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Gc 974.701 Or12m 1753346
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01147 8507
ORANGE COUNTY NEW YORK
A NARRATIVE HISTORY
DESCRIPTIVE OF
Its Places of Colonial and Revolutionary Interest.
Its Historic Oid Churches, with Biographies of Their Pastors.
Its Celebrated Horses, with Their Pedigrees and Records. Its Statesmen, Historians, Poets, Writers and Distin- guished People of the Past.
Its Celebrated Taverns of Historic Interest.
"And thereby hangs a tale."
"They are the abstract and brief Chronicles of the time." --- Shakespeare.
Compiled by ALMET S. MOFFAT Washingtonville, N. Y. 1928
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ORANGE COUNTY NEW YORK
Trvattee Jiistory
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1753346
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Index
CELEBRATED HORSES 72
Alexander's Hambletonian 83
Edward Everett 83
Pedigree of Rysdyk's Hambletonian 78
Reminiscences of Rysdyk's Hambletonian, Abdallah Chief and Old Abdallah .. 79
Volunteer
84
HISTORIC PLACES OF REVOLUTIONARY AND COLONIAL
INTEREST 10
Sarah Wells Bull 22
Uzal Knapp, Revolutionary Soldier. 20
Knox Headquarters 16
The Temple Where Washington Refused a Crown 18
LIST OF AUTHORITIES 7
OLD CHURCHES OF ORANGE COUNTY 26
Associate Reformed Church, Little Britain 42
Bethlehem Presbyterian Church 32
Blooming Grove Congregational Church 34
First Presbyterian Church, Goshen 26
First Presbyterian Church of Newburgh
40
Goodwill Presbyterian Church, Montgomery 29
New Windsor Presbyterian Church 47
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Newburgh 48
OLD TAVERNS 85
ORANGE COUNTY 8
ORANGE COUNTY POETS, STATESMEN, HISTORIANS,
WRITERS AND MEN OF NOTE. 50
Ethel Lynn Eliot Beers 50
Major Edward Carlisle Boynton 67
DeWitt Clinton 60
George Clinton 59
Joel Tyler Headley.
68
David Halliday Moffat 70
Benjamin Barker Odell 66
Edward Payson Roe 09
Edward M. Ruttenbur 70
William Henry Seward 63
Nathaniel Parker Willis 56
PREFACE 3
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PREFACE
IN PRESENTING this little volume to the public there is no intention on the part of the writer to make any claims of originality or literary excellence. The main purpose in view has been to present in brief form the most important phases and incidents of historic interest relating to early Colonial and Revolutionary times; to record in narrative form the heroic struggles of those early pioneers who built and kept alive those old reli- gious organizations, whose sacred houses of worship have sheltered many generations of honest, sincere people of many religious faiths; to awaken anew the in- terest and patriotism of those of the present day in the oft-told story of the heroje sacrifices of those who fought and died in the Revolutionary struggle for independence that Democratic Government could be founded and main- tained upon the sacred principle that "all men are cre- ated equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Among a people inspired with those high ideal there was naturally brought forth many men and women of great intellectual force, whose public careers and achievements are matters of national historic interest. The statesmen, poets, historians and writers of the past who were natives of Orange County, or who have spent their lives here and achieved a world-wide reputation, are no inconsiderable number.
In passing it might be timely to state that under Colonial rule one of her native sons was Governo !. another Colonial President one term and Lient .- Governor five ferms; four have filled the office of Governor of the State; one of her four Governors represented his state in the United States Senate and later was Secretary of State in the cabinet of President Lincoln, and another was elected Vice-President of the United States. The
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ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK
names, offices and terms of service of those distinguished men are: George Clinton, Colonial Governor, 1743-1753; Cadwallader Colden, Colonial President, and Lieut .- Gov., 1760-1761; Lieut .- Gov., 1761-1762; 1763-1765; 1769-1770 and 1774-1775; George Clinton, first Governor of the State, 1777-1795; 1801-1804; DeWitt Clinton, Governor, 1817-1822; 1824-1826; William H. Seward, Governor, 1839-1842; Benjamin B. Odell, Governor, 1901-1904.
The list of men and women who have made history in legal, literary, military, business and scientific chan- nels is a long and illustrious one.
I am well aware of the many omissions and errors incident to the compilation of so small a historical narra- tive as the present one, and I trust the reader will accord A generous measure of charity for its imperfections. If I have brought to mind recollections of youthful scenes and incidents to the aged, and inspiration and renewed interest and ambitions to the young of the present day in their native county I shall be content, for no fairer land than Orange County can be found in any clime, though one search the world over. To those who have found homes in far-off places from their native county there will always be brought to mind some pleasant pic- fure of her green fields, wooded mountains, lakes, rivers and little brooks that flow through her valleys and vales. In the Town of Blooming Grove, over in the valley of "the Clove" that lies on the west side of the picturesque Schunnemunk range, a few miles from the beautiful little village of Washingtonville, there's
A CROOKED LITTLE BROOK.
I used to fish in that crooked little brook when a boy. Crooked! A corkscrew is as straight as a gun- barrel, compared with this crooked little brook. It rises bigh up in the mountain in a tiny little spring, where the trailing arbutus grows amid the snowbanks in the early Spring and scents the mountain air with its deli- cate perfume. This crooked little brook lays tribute on & score or more little springs on its way down the moun- tain, until it has outgrown the swaddling clothes of a rivulet and assumes the dignity of a brook, fit for a trout
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A NARRATIVE HISTORY
to make its home in. It goes wandering through the green meadows as though all the year were balmy Sum- mer and it had nothing to do but kill time and loiter about the green fields in shady nooks.
Crooked! Not a trout with its red and golden hues, or a silver-plated shiner that flashes its glittering scales in the sunlight down in its limpid pools, can tell whether it is swimming up-stream or down. The purple-plumed iron weed and the bending goldenrod that bow to each other in the gentle wind with stately grace across this crooked, singing little brook, do not know whether they are standing on opposite sides, or if they are on the same side, which side it is. All the way across and through the meadows it plays hide-and-seek with itself, boxing the compass in its erratic wanderings every few rods.
When the mountain snows have melted in the early Spring it makes its debut in the meadows when the wind anemones commence blossoming way up in the hills. When the wild flowers put on their brilliant Spring dec- orations, when the violets open their blue eyes and the buttercups hold forth in all their glory amid the green grasses of the meadows, this crooked little brook seems to sing a sweeter song. Bye and bye the violets close their blue eyes, fade and droop, yet this little brook, never daunted in its lazy, wandering course to the mighty Hudson, on its way to the boundless sea, sings merrily to the wild roses that have come to adorn the meadows and the banks of this crooked little brook in full summer dress, each with its lovely pink bonnet and clusters of buds that nod and bow to all the other wild flowers in the gentle Summer breeze.
Even the birds knew of this beauty spot, and loved it well, for they builded their summer homes in the trees along the banks of this crooked little brook. When the curtain of the night fell they sang their vesper hymns in unison with its babbling water. And oh, what a raro treat it used to be to listen to their sunrise concert. To experience to the full the music of this sunrise concert, it was necessary to get a front seat in a spot where the willows and the maples overhung a bend of the crooked
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ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK
little brook, a few moments before the first colorful streaks of daylight appeared. When the first streaks of dawn began to disperse the night shadows the grand symphony opened with the carol of the robin piercing the cool morning air. Then followed in rapid succes- sion the tremolo of the chirping sparrow, the clear, sweet whistle of the meadow-lark, the tenor of the song-spar- row, the gentle warble of the wood-thrush, the high- pitched voice of the scarlet tanager, the raucous laugh of the flicker, the sad minor notes of the blue bird, the phoebe and turtle dove. And the concert usually wound up with the explosive shrieks, whistles and cat-calls of that reckless, rollicking roysterer, the blue-jay. And so it continued all the livelong day.
And when the Fall came and the wild flowers had shed their brilliant colors, when the wild rose had thrown away her pink bonnet and put on her little red Winter hood, when the rushes were brown and the colt's foot withered, when the golden rod was gray and the purple iron weed plumed with feathery down, this crooked little brook seemed just as happy as when it emerged from the mountain in the early Spring, although Jack Frost was marching across the gorgeous green meadows and sealing up the waters in the shallow pools.
I used to pause in wonder and amazement in boy- hood days and wish that the years of life would drift along as quiet and peaceful as the cool waters of that crooked little brook; that my days would be as full of frolic and fun as were the days of the frisky little fish that darted hither and thither in play among the roots and rocks that filled its course and impeded its wander- ings. There were so many things to see and admire in those meadows, no wonder this crooked little brook loitered on its way. It had a habit of singing little runs and trills with the most inimitable melodies as it ran around and over rocks and stones that were largely interested in the moss business.
And when the Winter came and Jack Frost had sealed up the shallow water in this crooked little brook; when the merry birds of Summer had taken their de- parture for the sunvy South, every frisky trout and
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A NARRATIVE HISTORY
shiner knew that he must hie himself away to the deep pools and while away the weary Winter months dream- ing, yes, dreaming of the pleasures of bygone days, just as we mortals in the twilight hours of life are so wont to dream of the past.
Allerolloffat
Washingtonville, N. Y.,
October, 1928.
LIST OF AUTHORITIES.
In the compilation of this volume the following works and other sources of information have been freely consulted, and from some of them copious extracts have been taken, which is hereby gratefully acknowledged:
EAGER'S HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY-1846-7.
RUTTENBER'S HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY-1881.
HISTORY OF NEWBURGH-Ritchie & Hull, 1891.
HISTORY OF WEST POINT-Bvt. Major Edward C. Boynton, A. M., 1871.
ALL QUIET ALONG THE POTOMAC and Other Poems-Ethel Lynn Beers, 1879.
THE YELVERTON INN-Frank Durland, Chester, N. Y., 1926.
THE HORSE OF AMERICA, in his Derivation, History and Devel- opment-By John H. Wallace, 1897.
THE ORANGE COUNTY STUD BOOK -- By J. H. Reeves, V. S., 1872.
TYPES AND BREEDS OF FARM ANIMALS-C. S. Plumb, 1906.
Many hundreds of Newspaper Clippings, some of them dating back sixty years. Also thanks are due to The Newburgh Daily News Printing and Publishing Co. for the use of many illustrations relating to Colonial and Revolutionary periods.
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ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK
ORANGE COUNTY
O RANGE COUNTY, New York, the picturesque, the magnificent, was chosen for an abiding place by the early pioneers because nature had here created a beautiful garden where man might live and reap rich rewards for his toil. Its lofty mountain chains, stand. ing guard over rich, undulating plains, watered by many crystal streams, wending their way to the mighty Hud- son, its charming valleys and vales, wooded hills and green meadow lands all appealed strongly to their sense of beauty and the desire for a life of independence, peace, contentment and happiness. And they chose wisely and well.
The County of Orange dates its existence by legal enactment from October 1st, 1691, in the third year of the reign of William and Mary and in the administration of Henry Slaughter, Esq., Governor of the Colony. Orange County derives its name from the fact that King William was a Prince of the House of Orange. The first Assembly, which convened in the year 1691, passed an act entitled "An Act to Divide the Provinces and De- pendencies into Shires and Counties, " and Section VII of that act provided: "The County of Orange to begin . from the limits or bounds of East and West Jersey, on the West side of Hudson's River, along the said river to the Murderer's Creek, or bounds of the County of Ulster; and westward into the woods as far as the Dela- ware River." To this was added later the lands of Wagacheneck and Great and Little Minisink.
Local tradition records that the first settlements were made by Dutch pioneers along the Minisink River in the early days of Nieu Amsterdam, then an infant Dutch colony. Dates and historical facts are conflicting and vague regarding these early settlers who were few in number, but records in existence show that it was towards the close of the 17th century that active com- petition in obtaining patents in the district began: Ou December 30th, 1702, the Cheesecock Patent was
Newburgh, N. Y. WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS,
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THE PUBLIC BUILDING, OR "THE TEMPLE," ERECTED ON WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS "TEMPLE HILL." .NEAR VAIL'S GATE, WHERE WASHINGTON READ HIS CELEBRATED ADDRESS TO THE OFFICERS OF THE ARMY REFUSING THE CROWN. COPY FROM THE TARBELL DRAWINGS.
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Monument erected on the site of the "Temple." where Washington refused the offer of a crown in March, 1783.
ON THIS SITE WAS ERECTED THE TEMPLE OR NEW PUBLIC BUILDING BY THE ARMY OF THE REVOLUTION, 1782-83 THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE REPUBLIC
(EAST SIDE TABLET)
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ROOM WITH SEVEN DOORS AND ONE WINDOW, IN WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS.
Newburgh, N. Y.
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Newburgh, New York FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
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A NARRATIVE HISTORY
granted. This was followed on March 5, 1703, by the Wawayanda Patent, and on August 28, 1704, by the Min- isink Patent. Those patents, which were obtained by purchase from the Indian proprietors, covered extensive territories, the boundaries of which were described in snch general terms and the lines so vagne and undefined that for many years afterward there existed difficulties as to titles that brought about long years of litigation.
The first census of the county was taken in 1698 by order of Governor Bellomont, which showed the popula- tion to consist of 29 men, 31 women, 140 children and 19 negro slaves.
In 1785 Rockland County was formed from the Southern territory of Orange County and five towns were taken from the Southern part of Ulster County and added to Orange County, viz .: Newburgh, Cornwall, New Windsor, Montgomery and Deerpark. The present boundary of Orange County contains 834 square miles. The population as given by the last National census shows a population of about 120,000 people.
Almost every acre of Orange County is historic ground and to record the thrilling past of her patriotic men and women, its many places of Colonial and Revolu- tionary history and its present day industries and busi- ness enterprises would fill volumes many times the size of this modest little book.
Wander where you will, search foreign lands in every clime, and no fairer spot on "God's Footstool" can be found that so appeals to one's sense of beaut;, grandeur and love of home as Orange County, the land of plenty, beautiful in the budding Spring, gloriously radiant in her Summer dress of green, rich in the many colorings of Autumn and magnificent in her Winter garb of snow.
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ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK
Historic Places of Colonial and Revolutionary Times
IN ALMOST every locality of the County of Orange can be found places of historic interest, where scenes were enacted that have become a part of our national history and are closely related to the founding of the National Government. Many of these spots of historic interest relate to early Colonial days, when the locality now known as Orange County was a vast uninhabited forest, peopled by Indians, from whom the early pioneers purchased their lands. Still other places relate to the revolutionary struggle for independence and are rich with the memories of scenes enacted in those heroic times.
To relate in full the history of those days would be a gigantic task and has been ably done by others who have filled volumes that are now regarded as standard histories, and the only intention of the present volume is to renew the public interest in the outstanding events of those days in brief narrative sketches.
In the centre of what is now the City of Newburgh stands an ancient stone dwelling, surrounded by spacious grounds, on a commanding eminence overlooking the beautiful Newburgh Bay. It was formerly known as the old Hasbrouck house, but since coming into the posses- sion of the State, is now known as Washington's Head- quarters. Washington made this house his headquar- ters from April, 1782 until August, 1783. The property came into the possession of the State in 1849, and was formally dedicated on July 4, 1850, when General Win- field Scott raised the flag on the flagstaff. Here are situated the State Museum containing hundreds of relics relating to those early days, and the Tower of Victory. This monument is the result of a movement commenced in the years 1880-81, and was designed as a fitting monu- ment to mark not only that spot but also the encampment grounds at New Windsor and those at Fishkill. It bears this inscription: "This monument was erected under the authority of the Congress of the United States, and of
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GEORGE WASHINGTON, After the painting by Trumbull, at Washington's Headquarters, Newburgh, N. Y.
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A NARRATIVE HISTORY
the State of New York, in commemoration of the dis- bandment, under proclamation of the Continental Con- gress of October 18, 1783, of the armies by whose patri- otic and military virtne our national independence and sovereignty were established." The total cost of the monument was $67,000.
The Headquarters house is of three parts. The southeast part is the oldest and dates back thirty or forty years before the Revolution. Washington and his fam- ily occupied the entire bonse. His family consisted of himself, his wife, and his aides-de-camp, Major Tighlam, Col. Humphreys and Major Walker. The large room, which is entered from the piazza on the east, known as the room with seven doors and one window, was Wash- ington's dining room, the northeast room was his bed- room, and the one adjoining it on the left was his pri- vate office. The family room was in the southeast, the parlor was the northwest room, and the southwest room was the kitchen.
The capture of Burgoyne's army at the battle of Saratoga, gave the Revolutionary forces the control of the Highlands and this district became the strategic centre of the entire war, hence the presence of Wash- ington and the major portion of his army were concen- trated at this point. While the English cannon boomed at. New York and Quebec, the extremes of the line, the Revolutionary forces guarded the Highland passes on both sides of the Hudson, and from the centre of the field-the Hasbrouck house at Newburgh and the Elli- son house at New Windsor-Washington watched, through his secret service, the movements of his power- ful enemy.
The Falls house, where the British messenger swal- lowed the silver bullet containing the note from Sir Henry Clinton to Burgoyne, announcing the fall of the Highland forts, was located in Little Britain Square, a few miles west of Newburgh, a locality formed by the intersection of three country roads. This house was condemned by the Water Board of the City of Newburgh a few years ago and destroyed.
George Clinton, first Governor of the State of New York, and fourth Vice-President of the United States,
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ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK
was born near Newburgh, and for years maintained a Summer residence, which he termed a "rural seat," on the shore of the river at New Windsor. He was the owner of this house at the time he was in command of the patriot forces in the defense of Fort Montgomery. It was subsequently called the Christie house, from its long occupancy by the family of that name. The school that Clinton attended, (Stonefield), is located near Salis- bury Mills.
General James Clinton, brother of George, and father of De Witt Clinton, was also born in New Windsor, about two miles west of Little Britain Church.
The Welling House, in New Windsor, was the birth- place of Dr. Thomas Young, the leader of the patriot band that threw the tea overboard in Boston harbor.
The Edmonston honse, in New Windsor, is said to have been the headquarters of Gen. St. Clair, and also the headquarters of the medical staff when the Continen- tal army was encamped at New Windsor.
The older part of the Brewster house, at New Wind- tor, was built by Samuel Brewster iu 1768. It was at his forge the chain was made that was placed across the Hudson River. The site of the forge at Moodna is marked by a boulder.
What can be claimed without fear of contradiction, one of the most sacred patriotic shrines in all this great Republic, is the site of the "Temple, " or Public Build- ing, on Temple Hill, a half-mile from the little village of Vail's Gate, some three miles west of Newburgh, an illustration of which appears elsewhere. It was here that Washington declared occurred the greatest crisis in the long struggle. Here the great Washington exhibited to the world the noblest traits of his character and dem- onstrated his unselfish patriotism which has since been the admiration of all mankind.
The joy caused by the outcome of the struggle for liberty was not unmixed with danger to the existing government. The soldiers viewed the coming disband- ment of the army with many foreboding's for the future. They were ill-clothed, poorly fed, and for many months neither officers nor men had received any pay, for the treasury was empty and there was no hope of its imme-
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A NARRATIVE HISTORY
diate replenishment. Although victory had been achieved and the freedom of their country assured, the present government was in debt, its future uncertain, and many of them looked upon the future with a fear that their hardships were only begun. On May 6, 1782, a dangerous mutiny was discovered among the soldiers of the Connecticut line. It had been conducted with great secrecy, and was on the point of execution before it was discovered. The soldiers had determined to march at reveille the next morning to Fishkill, where they in- tended taking a number of field pieces, with ammunition and provisions, and proceed to Hartford and demand of the Assembly that justice which they considered their due. The most guilty were arrested and the ringleader was sentenced to death.
So general was there a feeling that the present gov- ernment was too weak to ever establish a stable govern- ment of Republican form, that Colonel Nicola, an officer greatly respected, addresseed a letter to Washington in May, 1782, in which, professing to speak for the army, he declared that a Republic was the least stable of all forms of government, and that the English Government was the nearest to perfection that could be established.
"Owing to the prejudice of the people," he said, "it might not be at first prudent to assume the title of royalty, but if all things were once adjusted, we believe strong arguments might be produced for admitting the title of King." Washington's reply was a stern rebukc administered in a letter to Col. Nicola, in which he said: "It is with a mixture of surprise and astonishment I have read the sentiments yon have submitted to my perusal. Be assured, sir, no occurrences in the course of the war have given me more painful sensations than your information of there being such ideas existing in the army as you have expressed, which I must view with abhorrence and reprehend with severity. **** I am much at loss to conceive what part of my conduct has given encouragement to an address, which to me, seems big with the greatest mischief that can befall my country. If I am not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could not find a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable. Let me conjure
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ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK
you, then, if you have any regard for your country, con- cern for yourself or posterity, or respect for me, to ban- ish these thoughts from your mind."
In the latter part of 1782 the discontent in the army was more intense than ever before and a committee of the army visited Congress in December but failed to receive any encouragement from that body for relief. The futile errand of this committee resulted in the pub- lication of the celebrated "Newburgh Letters," of which {wo were published in pamphlet form and circulated anonymously. They were written with great power and ability and were in tone treasonable in their utterances. One of them advised them to assert their power and compel Congress to right their wrongs, and another con- cluded: "Can you consent to wade through the vile mire of dependency and owe the remnant of that life to char- ity which has hitherto been spent in honor? If you can, go, and carry with you the jest of Tories, the scorn of Whigs, and what is worse, the pity of the world. Go, starve and be forgotten." Growing bold in his indig- nation the writer swept down on Washington himself and exclaimed: "Suspect the man who would advise to more moderation and longer forbearance. Let nothing but death separate you from your arms."
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