USA > New York > Westchester County > A history of the county of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Major Popham was President of the New York State Society of Cincinnati,a and as the oldest member, President General of
" The following general order was issued by the New York State Society of the Cincinnati, dated New York, Sept. 27th, 1847.
NEW YORK STATE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI.
GENERAL ORDER.
New York, Sept. 27th, 1847. It has become the painful duty of the vice presi- dent to announce to the society the death of their venerable president, Major Wil- liam Popham, at the advanced age of 95 years. Major Popham was also President General of the General Society of the Cincinnati of the United States.
He was a native of Ireland, and came to this country previous to our Revolution, and was at its commencement, appointed a lieutenant in the army, and at the bat- tle of Long Island with a detachment of troops under his command, captured and brought to head quarters in this city, a British guard with its commanding officer, and was highly complimented by General Washington on the occasion ; he was afterwards appointed an aide-de-camp to General James Clinton, and subsequently to Baron Steuben, by whom he was much beloved ; he continued in the service till the termination of the war, was a brave and accomplished officer, and a gentleman of considerable legal and literary acquirements. He held for a long time an im- portant civil office connected with our courts of justice. He always sustained the character of the most exemplary punctuality in the execution of his official duties.
127
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
the General Society of Cincinnati of the United States, an office first held by General Washington. As president general he had in his possession the golden eagle of the order, most splendidly set in diamonds. It bears the following inscription : " Presented in the name of the French sailors, to his Excellency the General Washington." This precious relic of the society, goes to his successor in the office.a
Immediately north of the Popham residence, is situated the estate of the Varian family. The late Col. Jonathan Varian who greatly distinguished himself in the last war with Great Britain, was the eldest son of Michael Varian, who occupied the homestead in 1775. Michael as well as his brothers Richard and Isaac, took an active part in their country's service, during the revolutionary war. Of this family was Isaac Varian former Mayor of the city of New York.
In the northwestern corner of the town, lies Morningville, two miles south of White Plains. Here is a railroad station, and the Bronx Powder Manufactory, of the Messrs. E. F. Haubold and Company. There are now in operation four grinding mills, a dyeing house, saltpetre magazine, two coal houses, store house and car house, besides a spacious stone dwelling.
Near the centre of the town, upon what is called the Angevine farm, stands the former residence of Fenimore Cooper, Esq. The house is in the French chateau style, and will excite atten-
In private life he was respected and beloved by all who knew him ; his mental faculties were retained with great vigor until the last moment of his life, and died as a Christian soldier, with the confident hope, that his piety and faithfulness, would entitle him to the reward in the life to come, promised to those who con- tinue faithful to the end.
" Sweet sleep the brave who sink to rest, With all their country's honor blest."
The members of the society are requested to wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days. By order,
GEN. ANTHONY LAMB, Vice Pres't. EDWARD P. MARCELLIN, Sec'y.
a Major Popham was the third person who has held that office since its institution in 1783.
128
HISTORY OF THE
tion from its commanding position. There is an extensive view from the south front of the sound and surrounding country.
In this vicinity formerly resided Captain De Kay, the father of James E. De Kay, M. D., one of the geological commissioners of the state.
On the south eastern side of Scarsdale, is situated the Quaker meeting honse. Upon the site of the oldest building stood a much older structure, erected prior to the Revolution.a
The first Independent election for officers of the manor of Scarsdale, took place on the 22nd of Dec. 1783. In pursuance of an act of the legislature passed Oet. 23d, 1779, entitled "an act to provide for the temporal govern- ment of the southern part of this state, whenever the enemy shall abandon or be dispossessed of the same, and until the legislature can be convened," &c.
" The town met on the aforesaid day, at the house of Jonathan Griffin, near the usual place of holding said meetings ; then and there the inhabitants pro- ceeded to choose town officers by a majority of votes.
Jonathan Tompkins, Supervisor. Benjamin Cornell, Clerk.
Stephen Cornell, } Thomas Cornell, S Assessors.
Israel Herriott, Constable and Collector.
Ferris Cornell,
Samuel Fisher, S Overseers of the highway.
Ferris Cornell, Pounder.
John Crompton, Fence and Sewage Viewers. Thomas Cornell, S
At a town meeting held in the manor of Scarsdale, at the school house in said manor, near Capt. Jonathan Griffin's, on the 6th of April, 1784, and in the 8th year of the independency of America, according to an act of assembly made in that case for each town, manor, province and district, to choose all necessary town officers for the benefit of the towns, for the ensuing year.
Jonathan Tompkins, John Barker, Inspectors of said meeting.
Israel Herriott,
Jonathan G. Tompkins, Supervisor. Benjamin Cornell, Clerk.
a The first Friends' meeting house erected in this vicinity, stood near the Palme burying in Mamaroneck.
129
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
Israel Herriott, Constable and Collector. John Barker, John Compton, Assessors. Stephen Cornell, )
William Griffin, Samuel Higher, S John Crompton,
Overseers of highways.
Thomas Cornell, S Fence and damage Overseers.
Samuel Higher, Pounder.
VOL. II.
17
130
HISTORY OF THE
SOMERS.
SOMERS is situated twenty miles north of the village of White Plains, distant fifty miles from New York, and one hundred and twenty from Albany, bounded north by Dutchess county, east by North Salem and Lewisborough, south by Bedford and New Castle, and west by Yorktown.
Prior to the year 1788 Somers formed a part of the township of Hanover, within Cortlandt's manor. Upon the 7th of March, 17SS, it was independently organized under the title of Stephen- town, a name adopted out of compliment to Stephen van Cort- landt, one of its principal proprietors. The present name was bestowed, A. D. 1808, in honor, it is said, of Captain Somers, one of the gallant heroes of the Tripolitan war. This individual terminated a short but brilliant career in the bay of Tripoli.
The name of Somers, (says Mr. Silliman,) the twin brother in arms of Decatur, shines brightly in the history of American warfare; and the last desperate action which terminated his short and brilliant career with his life, is stamped in colors so in- delible, that nothing but the destroying finger of time can efface it from its pages. After a severe and continued fighting before Tripoli, the Turkish flotilla withdrew within the mole, and could not be induced to venture themselves beyond the guns of the Tripolitan battery. The ketch Intrepid was fitted out as a fire-ship, filled to the decks with barrels of gunpowder, shells, pitch, and other combustible materials ; and Capt. Somers, with a volunteer crew, undertook the hazardous, almost desperate, task of navigating her in the darkness of the night into the middle of the Turkish flotilla, when the train was to be fired and they were to make their escape as they best could in her boats. Lieutenants Wadsworth and Israel were the only officers allowed to join the expedition, which was composed of a small
131
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
crew of picked men. The Intrepid was escorted as far as pru- dent by three vessels of the squadron, who hove to, to avoid suspicion, and to be ready to pick up the boats upon their return ; the Constitution under easy sail in the offing.
Many a brave heart could almost hear its own pulsations in those vessels, as she became more and more indistinct and gra- dually disappeared in the distance. They watched for some time with intense anxiety, when a heavy cannonade was opened from the Turkish batteries, which, by its flashes, discovered the ketch determinedly progressing on her deadly errand. She was slowly and surely making for the entrance of the mole, when the whole atmosphere suddenly blazed as if into open day. The mast with all its sails shot high up in the air; shells whizzed, rocket-like, exploding in every direction ; a deafening roar fol- lowed, and all sunk again into the deepest pitchy darkness. The Americans waited-waited-in anxions-at last sickening suspense. Their companions came not-the hours rolled on- no boat hailed-no oar splashed in the surrounding darkness. The east grew gray with the dawn-the sun shone brightly above the horizon, nought but a few shattered vessels lying near the shore-the flotilla-the batteries-and the minarets of Tripoli gilded by the morning sunbeamns, met their gaze. Those noble spirits had written their history. Whether consigned to eternity by a shot of the enemy, prematurely exploding the magazine, or from the firing of the train by their own hands, must always re- main untold and unknown."a
The U. S. brig Somers, lost in a gale off Vera Cruz, January, 1847, was also named after this young hero.
Under the Mohegan Indians, Somerstown formed an appen- dage to the great territory of Amaghpogh or Ammawalk. In 1699 a deed for this tract was executed by Sachima Wicker, the chief of the Kightawonck tribe, (within whose limits Amagh pogh was comprehended,) to Stephanus van Cortlandt.
The principal Indian settlement appears to have stood upon
· Silliman's Gallop among American Scenery.
132
HISTORY OF THE
the summit of a rocky ridge bordering the Croton river, on the lands of Gerard Crane, Esq. Indian lodges also occupied the higher grounds and adorned the romantic banks of the numerous streams intersecting this town. In the woods of Ray Tompkins, Esq., situated upon the east side of Angle Fly brook, are yet visible the remains of Indian habitations. The Indian burying ground lies near Wood's bridge, at the junction of Plum brook and Croton river. This beautiful portion of Westchester county, so highly diversified with hills and dales was once covered with extensive forests, abounding with every species of wild game. Deer were numerous here as late as 1780, and wolves, though rare, were not extinct at that period. The Indians, for the better purpose of hunting the large herds of deer that roamed through these forests, annnally burnt the higher grounds. "This prac- tice (says Vanderdonck,) is named by us and the Indians, 'bush- burning,' which is done for several reasons; first, to render hunting easier, as the bush and vegetable growth renders the walking difficult for the hunter, and the crackling of the dry substances betrays him and frightens away the game. Secondly, to thin out and clear the woods of all dead substances and grass, which grow better the ensuing spring. Thirdly, to circumscribe and enclose the game within the lines of the fire, when it is more easily taken, and also because the game is more easily tracked over the burned parts of the woods. The bush burning presents a grand and sublime appearance. On seeing it from without, we would imagine that not only the dry leaves, vegetables and limbs would be burnt, but that the whole woods would be con- sumed where the fire passes, for it frequently spreads and rages with such violence, that it is awful to behold," &c.a "The last burning remembered by the oldest inhabitant took place on the high ridge east of Primrose street.
By the royal patent to Stephanus van Cortlandt in 1697, it will be seen that he enjoyed the sole right of hunting deer with- in the forests of Cortlandt, a privilege usually conceded to the Ranger of the county.b
& N. Y. Hist. Collect. 2d series, vol. i.
t See Cortlandt town, vol. i. 46.
133
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
The deep seclusion of the woods bordering Plumb brook af- forded an agreeable haunt to the beaver, and here these industri- ous animals had constructed an extensive dam which long sur- vived their existence.
Upon the partition of the manor of Cortlandt among the heirs of the Hon. Stephanus van Cortlandt in the year 1734, the fol- lowing allotments were made in this town; north lot, No. 5, Mrs. Margaret Bayard ; ditto No. 6, Philip van Cortlandt ; ditto, No. 7, Andrew Johnston ; part of north lot No. 8, Mr. Miller; south lot, No. 5, Stephen de Lancey ; ditto No. 6, Stephen van Cort- landt; ditto half of lot No. 7, Stephen van Cortlandt ; part of south lot No. 9, Mrs. Susannah Warren ; ditto, No. 10, Stephen de Lancey ; this lot has since been annexed to the town of New Castle by an act of the legislature, passed in 1846. Subsequent to the above division, we find the heirs of Stephanus van Cort- landt disposing of their respective rights in the same. On the 4th of June, 1760, Samuel Bayard granted to Hachaliah Brown, gentleman, of the town of Rye, "all that tract of land being in the northernmost part of the manor of Cortlandt, bounded north by the dividing line of Dutchess and Westchester, to the line of Philips's upper patent, west by lot of Andrew Johnston, south by bounds of Samuel Brown and east by Croton river."
In the year 1762, Andrew Johnston conveyed to Hachaliah Brown, "all that lot of land, situate, lying and being in lot No. 6, east range, and being part of north lot No. 7, at Plum brook, consisting of two hundred and thirty acres.b
It appears that Andrew Johnston did also in his lifetime, by a certain indenture bearing date, 20th March, 1762, lease to John Hampstead a certain lot of land, lying and being at Plum brook, in the manor of Cortlandt, known by the name of farm No. 4, west range, and is part of great lot No. 7. The same was again
a Co. Rec. Lib. I. 61. Upon the 17th of June, 1760, Hachaliah Brown of Rye, conveyed the same to his eldest son, Hachaliah Brown, Jun. The property is still vested in their descendants.
b Co. Rec. Lib. I. 66.
134
HISTORY OF THE
leased to John Hampstead by the heirs of Andrew Jolinston, 24th of June, 1772.
John Hampstead the above lessee was one of the first settlers of this town. From his tomb-stone in the Union burying ground, we learn that he departed this life the 26th of April, 1801, at the advanced age of 107 years, 5 months and 21 days.
How few can reach those years of time, Which here are numbered to our view, Since death calls most while in their prime, And leaves behind so aged few.
Upon the 3d of Dec. 1772, the devisees of Andrew Johnston conveyed to Lewis Bailey, farm No. 9, in west range of great north lot No. 7.ª In the year 1775, the executors and heirs of Andrew Johnston deceased, conveyed to Abraham Theale, cer- tain lands situate on Plum brook.
A. D. 1793. John Johnston, executor of Andrew Johnston, conveyed to Benjamin Green of Stephentown, a farm in the north east corner of lot No. 4, west range, being part of Andrew John- ston's great north lot No. 7.
These sales clearly show that the great lots were again sub- divided by the devisees of Stephanus van Cortlandt. Many of the descendants of the above mentioned grantees still occupy the patrimonial estates in fee simple.
The oldest record relating to town officers occurs in a small mannscript volume, entitled as follows :
" Book of the records of the proceedings from the first town meeting of the people of Stephentown, being the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and eighty-eight, whereof William Horton, Esq. was chosen town clerk.
The first Tuesday in April, in the year above written, the people of Stephentown met at the house of Benjamin Green, for choosing town officers and other necessary business of the town for the year ensuing.
Hachaliah Brown, supervisor.
· Co. Rec. Lib. I. 179.
135
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
William Horton, Esq., town clerk.
Obadiah Purdy,
Nathaniel Wright,
assessors.
Herman Hilliker,
Samuel Green,
John Stedwell,
overseers of the poor.
Jacob Lent,
Benjamin Green, constable and collector."
The village of Somers is pleasantly situated on a beautiful plain almost surrounded by romantic hills, the top of which are clothed with a profusion of green verdure. The air of this de- lightful region is said to be uncommonly mild and salubrious. To the south of the village lies the delightful vale of Plum brock, through which passes the road to Pine's bridge. On the north-east Prospect hill rises in a grand and picturesque manner. The village of Somers Plain, commonly so called, " is the prin- cipal market of lean stock of cattle and sheep, brought hither from various and distant parts of the country to supply the wants occasioned by the sales of fattened cattle and sheep to the butch- ers of New York. The farmers of this county carry on an ex- tensive traffic in this way, and droves are annually and almost constantly arriving from the inland regions, some from 100, 200, and 300 miles, to replace the consumption."a It is computed that over 5000 head of horned stock are annually fatted in this district alone.
A bank has been for many years established in this village, under the name of " the Farmers and Drovers Bank of So- mers." This institution was first organized under the general banking law of 1839, with a capital of $111,000. First presi- dent, Horace Bailey, Esq. It deserves notice that the money of the Farmers and Drovers Bank has always been redeemable at par, The present board of directors, consist of
a New York Gazetteer.
136
HISTORY OF THE
Horace Bailey, Esq.
Lewis Doane,
Leonard D. Clift,
Edwin Crosby, John Titus,
Gerard Crane,
Thaddeus Crane,
Epenetus Howe, Stephen Brown, Charles Wright,
Daniel Kent, Lewis Brown,
Solomon Bailey.
OFFICERS. Horace Bailey, Esq., President. Egbert Howland, Cashier.
Near the centre of the village, and directly opposite the junc- tion of the Pines bridge and Peekskill turnpike road, stands the Elephant Hotel, a very commodious and handsome brick edi- fice, under the superintendence of Horace Bailey, Esq.
The large zoological exhibitions which annually visit this state, originated in Somerstown, through the enterprise of Hacha- liah Bailey, who imported about 1815, the celebrated elephant " Old Bet," the first ever brought to the United States. Other im- portations of animals quickly followed, but subsequently the smal- ler companies became absorbed into one grand travelling mena- gerie. The present proprietors are Messrs. Thaddeus and Ge- rard Crane. These gentlemen are associated with the great lion- tamer, Van Amburgh, and in the adjoining town of North Salem, with Lewis Titus i nd John June.
The Episcopal Church of St. Luke, occupies a fine situation, on the Plain, at no great distance from the hotel. It is a very handsome edifice of wood, in the Grecian style, with a stone basement beneath. The front presents a lofty portico, supported by Ionic columns ; the roof is surmounted with a low tower.
137
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
St. Luke's Church, Somers.
Previous to the erection of this church in 1842, Episcopal ser- vices were occasionally performed in the town, by the neighbor- ing clergy. They were held usually in an edifice erected by the liberality of persons belonging to the various religious socie- ties and others, possessing no denominational connection, under the name of the Union Meeting House. Here the church- men of this section of country were favored with the occa- sional ministrations of the Rev. R. C. Moore, the late pious and beloved Bishop of Virginia, and many other respectable and laborious clergymen. As early as 1808, we find the Rev. Evan Rogers officiating here. Before the 26th of January, in the year 1835, the present parish was organized under the rectorship of the Rev. Alexander Fraser, and about this time, arrangements were made for disposing of the interest which the Episcopal party held in the Union meeting house and parsonage, and build- ing a church for themselves. This was quickly effected through the active and zealous exertions of the vestry, to whose liberali- ty together with that of several other individuals of the neigh- borhood, friendly to the undertaking, the parish is indebted for its present commodious and beautiful church.
This building was consecrated to the service of Almighty God, on the 19th of January, A. D. 1842, by the Right Rev. VOL. II. 18
138
HISTORY OF THE
Benj. Tredwell Onderdonk. It had been previously incorpo- rated upon the 28th Feb., 1835.
Isaac Purdy, and Frederick J. Coffin, church wardens, Thaddeus Barlow, Aaron Brown, William Marshall, Gerard Crane, Edwin Finch, Charles Wright, William Clock and Ray Tompkins, ves- trymen.ª
LIST OF RECTORS.
Instituted or called. Incumbents. Vacated by
A. D. 1835, Rev. Alexander Fraser, Presb. resig.
A. D. 1842,
Rev. David H. Short, Presb. do.
A. D. 1844, Rev. Samuel Chalmess Davis, Presb. do.
A. D. 1846, Rev. Alfred H. Partridge, present incumbent.
Notitia Parochialis.
IS43, Communicants, 14. Baptisms, 1.
1844, do. 22 do. 12.
'The Presbyterian church is very pleasantly situated on the north side of the main street, near the foot of Prospect Hill.
Its front presents a neat portico of the Doric order. The Presbyterian society was first incorporated on the 10th of Janu- ary, 1811, under the name of the " Union Presbyterian Church of Somerstown," Darius Crosby, Lewis Brown, Amaziah Mead, Joseph Owen, jr., James Bailey and Ebenezer White, jr., trus- tees.b In the year 1832, a mutual division took place, which led to the erection of the Presbyterian Church at Croton falls, whose pastor is the Rev. Joseph Nimmo. The present church edifice was erected, A. D. 1799.
CATALOGUE OF PASTORS AND SUPPLIES.
Instal or call. A. D. 1801,
Pastor or Supply.
Rev. John McNiece,
A. D. 1805, Rev. Mr. Perkins,
vacated by resignation ditto.
& Co. Rec. Religious Soc., Lib. B. 33,
b Ibid. Lib. A. 45.
139
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
A. D. 1823,
Rev. Sylvanus Haight,
A. D. 1821,
Rev. Abraham Purdy,
resig. by death.
A. D. 1825,
A. D. 1826,
Mr. Abner Brundige, { Mr. James Austin,
Licentiates.
A. D. 1827,
Rev. Ezra Day, resignation.
A. D. 1831,
Rev. Griffith R. Griffith, ditto.
A. D. 1834,
Rev. Henry Benedict, ditto,
A. D. 1835,
Rev. Alexander Leadbither, ditto.
A. D. 1845, Rev. George Menelaus, present pastor,
Church Memoranda.
1846, Communicants, 25, Baptisms, 1.
The first Methodist Episcopal society in this town, was in- corporated on the 10th of May, 1791, Joseph Hadden, Thomas Bailey, John Stedwell, Abraham Golding, Samuel Wilson, Jun., and Benjamin Huestis, trustees.ª A second incorporation of the Methodist Episcopal church, occurs upon the 20th of De- cember, 1808.b The incorporation of the Methodist brick church, took place on the 20th of Sept. 1836. This building is still standing on the Malopack road, a little northeast of the village.
In the rear of the Presbyterian church is situated the Union burying ground. Here are memorials to the Browns, Owens, Wrights, Crosbys, Cranes, Finchs, Baileys, Turks and Whites, &c. &c. The oldest interment appears to be a member of the Roof family, 1770. A plain head-stone bears the following in- scription :
Sacred to the memory of JAMES BAILEY, who died Nov. 13th, 1826, aged 79 years 1 mo. and 16 days. O ! death thy ensigns here display,
a Co. Rec. Religious Soc. Lib. A. 45.
b Ibid®
140
HISTORY OF THE
Another mortal snatched away. From life, from friends, from every tie That binds to earth, yet called to die, Sich is our lot, like him here laid. We must be numbered with the dead,
And yield our life a transient day, To mingle with our mother clay.
In this yard lie also the remains of Mary, wife of Luther Kin- nicut,a who departed this life Nov. 13th, 1811, aged 56 years.
In the immediate vicinity of the village, are situated the farms and residences of Gerard Crane, Edward Finch, Charles Wright,b Thaddeus Crane, Caleb Green, Robert Halleck, John Tituse and others.
A charming valley opens to the east of the plains through which flows the Croton. Rapidity seems to be the principal characteristic of this fine stream, its Indian name Kitcha- wan, denoting the general swiftness of its current. South of Dean's bridge, the banks are highly diversified with romantic and picturesque scenery ; below Dean's bridge are Golding's, Woods' and the Muscoota bridges.
The village of Croton Falls, formerly Owenville, occupies the northeast corner of Somers, bordering on the south line of Put- nam county. At this place, the Croton river " affords hydraulic power to a great extent, but little of which is as yet occupied for manufacturing purposes." The stream is said to average three hundred horse power. Here are located a Presbyterian church, a paper mill, a saw and grist mill, a clothier's works, a post office, two stores and several dwellings, besides a rail road depot for the accommodation of travellers, and for merchandise. There is also a convenient hotel under the management of Messrs. Smith
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.