 
town of Hyde Park. Also that Charles A. Shaw is in our 
opinion a discreet and proper person for that purpose, and 
that he be, and is hereby appointed by us to take the census. 
etc., agreeable to the Act above mentioned in all things. 

Dated Hyde Park, May 19, 1821. 

Hyde Park Village is an ancient settlement, lying in a 
beautiful and picturesque region on the banks of the Hudson. 
Fronting the river at this point are abrupt bluffs, 150 to 200 
feet high, from the summits of which a broad level plateau 
extends back into the country, losing itself among the hills 
and nestling valleys. Scattered over this wide domain are 
elegant residences, with grounds laid out in the finest style of 
English landscape gardening. The residences are for the most 
part situated upon the elevations overlooking the river; some 
times in full view of the main road, and at other times 
completely hidden by embowering trees. Carriage roads, 
leading from the highway, bordered by venerable shade trees 
and crossing rustic bridges, traverse the broad undulating 
lawns. Now and then a quaint lodge peeps out from the trees 
and shrubbery, while at intervals are broad stretches of primi 
tive forests, side by side with cultivated fields and verdant 
meadows, in which the herds are quietly grazing. It needs 
but little exertion of fancy to imagine one s self in the midst 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 217 

of an English country scene, with the manorial estates of 
English noblemen stretched out before the view. In the upper 
part of the town, bordering the river, are the seats of sev 
eral wealthy land proprietors, branches of the ancient Living 
ston family. 

The earliest settler in the town of Hyde Park is believed to 
have been Jacobus Stoutenburgh, who came from Holland 
about the time of the division between the Protestants and 
Catholics at the beginning of the i8th century. He was a 
Protestant, and was forced to flee the country. He was the 
oldest son, and therefore inherited the entire paternal estate, 
worth seven millions of dollars. This he made over to his 
brothers and sisters, for them to hold during their natural 
lives ; at their death it was to revert to him or his heirs. This 
property was sufficient to afford them all a comfortable liveli 
hood ; and when the last one died, and no one appearing to 
claim the estate, it was advertised according to law. After the 
period required by the statute had elapsed, and no claimant 
appearing, it was sold, and the money placed at interest in 
a Holland bank. Here it draws seven per cent, yearly. Three 
per cent, is added to the principal each year ; the remaining 
four per cent, goes to the education of poor children. It is 
now nearly seventy years since the property was advertised ; 
and the principal, with compound interest added, now foots up 
to more than $50.000,000. This princely estate properly 
belongs to the numerous heirs of Jacobus Stoutenburgh now 
residing in this country. 

Jacobus Stoutenburgh moved to Hyde Park about the year 
1792. He was merchant in Westchester for awhile. He was 
proprietor of one of the Nine Water Lots, besides owning 
large tracts of land in other parts of the County. These 
tracts he had acquired by trade and purchase of the original 
proprietors. He gave to his son Luke 350 acres, located about 
Hyde Park Landing; 1600 acres to his son Peter, including 
the slate quarry in the town of Clinton ; to his daughter Mar 
garet, some 1400 acres, east of the latter, on which the old 



2l8 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

mill at Bull s Head was built and afterwards burned ; together 
with other vast domains to others of his heirs. Jacobus owned 
considerable land property lying between Rhinebeck and 
Poughkeepsie ; it is said that there are recorded, in the County 
Clerk s Office, quit-claim deeds of no less than seventy-five 
farms, lying in the County north of Poughkeepsie, the title to 
which comes direct from Jacobus Stoutenburgh. 

The early settlers built log houses for temporary shelter 
until such time as they could erect more substantial dwellings. 
Jacobus built three stone houses near Hyde Park Village. The 
first one built is yet standing, in a good state of preservation, 
on the east side of the road, south of the village. This house 
is noted, not only as being the first substantial stone house 
built in Hyde Park, but also as having been occupied two or 
three weeks by Gen. Washington during the War of the Revo 
lution. A few years since a gentleman conceived the idea of 
spending a night in the apartment occupied by Washington. 
He procured a bed from the hotel, and took up his quarters, 
his only companions being a colony of squirrels which some 
what interrupted his repose. He afterwards wrote an interest 
ing account of his adventures that night in the old mansion. 
The second house was built near the Lower or Old Landing, 

likewise of stone. The brick 
for the chimney was brought 
over from Holland, with glazed 
tiles for the broad fireplace, on 
which were imprinted scenes in 
Bible history. On tearing down 
the building a few years since, 

^ic lioTisofSFLTn^ 5 ^ after il: had stood nearly a 
century and a half, the chimney was left standing. The 
mortar was of such a quality that it was harder than the brick, 
and it was therefore found to be impracticable to tear the 
chimney down, so it was pushed over, the fall breaking it into 
two pieces only. 

When Vaughan returned down the river, after having 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 2IQ 

burned Kingston, he cannonaded the house. One ball passed 
directly through the hall, entering at the front door and out at 
the rear one, both of which were open, without even touching 
the building. Another ball struck the house without doing 
much damage. Both these balls are preserved by the inhabi 
tants of the vicinity as mementoes of past barbarism. The 
cut given of this house is copied from an old drawing now in 
possession of Tobias L. Stoutenburgh, of Poughkeepsie. 

The third house built by Jacobus Stoutenburgh was situated 
west of the post road below the village of Hyde Park. The 
ruins are yet visible, surrounded with small trees and 
shrubbery. 

Another antiquated mansion stands at East Park, formerly 
Union Corners, built by William Stoutenburgh, a son of 
Jacobus. It is provided with a basement, nicely finished in 
panel work. This was, in the days of slavery in this state, set 
apart for the use of the slaves. The house is now occupied 
by Mr. Van Wagener. 

It is said that a member of the Stoutenburgh family, when 

a very old man, built a stone 
wall near this house which 
stood upwards of a hundred 
years. He built it of small 
flat stones, and owing to 
bodily infirmities was obliged 

iiousc at East park. to sit in his chair while doing 

the work. The wall could be shaken almost its entire length 
by a person standing at one end. 

At the time of Vaughan s visit to Hyde Park, already referred 
to, a British force was sent ashore to plunder as usual, and to 
castigate such of the Whigs as had incurred the displeasure of 
Great Britain. A small body of Americans lay just over the 
point, with the evident intention of disputing their landing. A 
few shots were exchanged ; but as the enemy passed further 
down the stream, they got into a position that enabled their 
guns to rake the valley in which the Americans were stationed. 




220 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

A portion of the latter took refuge behind the stone house 
already spoken of, but were finally driven back to the plain on 
which the village stands. The enemy did not care to follow, 
so after burning the landing, a shop and storehouse, the proper 
ty of Luke Stoutenburgh, they departed, to pursue their work 
of desolation at other points. This skirmish was the nearest 
approximation to a battle that ever occurred within the limits 
of DUCHESS County, that has come to the knowledge of the 
writer. 

It is said that the British were piloted by three Tories 
named Dhupp. These renegadoes, from their intimate knowl 
edge of the country, would point out the houses of the Whigs 
along the river, which the enemy s gunners would make a 
target of their skill. For their services they were promised a 
large section of land north of Hyde Park, in case the British 
arms were successful. 

East of Hyde Park, on the lower road leading to East 
Park, at the foot of a hill, is a lonely spot known as Obey s 
Folly. This locality is pointed out as the scene of a bloody 
encounter in Revolutionary times, in which one of the Dhupps 
met a deserved fate. At the time spoken of, Luke Stouten 
burgh, a son of Jacobus, was riding along this road. Elach side 
was bordered by a forest, with a dense growth of underbrush, 
creeping close up to the roadside. The general insecurity of 
the time led every traveler to arm himself for self defence, for 
personal -encounters and deadly strifes were then common occur 
rences. In addition to his other weapons, Luke carried a 
riding whip, with a short lash, on the end of which was an 
ounce ball. 

It was growing dark as our traveler reached this lonely- 
part of his road. The wood abounded in coverts and hiding- 
places among the rocks, and Tories and robbers were known to 
make their haunts in the vicinity. Just as he reached the foot 
of the hill, three robbers sprang out of the bushes, the foremost 
one catching his horse by the bridle. Luke, by a dexterous 
movement, sank the ball on his whip deep into the robber s- 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 221 

temple : as the latter released his hold of the bridle and fell to 
the earth, he put spurs to his horse and escaped, closely fol 
lowed by several shots, sent after him by the robbers. The 
next day word came that a dead Dhupp was found lying in the 
road near Obey s Folly. He was brought into the village, and 
people came from far and near to look at the remains of a man 
who had been such a terror to the neighborhood. Notwith 
standing his misdeeds, he was accorded a Christian burial. 
Luke Stoutenburgh was present at the funeral ; and it is said 
that he pressed the bandage back from the robber s head so as 
to display the wound on the temple, as if to satisfy himself of 
the identity of the body before him. Another Dhupp was said 
to have been killed between Fishkill Village and the Landing ; 
while a third died some time afterward in the alms-house near 
Poughkeepsie. .Such was the end of this notorious robber 
family. 

Staatsburgh is a small village and station on the Hudson 
River Railroad, some six miles north of Hyde Park. A hun 
dred years ago the whole tract of country north of Crom Elbow 
Creek was known as Staatsburgh, or Stoutsburgh, as written in 
old records, and is undoubtedly a corruption or abbreviation of 
Stoutenburgh. Near Staatsburgh are the residences of the 
Hoyts, the Lowndes, and the Livingstons, descendants of the 
old Livingston stock. 

The first mill built in this town was at the lower landing, 
and which was burned down some thirty years ago. There is 
an old mill near East Park, built by the Delamaters, probably 
the oldest now standing in the town. 

East of Hyde Park, near the east border of the town, is a 
Quaker church, known as the " Crom Elbow Meeting House." 
This edifice was erected about the year 1780. It has been 
several times repaired, and somewhat remodeled, and has, 
therefore, lost much of that antiquated appearance generally 
noticeable in very old buildings. Our informant, who, though 
past the three score and ten years allotted to man, was still 



222 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

vigorous in mind and body, related some reminiscences of Elias 
Hicks, founder of the Hicksite order of Friends. 

He frequently saw Hicks, and heard him preach in the 
Crom Elbow Church. He spoke of him as a tall, spare man. 
and a powerful speaker. He was present at a meeting in this 
church, in which Hicks and the English Friends who opposed 
him took part in the controversy which caused the division in 
that Society known as the Separation. 

Attached to this church is an ancient graveyard, where lies 
the buried dead of a century and a quarter. Many of the 
mounds have no stone to tell the name of the one whose dust 
lies beneath ; whose history is forgotten, never to be brought 
to remembrance until the resurrection. Other graves are 
marked with rough slabs taken from the field, a few with rude 
initials chiseled into them, but more of them "unlettered. 
Many of the lettered stones are moss-grown, weather-worn, 
and hardly decipherable. On these ancient slabs are the names 
of the Waeters, the Moshers, the Briggs, Bakers, Marshalls, 

OO * 

Halsteds, Willets, Albertsons, and others, family names of the 
old settlers in this smiling valley. 

A Union Church was built at an early date, in the village 
of Hyde Park, and used harmoniously by the Episcopal and 
Dutch Reformed societies. It was known as the Red Church 
and stood a little south of the present Reformed Church 
edifice. The Episcopal Society afterward built a large and 
elegant house of worship a short distance north of the village. 
They also have erected a chapel within the village for public 
worship. The following statistics of the Dutch Reformed 
Society of this place have been kindly furnished by the present 
pastor, Rev. Henry Dater : 

" The records of the early history of this church are imper 
fect, and for a part of the time I find no records. It was 
organized, or divine service was first held, in 1793. I do not 
know when the first church was erected ; but it was rebuilt in 
1826. Rev. Cornelius Brower was pastor of the churches of 
Poughkeepsie and " Stoutsburgh" from 1794 to 1812, and 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 223 

supplied the church of Stoutsburgh from 1812 to 1815. This 
church was called the Church of Stoutsburgh until 1817. when 
it was called the Reformed Dutch Church of Hyde Park. 
The following is the succession of pastors over the church : 
P. S. Wynkoop, 1817-22; F. H. Vanderveer, 1823-29; Ca- 
hoone, 1829-33; S. V. Westfall, 1834-37; J. C. Cruikshank, 
1837-43; A. Elmendorf, 1843-48; Ten Eyck, 1848-53; 
Henry Dater in 1853, and is the present pastor." 

At Staatsburgh is an Episcopal house of worship ; north 
east of that is a Catholic Church. In Hyde Park village, in 
addition to the church edifice already mentioned, there is a 
Roman Catholic, a Baptist, and a M. E. Church. 

We have previously had occasion to remark that Jacobus 
Stoutenburgh was a large landholder. A further mention of 
him and his descendants will not be out of place, as he figured 
conspicuously in the early history of this county, quite as 
much so, perhaps, as some others who have been accorded a 
fuller historic mention. Some years since, so the writer was 
informed, as a member of the Stoutenburgh family was travel 
ing in the town of Clinton, he was addressed by a very old 
man, who made particular mention of a certain tract of land 
known as the " Gore," situated in the north part of the county, 
the deed covering which was given by Jacobus Stoutenburgh 
to his eight children. The old gentleman asserted that the 
deed was at that time in existence somewhere near Rhinebeck, 
and which if found might eventually make trouble. He said 
his father was a "squatter" on this tract, and never received 
an} title from the original owner. 

This circumstance caused a search to be instituted, which 
was rewarded by the finding of the identical instrument in 
question. It proved to be a full warrantee deed, covering a 
gore-shaped section, having its point at the Hudson River, and 
its base, some miles in length, adjoining the west Oblong line, 
comprising an area of thousands of acres. It was recorded 
at Albany, and the title is said to be yet good. The deed 
mentions all the children of Jacobus by name ; and as neither 



224 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

they nor their heirs have ever disposed of any of their rights 
under the instrument, those holding the land included in this 
tract have very doubtful title. Much of it is improved, and is 
now very valuable, with buildings erected thereon. All the 
deeds given covering farms on the section in question are 
quit-claims. Whether the heirs of this land will ever under 
take to get possession, remains to be seen. 

In addition to this the Stoutenburgh family are heirs to the 
Trinity church property. Jacobus married Margaret Teller, a 
direct descendant of Anneke Jans. The marriage* took place 
in New York city, soon after his arrival in this country. 

Some years since as some of the family were searching the 
county records, they found quit-claim deeds of no less than 
seventy-seven farms lying between Rhinebeck and Poughkeep- 
sie, the titles of which are derived from Jacobus Stoutenburgh. 
He is also spoken of as one of the first Judges of DUCHESS 
County. 

The following is an extract from Lossing s " Hudson, from 
its Source to the Sea :" " Placentia, a delightful country seat 
about a mile north of Hyde Park, was the residence of the 
lamented James Kirk Paulding. With it is connected no 
history of special interest. It is consecrated in the memory 
as the residence of a novelist and poet the friend and associ 
ate of Washington Irving in his literary career. Paulding and 
Irving were intimate friends for more than fifty years. Pauld 
ing lived in elegant retirement for many years at his country 
seat, enjoying books, pictures, and the society of friends. He 
passed away at the beginning of 1860, at the advanced age of 
more than four score years. 

" Hyde Park is situated upon a pleasant plain, high above 
the river, and about half a mile from it. The village received 
its name from Paul Faulconier, private secretary to Edward 
Hyde, (afterward Lord Cornbury,) Governor of the Province 
of New York at the beginning of the last century. Faulconier 



* The writer was shown portraits of Jacobus Stoutenburgh. and wife, as they 
appeared in thair wedding dress, which are now in possession of the family. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 225 

purchased a large tract at this place, and named it in honor of 
the Governor. 

" At Hyde Park the river makes a sudden bend between 
rocky bluffs, and in a narrow channel. On account of this- 
the Dutch called the place Krom E!leboge, crooked elbow. 
The present name is a compound of Dutch and English Crom 
Elbow." 



LA GRANGE. 



POPULATION, 1,775- SQUARE ACRES, 25,682, 



A GRANGE was formed from Beekman and Fishkill as 
"Freedom" February 9!?, 1821. Apart of Union Vale 
was taken off in 1827. The following year the name 
was changed to La Grange " the barn" the name of 
Marquis de La Fayette s residence in France, that gentleman 
having lately visited the United States, Its surface is a rolling 
and moderately hilly upland, the soil is a gravelly loam. Sprout 
Creek is the principal stream, flowing south through near the 
center. Wappingers Creek* forms the west boundary. Free 
dom Plains, La Grangeville, Titusville, Sprout Creek, 
Arthursburgh, and Manchester Bridge, the latter lying mostly 
in Poughkeepsie, are hamlets. 

The Nelsons, Sleights, DeGroffs and Cornells settled in 
the western part of the town. Reuben Nelson, Jr., first kept 
hotel at Manchester. The old house here was of stone, and 
stood a short distance southwest of the present one. Moses 
DeGroff owned the mill at this place. 



* In Fohruarv, 1807. heavy frcsliots prevailed all over the State. Almost every hridpe 
.over Wappiii^ers Creek was either swept away or materially injured. A number of mill* 
tAiid mill-dams on the creek were badly damaged. 

226 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 227 

In the northeast part of the town is situated the district 
formerly known as " Jonah s Manor." Stephen Jonah was a 
-Schaghticoke Indian, who lorded it over this region years ago. 
It is a wild, hilly country, hardly adapted to cultivation. Here 
he lived until a ripe old age, in undisputed possession of his 
native domain. He resided in a little rude cabin in the woods, 
and subsisted partly by the chase, and partly by cultivating a 
-small patch of ground cleared for the purpose. His sister 
Hannah is, we believe, still living in the town, in the family of 
one Skidmore. It is said she can cure the bite of a chunk- 
head, almost instantly. Nothing, however, can tempt her to 
disclose the remedy. 

Joseph Weeks settled at an early date near La Grangeville. 
North of him were the Vermilyes. Isaac Clapp, father of 
Jesse, was one of the first settlers locating below La Grange- 
-ville. Jesse Clapp lived here in the time of the Revolution. 
Israel Shear and Derrick Swade settled southwest of La Grange 
ville. North of Shear was Elijah Townsend. Joseph Potter 
came in about the year 1812. Enoch and Samuel Borland 
.settled near Arthursburgh about 1820. Thomas Andrews and 
Jonathan Lockwood located here quite early. Richard 
Jackson entered upon the tract now known as the Jackson 
Flats ; he was ancestor of the present Jackson families. 
William Wolven and William Pearsol took up their residence 
near Freedom Plains. John Aoret will be remembered as an 
eccentric Dutch shoemaker. J. C. Cohvell came in here in 
,1827 ; he is the only one living in this vicinity that was here 
at that time. 

The old village is about half a mile east of the railroad 
depot, and was formerly known as Moreys Corners. At this 
place, sixty years ago, was a carding machine, and fulling mill. 
The building is now used as a distillery. This structure could 
tell of revelry and bacchanalian riotings, it being the practice 
in early times for the customers to bring their toddy with 
them, and drink one another s health while waiting for their 



228 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

work. The lower mill was built by Jesse Clapp over fifty 
years ago. 

John Billings was an old auctioneer who lived north of La 
Grangeville. He was an influential man, with sterling business 
qualities. He was by trade a tan-currier, and kept a shoe- 
maker s shop. 

Elder Pevey, of the Christian denomination, used to 
preach in this and adjoining towns to great crowds of people. 
One Miller, a Baptist, was led to embrace the doctrine of the 
Peveyites, as they were then called. Miller had a daughter, 
traditionally beautiful as the houri ; she was wooed and won 
by Pevey. A revival was the result of his preaching, and 
many in the country round about were converted. He baptised 
a large number of candidates in Johnson s Pond, now Sylvan 
Lake. 

Sixty years ago, an old man lived on Freedom Plains r 
named William Petitt. On the same place afterward lived a 
Quaker, named John Palmer, whose son joined the Shakers. 

Fifty years ago, and before the railroads were constructed 
in the vicinity, it was no uncommon thing of a morning to see 
twenty heavy loads of pork, and as many of grain, all going to 
Poughkeepsie, then the great mart of this section. Now the 
products taken there consist principally of hoop-poles and 
straw. 

The first church near La Grangeville was the Methodist 
Church at Potters Corners. The site of the edifice was neat 
the old burying ground. It was taken down and a new one 
built where it now stands, called the Trinity Church of La 
Grange. This and the Ebenezer Church at the Clove, consti 
tute one charge. 

Near the northeast part of the town is a railroad station and 
post-office known as Moores Mills. Here is an old mill, built 
by the family of Moores, doubtless one of the first in this sec 
tion of the country judging from its appearance, and the best 
information that could be gathered touching its history after 
which the place is named. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 2 29 

A woolen factory was established on Wappingers Creek 
about the year 1828, known as the Titus Factory. 

The first religious society formed in the town was- that of 
the Friends, which was organized toward the close of the last 
century. Their place of worship was located at Arthursburgh. 
It was a plain, square building, with no porch, and stood on 
the site of the present one. The Presbyterian Church 
.at Freedom Plains, was erected some sixty years ago. 




Moore s Mill rear view. 

Near the Verbank road, in the northeast part of the town, 
is a dense swamp, in the middle of which is a rising knoll of 
about half an acre in extent. This island, as it is called, has 
a historic interest that is worthy of mention. 

In Revolutionary times the business of horse stealing was 
extensively practiced in this locality, its proximity to British 
lines rendering it an easy matter to dispose of the booty. The 
swamp island was used as a rendezvous to which the stolen 
property was temporarily conveyed until a convenient oppor 
tunity arrived to run the animals within the enemy s line. The 
rendezvous was discovered by some Whigs, who determined to 
keep a watch over the movements of the Tories, and at the 
opportune moment to swoop down upon them, and capture 
the marauders and their stolen animals, at one blow. Shortly 
after, a number of horses were taken from the farmers in the 
vicinity, and were reported to be secreted in the swamp. 
Accordingly a company was organized and equipped, and 
preparations made for an attack on the Tory camp. The 



230 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

night was dark, and the thickets of the swamp almost inter 
minable. The Tories were known to be well armed, and 
many of them desperate characters ; and withal were believed 
to outnumber the attacking party. Notwithstanding these 
disadvantages, the latter entered boldly upon the expedition, 
while their wives and children listened eagerly to hear the rifle 
shots which would tell them the affray had commenced, in 
which some husbands and fathers would most likely fall. 

It was their intention to take the camp by surprise. They 
therefore crept with cat-like tread, in the direction of the 
island. Before they reached it, however, yet while they could 
get occasional glimpses of the camp fires of the enemy, a low 
whistle was heard, doubtless the signal of a Tory sentinel to 
his comrades that danger was approaching through the gloom of 
the swamp. On arriving at the island, it was found deserted 
by man and beast, who left their camp fires brightly burning.. 
The Tories had been alarmed in time, and beat a hasty retreat, 
carrying off their booty with them in their flight. Had the 
attacking party divided into three or four detachments, and 
approached the rendezvous by as many different routes, the 
capture of the entire camp might have been effected. 

Some time afterward, this vicinity was the theatre of the 
maraudings of a noted horse-thief name withheld who en 
tered into the business on his own account. He was a resi 
dent of the town and plied his nefarious business for a time 
unsuspected. At length circumstances pointed to him as an 
agent in the spiriting away of the horses of the neighborhood. 

One Mr. Clapp had a fine animal, on which he placed greet 
value. One night he was awakened by the loud barking of 
the watch dog, and imagined that he heard a noise at the barn. 
He went to the window and listened, but nothing unusual ap 
pearing, he returned to bed, under the impression that some 
wild animal might have been prowling about and disturbed his 
cattle, a thing not unfrequent in those early times. The next 
morning his favorite horse was gone, having been taken during., 
the night. On inquiry it was found that his suspected neigh- 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 23! 

bor had left his home suddenly the same night. He appeared 
at home again in the course of a day or two, and was observed 
to have plenty of money. This served to lead people to be 
suspicious of him ; but his guilt was not fairly shown until the 
following year when the horse was recovered in Canada, and 
the name of the thief was revealed. He was soon forced to 
flee the country. 

A dwelling near Sprout Creek was. in the days of witchcraft,, 
pointed out as the abode of a witch. It was said she could 
walk along the ceiling of a room as readily as she could tread, 
the floor; and at times her spinning wheel and other articles of 
furniture would skip about the room without any visible agency 
So great was the notoriety of this woman, that people from far 
and near used to visit the house that they might witness these 
strange doings. One gentleman in particular, who had ex 
pressed great incredulity, while seated in her chair, was seized 
by some invisible means, raised bodily from the floor and set 
down in another part of the room. Once upon a time, some 
travelers were passing near, when, all of a sudden, their horses 
stopped short and refused to proceed further. They appeared 
to be alarmed at some object in the road. The night was 
dark, and one of the men got out to make a closer examination 
of the nature of the obstruction, when he saw a little black 
lamb standing there. He struck it with his whip, cutting a 
gash on its right ear, whereupon it vanished. That same 
night the old witch s right ear commenced to bleed, on which 
was found the marks of a whip. Sometimes the good house 
wives of the neighborhood would be bothered with their 
churning ; although the cream was of the proper consistency 
and the temperature exactly at the right point, " the butter 
would not come." As a last resort they would throw a red hot 
horse shoe into the churn, when the trouble would all be over. 
As certain as this was done, the old witch, though living at 
some distance, would set up a howling, and the print of a 
horse shoe would invariably be found upon her arm, as 
though burned into the flesh. This old beldame was believed 



2;3 2 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

by the unsophiscated people of the neighborhood to be the 
cause of all their misfortunes or ill-luck ; and it was a relief to 
their perplexed minds when she finally left the country. This 
belief in witchcraft, once so prevalent even in the more learned 
walks of life, against which wise legislators used to enact laws, 
is now fast disappearing before the superior enlightment of the 
age. The supernatural events said to have resulted from this 
agency are now to be met with only in the traditions of some 
rural neighborhood, and serve to entertain the group around 
the winter s fireside. 

In the east borders of the town lived an old Tory, who 
sympathized heartily with the cause of Great Britain, and who 
was several times caught harboring the enemies of his country, 
and in other ways assisting them. The people finally became 
exasperated, and caught the old Tory, tied him to a post, and 
gave him a sound whipping, such as doubtless had a tendency 
to cure him of his Toryism, or at any rate to persuade him to 
be more cautious in his movements. 

A little below La Grangeville, on the Jesse Clapp farm, is 
a Revolutionary building. Near by is a field, still known as 
" the cam]) lot," on which tradition says some British soldiers 
once encamped. These, perhaps, were a portion of Burgoyne s 
captive army, as history mentions their passing through this 
vicinity, while enfoute for Fishkill. Their route was north of 
the American cantonments. They entered our county at 
Amenia, passed through Verbank, Arthursburgh and Hopewell, 
reaching the Hudson at Fishkill Landing, where they crossed 
over to Newburgh. 

An incident is related that occurred at the old tavern stand 
at Sprout Creek. A gentleman from Pawling, named William 

Taber, was on his way to 
Poughkeepsie with a load of 
grain. He had occasion to 
stop at this tavern, leaving his 
horses hitched to a post near 
oid iiotoi s-.aiui at sprout crook. ^ While there, information 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 233 

was brought to him that a noted bully was frightening his 
horses, and there was danger of their breaking away. Mr. 
Tabor went out and remonstrated with the fellow. Whether 
the remonstrance was couched in gentle terms, or otherwise, is 
not stated ; but the bully professed to be highly incensed at 
the interference, and proceeded at once to the task of giving 
Mr. T. a flogging. The latter though not a fighter by profession, 
was nevertheless endowed with considerable pluck and muscle, 
and it was soon evident he was more than a match for his 
assailant. The result was, the bully received such a sound 
beating that he was confined to his bed for weeks. It led to 
his conversion however, and he afterwards became an active 
Methodist preacher. He used to relate, in the pulpit, how 
religion was fairly beaten into him in a fist-fight at Sprout 
Creek. 

Before the division of the town of Beekman, town meetings 
were held in a private house yet standing at Potter s Corners. 
Some sixty years ago Samuel A. Barker lived on the farm now 
owned by Davis. He was an intelligent man, a Justice of the 
Peace, and lived to a great age. Before his death, he became 
very childish. On his farm was a field of thirty acres, covered 
with daisies. One of his notions was to go into this field with 
a hired man, and dig up the daisies with a knife. 

John Clapp lived near Freedom Plains Presbyterian church. 
He kept the to-.vn poor, which were then put up at auction, the 
lowest b:d ler to take care of them. 

James Sleight was an early resident of this town and set 
tled near Manchester on the farm now occupied by his son, 
Joseph Sleight. He was a soldier in the Revolution, served 
through three campaigns, and took part in several of the battles 
of that struggle. He was stationed at New Windsor when 
Vaughan passed up the Hudson. A detachment of Americans, 
of which he was one, marched up inland, following up Vaughan 
as he sailed up the stream. They came in sight of Kingston 
just as that village of 4000 inhabitants was lighted by the 
British incendiary torch. Many of his relatives, the Sleights, 



234 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

were living here ; he saw his uncles, aunts, and cousins, fleeing 
for their lives, with such household goods as they could readily 
ren o -e, while the bulk of their property, their houses and 
barns, were perishing before the devouring element. This 
scene he used to describe as the most trying one he witnessed 
during the war. 

We cannot forbear mentioning another incident connected 
with his Revolutionary experience : At the battle of White 
Plains, a regiment of raw militia were drawn up in a narrow 
valley. Before them was a low hill, along the top of which a 
rail fence extended, parallel to their front. At the foot of the 
hill, on the opposite side, lay a British regiment. Thus the 
two regiments were close upon each other, with the hill inter 
vening, both awaiting the turn of events. A British officer 
crept up the hill to the fence, from whence he reconnoitred the 
position of the Americans. A Yankee soldier descried the 
officer, and disregarding the standing order not to fire until the 
command was given, blazed away at the tempting mark. The 
raw militiamen, thinking this a signal for opening fire, dis 
charged their pieces, without any definite idea of what they 
were firing at, and all retreated to the cover of their breast 
works a short distance in the rear. The enemy immediately 
ran to the top of the hill, and poured a volley at do.-e range at 
the retreating militia. Fortunately the aim of the British was 
too high, and the bullets passed for the most part, harmlessly 
over the heads of the Americans. Only one man of the latter 
was injured. He was so far in advance of the main body as to 
be directly in range, and was fairly riddled with balls. His 
haste to reach a place of security resulted in his death. The 
remainder of the force reached their works in safety; and the 
British, not caring to attack them at a disadvantage, did not 
pursue. 

During this engagement the enemy sent a squad of men 
with a field piece to the right of the Americans, with the view 
of flanking their intrenchments. Their design was discovered, 
anil a plan devised to outwit them. The Americans chose a 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 235 

small brass piece, the heaviest they had, loaded it with grape, 
and placed it in position to rake the precise spot the enemy 
were to plant their cannon, covering their movements with 
bodies of soldiers stationed irregularly about. When the 
British arrived at their destination, and had unlimbered their 
gun, preparatory to loading, the Americans separated from 
before their own gun, the fuse was lighted, and the deadly 
grape was poured directly into the British squad. The survi 
vors gathered up their dead and wounded, and with their field 
piece made off as quickly as possible. 

James Sleight was once with a party sent out to capture a 
deserter, who was known to be secreted in a house in the town of 
La Grange. They waited until nightfall, and then surrounded the 
house ; leaving a guard at the front door, one or two passed 
around to the back of the house ; they were too late however, 
as the deserter was then making the best of his way across a 
field a short distance off. He was commanded to stop, but 
refused to obey ; a shot sent after him striking near him served 
only to quicken his pace. He succeeded into escaping into 
the adjoining woods, where he could successfully elude his 
pursuers. 

In 1821, a terrible hail-storm passed over this immediate 
section of Manchester. The storm took a southeast course, 
covering a tract of country about half a mile in width, carrying 
destruction in its course. It occurred on Sunday afternoon. 
The stones were so large that they broke the window sash in 
several dwellings, and it is said they even went through the 
roof of Mr. Cornell s house. 



MILAN. 



POPULATION, 1,453- SQUARE ACRES, 23,420. 



XHfTVILAN was formed from Northeast, March loth, 1818. 
(1 I- 1 ^ com P r i ses the western portion of that tract of land 
*5?? originally owned by the Little or Upper Nine Partners. 

1 ( O Why it bears the name of an ancient city we cannot 
tell. Its surface is a hilly upland, broken by the deep valleys 
of the streams, Roeliff Jansens Kill crosses the northeast 
corner. Jacksons Corners is a post village situated on this 
stream. Rock City so named from the rocks which crop 
out in the adjacent hills and along the streams lies near the 
Rhinebeck line. Here are two saw mills, and a grist mill. 
Milan vi lie and Lafayetteville are post villages near the center 
of the town. There are two small bodies of water in the south 
west part of the town, each of which is called Mud Pond. 

In 1760, Johannes Rowe bought of Robert Livingston, 
nine hundred acres north of Lafayetteville, and located upon 
it. Much of it is still in possession of the Rowe family. 
Maltiah and Macey Bowman settled at Lafayetteville. One 
of the first substantial houses put up here is still standing, and 
was occupied by the firm of Bullock and Bowman as a store. 

236 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 237 

When the Bowmans came, the country was all woods in 
which wild beasts and wild Indians roamed. John White and 
Jeptha Wilbur located near by ; the latter built a grist-mill 
about a mile northeast of Lafayetteville. Timothy Briggs 
entered upon a. section north of Wilbur. John Pells settled a 
short distance below Jackson s Corners. Near the east line of 
the town were John Hicks, Robert Martin and Joe Mott, old 
settlers, who braved the dangers of the wilderness in their 
efforts to provide themselves a home. John Link, Garrett 
Holsopple, Jacob Rhyfenburgh, Jacob Killman, John Fulton, 
John Stalls, John Feller, John Hopeman, Zachariah Phillips, 
Alexander Teats and Andrew Frazier were old settlers in the 
north part of the town. They were mostly Germans. The 
last two named lived to be one hundred years old. 

Near Jacksons Corners was once a cluster of log huts, 
known as " Straw Hudson." The huts were thatched with 

straw, which gave rise to 
the name. The interstices 
between the logs compos 
ing the houses were plaster 
ed with clay. Apertures 
were left to let in the light, 
and for want of glass, a 

GUI wLbur Mill. little oiled cloth was substi 

tuted. The fire-places were large enough to hold a load of 
wood of moderate size. The lower part of the chimneys were 
built of stone, laid in clay ; the upper portions were generally 
made of wood. The coals were drawn out upon the hearth, 
in which their potatoes were roasted, and before which their 
johnny-cake that staple of the early culinary department 
was baked, on a board. At that time it was no uncommon 
thing to see the children at play barefoot on the ice. 

The old couple from whom the writer obtained these 
particulars were firm believers in witches and ghosts. Near 
this place, in former times, was a haunted house. In one of 
the chambers a couple of lads went to bed one cold Decem- 




238 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

ber night, and just as they had comfortably settled themselves 
for a good nap, they were disturbed by the presence of some 
thing hovering over them in the darkness. Pretty soon the 
apparition grasped the blankets covering them, hauling them 
upon the floor. The act was accompanied by a noise resemb 
ling that of a brass kettle rolling upon a hard surface. As soon 
as the boys could muster courage they recovered their blankets, 
and again betook themselves to sleep. But again the appari 
tion returned, with the same result as before. This was 
repeated at intervals during the whole night, which so bothered 
the boys that not a wink of sleep did they get before morning. 

They also mentioned a witch, who flourished in the " good 
old times of yore." A friend went on a visit to her house one 
evening, taking with her a little child. The witch asked leave 
to take the child in her lap, to which the mother consented. 
Presently the babe began to cry. Nothing would avail to in 
duce it to stop, and the mother was forced to return home. 
The child continued to cry during the whole night, at times 
violently ; but the next morning it fell into a gentle slumber. 
It was thought that the witch had wrought a spell over the 
child which caused its fit of crying. This witch afterward fell 
into a quarrel at the dinner table with her spouse ; his ire was 
aroused to such a pitch that he threw a knife which, entering 
a vital part, put a period to her existence. He then threw her 
upon the fire, where she was burned to a crisp. Her end was 
a source of much rejoicing to the good people of the vicinity. 

But if the old settlers were troubled with witches, a means 
was provided whereby their evil machinations might be effec 
tually avoided. This was by employing what were then de 
nominated " witch doctors," who were reputed tc have great 
skill in such matters. Their remedies did not consist of 
useless drugs, or in prescribing unwholesome courses of diet, 
which constitute the practice of other classes of physicians, but 
in the more reasonable and efficacious observance of certain 
rules, which the witch doctor would prescribe. Sometimes 
under his direction the witch s designs might be circumvented 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 239 

by strictly refusing to lend anything out of the house for a cer 
tain number of days. Sometimes the same desirable results 
could be brought about by repeating certain talismanic words, 
or by nailing a horseshoe to a specified part of the house. 
Some of these doctors are said to have acquired great wealth 
and notoriety in the practice of their profession. 

A society of Methodists was formed in this town about the 
year 1790. Their house of worship was situated near the 
present M. E. Church, not far from Milanville. It was a large 
square building, two stories high, and was never painted. A 
Quaker meeting house, built about the same time or previous, 
stood near it. This was said to have had high posts and a 
short roof in front, with a long roof in the rear, extending 
nearly to the ground. It is asserted that Robert Thorn, a 
.staunch old Quaker, used to go to this old church, with no com 
panion but his dog, 
and sit during the 
stated hours of wor 
ship. This was after 




the congregation had 
been almost depleted 
by deaths and remov 
als. A second church 

" Lafayette House." was b u j} t near t ] ie s i te 

of this, but both structures have been removed. There are 
two M. E. Churches and a Christian Church in the town, in 
-addition to those already mentioned. 

Robert Thorn built a mill about two miles west of Lafa- 
yetteville, which is perhaps the oldest in town. Buck s mill, 
in the southeast part, is an old established concern. 

The Lafayette House, situated in Lafayetteville, was built 
about the time of the visit of the Marquis Lafayette to this 
country, after whom it was named. This was an important 
place of business before the railroads were constructed in this 
vicinity, it being on the thoroughfare leading from Millerton, 
-Ancram, and other points to the river. 



240 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Jacob Stall was at one time an extensive real estate owner 
in the vicinity of Jacksons Corners, to whom the place owes 
much of its growth and prosperity. A considerable portion of 
this and the adjoining town of Pine Plains is held by leasehold 
tenure, which has exerted an influence detrimental to the 
growth and prosperity of the towns. 

Previous to the Revolution, Lieutenant-Governor Clark 
acquired title to large tracts of land in this vicinity. At the 
breaking out of the war he espoused the cause of the Crown, 
and soon afterward embarked for England. His son came 
over and assumed control of the property, and professed to be 
a Whig. At the close of that struggle, the Colonists having 
been victorious, this son claimed the land, and was allowed to 
retain possession, On making his will he saw fit to dispose of 
much of the land in such a way that his heirs have not yet 
been able to give a clear title. It has therefore been mainly 
occupied by persons holding leases, sometimes for life, but 
more generally for periods of but one year. Of cour-se a ten 
ant has not the same incentive to improve the land as he would 
have if owner of the soil ; as a result the farms are greatly im 
poverished, and many places are nearly worthless. Man> of 
the houses are badly out of repair, and hardly tenable, and the 
vicinity wears an aspect of neglect and desolation. The barns 
and outbuildings are not unfrequently thatched with straw, 
with doors broken from their hinges, all bearing the impress of 
age. In a few cases the tenant makes a good livelihood ; but 
in the majority of instances he can barely provide subsistence 
for his family, to say nothing of rent. Sometimes, rather than 
leave the place, the tenant will mortgage his stock, in the hope 
that something will turn up in his favor ; but he not unfre 
quently finds himself at the end of the year stripped of his 
goods and turned into the street. On the other hand, some 
unprincipled tenants will not scruple to raise something on the 
farm, turn it into cash, and move into other parts before the 
landlord comes around after the rent. This system is greatly 
prejudicial to all parties concerned. 



NORTHEAST. 



POPULATION. 3,172. SQUARE ACRES, 24,250. 



was formed as a town, March 7, 1788. It 
derives its name from its geographical position in the 
) county. Milan was taken off in 1818, and Pine Plains 
in 1823. A tongue of land nearly two miles wide 
extends nearly four miles north of the remaining part of the town. 
The surface is a hilly and broken upland. The Taghkanick 
Mountains, extending along the eastern border, are rocky and 
broken, and are from 1000 to 1200 feet above tide. The highest 
point in the valley west of the mountains, forming the summit level 
of the New York and Harlem Railroad, is 771 feet above tide. 
Ten Mile River, the principal stream flows south, nearly 
through the town. Shekomeko Creek flows north through the 
west part. Indian Pond, on the east line, Round Pond near 
the south part, and Rudds Pond, are the principal bodies of 
water. The valleys have generally a gravelly and clayey soil ; 
the hills in many places are rocky and fit only for pasturage. 
Extensive beds of iron ore have been opened in the town. 
Northeast Centre, Millerton, Spencers Corners, Coleman Sta- 

* See page 49. 

241 p 



242 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

tion, Mount Riga, Shekomeko, Federal Store, and Oblong, are 
hamlets. The pioneer settlers were mostly from Connecticut, 
and located here from 1725 to 1730. The first religious 
services were held by Moravian Missionaries, at an Indian 
mission house near the north borders of Indian Pond. The 
site of this mission house is yet shown on lands of Hiram 
Clark.* 

The Dakin ore bed was opened in 1846, by the proprietor, 
who erected a furnace in the vicinity, and ran it until 1856. 
The mine is at the foot of the Taghkanick Mountain, where it 
makes a bend into Connecticut, about one-and-a-half miles 
above the Salisbury mines. An extensive furnace is located 
about one mile northwest of Millerton. A cupola furnace 
was erected here for the manufacture of car-wheels. A slate 
company was formed in this town in 1812. In 1851, there 
was no house where the thriving village of Millerton now 
stands. Baltus Lott and Adam Showerman first settled in 
the south part of the town. 

The following are extracts from the early town records of 
Northeast : 

Pursuant to an Act of the Legislature of the State of New 
York, passed March 26, 1823, for dividing the towns of Amenia 
and Northeast, in the County of Duchess, and erecting a new 
town therefrom by the name of Northeast, and directing the 
first Town Meeting to be held at the house of Alex. Neely in 
said town ; a Town Meeting was held at the house of the 
aforesaid Alexander Neely, in the town of Northeast, on the 
ist day of April, 1823, Reuben B. Rudd, one of the Justices 
of the Peace for the County of Duchess, residing in said town, 
presiding : The above mentioned act was read ; Enos Hop 
kins was chosen Moderator, and Charles Culver and Alanson 
Culver, Clerks for the day. The following are the by-laws and 
regulations passed by the town of Northeast at the aforemen 
tioned town meeting : 

That $500 be raised for the support of the poor during the 
ensuing year. 

* See chapter on Pine Plains. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 245 

That the town elect three Assessors, four Constables, and 
two Pound Masters for the ensuing year. 

That a fence to be considered lawful shall be four and one- 
half feet in height, and the materials shall be laid no more than 
five inches apart for two feet above the ground. 

That no hogs shall be suffered to run in the highway after 
three months old, without a ring in the nose. 

That proper persons shall be employed to run the line 
between the towns of Amenia and Northeast, with proper 
attendants, at the expense of the town. 

That the Collector shall be allowed but three cents on the 
dollar for collecting fees. 

The following officers were duly elected officers of the town 
of Northeast for the ensuing year, the ist day of April, 1823 : 
Philo M. Winchell, Supervisor ; Platt Smith, Town Clerk 
David Sheldon, Noah Brown, and Amos Bryan, Assessors ; 
Jacob Dakin, Douglass Clark, and Hiram Hamblin, Commis 
sioners of Highways ; Enos Hopkins and Eben Wheeler, 
Overseers of the Poor; Wm. Park, Stephen B. Trumbridge, 
and John S. Perlee, Commissioners of Schools ; John But- 
tolph, Jun., Chas. Perry, and Peter Mills, Inspectors of Schools. 

Voted, April 5th, 1825, that the Commissioners of Common 
Schools, and the Inspectors of the same, shall be allowed a 
compensation for their services for 1824. 

Voted, April yth, 1829, that the town disapproves of uniting 
with the county in the erection of a County Poor House. 

The Dakin family came from Putnam County. Elder 
Simon Dakin moved into this town about 1766, and formed 
the first Baptist Church at Spencers Corners. He had three 
sons Joshua, Caleb, and Simon ; also four daughters. 
Another prominent family were the Winchells. Jas. Winchell 
was a man of considerable property. He owned a farm and 
mill, and was one of the principal men of the Baptist Church. 
At his death, a portion of his estate was devised by will to the 
church. His brother, Martin E. Winchell, was likewise a member. 
Martin had represented his county in the Legislature, and was 



244 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

# man of considerable note. Philo M. Winchell, another 
brother, was a farmer, and had also occupied a seat in the 
Legislature of the State. Major Abraham Hart well lived on 
the farm occupied by Orville Dakin. Philip Spencer, ancestor 
of the Spencers in this town, had three sons Ambrose, Philip, 
and Alexander. Ambrose became a Judge; Philip was a 
lawyer of some repute, and was at one time Clerk for the 
County ; Alexander was a farmer, and once elected to a seat 
in the Legislature. 

Stephen Brown was a member of the Baptist Church. He 
had three sons Joseph, Abner, and Ransom. Abner married 
a daughter of Philo M. Winchell. The Lawrence family 
descended from Uriah, who had one son named Martin. The 
old gentleman was Justice of the Peace. A man was brought 
before him and fined for swearing. He paid his fine, but 
continued to swear, and the penalty was again imposed, and as 
promptly paid. This was repeated until his friends took him 
away from before the magistrate. 

The ancestor of the Rudd family was Major B. Rudd, 
who had four sons. One of them was a Justice in the town 
of Northeast Josiah Halstead lived in this town on the farm 
known as the Wilcox place. He was a prominent member of 
the M. E. Church. He was a blacksmith, and worked at his 
trade. Before the year 1800 he removed to Ancram, where 
he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He had six sons and 
three daughters, Benjamin, John, Samuel, Joel, Joseph and 
James ; Betsey, Lavinia, and Nancy. John was a man of good 
abilities, and studied for a physician under Dr. Dodge. He 
once delivered a Fourth of July oration at the Mountain 
Meeting House, near Col. Wincheli s. 

Samuel Eggleston was a farmer who lived about one and a 
half miles north of Millerton on the farm now owned by Noah 
Gridley. He had three sons, viz : Nicholas, David, Samuel, 
and seven daughters. Nicholas married Polly Stewart, by 
whom he had seven sons: Truman, Ambrose, John, Albeit, 
-Stewart, Hamilton, and Benjamin ; also one daughter, Martha, 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 245 

who married Philip Jenks, a deacon of the Presbyterian 
Church. Ambrose became a Presbyterian minister. John 
was a physician, and the rema : ning sons were farmers. David 
married Olive Cartwright. He took an active part in religious 
meetings. Notwithstanding his earnest piety, he would some 
times allow his temper to get the mastery, as in the following 
instance : 

He with several of his neighbors were on their way to 
Poughkeepsie, each with a load of pork. They fell in with a 
man of giant proportions, who felt his importance, and was 
disposed to abuse the whole party. They soon met a wagon- 
in which were two little boys. The big man locked wheels 
with the boys, and then swung his whip, and uttered sucli 
profane epithets as frightened them. David Eggleston, being 
the nearest, came to their relief; and then, turning to the man 
upbraided him for his ungentlemanly conduct. Thereupon the 
fellow jumped out of his wagon for the purpose of giving 
David a sound beating for thus presuming to meddle in his 
affairs; but he soon found, to. his sorrow, that he had got the 
wrong David, at whose hands he received a severe thrashing. 

This was their first meeting. Their second occurred about 
twelve years afterward, at an auction at Paine s Mill, a short 
distance below Millerton, when the man said to David, " They 
tell me you are the man that abused me so on the road to 
Poughkeepsie." David, who was a little deaf, replied 
"Abused you, did you say, or bruised you ; I remember of 
bruising a man." " Well, both," wis the reply ; " you struck 
me with a stone." " Oh, yes," said David ; and raising his 
fist continued, " that s the stone I struck you with, it was an 
Eggle-j/0/^." Two of David s grandsons are now Methodist 
ministers. 

Elder John Leland was a Baptist preacher, and came from 
the western part of Massachusetts. While living in Massa 
chusetts, the people of his town made an immense cheese, 
weighing some five hundred pounds, and commissioned Leland 
to present it to Thomas Jefferson, then President of the United 



246 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

States. He received it graciously, and in turn sent a piece of 
it to the Governor of each State. 

Joshua and Ephraim Hamblin owned the farm on which is 
situated the Mount Riga ore-beds. Wm. Tonkey came 
from France, and bought a large tract east of the center line 
of the Oblong, extending northward to Boston Corners. He 
had three sons, Daniel, Anthony, and Nicholas, and one 
daughter. Nicholas was a singular character. He was a firm 
believer in witches. They appeared to him in the shape of 
cats, woodchucks, and fleas. He believed all women having 
black eyes and black hair were witches. One Mrs. Hamblin, 
who joined farms with him, was the worst of the whole lot. 
This aged lady, then seventy-five years old, wished to go to the 
house of a neighbor, and took a back road to avoid going by a 
house in which some people were sick with the small-pox. 
Tonkey met her, and cut her on the forehead so as to cause 
the blood to flow, for the purpose, as he said, of breaking the 
enchantment. It is supposed that he hid the money in the 
rocks that Byron Bishop found a few years ago. His affair 
with the old lady cost him several hundred dollars. 

John and David Buttolph were brothers. The former was 
an influential member in the M. E. Church. He had six sons, 
viz : Asa ; Warren ; John, who was a Baptist minister, and 
preached several years in this town ; Milton, a Methodist 
preacher in the early part of his life, but who afterwards joined 
the Presbyterians ; Morris, and David. 

Elder Truman Hopkins for many years preached in the 
Baptist Church of this town. He had three sons and two 
daughters. The sons were named Enos, Truman, and Joseph. 

The ancestors of the Ketcham family bought a tract of 
five hundred acres in this town for five hundred pounds, a part 
of which is now owned by the Egglestons and Sheldons. 
Ketcham erected a mill on a small stream, the head of the 
Oblong River. He also kept tavern. He had twelve child 
ren. His son Noah became crazy, and cut his throat with a 
razor, at Pine Plains. The razor was afterward in possession 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 247 

of Josiah Halstead. Simeon Kelsey owned what is known as 
the Camp farm, and was a man of considerable wealth. He 
left three children, two sons and a daughter. To the latter, he 
gave at his death his whole property, except ten dollars to 
each of his sons. 

Josiah Wilcox lived on the farm now occupied by Alanson 
Culver. Jonathan Close came from Putnam County. He 
had three sons, Jonathan, Reuben, and Solomon, and a 
daughter that married a Williams, a gunsmith at Boston 
Corners. Joel Rogers lived near Boston Corners. 

Nathaniel Lathrop married a daughter of Elder Dakin, and 
lived near Mount Riga Station. He moved from this town 
before 1800. 

Three brothers by the name of Culver came from France, 
and settled in this country. Elisha Culver was a descendant 
of one of the brothers, and settled near the old Baptist Church 
at Spencers Corners. Both himself and wife were members 
of the Episcopal Church. He was a Justice of the Peace 
under King George. He used to draw up many of the legal 
documents for the people. The family have preserved a deed 
written by him which is dated 1764. He had three sons and 
four daughters; Eiisha, Jun., Joseph, and John; Hannah, 
Sarah, Martha, and Polly. Elisha had a son who became a 
sea captain, and who died on the voyage from Batavia to 
Philadelphia. John Culver became a Methodist preacher, 
having been received into the church July, 1788. He was 
licensed to exhort July, 1790, by Rev. John Bloodgood, and 
was accepted as a local preacher by Rev. Freeborn Garrettson, 
in August of the following year. When John Culver began to 
preach there was no Methodist Church in this town. He held 
his meetings in barns, school-houses, and private dwellings. He 
preached in Ancram, Pine Plains, Milan, Copake, Hillsdale, 
Mount Washington, Sheffield, Salisbury, Sharon, Canaan, 
Amenia, and Stanford. 

According to his Journal, he solemnized over two hundred 
marriages, and probably preached over eight hundred funeral 



248 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

sermons. He preached at the time of the epidemic in 
Ancram, when the deaths averaged three a week. The Metho 
dists then built their houses of worship very plain. When 
about to erect one at Salisbury, they asked John M. Holley 
to contribute for the purpose, who declared his willingness if 
they would " build anything but a sheep pen." The society 
have now two neat houses of worship in the town. In the 
year 1807, and for some time thereafter, one traveling Metho 
dist preacher supplied the following places with preaching once 
a fortnight, viz : Pine Plains, Milan, Ancram (where they 
built the first house of worship in that town), Copake, Hillsdale, 
Amenia, Salisbury, Sharon, and Canaan. 

Elisha Driggs was a tanner, and came from Middletown y 
Conn., and lived on the James Halstead place. Thomas 
Haywood moved on the George Dakin farm about the year 
1802. He had five sons and nine daughters that grew to years 
of maturity. Most of them were members of the Methodist 
Church. The traveling minister used to preach at his house 
once a fortnight. A resident of his vicinity died, who 
bequeathed his property to a school district, to be expended 
in the erection of a school-house. Haywood promised $50 
more, provided they would build it large enough to hold 
meetings in, which they did. This was in the year 1807, and 
the building is yet standing, we believe. 

Agrippa Martin lived on the David Eggleston farm. He 
married a daughter of Elder Hopkins. Holley had two 
sisters, who married, respectively, Philip Spencer and Elisha 
Colver. Holley had four sons, Luther, Josiah, John and 
Newman. Luther married a daughter of Elder Dakin, and 
lived in Salisbury. He left five sons: John M. was a merchant, 
and owned a furnace at Salisbury ; Edward O. was Sheriff of 
Columbia County; Newman was a farmer ; Horace became a, 
Presbyterian minister, and Orville was a lawyer. 

Josiah Holley lived on the Douglass farm, at the lower end 
of Rudds Pond, and moved from it during the Revolution to 
the town of Ancram. Newman belonged to the British Light 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 249, 

Infantry, and at the close of the war emigrated to Nova Scotia. 
John Holley, Jun., took an active part in that struggle. He 
was at the battle of Saratoga, and a number of other engage 
ments. 

About one hundred and fifty rods from the west line of 
Northeast, in the town of Ancram, are the " Cave" and 
" Oven," two natural curiosities which attract numbers of 
visitors. The cave was discovered by a man named Holmes.. 
He was hunting ; and hearing his dog barking in a peculiar 
manner, he went up to him, but all he could see was a hole in 
the ground. Holmes pushed his dog into the opening, and 
went on, thinking the animal would soon follow him ; but he 
never returned. This excited some curiosity ; and one day 
some young men went to examine the cave. They advanced 
a few feet, got frightened, and scrambled out as quickly as 
possible. They said they saw some barrels in the further end 
of the cavern, and heard strange noises, and believed it to be 
a den of thieves. Afterward John Holley, Moses Dolph and 
John Culver, went into the cave, and at the farther extremity 
found a spring and the remains of a dog. After this it was 
frequently visited. 

About this time the State appointed some men to examine 
it, to determine its fitness for a prison, like one in Connecticut. 
They decided it was too damp to be used for that purpose. 
The oven lies about eighty rods west of the cave. It is a piece 
of detached stone, and is so named from its shape, which 
resembles a large oven. A few years ago a geologist visited 
the locality; he gave it as his opinion that the oven was formed 
by the action of water. 

At the foot of Winchell Mountain, near the Snyder tan 
yard, at the time of the Revolution, stood a log hut. Sixty 
rods from this stood another. In the vicinity dwelt the Hart- 
well family. These three dwellings were the only ones in that 
immediate neighborhood ; they stood in the edge of the forest,, 
each in a small clearing. Back of them the woods were filled 
with Indians, friendly and unfriendly to the white people. 



250 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

These pioneer settlers were staunch Whigs. A little to the 
north of them in the town of Ancram, lived two or three fami 
lies, who were Tories of the rankest type, who did not scruple 
to add murder to their list of crimes. A plan was matured, by 
which they were to surround the Whig dwellings in the dead of 
of night, and assisted by some of the Indians, murder the 
families in cold blood. The night appointed for the execution 
of their horrible intentions at length came. Some friendly 
Indians having revealed the project to the Hartwells and their 
neighbors, the latter had armed themselves, and had all 
congregated at one point. As they numbered quite a formida 
ble force, the attacking party did not dare molest them. 

At another time the white people were advised by a 
friendly squaw, who had stolen away from the Indian village 
for that purpose in the silence of the night, that some Tories 
were lying in wait in the vicinity, to pick them off by stealth. 
The next morning the Hartwells to the number of three or 
four set out for the bush in which they were informed a Tory 
was secreted. They entered in different directions, and com 
menced to " beat up the game." The only avenue of escape 
left to the cow-boy was across a clearing, some rods in width. 
One man, an excellent marksman, was stationed to watch this 
Point. Presently a shout announced the game had started ; 
almost immediately he broke cover, and ran at full speed 
across the clearing. The man fired upon him, but the fleeing 
Tory only sped the faster, and was soon lost to sight in the 
opposite thicket. They pursued him for more than a mile, 
guided by the blood he left in his track, and then lost him. 
No information was ever received as to who their enemy was, 
or what was the result of the wound. The Whigs were never 
again molested from that source. 

Connected with Spencers Corners is a tradition touching 
the untimely fate of a pedlar. He had been observed to have 
quite a large amount of jewelry, and was believed to have 
had considerable money besides. He was last seen near this 
village late one afternoon, and was never heard of more alive. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 251 

His sudden disappearance, together with the fact of his carry 
ing so many valuables, gave rise to suspicions of foul play. 
His body was searched for, and inquiries made after him in the 
neighboring villages and townships, but all efforts proved 
fruitless. After the excitement had passed over, and the 
incident nearly forgotten, some parties had occasion to look 
into an old well in the village, and there discovered an object 
which proved to be the body of the missing pedlar. The 
poor fellow had been robbed and murdered, and for want of a 
better hiding place, his body had been thrown into this unused 
well. The murderers were never found out, and the case will 
probably ever remain a mystery. 

After the Moravians the Methodists held the first religious 
meetings in this town. The first sermon preached was in a 
house which stood east of the present residence of William 
James, Esq., near Sharon Station. East of this stood the old 
Slawson Tavern ; and still farther east was the stone house 
known as the Ray House. One of the early preachers was 
familiarly known as Billy Hibbard. He was once met by a 
Presbyterian clergyman, who rather sneeringly inquired to 
what order he belonged. "I belong to the kneeling order," 
was the prompt reply of the unpolished but honest Hibbard. 

Probably the oldest house in town is the brick house built 
by Ezra Clark, grandfather of Hiram Clark, Esq., who came 
from Lisbon, in Conn., about the time of the Revolution, and 
is now occupied, we believe, by one Tanner. A family of 
Wheelers lived west and south of Indian Pond. The Good- 
riches located near Northeast Centre, and the Collins family 
towards Amenia. The Spencers owned the farm on which 
Hiram Clark resides. Spencers Corners is a hamlet named 
after that family, and was formerly quite a business place. The 
town meetings were sometimes held at Northeast Centre before 
the division of Northeast* was made. 



* Notheast, Milan, and Pine Plains, comprise the T.ittle Nine 
rns pi-anted by the Crown in 1706, to nine men, viz: Sampson Hoi 
{ip Van I am, James (Iraliam, R. Lurtiug, F. Faucoiuer, Thotiii 
lompesson, and Richard Sackett. 



. Partners tract, which 

Rip Van I tain, James (Iraliam, R. Lurtiug, F. Faucoiuer, Thomas Wenham, Richard 
Mompesson, 



252 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

In the vicinity of the Sharon ore-bed are several old 
dwellings, whose ancient style and dilapidated appearance 
show them to be centenarians. One of them stands on the 
very brink of the pit, and to the observer seems ready to top 
ple over into the abyss at any moment. 

Nov. 6th, 1751, nine persons constituted themselves into a 
Baptist Church, in the Philipse Patent, now Putnam County. 
Here they were much disturbed by outside trouble. They 
were invited to remove to Northeast Precinct. The pastor 
and others visited this locality, and were persuaded that " God 
was calling them to go up and possess the land." Here the. 
very log-cabin overflowed with plenty, and here no standing, 
order could bind the conscience. The reasons for removal 




House built by Ezra Clarlc. 

seemed so weighty, and the invitation so cordial, that it was. 
decided the change should be at once made. Previous to 
removal, however, they dismissed several of their number to- 
form another church in the vicinity, over which Brother Cole 
was ordained as pastor On the ist day of May, 1773, they 
held their first covenant meeting in Northeast at the house of 
Rev. Simon Dakin, pastor, near " Spencers Clearing." Here 
again they set up their banner, and for three years held public- 
religious services. 

During the year 1775 occurred the events which led to the, 
Revolution. Among those that signed the patriots pledge we 
find the names of James Winchell, Benjamin Covey, Ensly 
Simmons, Elisha Mead, David Hamblin, the Knickerbackers, 
John Fulton, Ebenezer Crane, Smith Simmons, Israel Thomp 
son, Nathaniel Mead, and others. The Maltby bed of iron 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 253 

-ore, then known as the Dakin bed, had been opened several 
years before, but was abandoned. It was this year re-opened, 
and iron taken out for the casting of cannon for the patriot 
-army. 

In 1776, they prepared to build a sanctuary. Simon Dakin, 
their pastor, donated them the land now occupied by the old 
graveyard at Spencer s Corners, and on this they laid the 
foundation. While slavery was multiplying its victims, the 
church began to feel the promptings of humanity against the 
slave trade ; and at a church meeting held Sept. 24th, 1778, 
they declared slavery to be contrary to the gospel, and voted 
they would do nothing to uphold it. This is the first public 
act for the abolition of slavery within the County, of which we 
have any knowledge. 

In 1780. Elder E. Wood, and others, withdrew from the 
Northeast Church, and organized a branch in Amenia Precinct. 
Wood became their pastor. 

After Elder Simon Dakin had served the church for nearly 
thirty years, he was permitted in 1782 to see the greatest 
revival known under his ministry. He baptized thirty-one 
candidates during that rear. In 1786, a single case of " Wo 
man s Rights" was brought before the church, and a sister was 
excluded for not obeying her husband, and usurping authority 
over him. A serious division of sentiment occurred the fol 
lowing year, and a council met at their house of worship to 
advise with them. As the result, fifteen were dismissed to 
form a new church, which they did at what is now Northeast 
Centre, on ground now occupied by the Methodists. In 1797, 
the church so many years blessed in the ministrations of 
Brother Dakin, followed sadly his remains to their last resting 
place. 

During the five years subsequent to 1803, Rev. John 
Leland moved into the town, purchased land, and took charge 
of the church. He preached on the Sabbath at the meeting 
house, and on week-day evenings in the large kitchen of the 
liouse now the Presbyterian parsonage. In 1808 the church 



254 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

was visited by Elder Isaac Fuller, of Roxbury, Conn., and a 
great revival followed. Over one hundred conversions were 
announced, sixty-seven baptized, and the membership aug 
mented to eighty-eight. Among the converts was James 
Winchell. The same year, Brother I. Allerton, from the Hills- 
dale Church, came among them, was invited to the pastorate, 
and afterwards ordained. 

James M. Winchell. graduate of Brown University, was in 
1812, licensed to preach. He was ordained the following year at 
Bristol, R. I., and soon after was installed as pastor of the 
First Baptist Church in Boston. The same year Brother John 
Buttolph was licensed to preach. On the 4th of May, 1814,, 
he was ordained, and began his pastoral labors among them. 
He continued with them eleven years, when he removed west. 
In 1821 a revival came, and Buttolph baptized sixty-six, 
among them John I. Fulton, who was next year licensed and 
sent forth an approved minister of the Gospel. Seth Thomp 
son was licensed to preach, and subsequently became a 
successful pastor in Connecticut. 

The numerical strength of the church Had again declined, 
when, in 1826, Elder Thomas Winter came among them, 
accepted the call of the church, and served them a period of 
nearly thirteen years. In 1828, Elder Winter led them to 
consider the matter of building a new house of worship. A 
cordial response met his call, and James Winchell, Martin 
Lawrence, and Samuel Brown, were appointed a building 
committee. 

The house being completed it was, on the i2th of August, 
1829, dedicated by appropriate ceremonies. Elder Thomas 
Winter preached the sermon, and Rufus Babcock, D. D., 
assisted in the services.. The building cost about $5,000, of 
which amount James Winchell donated $1,700. It was built 
of brick, thoroughly constructed, furnished with an excellent 
bell, and was for many years a blessing and credit to the 
community. 

In 1831, James Winchell and wife gave to the trustees a 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 255 

house and fourteen acres of land, for the use of the pastors of 
the church. 

About the year 1866, the church voted to sell the old 
meeting house, purchase a new site, and erect a new sanctuary 
in the growing village of Millerton. On the igth of August, 
they met for the last time in the old house at Spencers Corners. 
Precious, tender, and touching reminiscences filled their minds 
as they realized " It is the last time." Then with a solemn 
step they went out from the beloved place, and the old brick 
church became a thing of the past. Nov. 4th, 1867, one 
hundred and sixteen years after its organization, the church 
met to lay the corner stone of its fourth, and present house of 
worship. 

Thus have we given, in brief, the history of a church 
which covers in its existence a century and a quarter, and is a 
record worthy of profound study. It opens the door into the 
hidden mysteries of the world s great life. In it we behold 
the motive power which influenced, controlled, and shaped 
society. In it we see a religious institution coming into 
contact with the pride and voluptuousness of the world. 

The year 1642 appears, in the history of America in an 
aspect fitted to arrest the attention. It is a scene of religious 
bitterness, fury, and persecution, which rises to sight. A 
number of families, guilty of no crime, who simply stood up 
for the defense and enjoyment of religious liberty, were so 
disturbed, harassed, proscribed, that they left Massachusetts, 
and obtained permission of the " Dutch authorities" to settle 
in New York Province, there to reside and be favored with the 
free exercise of religion. This was, to some of them at least, 
but martyrdom in another form, for they were speedily attacked 
by Indians, and many brought to suffer death. In this section 
of country, among the descendants of these people, we trace 
the origin and progress of our spiritual ancestry. 

The oldest mill in the town of Northeast was that built by 
James Winchell, already mentioned, and which stood at what 
is now called Irondale. The house now the residence of 



256 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Orville Wakeman, Esq., was built over a century ago by the 
Buttolph family. John Buttolph had a consumptive sister. 
When living in this house a hook was driven into the wall ; to 
this a rope was attached, by the assistance of which the 
invalid could raise herself to a sitting posture. The hook still 
remains in its place, and the proprietor says it shall remain 
there as long as he lives. Mr. Wakeman has in his possession 
a pair of spectacles belonging to the Hartwell family over two 
hundred years old, having been brought from the " old 
country" by the ancestors of the Hartwells. They were made, 
apparently, by a blacksmith, strong and durable. 

A part of Indian Pond lies in the east border of this town, 
connected with which are some interesting Indian reminiscen 
ces, of which mention has already been made in the chapter 
on Pine Plains. The writer visited the locality in the autum 
of 1876. The site of the Moravian Mission House near the 
west shore of the pond is now occupied by a field of stubble. 
The tombstones that once marked the graves of some of the 
early missionaries, in an adjacent burial ground, have been 
removed. Some of these slabs may now be seen standing 
against a wall in a neighboring field. One of these was a few 
years ago reset in a slate rock, near the site of the mission, but 
the cattle finally displaced the stone, and it broke in the fall. 
The mission house was afterwards occupied as a schoolhouse. 
It was removed previous to the recollection of the oldest 
person now living in the neighborhood. This locality 
together with that of Wechquadnack, on the opposite shore of 
the pond, are yearly visited by many, who find an interest in 
the " quaint but forgotten lore" of the earlier occupants of our 
country. 



PAWLING. 



POPULATION, 1,760. SQUARE ACRES. 28,850. 



7)AWLJXG was formed as a Town* March 7, 1788, Dover 
being taken off in 1 807. It bears the name of a landholder 
, _ ? of that section who was a member of the Provincial 



Assembly of New York. A high range of hills extends 
along the east border, and another occupies the west part.f 
A fine, broad valley is included between these two highland 
regions. Swamp and Croton Rivers take their rise in this 
valley, J the former flowing north, and the latter south. \Vha- 
ley and Little Ponds the sources of the Fishkill lie near the 
west border. The latter is noted for the black bass found 
within it. A ridge of limestone extends into the north part 
from Dover. The soil is a slaty and gravelly loam. 

Whaley Pond is the largest body of water in the town. It 



* Pawling Precinct was formed from Beekman Precinct, Dec. yist, 1768. 

t Mt. Tom. a prominent peak, one-half mile west of Pawling Station, is about 300 
11-ct above the valley. 

J About one-fourth of a mile south of the village of Pawling is a bit of lowland, a 
part of the drainage of which finds its way into Swamp Ifiver. and thence into the Housa- 
tonic. and a part Mowing into the Croton. A considerable stream which comes down from 
Purgatory Hill, and which was originally a tributary of Swamp Paver, was a few years 
since diverted from its course, and now supplies the Croton. 



258 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

has been considerably enlarged from its original dimensions by 
a dam built by a Matteawan Company, and is used as a stor 
age reservoir for trie supply of their factories in time of low 
water. In this pond are what are locally known as the "Float 
ing Islands," islands covered with a dense growth of bushes 
and trees of small size, which float on the water, rising and 
falling to the extent of several feet, as the depth of the water 
varies. When the water recedes from under these islands, 
they appear to be imbedded in the mud. A few years since a 
portion of one of these became detached during a high wind, 
and floated across to the opposite shore, where it anchored. 

Oblong Pond, so named from the fact of its lying partly 
within the Oblong tract, is in the northeast part of the town. 
Green Mountain Lake, near Pawling Station, is so called from 
its proximity to a romantic mountain covered with evergreens. 
All of the ponds in the town afford fine facilities for fishing. 

Nathan Birdsell was probably the first settler, and came 
into town about the year 1730. He hailed from Danbury, 
Conn. There being no road, he moved his family on horse 
back, following Indian trails and deer paths. One night, (lur 
ing this journey, while encamped in the woods, one of his 
horses strayed away, and was never afterwards found. He 
put up a log-house on lands now owned by A. A. Haines, and 
settled down in the wilderness, with no white neighbors within 
many miles. 

Benjamin Ferris, the Quaker preacher, was the next settler, 
who located a short distance northwest of the residence of J. 
J. Vanderburgh, Esq. A pear tree was standing a few years 
ago, on this ground, said to have been set out by him. He 
was a son of Zachariah Ferris,* whose ashes repose in a little 
rural churchyard near Lanesville, Conn. 

It is said that as late as the year 1740, there was no house 
on the post-road running from Albany to New York, between 
the present residence of Mrs. Geo. P. Taber, and the Alfred 



Zachariah Ferris came into New Milford about the year 1711. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 259 

Wing place, then known as Harrington s. Soon afterwards 
however, there was quite an influx of population into the 
Pawling Valley, coming principally from Rhode Island. They 
are described as a strong, vigorous, energetic race of people, 
possessing all the elements of progress, but were not re 
markable for general intelligence." Some of the first settlers 
of the Valley that have come to our knowledge were Comfort 
Shaw, Nathan Gary, Henry Gary. William and Daniel Hunt. 
Jeremiah Sabin, John Salmon, William Hallo way, Nathan 
Pearce, Ephraim Nichols, and Abraham Slocurn. 

The first regularly ordained salaried minister in Pawling 
was Rev. Henry Gary. He first settled on the West Moun 
tain, on what is now known as the Amos Woodin farm. A 
recent writer says of him : " His stipulated salary tvas about 
fifty dollars per annum, in hard money, which was seldom 
liquidated in full ; and had marrying then been a cash transac 
tion, this would have proven a heavy augmentation to his 
means. But the groom not unfrequently demanded a little 
time, even on so precious a commodity as a wife, which he 
afterwards forgot to pay for, or refused to do so on the ground 
that the article was not worth the money." 

John Salmon located at the place now owned by Dewitt 
G. Burr. At this time the country was literally a wilderness, 
and wild turkeys, bears, and wolves, were more numerous than 
white settlers. He used to tell of bears climbing the trees on 
Mount Tom, for the purpose of securing the nuts. Some 
times a bear or catamount, or perchance a pack of wolves, 
would make a raid upon his stock ; on which occasions he 
invariably ilew into a towering passion, and pursued the 
"varmints" with fire and sword. 

Jeremiah Sabin came to this town about the year 1740, 
hailing from Pomfret, in the Colony of Connecticut. He was 
a man of great physical force, it being asserted, by the mouth 
of tradition, that he could hold a horse by the head despite its 
utmost exertions to free itself, and had sufficient strength in 
his arms to straighten a horse-shoe. He built on lands now 



260 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

owned by Mrs. B. H. Vanderburgh, on the east side of the 
Pawling and Beekman Turnpike, purchasing about two thous 
and acres. His tract included most of the land extending 
west of his residence to Whaley Pond. He died of pleurisy 
in the year 1790. 

William and Daniel Hunt located at the place lately 
occupied by Samuel H. Adee, now in possession of Hon. J. B. 
Dutcher. At the time of the Revolution the " Siocum Place," 
now the residence of Wm. H. Chapman, Esq., was in 
possession of John Kane, an Irishman by birth. Kane was 
so mnch of a loyalist that he found it necessary to go over to 
the British, and his property was confiscated. 

The Pearce family trace their origin to one John Pearce, 
a Welshman, who emigrated to this country about the year 
1660. The first one of his descendants of whom we have any 
definite knowledge was Nathan Pearce, Sen., ancestor of the 
Pearces of the present day. He came to Pawling about the 
year 1760, and settled on the place now owned by O. S. Dyke- 
man, Esq. In 1767 he purchased the farm now owned by Mr. 
Nathaniel Pearce, where he resided through most of the 
troublous times of the Revolution. Two of his sons, Nathan 
and William the latter known as Col. William Pearce took 
an active part in the war of the Colonies with the mother 
country, along with their father who accepted a captain s 
commission. 

Captain Pearce and his volunteers, who were mostly from 
the West Mountain, were at the battle of Long Island, and 
participated in the action at White Plains. He was chairman 
of the Vigilance Committee of Pawling Precinct. This 
committee had a sort of discretionary power to arrest 
suspected Tories ; to administer the oath of allegiance ; they 
were also empowered to assess a tax on those who refused to 
sustain the government, called the " Black Rate." The collec 
tion of this tax was both difficult and dangerous. Nathan 
Pearce, Jun., was the collector of this, and also of the military 
fines in this Precinct. The leaders of the Whig cause were 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.. 261 

radicals of an unmistakable character ; and thus incurring the 
hatred of the Tories, the feud naturally led to mutual crimina 
tion and recrimination. 

Capt. Pearce was singled out by a local Tory band as a 
victim. In his house were stored some fifteen or twenty guns, 
which the Tories had resolved to obtain. Capt. Pearce then 
lived in the old house which stood on the side of the road op 
posite the present residence of Mr. Dykeman. One dark 
night, about 1 1 o clock, Vaughn and his clan knocked at the 
door. All had retired except the hired girl ; thinking it might 
be some neighbors, she bade them to come in. The robber 
clan rushed in, commanded her to raise no alarm under pain of 
death, and lead them to the Captain s room. At the first inti 
mation the latter had of their presence, Vaughn was standing 
over him with fixed bayonet. During this time the rest were 
rummaging the house ; and having found the guns, the party 
left without committing further outrage. The next morning, 
Capt. Pearce collected some neighbors and gave pursuit ; re 
captured the guns, and took Vaughn prisoner, but he soon 
after escaped. 

One pleasant Summer s day Captain Pearce went out into 
the fields to feed his flocks. The scene was calculated to fill 
the heart of a husbandman with gladness, yet a feeling of 
vague, undefinable horror came over him, although it was mid 
day, and he had his trusty rifle by his side. Within a few feet 
of him was a thick copse, into which he peered, but saw noth 
ing. He afterward confessed he breathed freer when he left 
that field. Shortly after, he received a letter from one Brown 
to this effect : " I am now in jail, and my life has become for 
feit to the laws of my country. But I once saved your life 
and it is now in your power to save mine." Brown then 
related the circumstance of a band of robbers, including him 
self, having secreted themselves in Mr. Pearce s field on a 
specified day, in a clump of bushes ; and that the latter came 
into the field to feed his flock ; and that Brown finally pre 
vailed upon the robbers not to kill him, although they came 



262 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

there for that very purpose, alleging that he could not bear to 
see an old comrade shot down in cold blood. Capt. Pearce 
was fully satisfied of the truth of his declaration, and secured 
his release. 

Comfort Sha\v came to the place now occupied by 
Nathaniel Pearce, Esq., built a house and barn, and planted an 
orchard, which, judging from the size and appearance of the 
trees, must have been one of the first in the valley. Shaw 
married either the daughter or sister of Nathan Gary, great 
grandfather of the Carys that formerly resided here. 

James Stark, Sen., was among the early settlers of Pawling. 
He married the oldest daughter of Rev. Henry Gary, and in 
company with others, emigrated with his young wife to the 
Wyoming Valley between the years 1755 and 58, where he 
died of small-pox in 1777. His son, Gapt. James Stark, partici 
pated in the battle of Wyoming, and escaped by holding on to 
the tail of Gol. Zebulon Butler s horse, and running to the 
fort. Two of the Starks Aaron and Daniel were killed in 
the battle, and their names may be seen inscribed on the 
monument erected upon the spot where the battle was fought. 
The mother of Gapt. James Stark, after the death of her hus 
band, started with her little children for Pawling, leading her 
youngest all the way, arriving after a month s weary travel with 
her little ilock. Their clothing was in tatters, feet lacerated 
and bleeding, and were looked upon by their friends as though 
risen from the dead. Among those that came back to this 
town, after the Wyoming massacre, were John, James, and 
William Stark, the family of Michael Rood, Solomon Lee, Job 
Thornton, Timothy Pearce, Grandall and Isaac Wilcox, Ezra 
Trim, and a host of others. Job Thornton was an ancestor 
of ex-Minister DeLong, formerly of Beekman. 

Near where Airs. Craft now resides, on Quaker Hill, lived 
one Peter Fields, a silversmith, doing a small business. The 
robbers made an entry into his shop one day. A number of 
men of the neighborhood were in there at the time, but not 
.o.ne of them made an effort at resistance, except Benjamin 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 263 

Ferris, Sen., the Quaker preacher Benjamin, though a man 
of peace, insisted on an attack upon the villains, but was not 
seconded. He was silenced by having a blunderbuss pointed 
at his head. The robbers decamped with their booty, and 
made good their escape to the West Mountain. None of the 
goods were ever recovered, and the robbery ruined the poor 
silversmith. 

Residing at the place where Seneca Bennett now lives was 
Timothy Butler. In company with Capt. Pearce and others, 
he frequently made raids upon the strongholds of the Tories, 
bringing them out from the caverns and rocks to be dealt with 
as the law might direct. Butler was a proscribed partriot, and 
the robber band had sworn his destruction. His wife is said 
to have been in complicity with a robber chieftain, Nathan 
Hoag by name. She agreed to signal the robbers when he 
was at home, by removing a portion of the chinking from 
between the logs contiguous to the bed where she and her 
husband slept. This agreement she carried out ; in the mean 
time taking good care of her own precious person, while the 
robbers slaughtered her husband as remorselessly as they would 
a wild beast. 

The house of an old gentleman named Burch, located at the 
south part of Quaker Hill, was forcibly entered one night by a 
gang of robbers, who, after taking such articles as their fancy 
dictated compelled the old gentleman (at the point of the bayo- 
onet) to pledge the honor of a Quaker not to pursue them until 
the second day following. This promise, though made under 
duress, was scrupulously kept. When the time expired he 
collected i posse of men and pursued the robbers to the lines 
of the army, and there recognized the villains. One of them, 
a colored man, was then wearing Mr. Burch s shoes. A 
handkerchief, with Burch s name on it, was also found in his 
pocket. The proof was so strong that Sambo was strung up 
as a sort of a scapegoat for the rest of the party. 

A young Quaker lady from the Hill, while at a distance 
from home unattended, was stopped by "some minion of the 



264 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

moon," who, after ripping open her portmanteau, and abstract 
ing its contents, permitted her to proceed without further 
molestation. 

John Hoag lived in what was known as the Porter House, 
which stood near the present dwelling of William J. Sterling, 
Esq., in the village of Pawling. One Herring was sent by 
Washington to purchase supplies for the army, and who went 
to the house of Hoag for the purpose. While there Herring 
was made aware that Hoag had a considerable quantity of 
silver and clothing, and with others concocted a plan for 
robbing him, which plan they a few nights afterwards executed. 
The next day Hoag went to headquarters, and complained of 
the robbery, and proceeded to search for the stolen goods 
through the camp. Herring volunteered to go with him and 
aid in the search. Soon Hoag noticed a towel sticking out of 
the pocket of Herring, and straightway accused the latter of 
the theft. Herring at first indignantly denied having anything 
to do with the robbery, but afterward confessed his guilt. He 
was tried by court-martial, found guilty, and sentenced to> 
suffer death. The Commander-in-Chief declined to interfere,. 
and he was accordingly executed. 

Just outside the fence near the residence of Wm. H. Chap 
man, Esq., stands an old sycamore tree that a hundred years 
ago was used as a whipping post. One Thomas Taylor, living 
near Whaley Pond, was charged with stealing a gallon of New 
England rum. The allegation was proven, and the culprit 
was sentenced to pay a fine of three dollars, or in default of 
paying the fine, to receive ten lashes upon the bare back, " well 
laid on." A crowd collected to see the sentence carried out ; 
and as Tommy was in no sense a bad man, a sentiment of 
pity ran among them. A hat was passed around, and twenty- 
three shillings were collected forthwith, when Tommy was 
appealed to to make up the remaining shilling. This, strange 
to say, Tommy refused to do, swearing roundly that he would 
take the drubbing first. 

This turned the current of feeling against Tommy, and he: 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 265 

was commanded to receive the sentence of the court. He 
determined to acquit himself like a martyr, and when the last 
stroke was given, he jumped about and knocked his heels 
together, and defied any man to say he was not grit to the 
back bone ! 

Zachary Marshall was living about this period on what is 
known as the Marshall farm, now owned by Mrs. Charlotte 
Cook. East of his house was a log barn, where he kept his 
hay and a portion of his stock. One day his horse wandered 
up the hill-side, and did not return at foddering time. In the 
night he was attacked by a pack of wolves ; he made all 
possible speed for the barn, but was overtaken before reaching 
it, and torn in pieces. This is the only instance that has 
come to our knowledge of mischief perpetrated in this immedi 
ate neighborhood by wolves, though we doubt not there were 
many similar cases throughout the county. 

The " hard winter" came on so severe and unexpectedly 
that it found the people of this and other localities generally 
unprepared for it. Nearly all the grist-mills were disabled by 
the frosts ; which added to the roads being blocked up with 
snow, made it necessary for people in many places to resort to 
hulled corn in place of bread. It was said there was fully four 
feet of compact snow on a level ; and the cold was so intense 
that not a drop of moisture fell from the eaves in forty or 
fifty days. Cattle and fowls perished from cold and the lack of 
food ; and those who had neglected to supply their winter s 
wood had to substitute rails, shade or fruit trees, or whatever 
came to hand. It was not unusual, after the snow had melted, 
to see stumps eight or ten feet high, although the trees were 
cut as low as the snow would permit. 

Abraham Slocum, living where Mrs. Abbie Dodge now 
does, was aroused from his slumbers one night by the crowing 
of the old chanticleer. He awoke his wife that she, too, might 
listen to this joyful sound which had not been heard for weeks. 
Slocum predicted a thaw, which eventually came on so gradu 
ally, that the whole body of snow went off without creating a 



266 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

flood, as was feared, and the following season was said to have 
been one of uncommon fertility. 

When a herald passed through the country announcing the 
surrender of Burgoyne, the tidings met with a hearty response 
from every patriot. Bonfires, illuminations, and the thunder of 
artillery everywhere demonstrated the joy that was felt through- 
out the land. The people of Pawling Precinct instituted a 
barbecue in commemoration of the event. A hole was dug in 
the bank near the site of the residence of Richard Chapman. 
Esq., a fire was built therein, and a fine full-grown bullock was 
spitted before it. The cooking was not a pronounced success, 
but Pawling charged upon it with all her chivalry. Patriotic 
speeches were made, patriotic songs sung, and patriotic toasts 
drank in profusion ; and nothing prevented the thundering of 
cannon, but the want of cannon and powder. The Tories 
growled with rage, but kept at a respectful distance. 

Thus the day wore off. The remnant of the carcass was 
given to some fellows from the West Mountain, who, by dint of 
exertion, managed to get it about half a mile ; wearied with 
their efforts, and unctuous with grease and perspiration, they 
laid it down to discuss the matter. They finally concluded to 
leave it till the next morning. During the night a pack of 
hungry dogs undertook the task of demolishing the carcass, and 
struck a balance before morning. 

Near the road, at the foot of the hill north of the residence 
of the late Dr. Benj. F. Arnold, is a clear bubbling spring. 
The grounds surrounding" it were at that time covered with 
trees and underbrush. Three British troopers once stopped at 
this spring to drink ; and, dreaming of no danger, stacked their 
arms a few yards away. An American soldier, who lay hidden 
among the bushes, seizing his opportunity, ran out and took 
possession of the guns, commanding the men, under pain of 
instant death, to surrender. He then marched them in triumph 
to the American camp. 

One of the most active and odious of the Tories in these 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 267 

* 

parts was Wait Vaughn. He hailed from Vaughn s Neck,* 
near Lanesville, Connecticut. Of his early history but little is 
known. He is said to have been of idle, dissolute habits when 
young ; the War of the Revolution served to develop a charac 
ter chiefly fitted for a marauder ; and he readily passed from 
the commission of peccadilloes to robbery, and from robbery 
to arson and murder. As before stated, he was once taken 
prisoner by Capt. Pearce, and sent to Poughkeepsie jail ; but 
he soon found means to escape, having had just enough pun 
ishment to harden and prepare him for the commission of still 
greater atrocities. 

One cold winter s morning found him shivering over the 
fire at the house of his uncle, in the town of Patterson. This 
relative, a highly respectable and staunch Whig, was almost 
petrified at beholding the rashness of his nephew, whom of all 
men he least desired to see. Said he " Vaughn, what sent 
you here ? Do you not know it would be my ruin, were it 
known you were at my house ? Go from my presence, and 
never let me see you again unless you become a better man !" 

Among the local adherents of Vaughn was a man by the 
name of Kisweli, an adroit, sly villain, who heartily affiliated 
with the robbers and shared in their plunder. He lived in the 
valley south or southeast of Alfred Hillard s. 

Word was sent to Capt. Pearce that the robbers were at 
Kiswell s, and a company of ten or twelve men were delegated 
to go and capture them, led by Lieut. Nichols. The latter was 
young and inexperienced, and probably somewhat imprudent. 
He wore a white ruffled shirt, which he failed to conceal by 
buttoning up his coat as he should have done, which little cir 
cumstance led to his tragic death. The night was dark, and 



* Wait Van.irliu was t 
house then standing <>n the r 
rid-je of land called Vaughn 1 
summer of IsTti. The house 
three brothers- Joseph, Hen 
Doctor Vaughn. The inothi 
luted of the Doctor th;it he \\ 
mad.-, to stand upon a barrel. 
He was kept in rfcis situation 
tion. He was afterward taki 


e son of a widow, who, during the war, was livinar in a 
ad leading from Sherman to Lanesville. on the summit of s 
Neck. The locality was pointed out to the writer in th 
s gone, but a part of the foundation yet remains. Wait had 
Miin and William. The last named was generally known as 
and al her sons were Tories of the rankest type" It is re- 
s once arrested, a rope adjusted about his neck, ami then 
in order to force him to disclose the rendezvous of his brothers, 
for hours, but utterly refused to divulye the desired inlorma- 
n down and released. 



268 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

W 

the robbers had somehow been apprised of their coming. As 
they approached the house, one of the Tories descried Lieut. 
Nichols white bosom ; taking deliberate aim he inflicted a fatal 
wound in young Nichols breast. The young Lieutenant fell 
in a field of flax contiguous to the house, where he wallowed in 
his own gore until his clothing was completely saturated. He 
was then taken home, a bloody, ghastly corpse, to his parents. 
His poor mother was nearly distracted with grief. During the 
excitement consequent upon his death, the robbers made good 
their escape. 

Not long after this, Kiswell was captured, manacled, and 
placed under the guardianship of Ezra Trim, a tried and true 
patriot. In crossing a stream, Kiswell managed to trip and 
plunge Trim headlong, wetting his ammunition and gun ; and 
before the latter had fairly recovered, was out of his reach. 
Trim snapped his gun at him several times, but the thing ; held 
fire," and Kiswell fled the country. 

Capt. Pearce was informed by his spies that a gang of rob 
bers were secreting themselves in the cavern,* about two miles 
southwest of the present village of Pawling. He immediately 
collected a company of eight or ten men, and stole a march 
upon the Tories. He placed a guard at the two entrances of 
the cavern, and went in a short distance alone. He then gave 
the signal to his man, when they fell upon the robbers, and 
captured them all. The Tories were about equal in number to 
the other party ; each captive was therefore tied around the 
wrists, and placed under guard of one man. In this manner 
they set out through the woods adjacent to the cavern. One 
of the prisoners in charge of Caleb Haines (grandsire of Rich 
ard H. Haines, Esq.,) contrived to slip his tether, and escaped, 
much to the chagrin of his conductor. The balance of the 

* This cavern is on the (arm of David Baker, Esq., in an open field near the foot of 
" Rocky Hill." It is in a retired spot, .just the place for the haunt of a robber clan ; espe 
cially would this bo true when the locality was heavily wooded, as was doubtless the fact 
at the time of which we write. It is quite a resort, in summer, for strangers visitinjr in 
the neighborhood. There is still quite a large underground room, though pieces of detached 
rock have somewhat blocked up the space within. Near by is the Cold Spring, a fountain 
of the purest water, of unusual coldness, springing out from beneath a rock. During ft 
freshet, some years since, a pewter basin, of IJritish manufacture, was washed out of this 
spring, having been lost, doubtless, by the Tory clan while here. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 269 

batch was sent to prison ; but through the instrumentality of 
friends contrived to break jail, and were soon at their old tricks 
again. 

On the top of the hill, near the road leading north of the 
village of Pawling, and in sight of it, stood a large walnut tree. 
This " forest monarch " was over a century old when it was cut 
down, which was done only a year or so ago. Under this tree 
tradition says a party of Tories once held a consultation. 
They had formed a plan to rob the dwelling of Caleb Haines, 
who lived in a stone house then standing opposite the marble 
works, on lands of Richard Chapman. But they had found an 
obstacle in the way of carrying out their project. Caleb was 
at home, together with some of his grown-up sons ; besides 
there were two or three hired men in the family. These were 
all armed, as was the custom in those early times, and ready 
for a fight at any moment. This array of force threw dismay 
into the Tory camp, and the project was abandoned. 

While the army was encamped at Pawling, an Irishman 
was in the habit of carrying fruit into the camp to sell to the 
soldiers. One day he had a bag of apples on his back, which 
he was going to dispose of in this way. One of the soldiers mis 
chievously stepped up behind, and by a sudden movement 
hurled the bag from his shoulder, at the same time scattering 
the apples upon the ground. Every man scrambled for an ap 
ple ; and before the Irishman recovered, his stock-in-trade had 
well nigh disappeared. He complained to the officers of his 
treatment, but being unable to point out the culprit who threw 
the bag from his shoulders, he failed in obtaining redress. 

The following extract is appended, copied from a news 
paper published at the time : 

Forty Dollars Reward will be paid by the subscriber, besides 
all reasonable expenses, for detecting and bringing to justice, 
one or more of a gang of villians, eight or ten in number, who, 
on the night of the lyth of August last, armed with guns, bay 
onets, and swords, surrounded the house of Mrs. Phebe Thom 
as, on Quaker Hill, in Duchess County, which some of their 
number forcibly entered, and after many threatening expres- 



270 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

sions, robbed the subscriber of the following articles, viz., i8c 
silver dollars, 28 guineas, 9 half Johannes, i green silk purse, 
opening with a spring, and large silver hook, and containing 
between ^4 and ^5 in small silver, with one guinea ; two 
pairs of silver shoe buckles ; i silver table spoon, marked with 
the letters R. M., with a T. at top between them ; i small sil 
ver snuff-box, marked A. S. ; i large paper snuff-box ; one sil 
ver thimble ; 2 penknives (one with a mother-of-pearl handle) 
in cases; one carved ivory tooth pick case ; i lawn handker 
chief; one red and white linen do. ; three cotton stockings, 
and i pair of white knit garters. One pair of buckles has been 
found upon a fellow, who went by the name of Williams, who 
formerly used to profess himself a painter in New York ; was 
lately taken up on charge of some other felonies, and impris 
oned at Kingston, in Ulster County, from whence, on the ap 
proach of the British incendiaries, he was removed (with the 
other prisoners) into the state of Connecticut, wher*e he is now 
confined. MARY FERRARI. 

Quaker Hill, Nov. 5, 1777. 

In the field south of the road which branches east near 
the residence of Peter W. Baldwin, Esq., and east of the main 
road, buttons, gun locks, bullets, and even a small cannon ball 
have been plowed up, which would seem to indicate that to 
have been the location of an encampment.*" In this field is a 
spot of low ground, that used to be a swamp. Tradition says 
that a quantity of ammunition was thrown into it on one 
occasion, during an alarm, to prevent its falling into the hands 
of the enemy. A key of very curious workmanship was 
picked up here. It was shaped like a harp, and plated with 
gold. On one side was the representation of a rose, and a 
thistle on the reverse emblems of the powers of England and 
Scotland. The key was doubtless the property of some officer, 
and may have had a history worthy of record. 

On a rocky knoll, on lands of Elmer Chase, Esq., was a 
solitary grave marked with head and foot stones, where tradi- 

* When the road was straightened some years since, near the residence of Oliver 
Taber, Esq., a number of human skeletons were exhumed. They came from the sand 
hank, through which the road now runs, just south of the bridge. The bones, supposed to 
be those ot Revolutionary soldiers, were put into a box and re-interred south of the bridiro. 
near where stands a maple tree, the first in the row on the west side. Its superior thrifti- 
ness is doubtless (>\ving to its having sent a root down a nong these bones, from whence it 
is deriving nourishment. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 271 

tion says an Irishman was buried. He was a sort of hanger-on 
of the army while quartered here. Whether he died of disease, 
or was killed, is not known. Some years ago, a man was 
passing near the grave, when he noticed it had been disturbed, 
and the stones removed. The owner of the land set some men 
at work, who dug down into the grave, but could find nothing 
except two or three finger bones. The grave was again filled 
up ; and in a few weeks the head and foot stones were again 
put in place as strangely as they were removed. This will 
probably ever remain a mystery. 

One of the most atrocious acts of the Tory clan was the 
robbery and murder of Nathan Pearce, Jun. One night they 
made a forcible entry into his house, and before he could take 
means to defend himself, was knocked down and beaten until 
lie was insensible. After satisfying their vengeance in this 
manner, they suspended him by the thumbs to the ceiling ; in 
which position he was whipped until his back was cut into 
shreds, and the blood ran in a stream upon the floor. This 
done, they searched the house for plunder, took his money and 
clothing, and whatever articles could be converted into cash, 
destroying what they could not carry away, and decamped, 
leaving their victim more dead than alive. He was taken 
down and resuscitated by his family ; but he never afterward 
recovered, and died in a few weeks from the effects of his in 
juries. He was the third victim that the limits of Pawling had 
furnished to the greed and cruelty of Vaughn and his robber 
clan. But the robber chief was soon cut off in the midst of his 
career, in a manner which we will now relate. 

Through the complicity of Peasley, one of Vaughn s adhe 
rents, the Whigs were apprised of the presence of the Tory 
robber in one of his haunts in a cavern in the rocks. This 
cave was in a piece of woods, on lands of the venerable Daniel 
Irish ; and thither a patriot band of volunteers was piloted by 
Peasley.* The latter, it appears, was acting quartermaster of 



* One Sarah Merritt, whom many of our readers will recollect, then living at the 
place now occupied by Mrs. Craft, used to relate the particulars of this affair. She was 
aware of the intended attack, and heard the shots that were fired into the Tory camp. 



272 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

the Tory camp. He would get provisions cooked at the farm 
houses of the neighborhood, and, under cover of the darkness, 
convey them to the rendezvous. The Tories, unmindful of 
danger, were playing cards on a flat rock. Their money was 
staked ; and one of them was dealing out the cards when the 
attacking party came within gun-shot. The volunteers poured 
a volley into the robber band. The latter fled precipitately, 
with the exception of Vaughn, who was mortally wounded.* 
He seemed appalled at the fierce looks cast upon him by his 
captors ; and, writhing with agony, with his bowels protruding 
from the wound, he begged piteously for mercy. He appeared 
conscious that his life was fast ebbing away, and plead to be 
granted the few moments that it was possible for him to live. 

There was one in that band of volunteers whose heart was 
untouched by the appeal. That man was Capt. Pearce. He 
saw before him an outlaw, whose deeds of violence had made 
his name a terror to the country ; and who at that moment was 
clad in the garments of his brother Nathan, whom he had 
murdered. The blood of the martyr to his country s honor 
cried out for vengeance. Taking a gun from the hands of a 
soldier, he thrust the bayonet into the quivering flesh of the 
robber, the instrument passing entirely through the body, 
striking the rock against which he reclined with such force as 
to break the point.! 

Vaughn s remains were brought down and laid under an 
apple-tree (still standing we believe) near the residence of Mr. 
Irish. Here the body was placed in a wagon and conveyed to 
Toffeys Corners, on Quaker Hill, and his mother notified of 
her son s death. She came, bringing with her a physician, 
probably under the vain hope that her son might only have 
been wounded. She said she was in hopes it might not be her 
son, but on being shown to the room containing the corpse, 
and turning down the sheet from his face, disfigured as it was, 
with clotted blood adhering to his clothing, and presenting a 

* It was afterward ascertained that another named Drinkwater had a finger shot off 
at the same time. 

t Another version is to the effect that Tfarce thrust the bayonet into the robber < 
head, and pried it open. 




OL!> CATnOT.K CHURCH, PAWLING, BURNED 18T2. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 273 

ghastly spectacle, she at once recognized the lineaments of her 
son s features. She gave a piercing shriek, and fell into a 
swoon. 

The people of the neighborhood rendered her all the con 
solation it was in their power to give, and accorded the body a 
Christian burial. The grave may yet be seen in the Toffey 
burial ground a little rural enclosure, on a rising knoll in the 
valley, northeast of Toffeys Corners. His grave is to the right 
of the bars leading into the ground. No stone marks the spot ; 
only a little mound indicates to the passer-by the resting-place 
of the noted Tory chieftain. His mother remarked at his 
grave that in his death she had one consolation " he died in 
a good cause." 

During the year 1778 a considerable detachment of Ameri 
can troops were stationed in Pawling, and for a time General 
Washington had his head quarters here. Our authority fo r 
this assertion is the evidence of those living at that interesting 
period, who often went to camp and saw the Commander-in- 
Chief, and whose testimony has come down to us by tradition. 
The artillery were posted on the eastern hills of Purgatory ; the 
infantry were scattered along the valley adjacent ; and the 
cavalry were located on the rolling lands north of Stedwell s. 
Of course all this " pomp and circumstance of war" would 
make but a sorry show in this day of ample means. The time 
was, however, when the man that had seen the big guns, and 
General Washington beside, had beheld about all that was 
worth seeing. 

As to the precise location of General Washington s head 
quarters when in this town, there seems to be some question. 
Some locate it at the " Slocum Place," and others at the 
" Kirby House," at the foot of Quaker Hill. There seems to 
be good authority for each opinion, and we are inclined to 
divide the honor between both localities. A writer in the 
Pawling Pioneer, who adheres to the latter view, says : 

" The old Kirby House was built by Reed Ferris in 1771, 
and at the time Washington was in Pawling was a new house. 



274 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Mr. Ferris was a substantial farmer, and his house \\as, like his 
means, large and ample. It was then considered the biggest 
thing" for miles around, and toward which Washington 
naturally turned his steps. Mrs. Akin, mother of the late 
Judge Akin, and another lady, both of them daughters of Mr. 
Ferris, used to tell the story of its occupation in this way : 
" One day two aides-de-camp rode up to the door, and inquir 
ing for Mr. Ferris informed him that General Washington 
would like to make his home there for a time. Mr. Ferris 
consented ; and to notify all intruders that this was the home 
of the Commander-in-Chief, the officers fastened a paper to the 
front door reading thus : Headquarters of Gen. Washington. 
Mrs. Ferris and the girls at once set themselves at preparing 
the best chamber for the General, and the second best for his 
staff officers, and soon their illustrious guest arrived, and was 
shown to the south chamber, evermore to be known as 
Washington s Room.* Often have I, though born and 
brought up in this house, felt a mysterious awe come over me 




Tile Kiruy IJ<HIS<-. 

when entering this room in which so great and good a man 
once dwelt. Here, probably, Washington lived during most of 
his residence in Pawling. His soldiers were encamped on 
Purgatory, hard by; and twenty years ago [1872] the remains 
of three stone huts could then be plainly seen ; and my father 
picked up a ramrod on this spot, which, probably, had once 
belonged to some Revolutionary hero." 

This house has connected with it other events of great 
historic interest. Within it was held the trial of General 



*Tho charnb.-r wind -nv noarcst the tree in the cut opened info the room. The 
design is Irom the Historical Keeurd. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 275 

Schuyler in October of 1778. We append the following, rela 
tive to this officer, condensed from an article by Lossing : 

The ambition of General Gates was such as to lead him 
to seek honor and preferment by means not always honorable. 
By it he was led to plot for the position of General Schuyler, 
and afterward of General Washington ; in which schemes he 
was upheld by friends both in and out of Congress. Doubtless 
some of these friends were sincere; but there is reason to" 
believe that most of them were actuated by other feelings than 
pure patrotism. 

The failure of the campaign of the northern army, of which 
Gen. Schuyler was the chief, in the year 1776, at which time it 
was driven out of Canada with serious loss, was made the occa 
sion of bitter calumny by Gates and his friends. Much as the lat 
ter desired to succeed Schuyler in office, he had not yet dared to 1 
make specific charges against him, for no foundation for such 
could be found. Interference and complaints had already 
made Schuyler anxious to leave his position. He had tendered 
his resignation, but it was not accepted. There remained no 
other way than to so increase his discontent as to cause him to 
leave the service. 

Schuyler was particularly sensitive to acts that savored of 
injustice toward himself or others. His letters to Congress 
was always vigorous and outspoken. He called the attention 
of Congress to the injustice done to the head of the hospitals 
in his department. His letter on the subject was made the 
pretext for insulting him most grievously. The offensive 
paragraphs in that letter were as follows : " As Doctor Stringer 
had my recommendation to the office he has sustained, perhaps 
it was a compliment due to me that I should have been 
advised of the reason of his dismission, * * * I conn- 
dently expected that Congress would have done me that 
justice which was in their power to give, and which I humbly 
conceive they ought to have done." 

Gen. Gates, instead of attending to the duties assigned 
him by Washington, was in Philadelphia, urging his friends in 
Congress to stir up the popular feeling against Schuyler, who 
they said had been guilty of impertinence in his demeanor 
toward that body. They procured the passage of a resolution 
of censure as follows : 

"Resolvea\ That the suggestion in Schuyler s letter to 
Congress, that it was a compliment due to him to advise him 
of the reasons for Doctor Stringer s dismission is highly deroga 
tory to the honor of Congress; and that the President be 



376 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

desired to acquaint Gen. Schuyler that it is expected his letters 
for the future be written in a style more suitable to the dignity 
of that representative body, of these free and independent 
States, and to his own character as their officer. 

" Resolved: That it is altogether improper and inconsis 
tent" with the dignity of this Congre-s to interfere in disputes 
-subsisting among the officers of the army ; and that the 
expression in Gen. Schuyler s letter of the 4th of February 
C I 777] tnat ne confidently expected Congress would have done 
him that justice which it was in their power to give, and 
which he humbly conceived they ought to have done, were, 
to say the e ist, ill-advised and indecent." 

At that time grave perils were impending and Schuyler could 
not be moved by any provocation to resign at that critic al 
juncture. But he resolved on an effort to obtain justice. He 
laid his case before the Provincial Convention of New York, 
then in session at Kingston, and on the 8th of March, 1777, 
he set out to take his seat in Congress, then in Philadelphia, 
to which he had been elected, and to demand of that body an 
investigation into his character while in their service. 

The plot now seemed to be working favorably for Gates. 
Congress ordered him to repair to Ticonderoga, and take 
command there. It was such a virtual superseding of Schuyler 
in the command of the Northern Department, that the 
ambitious Gates believed that almost immediately he would be 
invested with that command. He hastened to Albany, while 
Schuyler was placed in command of troops in Philadelphia. 

Schuyler demanded and obtained from Congress a com 
mittee of investigation. He laid before that committee a 
clear statement of the whole matter, early in May. His 
dignified and unanswerable statements made a deep impression 
upon Congress, and silenced every cavil. The report of the 
committee placed the character of the patriot higher than 
ever before. He was ordered to resume command of the 
Northern Department immediately. Gates refused to serve 
under Schuyler. Hastening to Philadelphia, he was allowed, 
on the floor of Congress, to pour out his feelings in far more 
indecorous language than any which Schuyler had made use of. 
Yet Congress, under the manipulation of Gates friends, 
endured the scolding with great meekness, and uttered not a 
word about the " dignity of that body." 

The loss of Ticonderoga in the summer of 1777 caused a 
great hue and cry against Gen Schuyler. He was accused of 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 277 

cowardice, treason, and even of the use of the public monejr 
for his own private benefit. Congress was induced, by a force 
of outside pressure, to appoint Gates to the command of the 
Northern Department at the moment when Schuyler, by the: 
most skillful maneuvering, had placed Burgoyne in a position 
of the greatest peril. He was prepared to strike the invaders 
a crushing blow, when Gates arrived and took command. 

The generous and patriotic Schuyler, though appreciating 
most keenly the indignity and injustice, laid aside his personal; 
feelings in his effort to do his country service ; he even went 
so far as to offer his service to Gates in the capacity of a 
private gentleman, believing himself to be better acquainted 
with the condition of the army at this critical period, and 
ready to give his advice without any prospect of reaping any 
of the honors of victory. Gates, however, treated him with 
contempt. Schuyler demanded a court-martial, and after 
repeated delays, the request was granted. 

On the first day of October, 1778, the court martial 
assembled to try him at the " Kirby House," then occupied 
by Reed Ferris. At the time of the trial it was the head 
quarters of General Lincoln, who was President of the Court. 
The tribunal was composed of the following officers : 

Major General Benjamin Lincoln, President ; Brigadier 
Generals John Nixon, George Clinton, Anthony Wayne, and 
J. P. G. Muhlenberg ; Colonels John Greation, Francis John 
son, Rufus Putnam, Mordecai Gist, William Russell. William 
Grayson, Walter Stewart, and R. J. Meigs ; John Lawrens, 
Judge Advocate. 

The general charge made against the accused was Neglect 
of Duty in not being present at Ticonderoga to discharge the 
functions of his command. It was specified that the Northern 
Department included Albany: Ticonderoga, Fort Stanwix, and 
their dependencies, and that the act of Congress on the 22nd 
of May, 1777. released him from all restraint respecting the 
place of his headquarters: 

That by letters to him by St. Clair, under various dates 
from the i^th of June to the first of July, 1777, he was made 
acquainted with the probable designs of the enemy, and of the 
great danger to the fort : 

That in consequence of the first three letters from St. Clair, 
he went to Ticonderoga on the 2oth of June and there had a 
council of war ; and though that council determined the army 
to be inadequate to the defense of Ticonderoga and Mt. Inde 
pendence, yet nevertheless both forts ought to be maintained 



278 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

as long as possible, and the repairs and additions to the fortifi 
cations ought to claim immediate attention ; yet Gen. Schuyler 
made no stay at Ticonderoga to expedite the work, or to con 
duct a retreat when it became no longer possible to maintain 
the forts, consistent with the safety of the troops and stores : 

That Ticonderoga and Mt. Independence being the posts 
of the greatest defense against the advance of the British forces 
in Canada, and the main army being stationed at these posts, 
it was Gen. Schuyler s duty to have been at the head of the 
army, and to have removed the troops when he knew the enemy 
were actually advancing against the forts : 

That his forces were greatly inadequate to the defense of 
these posts, ind that they were to be abandoned when it should 
become no longer possible to maintain them consistent with 
the safety of the troops and stores a moment of which it was 
necessary the first officer in the department should judge ; that 
in the absence of Schuyler this critical moment passed unim 
proved, with the loss of the sick, ammunition, cannon, provi 
sions, and clothing of the army, and the loss of many lives in 
the retreat. 

Gen. Schuyler having caused the verity of his letter book to 
be established, he caused several letters to be read therefrom, 
and then proceeded to conduct his defense in person. He 
gave a brief history of his acts while in command of the North 
ern Department ; to these he added an outline narrative of 
events during his last occupancy of office, St. Glair s appoint 
ment to the command of the lake fortresses, and their evacua 
tion. He next spoke directly to the specific charge of being 
absent from the post ; admitted his absence, but was prepared 
to prove he was not guilty of any neglect thereby ; proposed to 
show his incessant attention to duty, and the reasons of his 
absence from Ticonderoga ; and that although superseded and 
calumniated, he continued his exertions in behalf of the com 
mon cause, and received frequent marks of the confidence of 
Congress. At this point Gen. Schuyler cited letters that had 
passed between himself and the committee of Congress, show 
ing his entire devotion and attention to the business of the 
Department. 

The trial lasted three days. Only three witnesses were called 
viz. : General St. Clair, Lieutenant-Colonel Varick, and Ma 
jor Lansing. After Schuyler closed his defense, the following 
verdict was given : 

"The Court having considered the charges against Major- 
General Schuyler, the evidence, and his defense, they are 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 279 

unanimously of the opinion that he is not guilty of any Neg 
lect of Duty in not being at Ticonderoga, as charged, and 
the Court do therefore acquit him with the highest honor." 
Congress confirmed the proceedings on the third of December 
following, directed them to be published, and a copy thereof 
transmitted to the Commancler-in-Chief. 

This verdict was expected by all. Congress continued to 
refuse to accept the resignation of Gen. Schuyler, until the 
Spring of 1779, when they allowed him to retire to private 
life, in which he continued to serve his country zealously and 
gratuitously. 

A writer in the New York Standard thus speaks of Quaker 
Hill: " Ea>t of Pa.vliig Sta io.i, up fearfully long and steep 
hills, bordering the State of Connecticut, a famous range of 
hills are located, and from their early settlement by the Quakers 
derived the name of Quaker Hill. From their summits can 
be seen miles upon miles of first-class farms, located in the 
States of New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. When 
the air is clear the Catskill Mountain House, distant sixty 
miles in the -northwest, can be seen without a glass. The 
hotels of fashion at Lake Mahopac, miles away in a southerly 
direction, are distinctly visible ; while at your very feet, 
Pawling and Patterson are nestling in the valley. 

" Without the tediousness of a long journey (only three 
hours from the city,), you are located nearly fifteen hundred 
feet above tide water, over two-thirds as high as the Catskill 
Mountain House, with a view nearly equal, and a society far 
surpassing that famous resort. The house now used by the 
Hicksite branch of Friends, was built in 1764. During the 

War for Independence it 
was used as a hospital, and 
many a noble soldier was 
carried through its solemn 

^ ssfmf portals and buried in what 

rsSS^^^ . 

jttc s Headquarters. is now the finest yard on 

Quaker Hill. Gen. LaFayette, in the year 1778, had his 
headquarters near the meeting house or hospital, not far 
distant from the fountain spring of the Croton. On Purga- 




280 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

tory Hill the American army was encamped, Washington 
having his headquarters near by in a beautiful glen, where the 
infantile Croton gurgles and leaps onward, gathering strength to 
supply the thirsty millions." The " headquarters of LaFayette " 
referred to above was the old house standing on or near the 
site of the present spacious residence of Mr. Richard T. 
Osborne. It was built partly of brick and partly of wood, and 
was removed about the year 1858. Whether the Marquis ever 
actually established his headquarters there, we are unable to 
say; though traditionary evidence strongly favors the assump 
tion. It is a fact, however recorded in history, that LaFayette 
stopped in this house for a day or two. This was on the 
occasion of his coming across the country from Rhode Island 
to consult Washington on military matters in general, and also- 
in relation to a duel he had arranged with Lord Carlisle,. 
Chairman of the British Commissioners, for his disrespectful 
language toward the French. We presume the cool, self- 
possessed commander had no difficulty in curbing the impetu 
osity of the gallant young Frenchman. When LaFayette 
visited this country in 1824, as the nation s guest, it is said he 
inquired after the old house on Quaker PI ill, and expressed a 
strong desire to see it. 

The Oblong Meeting was authorized by the Meeting at the 
Purchase in 1744. From this date until 1757 the records 
were kept on loose paper, and were lost. From that time 
(1757) the complete records of the society have been pre 
served through a period of nearly a century and a quarter. 
Everything connected with the affairs of the church, and 
much pertaining to the life of individual members, is recorded 
with much minuteness of detail, and fills several large manu 
script volumes. Here is a repository of family history and 
reminiscences of the dim past, worthy the research of the 
antiquarian. Visitors yearly come from far and near to consult 
them. 

The Oblong Meeting occupies a conspicuous place in the 
history of the Society of Friends in this county. Monthly 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 281 

meetings were held here and at Nine Partners alternately. 
Their first house of worship was situated south of the road 
opposite the present Hicksite meeting house. It was a frame 
building of moderate size, and was sold when the present 
church was erected, and removed to the farm on which Mr. 
Stephen Osborn now resides, where it was used as a barn. 
This was afterward taken down, and a part of the timber used 
in the construction of another barn, now standing. 

In 1764, twelve years before the Revolution, the present 
Hicksite Church edifice was erected. They at first talked of 
building a brick church, but the idea was abandoned. Three 
sides of this venerable structure is covered with the same 
material with which it was first constructed; the remaining 
one was protected by shingles, which have been replaced. The 
flooring is of solid oak, which is said to bear the marks of the 
crutches of maimed Revolutionary soldiers quartered here. 

Among the records of this church is a list entitled " Friends 
Sufferings." This list contains a statement of articles taken 
by officers of the Government during the Revolution, with the 
value of the same, together with the name of the person from 
whom taken, in lieu of personal services. On the 3ist of loth 
month, 1778, one ton of hay was taken from Jonathan Wing, 
by Sergeant Wilcox. About the same time Eliab Wilcox and 
Benjamin Elliott took six tons of hay from Nathan Hillar, of 

the value of 12, for the 
use of the army. From 
this it would appear the 
encampment was near at 
hand, as so bulky an 
article as hay would hardly 
be conveyed a great dis- 
e cam-oil. tance ; which confirms the 

statement already made, that the army was quartered here in 
the season of 1778. 

A " young creature" was taken from Nathan Hillar, of the 
value of 2, by Royal Dart and Isaac Jones, Sergeants ; also 




282 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

one -cow by Nathan Pearce, Jun. He furthermore had his 
oxen pressed by Andrew Morehouse, 4 days, 125. In the 
account of Ebenezer Peaslee s sufferings, it appears that Nathan 
Pearce, Jun., took one heifer worth ^5, and one cow valued at 
^6, in lieu of personal service ; Thomas Corbin also took 
three cows at ,18, and six young cattle at 10. 

The following is the first recorded marriage found in the 
books; the ceremony being performed in the old church 
seven years before the present one was built : 

Whereas, Joshua Shearman [Sherman], the son of 
Ebenezer Shearman and Wait his wife, and Mary Soule, the 
daughter of George Soule and Almira his wife, both of Beek- 
man Precinct, in Duchess County, and Province of New York, 
having declared their intention of marrying before several 
meetings of the people called Quakers at Oblong and Nine 
Partners according to the good order used among them, and 
proceeding therein after deliberate consideration thereof with 
regard to the righteous law of God in the case, they also appear 
in clear of all others, and having the consent of parents and 
such as were concerned therein and were allowed of by your 
meeting : 

Now, these may certify to all whom it may concern that 
for the full accomplishment cf their intention, this loth day of 
8th month, in the year of Christian account 1757, they, the 
said Joshua Shearman and Mary Soule, appeared in a public 
assembly of the aforesaid people and others, met at Friends 
Meeting House in Oblong, and in a solemn manner he the said 
Joshua Sherman taking the said Mary Soule by the hand did 
openly declare as followeth : 

Friends, I desire you to be my witnesses that I take this 
my friend Mary Soule to be my wife, promising by the Lord s 
assistance to be unto her a true and loving husband until 
it shall please God by death to separate us ; and then and 
there, in the said assembly, the said Mary Soule did in like 
manner declare as followeth : Friends, I desire you to be my 
witnesses that I take this .j*iy friend Joshua Shearman to be 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 283 

my husband, promising by the Lord s assistance to be unto 
him a true and loving wife, until it shall please God by death 
to separate us, and as a further confirmation thereof, the said 
Joshua Shearman and Mary Soule did then and there to these 
presents set their hands, she according to the custom of 
marriage assuming the name of her husband. 

JOSHUA SHEARMAN. 

MARY SHEARMAN. 

At a monthly meeting held at Oblong i6th of 2nd month, 
1784, "Solomon Bunker, by way of Apoquaque Preparative 
meeting, requested a certificate of removal to the Creek 
Monthly Meeting for himself and family. Waluntine Zinkins 
and Brice Wing are appointed to take the necessary care, 
prepare accordingly, and report at next meeting." 

This ancient edifice occupies a commanding position on the 
summit of Quaker Hill. It is a plain structure, large and 
commodious ; its frame is composed of timbers, of solid oak, 
sufficient material being used in it to construct three or four 
buildings of the size as put up at the present day. Here are 
the same benches, with their quaint high backs, in which the 
church fathers worshiped a century ago. It is provided with 
a moveable partition, after the manner of church edifices of 
the sect, to separate the sexes. There is a broad gallery, with 
its oaken seats the rear ones so high from the floor as to re 
quire steps to get up into them. So much of the space is oc 
cupied by the gallery that people seated in it can scarcely see 
any of the audience below. Over this gallery is a trap door, 
leading to the attic. Here tradition locates the rendezvous of 
a band of robbers in the Revolution. Here they were wont 
to secret their plunder ; and in this attic they would gather 
together their forces when about to make a descent upon the 
neighborhood. It is said there were once plainly to be seen a 
number of blood stains upon the timbers, with which it is sup 
posed some dark deed is connected. Once a couple of girls 
were at work cleaning the church. One of them playfully 
remarked that she understood the robbers lived in the attic 
above, and proposed to take a peep at the fellows. They pro 



284 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

ceeded to the trap door, and while one held it up, the other 
girl thrust her head through the aperture, when lo ! there were 
the robbers, several in number, who had come together for the 
purpose of making a foray that night. The terrified girls ran 
for dear life ; and the robbers, finding themselves discovered, 
came down from their hiding-place, pillaged a store in the 
vicinity, and left before any resistance could be offered. 

In the Autumn of 1875, the writer visited this venerable 
structure. Having with some difficulty, gained an entrance, 
the privilege of noting its interior more than repaid the trouble. 
The sun had sunk low down among the western hills ; and his 
parting rays entering the window, lighted the apartments with 
a weird, unnatural tinge, that harmonized well with the stillness 
of the place. Here were the prayers of many a pious heart 
offered up while this country was but a wilderness. Here were 
solemnized the marriages of the early pioneers, and here they 
received instruction in the things that pertain to the life above. 
Memories of the past cluster thickly around the objects in this 
ancient building ; and in the dim, uncertain twilight, we almost 
fancied we discerned the forms that have long laid in the tomb, 
and heard their voices echoing in the gathering shades. 

Tradition says that once upon a time, while a Sabbath ser 
vice was being held in this church, a company of Continental 
soldiers marched up, stacked their arms before the door, and 
then went quietly in and took their seats among the audience. 
When the meeting was ended, and the congregation had dis 
persed, the soldiers removed the benches, and took formal 
possession. This was at the time it wa used as a hospital in 
the war for independence, already mentioned. Without doubt, 
these walls have resounded with the groans of the wounded 
and dying ; they have witnessed the ebbing-away of the life of 
many a patriot soldier, whose body was borne from these portals 
to the soldiers burying ground opposite, where his dust still 
moulders, unmarked and unnoticed by the passer-by, for whom 
his life was bestowed. It is stated an epidemic prevailed in 
camp when the soldiers occupied the adjacent Purgatory Heights 



HISTORy OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 285 

and the sick were all conveyed here, where many of them 
died. 

We made a passing visit to the legendary attic, but saw no 
robbers there ; neither did the closest scrutiny reveal any of 
the blood stains upon the timbers. The only light of the 
apartment was admitted through two small windows at either 
end ; but it sufficed to reveal now and then the work of some 
ancient spider who could here spin his web undisturbed ; while 
the numerous heavy beams and purlines, braced and secured 
in every direction, give a hint why the lapse of time and the 
storms of a century do not have a greater effect upon the old 
building. Long may it stand, a cherished monument of the 
gratitude of a people to the sturdy patriots of the Revolution. 
But the gathering darkness admonishes us to leave the historic 
structure, and once more we mingle with the busy world 
without. 



LOCAL EVENTS AND TRADITIONS. 

A gunsmith by the name of Harrington once carried on the 
manufacture of guns and rifles at Hurds Corners. He was a 
good mechanic, and withal reputed to be an excellent marks 
man. He made, while here, two rifles of superior workman 
ship, receiving $500 for each. They were used in a noted duel 
between two southern gentlemen. 

A marsh near the borders of Little Pond is named the 
Ghost s Swamp, from the fact, so it is said, that a ghost once 
frequented it. Near this swamp a little cabin was built, in 
which a man took up his solitary abode ; but the ghost so 
troubled him that he was forced to leave. At night there 
would be unearthly noises and groans in the vicinity of the 
house ; and in the day-time the tops of the adjacent trees 
would sway to and fro as though a terrible tempest was abroad 
when all was quiet elsewhere. 

Not far from the old road leading over the mountain is the 
stump of what was known as the " Gallows Tree." Tradition 



286 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

gives the origin of this name as follows : During one of the 
early wars, a British officer, who was said to have in his pos 
session a large amount of money, obtained by robbery, was 
lurking in this vicinity. He was seen in a meadow adjoining 
another road on the mountain, and was observed to have a 
large amount of specie in a bag. A party was collected and 
pursuit given. The British trooper tried in vain to escape, 
and was overtaken near this tree. He had found means, how 
ever, to secrete the bag of money somewhere on the way. His 
captors used every means in their power in the effort to per 
suade him to reveal its hiding place, even to the promise of 
being restored to his liberty, but to no purpose. As a last re 
sort, they placed a rope about his neck, and threw the other 
end over the limb of a tree. Three or four lusty fellows took 
hold of the rope, and drawing up the slack, repeated the ques 
tion to their captive. To this he returned no satisfactory an 
swer ; which so exasperated them that they pulled away 
in good earnest, and left him suspended between heaven 
and earth. His body hung there until the following day, when 
it was taken down and interred. Although the locality has 
been thoroughly searched, no one has ever found the secreted 
money. 

In the vicinity, and near the turnpike, are situated what are 
locally known as the " Robber Rocks." A cave in these rocks, 
now nearly filled with debris, was said to have been used by 
the robbers in Revolutionary times as a hiding place for stolen 
property. And even now the rustic wayfarer eyes the locality 
with a superstitious dread when obliged to pass in the vicinity 
alone in the night time. 

Near the eastern borders of the town is a wooded eminence 
called Woolman. On the west side of this is a precipice over 
forty feet in perpendicular height. A man named Donovan 
recently fell from this precipice, in a drunken fit, as was sup 
posed ; his body lay among the rocks at the bottom for 
several months ; when found it was decomposed beyond recog 
nition, and only from articles found in his pockets were the 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 287 

remains identified. Hard by, years ago, the body of one 
McCoy was found, who perished here while endeavoring to 
cross by this lonely path one bleak winter s night. He was an 
old man and becoming bewildered in the blinding snow, doubtless 
stumbled and was unable to rise. His cries for assistance were 
in all probability heard by a man passing on a neighboring 
road. He distinctly heard what he at first thought was a hu 
man voice in distress; but the wind being high, and the 
sounds not being repeated, he construed it into the cry of an 
owl. When the body was found in the spring, the gentleman 
recalled the circumstance; when it was ascertained that the 
elite of McCoy s disappearance, and the locality in which his 
body was found, all went to confirm this supposition ; and 
had his cries been heeded the old man s life might have been 
saved. 

Within a few feet of the spot where Donovan fell is a 
roomy cave in the rocks. In this cave a hermit years ago 
made his home. He would beg provisions of the neighboring 
farmers, and then retire to these solitudes until hunger again 
forced him to go forth. A party of coon hunters were out 
one night, and their dog led the way to this cave, and com 
menced barking violently at the opening, but appeared afraid 
to enter. The hunters approached the spot, and under the 
impression that some wild animal of sufficient ferocity to 
frighten the dog was lurking within, they pointed their guns 
into the cave and fired. Just as they pulled trigger, but too 
late to change their purpose, a human voice within shouted 
" Don t shoot." Terrified beyond measure, thinking they 
might have killed some human being, they fled from the spot 
and sought their homes. The next day they returned, under 
the expectation of finding a mangled corpse, or at least some 
person fatally wounded ; but to their relief no signs of a human 
being appeared, neither were any blood marks found within the 
cavern. 

In the Toffey burying ground on Quaker Hill is the grave 
of an unknown man, who met his death in this immediate vicini- 



288 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

ty under the following circumstances : A stranger was traveling on 
horseback ; when near the bridge in the hollow east of Toffeys 
Corners, the horse fell, and so injured his rider that his death 
followed in a few hours. The stranger was unconscious from 
the moment of his injury; and as nothing was found upon his 
perse n which would aid in identifying him, it was impossible to 
ascertain his name, or from whence he came. His horse was 
sold to defray the expenses of his burial, and his remains were 
deposited in this rural grave-yard. No one ever appeared to 
claim the body, and his nativity is still a mystery. 

On the place now in possession of Martin Mclntyre was 
once an Indian burial ground. It was afterwards used by the 
early white settlers for the same purpose. The graves were 
long ago obliterated by the plow. Many of the head and foot 
stones were laid, it is said, in the cellar wall of the house on 
the premises. 

North of the Oblong Pond are the ruins of a rude stone 
hut, in which a man named Hawley once lived, with no com 
panions but a brood of chickens. One cold winter night, find 
ing the shelter of his cabin insufficient, as is supposed, he 
started across the pond to go to the house of a neighbor, as he 
was accustomed to do when the weather was unusually severe, 
but he never reached his destination. His body was found 
the following Spring under a snow drift on the side of the pond 
opposite his cabin. 

There are yet visible, along the ridge of the mountain in the 
western part of the town, the foundations, cellars and portions 
of the chimneys of numerous dwellings and outbuildings, 
which have long since gone to decay. Not unfrequently one 
meets with old wells, and occasionally an apple or other fruit 
tree, together with medicinal herbs springing up about old 
crumbling walls. These herbs appear to have been carefully 
cultivated in olden times, as they are generally found in the 
vicinity of old dwellings. On lands of Abel Smith is an an 
cient burial place. The graves are marked with rough stones 
taken from the fields. Trees several inches in diameter are 
growing from the mounds, which would indicate this to have 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 289 

been long ago neglected. The location of this burying ground 
is in the borders of the woods, remote from any real ; and so 
secluded from the busy world that the sleep of the dead must 
be undisturbed. Who are buried here, and what the story of 
their lives, we are unable to say, as history and tradition are 
both silent. 

Near by is the site of the Lake House, once the residence 
of a family of that name. The cellar is partly filled up, and 
briars and brambles grow luxuriantly about it. Once a number 
of roystering lads and blushing damsels of the neighborhood 
were gathered here for an evening s frolic. As the night wore 
on, the company grew more boisterous, and the " flowing bowl" 
was the more freely circulated. One of the party was a colored 
man named Cato Grant, once a slave of the Grant family.* 
He lived under the hill ; the site of his cabin may yet be seen 
a few rods west of Abel Smith s residence. Cato had imbibed 
too freely as well as the rest ; and when the party broke up, he 
in the overflowing of his heart invited the whole company to 
ride with him. As he was on horseback, the capacity of his 
conveyance was not equal to the magnanimity of his soul. 
Three strapping fellows beside himself bestrode the poor horse, 
and started down the hill. The animal had much ado to stag 
ger along under his load ; while winding down the path through 
the woods they lost their way, ran their horse off a ledge, and 
down they went, horse and riders, crashing to the bottom. 
The horse was killed by the fall ; the men escaped without 
serious injury. The party were now perforce to make the rest 
of their journey on foot an undertaking which cost them 
some labor and not a few tumbles among the rocks before they 
reached the clearing below. Afterwards, when Cato was con 
doled with on the loss of his horse, he replied with the utmost 
nonchalance that the animal did not cost him anything he 
worked and paid for it. 

At the foot of Cobble Hill is a cave. Some farm laborers 
were once at work near by, and took refuge in it during a sud- 

* The Grants lived near where Alex. H. Arnold now resides. A part of the ol<> 
Grant House is still standing. 



290 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

den shower. While there, they distinctly heard a voice sum 
moning them to dinner, which they thought very strange, as the 
farm house was fully a quarter of a mile away, and it was not 
quite eleven o clock. They answered the call ; but on arrival 
at the house, found no such summons had been given. The 
laborers supposed themselves to have been temporarily under 
the influence of the gnome who was believed to inhabit the 
cavern. 

A few years since, east of the Watts burying ground, north 
of the highway, a solitary headstone marked the last resting 
place of a Revolutionary soldier. A man was found dead on 
the north side of a barn on the Grant place, where he proba 
bly perished from cold and exposure. He was buried by the 
side of the soldier. The stone was removed, and the grave 
obliterated by the plow, a few years ago. 

On the south side of Purgatory Hill are [1876] two or 
three clusters of stones which are pointed out as the " ovens" 
put up by the soldiers of the Revolution nearly a century ago. 
Near the Putnam County line is a wide and deep part of 
the Croton, locally known as the " Souse Hole." This poetic 
name is given it, so tradition says, in consequence of the cus 
tom of the earlier inhabitants playfully sousing each other into 
the water here. An adjacent locality enjoys the euphonious 
title of the Devil s Hollow why so named can only be 
surmised. 

The ancient house now the residence of Mr. Thomas 
Kitchen was in former times used as a hotel, kept by one 

Benj. Sherman. Tr.e 
old stone house on 
the turnpike, near 
where the road 
branches off towards 
Whaley Pond, was 
also a hotel, where 

Tom Howard s Hotel. town elections Were 

held. The old house on the farm of Perry Ferris, Esq., is said to 





HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 2QI 

have been formerly used as a tavern. The house now belong 
ing to George Smith, Esq., is probably among the oldest houses 
in the town. An old resident of the neighborhood died some 
twenty years since at the age of eighty ; he used to speak of 
attending a school in the south room of this house when he 
was a boy, and he said it was a very old house at that time. 

The cut on preceding page 
represents Tom Howard s Tav 
ern ; the house was taken down 
in the Summer of 1876 to 
make room for the Central 
Pawling Baptist Church. This 
inn was quite a noted place a- 
half century ago. Howard owned an extensive tract of land 
lying south of the main road running east and west through 
the village. The land north of this road, and on which most 
of the village is situated, was the property of Caleb Haynes. 
The sites of two burial places are included within the limits of 
the village : one is located south and southwest of the Na 
tional Bank building ; the Pawling Hotel property includes 
the other, which was known as the Haynes burying ground. 
A young lady is said to have been buried here who died of a 
broken heart. The remains of eleven members of the Haynes 
family were taken from this ground, put together into one 
coffin, and reinterred in the Pearce burial ground, on lands of 
Mr. Dykeman, where the headstones may be seen, set close 
together, forming three sides of an enclosure. 

It is related that two men, named Evans and Griffin, were 
sitting up to watch a corpse one night at a house on the moun 
tain. As the hours wore on, and conversation lagged, they 
concluded a little liquor would not be objectionable. To pro 
cure this it was necessary to go to the house of a neighbor 
some half mile distant ; which task Griffin volunteered to per 
form while his companion watched with the corpse. Griffin 
was gone so long on the errand that Evans began to suspect 
foul play, as the former might readily drink it all up, and then 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

pretend that he could not procure any. Evans was, therefore, 
the victim of conflicting emotions ; he was on the point several 
times of starting out to look up his delinquent companion, but 
as often bethought himself of his duty not to leave the dead 
body ; at length a bright idea struck him, and taking the dead 
man upon his shoulder, he started with his burden cut in the 
darkness, and soon met his fellow watcher, coming back with 
the coveted liquor. 

Pawling can boast of having had its haunted house, its resi 
dent witch, and its full quota of ghosts. A journeyman hatter 
engaged rooms at the S Place. Having occasion to go 
down into the cellar one day, he there observed two empty 
hogsheads, apparently new. He noticed them the more par 
ticularly as he wished to procure the loan of one in which to 
put his vinegar. He met the owner of the house a day or two 
afterward, to whom he mentioned the matter of the hogshead, 
and stated his request. " Why/ said the landlord, " I never 
had a hogshead in that cellar ; and more than that, there i? no 
door large enough to admit of putting one in." The journey 
man thought very strange of the matter, but determined to 
look once more for himself. On going into the cellar again, 
not a vestige of a hogshead could be seen, nor a door wide 
enough to admit of anything larger than a butter firkin. The 
poor fellow lost no time in picking up his things and moving 
into less suspicious quarters. 

There was a noted witch, Mrs. Lamb by name, who lived 
near the stone house, on the turnpike, not far from the Beek- 
man line. She used to appear to the early residents in various 
shapes, sometimes as an animal, and again as a bird, as best 
suited her purposes. She used sadly to interfere with the 
neighboring farmers when they were winnowing their wheat, by 
causing a lull in the wind just at the moment when they wanted 
it to blow the hardest. 

Mrs. Johnson, wife of the Baptist preacher, was not a 
believer in witchcraft, and openly told Mrs. Lamb she was an 
imposter. The witch happened at the parsonage one day, 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

while Mrs. Johnson was engaged in weaving. AH at once r 
without any perceptible cause, the yarn-beam flew out upon the 
floor. She expected to find the threads all broken ; the witch 
assisted her in putting it again in place, when it was found 
that not a thread of the warp was broken, or out of place. 
The witch then asked with a sly twinkle of the eye, if she 
"believed now in witchcraft?" Mrs. Johnson afterward 
admitted that there was something about that occurrence 
which she could not account for. 

Doctor Prosser was quite a character in early times. He 
was of part Indian blood ; his medicines consisted mostly of 
roots and herbs of his own gathering ; and he was usually 
spoken of as the Indian Doctor. The site of his house may 
yet be distinguished on lands of David Baker, Esq. He was: 
not versed in the materia medica as taught in the schools ; but 
he acquired a great reputation as a successful physician. It 
is said he was in the habit of experimenting with animals and 
birds, in order to observe the effect of medicines. He was 
called upon to visit a man who lay at the point of death in 
Beekman. His attendant physician had given him up to die ; 
and the poor fellow had himself lost all hope of recovery. 
When Prosser reached his bedside he enquired of him how he 
was. " Oh," said he, despairingly, " I am dead, dead !" The 
Doctor without further ceremony got up, left the house, and 
proceeded on his way. When questioned as to row his 
patient did, he replied that he was dead. As the man was 
poor, the neighbors took upon themselves the task of providing, 
for his burial. The undertaker soon arrived at the house with 
a shroud and coffin, where he was met with the information 
that the man was yet alive. Prosser was again sent for, and 
questioned as to his purpose in circulating such a falsehood.. 
" Why," said he, " I had the sick man s word for it, he told me 
he was dead !" He then set himself to the task of treating the 
man, and succeeded in restoring him to health. 

Elder John Lawrence, a pioneer Baptist, began to preach 
in this town about the year 1770, six years before the Revolu- 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

lion. In 1775, a f~ ew members were organized into a church, 
which flourished under his care for about ten years. They 
were destitute of a pastor for a time, and then Elder Phineas 
.Clark came among them, continuing his labors here about 
three years. One year afterward, Elder Nehemiah Johnson 
began to preach ; he was ordained their pastor, and served 
them thirty years; during which time peace and harmony 
prevailed. They owned a house of moderate size, situated on 
the top of the mountain. They found it " easy breathing in 
prayer on this high ground where they worshiped." The church 
prospered, and increased to ninety members. In 1841 they 
were visited and revived by Elder Thomas Stokes, a county 
missionary. In the minutes of 1843, we read of this church: 
" They worship in a union meetinghouse one half the time, 
.and in a schoolhouse the other half. The venerable Father 
Johnson still lives ; and now at the advanced age of eighty- 
Ihree, visits among them as a father among his children. He 
has always been an example of Christian piety, and universally 
:beloved. His head is blossoming for the grave, and he himself 
ripening for a glorious immortality." 

The Johnson meeting house was situated, as before 
observed, on the summit of the mountain, near the "Dug- 
way" road. It was a plain edifice, built of wood, and was 
never painted. A gallery extended 
around three sides of it ; the pulpit, 
which was about as high as the 
gallery, occupied the remaining side. 
There were never any pews only 
benches, and planks laid across 
Johnson Meeting House. supports. At first it had no stove; 
;ihe people brought along their foot-stoves in very cold weather 
,and sat out the services in the cold and cheerless church. 

In favorable weather it was not unusual to see two hundred 
people present at the regular Sabbath services. Some came 
ifi om Dover, Beekman and Patterson, walking a distance of 
.six miles and more. Part way down the west side of the 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 295 

mountain a path branches off north from the turnpike, which 
led, in former times, through the woods to the Johnson Meet 
ing House. This was called the " Christians Walk," as the 
early worshipers from the southwest part of the town took 
this path when going to and from church. 

The meeting-house stood in the borders of the wood, and 
was partially shaded by venerable forest oaks and chestnuts ; 
from among whose branches, of a quiet summer s day, the 
noise of the locusts and wood-birds would issue, and mingle 
with the sounds of prayer and praise within the little sanctuary. 
And ever, as the audience was dismissed, groups of people 
could be seen, all attired in their Sunday best, threading their 
way in every direction down the mountain sides, separating 
into pairs and single travelers as they neared the foot, each 
seeking his place of abode. This church and society is now 
known as the First Pawling Baptist Church, at Whaley Pond. 

There is a lack of authenticated material touching the 
early history of the Methodist denomination in this town. A 
Rev. Mr. Thatcher of Poughkeepsie, is believed to have been 
the first of that sect that preached here; the first sermon was 
preached in the old Haynes house,* near the time of the 
Revolution, which stood, until within a dozen years, about 
half a mile west of the village of Pawling. He sent out the 
appointment by Col. Wm. Pearce ; a large and attentive 
congregation came to hear him. This was the germ of the 
Methodist church here. Meetings were kept up from that time 
forward ; a great revival was the result ; and it was not long 
before they built a church. It stood at the intersection of the 
highways, south of the residence of \Vm. H. Chapman, Esq., 
this, too, was constructed of wood ; never was painted, nor 
finished on the inside and never was furnished with pews. It 
was removed about twenty-five years ago into Putnam County, 
where it is used as a dwelling house. 



* It is related that during 1 a meeting held .it this house, two individuals proposed to 
<>.ic i other t<> iro out and have what they termed a ; knock." They adjourned to tlicorcl-ard 
Lard !>y. where they enjoyed tho pri\ik j, r e of beating each other until both were satisfied, 
*vheii they returned tu the meeting. 



296 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Old residents speak of an ancient log church that stood 
just north of the Camp Meeting Woods. What was its 
denomination, or when it was built, we are at a loss to deter 
mine. It is said the graves are still visible which were in the 
burial ground connected with this church. 

There are now seven churches in town : two Quaker 
societies, two Baptist, one Catholic and two M. E. Churches. 
In addition to this we believe there is a small Episcopal 
Society, but they have no house of public worship. There is 
also a National Bank, a Savings Bank, and an Institute. 

The Pawling Cemetery Association was incorporated in 
1858. The following named persons loaned the association 
the money required to enable it to purchase and lay out the 
grounds : Jonathan Akin, Alexander Allen, Emery Cole, Asa 
B. Corbin, Herman Ferris, Sherman Howard, Richard H. 
Chapman, and William Pearce. Since its incorporation the 
funds accruing from the sale of plots have been sufficient to 
liquidate this debt in full, with a surplus which is 
being used in beautifying the grounds. A number 
of elegant monuments have been erected within 
this beautiful rural cemetery ; and plot owners 
evince a great deal of taste and interest in plant 
ing flowers, and otherwise adorning the last resting 
place of departed friends. 

About a mile north of Pawling Station, adjoining the old 
post road between Albany and New York, stood until recently 
the grove known as the Camp Meeting Woods. The following 
are the dates of the camp meetings that have been held there, 
of which we have any record. The dates include the Sabbaths 
preceding and following the week of the meeting. The first 
was held in 1810, which gave the name to the grove. Another 
was held in 1858, August 29 to September 5; one in 1859, 
August 14-21; 1860, September 2-9; 1862, September 7-14; 
1866, September 2-9. A large war meeting was held, in 1862, 
in this grove ; Hon. George T. Pierce and a Mr. Lord, of Po - 
keepsie, were the speakers. A brass band was in attendance, 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 297 

and considerable feeling was manifested. This beautiful 
grove, composed of oak and hickory of large growth, around 
which so many pleasing associations of the past were gathered,, 
was cut down a year or two since. 

There is an ancient deed in possession of a family in this 
town, covering a tract of land in " Philipses Upper Patent, in 
Pawling Precinct," which was executed in 1772, four years 
before the Revolution, to Reed Ferris, by Beverly Robinson 
and Susannah, his wife ; - - Oglevie, and Margaret, his 
wife ; Roger Morris, and Mary, his wife, and others. It is 
closely written on a piece of heavy parchment, about three feet 
square, in a plain, bold hand; and bears the autograph of each 
of the above historical characters. 

The " Pawling Riot," so-called by the N. Y. Herald 
occurred in September, i87r, during which several persons 
were robbed and eight injured by some followers of a traveling 
circus. 

Early in the season of 1872, Pawling was visited by in 
cendiary fires. The Catholic Church and Elmore Ferris 
lumber yard were burned, and an attempt was made to fire the 
depot building, but happily failed. 



PINE PLAINS. 

POPULATION, 1,410. SQUARE ACRES, 18,176, 



INE PLAINS was formed from Northeast, March 26, 
1823. Extensive plains covered with pines, where the 
village of that name now stands, suggested the name of 
the town. The surface is a hilly upland, the ridges being 
separated by broad valleys. Stissing mountain, so named 
after an Indian chief who lived in the " Notch," a short dis 
tance below its northern extremity, is in the west part of the 
town, and is 400 to 500 feet above the valleys. Its declivities 
are steep, and it is crowned with a mass of naked rock. Roe- 
liff Jansens Kill crosses the northwest corner, and Shekomeko 
Creek flows north through near the centre. The principal 
bodies of water are Thompson, Stissing, Mud and Halcyon 
Ponds. The soil is generally a productive, gravelly loam. 
Upon draining a small pond one and a half miles southeast of 
Pine Plains village, a very deep bed of marl, covering six or 
eight acres, was found. Marl is also found in Halcycn 
Pond. The first settlements were probably made about 1740. 
The following is taken from the records in the Town 
Clerk s office in Pine Plains : 

298 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 299 

At a meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the 
Northeast Precinct, Duchess County, on Tuesday, the 5th of 
April, 1771, after choosing James Atvvater, Esq., Moderator, 
made choice of the following officers: Charles Graham, Clerk; 
Morris Graham, Supervisor ; James Bryan and Hentice Couse, 
Assessors of County Taxes ; Hentice Couse and Israel Thomp 
son, Assessors for the Quit Rent ; George Head, Constable 
and Collector ; Middle Constable, James Young ; East Divi 
sion, Josiah Holley ; James Hedding, Hentice Couse, and 
James Bryan, Overseers of the Poor ; Lewis Bryan, Daniel 
Wilson, and Israel Thompson, Commissioners of Roads ; John 
Collins, Collector of Quit Rents. 

April 2nd, 1776, the Town Meeting was held in the North 
east Precinct at the house of James Young. 

Town Meeting was held at the house of Cornelius Elmen- 
dorph, on the first clay of April, 1783, for the Northeast 
Precinct. 

Town Meeting was held at the house of Cornelius P^lmen- 
dorph on Clinton Plains, for the Northeast Precinct, on the 
first day of April, 1788. 

Voted, 1794, April ist, that eighty pounds money be raised 
for the use of the poor the ensuing year. Voted, that all hogs 
have a right to run on the common if ringed and yoked. 

April 7, 1795, voted that ^6 bounty be paid by tax on the 
inhabitants of this town for every wolf s head that is killed in 
said town in the year 1795. 

Recorded the roth day of April, 1772, a Bill of Sale, dated 
April 3, 1772, given by John Hulburt to Joseph Ketchum, 
brth of Oblong and County of DUCHESS, for and in considera 
tion of the sum of ^40 current lawful money of New York to 
the said John Hulburt in hand paid, in which bill of sale is 
mentioned seventy-eight acres of wheat, all which wheat is 
made over to the said Joseph Ketchum. 

BYRON MORRIS GRAHAM, 

Town Cl:rk. 

Recorded the 25th day of May, 1772, the ear mark of 



300 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Uriah Davis, "which is a crop off the Right Ear, and a Slit in 
it, a half crop under the side of the left ear." 

Ear mark of Joseph Peck, a space cut out on the under 
side of the left ear. 

Ear mark of Morris Graham, a "crop and slit in the right 
ear, and a hole in the left." 

Taken up, July 6, 1774, by Hentice Woolsey, "a black 
yearling colt, the near hind foot white, to the fet-lock no mark 
or brand perceivable." CHAS. GRAHAM, Clerk. 

Nov. 25th, 1777. Came into the pasture of James Young, 
some time in the month of April last, a sorrel mare, two years 
old past, marked with the letter B on the near hind thigh, SL 
blaze in the forehead, with four white feet. 

Record of Katy Jones, who was born May 27th, 1801, at 
the house of Martin Lawrence, in the town of Northeast. 
Her mother was a slave to said Lawrence, named Dinah. Re 
corded December 3oth, 1812. ISRAEL HARRIS, Clerk. 

We, the subscribers, Overseers of the Poor of the Town of 
Northeast, in the County Duchess, do certify that Driss, a slave 
of Nicholas Row, of said Town of Northeast, appears to be 
under the age of fifty years, and of sufficient ability to provide 
for himself. 

Northeast Town, ) JEPTHA WILBUR, ") Overseers 

Oct. 26, 1813.!" PHILO M. WINCHELL, j of Poor. 

The most important historical events connected with the 
present limits of the town of Pine Plains, in the order of time, 
are those relating to the Indian village of Shekomeko, which 
we now briefly lay before the reader. 

MORAVIAN MISSION AT SHEKOMEKO. 

It was under peculiar difficulties that the Moravian 
Missionary commenced his labors among the nomads of the 
western world ; and it is by these difficulties that we should 
estimate the magnitude of his work, rather than by the results., 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 301 

growing out of his efforts.* He stood between the white man 
and Indian, the object of a two-fold suspicion, and yet the 
friend of both. His mission was to a dangerous people to a 
race whose angry passions had been rendered fierce above 
control in the school of merciless oppression. He saw wife, 
children, and sisters fall beneath the tomahawk ; the crackling 
fires of burning dwellings were heard throughout the land, 
mingled with the shrieks of the bound and tortured victim at 
the stake. Yet, turning his back upon the luxuries of civiliza 
tion, he leads the way into inhospitable wilds, that he may 
carry to the hearts of the untutored savages the tidings of a 
crucified Saviour. 

The Moravian Mission at Shekomeko is remarkable as 
being the first successful mission to the heathen in North 
America ; and is among the first efforts of a body of men who 
above all others have distinguished themselves for missionary 
zeal, and whose efforts have been attended with extraordinary 
success. The good example, the generous conduct, the self- 
denying devotion for the good of others, that mark the lives of 
these early missionaries, not only serve as a theme with which 
to grace a page in history, but serve as a lesson which all may 
contemplate with profit. 

Christian Henry Rauch arrived at New York from Germany 
July 1 6, 1740, where he was introduced to several influential 
persons from whom he expected to derive information concern 
ing the Indians, and the best means of gaining an influence 
with them. They unanimously discouraged the attempt. All 



* The Moravians claim to have descended from one of the earliest churches 
formed by the Apostle Paul, in lllyricum, (Horn, xv ; 9,) and by the Apostle Titus in 
Dalmatia^ (2 Tim. iv ; 10,) viz., the Sclavonian branch of the Greek or Eastern Church. 
They have always adhered to their ancient faith, notwithstanding they have been subject 
ed to a series of bittcr persecutions. They became absorbed in the general movement of 
the Reformation, and are little known in the history of subsequent times except under the 
general head of Protestants The name of CTnitas Fratrum, or United Brethren, was the 
result of a formal union in 1457 GO, between the Moravians, Bohemians, and Waldenses. 
The Moravians, like all Eastern Churches, claim to have maintained an uninterrupted 
succession of Bishops from the Apostolic times. They were the first society who employ 
ed the newly invented art of printing for the publication of the Bible in a living language, 
for genera] distribution among the people. Under the direction of Christian David and 
Count Zinzendorff, who had established themselves in Herrnhut, in Germany, the Mora 
vians commenced their remarkable labors among the heathen -.first in Greenland, in 1733; 
then among the Creek and Cherokee Indians in Georgia, in 1735: and then, after establish 
ing their Colony at Bethlehem, coming to the Mohegan and Wampaug Indians at Shekome 
ko and its vicinity. This sect have from the first cot flned their missionary labors to the 
conversion of the" heathen. 



3O2 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

efforts at their improvement heretofore had failed ; the Indians 
were of such a vicious and abandoned character that to so 

o 

among them would be dangerous as well as utterly vain. Not 
at all discouraged, he proceeded to seek out an embassy of 
Mohegan Indians, who had lately arrived in New York on bus 
iness with the Colonial Government. 

At his first visit he found them in a state of beastly intoxi 
cation, and terribly ferocious in appearance and manners. 
Carefully watching his opportunity to find them alone, he ad 
dressed himself to two of the principal chiefs, Tschoop and 
Shabash, in the Dutch language, with which they had become 
slightly acquainted in their intercourse with the Dutch settle 
ments along the Hudson River. Without ceremony he asked 
them whether they wished a teacher to instruct them in the 
way of salvation. Tschoop answered in the affirmative, adding 
that he frequently felt disposed to know better things than he 
did, but knew not how or where to find them. Shabash like 
wise giving his assent, the missionary rejoiced and promised to 
accompany them at once, and visit their people, upon which 
" they declared him their teacher with true Indian solemnity." 

They led him through the unbroken wilderness to Shekom- 
eko, the beautiful Indian name of. the region now known as 
Pine Plains. The site of the ancient Indian village was about 
two miles south of the present village near the " Bethel." It 
was located on the farm now occupied by Mr. Edward Hunt 
ing, a most beautiful and romantic spot, such indeed is one 
who appreciates the nobler traits of the Indian character would 
be prepared to find a chosen Indian haunt ; and where a passing 
traveler might even now expect to be startled by the native 
whoop of the red man of the forest, or at least to be charmed 
by the sweeter music of the Christian hymns taught them by 
the faithful Moravians, who in their misssionary huts, or in the 
woods and groves by which they were surrounded, often called 
to mind the favorite lines sung by the ancient Bohemian 
brethren : 

The rugged rocks, the dreary wilderness, 
Mountains and woods, are our appointed place; 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 303 

Midst storms and waves, on heathen shores unknown, 
AVe have our temple, and serve God alone. " 

This ancient Indian name is still retained in the pictur 
esque stream* which runs near the ancient Indian village, and 
unites with Roeliff Jansens Kill in Columbia County. 

Rauch arrived at the Indian settlement August i6th, and 
was received with true Indian hospitality. He immediately 
spoke to them on the subject ot man s redemption, and they 
listened with marked interest. The next day when he spoke 
with them he perceived, with sorrow, that his words excited 
derision ; at last they openly laughed him to scorn. He was 
not discouraged ; he persisted in visiting them daily in their 
huts, representing to them the evils of sin, and extolling the 
grace of God revealed in Christ and pointing out the way of 
salvation. In these labors he encountered many hardships. 
He lived after the Indian manner, traveling on foot from one 
place to another through the wilderness. Suffering from heat 
and fatigue, he was often denied even the poor shelter of an 
Indian hut for refreshment and rest. 

His labors did not long continue without their reward. 
The Indians became gradually more attentive to his instruc 
tions, evidently favorably inpressed with the devoted zeal he 
manifested for their good, which was so different from the ordi 
nary conduct of the white man toward them. The first to 
show seriousness was Tschoop, the greatest drunkard and mo<t 
atrocious villain among them. He asked of the missionary 
;< what effect can the blood of Christ, slain on the cross, pro 
duce in the heart of men ?" and thus he opened the way to a 
full explanation. Shabash also began to exhibit a similar 
interest. It was evident a work of grace had begun in the 
hearts of these two savages. Their eyes would overflow with 
tears whenever they conversed with their teacher upon the 
subject. 

This effect upon the Indians, who were regarded by the 
white settlers as a horde of incorrigible wretches, soon attract 
ed attention. And the missionary, who came to preach to the 

* This name lias also been given to a station on the Duchess <fc Columbia Railroad. 



304 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

heathen, was now invited to preach to the white settlers also, 
whose vices the degraded heathen had learned but too well. 

The change which took place in the conduct of Tschoop 
was very striking, for he had been notorious for his wildness 
and recklessness, and had even made himself a cripple by his 
debauchery. Having become a preacher and interpreter among 
them, he related his experience in the following manner : 

"Brethren, I have been a heathen, and have grown old 
among the heathen, therefore I know how the heathen think. 
Once a preacher came and began to explain to us that there 
was a God. We answered, * Dost thou think we are so igno 
rant as not to know that ? Go back to the place from whence 
thou earnest. Then again, another preacher came and began 
to teach us, and to say, you must not steal, nor lie, not get 
drunk, &c. We answered, Thou fool, dost thou think we 
don t know that ? Learn first thyself, and then teach the peo 
ple to whom thou belongest, to leave off these things, for who 
steal and lie, or who are more drunken than thine own people ? 
And thus we dismissed him. After some time Brother Chris 
tian Henry Rauch came into my hut and sat down by me. 
He spoke to me nearly as follows : I come to you in the name 
of the Lord of Heaven and Earth. He sends word that he is 
willing to make you happy, and to deliver you from the misery 
in which you now are. To this end He became a man, gave 
His life as a ransom for man, and shed His blood for him. 
When he had finished, he lay down upon a board, being 
fatigued with his journey, and fell into a sound sleep. I then 
thought what kind of a man is this ? There he lies and sleeps. 
I might kill him, and throw him into the woods, and who would 
regard it ? But this gives him no concern. However I could 
not forget his words. Even while I slept I dreamed of that 
blood which Christ had shed for us. This was something 
different from what I had ever before heard. And I interpreted 
Christian Henry s words to the other Indians." 

But now many of the white settlers, who, while they cor 
rupted, abused, and vilified the Indians, at the same time lived 
upon them, and who made large gains especially by their 
drunkenness, conceived that their interests would be injured 
by the success of the missionary. They therefore stirred up 
the more vicious Indians, instigated them to threaten his life 
if he did not leave the place. And they even tried to seduce 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 305 

the two chiefs to their former wretched life, whose remarkable 
conversion had attracted so much attention. 

In this extremity the name of John Rau should be men 
tioned with honor for his noble defense of the persecuted Mora 
vian. He was the steadfast friend of the devoted Missionaries 
through all their subsequent troubles, until they were driven 
from the province by an unjust act of the Colonial Government. 
With his assistance Rauch overcame, in a great measure, the 
obstacles placed in his way by his intriguing enemies. Several 
new converts were made, and the mission assumed an interest 
ing and promising character. In 1741, it was visited by 
Bishop David Nitschman, the companion and fellow laborer 
of Count Zinzendorff. 

About this time a companion and aid was sent to Rauch at 
Shekomeko, from Bethlehem. His name was Gottlob Buett- 
nor, a martyr to the work upon which he then entered, and 
whose grave at Shekomeko has brought to notice the memory 
of this noble effort of the Moravians, and whose brief history 
is of the greatest interest in connection with the mission. He 
preached for the first time to the Indians at Shekomeko, Jan. 
1 4th, 1742, from Col. i ; 13. On the nth of the following 
month Rauch and Buettnor were ordained deacons at Bethle 
hem. On the same day Rauch baptized three of the Indian 
converts who had accompanied them from Shekomeko the 
first fruits of this most remarkable Indian mission. Tschoop 
was not among them, he having been unable to undertake the 
long journey in consequence of his lameness. He was, how 
ever, baptized at Shekomeko on the i6th of April following, 
receiving the Christian name of John.* The annexed is a 
portion of the letter dictated to the brethren on the occasion 
of the baptism of his companions : 

" I have been a poor, wild heathen, and for forty years as 
ignorant as a dog. I was the greatest drunkard, and the most 



* Tschoop (pronounced tish-up) became a victim of that terrible Rcoursre of th 
Indians, small-pox. He clod at Bethlefiern, whither he had gone to reside \vi:!i several 
of his tribe, in 171G. 



306 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

willing slave of the Devil ; and as I knew nothing of our 
Savior, I served vain idols, which I now wish to see destroyed 
with fire. Of this I have repented with many tears. When I 
heard that Jesus was also the Sarior of the heathen, and that 
I ought to give him my heart, I felt a drawing within me 
towards him. But my wife and children were my enemies, 
and my greatest enemy was my wife s mother. She told me I 
was worse than a dog, if I no more believed in her idol. But 
my eyes being opened, I understood that what she said was 
the greatest folly, for I knew she had received her idol from 
her grandmother. It is made of leather, and decorated with 
wampum, and she, being the oldest person in the house, made 
us worship it ; which we have done, till our teacher came, 
and told us of the Lamb of God, who shed his blood, 
and died for us poor ignorant people. Now I feel and believe 
that our Savior alone can help me, by the power of His blood, 
and no other. I believe that he is my God and my Savior, 
who died on the cross for me a sinner. I wish to be baptized, 
and long for it most ardently. I am lame, and cannot travel 
in winter; but in April or May I will come to you. I am 
your poor wild TSCHOOP." 

The wonderful change which had taken place in this wild 
Indian awakened the attention of the other Indians, who 
flocked to Shekomeko, from twenty or thirty miles round, to 
hear the new preacher. 

In the summer of 1742, the mission was visited by Count 
Zmzendorff and his beautiful and interesting daughter Benigna. 
They crossed the country from Bethlehem, Penn., to Esopus 
(now Kingston), and arrived at Shekomeko Aug. 2yth, "after 
passing through dreadful wildernesses, woods and swamps, in 
which he and his companions suffered great hardships." Rauch 
received them in his hut with great joy, and the day following 
lodged them in a cottage built of bark. The Count afterward 
declared this to have been the most agreeable dwelling he had 
ever inhabited. During this visit six Indians were baptized, 
and a regular congregation was formed. It consisted of ten 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 307 

persons, and was the first congregation formed of believing 
Indians in North America. 

In September the Count and his companions took leave of 
them. Two Indians, David and Joshua, accompanied them 
to Bethlehem, who were baptized at that place by Buettnor, 
the Count assisting in the administration. 

In October of that year Gottlob Buettnor and wife rejoined 
Missionary Rauch at Shekomeko, and devoted themselves to 
the work of instructing the heathen. In December a burial 
ground was laid out for the use of the baptized Indians, the 
same in which Buettnor was afterward buried. At the close of 
the year the whole number of baptized Indians was thirty-one. 

About this time Martin Mack arrived to assist in the 
mission, but soon afterward took charge of the station at 
Pachgatgoch, (Schaghticoke,) where the success was even 
greater than at Shekomeko, and where the missionaries con 
tinued to labor more than twenty years. A portion of the 
tribe still remains ; their history is full of melancholy interest, 
and worthy of an imperishable record. 

March i3th, 1743, holy communion was administered to 
the firstlings of Shekomeko, preceded by a love-feast, followed 
by the Pedilavium (washing of one another s feet), both 
established customs among the Moravians. The Missionary 
writes : " While I live I shall never lose the [impression this 
first communion with the Indians in North America made 
upon me." 

In July, 1743, the new chapel at Shekomeko was finished 
and consecrated. It was thirty feet by twenty, and was 
covered with smooth bark. It is represented as an appropri 
ate and commodious building, striking in its general appear 
ance, and of great convenience to the mission. It was con 
stantly kept open on Sundays and on festal occasions. The 
greatest interest was manifested by the Indians in the services 
held in their new chapel. 

But now troubles begin to thicken in the pathway of the 
devoted missionaries. The whites were enraged at the 



308 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

injury of their business ; caught every false rumor in circula 
tion against them, and publicly branded them with epithets of 
Papists and traitors. The authorities of New York and Con 
necticut were called upon to interfere and banish them from 
the country. 

Two of the missionaries were taken up at Pachgatgoch, and 
after being dragged up and down the country for two days, 
were honorably acquitted by the Governor of Connecticut. 
Yet their accusers insisted on their being bound over in a pen 
alty of one hundred pounds, to keep the laws of the country. 
The missionaries then retired to Shekomeko, followed by many 
Indians whom they had instructed. 

No charge could be more false and preposterous. The 
history of the missionaries consisted of their good works in 
the effort to save souls, and in the trials and sufferings endured 
from the persecutions of the Church of Rome. They made it 
a fixed policy never to interfere in the politics of the country, 
but simply to labor for the benefit of their fellow men. 

Count Zinzendorffsent Brother Shaw as a school-master to the 
Indian children at Shekomeko. At the close of 1743, the 
congregation of baptized Indians at Shekomeko numbered 
sixty-three persons, exclusive of those belonging to Pachgat 
goch. About this time occurred the difficulties between the 
French and English about the boundaries of their respective 
dominions. The French employed Jesuits to alienate the 
Indian tribes, and prepare them to take part against the Eng 
lish. The fears of the white settlers were greatly alarmed. The 
Indians were generally regarded as enemies, and any one 
who befriended them was looked upon as a spy of the French. 
This state of things afforded an excellent opportunity for the 
enemies of the missionaries at Shekomeko. They were 
charged with being Papists and Jesuits in disguise ; preparing 
the savages for a grand massacre of their white neighbors ; 
and of having secreted arms for the purpose. These reports 
terrified the inhabitants ; many forsook their farms and fled ; 
others placed themselves under arms for defence. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 309 

March ist, 1744, Mr. Justice Hegeman, of Filkintown 
(Mabbettsville) visited Shekomeko, and informed the mission 
aries that it was his duty to inquire what sort of people .the 
Brethren were, for the most dangerous tenets were ascribed to 
them. He himself gave no credence to the reports, and was 
fully convinced that the work at Shekomeko was a work of 
God. 

Buettnor, the principal missionary, was at the time absent 
in Bethlehem. Immediately on his return, they were sum 
moned to Pickipsi (Poughkeepsie) to exercise with the militia ; 
they refused on the ground that as ministers of the gospel they 
could not be legally required to bear arms. 

In June of that year a Justice of the Peace arrived from 
Pickipsi to examine into affairs. He admitted the accusations 
against the priests were entirely groundless, but he required 
them to take two oaths : 

i st. That King George, being the lawful sovereign of the 
kingdom, they would not in any way encourage the Pretender. 

2d. That they rejected Transubstantiation, the worship of 
the Virgin Mary, Purgatory, etc. 

In every point in these oaths Buettnor assured him they 
could entirely agree. And though they could not in good con 
science take an oath, being restrained by the religious princi 
ples, which, as members of the Brethren Church, they had 
adopted, yet they were willing to be bound by their assevera 
tion, yes or no. The Justice expressed his satisfaction for the 
present, but required them to be bound in a penalty of forty 
pounds to appear before the court in Pickipsi on the i6th of 
October following. 

The next June they were summoned to Reinbeck, where 
they were called upon in open court to prove they were pri 
vileged teachers. Buettnor produced his written vocation and 
his certificate of ordination, duly signed by Bishop David 
Nitschman. 

Again on the i4th of July they were required to appear 



310 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

before the Justice at Filkintown. Here John Rau appeared 
in their favor, and gave a decisive and noble testimony, from 
his own intimate knowledge, in their defence. 

In the meantime their adversaries had repeatedly accused 
them before Hon. George Clinton, then Governor of New 
York, who sent for them to inquire into the truth of the start 
ling reports. Buettnor and Senseman, from Shekomeko, and 
Shaw from Bethlehem, went to New York, where they found 
that the whole town was aroused concerning them. Mr. Jus 
tice Beekman, however, who had before examined them at 
Reinbeck, publicly took their part in New York, and affirmed 
that " the good done by them among the Indians was unde 
niable." 

Proceedings were commenced before the Governor touch 
ing their case in July, 1744, and the matter was left to a 
council. His Excellency communicated to the board that he 
had sent letters to Col. H. Beekman, one of His Majesty s 
Justices for Duchess County, and Colonel of Militia for that 
county, acquainting him with the reports he had received 
touching the Moravians, and requiring him to make the neces 
sary investigation. He also communicated to the Board a 
letter from Beekman that there were four Moravian priests and 
many Indians at Schecomico, and that he had made search for 
arms and ammunition, but found none, nor could he hear of 
any. Before the receipt of the Governor s order, the Sheriff, 
Justice and eight others were at Schecomico ; they found the 
Indians quietly at work on their plantations, who were thrown 
into consternation at their approach. The Indians received 
the Sheriff s party civilly ; but no ammunition was found, and 
as few arms as could be expected among such a number of 
men. He denied their being disaffected toward the crown ; 
that they, too, were afraid of the French and Indians. The 
only business of the missionaries at Schecomico was to save 
souls among the heathen. They were asked to take oaths, but 
refused through a scruple of conscience. 

Upon examination of the missionaries before the council, 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 3! I 

these facts were repeated, and they were exonerated from all 
blame. The prosecution of the missionaries thus far was under 
the provincial law against Jesuits, passed 1700, which was to 
the last degree unjust and oppressive. It may be urged in 
palliation however, and with reason, that the public mind was 
greatly exercised in regard to the subject ; that the people 
stood in mortal dread of the tomahawk and scalping knife ; 
and the possibility and even probability that some of the mas 
sacres of the white settlers were instigated by human fiends 
sent amog the Indians under the guise of priests was sufficient, 
under such a state of feeling, to prejudice the people against 
any who professed to be teachers of the red man. 

In September, 1744, Buettnor was again summoned to 
Pickipsi, and again honorably dismissed. In the minds of most 
of the people, the missionaries were innocent of the charges 
against them. 

Thus far the schemes of the enemies of the devoted mis,- 
sionaries had been foiled ; now they were to prove more suc 
cessful. December i5trf, 1744, three Justices appeared at 
Shekomeko, and the missionaries were again commanded to 
appear at Pickipsi on the i7th. Buettnor was ill and could not 
.attend; but the other missionaries appeared. The act was 
read to them by which the ministers of the congregation of the 
Brethren, teaching the Indians, were expelled from the country, 
under the pretense of being in league with the French, and 
were forbidden under a heavy penalty, ever again appearing 
among the Indians without first taking the oath of allegiance. 

Bishop Spangenberg visited Shekomeko to devise means by 
which the Moravians might carry on their work, but all in vain. 
He remained there two weeks, and was obliged to leave the 
converted Indians exposed to all the evil influences surround 
ing them. Finally the white people drove the believing Indi 
ans from Shekomeko by main force, on pretense that the 
ground the town was built upon belonged to others, and they 
<took possession of the land. 

Buettnor now ended his weary pilgrimage, dying Feb. 23d, 



312 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

r 745- a ged 29 years. The Indians wept over him; they 
dressed his corpse in white, and buried him with great solemnity 
at Shekomeko ; they watered his grave with their tears, and for 
a long time used to visit and weep over it. A stone put up to 
mark his grave bore this inscription : 

" Here lies the body of Gottlob Buettnor, who according to 
the commandment of his crucified God and Savior, brought 
the glad tidings to the heathen, that the blood of Jesus had 
made an atonement for their sins. As many as embraced 
this atonement in faith were baptized in the death of the Lord. 
His last prayer was that they might be preserved until the day 
of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was born Dec. 29th, 1716, and 
fell asleep in the Lord Feb. 23, 1745." 

Only a small portion of this stone, very much mutilated, 
and scarcely at all legible, is still preserved. The locality is 
still shown by the proprietor, Edward Hunting, as also the site 
of the Missionary building ; some portions of the foundation 
are still recognized. The orchard planted by the Missionaries 
has disappeared;* and the medicinal roots there planted 
until recently refused to quit their home, and remained a 
blessing to those living in the neighborhood. 

The effect of these misfortunes was disheartening to the 
the poor Indians. A portion of the tribe removed to Pachgat- 
goch, where they attempted to make their home. Another 
part formed a colony at Wechquadnack, on the eastern border 
of Indian Pond, in the town of Sharon, Conn. A portion of 
the Indian orchard still remains. At this place was formed a 
congregation of Indians, under charge of Moravians. David 
Bruce, a Scotchman, was appointed to this station, where he 
died, deeply lamented, in 1749, and was buried here. 

After the dispersion of the Indians at Wechquadnack, a 
congregation of white people was established on the west side 
of Indian Pond, in North East, on lands owned by Hiram 
Clark. Here a meeting-house was built, which was in later 
years used as a school-house. Near by, in a burying-ground, is 

* One apple tree remained till within three or four years. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 313 

the grave of Rev. Joseph Powell, doubtless the Moravian mis 
sionary of that name. Other Shekomeko Indians went to 
Bethlehem, in Penn., and as it was impossible for the Moravians 
to continue their labors here, the field was finally abandoned. 

After the death of Bruce, the whites at Wechquadnack still 
desiring that religious services might be held there, a Moravian 
named Abram Van Reinke was sent out. He had appoint 
ments at Salisbury and Sharon, in Connecticut, and also at 
Oblong, Nine Partners, and Livingston Manor. 

Mabbettsville is the " Filkintown" of the historian Loskiel, 
so-called from the Filkins, who were early settlers in the neigh 
borhood. Before the observer is the rugged back of old Stiss- 
ing, an isolated granite mountain with sides and jagged ridge 
covered with forests as thick as when the Mohegans, one hun 
dred years ago, roamed through the solitude to rouse the bear, 
or chase the bounding moose. Eastward, along its foot, are 
spread luxuriant meadows, with scarcely a tree to vary the car 
peting of green. Halcyon Lake lies south of the village of 
Pine Plains, surrounded by pastoral beauties. Here Buettnor 
and his Indians were wont to shoot the wild duck and spear 
the pickerel. 

The ancient Indian village* of Shekomekof was situated, it 
is believed by some, in a field that slopes southward from 
Buettnor s grave to the meadow less than twenty feet inter- 

* The annexed Is copied from a drawing, made in 1745, of the village of Shekomeko. 
The line on the bottom represents Shekomeko Creek. Near the left of the picture is a cir 
cle, representing an old garden. To the right of this are two large buildings together; these 




Shekomeko in 174"). 

are the church and mission house. The two figures circular at the top represent cellars. 
The figure nearest to the creek is a barrack for hay or grain ; and the square one above the 
row of huts marks the place of the buriai ground. 

t Signifying in the Indian tongue, " Little Mountain." Aun Eunice, grand daughter 
of Gideon Mauwee, the Scbaghtlcoke chieftain, always accented the antepenult in speak 
ing the word She-koin-eko; she said that sounded "more Indian" to her ear. 



314 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

vening. between the missionary s graves and the Indian huts that 
were arranged in a crescent around the little bark-covered 
church. Others locate it about one-fourth of a mile southeast 
of the grave, not far from a pile of stones said to have been 
the foundation of the " sweat-house," and a basin in the brook 
that comes down from the hillside, where the Moravian mis 
sionaries used to dip the Indian children ill with the small-pox. 

In 1854, Rev. Sheldon Davis interested Mr. Hunting in 
the search for the grave of Buettnor. One Winans, a descend 
ant of the former proprietor, was the only one who could iden 
tify the spot. He came, and driving down a stake, said the 
grave was within a rod of the same ; and that the first stone 
the plow would strike would be a fragment of the old grave 
stone. After turning a few furrows, the plow stuck a slab a 
few inches below the surface that proved to be the object 
sought after. 

It appears that during the proprietorship of Winans, be 
tween 1762 and 1797, an attempt was made to remove the 
stone. It then stood upright, in the middle of a field, and was 
an obstacle to cultivation. A yoke of oxen and three horses 
were unable to draw it away, and it was allowed to stand. As 
late as 1806, the school boys as they passed would gather about 
the grave of the unknown man, and gradually demolished the 
monument. One boy, who strongly protested against the 
sacrilege, was, in 1860, the sole survivor of the party. 

Shortly afterward the grave was searched for treasure, it 
being said there was an Indian warrior buried there, with a 
rifle of costly workmanship. Nothing, however, was found, 
except a skull and a few bones, and fragments of pine boards. 
The fragments of stone were replaced, but gradually became 
scattered, and the plow and harrow finished the work of de 
struction. When Mr. Hunting came in possession of the farm 
he found a portion of the slab in a stonewall. It was removed 
within doors, and became an object of curiosity. 

In 1859, the Moravian Historical Society took measures to 
erect monuments over the grave of Gottlob Buettnor, at She- 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 315 

komeko, and near the graves of David Bruce and Joseph 
Powell, at Wechquadnack. Lossing assisted in the undertak 
ing, and to him was entrusted the designing of the monu 
ments.* 

It was thought that the occasion of the dedication of the 
monuments, which took place in September, 1869, demanded 
something of a historic nature. Ministers were appointed to 
prepare discourses embodying all historical data that could be 
found bearing upon the subject. Portions of the Moravian 
ritual that relate to the death and resurrection were selected ; 
the use of litanies was deemed appropriate, for the missiona 
ries were buried without those cherished rites. Easter morning 
litany, prayed yearly on Moravian burial grounds, and the 
choral music of trombonists, a characteristic of Moravian 
obsequies, were added to the programme of religious exercises. 
It was deemed best to hold introductory services of a more 
general nature on the evening before the first day of dedication, 
in order that the committee and friends might witness cere 
monies of Moravian worship ; and they were accordingly held 
in the " Bethel," a little Union Church in the valley of Shekom- 
eko. The memorial services were attended by a concourse of 
over one thousand people. 

The site of Powell s grave, and the Moravian church and 
cemetery, being on lands of Mr. Clark, it was deemed proper 
to hold services in this locality, and from thence proceed across 
the lake in boats, pursuing the same course toward the south 
eastern shore as had been followed by the Indians when, over 
a hundred years ago, they carried the remains of their loved 
teacher over " Gnaden-See " for interment in their national 
cemetery. 

Near the site of the ancient village of Wechquadnack is a 
marble shaft erected to the memory of David Bruce and Jo 
seph Powell. It is situated at the summit of a little knoll, 
in a sheltered nook, afe\vrods from the eastern border of In 
dian Pond. Around it are the same grand old mountains, 

"Rock-ribbed, and ancient as the sun," 



* The monuments were manufactured in the marble yard at roujrhkeepsie, and 
during the first part of September [1S-3JJ] were visited by great numbers of people daily. 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

which echoed back the beautiful hymns sung by the Moravian 
missionary and his dusky congregation. 

On the north side of this monument is inscribed : Joseph 
Powell, a minister of the Gospel in the church of the United 
Brethren, born 1710, near White Church, Shrop 
shire, England. Died September 22, 1771, at Si- 
chem, in the Oblong, DUCHESS , ounty, New York. 
On the south side are the foil .ving words : David 
Bruce, a minister of the Gos^ 1 in the church of 
the United Brethren, from Edinburgh, Scotland. 
Died July 9, 1749, at the Wechquadnack Mission, 
DUCHESS County, New York. And on the west side : erected 
by the Moravian Historical Society, October 6, 1859 ; on the 
reverse, a selection from Isaiah. 

The following are the inscriptions on the monument at 
Shekomeko: North side Shekomeko Mission, commenced 
April 6, 1740, by Christian Henry Rauch. 
Erected by the Moravian Historical Society, 
Oct. 5, 1859. South side In memory of the 
Mohican Indians, Lazara, baptized Dec. i, 1742, 
died Dec. 5, 1742, and Daniel, baptized Dec. 26, 
1742; died March 20, 1744. On the east and 
Monument. west sides are similar inscriptions, one in English 
and the other in Dutch, the same that was inscribed on the 
original monument* 



An old church, built by the Moravians, or, as some believe, 
by the Dutch Reformed Society, once stood a mile or more 
east of Pine Plains, near Hammertown, in the vicinity of the 
old burying ground. The house was quite large, square built, 
and was never ceiled. Alex. Mclntosh brought over the com 
munion service and presented it to the church. The grand 
father and grandmother of Abraham Bockee were buried here 
in 1764, about the time the church was built. Much of the 

* See page 312. 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 317 

material of this ancient edifice is still preserved, having been 
used in the construction of a barn in the vicinity. 

When Livingston s surveyors were running the line be 
tween his manor and the Little Nine Partners tract, they were 
believed to be locating the line too far south, and were met 
and fought back by persons in the interest of the land compa 
ny. When they came to the west line of the Oblong, then the 
boundary of Connecticut, the people of that colony offered 
armed resistance to the surveyors, who were about to run 
their line through to the Taghkanick Mountains. In the 
skirmish one of Livingston s surveyors was killed. From this 
and similar circumstances it would appear that force was a 
favorite instrument, in those early times, of settling difficulties. 
Instead of going to law, as a means of deciding a boundary, 
armed bodies of men were brought on the ground, when the 
question of ownership of the disputed territory would be 
decided in favor of the victorious party. 

Henry Yonkhonce and a man named Montross were among 
the early settlers of Pine Plains. The latter located in the 
northwest part of the town, where he built a mill ; the former 
settled to the east of him, not far from Hammertown. Yonk 
honce, so it is said, was slain on his own domain by a war 
party of fierce Mohawk Indians, who were on their way to 
attack the Shekomeko settlement. By some means they were 
deterred from the intended attack, and commenced a retreat ; 
the Shekomeko tribe sent a party of armed warriors in pursuit, 
who overtook their foe near the borders of Copake Lake, in 
Columbia County. Here a sanguinary battle was fought, 
resulting in the total destruction of the invading party not 
one of them being spared to convey the news of their disas 
trous defeat to their distant village in the valley of the Mo 
hawk. Ebenezer Dibble, C. W. Rauty, James Graham, John 
Tice, Smith and Snyder were early settlers. 

Two log houses are yet standing in the vicinity of the vil 
lage of Pine Plains, which were among the first built in the 
town. Their sides have since been covered with clap-boards, 



318 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

thereby concealing the manner of their construction. The 
larger of the two, known as the Lasher House, stands a short 
distance west of the village. The house and farm on which it 
stands are leasehold property. It is quite a large building, 
quaint in its style, and \va,s doubtless reckoned an elegant man 
sion when first built. 

During the Summer of 1876, a centennial tea-party was- 
held in this dwelling. Antique furniture was brought in for 
the occasion, the dishes were of the pattern in use one hun 
dred years ago ; the viands were of the primitive kind partaken 
of by our "rude forefathers" ; and the dresses of the guests 
were in keeping with the occasion. 

This ancient edifice has its traditionary story. At the time 




The Lasher House. 

of the Revolution, it was occupied by a Tory named Lewis. 
His movements were closely watched by his Whig neighbors^ 
who were suspicious that he was secretly intriguing with the 
enemies of his country. At length they became so well satis 
fied of the fact, that they deputized some of their number ta 
wait upon him, acquaint him of their suspicions, and inform 
him that he must either renounce forever his Tory sentiments, 
or leave the country giving him until the following morning 
to make a final decision. Upon going to the house the next 
morning, they found the old Tory had hung himself in the 
garrett during the night, and was stone dead. This circum 
stance has caused the house to be regarded by many with a 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 319 

superstitious dread ; which has given rise to other tales of 
strange doings in it. It is said that, a few years ago, blood 
stains were visible on the floor of an upper chamber, which were 
attributed to some dark deed yet hidden trom the eyes of the 
world. 

One venerable pine, a specimen of the primitive forest trees 
that once covered this plain, yet stands within the limits of the 
village of Pine Plains. It is preserved and cherished by the 
people as a memento of the past ; and will doubtless be suf 
fered to remain until the process of decay and the rude storm 
blasts shall lay it prostrate. 

In a field near this tree is an old burying ground, in which 
were interred, in early times, the colored slaves of the settlers. 
North of the village is a beautiful rural cemetery, in which 
are deposited the village dead. The grounds are tastefully 
laid out, and ornamented with evergreens and shrubbery. The 
numerous marble shafts rising on every hand, 
and the less imposing slabs embowered in trail 
ing vines and enclosed with little beds of exqui 
site flowers, testify to the passing traveler 
that departed friends are held in tender remem 
brance. 

About half a mile east of Pine Plains village is the quiet 
little settlement of Hammertown. Here was an extensive 
tannery, recently discontinued. Here the ruins of the Harris 
Scythe Factory are also located ; in which, years ago, the 
sound of a score or more of trip-hammers was heard, and 
which suggested the name of the place. The original factory 
was established in 1776, the year of American Independence. 
Its location was to the east of the Shekomeko creek ; but was 
afterward removed to the present site, where it was destroyed 
by fire. The present buildings were then erected. Work in 
them has some time been discontinued, and the buildings have 
been suffered to go to decay. The roof of one of these has 
fallen in, and the walls are crumbling from neglect. This was 
at an early period a thriving business place ; but has been out- 




320 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

stripped in the race by its sister villages, whose location proved 
to be more eligible. 

At the beginning of the present century, though stated 
meetings were held in the town, but little was said about sects 
and doctrines. Meetings were held in schoolhouses and 
private dwellings, mostly by Presbyterians and Methodists. 
Rev. John Clark of Pleasant Valley, and a Mr. Price, an 
itinerant M. E. preacher, used to hold meetings in the 
vicinity. About the year 1818, Elders John Buttolph and 
Luman Burtch came here and preached a part of the time. 

Previous to this, however, a number of enterprising indi 
viduals had set on foot a project to build a meeting house. A 
committee had been appointed to inquire into its feasibility, 




Ruins of the Harris Scythe Factory. 

and to perfect a plan of operations. This committee advised 
them to purchase a lot, and build a house 34x50 feet. As a 
means of raising the necessary funds, it was determined to 
issue stock, divided into shares of one hundred dollars each ; 
this was readily taken up by resident capitalists, and the work 
was commenced with vigor. The understanding was, that at 
the completion of the house, the seats were to be sold to the 
highest bidder, the purchaser to receive a title by deed; those 
who owned stock were to take their pay in seats, unless they 
chose to let them go to the highest bidder. In nine months 
the edifice was completed, and was called the Union House, 
because all joined in its construction, irrespective of creed. 

Public notice was given of the sale of the seats ; a large 
assembly was on hand at the appointed hour ; a crier was 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 321 

selected, and the sale went on with spirit. At the close of the 
sale it was found the proceeds exceeded the expense of building 
by several hundreds of dollars. Before the people separated, 
they were called to order by the moderator., who proposed 
that the desk be occupied by certain denominations to the 
exclusion of all others, and. that six trustees be appointed to 
carry the resolution into effect which proposition was adopted 
by vote of the assembly. 

The community being largely Presbyterian. Rev. Mr. Blair 
was hired to preach one-half the time for a year; he was 
succeeded by Rev. Robert G. Armstrong, of Orange County. 
During this time Elder John Buttolph, a Baptist, occupied the 
pulpit every fourth Sabbath, and ministered to the people for 
about two years ; Elder Luman Burtch assisted a part of the 
time. This church edifice is still standing in the village of 
Pine Plains, and is occupied exclusively by the Presbyterians. 
Rev. Win. N. Sayre is their present pastor, who has been over 
this charge for a period of forty-three years. This is the first 
and only pastorate over which he has been placed, in which he 
has so long and so acceptably labored. 

In 1834 or 35, a series of meetings was held, resulting in 
many conversions. All denominations participated in the 
exercises ; and when the new converts began to declare in 
favor of this and the other sect, an unfortunate division of 
feeling occurred among the members of the different churches. 
Finally, the Baptists resolved to build a separate house of 
worship. They purchased a lot, laid the foundation, and 
raised the frame. When nearly completed, on the 3d of June, 
1837, a sleeping tornado passed through a part of the town 
and village, carrying destruction in its way. The new house 
of worship vras laid in ruins.* 

This \vac a crushing blow to all their projects. However, 
they resolved on another effort. The public, and the sister 
churches in the county liberally assisted them. In eleven 
months another house, very neat anil commodious, was erected. 

; ilio lior. :Vi used by UK- bi-ilJers, on 
iiH . C jumcUeut. 



322 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

May 7, 1838, the house was dedicated, Elder John Leland* 
preaching the dedicatory sermon, from Matt., xvi : 18. 

There are seven church edifices within the town of Pine 
Plains, viz : A Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, 
Christian and two Union Churches. The first four are situated 
within the village of Pine Plains ; one Union house is at Pul- 
ver s Corners, and the other at Bethel ; the Christian Church is 
a neat little edifice standing near the west line of the town. 

In the year 1800, the village of Pine Plains contained only 
a hotel, and four or five isolated dwellings. A tract of about 
fourteen hundred acres near the village is still owned by the 
heirs of the original proprietors. In 1808 some enterprising 
men commenced improving the village. A large and com 
modious dwelling of brick, a store, and a hotel were erected by 
a Mr. Dibble, who carried on the mercantile business for many 
years, doing a large trade in barter. He purchased most of 
the grain produced by the surrounding country. In 1853 the 
village contained twenty-four dwellings, together with several 
stores and shops: and as late as 1860, could boast of only 
382 inhabitants. It now (1876) contains four churches, a 
union free school, two hotels, a National Bank and about 800 
inhabitants. 

The scenery in this vicinity is unsurpassed. The numerous 
lovely lakes in the quiet valley ; the rugged mountains bound 
ing the vision on either hand ; the gently undulating plain 
stretching away before the beholder ; all contribute to its at 
tractiveness. People from the city in large numbers are drawn 
hither during the sultry Summer months. 

The rugged back of Stissing Mountain abruptly rears itself 
above the plain about one mile west of the village. From its 
summit an extensive view is obtained of the surrounding 
country. It is yearly visited by numbers of tourists and pic 
nic parties. A writerf thus says of it : 

* Iceland was an energetic preacher of the Gospel, and was said to have traveled, in 
the performance of his ministerial functions, a distance suffli icnt to girdle The world thre 
times. He journeyed on horseback, through the primitive wilderness, best t with dangers, 
and totally unacquainted with luxury. He preached the ordination sermon of Luman 
Burtch, at Ancrarn, June 17, 1806 from Isaiah vi : 6, 7. 

t Bailey. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 323 

"An hour s drive brought us to the foot of the mountain, 
at which point the way became so precipitous that we had to 
perform the rest of the journey on foot. After considerable 
effort we reached the summit ; from whence the mountain, 
appears like a huge boulder transported there by some freak of 
nature, rising solitary and alone from the midst of a beauti 
ful valley. Westward lay an undulating country, extending 
to the noble Hudson, a distance of eighteen miles. The 
glories of a September sun painted its dark blue waters with a 
still deeper hue. Beyond lay the Catskill Mountains, whose 
blue summits rise one above the other, stretching beyond the 
vision s utmost limit. The far-famed Mountain House was in 
full view, perched on its airy cliff. Eastward the view extend 
ed to the Taghkanick range. The village of Pine Plains, with 
its church spires glittering in the autumnal sun ; the adjacent 
valleys, dotted over with white farm houses, and rich with 
ripening harvests ; the numerous romantic lakes, bordered with 
dark evergreens, and rich in Indian legends ; all combined to 
form a most charming prospect." 

Halcyon Lake is a remarkably picturesque body o f water. 
Its location is near the site of the ancient Indian village of 
Shekomeko. Before the advent of the white people the 
dark pine forest came down to the brink, and cast a melan 
choly shadow over the waters. The red man sought its banks, 
at the time of the deepening twilight ; he heard, in the moan 
ing of the evening wind among the branches, the voice of the 
Great Spirit, speaking in mysterious tones of the " land of the 
hereafter" ; and he saw upon the bosom of the lake 

" Lighted by the shimmering moonlight, 
And by \vill-o-the wisps illumined, 
Fires by ghosts of dead men kindled, 
In their weary night encampments." 



PLEASANT VALLEY. 



POPULATION, 1,826. SQUARE ACRES, 20,049, 



fLEASANT VALLEY was formed from Clinton, January 
26th, 1821. Its surface is a rolling and hilly upland. 
7^? Barnes and Dennis Hills, in the northwest, are the 

Vk ;<> 

^ highest points. Wappingers Creek flows southwest through 
near the centre. Sprout Creek takes its rise in a pond near the 
southwest part. Slate crops out along the hills, and a vein of 
marble has lately been discovered. The largest body of water 
is Pond Gut, in the southeast part of the town. The soil is a 
clayey and gravelly loam. 

The village of Pleasant Valley was incorporated April i5th, 
1814. It is located in a pleasant vale on the borders of 
Wappingers Creek, from which the town derives its name. 
But little attention has been paid, however, to the election of 
officers under the charter, which was packed away among 
other papers and almost forgotten. Some four or five years 
ago, an act of the Legislature so modified the excise laws that 
a town board of excise^^xmld not legally grant a license to a 
resident of an incorporated village ; but provided that the 
question should rest with the board of trustees. This called 

3 2 4 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



325 



up the question of the village charter. After a diligent search 
the instrument was found, and it was ascertained that all 
except one of the board, of trustees were dead. This solitary 
member at once organized a meeting of the board, filled up 
the vacancies by appointments, elected J. B. Duncan, Presi 
dent, proceeded to grant the required licenses, and adjourned . 
The board has never since met. The Pleasant Valley Insti 
tute is located here. 

Among the oldest settlers of Pleasant Valley are the names 
of Newcomb, Peters. Forman, Hicks, Devine, Humphrey, Dubois, 
Thurston, Everson, Dean, Holmes, Sharpstein, Ham, &c. 

William Holmes settled in the southeast part of the town. 
He came from Long Island; a large number of his descend 
ants still reside in this and neighboring towns. Benjamin 
Lattin, also from Long Island, located in the neighborhood 
of the village of Pleasant Valley. One Major Vanderburgh 
is mentioned as having lived at an early date, to the west of 

Salt Point. The Blooms 
built a mill and mansion 
a short distance north 
of Washington Hollow. 

A large cotton factory 
is located at the village 
of Pleasant Valley, 
owned by Garner* & Co. 
The cloth is manufactur 
ed here and conveyed to 
the print works at Wappingers Falls to be printed. East of 



1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i i ill I 



1 1 II 1 1 1 1 1 HI i 




Coitoii factory of Garner 



* TV gentleman ivho so unforfiinatoly m^t his d^at i in tho summer of 1S7<!. Tlic 
circumstances are thus rclat(l:-ln tli ariuriMiiiof.lnlv2>t i \V,n T. Garner \\p n t<>n 
board uis yac u at Sraieii Islan i, a--c unpanieil bv his w f- a id five invited }, ti sts. At his 
time tin- skv to the westwaid was cloudy, and a s mrp squall was evidently at hard. His 



yac it. the Molntu 
of canvass. This 
those on b >ard *f 
Avho at the time < 
way to sase his \\ 
nine of water pn 
commander and 1 
that lie pa d irood 


k. had ; 
irretftila 


II her 

i-ir.v of 


tlie 


S| 

Mi 


read 
ihau 


wh 
k w. 


! ; 




t. ier v 
rved, a 


chts did not show 
d a warning sent t 


a stitch 
o iM.tity 
Gan.er, 
e 1 a:ch- 
pe vol- 
e brave 
Garner 
of tiicm 


f the ea 

ile. !1< 


astrop 
reacli 
II the 
ii-f ire t 


H- was 
tl !ier .- 
hatc i\\ 


stau 
nd\ 
a v, 
ild r 


NHL 
as i 

til)0( 

ac i 


on i 

tl ! 

in*, 


II 
111 


qnarte 
i^r, wlu 
e cab 
r. It 


-deck, rushed to tl 
i he was met by a i 
, and drowning tl 
is said of Will am 1 



fell si^K in his employment, he s..-nt the check regularly wl.en j ay-day came round. 



326 HISTORY" OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

the village are the Pine Grove Woolen Mills, owned and 
managed by the Bowers family. 

Before the division of the town of Clinton, town meetings 
were sometimes held at the house of one Wood, still standing, 
a short distance west of the residence of Bradford Holmes, 
Esq., in Pleasant Valley. 

The old Presbyterian Meeting House, built about a century 
and a quarter ago, stood not far from Wheeler s Hotel, at the 
Hollow. It was a plain square building, quite large, two stories 
in hight, and was furnished with a gallery on three sides. The 
land on which it was built was deeded for the purpose by Isaac 
German, a large landholder. The cemetery ground here was 
originally connected with this church. During the Revolution 
this edifice was used as a prison. The country here was mostly 
settled by the Germans, who thought it very wrong to turn 
against the King ; Toryism was therefore rampant in this vici 
nity, and it required the strong arm of the military to keep it 
in check. Says Lossing : " During the year that Burgoyne was 
making his victorious march toward the Valley of the Hudson, 
the Tories of DUCHESS became bold, and defied the militia 
guard that had been established. About four hundred of them, 
well armed, assembled at " Carpenter s," now Washington 
Hollow, and threatened destruction to all the Whigs in the 
neighborhood. An expedition was immediately set on foot in 
Sharon, Connecticut, to break up the gang. A strong party of 
armed volunteers gathered at Blooms Mills, north of the Hol 
low, and early in the morning marched for the latter place, 
where they found the Tories paraded in a meadow. Marching 
up with spirit, the volunteers fired on the insurgents, who broke 
and fled. Thirty or forty of them were captured and taken 
first to Connecticut, and afterwards to New Hampshire, where 
they were confined about two years."* 

The building now known as Wheeler s Hotel was built 
about the year 1800, by William German. Early in the year 
1813 a large number of cannon and troops were being trans- 



See page 55. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 327 

ported from New York to Sackett s Harbor. A portion of them 
passed by different routes through our county. The cannon 
were heavy, the roads were bad, and the passage therefore ex 
tremely difficult. A detachment stopped for a night at the 
Hollow ; the officers taking up their quarters at the hotel, and 
the soldiers seeking the protection of the old Presbyterian 
Church. 

A large landholder west of Washington Hollow was named 
Newcomb. He left, at his death, three hundred acres of land 
to each of his three sons. This side of him is a rough streak 
of country. A man named Hall was looking for a place to 
locate. He came from Pleasant Valley on foot, through the 
then almost unbroken wilderness He was a feeble man, and 
his strength gave out just as he reached the rough section re 
ferred to. He concluded therefore to go no further, and set 
tled down there among the rocks. A few minutes walk would 
have brought him to the productive lands in the neighborhood 
of the Hollow, where he might have located had he chosen to 
do so. 

The Newcomb house was occupied at the time of the Rev 
olution by a Tory of a very decided character. His wife was 
a staunch Whig ; and it may be surmised the domestic felicities 
of the family were nothing to boast of. The woman was too 
many for him, however, in the wordy encounters that occurred ; 
but she could not succeed in converting her renegade husband. 

The DUCHESS Turnpike runs diagonally through this town, 
meeting the Amenia and Dover Turnpikes a short distance 
east of the Hollow. It was built about the beginning of the 
present century. 

A gentleman living in this vicinity mentions some circum 
stances connected with the Erie Canal project. The two 
political parties which were divided on this question, were here 
sharply denned. One side claimed a canal would be ruinous 
to the grain producing interests of the river counties, and 
objected to being taxed for that purpose equal to the farmers 
in the western part of the State, who were to reap the whole 



328 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

benefit of the work. When the State Canal was finished^ 
their predictions were realized ; the price of wheat fell from, 
$2.75 to $1.00 per bushel. 

A great celebration was held in New York City in honor of 
the completion of the canal,* and our informant, in company 
with others, went to see it. An immense procession was 
formed, comprising representations of the varied interests of 
the commonwealth, with cars and banners. Not the least 
interesting part of the exercises was the aquatic procession which 
sailed down the bay to Sandy Hook, carrying with them 
a barrel of Lake Erie water, which was poured into the ocean 
at this point with very imposing ceremonies. One may judge 
of the splendor of the celebration when it is stated that 
upwards of two hundred banners and standards were displayed 
among the different societies, many of them really elegant. 
So crowded was the city that many of the visitors could not 
find lodgings. 

The Presbyterian church at Pleasant Valley was organized 
by the Presbytery of Duchess County, in the year 1765. The 
society was legally incorporated January 26th, 1785, agreeably 
to an act of the Legislature, passed April 6th, 1784. Cornelius 
Humphrey and Eliphalet Platt were chosen Inspectors, and. 
John Everson, Clerk. The following persons were chosen 
Trustees : Cornelius Humphrey, Eliphalet Platt, Lemuel 
Conklin, John M. Thurston, John Everson, and Joshua Ward. 
" Voted, that this congregation be known by the name of the 
Presbyterian Congregation, of Pleasant Valley. Charlotte 
Precinct, Jan. 26th, 1785." 

Rev. Wheeler Case was ordained and installed the first 
pastor, Nov. i2th, 1765, his pastorate continuing twenty-six 
years. Rev. Methuselah Baldwin succeeded him, and 



* On Wednesday, at 10 A. M., the waters of Lake Erie were admitted into the canal at 
Buffalo, and the first boat commenced it* voyage to N -w York. This auspicious event 
-,vas announced to the citizens of the Stuu> hy the roar of cannon, planted at intervals of 
about eight miles aloii}; the banks of the canal and the Hudson, the lino extending from 
lintfalo to Sandy Hook, a distance of ~A4 inih-s The cannon were fired in succession < oni- 
mcn< iiif: at the moment of the entrance of the boat into ihe canal, and the intelligence thus 
communicated reach- d New York at precisely nvi-nty mi iur.es past eleven o clock, -.vhen a. 
national Dilute was find from the Mattery. The intelligence that this was received wus- 
then returned by the same line of cannon to Butlalo. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 329 

continued over the church a period of five years. Rev. John 
Clark became pastor in 1800; resigned in 1806; was recalled 
in October, 1808, and remained pastor for a period of thirty- 
seven years. Rev. Henry J. Acker was installed pastor in 
April, 1869. 

August i Qth, 1826, the Session received and granted a 
petition of sixteen members of this church, to be dismissed 
to form a Presbyterian church in Poughkeepsie. 

August 4th, 1828, a similar request of sixteen members 
was granted to organize the Presbyterian Church at Freedom 
Plains town of LaGrange. 

March 28th, 1837, twelve members were dismissed to 
organize the Presbyterian Church at Pleasant Plains, town of 
Clinton. 

December i5th, 1860, seventeen members were dismissed 
to form the Westminister Presbyterian Church at Salt Point. 

The first house of worship* was a wooden structure, 
erected in 1770011 the main street in the village of Pleasant 
Valley, a few rods west of the present building. In 1812 it 
wa> repaiiecl and considerably enlarged, at a cost of $2,500. 
Tae present brick edifice was built in 1848. 

"At a meeting of the trustees, held March nth 1794, for 
taking into consideration the subject of a parsonage, it was 
agreed, after some debate, to drop the idea of building, and to 
g ve Mr. Baldwin a settlement of ;ioo in lieu of a parsonage. 
The money was subscribed, and Mr. Baldwin accepted it." In 
i So i, the congregation secured a parsonage, with about twenty 
acres of land attached, one mile east of the village. In 1869 
this farm was sold, and the present parsonage near the church 
erected, at a cost of $4,500. 

The old burying ground attached to the church contains 
the remains of Revs. Case and Clark, and of many of the 
oldest members of the congregation. These ancient burial 
plots are justly regarded with great veneration. By recent 

* A Presbyterian meeting-house stood at Washington Ilollcnv, built about the year 1745 
or 40. 



33 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

purchases, the grounds of the cemetery have been greatly 
enlarged. They are under control of the Board of Trustees. 
In April, 1770, Jacob and Margaret Everson gave the con 
gregation the deed for the land on which the church was built. 
Mrs. Susanna Ward, in 1845, left by will $600 for furnishing 
the Sunday School room. In 1869, Dr. Edward L., and Ade 
line Beadle gave the congregation a valuable piece of land 
where the present parsonage stands. 

Elder John Lawrence, a pioneer Baptist, preached in this 
town at an early period of its history. He held services in 
barns, schoolrooms and private houses, and not unfrequently 
in the woods. In 1770 he organized a small church at Zac- 
cheus Newcomb s house. Christian Newcomb preached occa 
sionally. Joseph Harris was the first deacon. The Society 
lingered awhile, and was subsequently left to dwindle away. 
Sometime afterward, Elder Bullock, of Stanford, preached near 
Salt Point. His labors were rewarded with a revival, and some 
forty or fifty were baptized. These became a branch of his 
church. In 1790, John VanVoorhis gave them a deed for half 
an acre of land, and they determined to build upon it. Their 
first records were made in 1792. Elder John Dodge became 
their first pastor in 1795, continuing till 1813, when he resigned. 
The church cU little for his support, except to provide him 

with fire wood. The records 
speak of Elders Hoadly, Stevens, 
Warren and Burtch, as having 
preached for them occasionally. 

About the year 1836, the 
church was visited by Elder Philip 
bu^aic.i.uicu^Ktiaautvaihsy. Roberts, Jr., as a county mission 
ary. A protracted meeting was held, in which he was assisted 
by a brother Waterbury, from New York, and by other mis 
sionary brethren. The meeting lasted twenty days, and people 
came from all quarters to hear the Word. From sixty to 
seventy conversions are recorded, and thirty-eight were bap 
tized. Elder Roberts accepted the call of the church to be- 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 331 

come its pastor, serving them a period of seven years with 
fidelity and success. In 1842, Geo. W. Houghton, a very 
useful and excellent member of this church, was ordained an 
Evangelist. From that time until 1850 the society improved 
their house of worship; erected a public shed; bought six 
acres of land for parsonage ; erected a barn, and greatly im 
proved the parsonage house. The family names of Badgley, 
Wilde, Thurston, Garret, Travis, Schryver, Fosdick and others, 
appear on the records as early members. 

A Quaker [Hicksite] meeting house is situated in the vil 
lage of Pleasant Valley, built nearly three-fourths of a century 
ago. A Mr. Dean gave the land, and contributed largely 
towards the erection of the house. Engraven on the monu 
ments in the old burying ground are the family names of 
Attwood, Whipple, Farrington, Bloodgood, Lawton, &c. 

The Westminster [Presbyterian] Church at Salt Point, a 
Methodist and Episcopal Society at Pleasant Valley, and the 
Christian Church at Washington Hollow, comprise the churches 
in the town, in addition to those previously mentioned. The 
Methodist house was moved, some thirty years since, from the 
hill east of the village, to its present location. The Episcopal 
house was built on the old ground of the Presbyterian church. 



POUGHKEEPSIE. 



POPULATION, 25,000. SQUARE ACRES,* 22,140. 



Poughkeepsief was formed as a town March yth, 1788.. 
March 27th, 1799, the village of Poughkeepsie was formed 
and March 28th, 1854, it became an incorporated city. The 
town borders upon the Hudson, and contains some fine farm 
ing lands. Its surface is mostly a rolling upland. Wappingers 
Creek, forming the east boundary, and the Fallkill, flowing 
through Poughkeepsie City, each furnish a considerable 
amount of water power. The soil is clayey in the west, and 
a sandy and gravelly loam in the remaining parts. New Ham 
burgh, Manchester, Rochdale, and Locust Glen, are small 
villages. A portion of the incorporated village of Wappingers 
Falls lies in this town. 

The name Poughkeepsie is from the Indian word Apo-ksep- 
si-irk, and signifies a safe harbor. The Fallkill was so named by 



* Iiifhi(l!ii{, r both town and city. 

t This mi mo is spelled in the old records in no loss than 42 ways. viz. T nkeopsie, 
raropsev. I akcpx .v, 1 aiifilikrpsio, I ccapoy. 1 ccapsy. IN capslic. I ocl iket psii:ck, I oi irh- 
kf i-pMii;:. PoiyhkccpsiiiKk. l o<-- hkecpMiik, I oc-hkc-opsry, poclikeopscn. roc!ikocp\v, 1 och- 
kopM-ii, IN c kyphsniKli. I i ckwpsy, Pockopseick. > oc-kcpscnjr, I okopsiiijr, I oj. like-p>ie, 
I ojrhkoopshiCk. PojflikoopRiiiji. I <i{rlik(-psc. 1 oj/likcpsci), I ujjhki c])sink, I ojf skwpM H, 
] ^l!k -pso, I okc- p-ij- li I ul-.ccpsin.srh, l > ukc i)si ik. I -.kc-c-psy, I okcpsinc v, 1 oki pst-n, 
Poughkecpsuy, l ouketpsie,l j ouktcpy, Pikipsi, 1 icipsi, i oUfpsie, 1 okfcpsie, 1 oughkft-psiei. 

33 2 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 333 

the Dutch, because of the number of cascades or falls occur- 
ing in that stream. The Indians called it the Minnakse. The 
bluff north of the bay at the mouth of the Fall Kill was called 
by the Dutch Slange Klippe, Snake or Adder Cliff, because of 
the venemous serpents that abounded there in olden times. 
The southern cliff bears the name of Kaal [ Calf] Rock, that 
being the place where the settlers called to the captains of 
sloops when they wished to take passage with them. With 
this bay, after whose beautiful Indian appellation the city and 
town of Poughkeepsie are named, is associated an Indian 
legend. 

Some Delaware warriors came to this spot with some 
Pequod captives. Among the latter was a young chief, who 
was offered his life and honor if he would renounce his nation, 
receive the mark of a turtle upon his breast, and become a 
Delaware brave. He rejected the proposition with disdain. 
His captors thereupon bound him to a tree, and prepared to 
deal with him according to their customs. A half score of 
tomahawks were raised to hurl at the unfortunate captive, 
when a sudden shriek startled the executioners. A young and 
beautiful Indian girl leaped before them, and plead for his 
life. She was a captive Pequod, and the young chief was her 
affianced. 

The Delawares debated. Suddenly the war-cry was 
sounded, and some fierce Hurons falling upon them made 
them snatch their arms for defense. The Indian maiden 
seized upon this opportunity to sever the thongs that confined 
her lover ; but during the excitement of the strife they \vere 
separated, and the Huron chief carried off the handsome 
Pequod maiden as a trophy. Her affianced conceived a bold 
design for her rescue, and boldly carried it out. A wizard 
entered the Huron camp. The maiden was taken suddenly 
ill, and the wizard was employed to prolong her life, until her 
capturer could satisfy his revenge upon Uncas, chief of the 
Mohegans. The lovers iled at nightfall, and shot cut into the 
river in a light canoe, followed by blood-thiisty pursuers. The 



334 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Pequod paddled his beloved one to the mouth of the Minnakee,. 
where he concealed her ; and, single handed, fought the 
Hurons, and finally drove them off. This sheltered nook was. 
a "safe harbor" for her. 

We append a copy of an ancient deed on file in the County 
Clerk s office in Poughkeepsie : 

THIS INDENTURE made in the city of New York on the 
Ninth day of September, in the Ninth year of her majesties 
Reigne 1710, between Myndert Harmense of Duchess County 
in the Province of New York, planter, and Helena his wife, of 
the one part, and Leonard Lewis, of New York, merchant, of 
the other part, Whereas Col. Peter Schuyler of the city of 
Albany by Certain Deed made under his hand and seale bear 
ing Date the Thirtyeth Day of August in the year of our Lord 
1699, did grant, bargaine and Sell unto Robert Sanders and 
the said Myndert Harmense their heirs and assigns for ever all 
that certain tract or parcell of Land scituate Lying and being 
on the east side of the Hudson River in Duchess County at a 
certain place called the Long Reach slanting over against Juf- 
frows Hook at a place called the Rust Plaats, from thence 
Eastward into the woods to a creek, Called by the Indians 
Pictavviikquasick, known by the Christians Jan Casperses Creek, 
Northward to a Water Fall where the saw mill belonging to- 
Myndert Hermanse aforesaid stands upon, and so southward 
alongst the Hudsons River aforesaid to the said Rust Plaats: 
with all and singular its appurtenances, being part of the Lands 
granted to the said Peter Schuyler by Coll. Thomas Dongan, 
Late Gov. of this Province by patent dated the Second Day 
of June 1688, ***** and whereas the said Thomas. 
Dongan, by patent bearing date the twenty-fourth day of Octo 
ber 1686 did grant unto the said Robert Sanders and Myndert 
Harmse a certain tract of land containing twelve thousand 
acres to be taken in one entire piece out of the lands hereafter 
mentioned, that is to say out of a certain Parcell of Land 
scituate in Duchess County aforesaid called Minnesinck on the 
East side of Hudsons River to the North of the Land of 
Soveryn Alias called the Bakers with Arrable Lands, Wood 
lands and Marshes with the creek called Wyhagkee with Tree 
Tones, Range and outdrift for cattle and the fall of waters 
called Pendanick Reen, and another marsh lying to the north 
of the fall of waters called Wareskeehin as in and by the said 
Patent relation thereto may fully and at large appear, and 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 335 

whereas the said Robert Sanders has since deceased, and 
thereby the said Myndert Harmense as survivor is become 
solely vested in the premises, now this Indenture witnesseth 
that the said Myndert Harmense, by and with the consent of 
Helena his wife, by these presents sell unto the said Leonard 
Lewis for and in ye consideration of ^140 lawful money of 
New York all those two tracts and Parcells of Land scituate 
Lying and being in the county aforesaid, and part of the above 
mentioned premises, the one begining on the South side of a 
certain Pond on the Partition Line of Baltus Van Kleeck with 
a west Line to the Water side, and so along the water side to 
the land of John Kips to the Northward of the Creek having 
Water Falls and so east along John Kips Land to the Hill 
unto the Pine Trees, and thence southerly to the east of the 
Pond to the place where it began, with the whole creek and all 
the waterfalls thereof as well without as within the boundaries 
aforesaid as also one other tract beginning on the north side 
of a Piece of meadow that lyes by the River side and runs 
easterly along the meadow and marsh to the Sprout called the 
first Sprout which makes the bounds on the south side of Peter 
Viele and Runns along the said Sprout Easterly unto the most 
Easterly Part of the first Sprouts Plain, and thence East North 
East to the Creek Having Waterfalls, and so along the said 
Creek Southward to the Land of John Kips, and so by the 
said Land Westerly to Hudsons River, and so along the River 
Northerly to the meadow where it began, with privilege of 
Cutting Wood and Timber in the woods, to make hay in all 
the meadows and outdrift for Cattle and Horses in all the 
Lands not cultivated of the said Myndert Harmense, and 
together with all and singular the woods, underwoods, Trees, 
Timber, Pastures, Feedings, Marshes, Meadows, Swamps, 
Stones, Quarries, Mines, Mineralls (Royall Mines Excepted) 
Pools, Ponds, Springs, Waters, Watercourses, Rivers, Rivoletts 
and the only privilege of erecting a Mill or Mills on the Great 
Creek aforesaid, without stoppage of stream or water. * * * 
to Have and to hold the above bargained and hereby to be 
granted Two Tracts of Land, Creek and all others the Privi 
leges, Comodities and Appurtenances before mentioned unto 
him the said Leonard Lewis his heirs and assigns forever. 

MYNDERT HARMENSE. 

Co. Rec. Deeds, Book A. p. 251. 



Another grant of land is recorded by which the relict of 



336 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Robert Sanders convey to pieter u ziele of Duchess Co., " pro 
vided the said pieter u ziele, his heirs or assignees pay yearly 
and every year halfe a Bushel of good winter wheat when de 
manded, to commence from ye fifth day of September 1700 for 
quitt Rent into the sd Myndert Harmse and Thomas Sanders 
or their heirs or assignees. In testimony whereof the said 
Myndert Harmense and Helena his wife Elsie Sanders and 
Thomas Sanders have hereunto sett their hands and scales att 
pagkeepsing this 8th day of June 1708. 

A true copy recorded and examined, per me. Henry Van- 
derburgh, Clerk, March the nth Ano 172!* 

Poughkeepsie was made the shire town of DUCHESS at an 
early period, because, as the record says, it was in " the centra 
of the county." The settlements were at that time confined 
to the neighborhood of the river, at Fishkill, Poughkeepsie, 
and Rhinebeck, and intermediate points. The first log houses 
were built upon the site of this city by two or three Dutch 
families, in 1690. The first substantial house was built of 
stone, in 1702. It was erected by Baltus Van Kleeck, and 
stood upon Mill street, near the corner of the present Vassar 
Street. It was one story in height, and was provided with 
loop holes for muskets, as a defense against the Indians a 
common practice in early times. The stone lintel bearing the 
monogram of Van Kleeck, that was over its door, may now be 
seen in the outer basement wall of the dwelling of Mathew 
Vassar, Esq., at the corner of Mill and Vassar Streets. 

As observed in another part of this work,f the first build 
ing for a court house was ordered to be built in 1715 ; and a 
deed for the land on which the present court house stands 
was conveyed in 1718, by Henry Van de Bogart to Barent 
Van Kleeck. The house was not completed until 1746. Its 
construction was authorized by the Provincial Legislature in 
1743, and it was built under the supervision of Commissioners, 



* The abovo date .may l*o road 17- 2or 17 - ?n. It is not unusual to find f .vo dnt^s eiven 
in vorv old dec men Is. Tii <- (Jiv-nrlan y< nr ended iH Cvnib^r .:\*\. ;md tin- o vil year .Maivli 
l . ,ili. until the- y.-ar I7" - . v, hen the dute.s bcl\veou January l.-t and JUuieli -,,;U \veiv iuted 
Ly tin; liri gorhin yearo"ly. 

t Sec pa go 1.0- . 




SOLDIERS FOUNTAIN, POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 337 

of whom Henry Livingston was chief, and who was appointed 
to receive and disburse the money raised for the purpose. 

The first Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions, 
DUCHESS County, was established at Poughkeepsie, in 1734. 
The following is a copy of the order, issued by his excellency, 
William Burnett, Captain General and Governor-in-Chief of 
the Provinces of New York, New Jersey, and Territories 
depending thereon in America, and Vice Admiral of the 
same, etc. : 

" In Council, an ordinance for establishing a Court of 
Common Pleas and a Court of General Sessions of the Peace 
in DUCHESS County, in the Province of New York : 

" Whereas, in the establishment of the Court of Common 
Pleas and the General Sessions of the Peace, hitherto in the 
County of DUCHESS, over against the County of Ulster, there 
has been no Courts of Common Pleas or General Sessions of 
the Peace erected and established to be holden and kept 
within the said County, but the inhabitants of the said County 
have sometime formerly been subjected to the jurisdiction of 
the Justices of the aforesaid County of Ulster. For remedy 
whereof for the future I have thought fit by and with the 
advice and consent cf his Majesty s Council for the Province 
of New York, and by virtue of the power and authority unto 
me given and granted under the Great Seal of Great Britain, 
and do hereby Erect, Establish, and Ordaine. That from 
henceforward there shall be held and kept at Poughkeepsie, 
near the centre of said County, a General Sessions of the 
Peace on the third Tuesday in May, and the third Tuesday in 
October, yearly, and every year forever ; which General 
Sessions shall not continue for longer than two days, but may 
finish the business of the Sessions possibly in one day, and 
that from henceforward there shall be held and kept at 
Poughkeepsie near the centre of said County, a Court of Com 
mon Pleas, to begin the next day after the Court of General 
Sessions terminates, and then only if business requires, hold 
and continue for two days following, and no longer, with the 
like power and jurisdiction as other Courts of Common Pleas 
in other Counties within the Province of New York, have used 
and enjoyed, any former Ordinance, Practice or Usage to the 
contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding. 



338 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

" Given under my hand and seal at arms in Council, at 
Fort George, in New York, the sixth day of July, in the 
seventh year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George, by 
the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, 
Defender of the Faith, &c. 

VV. BURNETT." 

This Colonial Court House was burnt in 1785, and was 
rebuilt soon after at a cost of about $12,000. This second 
Court House was the building in which the Convention of the 
People of the State met, on the iyth of June, 1788, to delib 
erate on the new Constitution. The number of delegates was 
sixty-one, representing twelve counties. DUCHESS was repre 
sented by Zephaniah Platt, Melancthon Smith, Jacobus Swart- 
wout, Jonathan Aiken, Ezra Thompson, Gilbert Livingston, and 
John DeWitt. Governor George Clinton was chosen President 
of the Convention. 

In the Convention, says Lossing, the supporters and oppo 
nents of the new Constitution were about equal in number. 
The subject had been ably and earnestly discussed in print. 
Governor Clinton and his family were all opposed to the 
measure. His brilliant nephew, DeWitt Clinton, then a young 
lawyer of New York, less than twenty years of age, had written 
against it in reply to Hamilton in the Federalist, and he at 
tended the Convention here and reported its proceedings for 
the press. In April of that year, he wrote to his father, Gen l 
James Clinton : 

" If the Constitution is adopted, I am convinced that 
several people who now warmly advocate its adoption will ex 
claim From the insolence of great men ; from the tyranny 
of the rich ; from the unfeeling rapacity of the exciseman and 
tax-gatherer ; from the misery of despotism ; from the expense 
of supporting standing armies, navies, policemen, sinecures, 
federal cities, senators, presidents, and a long train of et ceteras, 
Good Lord deliver us. There is yet no prospect of its being 
ratified." 

The debates in the Convention were long and earnest. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 339. 

The principal speakers were Alexander Hamilton,* John Jay, 
and Chancellor Livingston, in favor of the Constitution ; and 
John Lansing, William Harper, Robert Yates, and George 
Clinton against it. The friends of the Constitution were 
gratified and strengthened by news that came by express from 
Richmond, Virginia, which arrived on the 2nd of July, 
announcing the ratification of the instrument by that State, on 
the 25th of June, by a majority of ten; and when the final 
vote was taken in the Convention at Poughkeepsie, on the 
26th of July, there was a majority of only one in favor of the 
Constitution. That single vote in the Court House at Pough 
keepsie decided that the people of this country should have a truly 
national government, with all its attendant blessings. Four of 
the six delegates from DUCHESS voted for it, namely Platt, 
Smith, Livingston and DeWitt. Thompson was not present. 
This historic building was destroyed by fire on Thursday 
night, September 25th, 1808. The flames were discovered 
about 10 o clock; and were attributed to the acts of some of 
the criminals confined in the jail. None of the public docu 
ments in the Clerk s office were destroyed, and the prisoners 
were removed to the Farmers Hotel kept by Amaziah 1 
Blakealee, on Cannon Street, nearly opposite the Duchess 
County Academy. The latter building then stood on the 
present site of St. Mary s Catholic Church. On the 28th day 
of October, on account of the destruction of the Court House, 
the Hon. Smith Thompson, together with David Brooks 
and Robert Williams, held the October term of the Circuit 
Court and the Court of Oyer and Terminer in the Reformed 
Dutch Church. The present Court House was ordered to be 
built the following year under the direction of James Tall- 
madge, John B. Van Wyck, and John Van Benthuysen. It is 
of stone, 50x100 feet, and cost about $24,000. Its walls are 
covered with stucco. 



34 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

The Van Kleeck House, already referred to, was closely 
associated with the most trying scenes in our country s history. 
In 1774, the City of New York elected James Duane, John 
Jay, Philip Livingston, Isaac Low, and John Alsop, delegates 
to the first Continental Congress. The DUCHESS County 
Committee, whose meetings upon the subject were held in 
the Van Kleeck house, adopted these delegates as representa 
tives for their district. 

When the state government was organized,* in 1777, by: 
the adoption of a Constitution, New York being in possession 1 




VAN KLEEK HOUSE, POUGHKEEPSIE. 

of the enemy, the first Session of the Legislature, under the new 
order of things, was held at Kingston, in July of the same year. 
But the invasion of the State at several points by Burgoyne on 
the north, by St. Leger and his Indian and Tory associates at 
the west, and by Sir Henry Clinton on the south compelled 
Governor Clinton to prorogue that body until the first of 
September. No quorum was present until the gih ; and before 
any laws could be matured, the session was broken up early in 



* Lossing. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 341 

October, by the approach of the enemy up the Hudson. 
Kingston was laid in ashes, and all was confusion. As soon as 
the alarm had subsided, Governor Clinton called a meeting of 
the Legislature at Poughkeepsie. It assembled in the Van 
Kleeck House, (then a tavern,) early in January, 1778. Various 
acts to complete the organization of tl\e State Government were 
passed ; provisions were made for strengthening the civil and 
military powers of the State, and it was during that session 
that the state gave its a. c sen.t to the Articles of Confederation. 
This building was the meeting place of the inhabitants to- 
consult on the public welfare, when the Boston Port Bill and 
kindred measures awakened a spirit of resistance throughout 
the country. There the Committee of Correspondence of 
DUCHESS held their meetings ; and there the Pledge to sustain 
the Continental Congress and the Pr^ ^ ii Assembly was 




signed by the inhabitants of Poughkeepsie, in June and July r 

1775- 

A in Le?, founder of the sect called Shakers, was confined 
in this house in 1776, charged with complicity with the enemies 
of Republicanism. There many members of the State 
Convention in 1788, who met to consider the Federal Consti 
tution, found a home during the session. 

About half a mile below where Livingston Street intersects 
Prospect Street, near the river, stands the Livingston Mansion. 
It was built by Henry Livingston in 1714, and is a fine 
specimen of a country mansion of that period. The situation 



342 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

is delightful, completely embosomed among venerable trees, 
on a rising knoll near the river, and far removed from the 
liurry and bustle of the highway. The once secluded beauty 
and quiet of the place has been rudely interrupted by the 
passage of the Hudson River Railroad within a few yards of 
the house. Its occupants have endeavored to preserve its 
ancient appearance ; and even the orifice in the side of the 
house near the door, made by a cannon ball fired from one of 
the British ships which conveyed those troops up the river that 
afterward set fire to Kingston, is preserved with care, and 
shown to visitors as a token of the animosity of the British 
against active Whigs. 

This was the residence of Col. Henry A. Livingston, 
grandson of Philip Livingston, one of the signers of the 
-Declaration of Independence. He died June 9th, 1849. 
Although living in retirement, he often consented to serve the 
public in important offices, and was never known to be absent 
a day from his post in the Senate Chamber, or in the Hall of 
the Court of Errors. He. will long be remembered in Pough- 
keepsie as one of its best citizens. The accompanying cut is 
from a sketch made by the writer in June, 1875, at which time 
the building was still in a good state of preservation.* 

Another historic building is the Clear Everett House. 
Everett was at one time Sheriff of the county. He built the 
ancient stone house standing on Main Street, a little east of 
Whitehouse s Factory, and now called the Washington Hotel." 
When the flying New York Legislature left Kingston, and 
opened a session at the VanKleeck House, Governor Clinton 
took up his residence in the Everett Mansion, from lime to 
time, during the war and afterwards. In that house were 
seated, at different times, many of the leading men of the 
Revolution. There LaFayette was entertained early in 1778, 
and there Governor Clinton was visited by General Washing- 



* .Mr. I avis, wlm owns tlic strro 1 nnso at tlio love - iMiHli ". . Cavort liis propert 
injf nit hi* dock, waving liis lint ai.tl shoutiny lustily, "Ilir. tiii lor Iviuy LJcti 
the liritibh ships bailed L>y. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 343 

ton. who attended a session of a Masonic Lodge in Pough- 
keepsie. In that house Clinton wrote avast number of letters, 
and from it he sent forth several proclamations. Among the 
earlier of the latter documents is one now in possession of 
Lossing, which closes thus : 

" Given under my hand, and the Privy Seal of New York, 
at Poughkeepsie, in the county of Dutchess, the 23d day of 
February, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight. 
God save the people." 

The New York Gazette, for the 4th of July, 1781, thus 
refers, in not very complimentary terms, to the Legislature 
here : 

" There is a set of mob legislators met at Poughkeepsie ; a 
little time will show whether they mean to expose themselves 
to all the vengeance, of which the majority of the late Assem 
bly and Senate live in constant dread, many of them changing 
their lodgings to elude the search of the avengers of the inno 
cent blood they have shed. Mr. Clinton, the titular Governor, 
has fortified his hut [the fine stone mansion of Clear Everett] 
against a sudden surprise, and the rebel slaves of Poughkeepsie 
guard it every night." 

The allusions in this paragraph are explained by a letter 
written at Poughkeepsie, by Governor Clinton to General 




(. Irar ICverett House. 

Schuyler, on the i4th of August, congratulating the general 
because of his narrow escape from abduction by a band of 
Tories and Indians. In that letter Clinton wrote he had 
received a dispatch from General Washington by express, 
informing him that a party had been sent out from New York 
to seize the Governor, and deliver him to the British authorities 



344 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

there, for which service they were to receive a liberal reward. 
" I have persons out to watch their movements," Clinton 
wrote, " and am not without hope of having some of them, at 
least in my power. This is the third party which has been 
sent out on this business, and of which I have been apprised 
during the course of the Spring and Summer, and some of 
them have met their fate at this place, though for different 
crimes." 

One of these, referred to in the letter, was Huddlestone, 
the British spy, who was captured at Wild Boar Hill, in West- 
chester County, near Yonkers, and was tried, condemned and 
hung at Poughkeepsie, in April, 1780. The place of execu 
tion was what was afterwards known as Forbus Hill ; in the 
rear of the present Nelson House in Market Street. Mr. 
Lossing mentions having heard the venerable Abel Gunn, of 
Poughkeepsie, who was a drum major in the Continental army, 
speak of Huddlestone, and of his execution. He described 
him as a small man with a large head and thick neck. He 
was accompanied to the scaffold by the county officers, and a 
small guard of militia enrolled for the purpose. 

The old stone house on Market Street was erected in 1741, 
by a Swede named Von Beck, and for a number of years was 
occupied by him as a hotel. It afterward passed into the 
hands of a Mr. Knox, who also used it for hotel purposes. It 
was at that time, probably, one of the finest houses of enter 
tainment on the post road between New York and Albany. 
The house is of curious construction, the front being of brick, 
said to have been imported for this purpose from Holland by 
Von Bsck. The back and end walls are of stone, while the 
gable ends are of brick. On the rear wall is a stone bearing 
the date 1741. 

Four miles below the city is an ancient farm house, and a 
mill, at the mouth of Spring Brook, at the eastern terminus 
of Milton Ferry. Here during the Revolution lived Theophi- 
lus Anthony, blacksmith, farmer, miller, and staunch Whig, 
who used his forge for making the great chain that stretched 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 345 

across the river at Fort Montgomery. Vaughan, in his 
memorable expedition up the Hudson in the Autumn of 1777, 
laid the rebel blacksmith s mill in ashes, and caused Anthony 
to be confined in the Jersey Prison Ship in New York. Three 
years afterward, Anthony s mill arose from the ashes of the 
old one. 

The following letter relates to the construction of the chain 
above spoken of: 

FISHKILL, Sept. nth, 1776. 

SIR : It is conceived highly necessary that the Iron Chain 
should be immediately dispatched. If it is finished, pray send 
it down to the fort without delay. If it is not finished, let no 
time be lost, and in the interim give us the earliest particular 
account of its present state, and when it will be probably 
finished. I am sir, your very humble servant, 

WILLIAM YATES, JUN. 

To Gilbert Livingston, Esq., Poughkeepsie. 

A few years since a cruel instrument of warfare was 
picked up in the locality of the forge, and is now in possession 
of a friend of the writer. The implement of torture was 
made of iron, with three sharp prongs projecting in such a 
way that one prong would point upwards in whatever position 
the instrument lay. It was intended to be thrown in the way 
of cavalry, to disable the horses. 

Toryism prevailed extensively in DUCHESS when the War 
for Independence broke out. In fact, the inhabitants were 
about equally divided into Whigs and Tories. In the summer 
of 1776 an insurrection broke out in the county against the 
authority of the Provincial Congress. The insurgents went 
about in small numbers and disarmed Whigs, and at one time 
the outbreak was so formidable that militia came from 
Connecticut to aid in putting down the revolters. Many 
arrests were made ; and the jail at Poughkeepsie being full, 
some were sent to the jail in the adjoining county of 
Litch field. 

In March cf the previous year, a few Whigs met at the 



346 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

house of John Bailey, about three miles east from Poughkeep- 
sie, and erected a Liberty Pole with a flag on it bearing the 
words " The King," on one side, and " The Congress and 
Liberty" on the other. The Sheriff of DUCHESS County 
attended by a judge of the inferior court, and " two of his 
Majesty s Justices of the Peace and a constable," with some 
other Tories, cut down the pole " as a public nuisance." This 
act no one dared to repeat the next year in Poughkeepsie, for 
then the fires of the Revolution were burning brighter and 
more decided. 

When the news of the suirender of Cornwallis sent a thrill 
of joy throughout the land, it was received with delight by the 
patriotic citizens of Duchess County. The news reached 
Poughkeepsie on the 2Qth day of October. The Legislature 
was then in session here, says Lossing, and both Houses, with 
the Governor, proceeded to the Reformed Dutch Church, and 
there offered thanksgivings to God for the great deliverance. 
The Rev. John H. Livingston officiated on that occasion. 
From the church the members of the Legislature went out to 
the residence of the Governor to tender their congratulations. 
Cannon were fired, bonfires were lighted, and the houses of 
Whig citizens were illuminated in the evening. 

At that time there were only two stores in Poughkeepsie, 
one kept by Eeekman Livingston, on the site of the present 
Park House, corner of Market and Cannon Streets, and the 
other by Archibald Stewart, " adjoining the Dutch Church." 
Each kept a general assortment of dry goods, groceries, drugs 
and hardware. On the occasion just alluded to, Beekman s 
store was illuminated. Stewart was a Scotchman and Loyalist, 
and his store was " darkened," so to speak, by the light of a 
single tallow clip. 

On the day of rejoicing here, a scouting party returning to 
a militia camp near the village (the " rebel slaves of Pough 
keepsie") met another party just going out, when a negro 
belonging to the former called out to one of the latter, " I say, 
Cuffee, what all dat firing we hear to-day?" The other replied, 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 347 

* l Oh, my dear soul, nuffin tall, only Burgoyne had a brudder 
"born to-day !" 

As before stated, when the first enumeration of the inhabi 
tants of DUCHESS County was made, [1714] the number was 
only 445, f whom 67 were freeholders, and 27 were negro 
slaves. The most extensive slaveholders in our county at that 
time were Baltus Van Kleeck and Dirck Wessels, who owned 
five slaves each. Poughkeepsie increased slowly in popula 
tion ; and in 1737, when the county was assessed to build the 
Colonial Court House, the assessment of Poughkeepsie was 
less than $2,500 against $5,000 for Rhinebeck. One hundred 
years ago it was a hamlet of not more than 150 persons, yet it 
made quite a conspicuous figure in the stirring history of that 
time. 

It was selected as one of the places in 1775, where vessels 
of the Continental Navy were to be built ; and here, in 1776, 
the frigates Congress and Montgomery were constructed under 
the surpervision of Captains Lawrence and Tudor. One or 
two fire-ships with fire-arrows were fitted out here by Captain 
Hazlewood, in the Summer of 1776. The frigates were not 
completed and armed before late in the Autumn of 1776; 
they were wintered at the mouth of the Rondout Creek. The 
Continental Navy Yard was on the site of the late Edward 
Southwick s tannery, near the Lower Landing. The following 
papers relate to the building and launching of the frigates : 

In Nov., 1776, the shipwrights employed on public works 
at Poughkeepsie petitioned the Convention of New York for 
an increase of wages. Everything was advancing in price, and 
the wages for journeymen was 8s., and los. for the foreman. 
The lowest price they agreed to take was us. and a half pint 
of rum per day for the journeymen, and 145. and a half pint 
of rum per day for the foreman. 

" Yours came to hand. We advise you by all means to 
launch the frigates as soon as you can, and then proceed with 
the vessels to the place most safe in Rondout Creek, near 
Esopus Landing. We are sensible of the custom to give a 
treat to the workmen after launching, nor do we know that 



348 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

$1.00 for each is too much. We would recommend that you 
give it careful consideration, that you may not be blamed of 
extravagance, nor we of giving sanction thereto." 

FROM COMMITTEE OF STATE. 

At the close of February, 1776, the navigation of the 
Lower Hudson was unimpeded by ice, and vessels sailed freely 
between New York and Poughkeepsie the first week in March. 
Congress having ordered, as before observed, the construction 
of two naval vessels at Poughkeepsie, accordingly, on the 7th 
of March of that year, workmen and materials were conveyed 
to that place in a sloop from New York. Before the middle 
of that month, a sloop came down from Albany laden with 
lumber from the mills of General Schuyler at Saratoga, for the 
ship-yard at Poughkeepsie, and heavy cannon, and eight tons 
of powder and stores arrived at Albany, by a similar convey 
ance, for the army in Canada. The Upper Hudson and the 
Jakes were clear of ice early in April a circumstance that had 
not occurred in many years. 

Seven Tories were at one time committed to the jail at 
Poughkeepsie, for robbing a number of houses. They were 
all painted and dressed like Indian men, but it was found that 
five of them were women, including a mother and her two 
daughters. 

Samuel Geake, an emissary of Sir Henry Clinton, enlisted 
in Captain Swartwout s Company while at Poughkeepsie, in 
the character of a recruit ; and, insinuating himself into the 
good graces of the officers of Fort Schuyler, acquired much 
valuable information respecting the means, designs and expec 
tations of the Americans. He was suspected, arrested, tried 
by court martial as a spy, and condemned to death. He was 
spared, however, as a witness against Major Hammell, another 
recreant American, who accompanied him to Poughkeepsie, 
ani who was under arrest at that time. Geake confessed that 
he was employed for the crime of which he was accused. He 
said that Major Hammell who had been taken prisoner by the 
British, had espoused their cause, and was promised a colonelcy 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 349 

in the British army, and that he [Geake] was to receive the 
commission of Lieutenant as soon as he should return to New- 
York from Fort Schuyler. 

Samuel Loudon,* of Fishkill, was State printer until he 
found a rival in John Holt, who set up his press in Pough- 
keepsie. Holt published^he New York Jjurnal^ and like 
Loudon, had fled to a place of safety, first to Kingston, and 
then to Poughkespsie. Three days before Holt s death, in 
1784, Loudon petitioned for the State printing, preferring his- 
claims on the following grounds : 

"That your Memorialist s family is numerous and expen 
sive (being twenty in number) and it will take considerable 
employment in the profession of a Printer, to yield them a 
moderate support. 

" That your Memorialist has suffered much loss in the 
course of the War, not only by the depreciation of the Paper 
Money, but by the detention of both Public and Private 
debts, and have now to begin the world, though at an age 
considerably advanced. 

" That your Memorialist has brought up his oldest son, a 
native of this [New York] Cit>, after a liberal education, and 
has been taught the Printing Business, and is esteemed an 
accurate compositor, and that your Memorialist has a number 
of other good Workmen employed in the Printing Business. 

" That your Memorialist printed the Journal of the Legis 
lature of both Houses, while at Fishkill, and at a time when 
no other Printer in the State would do them, as at that time, 
paper was extremely dear and scarce, they were printed to the 
approbation of his employers, and he is now ready to print the 
Laws or Journals of both Houses (should it be thought 
eligable to give him both) on as moderate terms as the price 
of paper and the wages of workmen will admit." 

The first preaching in DUCHESS County was probably by 
ministers of the Reformed Dutch Church. Two societies of 
that denomination were formed in the county in the year 1716, 
by the Rev. Peter Vas, of Kingston : one being located at 
Poughkeepsie, and the other at Fishkill. These were the first 
organized churches in DUCHESS. 

*See pa^c 192. 



350 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

A deed of land was given in 1718, tor the use of the inhab 
itants of Poughkeepsie for a burial place, and plot for a meet 
ing-house, wherein the worship of God was to be conducted in 
the Low Dutch language. The deed bears date December 
26, 1718, and was acknowledged before Leonard Lewis. The- 
ground deeded was on the corner of Main and Market Streets, 
The older inhabitants will remember the mean old buildings 
which covered that ground until the year 1830, beneath which 
were the remains, thickly planted, of the earlier people of 
Poughkeepsie. In that year these remains were removed, and 
the fine buildings which now cover the front of the ground 
were erected. The late Gilbert Brewster built several of them, 
and that corner of Main and Market Street was long known 
as " Brewster s Corner." 

The entire plot was devoted to burials. As the city grew 
this ground was wanted for building lots. At first the desecra 
tion was permitted so far as to allow the inhabitants to put 
buildings upon the ground, but were not allowed to have any 
cellars under them. In a little while, human bones began to 
appear about the streets, and around the dumping grounds 
the people being inclined to transcend their privileges some 
what, some excavating underneath their houses unobserved. 
Finally the ground was dug over, the bones carefully picked 
out, and placed in a vault to the rear of the Smith Brothers 
restaurant. 

The first Reformed Dutch Church edifice* was built on the 
opposite side of Main Street ; and there, in the rear of the 
store, may be seen the graves and gravestones of a burial 
ground attached to that meeting house. It was demolished 
about the year 1819, when the one was erected that was burned 
in January, 1857, and which stood on the site of the present 
First Reformed Dutch Church of Poughkeepsie. 

The Dutch Reformed Church in this country (the exact 

* Bailey says a house of worship was built previous to this, situated south of Main 
Street, on this plot. It was erected about the year 1720, of stone; it had a hipped roof, with 
a moderate tower in front. The tower extended above the peak of the roof a short distance, 
where the bell was suspended. This was surmounted wiih a tapering spire* Tne entrance. 
was in the tower, which fronted Main Street. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 351 

counterpart of that in Holland) adhered to the custom of hav 
ing preaching in the Low Dutch language, with great tenacity. 
The first of these churches in America were planted at New 
York (the Nieu Amsterdam), Flatbush, Esopus and Albany. 
That at New York was founded at or before the year 1639. It 
was the established religion of the colony, until its surrender to 
the English in 1674, when the Church of England took its 
place. 

The first judicatory higher than a consistency among this 
people was a coetus formed in 1747, with no higher object 
than that of advice and fraternal intercourse. The first regu 
lar classis was formed in 1757, which involved the church in 
unhappy collisions, two powerful parties being formed within 
its bosom which carried on a war of words for several years, 
and, at times, threatened the church. It was, in a large degree, 
alienated from the mother church in Holland. Finally, in 
1766, John H. Livingston (the father of the late Colonel 
Henry A. Livingston, of Poughkeepsie) went from New York 
to Holland, to prosecute his studies, in preparation for the min 
istry, in the Dutch universities. He was then a young man ; 
but his representations produced a favorable disposition toward 
the American church. Its membership declined, in conse 
quence of the persistence in preaching in the Dutch language, 
and Dr. Laidlic, a native of Scotland, was the first minister of 
that church in America, who was expressly called to preach in 
the English language. 

Mr. Livingston was a native of Poughkeepsie, and received 
the degree of D. D. at Utrecht, in Holland, in 1779. During 
a portion of the Revolutionary war, he preached in the Dutch 
language in the first Dutch Reformed Church built in Pough 
keepsie. He was appointed President of the college at New 
Brunswick, N. J., in 1807, and there spent the remainder of his 
life, prolonged till 1825. 

There was no settled pastor over the Dutch Churches of 
Poughkeepsie and Fishkill for several years after their organiza 
tion. They, however, enjoyed the occasional services of the 



352 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Revs. Peter Vas, of Kingston, Gualterus Dubois, of New 
York, Vincentius Antonides, of Kings County, and Mr. Van 
Deusen, of Albany. 

The first minister regularly called and settled over them 
was the Rev. Cornelius Van Schie, who was sent by the 
Classis of Amsterdam, in the year 1731, fifteen years after the 
churches were organized. The following persons constituted 
the first consistory of the Dutch church at Poughkeepsie : 
Elders, Peter Palmatier, and Johannis Van Kleeck ; Deacons, 
Lawrens Van Kleeck and Myndert Vanderbogart. Van Schie 
was succeeded by Rev. Benjamin Meinema, whose call bears 
date 1745, and who remained pastor of the churches till the 
year 1758. The third pastor was the Rev. Jacobus Van Nist. 
His ministry was short, for he died in early life. He was 
buried in the church yard at Fishkill, where his tomb stone 
was accidentally discovered while some men were digging a 
grave. 

The death of Van Nist occurred about the period of the 
unhappy strife between the Coetus and Conferentia parties. 
In 1763 the Conferentia party of Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, 
Hopewell, and Rhinebeck, united in sending a call to the 
classis of Amsterdam, to be disposed of according to its 
wishes. That body appointed Rev. Isaac Rysdyck pastor over 
the churches, who was regularly installed. On the nth of Dec., 
1769, the Coetus party presented a call to Henricus Schoon- 
maker, a candidate for the ministry, which call was accepted. 
So vehement was the opposition of the opposing faction to Mr. 
Schoonmaker, that at the time of his installation in Pough 
keepsie, they forcibly closed the doors against him, and the 
services took place under an old apple-tree not far distant 
from the present site of the First Dutch Church. Peace 
being again restored, Mr. Rysdyck relinquished his charge of 
the church in Poughkeepsie, and confined himself mainly to 
the care of the churches of New Hackensack, Hopewell, and 
Fishkill, until his death, which occurred November 2nd, 1790. 
He died very suddenly, from paralysis. The congregation had 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



353 



assembled that morning for services, when a messenger arrived 
and informed them that Rysdyck was dead. He was found 
alone in his room, with his comp eted manuscript sermon before 
him. His remains were placed beneath the floor in front of 
the pulpit (an ancient Dutch custom) in the old church at 
New Hackensack. When the old edifice was taken down in 
1834, they were removed to the burying ground. 

In the year 1800, a few Baptists began to meet for social 
worship in this place. They had but little preaching. Mr. 
PaLner was one of their first preichers. A council met at 
George Parker s, June loth, 1807, and organized a church of 
1 6 members. Francis Wayland, Sen., was their first pastor, 
who remained with them four years, during which time they 
built a house of worship. Rev. John Lawson, a missionary, 
when on his way to India, preached for them some time. He 




Old Quaker Church, Mill Street. 

was succeeded by Lewis Leonard, of Massachusetts. In 1815 
a Convention met with them at their request, and organized 
the Hudson River Association.* 

Aaron Parker succeeded Leonard as pastor, remaining one 
year. Their next pastor was Rtifus Babcock, Jr., who was 
ordained with them. He continued there three years and was 
much esteemed. He was succeeded by R. W. Cushman, and 
Hutchinson. In 1826, Rev. A. Perkins returned, and was 
their pastor four years. In 1839, the church again obtained 
the services of Rufus Babcock. D. D., who served them as 

* This asssociation at one time numbered over 12,000 members. 

W 



354 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

pastor three years more with abundant success, when he 
resigned to engage in the important duties of Corresponding, 
Secretary of the American and Foreign Bible Society. Their 
house of worship, which had just then been erected, cost 
$20,000, one half of which was given by Mathew Vassar, a 
member of the congregation. Thomas S. Ranney and wife, 
Missionaries to Birmah, were for several years members of 
this church. 

An aged resident mentions an old Methodist Meeting 
House probably the first of that denomination in Poughkeep- 
sie which at one time stood in the vicinity of the burying 
ground between Main Street dock and the Lower Landing 
It was a plain edifice, and unpainted ; it had no steeple, and 
was never finished on the inside. 

The cemetery north of Poughkeepsie, on the Hyde Park 
road, was the ground used by the Reformed Dutch Church 
and society for burial purposes, after the old grounds on 
Market street were given up. Here may be seen the monu 
ments of some of the oldest residents. Near the southern 
borders of the city, below Montgomery street, is the old 
Episcopal burying ground. Elegant residences are springing 
up around it ; and the hurry and bustle of the busy throng 
contrast strangely with the solemn stillness of the sacred 
enclosure. Here, too are monuments marking the resting 
place of the ancient buried dead, shaded by venerable trees, 
and hidden by dense underbrush. 

During the week ending Nov. 4, 1806, at a Court held in 
the village of Poughkeepsie, Judge Daniel D. Tompkins pre 
siding, Jesse Wood was tried and convicted for the murder 
of his son, Joseph Wood, and sentenced to be executed on the 
5th of the following December. The circumstances attending 
the murder were these : Joseph and his brother were engaged 
in a quarrel. The dispute rose to such a pitch that Joseph shot 
his brother, fatally wounding him. The father hearing the 
report of the gun, hastened to the scene and found one of them 
upon the ground bleeding, and Joseph standing over him with 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



355 



a gun. The father snatched the weapon away, and each tried 
to assist the wounded brother. In this position they were dis 
covered by other parties, and the brother soon expired. At 
the trial Joseph accused his father of having committed the 
deed, and the father as strenuously accused the son. The 
wounded brother was unable to tell which was the guilty one ; 
and as the father had the gun in his hand when first seen, the 
preponderance of evidence was against him, and he was exe 
cuted. Joseph some years after, when on his death bed, con 
fessed that he himself was the murderer, and that his father was 
innocent of the crime for which he was hung. A man named 




Court House. 



Shaffer was tried about the same time, having murdered his 
sister by splitting her skull open with an ax. The evidence 
being conclusive, he too was sentenced to suffer the extreme 
penalty of the law. 

Executions in those days took place in public, and were 
made the occasions of a general gathering of the people for 
miles around. The gallows on which Shaffer and Wood were 
hung was erected on the grounds a short distance below the 
southern terminus of South Hamilton street, between the resi 
dence of Hon. J. O. Whitehouse and Springside. Thousands 
upon thousands were present, covering all the surrounding 
elevations. 

The morning of the execution opened bright and clear. 
Joseph Thorn, Sheriff of DUCHESS County, had previously is 
sued an order to Capt. Slee, directing him to parade his com 
pany of artillery, for the purpose of escorting the condemned 



3 5^ HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

to the place of execution. At about 10 o clock, the Sheriff 
entered the cell of the prisoners, which was on the lower floor 
of the old court house, where he found them in charge of their 
spiritual advisers, and apparently resigned to their fate. After 
-securing their limbs to prevent their escape, the Sheriff led 
them forth into the corridor, where they were permitted to take 
final leave of their friends. Then, accompanied by the minis 
ters, they were taken outside, placed in a close carriage, and 
driven to the scaffold. 

The prisoners approached the fatal instrument with a firm 
Step, and retained their nerve to the last. Everything being in 
readiness, the condemned were at once placed upon the gal 
lows, which was of the old drop style. Jesse Wood, to the last, 
persisted in declaring his innocence; and the spectators were 
greitly shocked at this apparent hardened iniquity in giving ut 
terance to what they supposed a falsehood at the very threshold 
of eternity. The death warrant was read to the condemned, 
followed by prayer by the clergymen. After being permitted to 
*hake hands with those who accompanied them, the black cap 
was drawn, and they were launched into another world. We 
believe these to have been the last public executions in 
DUCHESS County. 

" Sitting with a file of the Political Barometer before us, 
bearing date 1809, published in Poughkeepsie every Wednes 
day morning, by Joseph Nelson, five doors south of the Court 
House, we are for the time being carried back to days of 
auld lang syne in our local history. It is a long look back; 
and time has wrought many changes during the period that has 
elapsed since these sheets were issued fresh from the press. No 
One can deny that the newspaper reflects the spirit and 
progress of the age to an extent more marked than any other 
One thing. An antique and strangely arranged sheet it is ; 
decidedly out of proportion as to length and breadth, and the 
Old-fashioned " s " (f) playing a prominent part. The reading 
matter is of the most solid and uninteresting character; while 
the local news is confined almost exclusively to the advertise- 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 357 

ments, and there must we look for items of interest." We 
give below a few of the more striking : 

Cunningham & Smith, two doors west of Post Office, offer 
bargains in dry goods of all descriptions, also rums, brandies, 
gins, salt, hardware, crockery, hollow ware, &c. 

Benj. Herrick adds to these commodities, log-wco:!, 
leather, drugs, wagons, &c. 

Samuel Mulford and Nicholas Power, Tun., announce their 
co-partnership for carrying on the dry-goods business in the 
yellow store opposite Paul Schenck s, Main Street. 

Samuel Slee gives notice that he has purchased the stock 
in trade of Seelhorst & Co., in the Hardware Ironmonger and 
bar iron business. 

John Ryan carried on a grocery business under the hotel 

Baltus Van Kleeck & Co., offer for sale dyers and fullers- 
articles, drugs, medicines, &c. They, [as all other merchants 
did at that time.] offer to take country produce in payment. 

John L. Holthuysen carried on the lime and lumber 
business at the Lower Landing. 

David Phillips has for sale one lot on the corner of 
Washington and Mill Street, five lots on Main, and two houses 
and lots on the corner of Academy and Main. 

Cantillons & Collins offer for sale the noted estate called 
Cantillons Landing, on the east bank of the Hudson. County 
of Duchess, seven miles north of Poughkeepsie. 

Francis L. Eerier conducted a French Academy at the 
house of Ephraim T. Paine, Esq., Main Street. Mrs. Paine 
had a school in the same building. It would appear that the 
streets wer^ not numbered at the time, as none are given. 

The following, copied from the ancient records in Pough 
keepsie, show the form of a legal instrument in olden times : 

) Thomas Sanders, lustice of the 

Dutchess County j- ss. peac for ^ ^J my ^^ 

To all Constables and other officers as well within; 

j-j ^ -, said county as elsewhere within the Collony of Ne\v 

York, to whom the execution r.ereof doth or may 

concern, Greeting. 

WHEREAS, I have Received Information and charge 



35 8 jHISTORY QF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

against one James Jones, lately come from Lebanon, in ye 
County of Wiadham, in ye Collony of Connecticut, and Liveing 
in Dutchess County, at the house of one Ellexander Griggs, 
Calls himself a Weaver, a Lusty Well Sott Likely man full 
faced Brown Complexioned and wares a Black Wigg Irishman ; 
by birth by the brogue on his Speach, who is Charged before 
me to be a Dangerous person and is suspected to have Stolen 
a silver -spoon or the bigest part of a Silver Spoon ; as by a 
warrant Produced ; and the complaint of Wiliiam Derddy of 
Lebanon im county afores 4 sometime in the month of this pres 
ent November. 

Notwithstanding Seavverall Endeavours for apprehensions 
of him he hath not as yett been apprehended but hath with 
drawn himself and fled Lately from Lebanon in ye County 
of Windham In ye Colloney of Conecticut. and is Come to 
our County of Dutchess These are therefore in his majesties 
name to command you and every of You to make diligent 
search within your seaverall Precincts and Districts for said 
James Jones, and to make hue and Cry after him from Town 
to Town, and from County to County, and that as well by 
horsemen as by footmen, according to Law, and if you shall 
find the said James Jones that then you do carry him before 
some one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace Within the 
county or place whare he shall be taken to be Dealtt withal ac 
cording to Law. Hereof fail not at yourperills. Given under 
my hand In Dutchess County this Seventeenth Day of Novem 
ber, In the fourth year of our Reaign, and In the year of our 
Lord God Everlasting An 1730. 

The mark of X Thomas Sanders 

To Franc Cool High Constapel Justice of the Peace. 

In Dutchess County pursue after 

the person in this Hue and Cry. 

The following is an account of LaFayette s visit : General 
the Marquis-de Lafayette, after an absence of thirty-nine 
years, revisited our country on the invitations of Congress, as 
the nation s guest, in 1824. He reached New York on the i5th 
of August, in the packet ship Cadmus, Capt. Allyn, with his 
son and secretary. The Government had tendered him a 
United States frigate, but always simple and unostentatious, he 
preferred to come as an ordinary passenger in a packet ship. 

There were no wires fifty years ago over which intelligence 
conld pcss with lightning speed; but the v sit of LaFayelte 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



359 



was expected, and the pulses and hearts of the people were 
quickened and warmed simultaneously, through some mysteri 
ous medium, throughout the whole Union. Citizens rushed 
from neighboring cities and villages to welcome the French 
nobleman, who, before he was twenty-one years old, had 
devoted himself and his fortune to the American colonies in 
their unequal conflict with the mother country for indepen 
dence ; and who, after fighting gallantly by the side of Wash 
ington through the Revolutionary War, returned to France 
with the only reward he desired or valued the gratitude of a 
free people. 

General LaFayette was now sixty-seven years of age, with 
some physical mnrmites, but intellectually strong, and in man 
ners and feeling cheerful, elastic and accomplished. 

The General embarked at i o clock, a. in. At half past 
two his approach was annm^r^H by a discharge of cannons 




City Hall. 

f:om the bluff just below the landing at Poughkeepsie. Large 
piles of seasoned wood, saturated with tar and turpentine, were 
kindled upon that bluff, fed by hundreds of boys who had 
been intrusted with that duty, and which were kept blazing 
high, filling the atmosphere with lurid flame and smoke until 
daylight. Soon after sunrise, a large concourse of the citizens 
of Poughkeepsie, with a military escort, arrived at the wharf. 
The boat having arrived, Gen. LaFayette, accompanied by 
Col. Huger of South Carolina, (distinguished for his attempt to 



360 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

rescue the General from the prison of Olmutz) Gens. Van 
Courtlan 1, Fish aril Le.vis, were collected to a barouche 
drawn by four white horses. Gen. Brush, assisted by Col. 
Cunningham, then formed the procession which moved at the 
word of command up Main Street into Academy, and down 
Cannon into Market Street, in front of the Forbus Hotel, 
where they were formed into a hollow square, and the General 
was received by the Trustees of the village. 

He was next conducted to the upper piazza of the Forbus 
House, when an address of welcome was tendered by Col. H. 
A. Livingston, to which LaFayette feelingly replied. He was 
then shown to the centre hall, where the ladies, eager to offer 
their tribute of respect, were presented ; after which he 
returned to the lower piazza, and was introduced to the officers 
present. He then walked along the line of troops, bowing to 
them as he passed, and receiving their respects. Among them 
was an old soldier bearing the marks of poverty and hardship, 
but whom the General recognized, and cordially shook by the 
hand. 

At the conclusion of these ceremonies the General was 
escorted to the Poughkeepsie Hotel, where an excellent break 
fast was provided. LaFayette sat at the head of the table, 
and Major Swartwout, a soldier of the Revolution, 95 years of 
age, was placed at the opposite end, the seats on either side 
being occupied by the most prominent persons of the village. 
Over the folding doors were the words " Welcome LaFayette," 
made up wholly of the pink blossoms of the china-aster. 

Breakfast over, the General was escorted to the landing, 
and amid the firing of cannons, the waving of handkerchiefs,, 
and the cheers from thousands, the steamer proceeded up the 
river to the then beautiful residence of Governor Morgan 
Lewis, where the party landed, proceeded to his fine old 
mansion, and partook of a sumptuous collation. About two 
o clock the steamer glided through the placid waters until 
between four and five o clock, when she reached Clermont, 
the manor house of Chancellor Livingston, of revolutionary 




SOLDIERS MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN AND GROUNDS. 



^ - 








VIEW IN EASTMAN S PARK. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 361 

memory. On landing the General was received by a large 
body of Free Masons, and was escorted by a military company 
from Huison to the beautiful lawn in front of the manor 
house, where the General was warmly welcomed by the Master 
of the Lodge in an appropriate speech. The afternoon was 
uncommonly beautiful. The scene and its associations were 
exceedingly impressive. Dinner was served in a green-house 
or orangery, which formed a sort of balcony to the Southern 
exposure of the manor house. When the cloth was removed 
and the evening came on, variegated lamps suspended from the 
orange trees were lighted, producing a beautiful and wonder 
fully brilliant effect. Distinguished men from Esopus, Sauger- 
ties, Upper and Lower Red Hock, Catskill, Hudson, &c., had 
been invited. Among these were Robert and James Tillotsen, 
Walter Patterson, Peter R., Edward P. and " Oakhill John" 
Livingston, Jacob Haight, Thomas B. Cook, James Powers; 
John Suydam, Judge Willam W. Van Ness, Elisha Williams, 
Jaob Rutson Van Rensselaer, Ambrose L. Jordan and Justis 
Me Kinstry. But the grand event of the occasion was the 
ball, which was opened by General LaFayetle, leading the 
graceful, blind widow of Gen. Montgomery, who fell in the 
assault at Quebec, 1775 amidst the wildest enthusiasm of all 
present. While the festivities were progressing within, the 
assembled tenantry who were to the "manor born," were 
feasted upon the lawn, where there were music and dancing. 
The party broke up and returned to the boat about 3 A. M. 
The steamer hauhd out into the river, but did not get under 
way till sunrise. 

On the afternoon of the i2th of August, 1840, a terrific 
thunder storm arcse. During its progress the air was filled 
with sulphur, and so incessant was the lightning that Mam 
and Market Streets seemed to be one vivid sheet of fire." 
Major Hatch then kept the Forbus House. He was sitting 
with his brc v ar a n t ihe bell-knob, in con-pany with Gilbert 
V. Wilkinson and Charles Potter. The lightning entered a 
room on the second floor, and followed the bell-wire down to> 



362 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



the knob and on the side of the front door, striking the Major 
in the back, killing him instantly, and rendering his compan 
ions insensible. A ball of fire entered a room on the first 
floor of a house on Cannon Street, where it separated, one 
portion passing out of the front door, and the other going 
through the kitchen, striking senseless a girl who was at work 
there. Several other buildings about the town were damaged ; 
the bells all rang the fire alarm, and general consternation pre 
vailed among the people. 

In the Autumn of 1844, the State Fair was held in Pough- 
keepsie, on the grounds in the eastern part of the then village. 

The hill back of the city is crowned with a model of the 
Temple of Minerva. From this point the city appears like a 




Catholic Church. Cannon Sircet. 

town in the midst of a forest ; and a view of a fine farming 
country of a radius of thirty miles, spreads out before the eye 
of the beholder. The city is profusely shaded with multitudes 
of maple, elm, and acacia trees. The building here mentioned 
was formerly the Poughkeepsie Collegiate School. This insti 
tution was organized in 1836, under the charge of Charles 
Bartlett and others. The school has been discontinued, and it 
is now used as a hotel. The following is copied from Barber s 
Historical Collections, descriptive of this once flourishing insti 
tution of learning : 

"Its situation is truly a noble one; standing on an emi- 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 363 

nence commanding an extensive view of almost every variety 
of feature necessary to the perfection of a beautiful landscape. 
From the colonnade, which entirely surrounds it, the eye of the 
spectator can compass a circuit of nearly sixty miles ; on the 
south, at a distance of twenty miles, the Highlands terminate 
the view, within which an apparent plain stretches to their 
base, covered with highly cultivated farms, neat mansions and 
thriving villages. Similar scenery meets the eye on the east, 
but mure undulating. On the west and north, the Hudson 
rolls in its pride and beauty, dotted with the sails of inland 
commerce and numerous steamboats, all laden with products 
of industry and busy men. In the dim distance, the azure 
summits of the Catskills, reared to the clouds, stretch away to 
the north, a distance of forty miles, where the far-famed 
* Mountain House is distinctly seen, like a pearl in its moun 
tain crest, at an elevation of three thousand feet above the 
river. At our feet, like a beautiful panorama, lies the city of 
Poughkeepsie, with its churches, its literary institutions, and 
various improvements in view, indicating the existence of a 
liberal spirit of well-directed enterprise." 

Two miles below Poughkeepsie is Locust Grove. This was 
the seat of the late Prof. S F. B. Morse, a name known 
throughout every civilized nation of the globe as the inventor 
of the magnetic telegraph. Locust Grove was his summer 
residence, where he enjoyed telegraphic communication with 
every part of the United States and the British Provinces. 
This mansion is embosomed among the trees, on an eminence 
overlooking the river, and is one of the most charming retreats 
along the Hudson. Nearly opposite, on the west bank, we see 
Blue Point. It is said that under the shadow of these hills 
was the favorite anchorage of " The Storm Ship." The legend 
connected with this is one of the oldest, and therefore the 
most reliable. The story, which has been rendered immortal 
by the pen of the gifted Irving, is somewhat as follows : Years 
ago, when New York was a village a mere cluster of houses on 
the point now known as the Battery ; when the Bowery was 



364 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

the farm of Peter Stuyvesant, and the neighborhood of the 
old Dutch Church on Nassau Street was considered the- 

country, say one hundred and fifty years ago the whole 1 

town was one evening put into great commotion by the fact, 
that a ship was coming up the bay. The arrival of a ship 
was, in those days, a matter of great importance, and everybody 
flocked to the landing place. The vessel approached the- 
Battery within hailing distance, and then sailing both against 
wind and tide, turned aside and passed up the Hudson. Week 
after week elapsed, but she never returned ; and whenever a 
storm came down the Tappan Zee. it is said she could be seen 
careering over the waste ; and in the midst of the turmoil you 
could hear the Captain giving orders in good Low Dutch. But 
when the weather was pleasant, her favorite anchorage was 
among the shadows of the picturesque hills a few miles above 
the Highlands. It was thought by some to be Hendrick 
Hudson, and his crew of the " Half Moon," who had once run 
aground in the upper part of the river ; and people living in 
this vicinity still insist that under the calm harvest moon they 
can see her under the bluff of Blue Point, all in deep shadow, 
save her topsails glittering in the moonlight. 

The following is from the Political Barometer, 1809 ; "The 
sloop Edward, John Foster, Jun., sails from the Landing of 
Geo. B. Everson & Co., for the accommodation of ladies and 
gentlemen traveling on business or pleasure, leaving Pough- 
keepsie on Tuesdays at 5 o clock, p. m., and New York on 
Fridays. Her berths are furnished with packing bottoms, new 
beds and beddings. Passengers will be let ashore if requested,, 
at any place between Poughkeepsie and new York." 

An aged citizen says: "I well remember the time when* 
the old steamboats used to ply between New York and Albany 
and that when they hove in sight of the point coming down, a. 
boy, with an immense tin horn, would go up. in the town and 
blow on the horn, to give notice that the boat was in sight. 
Those intending to take passage would come down to the river,. 
without much necessity of hurrying either, as the old crafts; 



"HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



365 



proceeded very slowly ; and there was plenty of time for the 
passengers to dress and walk down to the river before the boat 
reached the dock. In those primitive days the passengers 
were taken to the steamboat in a yawl, as the former did not 
make landings at the dock." 

Whale dock is located a short distance north of Main 
Street landing. It is so named because the whale ships, that 
were sent out from Poughkeepsie many years ago, were moored 
at this point. This business was conducted largely under the 
patronage of Nathaniel P. Talmadge. Many a DUCHESS County 
youth signed the shipping papers, and cured his love for the sea 
iby a long whaling voyage. The first ship sent out came back 




Jewish Syuajjoyue. 

at the end of three years with a large stock of oil and whale 
bone, but the subsequent voyages were failures, and the busi 
ness was finally given up. 

A fearful accident occurred at the drawbridge spanning the 
creek at New Hamburgh, on the 6th of February, 187 i, occa 
sioned by the colliding of a special oil train going south, and 
the Pacific express train going north. The axle of one of the 
oil cars broke just before reaching the drawbridge, which threw 
the car from the track, and caused it to project sufficiently to 
be struck by the locomotive of the express train. The latter, 
locomotive and all, was instantly thrown from the track into 
the water on the east side of the bridge. Several of the oil 



366 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

cars were crushed, and the wreck of both trains set on fire by 
the flames communicated to the oil by the furnace of the loco 
motive. Three sleeping cars were attached to the express train. 
In the first of these, the passengers were so injured and 
stunned by the collision, that they were unable to leave the car 
before it was enveloped in flames, and all perished. The pas 
sengers in the other cars were comparatively uninjured, and 
escaped before the flames reached them. Almost immediately 
the bridge was likewise all ablaze, and in a short time it fell 
with a crash, carrying with it the burning cars, and burying in 
the ice and water the half consumed bodies of the occupants 
of the first sleeping car. Between thirty and forty persons 
were believed to have perished. 

The eminences about New Hamburgh are covered with 
Arbor Vitae.* Loudon, the English naturalist, says the finest 
specimens in the world of this species of tree are to be found 
here. The most beautiful are from six to ten feet in hight. 
They are of all sizes and forms ; from the tall tree that 
shows its first stem several feet from the ground, to the perfect 
cone that seems to rest on the earth. 

Many of the readers of this volume will doubtless 
remember that old river institution, the "horse ferryboat." 
The annexed is a representation of 
one of the last in use on the Hud 
son. In 1860 there were only two 
of the kind one at Milton Ferry, 
iiorse Ferry Boat. shown in the cut, and the other at 

Coxsackie. Steam has superseded the horse as a motive 
power, and the horse ferry boat exists only in the memories of 
the past. 

To the eastward of the city of Poughkeepsie are the sites 
of two race courses, now obliterated. One of these tracks 
was in existence but a few years ago ; the other dates back to 
earlier times, when running matches were more in vogue than 
at present. Then the people came from all parts of the 

* In New England, it is frequently called Hacktruttuck, Lt bears yellow cones about 
five lines in 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 367 

country, remaining three or four days. It is said it was not 
unusual for a large amount of money to change hands during 
the races. 

Vassar College, established for the higher education of 
young women, enjoys the distinguishing feature of being the 
first of the kind ever founded. Its history is thus briefly given 
by the historian, Losing : Its Board of Directors was organ 
ized in February, 1861, and it was opened in September, 1865, 
with 350 students. It possesses an Art-Gallery, Cabinet and 
Museum, not inferior to those of any college in our country, 
and has a Library of almost 10,000 volumes. Its founder, 
Matthew Vassar, lived here from his early boyhood until his 
death. He began his business life in Poughkeepsie 66 years 
ago, [1876] as a brewer of ale, i barrel at a time, which he car 
ried around the streets with his own hands, and sold to cus 
tomers. When by honesty, industry and thrift he had accumu 
lated a large fortune in his declining years, he was induced by 
his niece, Miss Lydia Booth, who was at the head of a semi 
nary for young women in Poughkeepsie, to contemplate the 
founding of an institution for the higher education of women. 
This germ expanded and yielded noble fruit. He gave a large 
portion of his fortune (he was a childless mm) to the found 
ing of this college, and lived to see it start upon a career of 
great prosperity and usefulness. Matthew Vassar, by an ex 
penditure of $800,000, gave to Poughkeepsie the immortal 
honor of having within its borders, the first college proper ever 
established for the education of young women. 

The same writer says of Eastman s Business College : The 
Eastman National Business College at Poughkeepsie, New 
York, is not only the pioneer among these Institutions, in 
teaching actual business, but is a model. Dr. Eastman first 
opened a commercial school at Oswego, New York, in 1855. 
Previous to that time only penmanship, arithmetic and the 
theory of book-keeping were taught in commercial schools. He 
introduced with theory, actual business operations, teaching 
the students practical knowledge in buying and selling accord- 



368 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

ing to the fundamental principles of trade. In the College at 
Poughkeepsie, which was founded in 1858, the student not 
only learns the theory of business of every kind, but is actually 
engaged in the practical operations of a merchant, a banker, a 
trader, a-.i accountant, and a book-keeper, using real merchan- 
dise, and specie, bank notes and fractional currency, in as 
legitimate a way as if he were a member of a mercantile or 
fo isiness house. Each day s business is based upon quotations 
in the New York market, whether it be stocks, merchandise or 
produce. Dr. Eastman opened his College in Poughkeepsie, 
in a small room with only three students. They numbered 
sixteen the second week, and at the end of three years they 
had expanded to 500; and in 1863, to 1,200. The next year 
t ie College register, at one time, showed a regular daily atten- 
daice of over 1,700 students. The rules and regulations of 
thi Eist.nn Business College are calculated to insure order, 
and a high moral tone. The students are generally earnest 
young men seeking practical business knowledge. Its gradu 
ates, n^.v nunbering ab3.it 23,030, fill many places of trust in 
our laud, and many others have become leaders in com.nercial 
circles. 

In August of 1853, the Young Men s Christian Association 
of the City of Poughkeepsie was founded, at a meeting held 
in the First Methodist Church. That meeting was addressed 
by Rev. Dr. Howard Crosby, the pioneer in the organization 
of similar institutions in this country. The Association was or 
ganized by the appointment of John H. Mathews as President, 
J. I. Platt as Secretary, and W. B. Frissell, as Treasurer. A 
reading room was furnished, the nucleus of a library was formed ; 
stated prayer meetings were established, and Committees were 
appointed to do active Christian work. By persevering effort 
and the generosity of the citizens of Poughkeepsie, and other 
liberal minded people, the spacious building occupied by the 
association was purchased, and the usefulness of the institu 
tion greatly extended. 

Space would fail were we to mention, at length, the " Home 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 369 

for the Friendless," "Old Ladies Home," "St. Barnabas 
Hospital," " House of Industry," and other kindred institu 
tions, with which are closely associated the prosperity and 
happiness of the people. 

The Poughkeepsie Female Academy was founded in 1836, 
being incorporated under the Regents of New York. The 
Principal, Rev. D. G. Wright, A. M., a gentleman of superior 
talents, and of ripe scholarship, has held his present position 
during the past seventeen years. 

The Duchess County Academy building was erected in 
1836, at a cost of $14,000. This institution was first organ 
ized in Fishkill, and afterwards removed to Cannon Street, 
Poughkeepsie. In the year above mentioned it was again 
removed to its present location, on Hamilton Street, where it 
is now used as The Old Ladies Home. 

The Hudson River State Hospital is one of the finest pub 
lic institutions in the country, standing on the Highlands, two 
miles north of the city of Poughkeepsie, commanding a fine 
view of the Hudson River for miles. The hospital was estab 
lished by act of the State Legislature passed in 1866, and was 
erected under the supervision of Dr. J. W. Cleaveland, the 
present able and skillful Superintendent. It has accommoda 
tions for 600 patients, 300 of each sex; and when the additions 
now being erected under the direction of Mr. Post are com 
pleted, it will have a capacity for about 1,000 patients. 

The manufacture of mowing and reaping machines is 
among the most important of American industries. Of these 
implements, none has gained a more deserved popularity than 
the Buckeye Mower and Reaper which may be termed a 
DUCHESS County institution manufactured by Adriance, Platt 
& Co.* These machines were first brought out in 1857, when 
twenty-five were made. The manufacture and sale has risen 



* The writer noticed a supi.rb specimen of one of these machines on exhibition at 
the Centennial. The body was painted vermilion, with a tinge of carmine, with gold and 
blue striping. The driving wheels were of pearl white, also with gold and blue striping. 
3Iuch of the iron work was nickel plated. The rakes and arms were of black walnut and 
ash, respectively. 



370 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

to 30,000 in a single year. The manufactory stands on a bole! 
bluff of the Hudson, and comprises a handsome group of 
structures. 

But a description of Poughkeepsie would be incomplete 
without a mention of Eastman s Park ; which, though pur 
chased and maintained by the private purse of Hon. H. G. 
Eastman, is as free to the public as though owned by the city 
itself. The grounds are the admiration of all who see them. 
The wall surrounding them is of superior workmanship, of cut 
marble and blue stone. The entrances are ot solid white 
marble piers. It has been appropriately styled the "Central 
Park" of the city of Poughkeepsie ; and here the Fourth of 
July celebrations, Summer evening concerts and other public 
entertainments are held without any charge for the grounds. 
Inside of the enclosure are fountains and ponds, a music park, 
ball ground, skating park, deer park, and an extensive flower 
garden. The Soldiers Fountain, at the junction of South 
Avenue and Montgomery Street, and opposite the Park, is 
among the largest and most artistic fountains in the country. 
It is a massive iron structure, some forty feet in height, and of 
very graceful proportions. Eight cannon project from the large 
basin, from the mouth of which are thrown jets of water made 
to resemble the smoke and blaze of a discharged field piece. 
There are some forty water jets in all in connection with the 
fountain, and the effect is very fine. Professor Eastman was 
the originator of this public work ; and after a failure to raise 
the means to construct it by general subscriptions and enter 
tainments, he completed it at his own expense.* 

The Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery comprises about 54 
acres, situated between the old post road and the river, about 
one mile below the city. This is as picturesque and lovely a 
spot as could be selected for the resting place of a city s dead. 
Although but recently laid out, it already contains many fine 
monuments. 



* We are indebted to the courtesy of Hon. H. G. Eastman, and Iiis gentlemanly 
Secretary, Mr. Ezra White, for the elegant plates illustrating the 1 ark and Fountain -which 
embellish this volume. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



371 



The Collingwood Opera House is one of the finest music 
halls in the country. It is excellently fitted and appointed, 
and has a seating capacity for over 2,000 persons. The new 
Public Library building is a large and elegant structure. The 
library itself comprises many choice volumes and periodicals, 
which add greatly to the interests of the city. 

The Poughkeepsie Bridge, work on which has been com 
menced, and which is destined to be another distinguishing 
feature of the city, will, when completed, constitute one of the 
grandest structures in the country. Its dimensions are given 
as follows : The main river bridge will be composed of five 
spans, of 525 feet each. These are to have each two trusses,. 
25 feet from centre to centre, constructed of iron and steel. 
The base of the rails, which will be of steel, will be 193 feet 
above high tide, and the top of the piers 135 feet. The total 
length of the bridge and its approaches will be 4,500 feet. An 
excellent view of the contemplated structure is elsewhere given 
in this volume. 




Collingwood Opera House. 



RED HOOK. 



POPULATION, 4,315. SQUARE ACRES, 22,148, 



ED ROOK was formed from Rhinebeck, June 2nd, 
1812. It was called by the Dutch Roode Hoeck. Tra 
dition ascribes the name to a marsh near Tivoli, which, 
when first seen, was covered with ripe cranberries. Its 
surface is a rolling upland, terminating on the Hudson in a 
series of bluffs 100 to 150 feet high. The east part is hilly. 
Prospect Hill is a prominent peak a little south of Upper Red 
Hook village. The streams are the Saw Kil and the White 
Clay Kil. The valleys of the streams are broad, and their 
banks low. Long Pond, in the east part, forms the source of 
the Saw Kil. The soil along the river is a clay loam, and in 
the remaining parts a sandy, gravelly, or slaty loam. 

The first settlements were made between 1713 and 1727, 
by the Dutch. Among the early settlers were families named 
Haeners, Shufeldt, Zippertie, Hagadorn, Wiederwax, Trauvs, 
Staats, Mellbau, Bermar, Woldorf, Near, Proseus, and others, 
mostly from Germany. They first settled near Barrytown and 
Tivoli. The first marriage on record is that of Adam Shaffer 

372 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 373 

and Maria Schoett, July 31, 1746. The first baptism on the 
church record is that of Catherine Woldorf, April 23, 1734. 

In the Journal of the Second Esopus War (1663), written 
by Capt. Martin Kreiger, in command of the military forces at 
Wiltwyck (Kingston), occurs the following : " In the after 
noon, July 8th, we examined the oldest Indian as to whether 
he was not acquainted with same Esopus Indians, and whether 
he would not lead us to them gave him fair words and prom 
ised him a present ; for the Dutch a.t Esopus had told us that 
some Indians lived about two miles from there, wherefore we 
were resolved that same evening to go in search of them with 
50 men. But this Indian said to them Go not there, for 
the Indians have gone hence and dwell now back of Magdalen 
Island,* in the rear of a Cripple bush on the east side of Fort 
Orange [Hudson] River, and number 8 men, 9 women and 1 1 
children ; and he even offered to guide us thither if we had a 
boat to put us over the river. I therefore sent Sergeant Chris- 
tiaen Niesen and Jan Peersen, each with 16 men, to look up a 
boat. Called a Council of War, and it was resolved unani 
mously to set out in the evening with 20 soldiers and 12 Indi 
ans under Christiaen Niesen and Peiter Wolfertsen in order to 
visit the east shore near Magdalen Island, to see if they could 
not surprise the Esopus Indians who were lying there ; they 
took the old Indian along as a guide, who well knew where 
they lay. On the i2th, Peiter Wolfertsen and Sergeant Niesen 
returned with the troops, bringing with them one squaw and 
three children whom they had captured ; they killed five armed 
Indians and a woman ; the Esopus Captain was among the 
slain ; they cut off his hand which they brought hither. Had 
not the Indian led them astray and missed the houses, they 
would have surprised all the Indians who were there to the 
number of 28, with women and children. For through the 
mistake of the Indian, our people first came about mid-day 
where they found the Indians posted and in arms. They im- 



* Magdalen Island is situated between Tivoli and Barrytown Landings. These In 
dians must therefore have been in the town of Keel Hook. 



374 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

-mediately fell on the latter and routed and pursued them. 
Meanwhile the huts were plundered wherein they found 19 
jblankets, 9 kettles, a lot of sewan (wampum) and 4 muskets 
^belonging to the Indians who were killed. They returned on 
.board with the plunder and four prisoners, and arrived safe 
-except one of our soldiers who was bit in the leg by a rattle 
snake." C? Callaghan. 

A steamboat landing and railroad station in the northwest 
part is known as Tivoli a name which carries us back to the 
palmy days of the City of Seven Hills, and one of the famous 
watering places in the time of Horace. The derivation of its 
title is thus given : " Many years ago a French emigrant from 
Tivoli in Italy came to America and settled on what is now 
known as the old Elmendorf place and called it Tivoli. He 
.was known as Abbe Sequard, but whether he kept up his 
<Romish doctrines is uncertain. After his death the farm 
passed into the hands of a family by the name of Elmendorf, 
and when the first horse ferry-boat was put on between Sauger- 
ties and Tivoli, Mrs. Elmendorf gave Cutwater, the owner of 
it, a set of American colors if in return he would call the 
name of the place after her estate." 

A correspondent of the New York Evening Mail thus 
writes : " A few days ago I happened to be detained at Tivoli, 
and wandering up into the woods north of the depot I came 
upon a dwelling which well repaid me for my walk. It was as 
-queer a conglomerate of styles as can well be imagined, some 
forty paces long, cross-shaped, recalling European mansions 
-commenced in one age, continued in another, and completed 
a century or centuries afterwards. The main building is in 
Italian style, the north wing simple or rude as may be, the 
southern somewhat more tastily finished, while in the rear, over 
the roadway soars a tower, reminding the visitor of the keep of 
an early-modern manor-house. 

" This tower, some sixty or seventy feet high, is a square, 
with one corner cut off, with heavy iron balconies, richly 
carved keystones with deeply cut armorial bearings, marble 



HISTORY OF DUGHESS COUNTY. 375 

and stone sculptures set in without regard to artistic design, as 
if dictated by caprice. And queerest of all, in a niche, aloft, 
sat a huge Aztec idol, such as is only seen in museums. 

" A short distance north of the house arc extensive stables 
and farm buildings, overlooking the river, with huge gate 
posts, crowned with huge eagles or vultures. The roads were 
wonderful for such broken grounds, and seemed to twist off 
in every direction up steep hills and through woods of grand 
trees ; within the same area it would be almost impossible to 
find more natural beauties almost altogether undeveloped by 
art. Towards the southwest, adjoining the grass land, niched 
in this country seat, stood a very attractive gothic church 
amid trees, with a row of massive funeral vaults as unlike the 
usual appendage of American country churches as the mansion 
which first attracted my attention. On my return I stumbled 
into a cemetery devoted to dogs and parrots ; and finally 
made my way through the noble woods, almost as shady in the 
bright autumn sun as are many forests in summer, so numer 
ous were the lofty evergreens. From the front of the house, at 
a point by the way, there is a river view, backed by the 
Catskills, that is unexceeded in extent and beauty." 

Tivoli was formerly called Upper Red Hook Landing, and 
Barrytown was known as Lower Red Hook Landing. It is 
said, when Jackson was President, and this village wanted a 
post-office, that he would not consent to its bearing the 
name of Barrytown, from personal dislike to General Barry, 
and suggested another name. But the people were loyal to 
their old friend, and went without a post-office until a new 
administration. This we give, without vouching for the truth 
of it. 

Cedar Hill, Upper and Lower Red Hook, (the latter 
formerly called Hardscrabble) and Madalin are small villages. 
Madalin is adjacent to Tivoli, and the two form one continu 
ous village. The former was originally known as Myersville, 
alter a family of the name of Myers ; then it was changed to 
Mechanicsville, and last of all to Madalin. A man named 



376 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Ten Broeck Myers lived here and built a large house about the 
the year 1825. It is said he at one time kept the Poughkeep- 
sie Hotel. 

Back of Tivoli is an ancient burial place, said to be the 
grounds in which the slaves and colored people of the vicinity 
were buried. Near a cluster of wild plums in this enclosure 
are several tomb stones, which have stood so long that they 
have become soft and crumbly with age. 

At the time of the Revolution, a store house filled with 
wheat stood on the river bank, north of Barrytown. When 
the foundation was being laid for an ice house on the same 
site a few years ago, a large quantity of the charred wheat was- 
found upon the spot, still in a perfect state of preservation. 
The residents about the vicinity gathered up quite a large 
amount, which they show to visitors as a relic of the struggle 
of one hundred years ago. Tradition says that Fulton s steam 
boat, the " Clermont," put in for repairs at De Kovens Cove, 
or Bay, still further to the northward. 

Opposite Tivoli, in Ulster County, is the pleasant village 
of Saugerties, near the mouth of the Esopus Creek. Near 
this village was the West Camp of the Palatinates,* East 
Camp being what is now Germantown in Columbia County. 

From the lower border of Columbia County opposite Cats- 
kill village, to Hyde Park a distance of thirty miles, the east 
bank of the Hudson is distinguished for old and elegant 
country seats, most of them owned and occupied by the 
descendants of wealthy proprietors who flourished in the last 
century. Most of these are connected by blood and marriage 
with Robert Livingston. Of this gentleman Lossing says : 
In 1683, Robert Livingston, a landless but shrewd adventurer 
from Scotland, married the young widow Alida Schuyler, 
daughter of Patroon Nicholas Van Rensselaer. With her 

* The Upper Palatinate was a small state on the Khine. In 1674, almost the whole 
of It was rendered desolate by the troops of L<-uis XIV., the Elector Palatine having de 
serted the cause of France, thereby incurring 1 the hatred of that country. Two cities and 
twenty-five villages were reduced to ashes, and the innocent inhabitants left to perish by 
cold and hunger. A part of these people were sent to America by the Enplish povernment, 
and six thousand acres of land, on the east side of the Hudson [now Germantown] divided. 
among them. It was expected there would be some return to the Government for these. 
favors in the productions of naval stores, hemp, tar, pitch, and pine lumber. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 377 

money he purchased an immense tract of land of the Indians 
on the eastern borders of the Hudson River, which in 1710, 
was created a Manor, embracing 160,000 acres. He lived at 
Albany, and was Secretary of the Commission of Indian affairs 
for a long time. 

When Vaughan passed up the Hudson in 1777, some of his 
command crossed over into Clermont, Columbia County, 
where they burned the house just built by Robert. R. Livings 
ton, (more generally known as Chancellor Livingston) and 
also the old one where he was born, and where his widowed 
mother, relict of Robert Livingston, resided, and then retreated 
to New York. The Chancellor had a library of 4000 volumes, 
of the choicest selections, and at that time was the most 
complete one in the country. He introduced the merino 
breed of sheep into this country. We append a copy of a 
letter, written by Mrs. Livingston to the Judge, her husband, 
giving the details of a long journey from New York to Cler 
mont, through the almost unbroken wilderness : 

CLERMONT, July i2th, 1766. 

With joy I embrace this opportunity of conversing with 
you, by the Manor Sloop, since it is the only way now left of 
conveying our sentiments to each other. We set out from New 
York in so great a hurry that I could not give myself the 
pleasure of seeing or the pain of parting with you. We had a 
very pleasant ride the first day, which brought us to Croton. 
Here we were detained until the next day by rain, but it is 
impossible to describe this day s journey ; the crags, precipices, 
and mountains that we had a view of, together with the 
excessive badness of the roads, that were laid bare by streams 
of water taking their course through the midst, which made it 
very disagreeable to me. We could go no further that day 
than Warren s, who lives in the midst of the Highlands, but 
the next day made up for the fatigue of this. We had a most 
charming journey the remaining part of the way. We break 
fasted at Van Wyck s, who lives at Fishkill ; dined at Pough- 
keepsie, slept at Rhinebeck, where we arrived at 6 o clock. 
The next morning, which was Sunday, we came home at 9 
o clock, and found the family all in good health and spirits. 
****** 

Near Tivoli is an elegant country seat built by one of the 



37 8 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Livingston family, who occupied it when the British burned 
old Clermont, and also the residence of Chancellor Livingston, 
already alluded to. The red-coats landed in De Kovens Cove, 
just below, and came up with destructive intent, supposing 
this to be the residence of the arch offender. The proprietor, 
a good-humored, hospitable man, soon convinced them of 
their error, supplied them bountifully with wine and other 
refreshments, and made them so cheery, that had he been the 
" rebel" himself, they must have spared his property. 

Five miles below Tivoli is Annandale, country seat of 
John Bard, Esq. The approach from the north is along a 
picturesque road, bordered by the grounds of numerous 
beautiful villas. The Church of Holy Innocents, built in 
Anglo-gothic style, standing on the verge of the open park, 
was erected by the proprietor of Annandale for the people of 
the neigborhood as a free church. 

Adjoining Annandale on the south is Montgomery Place. 
This elegant mansion was built by the widow of Gen. Richard 
Montgomery, being also a sister of the Chancellor. With 
ample means and good taste at command, she built this resi 
dence, and there spent fifty years of widowhood, childless but 
cheerful, loved and respected by all. The mansion, and four 
hundred acres of land, passed at her death into the hands of 
her brother Edward, and is now occupied by a family by the 
name of Hunt. 

Downing thus describes this retreat : " There are few per 
sons among the traveling class who know the beauty of the 
finest American country seat, Montgomery Place. It is one of 
the superb old seats belonging to the Livingston family. 
Whether the *charm lies in the deep and mysterious wood, full 
of the echo of water sprites, or whether it grows out of a pro 
found feeling of completeness and perfection in foregrounds of 
old trees, and distance of calm serene mountains, we have 
not been able to divine ; but certain it is that there is a spell 
in the very air, which is fatal to the energies of a great specu 
lation. It is not, we are sure, the spot for a man to plan cam- 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 379 

paigns of conquest, and we doubt even whether the scholar, 
whose ambition it is to scorn delight and live laborious days, 
would not find something in the air of this demesne so sooth 
ing as to dampen the fire of his great purposes. There is not 
wanting something of the charm of historic association here. 
It derives its name from Gen l Richard Montgomery, the hero 
of Quebec. Here Mrs. Montgomery resided until her death, 
when she bequeathed it to her brother, Edward Livingston, the 
distinguished diplomatist and jurist. The age of Montgomery 
Place hightens its interest. Its richness of foliage, both in 
natural and planted trees, is one of its marked features; the 
fine specimens of hemlock, lime, ash and fir, forming the finest 
possible accessories to a noted and spacious manor." 

Mrs. Montgomery writes to Mrs. Warren, the widow of 
Gen l Joseph Warren, who fell at Bunker Hill : 

NOVEMBER 20, 1780. 

I have been interrupted by another alarm of the enemy s 
being in full march for Saratoga, and the poor harassed militia 
have again been called upon. My impatient spirit pants for 
peace ; when shall the unfortunate individual have the satis 
faction of weeping alone for his own particular losses. In this 
luckless state, woes follow woes, every moment is big with 
something fatal ; we hold our lives in the most precarious tenure. 
Had Arnold s plan taken place, we could not have escaped 
from a fate dreadful in thought, for these polished Britons have 
proved themselves fertile in inventions to procrastinate misery. 

In 1818, a request in behalf of Mrs. Montgomery was made 
to Sir John Sherbrook, Governor-in-Chief of Canada, to allow 
the remains of General Richard Montgomery to be disinterred, 
and removed to New York. The request was acceded to. 
James Thompson, of Quebec, one of the engineers at the time 
of the storming of that place, and who helped bury the 
General, assisted at the disinterment, and made affidavit of the 
identity of the body. Gov. De Witt Clinton, in conformity 
to an act of Legislature of New York, passed at its previous 
session, touching the removing of the body, commissioned 
Lewis Livingston, son of Hon. Edward Livingston, to proceed 



380 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

to Whitehall to receive the remains, and convey them to New 
York. 

June 2oth, Gov. Clinton wrote to Mrs. Montgomery, that 
the remains of the the General were at Whitehall. The body 
was received there with honors, and a military escort accom 
panied it to Albany, where it arrived on Saturday, July 4th, 
and lay in state at the Capitol until Monday. It was then, 
removed to New York, under a military escort, on steamboat 
Richmond. The Governor had written to Mrs. Montgomery 
giving the time when the boat might be expected to pass 
Montgomery Place. She had lived with the General but 
three years ; and it was then forty three years since the parting, 
kiss was given at General Schuyler s residence at Saratoga.. 
She stood alone on the portico of her mansion fronting the 
river, at the appointed hour, watching for the expected boat. 
At length it hove in sight. Stopping in front of her residence, 
the band played the " Dead March ;" a salute was fired, and 
the boat proceeded on her way. The friends of the lonely 
widow now sought for her : she had fallen into a swoon. 
" Her Soldier" had gone forth from her side in the bloom of 
life nought returned to her but his ashes. Mrs. Montgomery 
died in the month of November, 1827. 

A short distance below Barrytown is " Rokeby," formerly 
the country seat of Gen l. John Armstrong who married Alida, 
a sister of Chancellor Livingston. He will be remembered 
as an officer in the Revolution, and a member of General 
Gates military family. Armstrong was the author of the 
celebrated addresses which were circulated at Newburgh, 
already familiar to the student of history. He was chosen 
successively to a seat in the United States Senate, Embassador 
to France, Brigadier General in the Army, and Secretary of 
War. He held the latter office in 1812 14, during the war 
with Great Britain which Lossing denominates the " Second- 
War for American Independence." Gen. Armstrong was. 
author of a ; Life of General Montgomery," " Life of General 
Wayne," and "Historical Notices of the War of 1812." 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 381 

The " Newburgh Letters" may be briefly adverted to : In 
1782, the soldiers encamped near Newburgh had become 
discontented. This feeling spread among other portions ol 
the army, and was assuming formidable proportions. Com 
plaints were sent to Washington through Colonel Nichola. In 
May, the Colonel wrote a letter to the Commander-in-Chief, 
which affected him deeply. In that letter he argued that no 
Republic could stand; that the government of England was 
the nearest perfection of any on earth. He depicted in 
-strong terms the destitution of the army, and the faint hope 
that the poor soldiers would ever receive any pay from 
Congress. This drew a feeling reply from Washington. 

In the meantime Congress was making but feeble efforts to 
satisfy the demands of the soldiers. Gen Armstrong wrote an 
address to the army, which was circulated anonymously, and 
which made a deep impression upon the minds of the disaffected 
A meeting of officers was called on the nth of March. 
Washington was present and read an address. His first words, 
before unfolding the paper, touched every heart. " You see, 
gentlemen," said he, as he placed his spectacles before his eyes, 
that I have not only grown gray, but blind in your service." 
It is needless to add that the touching appeals of the Com 
mander-in-Chief had the effect of quieting the excited soldiery. 

As before intimated, Gen. Armstrong was a man of eminent 
attainments. One illustration of his power as a political writer, 
which we do not remember to have seen in print, we will give 
as we received it from the lips of an aged citizen who had some 
acquaintance with the General. On one cccasion a member 
of the Livingston family was nominated for an office to which 
he greatly aspired. Armstrong wrote an address, and circulated 
it anonymously, stating various reasons why Livingston should 
not be elected. When the address met the eye of the latter, 
he saw at once the arguments it contained must be met and 
refuted, or his case was hopeless. Unsuspicious of its origin, 
he sought out Gen l Armstrong, laid, his trouble before him, 
and requested him to write an answer. Said Armstrong "why 



382 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

not write the reply yourself?" " Oh, I cannot," replied the 
other, "you are the only one I know of that is capable of 
doing it successfully ; and if it is not satisfactorily answered, I 
shall be defeated." " Well," said Armstrong, " I mil write the 
reply provided you will pay me $1000." The political aspirant 
was forced to acquiesce to the proposal ; the answer was 
circulated, and so ably was it written, that he was elected to 
the desired position by a handsome majority. 

A daughter of Armstrong married the millionaire, Wm. B. 
Astor, son of John Jacob Astor. It is said the old people 
first proposed the marriage, and made all the essential 
arrangements for the ceremony, before the young folks had 
seen each other. 

The mills were a prominent feature of the earlier times. 
A clothing mill and saw mill formerly occupied the site of the 
present grist mill east of Madalin. Above this is a mill, now 
in ruins, known as Hoffman s Mill, which has been occupied 
from time immemorial by the family. The building, as well 
as its interior arrangements, was of the most primitive kind. 
The water wheel was made like the paddle wheel of a steam 
boat, and was acted upon by the running force of the water 
only. The gearing, by which the power was communicated to 
the stone was of the simplest kind merely wooden cogs 
working in a trundle-head; while the stone was raised or 
lowered by means of a strap. Each run of stone required 
a separate water wheel. A rude sort of elevator consisted of a 
wooden trough, along which the meal or flour was forced by 
means of small paddles. There was not an iron wheel in the 
the whole structure. Cook s grist mill was formerly a cotton 
factory, built in the year 1786. 

About a mile northeast of Madalin, years ago, stood the 
Old Red Dutch Church, belonging to the Dutch Reformed 
Society. It was some time since taken down, and another 
structure, of more modern architecture, erected in its stead. 
The old church was built probably about one hundred years 
ago, though the absence of records leaves the date somewhat 
a matter of conjecture. The house was a curiosity in its way. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

It had a steeple, situated about the center of the roof, and which 
was surmounted by a rooster. When the sexton rang the bell 
he stood in the centre of the church. A raised floor extended 
along each side of the body of the house, on which were square 
pews, provided with an ornamental railing on top, so high that 
when a person was seated nothing of him was visible except his 
head. These were intended for the use of the families of the 
landed proprietors. The common people occupied the slips 
in the body of the church. The elders and leading members 
sat in the side pews on either side of the pulpit. This was in 
keeping with the other arrangements, and over it was suspend 
ed the sounding board, then reckoned an essential thing in the 
construction of a church. When this church was demolished, 




A Country School House. 

it was in a good state of preservation, all that could be said 
against it being, it was " not in fashion." Several prominent 
citizens plead that it might be permitted to stand, but without 
avail. 

In the church yard are monuments of freestone, dating 
back into the last century. One of the oldest was erected to 
the memory of John Grier, who died on the i3th of March, 
1797; aged 54 years. Other old slabs contain the family 
names of Vosburgh, Roorback, &c. In this church Dominies 
Fox, Rudy, Kettle, Romaine, and other eminent men have 
preached. Zachariah Hoffman gave the ground for the church 
and burial ground, which is located near the south line of the 
Hoffman Patent. 



384 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

A dispute once arose between Hoffman and Chancellor 
Livingston concerning this tract, both laying claim to it. A 
suit at law was held in the Old Dutch Church at Germantown. 
Alexander Hamilton argued the case for Hoffman, and the 
Chancellor plead his own case. Hoffman was the victor. 

The first Episcopal church in the town was the Church of 
St. Paul, which was a wooden building, erected about the year 
1818, and stood half a mile east of Madalin. It was rebuilt, 
of stone, in 1868, and now stands west of the village, roman 
tically situated in a wood. The first Episcopal sermon was 
preached in 1813, by Rogers, from Connecticut, at Palmer 
Cook s house. Cook was a prominent man, and had removed 
from Connecticut that year. Dr. Anthon, of St. Marks Church, 
New York City, preached the first sermon in the new church. 
The Trinity [Episcopal] Church stands near the village of 
Madalin. A school is held in the building. The Trinity is the 
High Church and St. Pauls the Low Church. 

The Ref. Dutch Church near the lower border of the town 
formerly stood in Rhinebeck. A tornado having nearly laid it 
in ruins, the structure was taken down and rebuilt in its 
present location. 

Near the north limits of the village of Madalin stands an 
elegant monument of variegated marble, erected 
"by this immediate neighborhood to her defen 
ders who lost their lives in suppressing the slave 
holders rebellion." On it are the names of 
twenty-nine soldiers, representing many of the 
bloody battle-fields of that struggle. Four 
cannon, partially sunk into the ground, with 
breech uppermost, serve for posts, to which is attached a chain 
enclosing the monument. One of these cannon was presented 
by each of the following named persons : Johnston Livingston, 
Eugene A. Livingston, William Chamberlain, and Brevet Maj. 
Gen. DePeyster. 

A house in the vicinity was in olden times said to have 
been haunted. Many stones were circulated of strange sights 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 385 

ail sounds within it. Finally no one could be prevailed upon 
to live tnere, and it stood a long time untenanted. At length 
it was purchased by a gentleman residing in Albany, who sent 
some workmen to repair it. They determined to have some 
sport at the expense of the people of the neighborhood. They 
collected a lot of old lumber in the garret, and so arranged it 
that by pulling a string the lumber could be made to fall upon 
the floor with a terrible clatter. They then represented that 
at precisely four o clock each afternoon, a fearful noise would 
commence in the upper part of the house, as though the 
building was coming down ; but on going to the place nothing 
could be Keen. Numbers came from the surrounding neighbor 
hood to hear the uproar, and went away full of the idea that 
the house was haunted by " some wandering ghost." The 
secret finally came out, and ever afterwards the matter rested. 
No ghost has latterly dared to show himself or play his pranks 
about the premises. 

The Baptist church at Red Hook may be regarded as the 
first fruit of the missionary labor sustained by the Association 
in the county. Elders Stokes and James preached at Myers- 
ville [now Madalin] in this town, a part of the time for two 
years. Isaac Bevan held a series of meetings at Myersville in 
September, 1842, in a schoolhouse. In January following, he 
commenced a series of meetings at the Landing [Tivoli] in a 
store kindly offered by its owners, Messrs. Collins. These 
meetings were continued a number of weeks, with favorable 
results. Elders Benedict and Shook rendered some assistance 
during the meetings. March i3th, seventeen of those who had 
already been baptized in the place resolved themselves into a 
church. On the following day they were publicly recognized 
by a council called from t .ie neighboring churches. Rev. D. 
Morris, Rosendale, preached the sermon. They erected a 
church in 1843, at a cost of a little less than $1000. 



RHINEBECK. 



POPULATION, 1,322. SQUARE ACRES, 21,766. 



HINEBECK was formed as a town, March yth, 1788, 
Red Hook was taken off in 1812. It lies upon the 
fa Hudson, northwest of the center of the county. Its 
surface is a rolling, and moderately hilly upland, 
terminating on the river in bluffs 100 to 150 feet high. Land- 
mans Creek, the principal stream, flews south through near 
the center. Rhinebeck Kil is its tributary. Lake Sepasco is 
a small body of water in the northeist corner. The soil is 
principally a fine quality of sandy loam. The name is com 
pounded from Rhine, in Germany, from whence the early 
settlers came, and the first syllable of the word Beekman. It 
was originally spelled Rhinebeek, which confirms the statement 
that the origin of the word is as given above, although some anti 
quarians hold that it was named after Rhinebeck in Germany, 
it being the custom of the early emigrants to perpetuate the 
names of places in the " Fader Land" by bestowing them on 
localities in the new, and thus keeping alive the tender 
memories of by-gone days. Rhinebeck Precinct, as formed 
Dec. 1 6th, 1737, included the lands purchased of Widow 

386 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 387 

Paulding and her children by Dr. Samuel Staats ; all the land 
grinteJ to Airian, Roosa, and Cotbe ; land patented by Col. 
Henry Beekman, June 5, 1703 ; and the land granted to Col. 
Peter Schuyler, called the Magdalen Island Purchase. Among 
the first families were those named Kip, Beekman, Sipperly, 
Pink, Schmidt, Slioptown, Elseffer, &c. 

The first land purchased in the town of Rhinebeck, of 
which we have any record, was that bought by Jacobus* and 
Hendrick Kip, of three Esopus Indians, in the year 1686. 
The following is a copy of the deed : 

We the underwritten Ankony, one of ye Esopus Indians, 
and Anamaton and Calycoon, | one of the Esopus Sachems, 
do acknowledge to have received of Henry Kip, of Kings 
town, full satisfaction for a parcel of land lying over [opposite] 
the Redout [Rondout] against the Redoubt Kill [Rondout 
Creek] on the north side of Arian Roosa on the river, which 
is received by me Ankony, Anamaton and Calycoon in full 
satisfaction for the above said lands. In witness hereof have 
hereunto set our marks this 28th day of July, 1686. 

,p The mark of w Ankony. 

HE* RY PAWLING. e mar !< f (> Anamaton 

J he mark 01 u Calycoon. 

June 2cl, 1688, a confirmatory title to Kipsburgh Manor 
was granted by his excellency Gov. Dengan to Garrett Artson, 
Adrian Roosa, John Elting, Hendrick and Jacobus Kip. The 
original deed is in possession of William Bergh Kip, who 
resides on a portion of the lands conveyed by this deed, and 
is one of the descendants of Henry Kip. He has likewise 
the will of Hendricus Hermance, Rynbeck precinct, dated 
March 23d, 1750, devising four farms, probably in the upper 
part of Red Hook. 

Kip owned the property along the river west of Landmans 
Kill up as far as a certain oak tree standing near the track of 
the Rhinebeck and Connecticut Railroad. Jacob Kip, a very 
old man, used to say that an Indian was painted on the tree. 



* .Tnc -h i Kip. \v:i* horn An/nst 2~<t i. HiW. He was therefore 20 years old \\hen 
Kipsbur-h Manor was junc iaM- l ( ,f tlio Indians, 
t (Jalycoon is the Dutch tor turkey. 



383 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

An old resident says he remembers when the only houses were 
the old stone house near Noxon s shop, called the State 
Prison ; next where Mrs. Staats lives ; next a stone house 
where John Williams lives, which was kept as a hotel. Another 
house near by was occupied by Benj. Fredenburgh, who kept 
the town poor. 

About seventeen years subsequent to the date of the 
above deed conveying lands to Hendrick Kip, a Patent was 
granted to Col. Henry Beekman by Queen Anne, including 
the territory already occupied by Kip. Undoubtedly Beek 
man had sufficient influence with the Crown to secure for him 
self the coveted Rhinebeck Flats, notwithstanding others had 
.acquired a previous title. There are receipts and other docu 
ments to show that Beekman made some arrangements with 
the former proprietors after he obtained the patent. We 
insert the copy of a receipt, which shows how the small land 
owners were swallowed up by the patentees and other great 
land proprietors ; and also that the former were forced to pay 
a rent to the latter for the whole time they occupied the soil, 
in addition to having their lands wrested from them : 

A receipt of 52 bushels of wheat making the amount of 
370 bushels of wheat being the arrears of 37 years due to his 
majesty to the vear 1725, for Quit Rent of a Patent granted 
June 2, 1688, to Colonel Peter Schuyler, lying in Duchess 
County, consisting of two tracts of land, the one near Magdalen 
Island, and the other at the Long Reatch on the south side of 
SL place called Poghkeepsie, which quantity of 370 bushels of 
wheat I acknowledge to have received in full for the above 
mentioned purpose. Witness my hand this 4th day of 
October, 1727. ARCHD. KENNEDY, Rec r. Gen l. 

William Beekman was the ancestor of this Beekman family, 
:and was first a resident of New York City. His name is 
perpetuated by two streets, William and Beekman. He came 
from Holland in the same vessel with Stuyvesant, at the age 
of twenty-one. Full of strong, healthy life, and ambition, he 
employed his leisure in searching for a spot to invest his money 
for he had not come empty handed from abroad. He finally 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 389 

purchased a tract on Corlear s Hook, and shortly afterward 
fell in love with the pretty blue-eyed Catherine Von Boogh. 
In the course of years he rose to distinction. At one time he 
was vice-director of the colony on the Delaware, and at 
another time was Sheriff at Esopus. He was nine years a- 
burgomaster of New Amsterdam. In 1670 he bought a farm 
stretching along the East River for a great distance. His 
orchard lay upon a side-hill running down to the swamp which 
was called Cripple Bush, and through which Beekman Street 
now passes. He had five sons, and only one daughter, Maria. 
This daughter married Nicholas William Stuyvesant, a son of 
the Governor. 

Col. Hen:y Beekman was one of the five sons. He died 
in 1737, leaving three children: Henry Beekman, Jun. ; 
Cornelia, wife of Gilbert Livingston ; and Catherine, who 
married John Rutsen for her first husband, and afterwards 
Albert Pawling. She left two children. Col. Henry Beekman 
died intestate it is supposed, and the property was divided 
among his heirs. The partition agreement was dated August 
3oth, 173". He was at one time Judge of Court of Common 
Pleas in Ulster county. 

Henry Beekman, Jun., had one daughter, Margaret, who 
married Robert Livingston. They had four sons and six 
daughters, viz.: Janet, Robert R., Margaret, Henry B.,. 
Cithe:ine, John R., G-t;u:le, Joanna, Al di, and E l.vanl. 

Janet, the eldest, born 1743, married Major General 
Richard Montgomery. To her was devised, by will of her 
mother Margaret, the land on which Rhinebeck village is 
situated. At her death, Janet devised a portion to her brother 
Edward, and the remaining part to the Rhinebeck Improve 
ment Company. This company consisted of Rutsen Suckley, 
Freeborn Garrettson, Join T. Sc iryver, W.l iam B. Platt, and 
Walter Cunningham, who divided it among themselves. 

Major-General Richard Montgomery was the youngest sorr 
of Thomas Montgomery, M. P., for Lifford. He was born on 
the 2nd of December, 1736, at Convoy House, his father s seat 



39 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

near Raphoe, county of Donegal, Ireland ; received his educa 
tion at Trinity College, Dublin ; entered the army as Ensign 
in the xyth Regiment of Foot, on the 2ist of August, 1756, 
.and landed at Halifax, with that regiment, on the third of 
June, 1757. 

In the following year he served under Wolfe at the siege 
of Louisbourg, and with such distinction that he was immedi 
ately promoted to a Lieutenancy. After the fall of that place, 
the i7th Regiment formed part of the force sent in 1759, 
with Amherst, to reduce the French forts on Lake Champlain, 
and Montgomery became Adjutant of his regiment on the 
i5th of May, 1760, in which year it formed part of the army 
that advanced from Lake Champlain against Montreal, under 
the command of Colonel Haviland. 

One calm summer evening he stood on the shore of Lake 
Champlain, gazing out upon the beautiful expanse of water. 
Before him was the girdled lake, studded with islands, afford 
ing a most romantic and picturesque prospect. As the poetic 
feeling kindled his dark eye, he little thought of the destiny 
that awaited him ; that in the full strength of manhood, he 
was to lead over those very waters a band of freemen, and fall 
foremost in freedom s battle. 

He served in the West Indies in 1762, on the 5th of May 
of which year he was promoted to be Captain. After return- 
i.ig to New York, he went back to Ireland in 1767. He 
retired from the service in 1772, and returned to America in 
January, 1773 ; in July following he married Janet, the 
daughter of Justice Livingston, and settled at Rhinebeck, 
where be devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. In April, 
1775, * ie was elected one of the delegates from this county to 
the first Provincial Congress at New York, and in June follow- 
ing was appointed Brigadier-General by the Continental Con 
gress, and at once set out at the head of an expedition against 
Canada. After reducing St. Johns, Chambly and Montreal, 
he effected a junction with Arnold before the walls of Quebec, 
where he gloriously fell at the head of his men on the 3ist of 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 39! 

December, 1775, in the 4oth year of his age, having been shot 
through both his thighs and through his head. 

A day or two previous to leaving for Canada, he with his 
wife went to pay a parting visit to the occupants of the place 
near Rhinebeck, afterwards occupied by his brother-in-law, 
Peter R. Livingston. As he was walking on the lawn, in the 
rear of the mansion, he thrust a little willow whip into the 
earth, and playfully remarked that they must preserve that to 
remember him by. That whip grew into a tree, and it is yet 
standing, having attained a growth of more than ten feet in 
circumference, and is known to this day as " Montgomery s 
Willow." 

In his determination to join the army he met with no 
opposition from his wife. She was all for her country, emula 
ting the Spartan mother in her patriotic zeal. She accompani 
ed her husband as far north as Saratoga, when she received 
the last kiss, and heard the last words from the lips of her 
beloved companion. " You never shall have cause to blush 
for your Montgomery," he said to her, and nobly did he vindi 
cate his word. 

Edward Livingston used to relate some reminiscences 
relative to the parting scenes of the General and his wife. He 
wis then a mere boy, and accompanied his sister (Mrs. 
Montgomery) to the residence of General Schuyler in Saratoga. 
The evening previous to Montgomery s departure, they, the 
General, his wife, and Edward, were sitting in a room together. 
Montgomery was sitting between the other two, in his military 
dress; his wife was gizin^ thoughtfully into the fire-place, as if 
reading the future, Suddenly he broke out, as in a dream, in 
the words of the poet : 

" "Pis a mad world, mv masters : 
I owe thought so, now I know il." 

Said Edward, "the tones, the words, and the circumstances 
overawed me ; and I soon withdrew from the apartment. 
Often have I since reflected upon those words, uttered by 
that young soldier, and wondered whether he may have had at 
that moment s 0:112 prophetic vision of his future destiny." 



392 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Margaret, second daughter of Robert and Margaret Liv 
ingston, married Dr. Thomas Tillotson (Surgeon General of 
U. S. Army, and Sec. of State of N. Y.), in 1779, and died 
in Rhinebeck, in 1823, at the age of seventy-five years, leaving 
several children. 

Mr. Tillotson invited Rev. Freeborn Garrettson, a promi 
nent Methodist clergyman, to. preach at Rhinebeck, and who 
passed several weeks at his house as a guest. Tillolson s 
sister-in-law, Catherine Livingston, was there on a visit at the 
same time. A friendship grew up between them, which ended 
in marriage in 1793. Six years after the marriage they pur 
chased a place on the banks of the Hudson, near Rhinebeck 
Station, erected a mansion, and named it " Wildercliff."* It 
was built in accordance with the simple tastes of the proprietor. 
Rev. Mr. Garrettson was a leader among the Methodists in 
the latter part of the last century. When he left the Church 
of England, in which he had been educated, the Methodists 
were despised in most places. He was a native of Maryland, 
and being convinced of the sinfulness of slavery, he gave his 
slaves their freedom. He r reached everywhere, and was fear 
less in the denunciation of what he believed to be error, and 
strenuous in upholding what he believed to be right. On one 
occasion, a mob had seized him after the delivery of one of his 
pointed sermons, and was taking him to prison by order of the 
magistrate, when a flash of lightning dispersed them, leaving 
him unmolested. In 1788 he was appointed Presiding Elder 
over the churches in the district extending from Long Island 
Sound to Lake Champlain, a distance of two hundred miles. 
Probably no house in the world has ever had within it so many 
Methodist preac iers as this one at Wildercliff, from the most 
humble member to Bishop Asbury ; for the doors of Mr. Gar 
rettson and his wife were open to all. 

Mrs. Garrettson wrote in 1799: " Our house being nearly 
finished, in October we moved into it. The first night we 

* Wi <](>r Klippe. a Dutch word, sifrni.yinjr wild man s or wild Indian s Cliff. The 
first sf. lurs found upon a smooth reck on tho riv cr shore, a rude delineation (,f iwo Indi 
ans. OIH- with a tomahawk, and another with a calumet, or pipe of puai;. This gavo> 
them an iu<.oi thu iiu.ni:. [Losbing. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 393 

spent in family prayer. While my blessed husband was dedi 
cating it to the Lord, the place was filled by His presence, 
who, in days of old, filled the temple with His glory Every 
heart rejoiced and felt that God was with us of a truth. Such 
was our introduction to our new habitation, and have we not 
reason to say, with Joshua of old, As for me and my house we 
will serve the Lord ? " 

Says Mrs. Olin : " It was a home for the Lord s people ; 
strangers were welcomed as brethren ; and many a weary itine 
rant has rtsted there as in the Palace Beautiful. Relatives and 
f/iends came to the house year after year, and enjoyed delight 
ful interchange of thought and feeling with Christians of differ 
ent denominations. How many who have enjoyed the genial 
hospitality of this house will recall the dignified form of the 
hostess, with her marked features, her soft hazel eye, the brown 
hair parted under the close fitting cap with its crimped muslin 
border, and the neatly fitting dress, always simple, yet always 
becoming." 

No one could imagine that this was the gay young lady 
that had been asked for in the dance by General Washington. 
She outlived nearly all of her sisters and brothers. Mr. Gar- 
rettson was seized with a sudden illness at the home of afrierd 
of his in New York, in 1827, which resulted in a speedy death. 
Mrs. Garrettson survived him more than twenty years. In 1849, 
in her 9/th year, she started on a visit to her sister-in law, Mrs. 
Edward Livingston, at Montgomery Place, where she was taken 
suddenly ill, and died on the i4th of July. 

The mansion at Wildercliff is now occupied by Miss Mary 
Garrettson,* a daughter of the clergyman. She has more than 
reached the three score and ten years allotted to mankind ; 
yet she has all her mental faculties in full play, and she con 
tinues to bestow the generous hospitality for which the house 
was anciently noted. She maintains two Methodist ministers 
in her household, one of whom has a wife and two children 

* Thi-. v iiTabl" l>idv oxhibit^rt to tlio "-- tor n p rcf* of silver pla o bearinsr f^o arms 
oftV I iviii j.sti.n tiimjly. Thonrtiel is pmb b" n. arlv two cfiturios oh] Tlio i-m-jp- 
tion I .-is h on p irt. - llv rfTHec"! bv t\ d s vii-s, ilv<-r^ i i. to whom it was scut to bi: bur 
nished, and who rubbed off uiorc silver than was nccu&bury. 



394 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

with him. She says the house has never been other than a 
Methodist parsonage. We subjoin two or three incidents 
connected with the history of her ancestors, which we do not 
remember to have seen in print, as received from her lips. 

Some time in the season of 1777, a sloop came down the 
river, having on board a British officer, severely wounded. 
When opposite the residence of Mrs. Robert Livingston, a 
messenger was sent ashore, to ask permission of Mrs. Livings 
ton for the wounded officer to be brought into her house, 
as he could not bear being carried farther on the sloop. The 
good lady assented, charitable even towards a fallen foe ; and 
the officer was brought on shore, attended only by his 
physician. Weeks elapsed before he became convalescent ; 
but at last he rallied sufficiently to walk about. 

This was about the time that Burgoyne on the north and 
Clinton on the south we e threatening the country bordering 
the Hudson. Many of the Whigs along that river had engaged 
houses farther inland, in momentary expectation of being 
forced to fly for safety. Their consternation was still greater 
when Vaughan set out up the Hudson on his ever memorable 
marauding voyage. 

Many of their dwellings were fired upon, and not a few set 
on fire. As they approached the mansion where the 
wounded British soldier was quartered, the surgeon proposed 
that the officer be put into it, and then represent to the 
invaders that he could not be removed without greatly 
endangering his life, and in this way the house might be saved 
from destruction. " No," said the owner of the property, 
"never shall it be said that my house was saved by having a 
British officer within it." The soldiery applied the torch, and 
the mansion was soon in ruins. 

Another incident : an ancestor of hers, a young girl, lived 
with her parents on Long Island, at a time when there were 
comparatively few white people there. One day a squaw was 
termted to pilfer some peaches growing on the premises of a 
white settler ; she was detected by the owner, who shot and 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 395 

killed her. This act caused a general uprising of the savages, 
who determined on revenge, yet kept their purpose a secret 
from their white neighbors. The parents of the girl had 
occasion to go to New York about this time, taking her along 
with them. When ready to return, the girl showed a desire 
not to return. When asked for her reason, she replied she had 
a vague feeling of horror, as though some evil would befall her 
if she did not remain where she was. She was suffered to 
remain, and the parents returned home. That night the 
savages massacred the whole white population of the settle 
ment. The girl s premonition saved her life. 

Once her great-grandfather, Henry Beekman, when a boy, 
was playing with some Indian lads near a sand bank. Henry 
left the place before the others did ; and soon afterward the 
bank fell in, burying all the little Indians under it. As they 
did not come home, the Indian parents began to search for 
them. Unable to ascertain their whereabout?, they began to 
accuse Henry of having foully dealt with them, as they were 
last seen in his company. He told them that when he lar.t 
suv the Indian boys they were playing near the sandbank, 
aid ongoing there saw the bank had fallen. They commenced 
digging, and the bodies of the missing ones were found. 

A little above the residence of Miss Garrettson stands the 
ancient grove, distinguished in the annals of the Methodist 
Church as having been the scene of camp meeting?, such as 
were held when Rev. Freeborn Garrettson and his cotempo- 
riries were on the stage of action. We passed through it as 
the shades of evening were creeping over the landscape and 
puised a moment among the grand old trees that "oft have 
listened to the voice of song and praise" of the pioneer Metho 
dists. Within these limits many a weary soul has been led to 
that fount from whence flows eternal life. Here hundreds 
have gathered, from near and from far, to listen to the preached 
word. Here many a word has been dropped, whose influence 
has gone out into the world, and will continue to act as long 
as time lasts. 



HISTORV OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

The Methodist Church at Rhinebeck was erected in 1822^ 
Rev. Freeborn Garrettson contributing largely towards its 
erection. His monument stands in the graveyard attached to 
this church. 

Gertrude, also a sister of the Chancellor, was born in 1757, 
and married Governor Morgan Lewis. He was at the bloody 
battle of Stillwster; led the van of the attack against Johnson 
and Brant at Klock s Field, on the banks of the Mohawk; 
was Attorney General of the State of New York, and after 
wards Governor. He may be said to have been the founder of 
the common school system. He was President of the Society 
of the Cincinnati from 1838 to the time of his death, which 
occurred in 1844, in the Qoth year of his age. His wife died 
in 1837. 

Joanna Livingston, born in 1759, married the great politi 
cian, Peter R. Livingston. He passed the greater part of his 
life at Rhinebeck. It is on the farm occupied by him that 
Montgomery s Willow stands. Joanna died February, 1827. 
The Livingston family was a most remrrkatli one. All of the 
daughters married distinguished men ; and the sons occup ed 
high positions. Writes Mrs. Montgomery of a family dinner 
party : " Never was a table so surrounded. All the sisters were 
ardent politicians, of more than ordinary ability, who followed 
with intelligent appreciation the public labors of their brothers 
and husbands." 

John R. Livingston, a son cf Jurlge Livingston, married 
Margaret SheafTe, in 1779. Margaret was greatly admired by 
LiFayette. Said he to John E., while the latter was paying 
h s addresses, " Were I not a married man, I would try and 
cut you out." When he returned to his native France, he sent 
her a handsome present. John R. was a merchant in New 
York ; retiring from business he returned to his estate in Red 
Hook, now owned by the Aspinwall family. 

Thus is given, in brief, a sketch cf this most remaikalle 
firmly. We doubt if a parallel can be found in the annals of 
the whole country. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 397 

Conspicuous among them was the lamented Montgomery, 
a man of genteel, manly, graceful address, and possessing the 
love and confidence of the whole army. Congress voted a 
monument to his memory; and in 1818 his remains were taken 
up and conveyed to New York, where they were deposited 
with the highest honors in St. Paul s Church.* 

The first church Reformed Protestant German was 
formed May 23d, 1724, at the present village of Monterey. 
This was originally the village of Rhinebeck ; what is now 
Rhinebeck being then called Rhinebeck Flats. The old church 
edifice having been injured in a severe tornado, the structure 
was taken down and afterward built in the town of Red Hook. 
The Lutheran Church at Monterey was formed in 1730. 
Fred. Henry Quitman, father of General Quitman, of the 
Mexican War, was for several years pastor of this church. He 
was born in die Duchy of Cleves, Westphalia, 1760, and died 
in 1832. 

The Dutch Church at Rhinebeck Flats came into being 
simultaneously with the German Reformed at Monterey. 
John Benner used to tell the following story : The first minis 
ter that preached in either church came from Germany. At 
first he preached in both churches on the same day. The 
German Reformed Church at Monterey raised their full quota 
of the salary. The Dutch Reformed at the Flats were short. 
Notwithstanding this, the minister preached the first sermon in 
tlu latter church. At the close of the services, it is said, one 
Hendrick Heermance, probably one of the elders, was in rap 
tures over the sermon ; he urged the people to put their hands 
in their pockets and complete their portion of the salary. The 
good people demurred, however, until they could hear him 
preach in a language they could understand the sermon 

* A ._ r ni>isr th 1 c mncel fid of St Paul s c uirc 1 ). ami fici iir I .ro id va<-. is a monument 
on which is tin following inscription: "This monument is civcted bv order Com-ross. 2" ill 

of Ja in irv. 177K. to trai^mit to posterity a jrratefnl rom-mliram f tin- pairn tic conduct. 

enterprise and porsovera-ice of M ijor-O- oral iiic <ard .Montgomery, who. after a series <>f 
successes amid the most diM-otira;, inir difficulties fell in the attack on Qucl>< c, olst of l>e- 
ri inb -r, 177- r ). a r ed >! years." lie who parses on the street can easily <]< cipher the inscrip 
tion, and t l re is nor a pi ^asa-it dav that does nor witness little irronps pi-crint; through t: o 
iron rnilinvs to ^tndv the record of the j, illant yoii ii. patriot, whose praises were sounded 
in Par! awnt l>y r.arre. r,nrke. and Chatham, and whosi! lass was lUt thruuyhout the. 
to bu a public calamity. 



398 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

having been delivered in German a fact which Heermance had 
not discerned before. Annexed is a copy of deed by which 
Henry Beekman conveyed a tract of land on Rhinebeck Flats 
for the use of the church : 

ATT the Request of Lowrens Oosterhout Jacob Kip and 
Wm. Traphagan and the Rest of the Inhabitants of the North 
Ward in Dutchess County. I have surveyed and laid out for 
them a certain tract or parcel of land being situate and lying in. 
Dutchess County aforesaid on the north side of a certain 
Creek called Lansmans Kill near the house of Wm. Schut. 
Beginning at a stone putt in the ground on the north side of 
the said Creek from thence running North twenty chains to a 
stone putt in the ground, then East one degree South, nineteen 
chains to a white oak saplin marked ; then South Twenty 
chains to the said Creek ; then along the same as it winds and 
turns to the first station. Bounded on the South by the Creek 
and on all other sides by Lands of Col. Henry Beekman 
containing forty and four acre two Quarters and thirty and 
three perches. 

Performed this 26th day of August, 1730. 

Per me GER. VAN WAGENEN. 

Henry Beekman also conveyed two acres of land at the 
same time, where the Dutch Church now stands, to the Inhab 
itants of Rhinebeck who worshipped according to the profes 
sion of the Reformed Dutch Church of Holland, situated on 
the " King s Highway" afterward called the New York and 
Albany Post Road " neither shall any person sell any wines, 
rum, brandy, beer, cider, or other spirits, nor peddle, trade, nor 
carry on a merchandise upon the hereby granted premises," a 
requirement which has not been closely adhered to. Under 
this church lie the rernains of Henry Beekman, the donator of 
the land, and the sacred edifice is itself a monument to his 
memory. 

The first house of worship was a wooden building. The 
present one was afterwards built, which has since been con 
siderably remodeled. Two sides are constructed of stone, and 
the other two of brick. It is said there was a diversity of 
sentiment as to what the house was to be composed of one 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 399 

party wanting a brick and the other a stone house. To effect 
a compromise, it was built of both stone and brick. 

The Baptist Church at Rhinebeck was constituted July 4th, 
1821. On the Sabbath previous, ten persons were baptized by 
Elder Freeman Hopkins, of Northeast. On the day of organ 
ization four were baptized, who, with the other ten, and five 
received by letter, composed the church. The following min 
isters and brethren were members of the council : Elders 
Hopkins and Buttolph, and brethren Philo M. Winchell and 
Nicholas Vosburgh, of Northeast ; and Elder Jesse Hartwell, 
and brethren Jonathan Smith, Sylvester and Asahel Doud, of 
Sandisfield. Robert Scott, one of the constituent members, 
was ordained at the same time, as their pastor. He continued 
to preach, in addition to teaching a valuable school in the 
village, as long as his health permitted. Before his death, 
which took place Sept. 24th, 1834, at the age of 74, he pre 
pared an address to be read at his funeral. In the Spring of 
1842 Isaac Bevan settled in this village as a missionary in the 
employ of the County Association, and became pastor of the 
church. 

When the old Dutch Church was rebuilt, a low wooden 
building stood there. When the steeple was pulled down, the 
air was thick with bats. Below the church, where the mill was 
recently burned, stood the old grist mill put up by Col. Henry 
Beekman, probably the first in the town. Near the stone 
bridge was formerly a toll-gate, and the road there was then 
known as the Delaware and Ulster Turnpike. A man named 
Hagadorn was gate keeper. Dr. Kiersted lived in the William 
Teller house. Where Platt s store and adjacent buildings 
now stand was an apple orchard. Christian Schell built the 
store, and his heirs sold it to W r . B. Platt. Among the early 
settlers were Palatinates, who located near Monterey or "Park s 
Grocery." 

The oldest school m the place, in the recollection cf the 
present inhabitants, was that taught by Elder Robert Scott, a 
Baptist, from England. The Algates, afterward prominent 



4OO HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

men of New York, were among his pupils. A Miss Jones 
taught school in the lecture room of the Dutch Reformed 
Church, during the ministry of Dominie Hardenburgh. Miss 
Jones had a "flare-up" with the latter because of her breaking 
an engagement with him to teach his school. 

There is a map in the Starr Institute, drawn 1797, which 
shows three Dutch Reformed Churches, one German Referred, 
two Lutheran, and one Methodist Church, in Rhinebeck, 
which then included Red Hook. One of the Dutch Churches 
was near Tivoli ; another in Upper Red Hook, formed 1780; 
the other was in Rhinebeck village. Ther are now five 
Lutheran Churches within these limits. There are also two 
Methodist Churches and three Chapels, against one in 1797 ; 
two Baptist Churches and four Episcopal Parishes aga nst 
none in 1797. 

An old stone house on lands of Mrs. Huntington, proba 
bly the oldest in the village, was occupied some eighty years 
ago as a pest house. " Crazy Gin" was an inmate of the 
town poor house, and was quite a character in her way. In 
order to keep her within bounds, a heavy block and chain were 
attached to her ankle. She used to attend church, and en 
gage in prayer with the rest. Her petitions were always of a 
personal nature ; mentioning each individual by name, she 
would ask that good or evil might befall them, as they happened 
at that moment to have her good or her ill-will. Among the 
other relics in Rhinebeck is a cradle, over two hundred years 
old, in which several generations have been rocked ; also a 
powder horn, likewise supposed to be over 200 years old, and 
which was used at the battle of Ticonderoga. 

The first substantial house 
built in the town, and probably 
the oldest now standing within 
the county, is the Heermance 
House, situated about a mile 
Heermance House. from Rhinebeck Station. The 

old part of this building was erected, it is believed, in the year 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 40! 

1700, and has stood therefore more than one and three-fourths 
centuries. It has port holes under the eaves, it having been 
used as a sort of fortress in early times, as a protection against 
the Indians. On a stone in the rear of the house is the 
inscription " J. & A. K., 1700" supposed to be the initials 
of the builders and the date of erection. As before stated, 
the Kips were living here, and had some sort of claim to the 
land, before Beekman obtained his patent. The settlers first 
built log houses, eventually putting up more substantial dwell 
ings, as occasion offered. The Heermance house is composed 
of stone, and the brick for the chimneys came from Holland. 
In 1703, Beekman acquired a title to the land bordering the 
river from Staatsburgh to Red Hook,* which of course included 
the stone house just mentioned. In this house resided Col. 
Henry Beekman, and afterward his son Henry, and it is still 
occupied by descendants of the Beekman family. It is usually 
spoken of in history as the " Beekman House." The first 
sermon preached in this town was before a congregation assem 
bled in this stone dwelling. 

Another house, interesting in its history, stands in the village 
of Rhin-beck. We refer to the Montgomery House distin 
guished as having been occupied 
by Gen l. Richard Montgomery 
and his wife from the time Of 
their marriage until he left home 
to join the expedition against Que- 
bee. The young couple were living 
in retirement in their plain but comfortable cottage attending 
to the labors of their farm. The house then stood on the 
"King s Highway" [the post road] a short distance north of 
the village ; it has since been removed a short distance to the 
eastward of its original location. As the cottage and its 
surroundings were hardly suited to their tastes and feelings, 




* This pntent is thus defined: The te-ritory lying at a p int opposite Klein Sopua 
ffly [site of Sta.tsburffh], thence north to the Schuyler Patent [now Hod Hook], tlv nee 
;it to \Varankamick I mid, five miles from the riv.r, thence t -outh parallel to the river, 
and west to the place ot beginning. 



402 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

they looked about for a suitable place to locate and build up an 
estate more in keeping with their aspirations. They finally- 
selected a tract of 400 acres, in what is now the town of Red 
Hook, the same on which the widow afterwaids built " Mont 
gomery Place." 

Undoubtedly the young couple held many an interesting 
conference in relation to their new home, and looked forward 
with bright hopes to the time when their plans would all be 
perfected, and they permitted to enjoy their earthly paradise. 
But an overruling Providence ordained that their companion 
ship should cease ere their plans had been fully matured. They 
were living in this little cottage when the tocsin of war was 
sounded, which brought our Revolutionary army into the field. 
We can imagine the struggle in the mind of Montgomery, as 
he weighed the love and companionship of his accomplished 
wife against his duty to his country. His decision was soon 
formed ; nor did any sordid self-interest prompt her to turn 
him from his purpose. He might fall on the field of bloody 
strife ; yet his services were needed, and the call was answered. 
Their affairs were put in order, and the young general left for 
his command. She accompanied him on his journey as far as 
was deems d advisable, and at the house of a friend at 
Saratoga, took her last leave of him. In mid-winter, before 
daylight, in the midst of a furious snow storm, he led his com 
mand to attack the Prescott Gate, at the foot of Cape 
Diamond. The vigilant captain of Canadian militia, in 
command of a masked battery at that point, knew of the 
approach of the Americans. The latter were gallantly march 
ing up, ex e:ting to take it by surprise, and when within fifty 
yards were met by a charge of grape, which swept their 
column with terrible effect. General Montgomery, his aid 
McPherson, and Captain Cheeseman were instantly killed. 
The rest, appalled at the slaughter, fled. The body of 
Montgomery was found in the snow by the enemy the same 
day, was carried into the city, and buried within the walls that 
surrounded a powder magazine. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 403- 

Though savoring strongly of the romantic, this chapter, 
would be incomplete without a mention of Capt. D JIart s 
War-Horse. Some time ago, about seventy-five or eighty 
years, when training days were regularly observed, and militia 
officers were strutting about in their gay trappings, full pf 
martial valor, there appeared a man of soldierly bearing, who 
was familiarly known as Capt. D Hart. But still more note 
worthy was his war-horse, a dapple-gray, of warlike spirit, who 
would have made his mark on the field of battle. The captain 
loved his horse as he did his own soul, and truly he was a 
noble steed ; and when in his war dress he pranced and 
curvetted about the parade ground, he was the center of 
admiration. 

As the animal advanced in years, the fire of his eye grew 
dim ; his step became less buoyant, and his martial spirit was 
quenched. At last he laid himself down and died, to the great 
grief of his master. Most persons would have merely hitched 
a rope to the animal s neck, dragged him away to some secluded 
hollow, and there unceremoniously put him out of their sight ; 
but not so did Captain D Hart. He shocked the community 
by observing that horses had souls as well as anybody, espec 
ially if they were good horses. He further declared his 
defunct war-steed should be clothed in his armor, and buried 
with military honors. Great preparations were made for the 
funeral ceremony. Two or three companies of militia assem 
bled, full-plumed, each member wearing crape around his left 
arm. They formed on each side of the vehicle on which 
reposed the body of the horse, and the procession moved for 
ward to the sound of martial music. Capt. D Hart followed 
behind, in the capacity of chief mourner. 

Arrived at the place of interment, the military surrounded 
the grave, and as the horse was being lowered into his last 
resting place, the band played the " Dead March in Saul. 7 
A deep hole had been dug. into which the animal was placed 
in a standing position. He was clad in all the gay trappings that 
\vare wont to grace his form in the days of his strength. 



404 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Solemnly the earth was closed over him ; a mound was raised 
over the spot, and covered with green turf. The race-course 
was after ,vard located near his grave ; and it is often surmised 
that his ghost still haunts the vicinity, and infuses a little of 
his old mettle into the equines gathered there. At an exhibi 
tion of wax-works in the village of Rhinebeck, some two or 
three years since, D Hart s war-horse appeared to the audi 
ence, clad in his armor ; and so life-like did he seem, that 
some were almost ready to admit he had really broke away 
from the grave, and was present to their senses. 

The Starr Institute, already referred to, is an elegant 
structure, standing in the village of Rhinebeck, which is used 
as a public library, tree reading room, and for other kindred 
purposes. For this noble institution, the people of Rhinebeck 
are largely indebted to Mrs. Mary R. Miller, who donated 
the building, and contributed a large proportion of the books. 
The experiment of a free reading room, and a circulating 
library at a small subscription price was first tried ; and the 
^success of the effort encouraged the erection of a commodious 
.edifice. April i8th, 1862, an act passed the Legislature 
incorporating the Starr Institute ; and on the 24th of July 
folio .ving, Wm. Kelly was elected President, Theophilus 
Gillender, Sec., and N. W. H. Judson, Treasurer of the Board 
of Trustees. The Starr Institute property consists of real and 
personal property connected with the building. The lot on 
which it stands was conveyed by Mrs. Miller, the deed bearing 
date of May 2oth, 1862. The property was purchased, build 
ing erected and furnished at a cost of $15,000. 

Opposite Rhinebeck Station is the old Kingston Landing, 
where the three thousand British troops went ashore. That 
port was the port of Kingston until within a few years, and the 
New York and Albany boats used to stop there ; but the 
thriving village at the mouth of Rondout Creek caused it to 
t>e abandoned. In 1614 the Dutch traders built a redoubt at 
Rondout [corruption of redoubt] Creek. Kingston was first 
-called Wiltwyck, or Wild Indian Town, and its inhabitants 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY, 405 

were dispersed by the Indians. Another settlement soon 
followed, but the natives soon drove them off. In 1660 a 
treaty of peace was concluded which promised quiet to the 
settlers. But the wrath of the Indians was soon kindled 
against one Mr. Stuyvesant, who had sold some of their num 
ber as slaves, and war broke out about three years afterward. 
Some of the red men came into the fort, in June, 1663,. 
ostensibly to trade. At a concerted signal they fell upon the 
white people, murdered eighteen of them, and carried away 
forty-two captives. The out settlements were all destroyed. A 
destructive war ensued, and the Indians were expelled from 
the fort. Nine days afterward a reinforcement came from 
New Amsterdam, when the savages were pursued and almost 
exterminated. In the Autumn they returned all the captives 
but one, and sued for peace. 

Isaac F. Russell, the venerable postmaster at Rhinebeck 
Station, related some facts connected with the early settlers of 
this vicinity. His father, Isaac Russell, was from Sherborne, 
Mass., and was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary army. His 
captain w^s killed at the battle of Saratoga, when Russell was 
promoted to that office. One Ames was a captain of the 
Athol company, and a friendship sprung up between the two- 
young officers, that lasted through life. They were employee! 
to assist in guarding Burgoyne s captive troops when they were 
marched through our County to Fishkill. They stopped and 
encamped one night in the vicinity of Staatsburgh, and were 
so charmed with the country that they mutually agreed if their 
lives were spared, they would locate there after the war was 
over. This they afterwards did, taking up some of the most 
desirable land in that quarter. Russell also took an active 
part in the suppression of Shay s rebellion, and used to relate 
many entertaining incidents connected with that event. 

Our informant said the first meeting he ever attended was 
held in the Lamoree house, near Staatsburgh. An itinerant 
M. E. Minister preached there. He. while a mere lad, went 
in company with Morgan Lewis, to the soldiers encampment 



405 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

at Greeribush, during the war of 1812. Lewis was Commissary 
General of the troops quartered there. Russell was a member 
of the Ibard of Supervisors cotemporaneous with J. M. 
Ketcham, of Dover, James Duane Livingston, of Hyde Park, 
Henry A. Livingston, of Poughkeepsie, and Daniel Toffey of 
Pawling. 




The Vi.iase Smithy. 



STANFORD. 



POPULATION, 2,209. SQUARE ACRES, 31,581, 



TANFORD was formed from Washington, March i2th, 
^ 1793. This town was included in the Great Nine 

Partners Tract. Its surface is a broken and hilly upland. 

The hills generally admit of being cultivated to their 
summits. Slate crops out in numerous places along their 
declivities, and boulders and water-worn pebbles are thickly 
strewn over a considerable portion of the surface. Hunns 
and Uptons Lakes, are the principal bodies of water. Wappin- 
gers Creek is the principal stream. The soil is a good quality 
of gravelly and slaty loam. Stanfordville, Bangall, Stissing- 
ville, and Attlebury are hamlets. An immense spring of pure 
cold water near the latter place has considerable local 
notoriety. Smith Thompson, U. S. Circuit Judge, was a 
native and resident of this town. 

Bangall is a station on the line of the Duchess and Colum 
bia Railroad. It has several stores and factories, post-office, 
flour, feed, and saw mills ; also three neat and comfortable 
churches. Ih? origin of its name is thus given ; A Yankee 
pedlar was traveling through here in the prosecution of his 

407 



408 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

business. His goods consisted of a stock of tin ware, which 
he carried about the country in a rickety cart, drawn by a 
superannuated horse. This vicinity was at that time noted 
for its roystering lads, whose mad-cap pranks kept the com 
munity in a continual uproar. Our pedlar unfortunately fell 
into their hands. After tantalizing him to their hearts content 
they ended by knocking the poor old horse in the head, leaving 
the animal dead in the road. The pedlar was now in a 
dilemma. His horse was dead ; he was far from home, with no 
means to buy another. He contemplated the fallen beast a 
moment, and then broke out in a Yankee phrase " That bangs 
all !" From that expression the place is named. We may add 
that the mischievous fellows who killed his faithful animal, and 
who were connected with the best families of the vicinity, 
made amends to the poor pedlar by presenting him with 
another horse, and a much better one than he had before. 

Bare Market incorrectly spelled Bear Market on some of 
the maps, is a cluster of houses located near the west borders 
of the town. The name was given it from the following 
circumstance : An old gentleman formerly kept a grocery 
here, and also disposed of considerable liquor. One night a 
company assembled at his place of business, drinking and 
carousing, and prolonged their stay until a very late hour. 
They imbibed SD freely that they drank up all the liquor the old 
man had; but not yet satisfied, they besought him to go off 
and get some more. This he told them he could not do, as he 
was very lame, and unable to travel. This was to them a sore 
disappointment, thus to have their joy nipped off without 
warning. They therefore named the place " Bare Market," 
the place was "bare" of liquor a cognomen which it has 
retained to this day. As the history of the First Baptist 
church of this town dates back to a very early period, we may 
as well give it a notice here. 

In 1755, a few Baptist brethren, who were settled in this 
wilderness, thought it needful to meet together. Others joined 
them; and in October, 1759, a church was constituted by 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 409 

Elder Jabez Wood and Robert Wheaton, of " Swansea, County 
of Bristol, Massachusetts Bay." Ephraim and Comer Bullock 
were chosen to administer the ordinances of the Gospel to 
them, and Richard Bullock, Jr., was elected deacon. There is 
no further record of them until 1770-2, when we read on the 
church- minutes : " Just at this time we were informed that our 
mother church sang by rule, and used Watts Hymns, and we 
labored with them some time to forbear ; but they continued, 
and we withdrew ourselves from them. Then sometime after 
that some of us grew uneasy, because we had broken union 
with them about singing, viz : Richard and Ellis Bullock ; and 
some time after, Elder Comer Bullock grew so much uneasy, 
that we thought it our duty to make our recantation to that 
church for what we had done, believing that the psalm, or 
tune, was not a sufficient thing to break union upon. Some of 
the brethren made a request that they might sing Watts 
Psalms, and were denied altogether." Twenty-four of the 
brethren dissented from the church and did not meet with 
them for some time. In 1778, another organization was 
effected of those "willing to walk together in the order of the 
Gospel, with singing of psalms and hymns as a part of Divine 
worship," with Comer Bullock as pastor. He continued to 
preach for them until his health failed, and is said to have 
baptized over one thousand persons during his ministry. Elder 
Luman Burtch became pastor in 1806, continuing with them 
about fifteen years ; then, after an absence of about four 
years, returned, and again preached to them. 

April ist, 1780, the church being together at the house of 
Comer Bullock, were called upon to confer in respect to 
things special, when two of the brethren said they had made a 
new discovery, viz : " That there should be an equality in the 
church m the payment of taxes." 

The following is from the records: "April 28th, the church 
being assembled at the hou^e of the pastor, one of the breth 
ren gave his new discovery of duty, which he proposed to carry 
out the more easily by the following method : " To plow, 



41 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

plant, and hoe the Elder s corn, mow and secure his hay ; plow 
and prepare the fallow ground for sowing wheat for him, judg 
ing it most convenient for us, in our low circumstances, to 
redeem what time we can in order that the Elder might dedi 
cate to the Lord all such redeemed time in work pertaining to 
his ministerial functions." 

" At the request of brethren at Dover, and places adjacent, 
Elder Bullock and the messengers of the church visited those 
quarters, and preached the Gospel there, baptizing both men 
and women." September 29th, 1787, there was an invitation 
.sent to the church from the neighborhood of Mabbettsville, for 
the Elder to come and administer the ordinance of baptism. 
He went and baptized nearly forty, and the following year they 
were constituted a branch of his church A branch at Kindtr- 
hook, another at Noble Town, and still another " near Jacob 
Lawrence s," are spoken of in the records. " Deacon Canneld 
expressed a dissatisfaction that the church consisted of so 
many branches that the mother church was destitute of preach 
ing the greater part of the time." In June, 1790, the people 
at Hudson sent a messenger to the church, asking them to 
send their Elder to administer the ordinance of baptism. 

Notwithstanding the great amount of pastoral and ministe 
rial work performed by Elder Bullock in those primitive days, 
no record can be found of his ever having received even so 
much as a penny by way of salary. He did, on one occasion, 
receive a contribution, and for so doing he was called an 
hireling ; whereupon the church very promptly voted that he 
had a perfect right to receive any gift the people were disposed 
to make him. 

O i the 2Sth of Au^-ist, 1790, the church voted that the 
Elder and a licentiate should attend meeting at Oswego at the 
house of Bro. Fowler, once erery month for twelve months. 
Soon afterward, the church voted that the Elder should preach 
for them three Sabbaths in each month for one year ; the 
fourth Sabbath at the village and at the branch east of 
Mabbettsville ; and when there were five Sabbaths, he might go 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 411 

-wherever he thought best. In 1798, a messenger presented a 
request from some candidates in Rhinebeck, wishing baptism, 
and asking the churcn to send an administrator. Accordingly, 
May*i9th, Elders Bullock and Hopkins, and Deacon Canfield, 
met at the house of Robert Scott, at Rhinebeck Flats, and 
heard the experience of four candidates. On the following 
Sunday Elder Hopkins preached and afterwards baptized them. 

In 1799, a proposition was made to have a stove in the 
meeting house, which was voted down. It appears from the 
records that nearly all the meetings were held at the pastor s 
house, especially in cold weather. The dwelling house then 
owned by the Elder, and for many years the rallying point of 
the Baptists in this section of the country, is still standing we 
believe, having at a recent period been rebuilt, and is located 
about three miles north of the present church edifice. 

The last record of Elder Bullock is that he presided at a 
church meeting held in his own house, Feb, 29th, 1804. Two 
years previous, the church had called Elder Hopkins to 
preich for them one half of the time for three months, and 
voted to give him twenty shillings a Sabbath. Elders Petit 
and Arnold are spoken of as supplies. Such is the history, for 
the first fifty years, of the early gathering of the Baptists in 
this town, while it was yet a wilderness. Up to this time they 
had established branches at eight different places, viz : Kinder- 
hook, Oswego, Noble Town, Dover, the branch east of 
Mabbettsville, known as Daniel Jones s, \Vest Branch, South 
west Branch, and Rhinebeck. 

June 1 4th, 1806, a Baptist Council was convened, consist 
ing of Elders Leland, Wood, and Johnson. The day follow 
ing they ordained Brother Luman Buitch. Among the first 
that the latter baptized were Samuel Sackett and Asa Thomp 
son. Anew house was raised in July, 1814; in August the 
following year, the church first met in this house, which is 
locate I about one fourth mile south of the first. The following 
Elders are men iined as having been pastors over this church: 
D^ty, D ivid Fradeaburg i, Elijah LUCAS, J. Holman, and E. 
C. Ambler. 



412 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

The secoid house of worship was occupied about fifty 
years. In this house the first session of the Duchess Baptist 
Association was held in 1835, October 14 and 15, Rev. T. 
Winter, Moderator. In the fall of 1867, a survey was made 
for the Duchess & Columbia Railroad, which passed through 
the pulpit, so that the house, had to be removed a little more 
than the width of it to give way for work on the road. In 
December, the agents offered $1650 for the church building, 
which was accepted, and the present house built. 

A Q laker Church was built at Stanfordville about the year 
1800. It was sold a few years since, and is now occupied as 
a public hall, with apartments for families below. As the 
church was erected before the separation of that sect, both the 
Hicksite and Orthodox divisions received their proportionate 




I .uil Upton s jiousc. 

share of the purchase money, and both gave their deed for the 
property. 

O.i what is loyally known as Bingall Lane, between 
Bngall and Stanfordville, a large Biblical School has been 
established, under the auspices of the Christian denomination.. 
David Clark, of Conn., was one of the principal movers in its 
establishment, and contributed $35,000 to found it. 

One of the earliest settlers in this vicinity was Paul Uptcn,, 
an emigrant from Lynn, Mass. He located in the beautiful 
valley on the borders of the romantic lake wrr ch bears his 
name. The annexed is a reprepentation of his residence, 
which is still standing. A large addition has been since built,, 
but that is not shown The house had originally a large chim- 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 413 

iiey, with three fire-places below, and one on the second floor. 
Paul Upton was a Quaker; as he lived near the meetinghouse, 
his house was usually thronged at the time of the Quarterly 
Meetings ; as many as forty people have been entertained at 
one time over night in this little dwelling. 

Paul Upton and his wife once attended a yearly meeting 
on Long Island. This was in the time of the Revolution, 
when the British had possession of that part of the country. 
They rode the whole distance on horseback, much of the way 
through an almost unbroken wilderness. Arriving at their des 
tination, they put up at the house of a friend. One morning, 
after the close of the meeting, their horses were brought up to 
the door, and while they were engaged in leave-taking, a Brit 
ish officer stepped up, took the horses by the bridle, saying, as 
he did so, that he had use for them. The honest old Quaker 
eyed the officer for a moment, and then addressed him in 
measured terms : " Friend, would thee consider what thee is 
doing ? We are far from home ; my wife is unable to walk that 
distance ; neither can I in my enfeebled state ; if thee takes 
our horses, we shall have no means to get back." And thus 
the old gentleman plead with him, until the heart of the officer 
relented. Letting go the bridles, he bade the honest Quaker 
and his wife depart in peace, and went on his way, followed by 
their benedictions. 

Paul had a son born to him about the time the British 
ship "Asia" left New York and anchored in tiie lower Hudson. 
This vessel was regarded with dread by the inhabitants of the 
river country, and was the object of a bitter hatred. Paul 
christened the child Asa ; which sounded so much like the name 
of the hated vessel, that many Whigs living in the vicinity, 
who were generally unlettered, but who were excessively jeal 
ous of any semblance of loyalty to the King, thought the boy 
was named in honor of the vessel. This smacked too much 
of Toryism ; and a committee was forthwith appointed to 
enquire into the matter. The good old Quaker had little diffi 
culty in explaining to them that "Asa" and " Asia" were two 



414 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

distinct appellatives, and they departed evidently satisfied^. 
Paul was by trade a tanner. The farmers used to carry- 
hides to him to be made into leather. On one of his tours ta 
Long Island, he was taken prisoner by the enemy. He stated 
his case to the officers in charge, depicting the loss that would 
be incurred were he to be retained. Said he " I am a tanner 
by trade. I now have in my vats thousands of dollars worth 
of hides. If I am not allowed to care for them, they will all 
be damaged. Many of my customers are friends to the King ;; 
they will suffer if I am kept here." The officer inquired about 
the length of time that would be necessary to secure the hides. 
About three months," was the answer. The officer thought a 
moment, and then said : " We will let you return home on con 
dition that you will give us your word of honor that in three- 
months from this day and date you will report yourself at 
Kingston." The Quaker gave his word, and was suffered to 
depart. The time expired just after the British had left Kings 
ton, after the capture of Burgoyne at Saratoga. True to his 
word, Upton presented himself at Kingston on the day 
appointed, but as there was no British officer to take charge of 
him, he returned home. 

Near where is now located Willow Brook Station, on the 
Poughkeepsie and Eastern Railroad, there stood in Revolu 
tionary times, a tavern. A number of noisy fellows had 
gathered there one day, who were carousing finely. At last it 
was arranged that each one should in turn sing a song. One 
of the revelers was named Marvin. When it came his turn 
to sing, he gave them a Tory song. This put a sudden stop 
to the proceedings ; and so full were the rest of bad continen 
tal rum, that they did not stop to consider the consequences^, 
but all fell upon the poor fellow, and killed him. After he- 
was dead, one of the men by the name of Obey Smith took 
the body upon his shoulder, put it into Marvin s sleigh, and" 
started the horses for home, with no one in it but their dead 
driver, where they arrived soon after. Obey Smith used to- 
go about with his head drawn to one side. It was currently 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 415 

reported that the deformity was caused by his carrying the 
dead body of Marvin upon his shoulder. . 

A man once lived in this town name withheld who 
made a wager with a colored man living with him, betting a, 
bay mare against the negro s wages. The negro won, and 
mounting his property, rode gaily away. His employer was 
greatly chagrined at being thus fairly beaten, and out of 
revenge had the darkey arrested for theft. As the latter could 
furnish no proof, except his own word, of the manner in which 
he came in possession of the mare, he was adjudged guilty of 
the crime of which he was accused, sentenced to be hung, and 
was afterwards executed. His employer was present at the 
execution. Just before the noose was placed about his neck, 
the negro made some remarks, a part of which were addressed 
to his accuser. " You know, very well," said he, " that the 
mare was mine, and that I came honestly by her, and you will 
stand there and see me hung, innocent of what I am accused. 
May God forgive you, as I do, of the crime of willful murder 
which will rest upon your soul. 

Esq. Sam. Arnold was anciently a noted magistrate. 
During his term of office a law was passed making it a 
finable offence to allow a dog to run loose without a ring 
about his neck bearing the name of his owner. As one half of 
the fine went to the informer, a man named Quick thought this 
would be a favorable opportunity to make a little money. He 
lived near one John Bailey, for whom he worked ; and taking 
the names of all those who had not complied with the law, he 
appeared before the magistrate with a goodly list. That 
functionary promptly commanded the delinquents to appear 
before him on a certain day and answer to the charge. In the 
meantime the accused had made common cause against their 

O 

informer, and had arranged to retaliate upon him for meddling 
with their affairs. They caused a heavy iron collar to be 
forged, which was to be secured by a rivet, on which were the 
words : " I am John Bailey s dog, whose dog are you?" This 
they designed placing around the neck of Quick. 



41 6 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

One night they surrounded Quick s house, and were about 
effecting an entrance, when one of them looking through the 
key hole caught sight of him just as he was going up stairs. 
He called out " Here he is," and everybody rushed for the 
front door. This afforded a chance of escape for poor Quick, 
who jumped from a rear chamber window, and was lost to 
view in the gloom of the adjacent wood. He fled the country, 
and never afterward showed himself in the neighborhood. The 
collar is yet in existence, having done duty different from that 
for which it was made. 

Once a band of Tories had secreted themselves in a dense 
swamp, in this vicinity, where they were supplied with provi 
sions by their wives and sweethearts, who went there for that 
purpose at night. A report having spread that the British had 
recently met with a brilliant victory, and were penetrating the 
county in the neighborhood of Fishkill, the Tory band boldly 
sallied forth to meet them. When near Salt Point, they were 
informed that the report was false ; whereupon they made all 
haste for the swamp, before they could be intercepted. 

The writer was informed that when the Stone Church at 
Clinton Corners was being built, about forty men were engaged 
upon it. During an alarm, these men were called upon to 
assist in repelling the invaders, but they all fled to the neigh 
boring woods except an old man, who boldly kept at work, and 
who was pressed into the service. Tradition says that a num 
ber of muskets were thrown into the body of water known as 
the Pond Gut in the Revolution, by some Tories who were 
endeavoring to escape pursuit ; in proof of the truth of this 
it is asserted that but a few years since one or two muskets, of 
ancient pattern, were found in it. 



UNION YALE. 



POPULATION, 1,434- SQUARE ACRES, 14,876, 



ODNION VALE was formed from Beekman and " Frce- 
doin" (now LaGrange) March ist, 1827. Its surface is 
a n ^ly anc ^ Broken upland, divided into two parts by a 
broad valley, which extends north and south through 
the centre. The Clove Kil, a tributary of the Fishkill, flows 
southwest through the town. Slate crops out upon the sum 
mits and declivities of the hills. The soil is a gravelly and 
slaty loam. An extensive iron mine near the Clove post-office 
supplies the Beekman Furnace, two miles farther south. Hen- 
ricus Beekman, the patentee, conveyed 1,000 acres in this 
vicinity to his son Henry, in 1716, and settlement is supposed 
to have commenced soon after. Verbank, Oswego Village, 
Clove, Crouse Store, Mansfield, and Pleasant Ridge, are ham 
lets. 

Families by the name of Potter, Livingston, Hall, Emigh, 
Wilkinson, Cline, Able, Reed, Morey, and Uhl, settled in 
Union Vale at an early period. James Skidmore, Adam and 
Daniel Crouse, and John Mosher moved in at an early date. 
Half a century ago, a union meeting house stood on the road 



41 8 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

leading from Union Vale to Beekmanville, near the location of 
the old union burying ground, which was probably the first 
church built in this immediate vicinity. It was a plain, old- 
fashioned structure, of medium size, with no gallery. 

The Christian denomination is quite numerous and influen 
tial in this town. A neat and commodious house of worship 
has been recently built. They formerly worshiped in an old 
church under the mountain, which was torn down when the 
present one was erected. Albert Hall and Joseph M. Cutler 
contributed largely towards its erection. Near this church is 
a beautiful rural cemetery. There are several fine monu 
ments, and a family vault upon the grounds. It is elegantly 
laid out ; a miniature artificial lake is enclosed within its 
limits ; all of which adds to the natural beauties of the loca 
tion. The monument of Albert Hall is apiece of fine mechan 
ism, the design of which is one of his own selection. Another 
monument will be erected to the memory of Joseph M. Cutler 
at a cost of $2600. Cutler was largely interested in the min 
ing interests of the town, in which he acquired great wealth. 

James Skidmore was an early settler, who built the mill and 
old house near Grouse Store. He owned a large tract of land 

in the vicinity. The mill is one 
of the oldest in the town. 

On Pleasant Ridge is an old 
dwelling with its siding composed 
of shingles, built by Nicholas 

"oui skia more* Mm. Baker. It is somewhat remarka 

ble from the fact that all the nails used in its construction were 
made by himself, on the anvil. He was a blacksmith, and made 
the nails during the evenings, after the regular work of the day 
was over. He was also a merchant ; the building he used for 
a store is still standing we believe. It was his custom, when 
about to take a trip to New York for goods which he only 
undertook once or twice a year to prepare his bed, and a stock 
of provisions to last several days, which he had to take with 
him, as the sloop did not board passengers in those days. After 




HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 419 

a deal of preparation, he would be conveyed to Poughkeepsie, 
take his bed and provisions on board the sloop, and then was 
often forced to submit to a long and tedious passage. Several 
days would elapse before he would again set foot in Pough- 
keepsie, and then all the goods were conveyed in wagons over 
the rough roads to the top of Simpson Hill. 

Another character who flourished in these parts was Caleb 
Simpson, after whom the hill is named. He came in here, 
and, much to the regret of the people, started a low groggery. 
Some of the leading men of the neighborhood went to him and 
besought him not to sell any liquor, but to no avail. To 
Nicholas Baker, who was more earnest in his appeals than the 
rest, he said, " I shall yet live to sell liquor in your house." 
Years passed away. Simpson was finally reduced to poveity, 
and went away, and a few years afterward died a pauper. He 
was brought back and buried in a little graveyard, which may 
still be seen, on Simpson Hill. The funeral procession passed 
the house of Baker, who, happening to be looking out of the 
window at the moment, inquired who was dead. On being 
told it was his old neighbor, Caleb Simpson, he recalled the 
remark made by the latter years before, and said " he guessed 
Old Simpson would not be able to fulfill his threat to sell 
liquor in his house quite yet." 

Years ago, some parties from Connecticut were in this 
vicinity searching after tidings of a pedlar. He had not 
returned home at the usual time, after making a trip, and his 
friends, becoming alarmed, started to look for him. They, by 
diligent inquiry along the road, tracked him all the way to 
Simpson s, and there they lost all trace of him. He was seen 
to go there, but was never seen to go away. Some time after 
wards, his wagon was found in the woods, about a mile from 
Simpson s, and which was completely rifled of its contents. 
Sufficient proof could not be obtained to convict any one of 
the crime, though certain parties were strongly suspicioned. 

Some years since, a man by the name of Lee, we believe, 
was suddenly missing from this vicinity. Some supposed he 



420 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

had gone into other parts without mentioning the matter to 
any one ; but others thought his sudden disappearance very 
strange. Some time afterwards, as one Henry Harrington 
was upon his death bed, and almost with his last breath, under 
took to make a confession of a murder. He expired before 
all the details had been disclosed ; but sufficient information 
was gathered to establish the fact that about the time of the 
disappearance of Lee, Harrington, in company with another 
man, were each driving a mule team between Beekman 
Furnace and Poughkeepsie ; that they weie reiurning from 
one of their trips by the upper road, passing by Grouse Store ; 
that on their way the said Lee got in to ride with them, and 
they, being full of liquor, killed him for his money. They 
procured a shoe-box at the store, put the dead man into it, 
and hid it away in what is still known as the Factory Woods, 
just in the edge of Union Vale, above the fjrnace pond. 
Harrington s companion soon fled the country, and he kept 
the secret to himself until he was induced, at the very thresh- 
holcl of eternity, to divulge the crime. About the time of the 
disappearance of Lee, two young girls were rambling in these 
woods, when they suddenly came upon a man who was sitting 
by a pile of fresh earth. He was one of the mule drivers 
above mentioned. The girls wondered what the fresh dirt 
meant, but never thought of the matter again until years 
afterwards, when the confession of Harrington brought it to 
remembrance. 

Many years ago in this town, while a number of men were 
excavating for the purpose of making a new roacl, they came 
upon a quantity of human bones, which had apparently been 
thrown promiscuously together, and left there to decay. No 
one could recollect, not even the " oldest inhabitant," of any 
person or persons having been buried there. It is supposed 
an Indian battle occurred on this ground, and that friend and 
foe were buried together, and left to rot. 

Verbank Station is located on the line of the Duchess and 
Columbia Railroad. It is at the intersection of the main 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 42 T 

highway between the Clove, so rich with immense beds of iron 
ore, and the beautiful region of Washington Hollow. On a 
knoll, a few rods from the station, is a schoolhouse and an 
antiquated church ; and on another, a rural cemetery. Where 
only a few years ago were green, open meadows, bordering a 
crystal stream, a little village has sprung up. Verbank Village 
lies about three-fourths of a mile from the station. It is 
located upon the verdant banks of Sprout Creek, from which 
it takes its name. Formerly a cotton mill and a paper mill 
were operated here by the water power furnished by that 
stream. A flour, grist, and plaster mill is now in operation 
here. 

Quaker City, or Oswego,* as formerly called, is below 
Verbank, about one mile east of Aloores Mills Station, on the 
Dachess and Columbia Road. Here is located a Hicksite 
Church and a boarding school. The latter was established by 
the Quakers after the Nine Partners School had closed, 
and was a flourishing institution under their charge. It was 
afterwards purchased by private parties, by whom it is now 
managed. It is situated on an eminence, surrounded by 
enchanting rustic scenery, and by a rich farming country. Its 
retired situation makes it eminently suitable for children, where 
they avoid the many temptations incident to large villages and 
cities. 

The Factory Woods derive that name from the fact that 
a woolen factory was formerly established on the adjacent 
stream just above the furnace pond. The factory was not 
designed for the manufacture of cloth, but merely for carding 
and spinning. A falling mill was established here at the same 
time. 

Some years ago, a widow named Odell, living in the town 
of Union Vale, picked up near Pleasant Ridge a silver 
Spanish dollar, and the question as to how it came there raised 
considerable comment at the time. Afterward, her son, in 

* The origin if t lis namo wu< thus told tho writer : An FiuUm and his sqnruv wore 
oT-e -roi 1 1 if up a \viiiilinu- pat t n ilic viciirry. l> t!i the \VOI-M- t r- in having in!) bed two 
iinic i P<>r wiiNkcv. \s tln-y traveled on, rec liiiy against tach other, tlioy wuuIU articu- 
Litu "Us- we gu, Us we- go." 



422 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

passing over the mountain, found another coin of the same 
kind. Report of the discovery spread among the people of 
that section, and excited them to the extent that they repaired 
to the spot with picks and shovels, and began to search for 
treasure that was supposed to be hidden there. All day 
Saturday and Sunday they pursued their investigations. At 
sundown on Sunday, as they stopped work, it was mutually 
agreed to desist from further explorations until daylight the 
following morning. Some parties, however, were so anxious 
after the treasure, that they broke over the agreement, and 
dug away with might and main all night. About sixteen 
Spanish dollars in all were found. Old settlers tell the story 
of a foreigner who visited these parts about fifty years ago, 
who stopped but a short time, and his final disappearance was 
so sudden as to cause general remark. At the time there was 
a hotel on the mountain, kept by George Wait, and the build 
ing is still standing. The supposition is that the foreigner 
buried his money in the mountain, and it has washed out of 
its be 1. In no other way can the presence of money in this 
lonely place be accounted for. 



WASHINGTON. 



POPULATION. 3,000. SQUARE ACRES, 36,648. 



ASHI^GTON was formed March 7, 1788. The origin 
of its name is obvious. It is mostly comprised within 
the Great Nine Partners Tract. Stanford was taken off 
7/$j i in 1793. The surface is a rolling and hilly upland. 
Slate crops out on the hills, and water-worn pebbles are thickly 
strewn over a small portion of the surface. The principal 
elevations are Muckle Hill, Molly Mountain, Plymouth Hill, 
and Canoe Hill. The last named is so called because of its 
resemblance to an inverted canoe. Round and Shaw Ponds 
form the source of Wappingers Creek. Millbrook (formerly 
Harts Village) is a flourishing place. The first mill in the 
town was erected here about the year 1760. Mabbettsville, 
named from James Mabbett, a former proprietor, and origi 
nally called Filkintown,* is two miles east of Millbrook. Me 
chanic, a short distance below the latter, is celebrated as being 
the place where the noted Nine Partners Boarding School was 
located. Little Rest is in the southeast part of the town. An 
old resident told the writer that many years ago, a young man 

* It is fan] thnf FilVin. oro of Iho-orfpnal proprietors, caused the place to bo named 
after him by the present of a barrel ot rum. 

423 



424 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

hired out to a farmer in the vicinity. The farmer worked him 
late at night, and routed him early in the morning ; and 
seemed determined to get all the work out of the fellow that 
was possible. The young man complained of his treatment to 
some of his friends, exclaiming, with an oath, that it was very 
" little rest" he ever got while living with his employer. The 
locality has ever since retained the name. Lithgow, Washing 
ton Hollow, and Washington Four Corners, are hamlets. 

Examination by Captain Paul Rvcaut, taken at Poughhketpsie, 

0:t. 7/1771- 

Serg t Cassedy s account of the ill treatment he Received 
from Jonathan Mead the Blacksmith and Timothy 
Driskill at the Nino Partners when on Command after 
De.eiters September the soth, 1761. 

That on the 2Qth day of September Lieut. Lyons detached 
him and a Serg t of the 55th with ten men in pursuit of three 
deserters from the i7th Regiment, which he had information 
were concealed by the Inhabitants of the Nine Partners, when 
he with the Command came to a place called the City* he 
was informed that one Mclntosh, a Deserter from the 55th 
Regiment was at work for Mr. Bokay a Justice of the Peace, 
near the above mentioned place, he though r it necessary to 
send the Serg t of the 55th in pursuit of said Deserter, and 
himself with a Corporal and three men to continue the route 
to nine Partners, when he parted from the Serg t of the 55th 
he gave him Lieut. Colonel Darby s orders and pass which he 
had received from Lieut. Lyons. As soon as he came to the 
nine Partners he was informed that three men whose names 
they said were Charles Lee, John Brevington and Joseph 
Roberts (whom he knew to be deserters from the i7th Regi 
ment) had been lately at Sutherland s Mills. Asked a Black 
smith if he could inform them of any Deserters, he answered 
he knew of none, and if he did he would not tell the Serg t 
then proceeded to the Mills and enquired from Mr. Suther 
land, (who he was told is an officer ot the militia,) if he had 
seen three IT en pasi t nt way, he said that he had seen three 
men there abo.it ta.ir days ago, and that he had given them 
change for some Dollars, and likewise that one of them (which 
the Serg t knew by the description to be Charles Lee, one of 

* In the T<mn of Amenia, 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 425 

the Deserters above mentioned) had a great number of Dol 
lars in a handkerchief, and wanted to change Dollar for Dollar 
with the said Sutherland, he giving none of a later date than 
1755 this made ye Serg t conclude that Lee had coined the 
Dollars the Serg t afterward came to the house of one Free 
man who told him that three men, naming the three Deserters 
names, viz : Charles Lee, John Brevington and Joseph Roberts 
had been four days near his house carousing, and had left it 
about five clay since, when they went away they stole a coat 
from him ; the said Freeman next day went with the Serg t in 
pursuit of the Deserters, on their way they were informed that 
a Deserter from the 55th Reg t was married to the daughter of 
Timothy Driskill whose house was in their road, when they 
came to Driskill s house he told the Serg t he knew of no 
Deserters. That it was false whoever had told him that his 
daughter was married to one as the Serg t had been told that 
Driskiil was a man of bad character and did knowingly enter 
tain Deserters, he secured said Driskill who then confessed 
that his daughter was married to a Deserter from the 55th, 
and that he knew of one Armstrong from Sage s light Infantry, 
and would assist him in taking them. After the Serg t had 
settled with Driskill in what manner thev were to act he with 
one man of his party went to a house a little distance from the 
Driskills. and after they were got into bed the above men 
tioned Mea:l a Blacksmith with about thirty other people 
forced into the house and dragged the Serg t and Allan Cooper 
a Grenadier into different rooms and beat them in a most 

cruel manner, saying D n the king and all such raschally 

fellows that were after Deserters, and after they were tired of 
beating them kept them prisoners all ivght without having any 
proper authority for it, the next morning Samuel Smith a Con 
stable and likewise an officer of the militia, came to them and 
said that he had a warrant to take him the Serg t and his 
party before a Justice of the Peace, the Serg t then directed 
him to the house where the rest of the party were also secured 
and with him carried before justice Roswell Hopkins, who 
abused them very .much saying Lieut. Lyons his officer, and he 
deserved both to be handed, and uttered many abusive expres 
sions, and would not even suffer them to say anything in 
defense, but committed them unheard to the Common Goal, 
nor would the Justice take the least cognizance of their infor 
mation against Driskill for concealing Deserters, nor of Mead 
the Blacksmith leading a posse breaking into the house where 
they lay, beating them in a most terrible manner, and using ye 



426 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

traitorous expressions he did against the King s Sacred Majesty. 
By what information I could collect from the inhabitants, 
those of the nine Partners are a riotous people and Levellers 
by principle. PAUL RYCAUT, Captain. 

To Lieut. Colonel JOHN DERBY. 

The Nine Partners Boarding School was established in 
1796, at Mechanic, by the society of friends. A farm of one 
hundred acres was attached to it, and it was provided with a 
cash endowment of $10,000. For many years it had an 
average attendance of one hundred pupils. Jacob Willetts 
was the first pupil of the school, and was connected with it, 
either in the capacity of pupil or teacher, for a period of thirty 
years or more. The school building was originally built for a 
dwelling house ; Samuel Sweet was the builder. It was a 
large and commodious edifice, and well adapted to the pur 
pose. The society purchased the building, and the lot on 
which it stood, of Samuel Mabbett. They afterward made 
some additions to it, and also some changes in its interior. 

Jacob Willetts was the first teacher that was educated in 
the school. Tripp Mosher was the first Superintendent, and 
Joseph Talcott the second. Willetts commenced teaching 
when he was eighteen years of age ; his wages were taken up 
by his father. The day he was twenty-one he stepped into the 
Superintendent s office, and speaking in a manly tone, said 
" you may make your entries in my name now, sir, if you 
please." A gentleman by the name of Huntington was 
teacher one or two years. 

Willetts married Deborah Rogers, descendant, in a direct 
line, of John Rogers of early colonial history. She, 
too, was first a pupil in the school, and afterward became 
teacher. She taught most of the time from 1802 until the 
Separation. This occasioned so much feeling that the school 
was nearly broken up, and Willetts and his wife went to 
Nantucket, where they remained about five years. They 
returned in 1832, and opened a private boarding school in the 
spring of the following year. lie taught there two years, 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 427 

when he was requested to go back to the Nine Partners 
School. He accepted, at the same time engaging a man to 
teach his own school, to which he soon afterwards returned. 
He traveled summers and taught winters until about the year 
1853, when he gave up teaching. 

The fame of the Nine Partners Boarding School while Wil- 
letts had charge of it extended far and wide. But what brought 
his name still more prominently before the public was the fact of 
his writing some text books for schools, which at that time 
were considered the best extant. The first edition of 
" Willetts arithmetic" was published in 1813. Paraclete 
Potter, the old bookseller of Poughkeepsie, was the publisher. 
Willetts took his manuscript to him, uncertain as to its fate. 
Potter looked over the pages, saw there was true merit in 
them, and readily offered to become publisher ; and further 
more, made a payment of $20 in books. Mrs. Willetts said 
to the writer, that when her husband returned with all those 
books, she felt the richest she ever did in her life. This 
arithmetic was extensively used throughout the country, and 
passed through several editions. There are many a prosperous 
merchant and business mm now living, who received their 
first lessons in the dspirment of figures from Willett s arithme 
tic. The work was afterwards revised by Augustus McCord, 
-of LaGrange. Willetts afterward issued a geography and 
atlas, the most accurate of any then known. 

The beloved widow of Jacob Willetts is still [1876] living 
at a very advanced age, and is enjoying the eventide of a 
useful life under the tender care of her daughter, Mrs. Frank 
lin T. Carpenter. It was recently the fortune of the writer to 
spend an hour with her ; her cheerful countenance, and her 
sprightly recital of events occurring in the dim past, will long 
be remembered. Among other things that contribute to cheer 
the old lady s walk in life, not the least are the little memen 
toes she continues to receive from time to time, from people 
eminent in the varied professions, who received their early 
education and perhaps the lofty inspiration that led to their 



428 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



success at the schools of which she and her husband were the 
guiding stars. She holds these little tokens as giving her far 
more satisfaction than if they were of shining gold. 

Some of the readers of this volume, who were pupils in the 
Nine Partners School, will doubtless recall the shining counte 
nance of Esther, the colored cook, and also the ebony visage 
of her consort, Emanuel Carman, who figured as a man of all 
work. She used to "haul him over the coals," so to speak, 
after the manner of a notable housewife, when he did net 
demean himself according to her standard of propriety. The 
cut of the school building, here given, is taken from memory, 
but is believed to present quite a correct idea of its appearance. 




William Thorn, great-grandfather of the present owner of 
Thorndale, was one of the first settlers of Nine Partners. He 
was a merchant and large landholder. He also owned 
considerable land in the State of Vermont. It cons sted of 
bounty lands of soldiers, which he had purchased giving them 
a suit of clothes in exchange for a land warrant. His wife 
was named Jemina, who died at the extraordinary age of 99 
years. She was a tall, spare woman, of very plain features, 
but very amiable disposition and sterling worth. William used 
facetiously to remark that he did not marry Jemima from 
motives either of love or money, but solely for her beauty. 
Samuel Thorn, son of William, also kept a store at Nine 
Partners, (now Mechanic,)opposite the Nine Partners boarding 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 429 

school, in 1805. This was then the great business mart for all 
the country round. 

The great-grandfather of the venerable William Sharpstein 1 
owned an extensive tract of land at Washington Hollow. The 
latter says that as far back as his recollection extends, farms were 
more or less improved, though there was much more woodland. 
His grandfather used to tell him about the wild deer that- 
frequented localities in plain sight of the house ; he was also 
in the habit of pointing out places in the woods where he had 
at various times shot wild animals. The Indians had a 
rendezvous on the south side of a hill, on the farm now 
occupied by him, where they came to winter. When he was a 
boy, the Indians were accustomed to visit this vicinity 
occasionally, but they were not numerous. He had a mortal 
fear of them however, though they were entirely harmless. 

Above Washington Hollow, on the main road to Stanford, 
nearly three-fourths of a century ago, were the following resi 
dents: first was one Halleck, and above him was Nicholas 
Bash ; ne::t lived Jacob Sharpstein, and then came Jacob 
Smith, who owned land adjoining the south line of Johnson s 
pitent ; above him lived, in the order of their names 
mentioned, one Harrington, John Albright. Coonley, and 
TV) : is "irjii ; D ivi 1 Jo ivoi liveA at Lithp.v; he was one 
of the Nine Partners. The house built by him is still stand 
ing, we believe. There was considerable lease land about 
here at that time. 

East of the Hollow, along the turnpike on the hill, were 
the families of Hallecks. Wallace and Baremore were origi 
nal settlers. Washington Four Corners used to be a public 
place, and was then called the Cross Roads. At what is now 
Mechanic used to live a number of families named Haight. 
S lerLT Thorn, who figured quite conspicuously in the early 
history of the county, lived at Little Rest. He hung some 
fellows in Poughkeepsie. William Sharpstein, Esq., from whom 
many of the foregoing facts are obtained, went to Poughkeep- 
sb to see them hung. The Germonds settled between Nine 



430 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

Partners and Verbank. In 1813, William German kept 
tavern at Washington Hollow, east of the gate. Sharpstein 
says he went to Poughkeepsie to see the first carding machine 
that was ever set up in the county. It was set at work in a. 
building near Peltons Pond, and was owned by one Booth. 

The Bloom House was built in 1801. Bloom owned a mill 
on the premises. An extensive cotton factory was burned 
here a few years ago. Carpenter and Bedell were extensive 
early landholders. The Conrad Ham House, south of 
Washington Hollow, on the road to Verbank, is of quaint 
construction, and is over a hundred years old. 

Swift s Lowlands, a name given in former times to a low 
tract of land in the vicinity, is associated by local tradition, 
with the movements of the Tories in these parts. Mention 
has already been made of a collision that occurred between a 
band of Tories and a number of volunteers, in a meadow near 
the Hollo.v. The volunteers, many of whom were from 
Connecticut, met at Blooms Mill, and one fine morning 
marched down and attacked the Tories, who were on parade. 
About forty of the latter were captured, and sent to Exeter, 
New Hampshire, where they were confined a long time. This 
was probably the worst Tory nest in the whole country. 

Matthew Comstock was one of the oldest settlers in this 
region. He engaged in the manufacture of refined cider, near 
Mabbettsville. from various varieties of the apple, viz : The 
crab apple ; a peculiar kind of russet ; the styre, red-streak, 
&c. 

North of the Hollow was formerly a small burial ground. 
Here a little negro boy was buried, over whom was placed SL 
headstone, with the following quaint inscription : 

" IT re lies a little nijrger; 
If he d lived a little longer, he d have been a little bijrger." 

One of the first substantial church edifices in this town was 
the Brick Meeting House, built in 1780 by the Society of 
Friends.* The bricks used in its construction were manufac- 



* Some sort of aclu rch was in existence previous to this. 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 43 1 

tured in the immediate vicinity; the mortar in which the bricks 
were laid is at this day harder than the bricks themselves. The 
walls two feet in thickness, and true as when first built; the 
windows set in heavy sash frames ; yellow-pine flooring, 
fastened to the timbers by wrought iron nails; the antiquated 
pews and unpainted columns which support the galleries, and 
which have not been altered since the house was built ; the 
huge rafters, a foot in thickness, which support the roof; 
these and other peculiarities fill the mind of the beholder with 
wonder. Two huge horseblocks stand in front of the church ; 
time has rendered one unserviceable ; on the other was a sun 
dial placed there by Jacob Willetts, nearly seventy years ago. 
A winding flight of stairs leads to the gallery, where are long 
rows of benches which once were thronged with worshipers, 
but which are now silent as the chamber of death. A brick in 
the rear wall bears the date of its erection, 1780. Time as yet 
has made little or no impression on the building. The same 
windows and shutters, sills and frames, all of cypress wood, are 
in good preservation. 

Attached to this meeting house was one hundred acres of 
land, which was purchased by the Friends before the house was 
built. The church and the Nine Partners Boarding School 
building was afterward erected on it. After three-fourths of a 
century had elapsed, they sold ninety acres of land, including 
the school building. The purchaser demolished that edifice, 
and now nothing remains of it but its history. The Friends 
have now about ten acres of land, including the burial ground. 
The Orthodox house is a plain wooden building, erected about 
the time of the Separation. 

The burial grounds attached to the Brick Meeting House 
have been devoted to purposes of interment for more than a 
century. The Friends in early times were opposed to erecting 
monuments over the dead ; and so long have the graves been 
there that even the mounds have disappeared. Dig down into 
any part of the enclosure, and you will find the bones of those 
long ago laid there to rest. The long rows of sheds ; the staples 



432 



HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 



driven into the trees whose birth appeared to reach beyond the 
time when the first white man saw the Nine Partners Tract ; 
all speak of the period when this hallowed place was thronged 
with worshipers. But now the turf is unbroken, which whilom 
was torn asunder by the restless hoof. 

The grounds of the Duchess County Agricultural Society, 
organized Oct. 16, 1841, lie partly in this town. The first 
President of the Society was Henry Staats, and the first Sec 
retary, George Kneeland. The County Poor House, which 
was formerly kept in Poughkeepsie, was a few years since 
erected in the town of Washington. The small building shown 
at the left of the large one, in the cut, is provided with cells, 
in which the more dangerous paupers are confined. 




Duchess County Alms-House, Washington. 

In an old day-book, dated at Nine Partners, Charlotte 
Precinct, in the year 1770, occur the following names of 
persons, many of whose descendants are yet living in various 
parts of the country: Titus, Sherman, Allen, Sackett, Boyce, 
Northrop, Gifford, Morey, Cutler, Swift, Sutherland, Hurd, 
Hilliard, Mabbett, Wolsey, Mott, White, Thorn, Hammond, 
Hart, Belding, Holmes, Sweet, &c. It would seem that the 
store was patronized by people living in widely separated 
districts, as the names given are those of the early settlers of 
other towns in the county. We annex a list of some of the 
items charged, together with the price: 

Isaac Boyce, i gal. ram, 55 ; Joseph Thorn -J- gal. molasses, 
is. 5d. ; Joseph Brown, i qt. rum, is. QC!. ; Honamonas 
Knickerbacker, i tea by Tom, 75. 6d. ; David Ketcham, i pair 



HISTORY OF DUCEHSS COUNTY. 433. 

heels, 6d. ; James Logham, J Ib. tea, is. nd. ; 2 Ibs. sugar, is. 
5(1., 3 tobacco, 2S. 6d. ; There occur also the following 
credits; i deer skin, i 53. ; 4 yards toa cloth, 2S. 9:!. The 
frequency with which the item rum occurs in the charges would 
seem to indicate that it was an important article of traffic. 

The original Harts Village is situated upon the banks of a 
wild and picturesque ravine, through which flows a tributary of 
Wappingers Creek. The water power furnished by this stream 
was the cause of the growth of the place. It takes its name 
from one of the first settlers, who, a century since, purchased 
nearly one thousand acres of land, and immediately commenced 
improvements upon it. There are few deeds of old date cov 
ering land in the vicinity which do not refer to Philip Hart. 
Some of his descendants still reside in the village. 

About forty years since, the firm of Merritt & Haviland 
purchased much of the water privilege here, and erected three 
large cotton factories. Overtaken by adverse circumstances,, 
the firm failed and the buildings were sold. One is now occu 
pied as a flouring mill, another as a dwelling, and the third, 
having been destroyed by fire and rebuilt, is now used as a 
milk condensing establishment. There are various saw, plaster 
and gr st mills, and also a manufactory of spools, along this 
stream, which falls more than a hundred feet in less than a 
mile. The enterprising village of Millbrook sprung up a few 
years since, adjoining Harts Village, after the Duchess & Co 
lumbia Railroad was built, and the two villages are now con 
sidered as one under the name of Millbrook. 

A fulling mill was established at Harts Village in 1813. 
About the year 1820, the firm of Giftbrd, Sherman, & Innis, 
started an establishment here for the cutting of dye-woods. 
One of the firm is still living, we believe, and has an interest 
in the dye-woods business in Ponghkeepsie. An old grist mill 
stood in this ravine that was built by Philip Hart, the original 
owner. The top of the mill was fifty feet below the road ; a 
long trough or " shute" was constructed by which the grain 



434 HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 

could be conveyed from the wagons through a hole in the roof 
of the mill, fifty feet below. 

A few years ago, George H. Brown, Esq., President of the 
Duchess & Columbia Railroad, took up his residence in this 
town. He was induced to do this, it is said, under the belief 
that the recuperating air of this region would aid in the 
restoration of his health, a belief which has happily been veri 
fied. He built an elegant villa on a high plateau, a short 
distance from Washington Hollow: which is probably one of 
the finest in the state, outside of the largest cities. He has 
been instrumental in the erection of two or three 
spacious churches, contributing largely of his means for the 
purpose. One of these, the Reformed Dutch Church at the 
Four Corners, is a magnificent structure of Gothic architec 
ture. Over the north entrance is a tower and a spire which 
shoots up to the height of one hundred and thirty feet from 
the earth. A fine toned bell and clock is placed in the upper 
section of the tower ; striking of the hours may at times be 
distinctly heard a distance of two miles. Two aisles lead the 
way to the preacher s desk ; behind this is the choir s seat. 
which faces the congregation. 



WAPPINGER. 



* HE following is a copy of the Act erecting the new Town 
of Wappinger. passed May 20, 1875: 

" All that part of the Town of Fishkill. in the County 
of Duchess, situate, lying and being north of a line 
beginning at a point on the easterly shore of the Hudson River, 
distant two hundred feet northerly from the residence of Thom 
as Aldridge, and running thence easterly in a straight line to 
a point in the center of the public highway leading from Fish- 
kill to Hope well, two hundred feet northerly from the home 
stead of Lebbeus Charlock, and running from thence in a 
straight line due east, to the westerly bank of Sprout Creek, is 
nereby erected into a separate and new town, to be hereafter 
known and distinguished as Wappinger. 

The first annual town meeting of the town of Wappin 
ger, as herein erected, shall be held at the wagon-maker s shop 
of Brower Brothers, in the village of Wappinger Falls, on the 
first Tuesday of March, 1876. and thereafter on the same day 
that other towns hold their annual town meetings in said 
County of Duchess. Arminius W. Armstrong. Joseph Van 
Voorhis and Edward M. Pier, are hereby appointed to preside 
at the first town meeting to be held in the said town of Wap 
pinger, to appoint a clerk, to open and keep the polls, and 
have and exercise the same powers as Justice of the P?ace 
when presiding at town meetings." 

435 



APPENDIX. 



APPENDIX A.* 



CARMEL. 

ARMEL was an organized town in DUCHESS prior to the 
f) erection of Putnam into a separate County. It was" 
forme.d from " Frederickstown," March ryth, 1795. Its 
surface is rolling and hilly, with intervening valley3 
running in a north and south direction. Its soil is a light, grav 
elly, sandy loam, occasionally intermixed with clay. Peekskill 
Hollow Range, and Big Hill, are the highest summits. f In 
the town are several beautiful lakes and ponds, the principal cf 
which are Lakes Mahopac, Gleneida, Gilead, Kirk and Long 
Pond. It is so named from its fancied resemblance to Mount 
Carmel. 

The first settlement was made about the year 1740, by 
George Hughson, who located on the ridge just north of Lake 
Mahopac. The following year, William and Uriah Hill came 
up to the " Red Mills," and began to clear a tract of land pur 
chased of the Indians. Uriah,, in some way, made himself 
obnoxious to his dusky neighbors, and was obliged to leave. 

* As most of the towns in Putnam f ounry were formerjy organized towrjrih l)uthcsi 
ft is thought proper to jrive a brief sk< tch of each, in the lorm of an appendix. 

t Am iitr the principal peaks in town are IJoimd, Tnrkey, an I Comn* Mountains, an* 
Ooose, 1 iarrctt. I tirm d and Prospet; Hilt-, in the north part; I i.spsh. Watts. I ond, an. f 
Drew Hills, in tin- eastern portion: p.atl. Wateni flon. Indian, ai>d Koni.d? Hills, in t!ur 
oiith: Austin. (Jolden Root a"d Hemlook- IJilJs, IB the west; and Battle and- Haeettv llifo; 
4d Adauis liidye in the central part. 

435^ 



APPENDIX A. 

William remained on the place with his mother, who afterward 
died at the Red Mills at the advanced age of 93 years. 

One night, William, when a mere lad, was out looking for 
the cow, and was attacked by wolves. He climbed a tree, and 
remained in it all night. The feelings of the mother may be 
imagined, as she heard the howling of the wolves, and knew 
they were cm track of her boy, away in the dark woods. The 
next morning William made a circuit to the north side of the 
Lake Mahopac, where he came upon the log house occupied 
by George Hughson. This was the first he learned of any 
white man residing near. About this time the Berrys, Hed- 
yers, Austins, Roberdeans, and others, settled in the vicinity. 
A family named Shaw soon settled at the village of Carmel, on 
the north and south shores of the lake, which was formerly 
known as S haws Pond. 

In 1770, John Crane built the first frame house erected in 
this part of the county. O.ie Gjn. Scott, with his staT, made 
it his headquarters a short time during the Revolution. It 
stood, until within a few years, where the fine mansion of 
Benjamin Crane, Esq., now stands. 

" At the First Town Meeting held in the town of Carmel 
at the house of John Crane, Esq., on the 7th of Apii 1 . 1795, 
the following persons were chosen for officers for said town, 
viz. : Robert Johnston, Esq., Moderator ; John Crane, Esq., 
Town Clerk ; Timothy Carver, Supervisor ; Daniel Cole, 
Devowe Bailey, T-hacher Hopkins, Assessors ; Elijah Douty, 
Collector and Constable ; David Travis, Constable ; Devowe 
Bailey and D.aniel Cole, Overseers of the Poor; John Crane, 
Esq , Timothy Crane, and Thacher Hopkins, Commissioners 
of Highways." 

" Whereas Tosepli Gregory of the town of Carmel in the 
County of Duchess and State of New York, hath proposed to 
emancipate and set free three female negros, the property of 
the said Joseph Gregory, agreeable to a Law of this State in 
that case made and provided. We Robert Johnston and John 
Crane, Esqr s., two of the peoples Justices of the Peace for 
said county and Elisha Cole and Tracy Ballard, Overseers of 
the Poor of the town of Carmel, do hereby certify that we 
think the said female Negros,, that is one named Anglesse 



APPENDIX A. 441 

aged about 26 years one other 6 years named Rose, and 
another named Dinah, aged about three years, are all sufficient 
to provide for themselves. Given under my hand this 3d day 
of January, 1798. " JOHN CRANE, Town Clark." 

" Carmel Village" says Blake, in his History of Putnam 
County "is a quiet, rural, and small vilbge, beautifully situ 
ated on Shaws Lake. The court-house, jail, clerk s office, and 
the Putnam County Bank, are located here. Through this 
village, in the olden time, ran one of the roads leading from 
the city of New York to Albany, and places in its vicinity. 
The location is dry, elevated, and healthy. It contains [1849] 
three churches and four or five stores. It is named after the 
town in which it is located." The building now known as the 
Drew Seminary was completed in the year 1851 ; about which 
time the Raymond Hill Cemetery was laid out. 

" Red Mills, a village situated on the Muscoot River, eight 
miles southwest from Carmel is so named because the mill 
and nearly all the other buildings there are painted red." The 
first carding machine put up in this country was brought here 
by an Englishman named Ellinworth, about 1800. He first 
set it up at Peekskill, where it remained about two years ; he 
then brought it to this place, where it was looked upon with 
amazement. It is supposed he bribed the Custom-house 
officers to let it pass. 

Major Roger Morris, who married Mary Philipse, the 
whilom flame of Washington, had a log mansion here. " Mad 
am Morris," as she was called by the tenants, was a remarka 
ble woman, and possessed the respect and esteem of her ten 
ants. The middle " Long Lot," which fell to Madam Morris 
at the death of her father, Frederick Philipse, included the Red 
Mills. Major Morris and lady lived a greater part of the year 
at New York or Harlem, and at a certain season would come 
up and spend a few weeks among their tenants. Isaac Louns- 
berry s house now encloses the log house of Madame Morris. 
Morris is supposed to have built the first store and grist mill at 
this place. 



442 APPENDIX A. 

An aged lady, familiarly called " Granny Hill," lived in a 
log house on the Morris estate, and had secured the friendship 
of Madam Morris. Some time before the Revolution a kind 
of anti-rent rebellion broke out among the tenantry. A paper 
was drawn up and circulated among the tenants, who agreed 
to make common came in the matter. Granny Hill, being 
misled as to the objects of the instrument, signed it. The 
Major soon afterward called upon the old lady, and required 
her to take off her name ; this she refused to do, alleging that 
she "could seal it with her blood." She was then told she must 
go out of her house, and out she went. 

"The matter soon reached the ears of Madam Morris, 
who was informed of the deception practiced upon her aged 
tenant. She asked the Major what he had been doing with 
Granny Hill ? He replied that she had signed that paper, and 
had refused to take her name off; and that he had turned the 
old rebel out of doors. The Madam could not for a moment 
believe the old woman would do anything wrong as her tenant, 
and somewhat resenting the hasty conduct of her husband, 
told him that there was a one hundred acre tract up the road, 
with a log house on it, and that Granny Hill should have a 
living on it for life, gently reminding him that all the land was 
hers in her own right, and cautioning him not to molest the old 
lady again." 

Indian Hill is an eminence at the south end of Lake 
Mahopac, so named after the Mahopac tribe of Indians who 
inhabited this region of country. 

Watermelon Hill is about one and a half miles southeast 
of Lake Mahopac. About a century and a half since, a great 
hunter from New Rochelle, West Chester County, called Captain 
Simpkins, came up here and found watermelons in great plenty 
on this hill. In the Revolution, the cow-boys and horse 
thieves built pens on this hill, in which they put stolen horses 
until they could safely convey them into British lines. The 
remains of some of these pens were to be seen as late as 
1830. 



APPENDIX A. 443 

Battle Hill is located about two and a half miles south of 
Carmel Village. It was formerly a resort for rattlesnakes. A 
young man was shot on this hill during the Revolution. He 
lived in the town of Pawling ; had lately married ; and was on 
his way to see his wife who was with her friends in Westches- 
ter County. A gang of horse thieves, who had their head 
quarters in Pawling, but who were temporarily encamped on 
this hill, persuaded him to defer his journey a day or two, by 
offering the use of one of their horses, as they were then going 
in the same direction to one of the American posts near the 
neutral ground. Not doubting their representations that the 
horses were for the use of the American army, and ignorant of 
the character of his companions, he accepted the offer. In 
the night they were attacked by the owners of the horses. The 
gang escaped, but the young man was shot through the back 
as he rose up from the ground beneath a tree where he was 
sleeping. He died in forty-eight hours afterwards, but he 
lived long enough to see his wife, and explain to her and those 
around him, how he happened to be found in such company. 
He was buried a few rods north of the hill. 

Berry Mountain so-called from a family of that name 
is noticeable from the fact that from the top of a tree on its 
summit seven ponds can be seen. 

Turkey Mountain was formerly covered with heavy white 
oak timber, and was frequented by wild turkeys. 

Lake Mahopac* is a romantic body of water in the westerly 
part of the town. It is nine miles in circumference; around 
its borders are several large hotels and boarding houses, which 
are thronged during the summer season with numbers of visi 
tors from New York and Brooklyn. A number of beautiful 
residences have been erected on the surrounding heights. In 
this lake are three beautiful islands Big, Petre, and Goose 
Islands. On one of these is the Chieftain s Rock, where 
tradition says was held the last council of the tribe. They 
had met here to consider a proposition to move farther west. 

* Called in Sauthier s Map " JIacookpaek Pond." 



444 APPENDIX A. 

Canopus, the Indian sachem, from this rock urged his followers 
to reject the proposal of the white man, and besought them to 
rally to the defence of their empire, and the graves of their 
forefathers. But his Indian braves were deficient in the war 
like valor of their chief, and against his earnest pleadings they 
resolved to quit their happy hunting grounds, and migrate 
towards the setting sun. 

Capt. John Crane was born the 2oth of Nov. 1742 [o. s.]. 
He built the house already referred to, that stood on the site 
of the present residence of Benjamin Crane, Esq., and which 
was razed but a few years ago. He was a descendant of John 
Crane, who came from England about 1675, and who fought 
in the Indian war of 1720, at Deerfield, and was in the fort 
when it was taken by the Indians. By making a passage 
under the logs he succeeded in escaping with his family. He 
was ancestor of all of that name in this section of the country. 
"In searching the Continental, Provincial, and Military 
records of the Revolution," says Blake, " we have not found 
one of the name adhering to the cause of England." 

In 1803-5, Capt. John Crane was Assistant Judge of the 
Court of Common Pleas of Duchess County. All of that 
name, who were old enough to bear arms, held commissions at 
the time of the Revolution. John seems to have early become 
an object of hatred and fear to the Tories. Attempts were 
made to capture him in his own house when alone, and to 
shoot him when out of it ; but the efforts of his enemies were 
foiled by an overruling Providence. " One night in the fall of 
1780, he retired, after first carefully securing the doors and 
windows. About an hour afterward, he heard a rap on the 
side of the house. Looking out of the window, which was 
half boarded up, he there saw two armed men, as he thought. 
A reward of $200 had been offered for his body, dead or alive ; 
and he supposed a band of Tories had been induced to pay 
him a night visit, the others of the party being secreted hard 
by, behind the trees and fences. He crept out of the back 
door, and hid himself in an adjoining wood. 



APPENDIX A. 445 

"After his departure, his wife ventured to take a peep out 
of the window, and saw but one man. He spoke to her, and 
begged the privilege of coming in and having something to eat 
and of resting himself upon the floor. In answer to her 
inquiry, he said he was armed, and that Washington s soldiers 
always went armed. She took off the fastenings of the window 
and bade him hand in his gun breech foremost ; then she 
cocked the gun, opened the door, standing a few feet back to 
be in readiness to shoot him and close the door should another 
make his appearance, and told him to come in. She bade him 
fasten it, an:l placing the gun in a corner, prepared a repast 
for the soldier. Wiiile he was eating, Crane crept up to a 
back window, and seeing but one man in the room quietly 
engaged in eating his supper, called his wife to let him in 
again. He begged her not to say anything about the 
occurrence, but she declared it was too good to keep ; and 
many a time did she afterward rehearse the story of his flight 
from one man to the no small amusement ot his friends." 

On another occasion a Tory by the name of Akerly came 
to his window intending to shoot him. Akerly contemplated 
the scene within, where the old gentleman sat reading, and his 
wife quietly darning stockings in the corner, and recalling his 
friendship for Crane before the great issue was joined, with 
drew ; afterwards alleging that " Crane was so great a friend to 
his country, and so sincere in his actions, that he could not 
shoot him." At another time Akerly laid in wait for him, in a 
field a few rods west of the house ; but this time, also, his 
heart failed him. 

Robert Hughson, a Whig and neighbor of Crane, went out 
one night on the ridge east of Crane s house, and was met by 
three horsemen, well armed. They enquired whether one 
Capt. John Crane lived in the house, to which they pointed. 
Hughson answered in the affirmative. They told him he must 
go with them and assist in robbing Crane of $100 which the 
latter had concealed in a bin of grain in the upper part of an 
old log house in the rear of his dwelling. Hughson replied 



446 APPENDIX A. 

that Capt. Crane had four men with him, well armed, and that 
before they could get the money some of them would have to 
bite the dust, and so succeeded in magnifying the force and 
fighting disposition of the old Whig, that they departed with 
out making the attempt. 

Some time before the Revolution, Jabez Berry came from 
Cape Cod, and located about a mile north of Lake Mahopac. 
Berry was an expert at boxing. Before leaving Cape Cod he 
had the reputation of being number one in the " manly art of 
self defense." Soon after he settled in this town, a celebrated 
pugilist made inquiry after Berry, and offered to bet he could 
flog him. A friend of the latter accepted the challenge, and a 
third having been chosen as the second of the boasting bully, 
the trio set out for Berry s residence, which they reached just 
as that gentleman and his wife were sitting down to breakfast. 

Without ceremony the boxer entered the house, and thus 
addressed him: "Are you the man they call Jabez Berry?" 
" Yes-sir-ee, and always has been," was the reply. " Well sir, 
I have come all the way from Cape Cod to flog you!" " Ah, 
indeed," replied Berry, " then you are entitled to a few 
striking toktns of my regard as a reward for the pains you may 
suffer before you get back." Out they went into the door- yard, 
where Berrry flogged his Cape Cod antagonist until the latter 
was satisfied. He accepted half the wager, and applied it to 
curing the wounds of his rival, who in a week s time, was in a 
condition to take his journey homeward. 

About the commencement of the Revolution, a Congrega 
tional Church was organized in the vicinity of Carmel Village, 
and a log building erected in which to worship. The Society 
was familiarly known as " Gregorys Parish," after the name of 
their first minister. No authentic records of the church are 
found until 1792, when a new organization was made, and a 
more commodious edifice built upon the ground now known 
as the Gilead Burying Ground, a little more than a mile south 
of Carmel. The following list of members appears in the 
records of that time : John Ambler. Matthew Beals, Philetus 



APPENDIX A. 447 

Phillips, Zebulon Phillips, John Merrick, John McClean, Jabez 
Trusdell, Rebecca Hopkins, Mary Hopkins, Desire Store, 
Mary Haynes, Lucy Cullen, Bethia Trusdell. Esther Phillips, 
Elizabeth Merrick. At a meeting held Dec. c;th, of that year, 
it was resolved that the name be changed from Gregorys Parish 
to " Gileacl," by which name it has since been known. 

February iSth, 1804, Enoch Crosby, the alleged reality of 
the fictitious hero of " Cooper s Spy," and so well known for 
the aid he rendered his country in its time of trial, was elected 
deacon.* In 1834 the church assumed the Presbyterian form 
of government, connecting itself, June 3, 1835, with the Pres 
bytery of Bedford. In the year 1837, the society erected their 
present house of worship in the village of Carmel. 

In 1753 Elisha Cole emigrated from Cape Cod to this place. 
He was a Baptist preacher of some talent, and the father of 
seven sons and five daughters. Two of the sons and one son- 
in-law were preachers, and another son was a very active 
deacon of this church for nearly forty years. The Mount 
Carmel Baptist Church was organized about the year 1770, 
and was, for several years, without a house of worship. During 
the summer, meetings were held in the open air; in the winter 
season, they were held in private houses. As early as 1773, 
the church enjoyed the services of Elder Nathan Cole, a son 
of Elisha Cole, who for thirty years preached to this people. 

Some time between 1780 and 1785 a building was bought 
and moved upon the grounds of this society. It was a frame 
building, with no inside walls, and without any pulpit. The 
seats were benches with no backs. It was in this house that 
the church worshiped at the time of the first preserved record, 
which is dated October 16, 1790, or twenty years after the 
organization of the church. At that time the church embraced 
the territory now occupied by the Carmel, Red Mills, Putnam 
Valley, First Kent, Second Kent, and Patterson Churches. 

June 25, 1791, the church licensed William Warren, father 
of the Rev. John Warren ; he was afterwards ordained to the 



448 APPENDIX A. 

ministry at the church in Danbury. The following record was 
made December 12, 1791: 

" The church agreed to make up by a committee 12 for 
the support of a hired man [Elder Nathan Cole] for the ensu 
ing year." In 1793, the membership was one hundred and 
fifteen. About this time a division arose in the church, 
because that body neglected to support their poor. The 
matter was referred to a council, who advised the church to 
unite in love, and labor together for the peace of Zion. April 
4, 1795, Joseph Arnold was licensed to preach the Gospel, 
and in April of the following year, the first baptism mentioned 
in the record occurred. 

During the year 1/96, another rupture took place "on 
account of the superfluous dress, and the holding of posts of 
civil and military office in earthly states, by certain members." 
Notwithstanding this variance of opinion, large additions were 
made to both divisions of the church during the year. The- 
following is on record : " Resolved; That our dissenting breth 
ren who withdrew from the church on account of fashionable 
dress, and the holding of posts of honor, both civil and military, 
be allowed the privilege of occupying the meeting house one- 
half of the time." The following is a record verbatim et liter 
ati ui : 

the 13 ^ the curch Met a Cording To a Pint Ment at the 
Fabruwairy v Metinhous and open Metm by singin an Prayin 
1802. ) the church chos a Moderator and Requre after 
the minds of the Brethein and fond a Mather peos a Mongst 
them the church a gread To meat To the Meat inhous for 
Meatins after this at present and so concluded By Prer. 

The record states that meetings were held a part of the 
time at private houses, to accommodate the halt, the poor and 
the blind. In Dec., 1802, the church put the brethren under 
admonition for joining the Masons. After that year, Elder 
Ebenezer Cole became the sole preacher for the church, and 
received for his salary about $30 per annum. In 1806, the 
church entered this new house of worship, which stood just 



APPENDIX A. 449> 

south of their present one. This was an improvement on the 
first, yet it never was warmed by artificial means. Lewis 
Evans and Elisha Booth were licensed about this time. 

During the spring of 1818, Elder Daniel Wildman came 
among them. The first fruits of a great revival were gath 
ered in April of that year. This revival continued with 
unabated interest through the summer and fall. From May 
until the close of the year, one hundred and forty-three con 
verts related their experience, and were received by the church 
as candidates for baptism. Elder Jacob St. John next sup 
plied the pulpit. 

July 9th, 1820, Rev. John Warren preached his first ser 
mon to this church. His pastorate lasted nearly twenty-one 
years ; during which time he baptized between three and four 
hundred. In March, 1823, the subject of church members 
belonging to the Masonic order was called up, and the ques 
tion continued to agitate the church for some years. February 
7th, 1829, a complaint was raised against one of the members 
for walking uncharitably, in playing the violin to the grief of 
the brethren and sisters, and he was put under admonition 
therefor. September ist, 1832, quite a number of the brethren 
were dismissed for the purpose of constituting a church at Red 

Mills. 

In December, 1835, a work of grace commenced, and in 
January of the following year, upon entering their third house 
of worship, a special manifestation of God s power was made.* 
For four months there was scarcely a church meeting at which 
experiences were not related, and the meetings were held 
every two weeks. Men and women came long distances on 
foot, day and night, to pay their vows to the living God. 
About eighty were added to the church. 

It is r^la ed that one evening about the time of the dedication of this, th eir third 



meeting house, three prominent members i\ere riding homeward, alone, each i 
rate conveyance. One was upon the rond near Patterson : another was in the 
Southeast. and the third was on the Cold Spring road. They were each meditat 
cause of the Gospel amoiig them, when all at once a sound of distant music met 
which seemed to corne from mid air, af a poin,- directly over their new meet 
This celestial melody, coming to them at such distant localities at the same h 
night, and seeming to eminate from the same point, was interpreted as at 



scpa- 



\<> on the 
heir ears, 
ig house. 
nr oi the 
ken from 



Heaven, that a blessing would be poured "lit there among the people. This prophetic 
ision if such it was was more than realized. 

C2 



450 APPENDIX A. 

January ist, 1842, Elder Warren closed his labors with the 
church, after serving them for twenty-one years. With this 
year began a revival under the preaching of Elders C. Brinker- 
ho;f, E. C. Ambler, and C. H. Underbill, the last named 
becoming pastor of the church in March. One hundred and 
nine names were added to the church. At the annual meet 
ing occurring June 4th, two hundred and seventy-four 
members answered for themselves, one hundred and one 
responded in writing, or by friends, and only nine remained, 
from whom no intelligence was directly received. 

April ist, 1844, Elder Underbill s pastorate ceased, and he 
was succeeded by Rev. Aaron Perkins, who continued with 
them until January, 1845. Bro. Jonathan Cole, a licentiate, 
supplied the pulpit most of the time until August, when the 
church settled Elder J. M. Coley. With the beginning of 1846 
a revival commenced, under the ministry of Elder Coley, 
which resulted in the addition to the church by baptism of 
twenty-eight. Daring the year 1848 the church was sadly 
disturbed by contentions ; and pastor and people, to a lamen - 
table degree, seem to have lost sight of the great work of the 
Gospel. This state of things continued until the termination 
of the pastorship of Elder Coley, which took place April ist, 
1849. He has been succeeded by Elders C. B. Keyes, John 
Seage, D. T. Hill, A. Perkins, Otis Saxton, and W. S. Clapp, 
who is the present pastor. 

KENT. 

Kent was formed as " Frederickstown," March yth, 1788. 
Its name was changed to " Frederick" March lyth, 1795, arj d 
to Kent April 15, 1817. Frederickstown Precinct received its 
name from Frederick Phihpse. The town received its present 
name from the Kent families, who were early settlers. Carmel 
and a part of Patterson were taken off in 1795. Its surface in 
the eastern part is broken by hills, and in the west by steep 
and rocky mountain peaks separated by deep ravines. 
Smalley Hill is the highest peak. The west and middle 



.APPENDIX A. 45I 

branches of the Croton, the Horse Pond and Pine Pond 
Brooks, are the principal streams. The principal bodies of 
water are White, Pine, Barretts, China,* Forge, and Drews 
Ponds, and Lake Sagamore. Forge Pond was so-called 
because a forge was erected near the outlet at its western end, 
about sixty years ago. Farmers Mills, Coles Mills, and 
Ludingtonville, are hamlets. A boarding house was several 
years ago erected on the borders of White Pond, by one 
Ketcham, of mowing machine notoriety. It was about forty 
feet in length, cheaply put up, and intended only for summer 
use. It stood in a romantic spot on the eastern shore of the 
pond. Its builder believed the pure air and beautiful scenery 
of the locality would .attract hundreds of visitors to the spot. 
The undertaking was not a pronounced success ; and pecunia 
ry embarrassment overtaking .the proprietor of this " rural 
retreat," the structure was demolished, and the materials 
devoted to other purposes. 

This town was settled by the Boyds, Smalleys, Wixons, 
Farringtons, Burtons, Carters, Merritts, Barretts, Ludingtons, 
and a few others from Massachusetts and Westchester. 
Zachariah Merritt located here about 1750, and built a log 
house near Stillman Boyd s. He planted himself in the midst 
of the Indians who had a settlement at this place. Arrow 
heads are frequently plowed up in the vicinity. Merritt 
espoused the cause of the British, and his land was confiscated. 

The Boyds are of Scotch descent. Ebenezer Boyd settled 
in the town about 1780. Joseph Farrington was about the 
first settler at Farmers Mills. During the " hard winter," one 
Burton put up the first grist mill at that place. The Wixons 
came in about the year ) 760, locating east of the Boyds. The 
Coles were likewise early settlers. 

Col. Henry " Luddinton" [Ludington] settled in this town 
about 1760. He settled in the northwest part, at a place 
known in the Revolution as " Luddinton s Mills," now 

* So named from the fact that a basket of china-ware was thrown into it by a wife, 
to spite her drunken husband. 



452 APPENDIX A. 

Ludingtonville. He was one of the noble defenders of our 
country in the days of her struggle for independence. The 
following is an extract from the " Fredericksburgh Records :" 

" April ye 7th Day and first Tuesday 1747. Matthew Roe, 
Clark. Supervisor Chosen Samuel Field. Constables Chosen 
viz : Joseph Jacocks, George Huson, John Dickeson, William 
Bruster. Nathan Taylor Senr Collector. Joseph Lane Seessor y 
Capt. James Dickeson Seessor." 

The Putnam County Poor House is located in this town, a 
cut of which is given in this connection. 




rtitnam County Poor House. 

About a mile from the County House is a valley through 
which a branch of the Croton passes. A road crossed this 
stream by a rustic bridge, near to which are the ruins of a 
house. Connected with this locality is the following legend : 
Years ago, when belief in the supernatural was more general than 
now, a farmer was returning from a visit to a neighbor s, late 
one evening. He had occasion to pass over this road ; and 
when near this bridge, he met a company of six men, clad in 
white, who were walking very rapidly, and whom he recognized 
as residents of the vicinity. He spoke to them, but they made 
no reply, and did not appear to even notice him. On his 
arrival home he mentioned the occurrence to his family, when 
many conjectures were made concerning the purposes of the 
party in being abroad at that time of night. What was more 
mysterious still, when inquiry was made next morning, it was 
ascertained that every one of the six men were at their homes 
at the hour mentioned by the farmer, and not one of them had 
been abroad during the whole evening. It was surmised the 
farmer had concocted the story for his own amusement ; but 
when the party of six sickened and died, one after the other, 



APPENDIX A. 453 

in the space of a few weeks, it was interpreted as a premoni 
tory vision, in which the death of the six men was foreboded. 



PATTERSON. 

Patterson was formed from " Frederickstown" and South 
east, March lyth, 1795. At the time of its organization it 
was called Franklin, in honor of Dr. Franklin ; its name was 
changed to Patterson April 6th, 1808, after a family of early 
settlers by that name. The back short lot of Beverly Robinson 
embraced nearly its whole area. Its surface is hilly ; but, 
with a few exceptions, rhe hills are arable to their summits. 
The principal streams are the east branch of the Croton River 
and its tributaries, Quaker, Birch, and Muddy Brooks. 

This town, says Blake, was principally settled by people of 
Scotch extraction. A few came from Westchester and New 
York City, but the greater number were from Massachusetts 
and Connecticut. A large number of families from Cape Cod 
came into this and adjoining towns of Southeast and Carmel, 
about the same time. 

Previous to 1750, two men, by the name of Bobbin and 
Wilmot, settled at " The City." The former was a blacksmith 
and the latter a saddler. When the war broke out they both 
went to New York and joined the British. About this time 
Capt. Daniel Heecock. and a Mr. Towner, made a settlement 
in the town. Asa Haynes, who had served three years in the 
French War, came at its termination to this town, and settled 
at the residence of the late Reed Akin, about a mile east of 
Havilands [now Akins] Corners. Daniel Close settled at the 
latter place in 1748. About the same time the Joneses and 
Crosbys settled in the south part of the town. Roswell 
Wilcox located about a mile south of " The City" at an early 
-day. 

A few years previous to the French War, Matthew Patterson, 
grandfather of the late James Patterson, came from Scotland to 
New York City, and at the age of eighteen enlisted as a captain 



454 APPENDIX A. 

of a company of artificers in the British Army, under General 
Ambercrombie. After the war he went back to the city, and 
a few years later removed to the residence of the above 
mentioned James Patterson. He was a member of the State 
Legislature nine years in succession, and was several times 
elected County Judge. When a member of the Legislature, 
Col. Beverly Robinson s land in this county was confiscated ; 
and having voted in favor of the measure, he refused to 
become a purchaser under the act ; but subsequently purchased 
1 60 acres, on which the Patterson mansion stands, from one 
who had derived his title from the State. The McClains, 
Grants, Fraziers, and Flemmings, were early residents. 

About the same time one Captain Kidd, who likewise 
came from Scotland, settled a short distance east of Patterson 
Station. His monument or a portion at least is standing 
in the church yard near the Episcopal Church. On it is the 
representation of a full-rigged ship in full sail, under which is 
the following poetic inscription, now nearly undecipherable : 

By Boreas blasts and Neptune s waves. 

We were tossed to and fro ; 
Now well escaped from all their rage, 

We anchor here below. 
Safely we ride in triumph here, 

With many of our fleet ; 
Till the signal calls to weigh again, 

Our Admiral Christ to meet. 

Before the Harlem Railroad was built, the village of 
Patterson was located about three-fourths of a mile west of 
the depot, and was then known as " The City." During the 
Revolution, and previous, it was called Fredericksburgh. The 
post-office was formerly located here, but was removed to 
Havilands Corners soon after 1840, by Frederick Stone. 

" Four Corners" was a bustling little hamlet at the intersec 
tion of the roads near the present Baptist Church ; but was 
afterwards called Towners, " from James Towner, who lived 
there, and who kept a public house." 

Cranberry Hill," says Blake, "is a small eminence about 
half a mile east of Judge Stone s residence, over which runs, 



APPENDIX A. 455 

the Birch road. It lies in the east part of the town, and is 
partly cultivated. Cranberries grow on it hence its name." 

" Pine Island" is an eminence rising abruptly from the 
centre of the Great Swamp. This swamp traverses the whole 
length of the town, and is about a mile wide. The island 
covers about thirty acres, and towers about two hundred feet 
above the level of the swamp. It formerly abounded in pines y 
whence it derives its name. It was once the abode of a 
colored man, who lived for years a solitary life in a little cabin 
which he had constructed. 

Beverly Robinson, Jim., who was Lieut. -Col. of " the 
Loyal American Regiment," commanded by his father in the 
British Army, occupied a farm in this town located in Havi- 
land Hollow, at the commencement of the Revolution. It- 
was appropriated by the Commissioners of Sequestration as a 
rendezvous for military stores and keeping cattle, which were 
collected for the use of the American Army. 

MONDAY AFTERNOON, April 2ist, 1777. 

The Convention met pursuant to adjournment. Present - 
Col. VanCortlanclt, Vice President; Messrs. VanCortlamlt, 
Harper, Bancker, Dunscomb, and Gen. Scott, of New York ; 
Messrs. Harper and Newkirk, of Tryon. Colonel De Witt, 
Major Tappen and Mr. Cantine, of Ulster ; Messrs. Abraham 
Yates, Bleecker, Cuyler, Ten Broeck, Gansevoort, and Col. 
Livingston, of Albany ; Mr. G. Livingston, of Duchess ; Col. 
Williams and Major Webster, of Charlotte ; MCSFTS. Smith, 
Tredwell and Hobart, of Suffolk; Mr. Lockwood, Judge Gra 
ham and Col. Drake, of Westchester ; Mr. Stevens, of Cum 
berland, and Mr. Clark, and Col. Allison, of Orange. 

Gen. Scott, to whom was referred the letter from Hugh 
Hughes, dep. quarter-master-general, relative to the farm of 
Beverly Pvobmson, Jim., reported as follows, to wit : That they 
are of opinion that as a very considerable lodgment of stores 
in the quarter-master s department is formed at Morrison s 
Mills, in Freclericksburgh, in the county of Duchess, to and 
from which there will be much carriage, a proper farm in its 
vicinity, for supporting the cattle that may from time to time 
be employed in that department of service, will be absolutely 
necessary, and that the farm lately in the occupation of 



45 6 APPENDIX A. 

Beverly Robinson, Jim., will be very convenient for that 
purpose. It is therefore the opinion of your committee, that 
the commissioners of sequestration in the County of Duchess 
be directed to lease the said farm for one year to the said 
deputy quarter-ma^ter-general, at such rent as they shall think 
proper notwithstanding any treaty for the same that may have 
been in agitation between the said commissioners and any 
individual person, for the use or occupation of said farm. 

Resolved, That this Convention doth agree with their 
Committee, in their said report. 

" At the first Town Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabi 
tants of Franklin, held at the house of James Phillips on 
Tuesday, the yth day of April, 1795, voted, That Samuel 
Cornwall be Town Clerk, and Samuel Towner be Supervisor ; 
Benjamin Haviland, Nehemiah Jones, and Stephen Heayt, 
Assessors; David Hickok, Senr., and Jabez Elvvell, Overseers 
of the Poor; Solomon Crane, Elisha Brown, and Abner 
Crosby, Commissioners of Highways ; Abel Hodges, Collector 
and Constable ; and David Barnum, Constable. Voted that 
the next Town Meeting be held at the Presbyterian Meeting 
House. Also that the sum of 60 be raised for the main 
tenance of the Poor of this town." 

A Special Town Meeting was held April 23d, 1795, at the 
Presbyterian Meeting House for the purpose of choosing a 
delegate to meet other delegates chosen by other Towns to 
establish a line of division between the Town of Franklin, 
Frederick, Southeast and Carmel. 

At a Special Town Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabi 
tants of Franklin in DUCHESS County, held at the Presbyterian 
Meeting House on Thursday, the 26th of January, 1798, 
agreeable to legal notice given, respecting a division of 
DUCHESS County, Voted, that DUCHESS County remain in its 
present situation without any Division, unanimous. Voted 
that the Town Clerk send the proceedings of this meeting to 
Samuel Towner to lay before the Legislature, when most 
convenient, f A similar vote was taken at the same place in the fol 
lowing year, which shows the subject was considerably agitated.] 



APPENDIX A. 457 

By an act of the Legislature, passed the 6th day of April, 
1808, the name of this Town was changed to that of 
Patterson. 

On the last Tuesday of April, 1801, Stephen Van Rensse- 
laer received 65 votes for Governor, and George Clinton 29. 

From 1795 to 1810 inclusive, Town Meetings were held in 
the Presbyterian Church. In i8u, it was held in the Baptist 
Meeting House, at Four Corners. Excerpts from records : 

Know all men by the Presents, that I, the subscriber, have 
purchased of P. Alien a certain negro man for life by the 
name of Jack ; but the subscriber doth promise and agree 
that if the said negro doth faithfully serve him the subscriber, 
his heirs or assignees, for the term of eight years, that at the 
expiration of the said term of time, he shall be free from the 
subscriber, his heirs and assignees, and all persons whatever 
Provided always this present writing is upon the express 
condition that should the said negro Jack run away, or in any 
wise behave himself in an unbecoming manner, so that the 
subscriber shall be put to any cost or trouble on the said 
Jack s account, that then this present writing shall be null and 
void, and of none effect. In witness whereof I have here 
unto set my hand and seal this eleventh day of March, 1794. 

SAMUEL CORNWALL. 

FRANKLIN, April ist 1803. 

I, the subscriber, do hereby certify, that on the 2ist day of 
July, in the year 1802, there was born in my family a male 
negro child, which I have named Frank. 

MATTHEW PATTERSON. 

FRANKLIN, May igth, 1803. 

This may certify, that Sill, a slave, was delivered of a 
female child the 22d day of August last. Said slave is the 
property of Sarah Patterson, wife of John Patterson. 

JOHN PATTERSON. 

We, the Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Kent, in 
the County of Putnam, do hereby certify, own and acknow 
ledge, that A. Disbrow, his wife and children, are legally 
.settled in the town of Kent, aforesaid. In witness whereof, &c. 

April 2 8th, 1818 SAMUEL TOWNSEND, ) Overseers 

MOSES MEAD, j of Poor 



458 APPENDIX A. 

This may certify that I, Silas Whitney, of the Town of" 
Patterson, do by these presents forever manumit a certain 
colored woman Rosannah, wife of William Williams. 

SILAS WHITNEY. 

Above a century since, South Salem, South East, Patterson, 
Bedford, and Rye, were under one Presbytery. About the 
year 1720 William Tennent preached in East Chester. He 
was from Ireland, and was originally an Episcopalian. Having 
openly professed a change of religious belief, he was accepted 
by the Synod of Philadelphia. About twenty years subsequent 
to this, Samuel Sackett, from New Brunswick, administered in 
various parts of Westchester, and there is good reason for 
the belief that he occasionally preached in Patterson. The 
third was Dr. John Smith, who administered at Rye, White 
Plains, Sing Sing, &c. About 1740, Rev. Elisha Kent, grand 
father of Chancellor Kent, was stationed over the First Church 
in Philipse Precinct, afterward known as Kent s Parish. 
About the same time, Elnathan Gregory and Ebenezer 
Knibloe were pastors over the church at West Philippi, now 
Carmel ; and Joseph Peck was pastor of the church in Freder- 
icksburgh, afterward Franklin, and now known as Patterson, 
He preached also at Salem, now South Salem. Solomon 
Mead was another of the early preachers. 

In 1762, Revs. Elisha Kent, Joseph Peck, and Solomon 
Mead, met at Southeast Parsonage, and formed the first 
Presbytery in the County of Duchess, and which was 
recognized by the Synod of New York and Philadelphia. - In 
1774, the church of Carmel joined the Presbytery, then known 
as the Duchess County Presbytery. 

The first Presbyterian Meeting House in the town of 
Patterson, was constructed of logs, and stood on the rise of 
ground near the residence of Coleman Haines. A burial 
ground was attached to it. One of the early pastors of this 
church, David Close, who had been placed over the church by 
the Presbytery of Hudson, and who died in 1783, was buried 
in this ancient graveyard in the rear of the log building. The; 



APPENDIX A. 459^ 

monument that marked his grave, of red free-stone, was after 
ward placed in the new grounds near the present church 
edifice, where it may be seen, with its quaint inscription as- 
legible as when first set up. 

There are authentic records to show that the Presbyterian 
Church at Southeast was organized in 1730, and that a log 
church was erected about the same time. Though the absence 
of precise data leaves it partially a matter of conjecture, yet it 
is believed the existence of the society at Patterson is nearly 
or quite coeval with the one at Southeast, and that the log 
church on the hill near " The City," was built about a century 
and a half ago. The fact that its first pastor, Rev. Joseph 
Peck, while in charge of this society, took a prominent part in 
the matters relating to the early Presbytery in Duchess 
County, seems to confirm this statement. 

The second house of worship was built in 1775, and stood 
a few yards west of the present church edifice. It had no 
tower or spire, and was seated with square pews. The 
celebrated Rev. Elisha Kent, grandfather of the Chancellor, 
used to preach here occasionally. The society now belongs 
to the Westchester Presbytery. Revs. Jackson, Perkins, 
Phelps, and others, are mentioned in the early records as 
having been pastors over this church. They also mention one 
General Samuel Augustus Barker, and Captain Abner Osborn, 
who were once members of the church. The present place of 
worship was erected in 1834, and an extension added to it a 
few years ago. 

The Baptist Church of Patterson was organized Dec. ist, 
1790, as the Baptist Church of Frederickstown. They first 
worshiped in a log meeting house, which was located about 
i J miles north of the present house of worship. Elder Enoch- 
Ferris was the first teacher, remaining until Nov. 23d, 1793. 
He baptized 23 persons during his stay. Elder Simon Smith 
was called in May 1795, and remained awhile with them. After 
ward they sent a request to the surrounding churches beseech 
ing the brethren to " send their Elders to preach for them as 



460 APPENDIX A. 

oft as they can." One brother was much grieved because 
of the " superfluity of garb." About this time the name of the 
church was changed to "Franklin Baptist Church," and Elder 
Moses Phinamber preached one half the time. 

The history of the church from 1808 to 1812 is full of 
trouble. A Baptist sister declared " the Baptist bretheren were 
more carnal than the Presbyterians or Methodists." Six 
dollars and twenty-five cents were raised for the minister. In 
1812 the church took its present name, occuping its new 
building on the present site. Elders St. John, Adams and 
Warren, served them as pastors the latter taking charge in 
1818. March 1836, their third house was dedicated. Present 
house built in 1866, cost $12,500. First Woman s Rights 
question was debated in 1825, when by vote the women were 
allowed to speak. 

Not far west of the village of Patterson, there stands an 
old house which years ago had the reputation of being haunted. 
The witch, or hobgoblin or whatever else the disturbing 
spirit may have been seemed to entertain a special spite 
against the eaves-trough. No sooner was the trough placed in 
position, than the ghost was sure to hurl it to the ground. 
Finally it was determined to secure it in place by means of 
iron fastenings. When the workmen were about to lift the 
trough, the hobgoblin seemed to be aware of their purpose, 
and endeavored to prevent its accomplishment. It was 
found necessary to bring into requisition the united effort of 
five men to hold the trough in its place, where it was fastened 
so securely as to defy the utmost effort of the ghost to 
remove it. 

Hard by this dwelling, tradition says some chests of gold 
were burled by Capt. Kidd and his piratical crew. Only a 
few years ago there were evidences of excavations here that 
were made by persons searching for the treasure. It is stated 
that while some parties were digging in the meadow in the 
rear of the house, their spades struck a hard substance, which 
proved to be a large and strong box, heavily ironed. The box 



APPENDIX A. 461 

was opened, and in it were found a quantity of gold and silver 
money, and also the body of a darkey chopped into pieces 
and mixed with the specie. This so frightened them that 
they shut up the box, threw back the earth, and fled from the 
spot. On another occasion another party were digging for 
the money, and their spades also struck what appeared to be 
an iron box. Success, thought they, was then to crown their 
search and they redoubled their efforts. To their bitter 
disappointment, however, the box receded as fast as they dug ; 
and they were at last forced to give up the undertaking. 

A colored woman known as " Black Soph" died in this 
town in the autumn of 1876, at a very advanced age. Neither 
she iror any other person knew her exact age, but the supposi 
tion is it approximated one hundred years. She was formerly 
a slave of the Cornwall family, and died on the farm on which 
she had worked as a slave. She was probably the last person 
living within the counties of Duchess and Putnam, who was held 
as a slave within their limits. During the last few years of her 
life she was too feeble to work. Her personal appearance is 
spoken of as being somewhat unusual. One striking feature 
was the disfigurement of her face caused by two white sores, 
one on either cheek. 

Nearly a century since long enough ago to give an air of 
antiquity to the story a man died and was buried in the old 
churchyard, not far from the Episcopal Meeting House in 
Patterson village. A farmer living in the vicinity attended the 
funeral, and assisted in the duties of sepulture. He then went 
a few miles further, to attend to some business, and did not 
set out on his return until after dark. His way led him by the 
burial ground where the man was that day interred. As he 
neared the spot he heard low moans coming from the enclosure 
which grew more distinct as he approached. Though consider 
ably startled, he nevertheless ventured near enough to make 
an observation, when to his utter horror he saw the dead man 
in the act of struggling to get out of his grave, dressed in his 
burial clothes. After a moment s hesitation he started off for 



462 APPENDIX A. 

help, and an examination was made of the premises. Thus 
was a first-class ghost story spoiled. Arriving at the spot they 
found a drunken man, wearing a long, white linen coat, who 
had wandered among the tombs, and having fallen on his back 
between two graves was unable to rise. 

PHILIPSTOWN. 

Philipstown was formed March 7, 1788. It is described in 
the Act as follows : " And all that part of the County of 
DUCHESS, bounded southerly by the County of Westchester, 
westerly by Hudson s River, northerly by the North Lands 
granted to Adolphus Philip, Esq., and easterly by the Long 
Lot, number four, belonging to Beverly Robinson, shall be, 
and hereby is erected into a town, by the name of Philips- 
town." Originally it embraced more than a third of the 
County, but its territory has since been diminished by the 
erection of Putnam Valley into a separate township. A small 
portion was also taken off in 1806, and annexed to Fishkill. 
Its name is derived from the ancient Philipse family. Its 
surface is broken by numerous steep and rocky mountain 
ridges separated by deep and narrow valleys.* These moun 
tains constitute the most elevated portion of the Highlands. 
Clove Creek flows through the north part of the town, and 
Canopus Creek through the northeast corner. Foundry, 
Breakneck, Andreas, Indian, and other brooks, flow through 
narrow valleys and rocky ravines into the Hudson. 

As the organization of Putnam Valley is of a compara 
tively recent date, the early settlement of both towns will be 
considered here. Thomas Davenport came from England 
about the year 1715, and built the first house at Cold Spring. 
He was one of the commissioners for laying out roads in what 
is now Putnam County from 1745 to 1755. David Hustis 

* " Martlaers Hack," or Martyrs TCench, was a short stretch of the Hudson just above 
West Point, where early navigators \vtr<* often retarded by baffling winds There wore 13 
racks, or reaches, on the Hudson, known as Horse, Sailmaker, Cooks, Hijfh, Fox, Bakers, 
John Pleasures, Harts, Sturgeons, Fishers, Fast, Martlaers and Long lleaches, the last 
named extending from Pollopcls Island to Krom Ellebo^e. 



APPENDIX A. 463 

came over from England in 1730, and built a log cabin about 
.half a mile north of where the Highland Church was after 
wards built. He settled down with the Indians around him, 
procuring the corn, which he first planted, from them. They 
had about one-fourth of an acre under cultivation, the year 
before, in the vicinity. He was the ancestor of the Hustis 
family in this town. He was a tenant-at-will of the patentee ; 
and rented 310 acres, for which he paid a yearly rental of ^5. 

John Rogers made a settlement about 1730, on the old 
post road north of Continental Village. At that time, hovv- 
eve-r, it was only a path, used by Indians, leading from West- 
chester through the Highlands to Fishkill. " Having built a 
log house sufficiently large for a country tavern, he was always 
sure to have a traveler for his guest during the night if one 
reached the house in the middle of the afternoon ; as none 
ever departed on their journey after that time, owing to the 
danger of traveling through the Highlands at night, and the 
difficulty of threading such a wild, mountainous, and solitary 
path." He continued to keep tavern there through the 
French and Indian Wars. The road, which followed nearly 
the Indian path, was cut through by Lord Louden, for convey 
ing his baggage, stores and troops, to the north, to attack the 
French outposts. James Stanley, Thomas Sarles, Elijah and 
Gilbert Budd, settled in the vicinity soon after 1750. At the 
south end of Peekskill Hollow now in Putnam Valley the 
families of Dusenberry and Adams settled. George and Nathan 
Lane, John Hyatt, and a family by the name of Post, came in 
here at an early date. 

The place now called Tompkins Corners was formerly known 
as the Wiccopee and Peekskill Hollow Corners. Wiccopee 
was the name for an Indian tribe living near Shenandoah; 
another tribe called the Canopus Indians lived in Westchester, 
near the line of Putnam, in the vicinity of the hollow which 
bears their name. These two tribes used to pass up and down 
Peekskill Hollow, when visiting each other. The lower tribe 
when asked by their white neighbors where they were going, 



464 APPENDIX A. 

would reply " We re going to see old Wiccopee !" About two 
miles southeast of Tompkins Corners, Abraham Smith made 
a settlement about 1760, purchasing a large tract of Beverly 
Robinson. He came from Long Island ; after surveying the 
tract, he gave a farm to one of his chain bearers for his 
services. An early settlement was made by the Ferris family, 
from New Rochelle, Westchester County. The ancestor of 
the family came from Rochelle, in France. 

At a Town Meeting in Philipsis Precinct, on day of 
April, 1772, the following officers were chosen : Jon Crumpton 
Clerk ; Beverly Robinson, Supervisor ; Joseph Lane and 
Caleb Nelson, Assessors ; William Dusenburry, Collector ; 
Israel Taylor and Isaac Davenport, Constables ; Justus Nelson, 
and Cornelius Tompkins, Poormaster. 

* May nth, 1772. John Cavery Desires his mark to Bee 
Entered In this Book Which I have which is a Crop on the 
near ear and a Slit in the same and the off Ear a Hoi and a 
half Penny and the Half Penny on the under side." 

"May the loth, in the year of 1784. Then we the 
Comishners Laid out a Road from Calip Nelsons to his Lan- 
don Beginin at his house Ceepin as near the South of the 
Brook as near the Brook as Connevent as Can for us 

" E Lijah Budd, hendrick poast, Isaac Rodes." 

Cold Spring is the largest village in Putnam County, and 
the only incorporated one within it. The act incorporative 
was passed April 22d, 1846. A portion of the west end of the 
village stands upon ground where was formerly a bay. It 
takes its name from a spring of water which is unusually cold, 
located on the line of the high and low grounds of the village. 
This village is noted as being the birth place of Lieutenant 
Colonel Duncan, of the United States Army, who rendered 
signal service on the bloody fields of Mexico. The old house 
in which he was born was accidentally burned down in 1841. 
Nelsonville is only a continuation of Cold Spring Village. 

Near the latter place, in a secluded vale at the foot of Old 
Bull Hill, nestles a beautiful cemetery. Among the marble 
slabs there marking the graves of the departed, is a little one 
erected to the memory of a boy six years old, who one cold 



APPENDIX A. 465 

winter s day wandered away into the deep woods adjacent and 
perished there. He was last seen late in the afternoon, with 
some playmates near the edge of the forest. As he did not 
return at nightfall, his parents made inquiry after him. Ascer 
taining he had become lost, messengers were dispatched to each 
of the churches of the village, in which congregations were 
that evening assembled, with a request for assistance in 
searching for the little wanderer. Soon a hundred willing feel 
were speeding for the mountain, with lanterns and torches. 
Occasionally a foot print of the lost one could be seen, but 
the driving snow so filled the track, as to render it impossible 
to follow the direction he took. The search was kept up 
until morning, when the body of the little fellow was found, 
under a little cedar bush, near a small pond, six miles from 
home. Here, in the darkness, alone, benumbed with the cold, 
he had ceased his wanderings. In vain had he striven to find 
his way home : the agonized parents heard not his cries that 
broke upon the night air, as he vainly called for Papa and 
Mama to come for him. At last he laid him down, with his 
little hat for a pillow, and quietly slept away his life. When 
found, the body was still warm, life having apparently been 
extinct but a short time. 

Bull Hill and Breakneck are two lofty eminences in this 
town, bordering the river. They are said to have derived their 
names from the following circumstances : According to tradi 
tion, a bull had made the former his mountain home, from 
which, at night, he would descend into the valley below, and 
commit depredations in the meadows and grain fields. The 
neighbors formed an alliance, and chased the bold mountain 
robber from this hill to the one immediately north of it, where, 
being hard pressed by dogs and armed men, he attempted to 
escape down a precipice, but his neck was broken by the fall: 
His pursuers thereupon christened the hill from which they 
started him, " Bull Hill," and the one where he was captured, 
" Breakneck." The dividing line of DUCHESS and Putnam 
Counties runs through the center of the latter mountain. On 



466 APPENDIX A. 

the south side of the peak, within a few feet of its apex, " St. 
Anthony s Face," so celebrated in the history of the scenery of 
the Hudson, once peered out and over the rocky battlements ; 
but the venerable patriarch has passed away. In the Summer 
of 1846, one Capt. Ayers, in the service of the Harlem Bridge 
Co., by one fell blast, detached a piece of granite weighing 
nearly ten thousand tons, and shivered into atoms the majestic 
brow and weather-beaten features of the mountain hermit. 

Cat Hill, two miles east of Cold Spring, at the time of the 
settlement of this town was the resort of wild-cats hence its 
name. 

Sugar Loaf Mountain, 800 feet high, is nearly two miles 
below Cold Spring, and is named from its resemblance to a 
sugar-loaf. Anthony s Nose Mountain, noo feet high, is in 
this town, near the dividing line of Putnam and Westchester. 
There were two redoubts on this mountain, intended to guard 
the Hudson as it issued from the Highlands. 

Whiskey Hill is a small eminence on the old road leading 
from Continental Village to Garrisons Landing. During the 
Revolutionary War, some soldiers were carting a hogshead of 
whiskey from the former place to West Point. On reaching 
nearly the top of the hill, the blocks got out of place, and the 
hogshead, smashing the tail-board into pieces, rolled to the 
foot of the hill, where it came in contact with a large stone, 
and burst, to the deep sorrow of the soldiers. 

Fort Hill is so named from the circumstance of two 
redoubts having been erected on it, known in history as North 
and South Redoubts. The Sunk Lot is a tract of about 1300 
acres of land in the east part of the town, the location of 
which is low, and apparently sunk down. 

Tradition says a silver mine was discovered in this town 
about 1763. A man named Jubar coined money, and it began 
to be rumored that he procured the ore for that purpose in this 
to.vn. It was ascertained that Jubar s money contained 
silver mixed with other metals. He was arrested by order of 
the Colonial Government, tried at Poughkeepsie, and hung 



APPENDIX A. 467 

about the year 1765. One Samuel Taylor was associated with 
him, who always said that Jubar melted an ore, from which he 
extracted silver. 

It was said one Eleazer Gray, some three or four years 
before the Revolution, who was by trade a silversmith, 
discovered a mine, and put up a log shop in which to work, in 
the Sunk Lot. A younger brother of Eleazer once pointed 
out a place where the silver ore was found ; but when the spot 
was visited a few years afterwards, it was ascertained that all 
traces of the mine had been removed. 

Towards the close of the Revolution, the family of Grays, 
in consequence of a party of horse-thieves having been seen 
at their residence, were suspected of being in league with 
these midnight desperadoes. Their counterfeiting operations 
becoming known, helped to give them an unenviable notoriety. 
At last their neighbors set fire to their dwelling, shop, and 
barn, which induced them to quit that part of the country. 

About the year 1800 a man named Henry Holmes was 
arrested for counterfeiting coin in this town. It was said he 
carried on operations in a cave or hole in the rocks. He was 
tried, found guilty, and was sentenced to State Prison for a 
term of seven years. His supposed accomplice, who made his 
moulds, was acquitted in consequence of an alleged informality 
in the indictment. 

Continental Village is a cluster of houses in the southwest 
part of the town, one mile from the Westchester line. This 
is commemorable from the circumstance of its having been 
burned by the British in 1777. Here the first grist-mill was 
built by Beverly Robinson in 1762. 

The West Point Foundry, the largest institution of the kind 
in this country, is situated about half a mile distant from Cold 
Spring Landing. This association was incorporated by an act 
of the Legislature, passed April i5th 1818. 

PUTNAM VALLEY. 

This town was formed from Philipstown as " Quincy," 



468 APPENDIX A. 

March i4th, 1839. Its present name was given to it Feb. 13. 
1840. 

Canopus Hill is an eminence in the southwest part of the 
town, named in honor of an Indian chief. North of this is 
Tinker Hill, on which, about three-fourths of a century ago, 
lived an Englishman named Rick, who went about the 
country tinkering. 

During the Revolution, a Whig named Robert Oakley, 
who lived on the Wiccopee road, was shot one afternoon as he 
was returning home, by some Tories who had concealed them 
selves near his house for the purpose. About this period, one 
Thomas Richards was living here. He was taken as a rebel, 
conveyed to New York, and confined by the British all winter. 
His wife was left at home all alone. The hard winter came on, 
and the snow, covering the lonely cabin, prevented all ingress 
or egress by the door. She first used up all the fuel inside ; 
and then with an axe broke a hole through the roof, got out, 
and cut off the large limbs \vhich hung over her hut, throwing 
them down into the garret. Her stock of food became well 
nigh exhausted, and the cow died. This lone woman, without 
a human being for a companion, and confined in her prison of 
snow, was forced to eat the carcass of her cow ; and when 
that was exhausted, she lived on a little shelled corn that was 
left in the garret, making use of some dirty brine to season it 
with, In this manner she lived through the winter. 

SOUTHEAST. 

This town was one of the earliest settled in the county, 
and was formed March yth, 1788, mostly from Southeast 
Precinct. The principal settlers were the Crosbys, Cranes, 
Halls, Moodys, Paddocks, Carpenters, and Dickinsons. There 
were also families by the name of Hanes, and Howes. Deacon 
Moody, as he was familiarly called, was the first settler at 
Sodom Corners. David Paddock came from Cape Cod. in 
1740, with a family of eight children, and located near the 



APPENDIX A. 469 

Presbyterian Meeting House. His son Isaac was killed in the 
fight at Ward s House below White Plains. Caleb Carpenter, 
with twelve others, came to this town about the year 1730, 
locating about three miles north of Sodom Corners, where 
they built the old Presbyterian log church. Joseph Crane 
came about the same time, and settled on the north side of 
Joe s Hill, where he built the mill known in early times as 
" Crane s Mill." 

Sale of the poor made April 22d, 1826. 

Nancy Binnit to James Hains, $25.37 

Ebijah Crane " Henry Weed 33-5 

George Dudley " Abner Gay 3 5. 80 

Ebenezer Wixon " Chancey Higgins 15-00 

Birch & Wife " Henry Cole 79.94 

Esther Lawrence " James Hains 23.87 

Joseph Leonard " James Hains 34-97 

Sodom, says Blake, a quiet little hamlet near the center 
of the town, was so named by way of reproach, in consequence 
of the unusually wild and wayward character of its U hoys 
in days gone by. 

Joe s Hill is a beautiful romantic eminence in the east part 
of the town. Nearly a hundred years ago it was rumored 
there was a silver mine in the north side of this hill. Marvel 
ous stories were told concerning the manner of its discovery. 
In a few years the excitement became great, and drew into its 
vortex many of easy credulity. Two or three men from 
abroad, supposed at the time to be practical miners, visited 
the hill and took up their residence near it. Two residents, 
Nathan Hall and Jehu Miner, also became believers in the 
mine. They in company with the strangers were called 
" Pigeon Men." 

Hall pretended to know the precise locality of the mine ; 
and necromancy, divination, and mystic charms formed the 
subject of his conversation when questioned in regard to it. 
The existence of the mine appears to have been a delusion 
which increased with his age ; and as a ruling passion, was 
.strongly developed on his death bed. His wife partook of the 



470 APPENDIX A. 

same delusion. A neighbor inquired of her what had become 
of the silver her husband said would be as plenty as berries. 
She replied that " Nathan had been revealing something about 
the mine which he ought not to have disclosed, and the 
mysterious spell had moved over it. His brother had expressed 
a wish to be present when Hall died. He was sent for, and 
promptly answered the summons, but Hall was so far gone 
as to be unable to speak. His brother then told him if there 
was a silver mine in Joe s Hill, to squeeze his hand. Hall 
gave it, as far as his strength permitted, a hard gripe ; thus 
retaining on his death-bed the belief he entertained while 
living, 

Tones Pond, in the eastern part of the town, is named 
after an old negro, called Tone, who settled by it. He was 
the slave of John Warring ; and enlisted in the War of the 
Revolution on condition that he should have his freedom at 
its close. He then married a woman half Indian and half 
negro. He furnished boats, and kept a sort of fishermen s 
tavern. One of his grandsons married a beautiful young white 
girl, who shortly afterward induced him to go South with her, 
where she sold him as a slave. 

Capt. Joshua Barnum came from Danbury, about the year 
1755, and settled in this town. He was in the battle at Ward s 
House, was wounded and taken prisoner. After the war, he 
brought home from New York, as a present to his wife, a half 
pound of tea. His wife was at a loss how to prepare it, as 
none of the article had yet been used in this part of the 
country. A council was called, made up of the women of the 
neighborhood, to decide the mooted question, at which each 
one gave her opinion as to the manner in which this new 
beverage should be prepared. One proposed putting it in the 
pudding bag, and boiling it in -milk ; another was for frying in 
a pan with a little butter and water; a third suggested boiling 
it in the dish kettle. The last proposition was adopted as the 
voice of the meeting. Accordingly, the half pound of tea was 
put in, with a sufficiency of water, and duly boiled. They all 



APPENDIX A. 



47* 



drank some more, some less. The one recommending the 
dish-kettle drank by far the largest quantity, alleging that " she 
wanted to diskiver its aristocratic qualities, if it had any." She 
next morning declared she hadn t slept a wink ; and on com 
paring notes, it was found all had been in the same predica 
ment. 

" At a Town Meeting held in the South Precinct in 
DUCHESS County 6th day of April 1773, John rider Was- 
chosen Moderator, Isaac Ehvell Clark, Chosen Joseph Crane. 
Jr., Supervisor; was chosen John Field Sessor; was choseD 
Samuel Bangs Sessor ; was chosen peter hall Collector." 



Rombout s Patent. 



Beekman s Patent. 





Maj. Morris 
water lot, 4 
m l s square. 


+ 


X 


i 


Col. Robin 
son s back 
lot, 4 miles 
square. 


n 


iH 




o 


4-T 


1 







CJ 

1 

^ 


Capt. Fred 
erick Phil- 
ipse water 
lot, 4 mi, sq. 


bC 

C 


in 


"c/5 

o 


s 


Capt. Fred 
erick P h i 1- 
i p s e back 
lot, 4 mi. sq. 


inecticut Li 


pq 




j3 








^ 




Col. Robin 
son s water 
lot, 4 miles 
square. 


o 

o 
U 


g o 

rt 


4j 



a, 

rt 

y 


Maj. Morns 
back lot, 4 
mil s square. 





North line of Westchester County. 
Diagram of the "Philipse Patent" now Putnam County. 



APPENDIX B. 



OV. MOORE TO LORDS OF TRADE. 1776. 

I informed Conway in a letter of the 3oth April last 
of some disturbances which had arose in the County cf 
Duchess in this Province, and at the same time 
^ acquainted him with the steps taken to suppress them. 
Since that, the infection has spread to the neighboring county 
of Albany, but some of the rioters have been already taken, 
.and the greatest part of them fled into the Provinces of 
Massachusetts and Connecticut, where they appear to be 
protected by the Magistrates, as all the requisitions made to 
get them apprehended have proved ineffectual, notwithstand 
ing they are so far from absconding that they appear publicly, 
so that we must expect to have them returned again into this 
Province as soon as the force is withdrawn which drove them 
out, and a new scene of disorder will of course commence. A 
tribe of Indians settled at a place called Stockbridge in 
Massachusetts seem to be the contrivers of these Riots, and 
from the information I have received have joined with some of 
the lower people in the irregularities which have been com 
mitted lately. 

NEW YORK, Dec. 24, 1773. We hear from Duchess 
County that the High Sheriff, having received the sum of fifty 
pounds from his Excellency Governor Tryon, to be distributed 
for the relief of debtors confined in his goal, has applied that 
.money in the manner prescribed, and cheered many indigent 

472 



APPENDIX B. 473 

men whose misfortunes had reduced them to melancholy 
durance. The gratitude of these unhappy persons on this 
gracious attention to them cannot be described. 

The Highlands are mentioned by Governor Hunter [1710] 
as " Part of the resumed Grant of Captain Evans, being 
about twelve miles in length along the River, Mountainous 
and barren and Incapable of Improvement or of a road, and 
only valuable for fire wood, no man will accept of any part of 
it under the Quit Rent directed to be reserved unless it be 
contiguous to the River, where he may with ease transport the 
wood." 

" The Queen likewise directs that in each Patent there be 
a covenant, on the part of the Patentee to plant, settle and 
effectually cultivate at least three acres of land for every fifty in 
three years from date of Patent." 



Lord of His Majesties most Humble privy Council to the 
Lords of Trade : 

WHEREAS, a petition has been presented to us by Sir 
Joseph Eyleskin, Jonathan Perrie, John Drummond and 
Thomas Watts, Esqrs praying that the Tract of land granted 
to them in the Province of New York, known by the name of 
the Equivalent land may be either erected into a County or 
united to such other contiguous county or Counties of the said 
Province as shall be found the most convenient. Our will and 
pleasure is that you choose the most convenient County or 
Counties, and that you do annex the said Equivalent Land to 
such County or Counties accordingly. 



I have now settled the Palatines upon good land upon 
both sides of Hudson s River, about one hundred miles up 
adjacent to the Pines; I have planted them in 5 villages, three 
on the east side of the River upon 6000 acres I have pur 
chased of Mr. Livingston about two miles from Row-Lof 
Jansens Kill ; The other two on the west side near Sawyers 
Creek." Letter of Gov. Hunter to Lords of Trade. 



Mr. Golden to the Lords of Trade : Province of New York 
Feb. 14, 1738. "At about 40 miles northward from the city 
of New York a chain of Mountains of about two miles in 



474 APPENDIX B. 

breadth. Commonly called the Highlands Cross the Hudsons 
River running many miles from the North East 

The southern part of the country that is from the sea on both 
sides of Hudsons river to within 20 miles of Albany, is. 
generally covered with Oaks of several sorts, intermixed with 
Wallnuts, Chestnuts and almost all sorts of timber according 
to the difference of the soil in several parts. I have seen in. 
several parts of the country large quantities of Larix Trees 
from whence Venice Turpentine is made about Albany, and 
as I am informed a great way up the Eastern branch of 
Hudsons river the land is generally covered with pines of 
several sorts." 



" This country abounds in Iron Oar especially in the 
Highlands, and several works have been begun but were droped 
through the mismanagement or inability of the undertakers; 
of these there were two Furnaces in the Manor of Cortaland 
and several Bloomeries." Lieut. Gov. DcLancy to the Lords of 
Trade 1757. 

In the Journal of Sir William Johnsons Proceedings with 
the Indians [1757] occurs the following words Jonathan the 
Mohickander spoke as follows : " Brother, Please lend us your 
attention a little. Tis now 9 years ago that a misfortune 
happened neir Rhinebeck in this Province ; a white man then 
shot a young man an Indian. There was a meeting held 
therein, and Martinus Hoffman said Brothers there are two 
methods of settling this accident, one according to the white 
peoples customs, the other according to the Indians ; which of 
them will you chuse ? If you will go according to the Indian 
manners, the man who shot the Indian may live. If this man s 
life is spared, and at any time hereafter an Indian should kill 
a white man, and you desire it, his life shall also be spared. 
Brother there are two Indians in jail at Albany accused of 
killing a man, and we beg you they may be released. All we 
that are here present among whom are some of their nations, 
are all much dejected and uneasy upon this affair, and do- 
entreat that these people may be let free which will give us all 
the highest satisfaction." 

Gave a great bunch Wampum. 



At an election held in Poughkeepsie, County of DUCHESS, 
in pursuance of a Resolution of the Provincial Congress of the 



APPENDIX B. 475- 

Colony of New York, of the 2yth of October last, under the 
inspection of the General Committee of the County, on the 
7th and 8th days of Nov., 1775, Petrus Tenbroeck, Beverly 
Robinson, Cornelius Humphrey, Henry Schenck, Gilbert 
Livingston, John Kaine, Jacob Everson, Morris Graham, and 
Robert G. Livingston, Jim., Esquires, were elected deputies to 
the said county in a Provincial Congress for the Colony of 
New York, appointed to meet at the city of New York on the 
1 4th inst. By order of Committee, 

EGBERT BENSON, Chairman. 
Nov. 8th, 1775. 



In General Committee of DUCHESS County, July i3th 
1776, it was resolved That five of the nine Representatives 
elected for this County be a quorum to represent the same in 
the Convention of Representatives of the State of New York. 

REUBEN HOPKINS, Sect y. 

On the 1 7th of Sept. following, the number was reduced to- 
three, as it frequently happened there were so many delinquent 
members from DUCHESS that no quorum was present. 



The following officers were sworn in. May 22, 1777, at 
Poughkeepsie ; Henry Livingston, Clerk of the County; 
Ephraim Paine, ist Judge; Zepha Platt, 2nd do. ; Melancthon 
Smith, Sheriff of the County. 



STATE OF NEW YORK MILITIA. 

APRIL the 2ist, 1693. 

The Militia of Ulster and Duchess County, commanded 
by Lieut. Coll. Beekman, being four Companies of Foot and 
one Troop of Horse, now formed into Dragoons by the Gov 
ernor, consisting of 277 men. 

Number of the Militia of the Province of New 

York, about 1 700 

Ulster and Duchess County, 325 



476 



APPENDIX B. 



Of the Regiment of Militia in ye Counties of ULSTER and 
DUCHESS. 

Colonel. ) 

Jacob Rusten, Lieut. Colonel, v Field Officers. 
Majr. ) 



Of a Foot Compa in ye said County. 
Matthias Matfyson, Captain. ) 
Evart Bogardus, Leiut. > Field Officers. 

Teunis Tappen, Ensigne. ) 

Of another Foot Company in ye said County. 
Abra. Hasbrooke, Captain. ) 
Moses Quan tnin, Leiut. >C. O. 
Lewis lieavca, Ensign. ) 

Of another Foot Company in ye said County. 
George Middagh, - - Captain. 

Gysbert Krooni, - Leiut. 

Alex. Kosekrans, - - Ensigne. 

Of another Foot Company in ye said County. 
Aria Rose, - Captain. 

John Kose, - - - Li. in. 

Aria Qerrutse, - - Ensigne. 



I Of another Foot Company in ye said Countys 
j Jocham Schooimaker, Captain- 

John Van Camp, - - Leiut- 

Jaeob Decker, - - Ensigne- 



Of another Foot C ompai 
I Co.-nrod Elmendorpli, 
I Mattyse Sleight, 
i Garrett \\ yncoop, 



in ye said Countys. 

Captain. 

Leiut. 

Ensigne. 



| Of another Foot Compa in ye said County*. 
Malius Van Kleet, - - Captain. 

Ilen.lrick Kipp, Leiut. 

John Ter Bus, - Ensigne. 

Of the Troop of Horse in ye said Ilegt. 
Egbert Scoonmaker, - - Captain. 
Corn. Decker, - Cornet. 

.\ bra. Ga>brck, - - - Cornet. 

j Mattyse Jansen, Quarter Master. 

This Regiment consists of Three hundred five and twenty 
men. 



ENROLLMENT OF THE PEOPLE CALLED QUAKERS. 



Pursuant an act of General Assembly of this province 
passed the igth of ffebruary, 1755. Entitled an Act for Reg 
ulating the Militia of the Colony of New York. Those for 
Duchess County are as follows vizt: 

1755. April 22. 



Joshun Shearman of Beeknian Precinct, 

Shoi m iker 

Moses u.i. of the same place. Labourer. 

Daniel Shearman of the same place, Lab 
Joseph Dot- of the same place, Blacksmith. 
John Wing of the same place, fl armer 

Zebulon Ferris of the Oblong in Beekman 

Precinct. ffarmcr. 

Joseph Smith son of Richard Smith 01 the 

same place. Labourer. 

Robert Whitely of the Oblong, fl armer 

Elijah Doty of the Oblong, House Carpenter. 
Philip Al en of tin- oblong, Weaver. 

Richard Smith of the < >blong, ffarmcr. 

James Aiken of the Oblong, Blacksmith. 
Abraham Chase son of Henry Chase of the 

Oblonir, fl armer. 

David Hoag of tho Oblong, 
John Hoag of the Oblong, ffarmer. 

Amos Hoag Son ot John Hoag of the Oblong, 
Labourer 
Jonathan Hoag of the Oblong, Blacksmith. 



I rael Ilowland of Oblong, ffarmer. 

Misha Akin of Oblong, ffarmer. 

Isaac Haviland of Oblong, Blacksmith. 

Nathan Soule son of George Sotile of Oblong, 
ffarmer. 

James Binlsall of Oblong, Lab Hirer. 

Daniel Chasi of oblong, ffarmer. 

Silas Mossher of Os\vego in Beekmans Pre 
cinct, ffarmer. 
William Mossher of the same place, ffarmer. 
SilvesterKichinond f the same place, fl armer. 
Jesse Irish of the same place, fl armer. 
David Irish of the same place, ffarmer. 
William Irish of the same place, ffarmer. 

23d. 

Josiah Bull of the same place, ffarmer. 

Josiah liullJimr or the same place, ffarmer. 

Allen Moore of the same plac , fl armer 

Andrew Moore of the same place, fl armer. 
William Gitl ord of the same place, ffarmer. 



APPENDIX B. 



477 



John Hoa<? Son or John Hoaj, of the Oblong. Josiah Akin of Oljlonj.r, 



Kzek 


el Iloag of the Oblong, 


Lai 


Juda 


i Sniitli of the Oblong. 


J 


Matt 


e\v XVing of the oblong 




Timo 


hv Dakm of the Oblong 


fl 


Jon a 


hail Akin of oblonir. 


La 


Samuell Russell of Oblong. 


La 


John Kisb of Oblonu. 


f] 


Keed Ferris of Oblong, 


Shoe 


iienjamin Ferris Jour, of ()1>1 


ing, La 



Taylur. 2-"th. 

XathanielYeoman.s of the same place. ffarmer. 
fl irmer. Elijah Yeoiuaus of the same place, ll armer. 



, 
rmer. William Parks of Oswes/o in Beekman Pre- 



laker. cmct, 



rtarmer. 



DUCHESS COUNTY, ss : The foregoing are all the Quakers 
enrolled in my office the ist day of July, 1755. 

Per HENRY LIVINGTON, Clerk. 



Warrants issued by Provincial Congress, authorizing persons to 
recruit in Duchess Countv. 

A warrant to Henry B. Livingston, Captain : Jacob Thom 
as, ist Lieut. ; Roswell Willcox, 2nd Lieut. 

A warrant to Louis Dubois. Captain ; Elias Van Bunscho- 
ten Jun r, ist Lieut. ; Cornelius Adriance, 2nd Lieut. 

Andrew Billings, Captain ; P^zekiel Cooper, ist Lieut. ; 
John Langdon, 2nd Lieut. 

Rufus Herrick, Captain ; Charles Graham, ist Lieut. ; 
Jesse Thompson, 2nd Lieut. 

On the 23th day of June, 1775, received the above twelve 
warrants, all bearing date on the day of date thereof. 

ZEPH PLATT, 
GILBERT LIVINGSTON, 
MELANCTON SMITH. 

Regimental Of/i crs in Duchess Countv. 



No. i. 

Petrus Ten Broeck, Colonel. 
Morris Graham, Lieut. Col. 
Simon Westfall, Major. 
Jonathan Landon, do. 
William Stewart, Adjutant. 
H. Van Hoevenburgh, Q. M. 

No. 4- ^ 

Tobias Stouten burgh, Col. 
John Frere. Lieut. Col. 
Robert Hoffman, Major. 
Benj. DeLevergne, do. 
John Carpenter, Adj t. 
John Ringley, Q. Master. 



No. 2. 

Dirck Brinkerhoff, Colonel. 
Abram Brinkerhoff, Lieut. Col. 
David Ter Boss, Major. 
Richard Van Wyck, do. 
Thomas Storm, Ajutant. 
Adrian Brinkerhoff, Q. M. 

No. 5. 

William Humphrey, Col. 
J as. Van Denburgh, Lieut. Col. 
Benjamin Birdsall. Major. 
Morris Place, do. 

Ebenezer Gary, Ad t. 
Charles Platt, Quar. Master. 



478 APPENDIX B. 

No. 6. 

David Sutherland, Colonel, 
Roswell Hopkins, Lieut. Col. 
Simeon Cook, Major. 
Richard D. Cantelon, do. 
Joseph Carpenter, Adjutant. 
Daniel Shepherd, Quar. Master. 
Commissions issued Oct. iyth, 1775. 



Minute Men in 

John Van Ness, Colonel. 
Cornelius Humphrey, Lt. Col. 
Robert G. Livingston, Major. 
James Reed, do. 

Reuben Hopkins, Adj t. 
Joseph Ketcham Q. Master. 



Due /less County. 

Jacobus Swartout, Colonel. 
John Bailey, Jr. Lieut. Col. 
Malcom Morrison, Major. 
Henry Schank, do. 

Joshua Carmen, Adj t. 
Henry Godwin, Q. Master. 



.Commissions issued, d?ted Oct. 17, 1775. 

Minute Companies Col. Swartoufs Reg t. 



Po keepsie Prec t. 
John Schanck, Captain. 
Dr. Peter Tappan, ist Lieut. 
John Child, 2nd Lieut. 
Matthew Van Keuren, Ensign. 

Rombout Prec t. 

Beekman Prec t 



Pawling Prec t. 
Phenias Woodward, Capt. 
Comfort Shaw, ist Lieut. 
Mark Williams, 2d Lieut. 
Gideon Osterhout, Ensign. 

Southeast Precinct. 
Joseph Barnum, Capt. 
William Murch, ist Lieut 
Eliakim Barnum, 2d Lieut 
Jonathan Crane, Ensign. 



Minute Companies Col. Van Ness s Reg t 



Northeast Prec t 
Hugh Rea, Captain. 
Daniel Willson, ist Lieut 
Nathaniel Mead, 2nd Lieut 
Phineas Rice, Ensign. 

Rhinebeck Prec t. 
Herman Hoffman, Capt. 



Amenia Precinct 
Increase Child, Captain. 
John Lloyd, ist Lieut 
William Blunt, 2nd Lieut 
Josiah Morse, Ensign. 

Charlotte Prec t 
| Smith Sutherland, Capt. 



Andrew Hermanse. ist Lieut. i Zachias Marshall, ist Lieut. 
George Sharpe, 2nd Lieut. j Uriah Sill, 2nd Lieut. 
James Adams, Ensign. j Stephen Haight, Ensign. 



APPENDIX B. 



479 



Rhinebeck Precinct. 
John Dewitt, Captain. 
Philip Hermanse, ist Lieut. 
John Steenburgh, 2nd Lieut. 
Jacob Kipp, Ensign. 
Company Officers CoL Ten Broeck s Reg t. 



Isaac Smith, Captain. 
Jacob Weaver, ist Lieut. 
Silas Husted, 2nd Lieut. 
Michael Row, Ensign. 

John Collins, Captain. 
Jas. Willson, ist Lieut. 
Zachariah Phillip, 2nd Lieut. 



Company Officers 
[i]* North District. 
Henry Humphrey, Captain. 
Smith Southerland, ist Lieut. 
Silas German, 2nd Lieut. 
George Krankhet. Ensign. 

[2] South District. 
Isaac Bloom, Captain. 
John Gaseley, Jr., ist Lieut. 
John Williams, 2nd Lieut. 
David Jenis, Ensign. 



Archibald Johnston, Captain. 
Abraham Hart well, ist Lieut. 
John Seaton, 2nd Lieut. 
Gilbert Clapp. Ensign. 

Israel Thompson, Captain. 

Stephen Edgett, ist Lieut. 
! John Row, 2nd Lieut. 
| Jehial Mead, Ensign. 
of Charlotte Precinct. 
[5] North District. 

Ebenezer Husted, Captain. 

Jonathan Mead, ist Lieut. 

James Talmage, 2nd Lieut. 

Stephen Adset, Ensign. 

[6] South District. 
Roger Sutherland, Captain. 
Josiah Gale, ist Lieut. 
Thos. Jenckes. 2nd Lieut. 
: Joel Horskins, Ensign. 



3] West District. [7] South District. 

Benjamin Delavargne, Captain. William Gay, Captain. 
David Hendy, ist Lieut. 
Wm. Woodworth, 2nd Lieut. 
Joseph Harris, Ensign. 



Joseph Hagaman, ist Lieut. 
Francis Leroy, 2nd Lieut. 
Paul Vananden, Ensign. 



[4] East District. 
Jacob Tobias, Captain. 
Israel Platt, ist Lieut. 
Caleb Hyat, 2nd Lieut. 
Gilbert Warden, Ensign. 
[9] 



: [8] Middle District. 
: Isaac Conklin, Captain, 
j Peter Shults, ist Lieut. 
i fosiah Burton, 2nd Lieut. 
i Ebenezer Mott, Ensign. 
North District. 



Commission issued Sept. 1775. 



Peter Stoutenburgh, Captain. 
Elijah Herrick, ist Lieut. 
Hugh Wilde, 2nd Lieut. 
Joseph Hambleton, Ensign. 



4 8o 



APPENDIX B. 

Rombout Precinct. 



No. i. 

Zebulon Southard, Capt. 
Evert VVinkup Swart, ist Lieut. 
Robert Brett, 2nd Lieut. 
Isaac Van Wyck, Ensign. 

No. 2. 

Jacob Griffin, Capt. 
John G. Brinkerhoff, ist Lieut. 
Abram Schenck, 2nd Lieut. 
Christeyan Du Bois, Jr., Ensign. 

No. 3. 

Joseph Horton, Capt. 
John Wiltsey, ist Lieut. 
John L. Losie, 2nd Lieut. 
Jacob Buys, Jr., Ensign. 

No. 7. 

Andrew Hill, Capt. 
Cornelius Brinckerhoff, ist. Lt. 
Francis May, Jr., 2d Lieut. 
Abm. La Doux, Ensign. 



No. 4. 

Isaac Hegeman, Capt. 
Jacobus De Groff, ist Lieut. 
Gideon Van Velen, 2nd Lieut. 
Robert Todd, Ensign. 

No. 5. 

Milton Fowler, Capt. 
Matihw Van Bunscoten, ist Lt. 
Daniel Outwater, 2nd Lieut. 
Peter Van Bimschoten. Ensign. 

No. 6. 
Stephen Brinkerhoff, Capt. 



George Brinkerhoff, 2d Lieut. 
Stephen Osborne, Ensign. 

Southeast Precinct, 
William Mott, Capt. 
Benj. Wiggins, ist Lieu.t 
Ebenezer Gage, 2nd Lieut. 
Nathan Green, Jr., Ensign. 



Rhinebeck Preciect. 



No. i. 

Simeon Westfall, Captain. 
Peter Westfall, ist Lieut. 
Wilhelmus Smith, 2nd Lieut. 
Abraham Dels, Ensign. 

No. 2. 

William Radclift, Captain. 
Abraham T. Kip, ist. Lieut. 
John De Witt, 2nd Lieut. 
Johannes Moore, Ensign. 



No. 3. 

; Martin Hoffman, Captain. 
\ Johannes Klum, ist Lieut. 
I Zachariah Hoffman, 2nd Lieut 

John J. Hermanse, Ensign. 

No. 4- 
\ David Van Ness, Captain. 

Gotlop Martin, ist Lieut. 

Frederick Bender, 2nd Lieut. 

Cornelius Elmendorf, Ensign. 



No. 5. 

Jacobus Kip, Captain. 
Everardus Bogardus, ist Lieut. 
Jacob Tremper, 2nd Lieut. 
Benjamin Van Steenburgh, Ensign. 



APPENDIX B. 



48 r 



Beekman 

Capt. Johanes Dclonji s beat. 

Cornelius Van Wyck, Captain. 
Daniel Lawrence, ist Lieut. 
Martin Cornwell, 2nd Lieut. 
Nathaniel Carey, Ensign; 

Cant. Georg-c Einnusrh s beat. 

Win. Clark, Captain. 
Jonathan Dennis, ist Lieut. 
Daniel Uhl, 2nd Lieut. 
Francis West, Ensign. 



Precinct. 

Capt. Jo. Har is beat 

Joseph Reynolds, Capt. 
Nathaniel Smith, ist Lieut. 
John Losee, 2nd Lieut. 
Peter Haris, Ensign. 

Capt. Mical Vincent s beat. 

Isaac Vail, Captain. 
Jesse Oakley, ist Lieut. 
Edward Addams, 2nd Lieut. 
Stephen Forgarson, Ensign. 



Amenia Precinct. 



No. i. 

William Barker, Capt. 
Job Mead, ist Lieut. 
Noah Hopkins, 2nd Lieut. 
Abner Gillett, Ensign. 

No. 2. 

Brinton Paine, Captain. 
Samuel Waters, ist Lieut. 
Ichabod Holmes, 2nd Lieut. 
Jesse Brush, Ensign. 



No. 3. 

Joshua Laselle, Captain. 

Colbe Chamberlain, ist Lieut, 
! David Doty, 2nd Lieut. 

Elisha Barlow, Ensign. 
No. 4. 

Robert Freeman, Capt. 
! Elijah Smith, ist Lieut. 
; Ezra St. John, 2nd Lieut. 
! Noah Wheeler, Ensign. 



A return made August i5th, 1775, at the house of Jacob- 
Griffin, of persons who signed the Association : 



Theods. Van Wyck, 
John Brinkerhoff, 
Z. Van Voorhees, 
Garret Storm, 
Cornelius Sebring, 
D. G. Bnnkerhoff, 
Daniel Ter Boss, 
Richard Van W T yck, 
William Van Wyck, 
Joseph Horton, 
Johannes Wiltse, 
Gores Storm, 
T. Van Wyck, jr. 
Harvey M. Morris, 
Henry Godwin, 
Thomas Storm, 



John Adriance, 
Henry Schenck, 
Jacob Swart wout. 
C. Van Wyck, jr. 
Isaac Sebring. 
Abm. Brinckerhoff, 
Roelef Schenck, 



Jesse Bedell, 
Martin Schenck, 
Peter Monfoort, 
Mathias Horton, 
Johans. DeWitt, jr. 
M. Van Bunschoten r 
James Snediker, 



Abraham Schenck, Aaron Brown, 

L. E VanBunschoten J. A. Brinckerhoff, 



Isaac Ter Boss, 
Jacob Griffin, 
David Brower, 
Cornelius Brower, 
Deriah Hogland, 
William Haskin, 
Peter Horton. 



Abraham Ter Boss,, 
John H. Sleght. 
Jacobus DeGraef, 
John Mayer, 
J. G. Brinckerhoff. 
John Langdon, 
George Adriance., 

62 



482 

George Ellsworth, 
Hendnck Boerum. 
Daniel Schenck, 



APPENDIX B. 

Samuel Gosline, 
John Barray, 
James Cooper, 



Jonathan Langdan, John Cooper, 



James Barnes, 
John Ter Bush, 
Cornelius Adriance. 
John Swartwout, 
William Scouten, jr. 



William Tisdale, 

Joseph Griffin, 

Daniel Johnson, 

John Maynema, 

Abm. Van Voorhis, 

Hendk. Hardenburg, Daniel Reyner. 

Moses Bedell, Robert Brett. 

Peter Ter Bush, 

John Jewell, jr. 

Alexander Turner, 

James Anning, 



John Smith, 
Jacob Balding, 
Caleb Cornell, 
Isaac Storm, 



Abram. Van Wyck, Henry Rosekrans, 
Steph. BrinkerhofT, Benjamin Rosekrans 
Stephen Osborne, 
Abm. DeForeest, 



Geo. Brinckerhoft 
John Scouten, 
Joseph Belding, 
J. Scouten 

Jerry. 

Jacobus Emans, 
James Brown, 
Moses Barber, 
Abm. L. Losee, 
Samuel Swartwout, 
William Ward, 
Jacob DuBois, jr. 
Chas. Elsworth, 
Jacob Brinckerhotf, 
William Holmes, 



Thomas Simonton, 
son of Joseph McCord, 
John Cooper, 
Richard King, 
J VanVoorhis, jr. 
Jonathan Haight. 
Israel Kniffin, 
Daniel Kniffin, 
Jonathan Kniffin, 
Walter Heyer, 
Adrian Bogert, 
Moses Akerly, 
Luke Ter Boss, 



Thomas Ostrander, James Miller, 

Godfrey Heyn, Cornelius Osborne, 

N. E. Gabriel, 

Abraham Morrell, 

G. J. Brinckerhoff, 

Christopher Raun, 

James Weekes, 

Isaac Van Wyck, 

Cornelius Smith, 



Hugh Conner, 
A. J. Lawrence, 

Nathl. Fairchild 



Nicholas Brower, jr. 
John Wright, 
Charles Brewer, 
John Ackerman, 
John W T alters, 
James Rathbun, 
Seth Chase, 
Adolphus Brower, 
Jacob Brower, 
Simon S. Scouten, 



Daniel G. Wright, jr. 
Joseph Wiltse, 
Geo. Van Werkeren. 
Platt Rogers, 
John Lawrence, 
Jeremiah Bedell, 
Joseph Fowler, 
Jacob Swartwout, 
Gideon Way, 
Merinus V. Vlaikren, 
John Leyster, 
Timothy Saikryder, 
Zachariah Boss, 
John Bush, jr. 
Josiah Halstead, 
Peter Noorstrant, 
>, Jeremiah Martin, jr. 
William Wright, 
Daniel Canfield, 
Sab ure Main, 
Johans. Brinckerhoff 
Andrew VanHyning, 
Abm. Van Amburgh, 
Moses Saikryder, 
James Rosekrans, 
Stephen Doxey, 
Dirck Hegerman, 
Jonathan Talmagee, 
Solomon Saikryder, 
James Reynolds, 
George Bump, 
Tunis DuBois, 
James Green, 
Obadiah J. Cooper, 
Peter Clump, 
Abm. Van Tyne, 
J. Van Voorhis, jr. 
Myndert Cooper, 
John Runnels, 
Thorn is Bump, 
Christopher Schultz, 
Silvmus Pine, 
Nathan Ba ley, 
John Pullick, 



APPENDIX B. 



483 



Austin Fowler, 
Peter Snyder, 
John Gray, jr. 
Gershom Martine, 
Amos Nettleton, 
John Bennitt, 
Elihu Emmitt, 



A. H. Van Amburgh, Walter Moody, jr. 



Jeremiah Ranny, C. TerBush, 

David Mowry, David Lyons, 

Joseph Lee, Edward McKeeby, 

Dirck Brinckerhoff, Theods. Brett, 

Zebulon Southard, John McBride, 

Evart W. Swart, O. W. Cooper, 

John Bloodgood, Timothy Mount, 
Jonas Southard, 



Jesse Baker, 
Joshua Hicks, 
Martin Smith, 
Robert Rogers, 
Thomas Wright, 
William Baker, 
Daniel Wright, 
John Watts, 
Johans. Dewitt, 
Albert Carley, 



John Johnson, 
Simon Ter Bush, 
Thorn Pudney, 
Francis Pudney, 
Abraham Ceasa, 
Stephen Peudy, 
Henry Carpenter, 
Austin Fowler, 
Henry Sherburne, 
Benjamin Atwater, 



Henry Van Voorhis, Jesse Cornell, 



Martin Wiltse, 
H. Rosekrans, jr. 
James Kilburne, 
John Runnels, 
Thomas Bump, 



Timothy Soaper, 

Peter Van Deursen 

Moses Golph, 

Nathan Lounsbury, 

Eliphalet Platt, 

Christopher Schults, Jacobus DeGroff, 

Sivinus Pine, E.E.VanBunschoten Michael Hoffman, 

Isaac H. Ter Boss, John DeGrout, Teunis Wilsen, 

William Somerdike, J. VanBunschoten, Isaac Cole, 
Philip Pine, Robert Todd, Peter Stienbergh, 

Nathan Bailey, B. J. VanKleek, Gideon Ver Velon, 

John Pullick, Jacobus DeGroff, jr. Moses DeGroff, 



James Reynolds, 
George Bump, 
Tunis DuBois, 
James Green. 
O. J. Cooper, 
Peter Clump, 
Abram VanTyne, 
Jacob Van Voorhis, 
Myndert Cooper, 
Moses Vanelin, 
Adam Dates, 
William Stanton, 
William Teatsort, 
Isaac Snider, 
Thomas Lewis, 
Jacob Cole, 
Abraham Sleght, 



David Pellet, 
John Southard, 
Duncan Graham, 
Elesa DuBois, 
James Duncan, 
Caleb Briggs, 
James Osburn, 
Isaac Hegeman, 
James Thurston, 
Joseph Parker, 
Stephen Thaiker, 
Abraham Gray, 
John Baker, 



Jacobus Sleght, 
Simon Bise, 
William Lane, 
Ezra Mead, 
James Innes, 
Isaac Smith, 
Peter Hulst, 
David Bennett, 
David Horton, 
John TerBush, 
Abraham Schultz, 
Cornelius Sebring, 
John Pudney, 



Henry Buys, 
Peter Van Kleek, jr. 
Jeremiah Mead, 
Jeremiah Var Velen, 
Thomas Pinkney, 
Henry Marten, 
Barthol Hogeboom, 
Charreik VanKeuren 
David Dutcher, 
Deminicus Monfort, 
William Lane, 
Joseph Totten, 
Andrew Hill, 



4 8 4 

Johannes Shame, 
Jeremiah Jones, 
Lawrence Herf, 
Peter Outwater, 
Daniel Outwater, 



APPENDIX H. 

John Culvert, 
P. VanDervort, jr. 
Simon Leroy, jr. 
John Leroy, 
Jacob Lane. 



T. Van Benschoten, Thomas Yeumans. 



Samson Smith, 


Canstine Gulnack, 


Albert Terhum, 


J. Houghteling, 


Abm. Duryee, jr. 


Clement Cornwall, 


John Tirhum, 


Peter Deets, 


James Culver, 


John VerValin, 


Dennis Culver, 


Peter Polmetier, 


James Culver, jr. 


Lawrence Conklin, 


Henry Pelts, 


Herman Rynden, 


Jacob Backer, 


John RoseKraus, 


Jacob Coapman, 


Thomas Johnson, 


Barent Dutcher, 


Francis May, jr. 


Baltes B. Van Kleek, 


Joshua Smith, 


John Leroy, jr. 


Abm. Cronckheit, 


Henry Bell, 


John Jewell, 


Jurrie Hoffman, 


Isaac Jewell, jr. 


Jacob Niffer. 


Cornelius Wiltse, 


James Rymden. 


Hemming Higby, 


Andrew Ostram. 


Peter Lent, 


John Ostram. 


[as. Swartwout, 



FrederickRosekrans, Isaac Adriance, 
Peter Van Dewater, Johannes Boss, 
Barent Van Kleek, Richard Griffin, 
Sevaris Van Kleek, Steph. VanVoorhis. 
FrancisVan Dewater Jacob Buys, jr. 
P. Van Benschoten. John L. Losee, 
J. Van Benschoten, Jacob Horton, 



Henry T. Wiltsey, 
John Tappen, 
James Davison, 
Henry Burhanse, 
William Hogelandt, 
Alijah Patterson, 
Daniel Tirhum, 
Abraham A. Lent, 
Tunis Skeet, 
Cornelius Vervie, 
Hugh Laughlin, 
Francis Hegeman. 



Corns. Ostrander, 
Richard Comfort, 
Abraham Shear, 
Francis Leroy, 
Abm. Westervelt, 
Jost. Westervelt, 
James Howard, 
Cornelius Griffin, 
William Griffin, 
James Vandewater 
Dalf Swartwout, 
Garret Benewav, 



Aaron Brown, jr. 
Abraham Ladu, 
Cornelius Swartwout 
Gilbert Lane, 
William Swartwout, 
Samuel Roberts, 
Ebenezer Clark, 
Frederick Scutt, 
Jerome NanVoorhis, 
Ham J. Adriance, 
John Devoe, 
Jac s Swartwout, 
Peter Robinson, 
Moses Shaw, 
J. Van Dewater, 
Zach. VanVoorhis, jr. 
William Brock, 
Jacob King, 
John Hutchins, 
John Darlon, 
James Wildee, 
Richard Avery, 
John RoseKrans, 
Isaac Hutchins, 
John Yurkse, 
Abm. Van Wackere. 
Jacob Hutchins, 
Thomas Way, 
Abm. DeWitt, 
John Philips, 
Elbert Munfort, 
Dan l Van Voorhis. 
George Jewell, 
John Noorstrant, 
Peter Schoonhove. 
Joshua Griffin, 
Isaiah Wilde, 
Isaac Southard, 
William Winslow, 
Edward Churchill. 
Samuel Todd, 
, William Roe, 
James Miller, 
John Phillips, 



William Ardem. 
John Griffin, 
John Vanclervoort, 
Daniel Shaw, 
Peter Fitz-Simmons, 
Nathan Burnes, 
John Vermillie, 
Richard Osborne. 
Peter Johnson, jr. 
Richard Jewell, 
Jacob Dubois, 
Jacob Van Dervoort. 
Peter Meyer, 
John Coffin. 
Ccenradd Appleye, 
Joshua Bishop, 
William Van Tyne, 
Daniel Aiming. 
Daniel Ward, 
William Barker. 
John Parks, 
Peter Bogardus. jr. 



APPENDIX B. 

John Davis, 
Sylvester Bloom, 
John Van Sulen, 
John Kipp, 
William Brocks, 
Jacob Van Tassell, 
Stephen Bates, 
Daniel David, 
Isaac Griffin, 
Peter Montross, 
Isaac Holmes. 
Aaron Shute, 
Richard Jackson, 
Dirck Hardeburgh, 
Peter J. Monfort, 
Timothy Talman, 
William Earls. 
Peter Bogart, 
Francis Way, 
William Fowler, 
Corns. Brinckerhoff, 
Dennis M Shebeey, 



485 

Peter Depung, 
William Cushman, 
Garret Hardenburgh 
Tobias Mabie, 
John Bogardus, 
Samuel Somes, 
Nathan Somes, 
Jonathan Terry, 
Ralf. Phillips, 
Isaac Jewell, 
George Bloom, 
Benjamin Roe, 
Henry Haines, 
Lawrence Lawrence. 
Jonas Cauniff, 
Isaac A^eal, 
Robert M Cutcheon, 
Robert Nichkilson, 
Elias Conklin. 
Jesse Purdy, 
Joseph Ogden, 
Andrew Renvells, 



Signers in Beekmans Precinct, Duchess County, July, 



1775- 

William Humphrey, 
Joshua Carman, 
Ebenezer Cary, 
Charles Platt, 
William McNeal, 
William Clark, 
Thomas Ley. 
Samuel Crandel, 
Maurice Pleas, 
Thomas Nethaway, 
Benoni Sweet, 
Nathaniel Stevenson, 
Nathaniel Cary. 
Samuel Lewis, 
Zebulon Ross, 
Samuel Gardner, 
Martin Cornell, 
Benjamin Noxon, 



Elial Youmans, 
John Forguson, 
Henry Whikmon. 
Nuklus Amey, 
Walton Huling, 
John Huling, 
Jacob Miller, 
William McDowell, 
Thomas Cornell, 
Isaac Dennis, 
James Humfrey, 
Thomas Spencer, 
William Bently, jr. 
F. West, 
John Jenkins, 
Aholyab Markes, 
Arnold Reynolds, 
Amos Randall, 



John Wightman, 
Whiten Parkes, 
Jonathan Dennis, 
Gideon Hall, 
Jabez Spencer, 
John Eagles, 
John Sweet, 
James Wells, 
Job Shearman, 
Joseph Carr, 
Daniel Uhl, 
William Smith. 
Samuel Sweet, 
Peter Shear, 
Peter Shear, jr. 
Isaac Yerrington, 
Peter Storm, 
Josiah Ingersoll, 



486 

James McLees, 
Nathaniel Wicks, 
John Weaver, 
Edward Howard. 
Benjamin Forgason, 
Joseph Reynolds, 
Maurice Smith, 
Joseph Taylor, 
Stephen Johnson, 
James M Collom, 
Edward Weaver, 
Gershom Thorn, 
David Sweet, 
John Moon, 
Nicholas Potter, 
William Bently, 
Taber Bently, 
Thomas Baker, 
William Spencer. 
Abel Parker, 
James Tanner, 
Joshua Champlin, 
Abraham Denne, 
Joseph Denne, 
Richard Mackrill, 
Jacob Lain, 
John Beam, 
Henry Shear, 
Theophilus Sweet, 
William Hall, 
Joseph Carr, 
Joshua Champliesjr. 
Isaac Vail, 
John Arnold, 
Job Tanner. 
Johannes Delong, 
Hezekiah Rogers, 
Ezekiel Rogers, 
Griffin Reynolds, 
Peter Harris, 
William Brewer, 
James M. Greedy, 
Abraham Hyatt, 
Gilbert Totten, 



APPENDIX B. 

Edward Tredwell, 
Elias Alley, 
Isaac Galton, 
Peter Harris, 
Judiah Jenkens, jr. 
Jonathan Jenkins, jr. 
Thomas Clark, 
John Bently, 
Nial Tripp, 
Daniel Fish, 
Judiah J. Bush, 
Solomon Force, 
John Wooley, 
William Tabor, 
Charles Heayelton, 
John Snider, 
Seth Smith, 
Jacob PZsmond, 
John Sweet, 
P^lisha Champlin, 
Joseph Halloway, 
Jacob Hutchins, jr. 
Peter Bull, 
Samuel Cornwell, 
Joseph Lawless, jr. 
Peter McGlus, 
John Hopins. 
Zephaniah Brown, 
Cornelius VanWyck, 
Joshua Carman, jr. 
John Melony, 
John Andrews, 
James Vosburgh, 
Jesse Oakley, 
Tillinghest Bently, 
Peter Noxon, 
Thomas Doxie, 
Henry Pearsall, 
Garret Mill, 
Johannes Lain, 
Henry Smith, 
John Hill, 
Andrew Cockrane, 
Timothy Force, 



Clear Everett, 
Benjamin Force, 
Seth Sprague, 
Benjamin Spencer.. 
Samuel Whitman, 
Mathew Coon, 
John Oats, 
James Eastwood, 
Lewis Shear, 
Israel Vail, 
David Storm, 
Jonathan Jenkins, 
Ezekiel Hubbard, 
Joseph Bonier, 
Joshua Mowry, 
Charles Newton, 
Henry Bailey, 
Francis Losee, 
William Shear, 
William Champlin, 
Philip Vincent, 
John Vinton, 
Stephen Forgoson, 
Jonathan West, 
John Kelley, 
Lodovick Sweet, 
George Sweet, 
David Storm, 
Salmag. Edwards, 
Stephen Townsend, 
Joshua Burch, 
David Brill, 
Nicholas Koons, 
Benjamin Birdsell, 
Christopher Wait, 
Ezekiel Smith, 
Benjamin J. Rush, 
Isaac J. Rush, 
Rowland Stafford. 
Nathaniel Sweet, 
Casy Eldridge, jr. 
Johannes Lossing.. 
Samuel Tomson, 
Benjamin Hall, 



Stephen Mo\very, 
Cornelius Maynarcl. 
Tobias Clements, 
Nathaniel Rogers, 
Andrew Carman, 
Albert Adriance, 
James Wiltse, 
Samuel Young, 
Daniel Lawrence, 
William B. Alger, 
Job Green, 
Wm. Humphrey, jr. 
Joseph Carman, . 
John Hegeman, 
George Losee, 
Johannes Acker, 
France Wiltse, 
Henry Cornell. 
Abel Simpson, 
Zachariali Flader, 



APPENDIX E. 

John Reisoner, 
Nehemiah Lester, 
John Losee, 
William Kelley, 
William Barber, 
Nathaniel Smith. 
Caleb Townsend, 
Myndert Harris, 
Obadiah Cooper, jr. 
John Hicks, 
Peter Leavens, 
Joel Edget, 
Peter Cartwright, 
George Cronkkill, 
Jonathan Alger, 
Jonathan Parks, 
John Fish, 
Woos Dakin, 
Digmus Kimrnee. 
John Comptor, 



487 

John Lamb, 
Jacob Rouse, 
Elijah Forgason, 
Elijah Forgason. jr. 
John Conger, 
David Pamer, 
David Abbet, 
Matthew Beck with,. 
Abraham Mosher,. 
David Cash, 
Amos Crandell, 
Pardon Fish, 
Sylvanus Cash, 
Thomas Bullock,. 
Henry Birdsell, 
Nathaniel Sol, 
Ebenezer Sol. 
David Brown, 
Samuel Ewery, 
Addom Bockus. 



Signers in Poughkeepsie, Duchess County, June and July. 

*775- 



Zephaniah Platt. 
Peter Tappen, 
Samuel Dodge, 
William Forman, 
John Baily, jr. 
Johannes Swartwout, 
Pieter Van Klcer.k, 
John Freer, 
Henry Livingston, jr, 
E.V.Van Bunschten, 
Robert North, 
Lewis Dtibois, 
Andrew Billings. 
Peter Low, 
Samuel Smith, 
James Livingston, 
Richard Davis, 
Law. Van Kleek, 
John Mott, 
Rich. V. Denburgh, 



Ezekiah Cooper, 
John Schenck, jr. 
Paul Schenck, 
Jacobus Freer, 
John Romyne, 
Andrew Wattles. 
Nathan Tray, 
Barent Lewis, 
Thomas Holmes, 
J. Van Bunschoten, 
Abraham Fort, 
Carel Hoefman, 
Henry HorT, 
Gorus Storm, 
Thomas Jacockes, 
Simon Freer, 
John Davis, 
Robert Noa, 
Isiah Bartly, 
John Schenck, jr. 



Hendrick Pells, 
BarnardusSwartwout 
Francis Jaycock, 
M. Van Keuren, 
Azariah Winchester. 
Henry Willsie, 
John Willsie, 
William Sawckes, 
Thomas Burnett, 
Gideon Boyse, 
Thomas Bont, 
William Lawson, jr. 
Abr m. Van Keuren. 
John Saunders, 
John Briener, 
Hans Berner, 
Hendrick Pells, jr. 
Johannes Kidney, 
Jacobus Schryver, 
Henry Hegeman,, 



488 

George Sands, 
Hobert Woddel, 
Myndert VanKleeck 
Benjamin Jaycock, 
Thomas Rowse, 
Isaac Poole, 
Jonathan Johnson, 
Aaron Reed, 
John Pilgrit, 
Peter Lossing, 
Peter Horn, 
William Burnett, 
James Elderkin, 
John Waterman, 
Johannes Fort, 
Simon W. Lossing, 
Mat. VanKeuren. jr, 
Sylvan us Greet vvaks, 
Henry Ellis, 
Henry VanBlercome, 
Simon Leroy, 
Henry Kip, 
Benoni Kip, 
A.braham Ban lay. 
M. VanDenbogart, 
Isaac Kornine, jr. 
Alexander Grigs, 
Simon Bartlett, 
Peter Tappen, 
Robert North, 
Ezekiel Coopar, 
William Terry, 
Alexander Haire, 
Thomas Poole, 
Tennis Tappen, 
Nathaniel Hemsted, 
George Brooks, 
Albo. Watervell, 
William Roach, 
Elias Freer, 
Leonard VanKleek, 
Richard Snedeker, 
F. VanDenbogart, 
Garrit VanW T agenen, 



APPENDIX B. 

Jas. VanKleek, 
Henry Bliss, 
Eli Read, 
Peter Low 
Larrine Lossing, jr. 
John Dubois, 
Casparos Westervelt, 
Lodovick Sypher, 
Christian Bush. 
Silvanus Beckwith, 
Alex. Chaucer, 
Caleb Carmen, Jr. 
John VanKleeck, 
John Seabmy, jr. 
Nathaniel Conklin, 
John Townsend, 
Andrew Billings, 
Samuel Corey, 
Tohm. Tappen, 
Henry Dodge, 
Jones Kelley, 
S. Hendrickson, 
Nathaniel Ashford, 
Andrew Weeks. 
John Ter Bush, 
Cornelius Noble, 
James Brisleen, 
fohn Maxneld, 
L. J. Van Kleeck, 
Lewis Dubois. 
Jacobus Freer, 
John Reed, 
Jacobus Roades, 
William Wilsey, 
Michael Yerry, 
Ephriam Adams, 
Joshua Moss, 
S. VanDenburgh, 
Nathaniel Dubois, 
C. R. Westervelt, 
Cornelius \Vestervelt 
C, B. Westervelt, 
P. Andes Lansing, 
William Annely, 



Win. D. Lawson, 
John C. Ringland, 
Gerrit VauVliet, 
Jeremiah Dubois, 
Jacob V. Denburgh, 
John Johnson, 
Abraham Pitt, 
Samuel Cooke, 
James Winans, 
John Seabury, 
William Forman, 
Henry Livingston, 
S. VanVoorhees, 
John Conkling, 
Mathew Conkling, 
Thomas Travis, 
Zachariah Burwell, 
Tunis Hannes, 
Mathew DuBois, 
E. VanBunschoten, 
Martin Bush, 
Hendrick Bush, 
James Luckey, 
Samuel Luckey, 
Abraham Ferden, 
Peter F. Valleau, 
Peter VanVliet, 
Robert Hoffman, 
William Jones, 
Jacob Low, 
Bernardus Swartnout 
J. L. VanKleeck, 
Minnard Swartwout, 
John Swartwout. 
Frederick VanVliet, 
Lemuel Howell, 
Abraham Swartwout, 
Richard Everett, 
Mathias Sharp, 
John C. Hill, 
John. T. Van Kleeck, 
Dorthir Conner, jr. 
James Reed, 
Richard Warner, 



William Kelley, 
James Lewis, 
George Shanhan, 
Wilhelmus Ploegh, 
Geleyn Ackerman, 
Joel Dubois, 



APPENDIX B. 

Peter Mullin, 

Simon Leroy. Jr. 

David Butcher, 

Peter VanDewater, 

Edward Symmonds. Jacob Ferris, 

Cornelius Viele, Omar Ferris, 



489 



John Robinson, 
John Bailey, jr. 
J. VanDenBogart, 
Caleb Carmen, 



The following is a true return of the names of the Inhabi 
tants and Freeholders of the District allotted to us, that signed 
the Association : 



Samuel Kie, 
Hugh Rea, 
Elisha Mead, 
Robert Orr, 
John Orr, 
Jehial Mead, 
Joseph Loggan. 
William Smile, 
John Crandle, 
Hugh Orr, 
William Parks, 
John Bartell, 
Stephen Edgast, 
John A very, 
George Edgaat, jr. 
Jonathan Smith, 
John Horn, 
Samuel Crandell, 
William Robbins, 
Peleg Horton, 
Michael Manrneld, 
Daniel Wilson, 



Samuel Mott. 
Ebenezer Young, 
David Love, 
Daniel Parks. 
David Hamblin, 
P. Knickerbacker, Sr. 
L. Knickerbacker, 
P. Knickerbacker, jr. 
J. Knickerbacker, 
P.obert Wilson, 
James Wilson, jr. 
Moses Fish, 
John Carpenter, 
Barent Van Kleeck, 
John Wilson, 
John Carey, 
Gulman Alitzer. 
Matthew Orr, 
William Rea. 
Joseph Foster, 
Jesse Ferris, 
Winthrop Norton, 



Joseph Palmer, jr. 
Johnynal Meton, 
James Hedding, 
Silence Jackson, 
Asahel Owemer, 
Oliver Evans, 
Seth Fish, 
Isaac Winans, 
Jeremiah GifTers, 
James Wilson, Sen. 
Frederick Stickles, 
John Link, 
John Fulton, 
John Rouse, 
Edward Edsel, 
Benjamin Soule, 
John Way, 
J. Salisbury, Sen. 
David Bostwick, 
Elijah Lake, 
Joseph Palmer. 



P. KNICKERBOCKER, DANIEL WILSON, |_ Committee 
HUGH ORR, J. REISENBURGER. ) Northeast Pr c t 



Ebenezer Bishop, 
Levi Stalker, 
Cornelius Fuller, 
David Bulkley, 
Thomas Crosby, 
Joseph Jackson, 



David St. John, 
Thomas Crosby, jr. 
Renel Seton, 
Benjamin Crosby, 
John Seton, 
Comfort Stalker, 



Vincent Foster, 
John Wilkie, 
Ebenezer Crane, jr. 
Philip Hart, 
Charles Trupell, 
Wheaton Robinson, 



Benjamin Covey, 
fames Coval, 
Caleb Woodard, 



490 APPENDIX B. 

Ebenezer Merrit, James Winchell 

George Morehouse, Jonathan Grenell, 

Levi Rawlee, Joseph Stalker, 

Ebenezer Crane, Thomas Townsend, 

DUCHESS County. Nine Partners, Northeast "} 
Precinct, July 5 th, 1775, J 

The above is a true return of the names of those in this 
District that were willing to sign this Association. 

Gov. MOREHOUSE, per Sub Committee. 



Duchess County, Amenia Precinct, 



Simeon Cook, 
Ichabod Paine, 
William Barker, 
Job Mead, 
Jonathan Shepherd, 
Elijah Holmes, 
Isnel Shepperd, 
Abner Giliet, 
Jacob Power, 
Barnabas Paine, jr. 
Noah Hopkins, 
Elias Besse, 
Ichabod Paine, jr. 
James Barker, 
Noah Wheeler, 
Daniel Garnsey, 
Samuel King, jr. 
Benjamin Brown, 
Mathew Stevens, 
William Finch, 
Joseph Smith, 
Thomas Lawrence, 
Ebenezer Carter, 
Theoph. Lockwood, 
Levi Mayhew. 
John Howard, 
William Ford, 
Jesse Kinne, 
Daniel Shepherd, 
Roswell Hopkins, 



Samuel King, 
Abraham Paine, 
John Brunson, 
Simeon Cook, jr. 
James Hebbard, 
Samuel Shepherd, j 
David Bruster, 
Elihu Paine, 
Asahel Sherwood, 
John Brunson, jr. 
Elijah Daily, 
Thomas Corn well, 
David Giliet, 
Ebenezer Ways, 
David Rundel, 
Thorn Putney, 
James Elowo.th, jr. 
Barzillai Riidd, 
Rufus Herri ck, 
Brinton Paine, 
Judah Burton, 
James Betts, 
Benjamin Holmes, 
John McNeil, 
Samuel Herrick, 
John Curry, 
Shulel Tyler, 
Jonathan Brack,. 
David Collin, 
Zebulon Rudd, 



June and July, 1775. 

Peter Morse, 
Paul Johnson, 
Nathan Spuer, 
Israel Buck, 
John Thayer, 
r. Joseph DeLavergne, 
Eben. Jones, 
Jacob Cook, 
Solomon Wheeler, 
Thomas Morey, 
James Palmer, 
Elijah Smith, 
Nehemiah Dunham, 
Gardner Giliet, 
Barnabas Paine, 
Joseph Backus, 
Elnathan Spalding, 
Levi Atwater, 
Elijah Porter, 
John Atwater, 
Ezra Thurston, 
Samuel Dodge, 
Thomas Welch, 
Stephen Herrick, jr. 
Squire Davis, 
Abel Hebbard, 
Elisha Adams, 
Ebenezer Latimer, 
Ichabod Holmes, 
Samuel Waters, 



Justus Wilson, 
William Wynants, jr. 
Jesse Smith, jr. 
Enoch Crosby, 
John Mordack, 
Ebenezer Park, 
William King, 
Grover Bull, 
Isaac Parks, 
Parrock Sherwood, 
William Corn well, 
Samuel Cornwell, 
Lewis DeLavergne, 
Archibald Farr, 
King Mead, 
Seth Wheeler, 
Robert Wood, 
Zadock Buck, 
Timothy Tilson. 
Jacob Spuer, 
John Osborne, 
John Mead, 
Grover Buel. jr. 
Barnabas Cole, 
Jonathan Allerton, 
Benjamin Crofoot, 
Benjamin Denton, jr. 
Joel Denton, 
Benjamin Denton, 
Jacob Reynolds, 
James Beadle, 
Benjamin Fouler, 
William Knapp, 
Abner Holmes, 
Nathan Herrick, 
Isaiah Mead, 
Thomas Smith, 
Gabriel Dickson, 
Timothy Green, 
John Holmes, 
Ezekiel Johnson, 
William Alsworth, 
John Denny, jr. 
William Wi lsey, 



APPENDIX B. 

John Bartow, 
Elijah Roe, 
Isaac Marks, 
James Barnet, 
Gideon Castle, 
Nathaniel Cook, 
Benjamin Vaun, 
Samuel Holmes, 
Stephen Minns, 
Jabez Crippin, 
Laurence Wiltsie, 
Joseph Fowler, 
John Denton, 
Eli Burton, 
Sam l Thompson, 
John Ford, 
John Thurston, 
Wm. McCollough, 
Jonathan Fish, 
John Farr, 
John Douglass, 
David Waters, 
Lemuel Brush, 
Abraham Slocum, 
John Mead, 
John Freeman, 
Joel Wash burn, 
Nathan Gates, 
Thomas Thomas, 
John Seymour, 
Stephen Warren. 
Eleazer Gilson, 
Moses Gillet, 
Lemuel Shirtliff, 
Abiah Mott, 
Samuel W T est, 
John Cline, 
Jehea Rogers, 
Robert Freeman, 
Abraham Adams, 
Isaac Burton, 
Daniel Blaksly, 
Robert Wilson, 
Joel Ketcham, 



491 

Ebenezer Hinns, 
Richard Brush, 
Benjamin Herrick, 
Edward Perlee, 
Toest Power, 
Elijah Wood, 
Reuben Wilson, 
Daniel May, 
Moses Harris, jr. 
William Reynolds, 
John Barnet, jr. 
James Ford, 
John Jones, 
Jason Hammond, 
David Trusdel, 
James Mead. 
Alexander Hewson r 
Jared Brace. 
Eliakim Reed, jr. 
Samuel Dunham, 
John Tomer, 
Martin Delamater, 
Joseph Doty, 
Samuel Sniter. 
Joseph Penoyer, 
Samuel Johnson, 
Jeduthan Gray, 
Ichabod Rogers, jr. 
Elijah Freeman, 
Peter Slavebean, 
Solomon Shavelean, 
William Blust, 
Monmouth Purdy, 
Jacob Elliot, 
Stephen Reynolds, 
Joshua Talent, 
Ezra Cleavland, 
Samuel Thompson, 
John Coy, 
Stephen Herrick, 
William Adams, 
Ephraim Ford, 
Abraham Adams, jr. 
Weight Willeman, 



APPENDIX B. 



Daniel Davison, 
James Dickson, 
Elisha Latimore, 
John Collins, 
Job Wilk, 
Adin Tubbs, 
Samuel Jarvis, 
Lot Levitt, 
John Boyd, 
Mathew Vandeusen, 
Nathaniel Swift, 
Eleazer Morton. 
Isaac Osburn, 
Jonathan Hunter, 
Samuel Swift, 
Benjamin Crippen, 
David Payne, 
Seth Kelly, 
Nathaniel Pinney, 
Ebenezer Bosse, 
Joseph Grey, 
Josiah Marsh, 
James Smith, jr. 
Beriah Thomas, 
Isaac Burton, jr. 
Nathaniel Foster, 
John Drake, 
David Brown, 
William Moulton, 
Ezra Bryan, 
James Allen, 
John Benedict, 
Versal Dickinson, 
William Brush, 
Platt Smith, 
Josiah Webb, 
Sylvester Handley, 
Elijah Hinns, 
Samuel Benedict, 
John Bennet. 
Jared Rundel, 
Joel Thurston, 
Asahel Winegar, 
Reuben Doty, 



William Hunt, 
Nicholas Row, 
Samuel Gray, 
Simeon Reed, 
Samuel Southworth, 
Elisha Hollifler, 
Benjamin Maxam, 
Samuel Palmer, 
Obadiah Mathews, 
Daniel Sage, 
James Chapman, 
Daniel Harvey, 
Thed. Wanning. 
Amos Penoyer, 
Joseph Gillet, 
James B. Rowe, 
Abner Shabalier, 
Jonas Adams, 
Thomas Ailey, 
David Randle, 
Benjamin Sage, 
Moses Brown, 
John Scott, 
Gerardus Gates, 
Elkanah Stephens. 
John Mears, 
Geroham Reed, 
Moses Barlow, 
Solomon Armstrong, 
Thomas Ganong, 
Elihu Beard, jr. 
Nathan Palmer, 
John DeLemetter, 
Wm. Chamberlain, 
William Hall, 
Robert Freehart, 
.Andrew Stephens, 
Josiah Cleavland, 
John Connor, 
Richard Larrabe, 
Zedekiah Brown, 
Henry Barnes, 
Jonah Barnes, 
Benjamin Johns, 



Ebenezer Larrabe, 
Ezra St. Johns, 
Obed Harvey, 
Robert Patrick, 
Nathan Barlow, 
Simson Hellsy, 
Zadoc Knapp, 
Benjamin Hollister, 
John Sackett, jr. 
Robert Hebard, 
Joshua Losel, 
John Merchant, 
Daniel Castle, 
Abraham French, 
Levi Orton, 
Peter Klyn. 
Ledyard J. Charts, 
Isaac Delamater, 
Thiel Lamb, 
Benjamin Delane, 
Daniel Webster, 
Samuel Judson, 
William Mitchell, 
Henry Winegar, 
William Young, 
John Barry, 
James Reed, 
John Chamberlain, 
Colbe Chamberlain, 
Elijah Reed, 
Seelye Trowbridge, 
Asa Fort, 
Barnabas Gillet, 
Elijah Smith, 
John Lloyd, 
Ephraim Besse, 
Robert Johnson, 
Jonathan Pike, 
Gilbert Willett, 
Thomas Mygatt, 
Isaac Lamb, 
Elias Shavilier, 
Ezra Reed, 
Dan. Barry, 



David Doty, 
John Sackett. 
Garrett Winegar. 
Walter Lathrop. 
Ezekiel Sackett. 
Increase Child, 
Elisha Carlow, 
Corns. Atherton, 



APPENDIX B. 

Reuben Doty, 
Sylvannus Nye, 
Edmund Bramball, 
Stephen Delano, 
Obed Harvey, jr. 
Silas Roe, 
Nathaniel Gates, 
Caleb Dakin, 



493: 

George Sornburgh, 
FrederickSornburgh, 

Isaac Darrovv, 
Joseph Adams, 
Conrad Winegar.. 
Silas Marsh, 
Bower Slason. 
Seth Dunham. 



Signers in Rhinebeck Precinct, Duchess County. 



Petrus TenBroeck, 
P. G. Livingston, 
George Sheldon. 
William Beam. 
John VanNess, 
Herman Hoffman. 
Ananias Cooper. 
David VanNess, 
Egbert Benson. 
Jacoc Hermanse. 
Andrias Hermanse. 
Peter Hermanse, 
Zach. Hoffman, jr. 
Martin e Hoffman, 
Zach arias Hoffman, 
Abraham Cole, 
James Everett. 
William Pitcher, jr. 
Jacob More, jr. 
Christian Mohr. 
Lodowick Ensell, 
Isaac Wai work. 
Samuel Green, 
Peter T raver, 
Andrew Simon. 
Jacob Fisher. 
Samuel Elmandorph, 
Zacharias Backer, 
Johannes Hannule, 
Johannes Richter. 
Levi Jones, 
Isaac Cole. 



Hendrick Miller, 
Simon Coel, jr. 
Frederick Weir, 
John Banks, 
H. I. Knickerbocker, 
William Tuttle, 
Stephen Sears. 
Joseph Ellsworth. 
Jacob Thomas, 
Philip Fuller, 
Harm en Whitbeck, 
Evart Vosburgh, 
[ohn Moore, 
Petrus Backer, 
Jonnes Backer, 
Coenradt Lescher, 
Michael Sheffel, 
Goetlieb Mardin. 
Hendrick Mardin. 
David Martin, 
Cornelius Swart, 
James Adams, 
Daniel Ogden, 
Joseph Younck, 
Christian Fero, 
Reyer Schermerhorn 
Wilhelmus Smith. 
Frederick Moul, 
George Reystorf, 
Joseph Rogers, 
Benjamin Bogardus, 
Hans Kierstead, 



Isaac Kipp. 
Jacob J. Kipp. 
Philip J. Moore, 
Nicholas Hoffman.. 
John Williams, 
Joseph Lawrence. 
Jeab Vosburg, 
James Douglass. 
John Garrison, 
Nicholas Hermanse. 
Philip Bonastcal. 
Simon C. Sole. 
Andres Michel. 
John Lewis, 
Christeaun Miller. 
William Klum, 
Johannes Miller. 
Jacob Schermerhorn. 
C. Schermerhorn. 
Reyer Hermans, 
Jacob Hermanse, 
William Pitcher, 
Wilhelmus Pitcher; 
John Hermanse. 
Godfrey Gay, 
Hendrick Teter. 
Johannes Smith. 
Jeab Meyer, 
William Harrison, 
Christoff Schneyd, 
Christopher Fitch, 
John Schermerhorn. 



494 



APPENDIX B. 



Henry Waterman, jr. Henry Shop, 
Jeab Waterman, John Balist, 



Peter Scoot, 
Jonathan Scoot, 

Helmes Heermanse, John Mitchell, 

Corn. Elmendorph, Simnn Schoot, Jr. 

Philip Staats, 

John Staats, 

Peter Staats, 

Isaac Beringer, jr. 

William Waldorn, 

Frederick Benner, 

John Hermanse, 

Stoffle Waldorn, 

Johannes Benner, 

George Sharp, 

Jacob Elemendorph, Christeaun Backer, Lemuel Mulford, 
Jan Elmendorph, William RadclifT, James Lewis, 

H. Waldorph, jr. 

Henrich Benner, 

Jacob Moul, Sen. 

B. Van Steenburgh, Andrew Bowan, 

Johns. Van Keuren, Martines Burger, 

Tobias Van Keuren, Johannes Scutt, 

John Klum, Jacob Sickner, jr. 

Godfrey Hendrick, Barent V. Wagenen 

Jacob Beringer, William Dillman, 

John Bender, Cornelius Miller, 

Zacharias Whiteman Simon Millham, 



Henry Beekman, 
Evert V. Wagner, 
Art. V. Wagener, 
Philip Hermanse, 
Thomas Lewis, 
Hendrick Livey, 
Everhart Rydders, 
Henry Kuncke, 
George Stetling, 
Elias Hinneon, 
Samuel Haines, 
Peter Ledervyck, 



Patt Hogan, 
Evart Hermanse, 
John Cole, 
Petrus Pitcher, 
Zacharias Root, 
Edward Wheeler, 
Peter Hoffman, 
William Beringer, 
Conrad Beringer, 
Henry Klum, jr. 
C. Osterhoudt, 
Peter Cole, 
Simon Kod, 
Jacob Maul, 



William Schoot, Jr. 

Jacob Lewis, 

Jacobus Kip, 

William Skepmus, 

Johannes P. V. Wood, 

John Haass, 

V. Frad en burgh, 

R. J. Kip, 

P. VanFradenburgh, 

David Mulford, 



Peter DeWitt, 
John Pawling, 
Albartus Sickner, 



Joseph Hebart, 
William Schultzs, 
John Blair, 



Everardus Bovardee, Thomas Greves, 



Simon Westfall, 
Jacob Tremper, 
Henry Litmer, 
John Mares, 
Isaac Mares, 
James Ostrander, 



Michael Schatzel, 
Peter Shopf, 
Hendrick Moon, 
Herri ck Bern 



rger, 

Johannes Turck, 
John White, jr. 

Christopher Weaver, John Cowles, 
Peter Westfall, jr. Herman Duncan, 
Henry Gisselbergh, John Denness, 
W.Van Vredenburgh William Waldron, 
Jacob Kip, Cornelius Demond, 

Jacob A. Kip, S. V. Bunscoten, 



Jacob Millham, 
Lawrence Millham, 
John Weaver, jr. 
Benj. Osterhoudt, 
Henry Burgess, jr. 
Uriah Bates, 
William McClure, 
Joshua Chember, 
Jacob Sickner, 
J, VanAken, 
Peter VanNauker, 
Jacob N. Scriver, 
Paul Gruber, 
Solomon Powell, 
Henry Bull, 
George Bull, 



John Tremper, 



B. Van Vredenburgh, William Powell, 



APPENDIX B. 495 

Caspar Haberlan, Nicholas Stickle, jr. Peter Radcliff, 

Thomas Humphry, Abraham Scott, C. Wenneberger, 

Christ. Deninarh, William Troophage, Johannes Benner, 

Abraham Westfall, Alexander Campbell, Jacob Benner, 

John McFort, Abraham Kip, Jacob Folant, 

William Carney, Peter Brown, John Rogers, 

Philip Feller, jr. Jacob Shultz, Nicholas Stickle, 

Nicholas Binestal, John Huffman, Jacob Tell, 

Philip Binestal, jr. Henry Freligh, jr. John Sater, 

Zach Neer, R. Vhoevanburgh, 



The New York Journal, first established in the city of New 
York by John Holt, in 1734, was removed to Poughkeepsie in 
1776, in consequence of the British occupation. In 1785 its 
name was changed to 77/6 Poughkeepsie Journal, in 1786 to 
the Country Journal and Poughkeepsie Advertiser, \\\ 1789 to 
The Country Journal and Duchess a/id Ulster Family Register, 
in 1808 to 77/6 Poughkeepsie Journal and Constitutional 
Republican, in 1812 to The Poughkeepsie Journal, in 184411 
was united with The Eagle, and in 1850 its name was changed 
to THE POUGHKEEPSIE EAGLE, under which title it is still 
published by Platt & Platt. 

The New York Packet and American Advertiser, by Samuel 
Louden, was removed from New York when the British took 
possession of the city, and was first issued at Fishkill October 
ist, 1776. It was again removed to New York after the war. 

The Barometer, commenced by Isaac Mitchell in 1802, was 
changed to The Political Barometer in 1809. and next to The 
Northern Politician^ and was soon after discontinued. 

77/<? Farmer was published in Poughkeepsie in 1806-7. 

77/6 Republican Herald was started in Nov. 181 1, by Stock 
holm and Brownjohn, and was continued until 1823. 

The Duchess Observer was first started in May 18)5, by 
Barnum and Nelson, and in 1856 it was united with The 
Telegraph, and issued as The Poughkeepsie Telegraph and 
Observer. In 1841 it was changed to The Telegraph, and was 
published by Killey and Lossing. In 1852 it was united with 
The Democrat, and issued as The Poughktepsie Telegraph and 
Duchess Democrat. It is now issued as THE POUGHKEEPSIE 
TELEGRAPH, by E. B. Osborne. 



496 APPENDIX B. 

The Republican Telegraph was first issued in May, 1824.. 
by Wm. Sands and Isaac Platt. 

The Duchess Intelligencer was first issued April 1828, by 
Ames & Parsons. In 1833 it was united with the Republican^ 
and in 1834 its name was changed to the Poughkeepsie Eagle ^ 
and in 1844 it was united with the [ournal. 

The Duchess Inquirer was started in August 1829, by Peter 
KL. Allen. In 1830 it was changed to the Anti- Mason, and 
was discontinued the following year. 

The Poughkeepsie Cask?tw& published by Killey & Lossing 
in 1836. 

The Free Press was started in Fishkillin 1841, by Frederick 
W. Ritter. In 1842 it was removed to Poughkeepsie, and its 
name changed to the Duchess Free Press, and was continued 
until 1844. 

The Anti-Bank Democrat (monthly) was issued from the 
office of the Free Press in 1843. 

The American was started in November 1845, by Augustus 
T. Cowman, afterward changed to the Poughkeepsie American, 
and in 1853 to the Duchess Democrat. In 1856 it was united 
with the Telegraph. 

The Daily City Press was commenced at Poughkeepsie in 
May, 1852, by Nichols, Bush & Co. It was soon changed to 
THE DAILY PRESS, which is still issued by E. B. Osborne. 

The Independent Examiner was started in February 1855 
by Henry A. Gill, and was discontinued in 1858. 

The American Banner was started at Poughkeepsie in 
1856 by Charles J, Ackert. In 1857 it was removed to Fish- 
kill and changed to Duchess Co. Times. 

THE FISHKILL STANDARD was started in August 1842, at 
Fishkill Landing, by Wm. R. Addington, and is now issued by 
J. W. Spaight. 

THE FISHKILL JOURNAL was started in 1853 by H. A. 
Guild, and discontinued in 1855. It was again revived, and 
is now issued by G. W. Owens. 

THE RHINEBECK GAZETTE was established in 1846 by Smith 
& Carpenter, and in 1850 was united with the Mechanic. It is 
now in charge of W. W. Hegeman. 

The American Mechanic was started in Poughkeepsie in 



APPENDIX B. 497 

1849 by Geo. W. Clark. It was removed to Rhinebeck and 
united with the Gazette, in 1850. 

The Rhinebeck Advocate was published by Robert Marshall 
in 1840. It was then changed to the Duchess County Advocate. 
Discontinued about 1850. 

THE AMENTA TIMES was started in Amenia in April 1852, 
under the charge of Joel Benton. It is now published by 
DeLacey & Walsh. 

THE RED HOOK JOURNAL was commenced in April 1859, 
by L. Piester, and is now published by A. Piester. 

The Paw ling Pioneer was started in Pawling in 1870, by 
P. H. Smith, and was discontinued in 1875. 

THE DUCHESS FARMER was established in 1869, by Egbert 
B. Killey, and is now issued by Mrs. N. S. Killey. 

THE DAILY NEWS was commenced in 1868, by T. G. 
Nichols. It is now published by John O. Whitehouse. 

THE SUNDAY COURIER was first issued Dec. i5th, 1872. by 
T. G. Nichols, by whom it is yet published. 

THE WAPPINGERS CHRONICLE was started in 1870 by D. S. 
Dougherty. 

THE MATTEAWAN OBSERVER was commenced in 1876, by P. 
H. Vosburgh. 

THE WAPPINGERS ERA was first issued in 1876, by 
Winch ell & Roman. 

THE MILLERTON JOURNAL was established in 1876, by 
Eggleston & Deacon. 



FAMILY GENEALOGY. 

COLE. Joseph Cole, m.* Smalley; left Jotham, Elisha, 

Joseph, Daniel, Nathan, Ebenezer, John, Eunice Merritt (i), 
Crosby (2), Hannah Hopkins, Priscilla Towmend, and Mercy 
Ballard. Elisha m. Charity Hazen ; left Reuben, Obadiah, 
Daniel, David, Elisha, John, Joshua, Elizabeth Agor, and Hannah 
Baxter. Joseph m. Hannah Berry ; left Berry, Joseph, Samuel, 
Nathan, Asahel, Levi, Ramah, Anna Green, Susannah Nichols, 

* Abbreviations. in. stands for married,!), for born, d. died; (1) and (2) signifies 
husband or wife bv the first or second marriage. The -words in italics denote the names 
assumed after marriage. 

f2 



498 APPENDIX B. 

Ruth Chase, Cynthia Hopkins. Daniel m. Susannah Ogden ; 
left John, Daniel, Jesse, Elisha, Margaret Hall (i), Wilson(2), 
Sally Hall, Polly Frost, Viola Norton, Hannah Cole. 

BELDEN. Silas Belden, b. 1717, m. Jane Knickerbacker, 
b. 1721. Left Silas, Mary, Abigail, Lawrence, Catherine, Jane, 
and Elizabeth. Silas m. Dorcas Gillett ; left Joseph, Dorcas, 
Sally, Eliphal, Jane and Lois. Lawrence m. Susannah Wheel 
er ; left Mary, John, Elizabeth Simmons, Sarah Nase, Susan 
Gregory, Catherine Perry, Silas, Jr., and Lawrence, Jr. Jane 
m John Tabor ; left Oscar. Jane Ann, Emeline Preston, 
Charles, Maria, William. Lois m. James Ketcham ; left 
Maria Mabbett, David, John M. Joseph m. - - Tabor ; left 
Tabor, Silas, Hannah Ketcham, Silas T., Lois Beny, Eliza 
Allerton. John m. Hannah DeForest ; left Henry,, George, 
Charles, William, David, Lawrence, Belden. Silas m. Jane M. 
Gregory; left Uriah, Jane Ann, John H., Sarah K. Stevens, 
David K., Francis G. Lawrence, Jr., m. Louisa K. Gregory ; 
left Charles H., Theodore E., Mary A. Tabor m. Myra Aller 
ton ; left Lucy Stevens, Joseph, Ann E., Maria. Silas T. m. 
Cornelia A. Northrop; left Harriet L. Evans, William N., 
George T., Mary E. 

PEARCE. John Pearce left Nathan Pearce, who married 
Elizabeth Spink, and left Ephraim, Nathan, Col. William, Me- 
hitable Walker, - -Potter. Col. William m. Chloe Cary (i) ; 
left Abigail S/ierman, Henry, Benoni, Mary Halloway ; m. 
Lydia Birdsall (2) ; left William, Lydia Howland. Henry m. 
Rebecca Birdsall ; left Sarah Howland, Amy Stark, Roxana 
Stark, Henry, Benoni, Nathaniel, Rebecca Shove. Benoni m. 
Lydia Dodge ; left Nathan. 

AKIN. David Akin m. Sarah ; left John, Jonathan. 

John m. Margaret Hicks; left John, Jr., Abigail Toffey, Ann 
Worth, Sarah Wanzer, Molly Fen-is. Jonathan m. Lillius 
Ferris; left Isaac, William, and Peter. John, Jr., m. Molly 
Ferris ; left Albro, Daniel, Sally Tibbets, Ann Field, Margaret 
Vanderburgh, and Amanda Jacacks. Albro m. Paulina Van- 
derburgh (i^; left Albert J., Almira V. Jones, and Helen M. 
Taylor-, Sarah Merritt (2) ; Jemima Jacacks (3) ; left Mary J., 
William H., Cornelia, Gulielma, Amanda., Annie, Caroline. 
Isaac m. Anna Wing; left Jonathan and Martha Merritt. 
William m. - - Carey ; left Oliver, Frederick, Ebenezer, 
David, Helen Taber, Martha and Caroline. Peter m. - 
Ferris ; left Matthew, William, Isaac, Lillius Leach, - 
Skidmore. 



APPENDIX B. 499 

VANDERBURGH. James Vanderburgh m. Margaret Noxon 
(i) ; left Elizabeth Cornwell (i), Bently (2), Henry, Bartholo 
mew, James, Jun , Magdalena, Peter and Stephen ; Helena 
Clark (2) ; left William, Margaret, Richard, Gabriel Ludlow, 
Egbert Benson, Clarissa, George W., Paulina, Almira, Federal 
and Caroline. Elizabeth m, John Cornwell (i) ; left John and 
Polly ; Taber Bently (2) ; left Helen, Eliza Austin, Magdalen 
Coffin, James, William, Hallet, Helen Sweet. Henry m. Getty 
Cary; left Margaret, John, Lewis, Martin, Susan, Richard, 
Catherine, Lucinda, Fanny Sturges, Maria Flagler, Eliza 
Dutton. James, Jr., m. - - Roseceaull (i) ; left Henry, 
James, Joshua, Polly, Depew, Phebe Hulse ; m. - - Jessup 
(2) ; left Jane, Caroline, and Federal. Peter m. - Whit- 
lock ; left Louisa, Cecilia Everson, Harriet Matheson, John, 
James. Margaret Vanderburgh m. - Hamlin ; left Clarissa 
Nelson, Paulina, Pamela, Fanny Lee, Caroline, Harriet Bryan, 
James, Almira Simpson, John, and Maria Babcock. Richard 
m. - - Russell ; left Reuben, and Lydia Curtis. Gabriel 
Ludlow m. - - Akin ; left Jane Wells, Frederick H., John 
James, Annie A. Thompson. Clarissa m. - - Van Wyck ; 
left Eliza Miller, Robert, James, Cornelius, Rodman, Gilbert, 

George, Almira Wait, Caroline Miller. Geo. W. m. 

Haxtun ; left Rhoda, Helen Tomlinson, James, Benjamin 
Haxtun, and Amelia Sterling. Paulina m. Albro Akin ; left 
Albert J., Almira Jones, Helen Taylor. Federal Van. m. - 
Bordman ; left lA&iy James, and Charlotte McKim. Catherine 
m. - Rowland ; left Adeline Brown, Helen Coffin, Mary 
Wheeler. 

BRILL. John Brill, m. Elizabeth Peck; left John I. Brill, 
John I. m. Hannah Cornell ; left Henry, Solomon, William, 
Daniel, Cornell, Philip F., Polly Adriance, Elizabeth Doughty, 
Hannah Sherman, Almira Lamoree. Henry m. Elizabeth 
Dennis ; left Solomon, Isaac D., John H., Phebe Holmes, 
Daniel, Horatio, Tamer Cypher, Cyrenius, Frederick, Hannah. 
Daniel m. Maribeth Doughty; left Mary Peters, George, John, 
Jacob, Thomas, Ricketson, Henry, Elizabeth Rogers, and 
Charles. Cornell m. Polly Ricketson (i); left Jemima, and 
Rowland ; Eleanor Emigh, (2) ; left Mary Elizabeth. Polly 
Brill m. Jacob Adriance (i); left Charles, Caroline Rogers, 
John, Jacob, and William; m. John Hopkins (2), left Benja 
min, Gilbert, Sarah Knox, and Solomon. Elizabeth m. Joseph 
Doughty (i); left Hannah M. Sheldon, Sophia Sheldon, Thomas 
J., Phebe J. Hopkuis ; m. Jay Doughty (2); left Joseph, Eliza- 



500 APPENDIX B. 

beth and Sarah. Hannah m. Benjamin Sherman; left John, 
Charles, Alexander, Maria, Walter, Phebe E. Cary, and Wil 
liam. Almira m. Daniel Lamoree, left Elizabeth, John, Martha, 
Mary, William, and Armini. 

FERRIS. Zachariah Ferris had a son Benjamin, who had 
a son Reed. These were the ancestors of the Ferris family in 
DUCHESS COUNTY. Edmond Ferris m. Sarah Akin (i); left 

John ; m. Taber (2); left Thomas Taber, and Hannah 

Morehouse. John m. - Clock; left John A., Henrietta, 
Abigail Sheldon, and Orange. Thomas Tabor m. Margaret 
Seaman; left Jane Ann, Edwin R., John G., Reid, and William 
.H. Hannah m. - Morehouse; left Albert. Edmond m. 

- Burch (3); left Oliver, Ira, Willett, Amy Morehouse, 
Deborah Burdick, and Sophia Johnson ; m. - - Birdsall (4); 
left Nancy, Minerva, Matilda, Sally, Priscilla, Philo, Horace, 
Ransom, Garrett, Alfred. Willett Ferris m. Margaret Salmon; 
left Herman, Cynthia Ann Newman, John, Jane Cook, James, 
Perry, George, Louisa Dcnton. Horace Ferris m. - 
Bently;. left Clarissa, Matilda Corbin, Walter, Ellen, Mary, Jane, 
Phebe, Edmond, Eliza, Elmore, Alfred, Louisa, Richard, and 
Leroy. 

LATTIN. Benjamin Lattin m. Deborah Holmes (i) ; left 
Leah Wood, Josias, Adolphus, Nathaniel and William ; m. 
Freelove Wright (2); left Deborah Wood, Wright, Benjamin, 
Jun., Sally Dubois, and Freelove Holmes. Josias m. Deborah 
Angevine. Adolphus m. Abbey Wright; left Jacob, Daniel, 
Henry, Deborah, Lanesha, Degrove, and Carlinda. Nathaniel 
m. Sally Allen; left Joseph, Deborah, John, William, Jane 
Maria. William m. Judith Wood; left Adolphus and Alvira. 
Deborah m. Abraham Wood; left Julia Ann, Benjamin L., 
Perline, Deborah, Mary, Jerome, Mahlon, John, Freelove, 
Joseph B., Sarah, and Joel T. Wright m. Maria Flagler; left 
Horace, Mary, Cordelia, Eunice, and Dorcas. Benjamin 
Jun., m. Mary Clark; left John, Alfred, Hannah T., George, 
Emeline, Morris, Benjamin, Mary Louisa, and Jerome, Sally 
m. Peter K. Dubois; left Henry, Koert, Cornelius, Egbert, 
Elizabeth, Mary, Robert and* Sarah. Freelove m. Joshua W. 
Holmes; left Bradford, Jane, Sally D., Irene, Joseph W., 
Benjamin L., Mary, Freelove Ann, and George W. 

HOLMES. William Holmes m. Phebe Cromwell ; left 
Nathaniel, Joseph, Isaac, Benjamin, Samuel, Wheeler C., Sally, 
Jemima, and Joshua W. Joseph m. Mary Allen ; left Phebe 
Pells, Jane, W illiam, Allen J., John C., Sally Jemima Wood. 



APPENDIX B. 5OI 

Isaac m. Jemima Peters ; left William, Hewlett P., Mary Ann 
Divine (i), Barton (2), George, Rhoda Mott, Samuel, Phebe 
jane, Collins, and Hannah Peters. Wheeler C. m. Phebe 
Allen (r); left Sally Maria, Allen, Nathaniel, Joel O., and 
William C. ; m. Betsey Crawford (2); left Mary, Elizabeth, 
Phebe, Isaac, Freelove Vandewater, Andrew J., Jemima, Jesse 
and Catherine. Joshua W. m. Freelove Lattin children s 
names given in gen. of Lattin family. 

HAYNES.* Asa Haynes left Wright, Stephen, Asa, and 
Charles. His brother, Caleb Haynes, m. Sophia Billings ; left 
Sanford, Caleb 2nd., Hannah Keeler, and Lucy Howard. 
Caleb 2nd, m. Deborah Lewis ; left Andrew, Sylvester, Charles, 
James, Chauncey, William, Peleg, Sarah Sheldon, Lewis, and 
Caleb 3d. Lucy m. Thomas Howard ; left Thomas, James, 
Patience, Hannah Gerow, Laura, Lucy Gerow, Sophia, Jane. 
Andrew m. Phebe Howard ; left Maria, Richard, Sarah, William, 
Deborah, Amy, Belden, Mary, Garretson, Jane. Charles m. 
Polly Spaulding; AlboA., Harriet Waters, Eliza Cole. James m. 
Hannah Sheldon ; left John, Sheldon, Jane, Maria Dodge, 
Susan Baker, Lydia Baker, Andrew Jackson. Sarah m. 
Benjamin Sheldon ; left Sylvester, Henry, Sylvia Wanzer. 

* Also spelled Haines, and originally Hanes. 



INDEX. 



A. 

ABORIGINES, 17-22. 

Appalachian Kanye. 1G. 
Auienia, Wi-131. 

I rccinct of, 49. 

Organization of. 1M. 

Origin of Name, My, 

Station. 109. 

Union, 110. 

South, 110. 

Manufacturing Company, 128- 

Seminary. I 1 . !) 131. 

Early officers. 12<). 

I.OK Prison at. 120. 
Andre s Defense, 7O73. 
Army Movements, 55j57. 
Anthony s Nose, 57. 
Andre, .Major, fil ( A. 
Alams. Elisha, 117 
Armstrong. Hobcrt (}.. 119. 

Geneivl John, 380-382. 
Asburv, Bishop, 120. 
Athcrtmi, Cornelius, 121. 
Apoqunqtic, 133. 

Preparative Church at. 130. 
Apple Sauce Hil!. 155. 
Allis Pond, 156. 

David, Anecdotes of, 172. 
Army Barracks, 181. 
Academy, First in County, 185, 213. 369. 
Atiiic-k by Indians and Tories, 219-50. 
Anthony, I heophilus, S44. 
Anthony s Mil 1 , 345. 
Antonides, Yincentius, 55.")2. 
American and Foreign liible Society, 3.";4. 
Arbor Vita;. $>(>. 
Algates tlie, S99. 
Arnold, Esq., Samuel. 415. 
Anecdote of Quick. 41.-). 
Agricultural Society, 432. 
Anmmdale, 378. 
A si or, John Jacob, 382. 
Ancient J>eed. :J^4-5 
Appendix 1J, 472. 

5 02 



B. 



HOT A NY, 81 -W. 

BEEKMAN, town of, 132-143. 
Patent, 44. 388. 
Precii:ct, 49, 1>J2. 
Henry, 395, 417. 
Cemeterv, 142. 

Kockee, Abraham. 117, 124. 

llaptist Church* s, 119, 135, Ifi5, 211-13. 25 2-5 
293 5, 353-4, 385, 399, 408-12, 320-22, 1,30 
447-50, 459-00. 

Benson, Egbert, 122. 

Barlow, Moses, 124. 
Isathan. 124 

Benton, Caleb. 124. 

lioyd, John, 125. 

Brnsh, (ien. John, 125. 

Bakers the, 133. 

Brills the, 133, 142. 
I Barnards the. 133. 
! Br.bcock, Kufus, 1). 1)., 13fi. 
I Beldens the, 157-8. 

Butts Hollow, 158. 

liulls Iron Works, 161. 

Boerums Tavern, lt;4 

Branch Preparative Church, 1G8. 

P,arbecue, 172, 12G. 

liale tires, Kevolutionary, 174. 

Brett, Itoger, 177, 178. 

Buys. John. 177. 

Briuckerhoffs the, 184-5. 

Bailey s Workshop, Fi.slikill, 193. 

British Cannonading, , 199. 

Barber, Lieutenant-Col., killed, 200, 

Billing s, Johu, 228. 

Bowinans the. 237. 

Browns the, 244. 

Bis Cheese the, 245 

Btittolphs the, 24G, 256. 

Birdsall, >athan, 258. 

Butler, Timothy, 263. 

British Troopers taken, 266, 

Bethel, 302. 

Bailey, John, 346. 



INDEX. 



53 



Brewsters. Oilb--rt, 330. 
Uliio 1 oint, 363. 
Hats, 399. 
Bangall, 407-S 
Bare Market. 408. 
Bullock. Elder Corner, 409. 

Richard. 409. 

Bui tcli. Elder Lunian, 411 
Baker. Nicholas, 418. 
Bloom House and Mill. 430. 
Brick Meeting House. 430-2. 
Buckeye Works, 369. 
Bridge", I oughkeepsie, 371. 
Barrytown, 375. 
Berry, Jabez, 440. 

c. 

COUNTY ORGANIZATION, 48-30. 

Carter, "Vina." 20. 

Crom Elbow I recinct, 49. 

Charlotte Precinct, 49. 

Continental Village, 56. 

Court House, 102-103. 

Climate, 107. 

Conterence, M. E., 120. 

Carpenters. 12-3. 

Chamberlains family of, 126. 

( line, I eter. 12(5. 

Cornwells the. 133. 

Cast Iron Plow, first, 128. 

Catholic Churches, 136. 

Carv. Ebenezer, Dr., 136. 

CLINTON, 144. 

Hon. George, 144. 
Crom Elbow Creek, 144. 
Coopers the, 14-3. 
Creek Quaker Church. 145, 416. 
Cookinghams the, 147. 
Coons, Peter, 157. 
Chastellux, Marquis de, 161. 
Cushman. Blacksmith, 181. 
( ow-boy Hung. 184. 
Committee of Observation, 188. 
Crosby, Enoch, (JO-1, 190. 196. 209, 447. 
Coetns, 211, 352. 
Conferentia. 211, 352. 
Crom Elbow Quaker Church, 221-2. 
Clapp. family of, 227 
C amp Lot, 232. 
Clark, Lieut. -Gov., 240. 
Cupola Furnace, 242. 
Culvers the. 247-S. 
Cave the, 249. 
Chirks the, 249. 
Croton River, 257. 
Cary, Rev. Henry, 259. 
Cobble Hill, 289. 
Camp Meetings. 296, 395. 
Cemetery. Pawling, 296. 

Beekman, 142-3. 

Dover, 169. 

Pousdikeepsie, 354, 370. 
Court Established in Duchess, 337. 
Colonial Court House, 338. 
Constitutional Convention, 338. 
Court House Burned, 339. 
Clear Everett House, 342-3. 
Congress, 347. 

Collegiate School Building, 362-3. 
Crazy -(/in," 400. 
Clark, David, 412. 
Clove Kil, 417. 
Crane, Capt. Joseph, 444-6. 
Christian Church, 418. 
Cutler, Joseph M., 418. 



, Canoe Hill, 428. 
! Carpenter. Franklin T.. 427. 
j Carman. Emanuel and Esther, 428. 
j Cross? Road>. 429. 
1 Cornstock, Matthew, 430. 
1 Conglomerate Mansion, 3745. 
I Cedar Hill. 376. 
: Cradle, old. 400. 
Cotton Factory, Garner <fc Co., 325. 
Carmel, Town of. 439-50. 

First Settlement in, 439. 

Kfd Mills, 439, 441. 

Lake Maliopac, 440. 

Village of. 441. 

Granny hill. 442. 

Places in, 442-3 
Commissioners of Sequestration, 455. 



D. 

DUCHESS, Spelling of Name, 15, 16. 
Attaclh d to Ulster, 97. 
When S. tiled. 98. 
Described in 1729. 101. 
Bill to Divide, 103. 

Deop Hollow, 110. 
! Duchess Co. Female Bible Society. 118. 

Delavergne, Dr. Benj., 126. 
i Dunham s Fore, 127 . 
! Delong, 133 
: D,.ughty Tavern, 140. 

DOVER, 149-173. 

Dutcher family of, 157-9. 
; Dillon, Mr., 162. 
; Dutch Reformed Churches, 167, 195, 207, 

222,349, 397, 400. 
I Dongan, Thomas. 176. 

DeBoys. Peter, 177. 

Dewall, Peche, 180 

" Dodo," the, 183. 

Dudley s Mills, 184. 

Devil s Dance Chamber. 203. 

Dutch Stone Church, 209. 

Dhupps, the, Tories in Revolution, 220. 

Delamater Mill, 221. 

Dakins the 243-4. 

Donovan killed, 286. 

Dug-Way, 294. 

Dnbois, Gualterus, 352. 

Deed for Church at Rhinebeck, 308. 

1 ) Hart s War Horse, 403-4. 



Digging for Money, 422. 
! DeKoyen s Cive, 378. 



Duchess County Alms House, 432. 
Duchess and Columbia Railroad. 434. 



E. 



EARLIEST MENTION, 23-24. 

Executions, 104, 105, 355. 

Extracts Church Records, 115. 
Lossing, 224-5. 

Emmott, James, 129. 
I Episc pal Churches, 135, 196-7, 210,223, 384. 

Eversons the, 144. 
! Elihu, Tabe, 156. 

Emighs the. 1">S, 178. 
i Elliotts the, 160. 
i Egglestons the, 244-5. 

Encampments, 273, 405-6. 

Eastman s Business College, 367. 

1 ark, 370. 
i Esopus War, 373. 
! East Camp, 376. 
i Enrollment of Quakers, 476-7. 



INC EX. 



F. 

Familv Genealogy. 497-002- 
Feudal Laws, 43. 
Freclericksburph Precinct. 49. 
FISIIK1LL, town of. 174-214. 

Precinct, 40. 

Mountains. 174. 

Hook. Indians at, 170. 
Fortifications. 50-58. 
Fort Constitution, 58. 
Freeholders, names of. 100-1. 
French Doctor s Dam, 126. 
Freemanville, 135. 
Foss Ore Bed, 14!). 
First white child born in Duchess County 

I.-.S. 179. 
i- ort Hill. 176. 
FIontin.tr Islands. 258. 
Ferris, familv of. 258 
Fields, Pe er . 262. 
Friends Sufferings, 281-3. 
Filkintown. 423. 
Female Academy. 309. 
Forty Fourth Ke.nimcnt, 95. 

G. 

GEOLOGY, 37-40 

Great Nine Partners. 43, 129, 4 f >7. 

GENERAL HISTORY. 97-108. 

Governor and Council. 107-8. 

Garrettson. Rev. Freeborn, 119, 392. 

Gardners the. 133. 

Gardner Hollow. 133. 

Guinea. 13">. 

Gillets the. 157. 

<;rand Sachem, 174. 

Glenham. 184. 

"Gore" the, 223-4. 

Ghosts, 237. 2S5. 292. 

Green Mountain Lake, 258. 

Gallows Tree, 285 -6. 

Grant, Cato, 289. 

Grave of Soldier, 290. 

Geake, Samuel, 348. 

German Reformed Church, 3.07. 



H. 

Hudson, Henry. 23. 
Highland Post Koad, 55. 
Hemp.stead Huts, 56. 
Huguenots, 9*. 
Herrick, Heniamin, 117. 
Hyde, Rev. Eli, 118. 
Hessians, 122. 
Hunt s Old Stand, 129. 
llaxtun*. l:>3. 
Hosreboom, 133. 
Hoau . the Hobber, 134. 
Hioernia, 145. 
Ilutchinsons, 145. 
H. -,1s reads, I4fi. 
Ilufcuts tlie. l-">7. 
Hiuby, El<ler Sc-th. lf.7. 
Haunted Houses, 172. 
Hospitals. 197-8. 
Hamilton, letter of, 201. , 
Highlands, description of. 202. 
HYDE PARK. Town of, 215-225 
HOLTS Hills. 215. 
" Hannah," 227. 
Horse Thieves, Den of, 229-30, 



flail Storm. 23".. 

Hamblins the, 24^. 

Hopkins. Elder Truman, 240. 

Ilollpys the. 248. 

Harringtons tlie. 259. 

Hard Winter the. 2<>.". 

Hai-ies, Caleb. 268-9. 

Flicksitp Chnrc.h, 281. 

Hillar Nathan. 281. 

Harrington, trunsmith, 285. 

Hermits, 2S7. 288. 

Halcyon Lake, 298, 313. 

Huddlestone. M44. 

Holt, John, 349. 

Half Moon. 304. 

Horst Ferry li.,at. 300 

Hermance. Hendriciis. 3S7. 

Hardenbui Kli. Dominie. 400, 

Heermance House, 400, 

Hall. Albert, 418 

Human Bones. 420. 

Harts Village, 423, 433. 

House of Industry. 3ti9. 

Hammer(own.319.323. 

Hudson River State Hospital, 309. 

Hart, hilii),433. 



I. 

Iroquois, 17. 

Indian Kattle, 19, 317. 

Indian Geographical Terms, 21-2. 

Iron Works, Dover. 149. 

ImVan Orchards, 158. 183, 175, 180. 

Indian !) ed. 170-7, 179, 387. 

Indian Pond. 241. 312. 

Indian Burial Grounds, 288. 

Indian Risiii". 394-5. 

Indian Killed, 373. 

Incendiary Fires, 297. 



Jail, 102-3. 
Jnrvis, Samuel, 123. 
Johnsville, 180-1. 
Jonah s Manor, 227. 
Jacksons Corners, 230. 



K. 

Kittatiny Mountains, 20. 
Knibloe, Rev. Ebenezcr, 115. 
Kent s Parish, 115. 
Kenney. Stephen, 117. 
King. Samuel, 122. 
Knickerbackers, 140. 
Kenkiput, Dr., 158. 
Kidd, ( apt.. 204. 
Ketchams the. 24G. 
Kiswell, 270-78. 
Kirby House, 274-5. 
Kips the, 387. 
Kipsburgh Manor, 3,87. 
King s Highway, 398. 401- 
Kingston Landing, 404. 
Kii:dcrhook, 410. 
Kent Town ot, 450-53. 

Early Settlement of, 451. 

County Poor House, 452. 
I Kidd, Capt.,454. 



INDEX. 



55 



L. 

Little Nine Partners, 44, 251. 

Livingston Manor, 46, 48, 317. 

Lexington, Battle of, 51. 

Loudon, Lord, 55. 

Lossing, Benson J., 133. 

Long Pond, 144. 

Leroy s Corners, 147. 

Lossings the, 158. 

Lathrop, Julia A., 167. 

Lloyd s Hills, 215. 

LA GRANGE, 226-235. 

Lafayettevllle, 236. 

Leaseholds, 240. 

Leland, Elder John, 245, 312. 

LaFayette s Headquarters, 279. 

LaFayette, 279, 280, 358-61. 

Lake House, 289. 

Lawrence, Elder John, 2S3. 

Log Church, 296. 

Legislature in Poughkeepsie, 340-41, 346. 

Livingston Mansion, 340. 

Family of, 351, 346, 389, 392, 396, 377. 
Launching Frigates at Poughkeepsie, 347-8. 
Loudon, Samuel, 349. 
Locust Grove, 363. 
Landman s Kill, 387. 
Lamoree House, 405. 
Lewis, Gov. Morgan, 405. 
Little Rest, Origin of Name, 423-4. 
Lasher House. 318. 
Letter detailing villainy of Arnold, 67-70. 

M. 

Minnissinks, 18. 

Mohegans, 19. 

Mauweehu, 19, 155-6. 

Mincees, 21. 

Matteawan Mountains, 25. 

Mineralogy. 27. 

MILITARY HISTORY. 51-96. 

Militia called out, 54. 

Moravians, 112. 

M. E. Churches, 119, 136, 143, 168, 210, 228, 

239, 295, 396. 
Molasses Hill, 155. 
Madam Brett s Mill, 178. 
Morehouse Tavern, 160. 
Mistake Turnpike, 173. 
Madam Brett, 181. 
Manchester Hotel, 226. 
Moreys Corners, 227. 
Moore s Mills, 228. 
MILAN, town of, 236-240. 
Millerton, 242. 

Murder of Pedlar at Spencers Corners, 250-1- 
Moravian Mission, 240, 256, 300. 
Marshall. Zachary, 265. 
Murder of Nathan Pearce , 271. 
Montgomery the, (Al. 
Meinema, Rev. Benjamin, 352. 
Montgomery, Gen l Richard, 389-91,379-80, 

397, 401-2. 
Marvin Shot, 414. 
Montgomery Place, 378-9. 
Madalin, 382. 
Montross, 317. 
Major Andre, 87, 88. 



N. 



Nanticokes, 21. 
North Precinct, 49. 



Northeast Precinct, 49, 

Nase, Henry, 112, 123. 

" Nook" the, 113. 

New Lights. 113. 

Nott, Kev. Sam 1, 118. 

Nine Partners Load Mines, 121. 

North, Selah. 129. 

N< xons the. 133, 142. 

Noxon Meadow, 135. 

Ninham, David. 175. 
, New Hackensack, 183, 353. 
I " Nanna," 199-20(1. 
! NORTHEAST, town of, 241-250. 
I Nichols, Lieutenant, 267-8. 
j Navy Yard Poughkeej sie. 347. 

New Hamburgh, 365. 

Noble Town, 410. 

Negro Hung, 415. 

Nine Partners Hoarding School, 426-8. 

New burgh Letters, 381. 

Newcomb, Tory, 327. 

o. 

Oblong, 44-6. 

Osborne, Rev. Joel, 114. 

Oldest House in Dover, 159. 

Old Forge, 171. 

Old Beacon, 174. 

"Oven," the 249. 

Oblong Pond, 258. 28. 

Old Day Book, 432. 

Old Red Church, 382-3. 

Oblong Meeting, 280. 

Old Church, Quaker Hill, 281, 283-5. 

Oswego, 421. 

Old Ladies Home, 369. 

Opera House, Collingwood, 371. 

One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment, 95-6. 

One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regt, 92-5. 

P. 

PREFACE, 7-9. 

Powder thrown in Swamp, 270. 

Prosser, Doctor, 293. 

Pawling Riot, 297. 

PINE PLAINS, town of, 298-323. 

Passage on Steamboats, 364. 

Post Road, 398, 258. 

Port Holes in Dwellings, 401. 

Pond Gut, 416. 

Pedlar Disappeared, 419. 

Pine Plains Village, 322. 

Peauods. 19, 112, 155. 

Patents, 41-47. 

PoughKeepsie Patent, 43. 

Philipse Patent, 43. 

Patrons, 43. 

Precincts, 48-50. 

Philipse Precinct. 49. 

Pledge Revolutionary, 52. 

Signers of, 53-54, 481-95. 
Putnam, General, 55. 
Parsons, General, 55. 
Patterson Compact, 56. 
Pawling, Camp at, 56. 
Pollopels Island, boom at, 58. 
Patterson Village, 99. 
Pendergraft tried, 100. 
Provincial Congress, 102. 
Paine Abraham, 118. 
Presbyterians, 113-115, 209, 229, 321, 326, 

328-9, 331, 458-9. 
Paine, Ephraim, 121. 



506 



INDEX. 



Potter, Right Kev. Alonzo, 133. 
Poughquag Tavern, 142. 
1 arks the, 145. 
Porters the, 145. 
Preston, Martin, 156. 

Mountain, 156. 

Mill. 170. 

Captain, 173. 
Prime, Casper, 177. 
Plow-share, anecdote of, 179-80 
Printing Press at Fishkill, 192-3. 
Petition for church at Fish Creok, 206-7. 
Pevey, Elder, 228. 
Potter s Corners, 228, 233. 
PAWLING, Town of, 257. 
Purgatory Hill, 257, 273, 290. 
PLEASANT VALLEV. Town of, 324-331. 
POUGHKEEI SIE, town and city of, 332-71. 

Different ways of spelling, 332. 

Indian Legend, 333-4. 

Early settlement of, 33C. 
Patterson, Town of, 453-62. 
Philipstown, Town of. 462-7. 
Putnam Valley. Town of, 467-8. 

Q. 

Quitrents, 42. 

Quaker Churches, 239, 331. 412. 

Quaker Hill, 279. 

Quaker City, 421. 

R. 

Kombout Patent, 43. 

Khinebeck Patent, 44. 

Kombout Precinct, 49. 

Khinebeck Precinct, 49. 

Khinebeck Flats, British burned, 57. 

Robinson House, 59. 62. 

Rioters, 99. 

Rebellion in Duchess, 100. 

Rows the, 111. 

Khinke. Abraham, 112. 

Red Meeting House, 113, 166. 

Round Top Meeting House, 114, 

Rodgers, Dr. John, 115. 

Round Top School House, 120. 

Robberv of Philip Nase. 123. 

Robbery- of David Collin, 123. 

Redemptioners, 126. 

Reisoners, 133. 

Round Pond, 144. 

Rachel, 156. 

Kombout, Francis, 176, 177. 

Rombout Patent. 176. 

Records, Beekmaii, 137-139. 

Records, Fishkill, 184. 

Records, Hyde Park, 215 16. 

Records, Northeast, 242-3. 

Records, Pine Plains, 299-300. 

Revolutionary Skirmish at Hyde Park, 219. 

KoeliffJansens Kill. 236. 

Rock City, 236. 

Rowe. Johannes, 236. 

Round Pond, 241. 

Kudds Pond, 241. 

Rudds the, 244. 

Kogiment of Militia in 1693, 475-6. 

Regimental Officers of the Revolution, 477-81. 

Robbery on Quaker Hill, 269-70. 

Kobber"Kocks,286. 

It elitf Jansens Kill, 298. 

Ranch, Christian Henry, 301. 

Kibel Slaves, 346. 



! Rysdyck, Rev. Isaac, 352. 
Ruger, Col., 3 59. 
Race Course, 366-7. 
KHINEBECK, 386-406. 
Rhinebeck Kil, 386. 
Rhinebeck Precinct, 386. 
Rhinebeck Flats, 388. 
RED HOOK, 372-385. 
Rokeby, 380. 

Robinson, Beverly, 59, 455. 
Revolutionary Documents, 73-81. 



Sepascoots, 18. 

Schaghticokes, 19, 155, 158. 

Shenandoahs, 21. 

Schuylers Patent, 43. 

South Precinct, 49. 

Southeast Precinct, 49. 

Schencks the, 59, 214, 

St. Philip s Chapel, 59. 

Semi-Annual Fairs, 103. 

Supervisors, Meeting of, 103-104. 

Sharon Canal, 106-107. 

Soil, 107. 

Sharon Station, 110. 

Sackett, Rfchard, 110-111. 

Steel Works, 110, 128. 

Separatists, 113. 

Stuithfield Church, 116-119. 

Separate Meeting House, 117. 

Slaves, 127. 

Sweets, 133, 145. 

Store, Poughquag, 133. 

Shultz Mountains, 144. 

Sippe Barrack, 144. 

Shultzsville, 146. 

Slate Quarry, 147. 

Sleight* the, 147, 233-5. 

Swamp River, 149, 257. 

Stone Church, Dover, 150-164. 

Squaw Blankets, 156. 

Sharparoon Pond, 173. 

Springstead, Yowreb, 177. 

JSwartwouts the, 181, 182, 214. 

Sprout, Peter, 184. 

Schuti, Catherine, 185. 

Soldiers Cemetery, 189, 190. 

Smith, Joshua Hett, 62, 194. 

Soldiers Spring, 194-5. 

Schuyler, Gen l, Trial of, 275-9. 

Souse Hole, 290. 

Shekomeko Creek, 298. 

Shabash, 302. 

State Fair at Poughkeepsie, 362. 

Sloop Edward, 364. 

Sepasco, Lake, 386. 

State Prison, 388. 

Scott, Elder Robert, 399, 411. 

Starr Institute, 404. 

Supervisors, 406. 

STANFORD, 407-16. 

Skidmore, James, 418. 

Simpson, Caleb, 419. 

Simpson Hill, 419. 

Sergeant Cassedy s Ill-treatment at Nine 

Partners, 424-6. 
Swift s Lowlands, 430. 
St. Barnabas Hospital, 369. 
State Hospital, 369. 
Soldiers Fountain, 370, 
Store House Burned, 376. 
Soldier s Monument, 384. 
Shekomeko Mission, 300-316. 
Spangenberg, 311. 



INDEX. 



Stissing Mountain, 322-3. 

Southeast, town of, 468-71. 

Spront Creek, 226. 

Soldiers imprisoned in Stone Church, 

Society of the Cincinnati, IDS- . 

Steuben, Baron, 205. 

Stoutenburgh, Jacobus. 217. 

Stoutenbnrgh family, 217-18. 

Staatsburgh, 221. 

Straw Hudson, 237. 

Shekomeko Creek, 241. 

Slawson Tavern, 251. 

Spencers Corners, 251. 

Shaw, Comfort, 262. 

Starks the, 262. 

Slocnm, Abraham, 265. 



T. 

TOPOGRAPHY, 25-26. 

Taghkanick Mountains, 25, 27. 

Tories, 54. 55, 126, 260-2, 263-4, 266-73, 326 

283-4, 345-6, 348, 416. 
Travel and Post Routes, 105-106. 
The City, 110. 
Tithingmen, 115. 
Ten Mile River, 149. 
Teller, Andrew, 177. 
Terboss, John, 177, 214. 
Teller House, 187. 
Tiger or Panther, 200. 
Titns Factory, 229. 
Tory Cavern, 268. 
Toffey Burial Ground, 273, 2S7. 
Tom Howard s Tavern, 291. 
Thatcher. Rev. Mr., 295. 
Tschoop, 302-4. 
Thorn, Sheriff, 355. 
Thunder Storm, 361-2. 
Thompson, Smith, 407. 
Tivoli, 374. 



U. 

Uhls, 133. 

Union Churches, 322. 
Unknown Man Killed, 287-8. 
Upton, Paul, 412-14. 
UNION VALE, 417. 

Early Residents of, 417. 
Union Meeting House, 417-18, 



V. 

Vanghan, Gen., 58, 218-19, 345, 377. 
Vincent, ESQ., Anecdotes of, 134. 
Vanderburgh Mansion, 140. 
Vanderburgh, Col., 141. 
Vanderburgh, "Lud., 141. 
Van Buren, President, 165. 
Valley View Cemetery, 169. 
VanCortland, Stejrhanns, 176. 
Verplanck, Henrietta, 177. 
Village of Dover, early, 157. 
Verplanck, Gulian, 176, 214. 
VanWyck. Theo., anecdote, 180, - II. 
VanVlacks the, 183. 
VarWyck, Sidney E , 191. 
VerPlanck House, 198. 
VanAlst, Burgune, 205. 
Vaughn, Wait, 266-7, 271-3. 
Vaughns Keck, 267 



; VanKleeck Ilonsc, 340-1. 
Von Beck House. 344. 
YanKletck. Baltus. - J >41. 
Y;t!-, Rev. Peter. ;>i9. 
VanSchie, Rev. Cornelius, 352. 
Vassar College. 367 
V.niBoojrh, Catherine, 389. 
Yertmnk Station, 420-21. 



w. 

Wiccopees, IS. 

Waoranacks, 18, 21. 

Wappingers, 18. 

Water Lots. 4-3. 

Wiccopee Pass, 57, 175. 

West 1 oint Boom at, 57. 

Washington, Gen., 62, 194. 

Washington, Gen., Love Affair, <], 64. 

Wartmmaug, 19. 

Weebutook, 109-110. 

Wassaic Creek, 110. 

West Brook, 110. 

Willsou, Robert, 117. 

Wood, Elder Elijah, 113. 

Whitfleld, Kev. George, 117. 

Wardwell, Capt. Allen, 119. 

Wakely, Dr., 119. 

Wells, Dover, 154. 

Wampee, John, 156. 

Waldo, Elder Samuel, 159, 160. 

Washington s Camp at Dover, 159. 

Wyoming Refugees, 163. 

Weaver Mountain, tradition of, 171. 

Wappingers Creek, 175, 226. 

Wiltwyck, 179. 

Wood, Joseph, 181. 

Wild Beasts, night attack of, 181, 265. 

Wharton House, 189, 191-2. 

Washington s Sword, 193. 

Washington s Headquarters, 204-5, 218, 27S-4 

Witchcraft, 231-2, 238, 292. 

Witch Doctors, 238-9, 293- 

Winchells the, 243. 

Whaley Pond, 186, 257. 

Whipping Post, 264. 

Wing, Jonathan, 281. 

Woolman, 286. 

Watching with Corpse, 291. 

Wood, Jesse, Hung, 354-5. 

Whale Dock, 365. 

Wounded British Soldier, 394. 

Wood, Elder Jabez, 409. 

WASHINGTON. 423-434. 

Early Residents in, 429. 
Willetts, Jacob, 427. 

Widow of, 427. 
West Camp, 376. 
Wechquadnack, 312. 
WAWUNGER, town of, 435. 



Y. 



Young Men s Christian Association. 368. 
Yonkhonce, Henry, 317. 



ZOOLOGY, 27,40. 
Zinzendorff, Count, 308. 




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