USA > New York > Ulster County > Gazetteer and business directory of Ulster County, N.Y. for 1871-2 > Part 14
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Captain Anning Smith was one of the first settlers of this town. His house, which is now standing, is situated about half a mile north of the village of Milton; it was built in 1770, and was a target for the British composing Vaughan's expedition up the Hudson in 1777. The premises are now occupied by two grandsons of the original proprietor, Messrs. Clark and L. Harrison Smith.
The first church was organized January 1, 1764. From a " Centennial Discourse," delivered by Rev. S. M. Jagger, June 3, 1864, we gather important facts. The Records of the Church open as follows:
" A Register of the Proceedings of Stephen Case and John Woolsey, first Trustees of the Marlborough Society and of their successors, begun the Emt day of January 1764."
A subscription for building a house of worship had been Parad August 8, 1763.
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" We the subscribers, for an encouragement towards building a meeting house for the worship of God, near the Old Man's Creek in Ulster County, to be founded on the Presbyterian foundation and Government of the Kirk
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,
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of Scotland, do promise for ourselves, heirs and assigns, to pay on demand the following sums annexed to our names to those that are trustees of said building, providing that Lewis Dubois does give two acres of land to re- main for that use forever."
The subscription list contains fifty-one names, and the sums range from fifteen pounds to four shillings, amounting in all to seventy-three pounds and two shillings. The first names on the list are Stephen Case and John Woolsey. On the 15th of April 1764, Lewis Dubois conveyed to John Woolsey and Stephen Case, two acres of land, but the society thinking that one and a half acres was enough, reconveyed half an acre to the donor. The motive of the donor is stated to be
" For that paternal love he hath for and towards the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, agreeable to the Articles of the Kirk of Scotland in the Presbyterian Faith."
It was to be used
"To build a meeting house on, and for a burying yard, for the use, bene- fit and advantage of the said Marlborough society and their heirs forever."
The conditions were that the deed should be void if the so- ciety should settle any other pastor than one who should main- tain the articles of religion of the Kirk of Scotland, agreeable to the Confession of Faith. The first house of worship, erected the same year, was 35 by 25 feet, and cost about one hundred and seventeen pounds. The first sermon in it was delivered by Charles Jeffrey Smith, August 26, 1764. The first burial in the church yard was March 3d of the same year. The first pastor was Rev. Abner Brush. The first sacramental service was held April 23, 1775, by Rev. Nathan Kerr. The society was not legally organized until April 6, 1784, when the following persons were chosen as Trustees : Anning Smith, Jonathan Brown, Michael Wygant, Isaac Fowler, Jr., Reuben Tooker, Nathaniel Dubois, Daniel Kelsey, Samuel Stratton and Wolvert Ecker, Esq. In March 1786 the sum of $400 was raised by subscrip- tion, to pay for preaching in Marlborough and some convenient place in New Paltz. The Trustees
Resolved, That no Baptist or Separate minister be allowed or admitted to preach, in the Meeting House, under any pretence whatever, without the joint and mutual consent of the trustees or a majority of them for the time being."
The whole number admitted to the Church from its organ- ization to 1808, was seventy-one, of whom fifty-three were still members. A revival occurred in 1811 and 1812 by which 116 members were added to the Church. Their house of worship was greatly enlarged about this time. The first Ruling Elders in 1810 were Charles Millard, Leonard Smith, Allen Lester, Andrew Ely and Nathaniel Bailey. In 1827 the congregration
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became separated from that of Paltz, and the pastor's labors confined to Marlborough. In 1842 Rev. S. M. Jagger was in- stalled over the Church, and on the 26th of June, 1867, he deliv- ered a Quarter Century Discourse and celebrated his Silver Wed- ding. In 1869 their house of worship was burned, and their present house erected the next year, at a cost of $33,000. It will seat 500 and with other Church property is valued at $40,000. Rev. Charles W. Cooper is the present pastor.
Christ Church was organized February 27, 1837, by Rev. Robert Shaw, the first pastor. Their house of worship was erected the next year. The present house was erected in 1858; it will seat 220 and cost $7,000. A convenient parsonage, ad- joining the church, was erected in 1863 at a cost of $3,000. The present number of communicants is 37; the present pastor is Rev. S. W. Akaly.
The Presbyterian Church of Milton was organized July 12, 1841, by a committee of the North River Presbytery, and con- sisted of 20 members. Rev. M. F. Liebenau was the first pas- tor. Their house of worship was erected about 1846; it will ·seat 250 and its present value is about $5,000. The present membership is 72; the present pastor is Rev. J. H. Myers, D.D.
All Saints Episcopal Church, of Milton, was organized Dec. 24, 1849, with two communicants. Rev. Samuel Hawksley was the first pastor. Their house of worship was erected in 1859 and will seat about 200. The present number of communicants is twenty. Rev. James W. Sparks is the present pastor. The Parish lost its pastor and founder in 1859, and from that date to 1870 had no resident rector. Services were maintained during the summer months by Rev. S. M. Akaly.
The population of the town in 1870 was 2,974, and its area 14,680 acres, with an assessed value of $379,811.
There are eight school districts, employing nine teachers. The number of children of school age is 1,033; number at- tending school, 631; the average attendance 246; value of school property $11,300.
NEW PALTZ was granted by patent, September 29, 1677. Its bounds were enlarged April 1, 1775, and a part of Hurley was annexed February 2, 1809. A part of Esopus was taken off in 1842, a part of Rosendale in 1844, Lloyd in 1845, and a part of Gardiner in 1853. It is an interior town, lying south-east of the center of the County. The surface generally is a hilly upland. The Shawangunk Mountains extend along. the west border. Paltz Point, the highest point, is 700 feet
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above tide. The Wallkill flows north-east, through near the center ; it is bordered by broad, fertile flats. The soil generally is a fine quality of sandy loam. Hay and fruit are exported.
New Paltz (p. v.) is situated upon the Walkill and is a station on the Wallkill Valley R. R. It contains three churches, viz., Reformed, Methodist and Colored Methodist; the New Paltz Academy, two printing offices, at which are printed the New Paltz Times and the New Paltz Independent, two banks, two hotels, eight stores of various kinds, three wagon shops, three blacksmith shops, three paint shops, an apple distillery, a meat market, two harness shops, three boot and shoe shops, two livery stables, two restaurants, several other shops, a dis- trict school and about 500 inhabitants. The Village Hall is & fine brick structure, 40 by 80 feet, with a basement. It was built by the New Paltz Literary Association in 1863, and will seat about 500 persons. A daily stage connects this place with Lloyd Landing and Poughkeepsie.
The New Paltz Rural Cemetery is located about a mile south of the village ; it is neatly laid out and contains twenty acres. Among the monuments is one of Quincy Granite, erected to the memory of the soldiers from this town who lost their lives in the Rebellion. It is four feet square at the base, 18 feet high, and cost $900. It contains the names of those to whose memory it was erected.
Ohioville (p. v.) is about two miles east of New Paltz, and contains two wagon shops, a blacksmith shop, a school house and seventeen houses. .
Put Corner's is a hamlet, about a mile east of New Paltz village.
Cold Spring Corners is in the north-east corner of the town, on Black Creek, and contains a Methodist church, a store, a blacksmith shop, a school house and half a dozen dwellings.
Butlerville, about two miles west of New Paltz, is a thickly settled farming community, has a Friends' meeting house and a school house.
Springtown, about three miles north of New Paltz, on the west side of the Wallkill, is a station ca the W. V. R. R.
Paltz Point and Lake Mohunk are about five miles from New Paltz. The lake, near the top of the mountain, is clear as crystal, from 40 to 80 feet deep. A fine hotel has been built upon the shore, and the place is quite a resort for summer tourists. The view from the Sky Top is one of the finest in this region.
The town was first settled by French Huguenots, who had previously resided for a short time at Kingston, or Esopus, as
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it was then called. The circumstances that attended the dis- covery of the fertile Wallkill Valley are so beautifully described by Edmund Eltinge, Esq., in a paper published by the Ulster Historical Society, that we quote largely from that document. After speaking of the Indian massacre at Kingston, he says :
" Catharine Blanshan, wife of Lewis DuBois, and three other females were captured, and carried away by a detachment of these cruel warriors, far into the wilderness, as a great prize, where they would be least likely to be pursued, traversing on their way the fine hunting grounds up the Wallkill, where in those primitive days, the bear, deer and other favorite game abounded. This massacre occurred on June 6, 1663. This act aroused the remaining people of the settlement, and measures were at once taken to punish the savages for this outrage, and if possible to recover the loved ones snatched away from them. They succeeded in taking captive an Indian, who was of some standing in the tribe and acquainted with the circumstances at- tending the capture of the women, and where they were taken. The whites now determined that he should aid them in their recovery, and negotiated with him to secure his life, if his advice led to their rescue, or to sacrifice him if they were deceived by his direction. This case of course absorbed the whole mind of the people. Business, labor and agricultural toils were laid aside until the wives of the bereaved ones should be restored, or their death known. The directions of this captive Indian were then taken and carefully noted, word for word; though un- written, yet the eager memories of these determined men fixed indelibly in their minds the various landmarks of the described route. They were directed to go up the first Big Water, the Rondout, to where another Big Water, the Wallkill, emptied into it; then follow up that until they came to a third Big Water, the Shawangunk, and follow up said stream to a certain land- mark, a short distance from which they would find the captive women. The captive Indian was held as a hostage and a party was sent out, consisting of the husbands of the captured females and others, on the route designated. They first bent their way to the Rondout and then up the rugged steeps of the Wallkill be- tween its mouth and Dashville Falls, where as yet nature presides in her almost primitive majesty and grandeur, but where ere long the busy hum of manufactories will be heard above the noise of water-falls and rapids, and wealth will issue forth as if springing from the foaming cataract. A little further on, their way was more easy and less obstructed. The interval lands in the Wallkill Valley received their passing notice and attention, but the ob- ject of their search absorbed their minds and energies. They pushed forward with all intensity and ardor in the pursuit,
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not much attention being given to extraneous matters. Soon they passed the rich flats near New Paltz village ; proceeding rapidly on, ere the sun had set, they came to the mouth of the Shawangunk, which was the third Big Water. They moved onward with hasty steps. The route pointed out by the cap- tive Indian had been found to agree with his direction, and now they felt confident that their dear wives were not far distant. The dogs that accompanied them seemed more eager as they went forward and led the party on their way. A few glens and thickets, a few more bends of the Shawangunk's winding way had been passed when the barking of the dogs aroused their al- ready wakeful minds. On they pressed, Lewis DuBois, whose ardor in the pursuit could not be excelled, moved on at the head of the party, more agile and strong than the others, thus rendering him the most noticeable of their number. An Indian secreted behind a tree, just at the moment he was discovered by DuBois, let go his arrow upon him. Luckily however it missed its mark, and DuBois with the power of a lion immediately sprang upon him and with his sword killed him on the spot. The affair with this single Indian did not long detain them. Content with a single glance at his lifeless body they pressed onward. A short distance further they came in sight of the captured females following the Indians to their camping grounds. When the whites and their dogs came in sight, they exclaimed 'Swanakers and Deers, Swanakers and Deers,' which tradition interprets, ' the white man's dogs, the white man's dogs.' It was at the ' Wildebargh ' that they came in sight of an Indian and Squaw, who ran to the camp to make known that the whites were in pursuit. As soon as the news was received by them they took flight ; their number at that time being small, as most of the warriors had gone off on a hunting expedition. The females at first moved off in the direction of their unnatural and unfriendly protectors, not knowing the true cause of the alarm. Soon however the stentorian voice of their husbands fell upon their ears, and turning suddenly they ran with quick- ened steps to their embrace.
" Again tears of joy were mingled, and hearts beat in unison to each other. On the very spot where faggots had been piled to execute these women, they could now repose in the arms of husband and friend in safety. It is said that these devoted women had resorted to singing psalms and hymns to bucy up their own spirits and breathe out their trust upon the All- wise Governor of the Universe, and singular as it may appear, it was the means of prolonging the time of their intended final death by the savages. The Indians were charmed by their music, and having previously discovered this, these prisoners
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sung their Holy Song-the 137th Psalm in the Reformed Dutch Church Collection-in sight of the place of torture to which they were consigned. But deliverance was near. The God whom they trusted was about to make bare his arm for their rescue. As the whites approached, the Indians disap- peared. The charms of music were suddenly dispelled and ex- changed for the dismay occasioned by the approach of their white enemies, and affrighted they fled to the hunting grounds of their companions, now upon the mountains, leaving their captives behind. What emotions shot through every muscle of the heart and fibre of the frame of loving ones as they were clasped in each others arms. Grim death had opened his jaws and was about devouring his prey and closing upon them for- ever. Life and Salvation spread their shield over them, and again a few more years-a few more days of promise were in store for them. Now the plaintive song was exchanged for shouts of joy, and notes of happiness and rejoicing beamed forth upon the twilight air. They now composed themselves for the night, their couch being the dried leaves of last autumn's providing, its drapery the overhanging branches of trees and vines. The night was a sleepless one. These females had to recount to their husbands their tales of thrilling interest. The incidents of their capture and the experiences of their captivity required a long recital. The. pile of faggots was lighted, not for cruelty, torture and death, but for its warmth and comfort during the chilly hours of the night. At the rising of next morning's sun no doubt an offering of prayer and thanks- giving ascended on High, and then the journey homeward entered upon. On their return home the glad welcome came forth from every cottage. The first Indian skirmish had been passed, the female prisoners were restored, the captive Indian again joined his companions in the forest. As soon as the ex- citement of this rescue had passed away, the minds of these brave men again reverted to the discovered land of promise in the beautiful valley of the Wallkill, and particularly to the rich flats of New Paltz."
An exploring party was soon sent out, and the result was a treaty with the Indians and the purchase of about 144 square miles of land, in May 1666. It was bounded on the east by the Hudson River and on the west by Shawangunk, "Mohunk " forming the south-west corner; "Tower-a-tauch," the north- western ; " Rapoos," on the Hudson, the north-east, and "Yeof- rrous Hook," the south-eastern corner. The price paid con- sisted of 40 kettles, 10 large and 30 small; 40 axes, 40 adzes, 40 shirts, 400 strings of white beads, 300 strings of black beads, 50 pair of stockings, 100 bars of lead, one keg of powder, 100
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knives, 4 quarter casks of wine, 40 jars, 60 cleaving knives, 60 blankets, 100 needles, 100 awls and one clean pipe.
On the 29th of September, 1677, letters patent of this ter- ritory were granted by Gov. Andross, of which the following is a copy :
" Edmond Andross, Esquire, Lord of Saumarez, Lieutenant Governor- General under his Royal Highness James Duke of York, of Albany and of all his territories in America.
" Whereas, there is a certain piece of land at Esopus, which by my ap- probation and consent has been acquired from the Indian proprietors, by Louis Dubois and his associates ; the said land being situated on the south side of the redoubt called Creek or Kill, being from [i. e. beginning at] the high mountain called Maggonck, thence extending from the south-west. side, near the Great River, to a certain point or hook, called the Jauffronc- hook, situated along the tract called by the Indians Magaatramis, and from the north side ascending along the river to a certain island which makes an elbow at the beginning of the tract, called by the Indians Raphoos ; from the west side the high mountains to the place called Waratakac and Tauar- ataque, and continues along the high mountains from [on ?] the south-west side to Maggonck, formerly so called; all which things have been certi- fied to me by the magistrates of the said Esopus, to have been openly bought and paid for, in their presence as appears by the return :
" Be it known to all whom it may concern, that by virtue of letters pat- ent of his Majesty, and by the commission and authority which is given to me by his Royal highness, I have given, ratified and granted to the said Louis Dubois and his partners, that is Christian Doyau, Abraham Has- broucq, Andre LeFebre, Jean Hasbroucq, Pierre Doyau, Louis Bevierre, Anthoine Crespel, Abraham Dubois, Hugue Frere, Isaac Dubois and Simon LeFebre, their heirs and others having right from the said above named persons, the said pieces of land, as well arable as [also] the forests, moun- tains, valleys, prairies, pasturages, marshes, or ponds of water, rivers, rights of fishing, fowling, hawking and hunting, and all other profits, commodi- ties, and emoluments, whatsoever, of the said piece of land and appertain- ing acquisitions, with their and each of their appurtenances and all parts and parcels thereof. To have and to hold the said piece of land and acqui- sition, with all and singular the appurtenances and dependences, to the said Louis Dubois and his associates, their heirs and others having right of property according to usage.
"In consequence of the foregoing, the said Louis Dubois and his associ- ates, their heirs and others having rights in perpetuity [here the connec- tion is at fault perhaps from an omission] and the plantations which shall be established on the said parcels of land shall together be considered to be a village, and the inhabitants thereof shall have liberty to make a highway between them and the redoubt Creek or Kill for their convenience ; and the said Louis Dubois and his associates, their heirs and others having right, shall render a faithful account of the survey, and make a legitimate use thereof according to law ; rendering and paying each and every yeur, to his Royal Highness, the rightful acknowledgement or rent of five bush- els of wheat, payable at the redoubt at Esopus, to such officers as shall have power to receive it.
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" Given under my hand, and sealed with the seal of the province of New York, the 29th day of September, in the 29th year of the reign of his Ma- jesty and of our Lord, 1677.
[Signed]
Andross.
Examined by me,
Mathias Nicolls, Secretary."
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These patentees, or several of them, with their families, re- moved from the settlement at Esopus in the early part of the season, and located upon the newly acquired territory. The" used for transportation three wagons, so constructed as to answer for tents to shelter them from the storm. These were called "Tricor." They at first located on the west bank of the Wallkill, nearly opposite the present site of New Paltz Academy, and having arranged their wagons for tents and designated the ownership of different portions of the rich alluvial flats, they commenced their labors. The lands were at first tilled in common and the proceeds divided equally. In the fall they were advised by the Indians to remove to higher grounds to avoid the spring inundation. They accordingly re- moved to the present site of the Academy, which had been the burying ground of the Indians. In 1728 the owners of this patent intrusted it's care' to twelve trustees, known as "The Twelve Men." These trustees were elected annually until the organization of the town under the State Government. In 1785 " The Twelve Men " were Simon DuBois, Jacobus Has- brouck, Johannis Freer, Jacob Hasbrouck, Jr., Abraham Don- aldson, Abraham Eltinge, Petris Hasbrouck, Samuel Bevier, Benjamin Deyo, Isaac LeFevre, Matthew LeFevre, Abraham Ein. By Act of March 31, 1785, the allotments made by the Twelve Men were confirmed. Their " Common Book " was to be retained by the Surveyor-General until a convenient time, and then deposited with the County Clerk of Ulster Co., to be forever preserved. Its records are deemed authentic evidence in Court. Abraham DuBois, whose tombstone appears in the village churchyard, is designated as the last survivor of the Twelve Patentees.
Among the first buildings erected after their final location on the east side of the river, was a log edifice which served the double purpose of a church and school house. As these set- tlers, like the Pilgrim Fathers of New England, had left their native country to enjoy religious liberty, the history of the settlement becomes to a great extent the history of the Chris- tian Church in New Paltz. For several years the prevailing language was French, which at length was superseded by the Dutch and subsequently by the English.
A church was organized Jan. 22, 1683, by Rev. Pierre Daille. It was styled the "Congregation of the Walloon Protestant Church." The following is the first entry in the Records of the Church, translated from the French :
"Jan. 22d 1683. M. Pierre Daille, minister of the word of God, arrived at New Paltz and preached twice on the Sunday following, and proposed
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to the families to choose by a majority of votes of the fathers of families an Elder and Deacon, which they did, and chose Louis Dubois for Elder and Hugh Freer for Deacon, to aid the ministers in the management of the members of the Church meeting at New Paltz, who were then confirmed to the said charge of Elder and Deacon. The present minute has been made to put in order the things which pertain to the said Church."
As the settlement consisted of only ten or twelve families, they were unable to secure the services of a settled pastor, but Mr. Daille appears to have divided his services between this Church and the Huguenot Church of New York. The last re- corded service of this minister was the marriage of "Peter Guimar, native of Moir Saintogne, to Esther Hasbrouck, native of the Palatinate, in Germany, April 18th, 1692." Dominie Bonrepose was the next minister, his services beginning May 31st, 1696. A change of language from the French to the Dutch occurred from 1700 to 1730, during which time there was no settled ministry. A second house of worship was dedicated December 29, 1720. It was of stone and finished with brick brought from Holland. It was of small size, square and having a window on each of three sides, and a door inclosed by a portico on the fourth. The roof was surmounted by a little steeple, from which a horn was sounded for religious services. On the 12th of December, 1741, the Consistory of New Paltz united with those of Rochester, Marbletown and Shawangunk, in calling Rev. John Casparus Freyenmoet to be their minister at a salary of £100 per annum. Rochester was to pay £31 6s. and a parsonage, for one-third of his services; Marbletown £36 14s. for another third, and New Paltz and Shawangunk £31 for the remaining third. In 1760, Rev. Johannes Mauritius Goet- schius entered upon the duty of pastor of the Churches of New Paltz and Shawangunk. Among the stipulations of the call were the following : to preach twice on Sabbath from Paas to October, in each church, alternately, the morning service to be from the Scriptures, the afternoon service from the Catechism. He was to visit his families every year with an Elder; on the other hand each Congregation was to pay him £40, good New York gold, and the Shawangunk Church furnish him with a house, barn, garden, out-buildings, spring and farm, and the New Paltz Church provide himself and horse with lodging, &c. In 1773 a new stone church was erected. Most of the churches in this part of the County were the offspring of the Church at New Paltz. The present house of worship was erected in 1839. December 20th, 1848, Rev. C. H. Stitt was installed pastor of the Church, and from his History of the Huguenot Church we have taken most of the items on this subject. The present pastor, Rev. Philip Peltz, D. D., was installed May 2, 1865. H
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