USA > New York > Gazetteer of the State of New York: embracing a comprehensive view of the geography, geology, and general history of the State, and a complete history and description of every county, city, town, village, and locality, Part 1 > Part 81
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1 The Catskill Packet, the first paper in tbo co., was published prior to 1800.
The Catskill Recorder was started in 1801 by Mackey Croswell. In 1817 Edwin Croswell assumed its control, and cou- tinued it until 1822. In 1827 it was published by Field & Faxton, and in 1828 it was issued ns
The Catskill Recorder and Greene Co. Republican, hy Faxton, Elliott & Gates. In 1849 it was united with The Demo- crat, and issued ag
The Catskill Recorder and Democrat, under which name it is still published by Joseph Josebury. The American Eagle was published at Catskill in 1810 by N. El- liott & Co.
The Catskill Emendator was commenced in 1813, and continued a short time.
The Greene and Delaware Washingtonian was commenced at Catskill in 1814, by Michael J. Kappel. In 1816 it was changed to
The Middle District Gazette, and published by Wm. L. Stone.
The Greene Co. Republican was established at Catskill in Nov. 1826, by - Hlyer. In 1827 it was sold to Ralph John- son : in 1828, to C. Hull; aud iu 1829 it was merged in Denton.
The Catskill Messenger was started in 1830, by Ira Dubois. It was subsequently issued by Win. Bryan, C. H. Cleve- land, and Trowbridge & Gunn. In 1849 it was changed to
The Greene Co. Whig : and in 1857 to
The Catskill Examiner, by which name it is now published.
The Catskill Democrat was started in 1943 by Joseph Josebury, and in 1849 it was united with The Recorder.
The American Eagle was started at Prattsville in 1854 by E. & HI. Baker, who removed it to Catskill the same year. In 1855 its name was changed to
The Banner of Industry, and published by Jas. II. Van Gorden. In 1857 it was sold to Henry Baker, by whom it is now published as
The Catskill Democratic Herald
The Greene Co. Advertiser was started at Coxsackie in 1832, and published for a time by Henry Van Dyck. In 1836 it was changed to
The Standard, and published by Thomas B. Carroll. It was subsequently issued a short time as
The Corsackie Standard.
The Coxsackie Union was established in 1851 by Fred. W. Hoffman. In Jan. 1857 it passed into the hands of D. M. & B. S. Slater, by whom it is still published.
The Prattsville Bre was started in 1852.
The Baptist Library was started at Prattsville in 1843 by L. L. & R. H. Ifill. In 1845 it was removed to Lexing- ton. The Prattsville Advocate was established by John L. Hackstaff in 1846, and was discontinued in 1858.
The Mountaineer was published at Prattsville in 1853 by Chas. II. Cleveland.
The Windham Journal was started at Windham Center, March 21, 1857. by W. B. Steele.
The Athens Visitor was commenced in 1858 by R.
331
GREENE COUNTY.
small, isolated settlements were made in the valleys of the streams in the interior of Greene eo. The great Hardenburgh Patent, granted by Queen Anne, covered nearly all of that portion of the eo. lying w. of the mountains. The N. line of this grant commeneed at the headwaters of the Kaaters Kil, being the head of the upper lake at Pine Orehard, and ran a N. w. course to the head- waters of the w. branch of the Delaware, in Stamford, Delaware eo. This line was run at three different periods, near the elose of the last century, by three different surveyors, uo two of them agreeing by the width of whole farms. This disagreement has proved a prolific source of litigation in the courts of the State for 50 years. The patent ineluded all that part of Delaware eo. lying E. of the w. branch of Delaware River, and nearly all of Ulster and Sullivan eos. When the settle- ments commenced, the tract was owned by a great number of individuals, who had purchased by townships. At an early period, Stephen Day (from Conn.) purchased a large traet in Greene eo., embracing a considerable portion of the old town of Windham, now forming the towns of Wind- ham, Ashland, Jewett, and a portion of Lexington and HIunter. This tract was principally settled by immigrants from Connectieut.
ASIILAND-named from the home of Henry Clay-was formed from Windham and Pratts- ville, March 23, 1848. It lies in the N. w. part of the co. Its N. and s. borders are occupied by two parallel spurs of the Catskill Mts., 800 to 1000 ft. above the valley. Batavia Kil flows westward through the town at the foot of the s. range. This stream is bordered upon the N. by steep bluffs 150 to 200 ft. high; and from their summits the surface gradually slopes upward to the s. foot of the N. ridge near the N. border of the town. Lewis Creek and several smaller streams are tributaries of Batavia Kil. About two-thirds of the land in the town is improved. Ashland, (p. v., ) on Batavia Kil, in the s. part of the town, contains 2 churches and a collegiate institute.1 Pop. 400. East Ash- land is a hamlet. The first settlement was made in the valley of Batavia Kil, previous to the Revo- lutionary War, by a few Dutch families from Sehoharie co. During the war, being harassed by the Indians and tories, the settlers returned to Sehoharie eo. The first permanent settlement was made in 1788, by Elisha Strong and several brothers named Stimpson.2 There are 6 churches in town.3
ATIIENS-was formed from Catskill and Coxsackie, Feb. 25, 1815. It is situated on the Hudson, near the center of the E. border of the eo. Its surface is broken by several rocky hills and ridges lying parallel with the Hudson, with uneven or undulating intervales between. A range of high clay bluffs borders upon the river; and a high rocky ridge, known as Potick IIill, extends through the w. part of the town. Several small streams flow southerly through the town, and Potiek Creek forms its w. line. In the w. part of the town are 3 small lakes. lu their vicinity, 4 or 5 mi. w. of the Hudson, are extensive beds of the Helderbergh limestone, large quantities of which are quarried for building purposes and for the manufacture of lime. Near the river the soil is a tough elay, bordered by sand; elsewhere it is a sandy and gravelly loam of a good quality. Briek and lime are the principal articles manufactured, and these, with hay, form the exports of the town. Athens, 4 (p. v., ) incorp. April 2, 1805, is situated on the Hudson, opposite the city of Hudson. Pop. 1747. The E. part of the town was settled at a very early period by immigrants from llolland.5 There are 5 churches in town.6
CAIRO-was formed from Catskill, Coxsackie, and " Freehold," (now Durham, ) March 26, 1803, as "Canton," and its name was changed April 6, 1808. It is situated at the E. foot of the Catskill Mts., the crest of the mountain forming its w. boundary. Its central and E. parts are broken by several high, rocky ridges. Round Top, also called the Dome Mountain, is a roeky, isolated hill 500 ft. high. The Catskill Creek flows s. E. through the town, and receives from the N. John Debackers Creek and Platte Kil, and from the s. Shingle and Hagel Kils. The soil is a clayey, gravelly, and shaly loam, fertile in the valleys and of medium quality among the hills. Cairo, (p. v., ) situated near the center of the town, on the Old Susquehanna Turnpike, contains 4 churches and several manufacturing estaly- lishments. Pop. 353. Acra, (p. o.,) in the w., S. Cairo, (p.o.) and Cairo Forge, about I mi. s. of Cairo, are hamlets. Settlements were made on the Shingle Kil previous to the Revolution.7 A Presb. church was organized May 22, and a Bap. May 25, 1799. There are 7 churches in town.8
1 The Ashland Collegiate Institute was founded in 1854, under the care of the M. K. denomination. The present number of boarding pupils (1858) is 100.
2 Among the early settlers were Agabus White, John Tuttle, Jairus Strong, Solomon Ormsbec, Dr. Thomas Benham, and Medad Hunt, most of whom were from Connecticut. The first birth was that of Deborah Stone, in 1789. Sandford Hunt kept the first store. and Medad lunt the first inn, in 1795. Ex Gov. Washington Hunt, son of Sandford llunt, was born in this town. 8 3 M. E., Prot. E., Presh., and R. C.
4 Formerly called " Lexmenburgh" and " Esperanza." The steamer Swallow, on her way to New York with a large number of passengers, was wrecked in the river opposite this place on the evening of April 7, 1845, and about 20 persons were fost .- Senate Doc .. No. 102, 1845.
5 A tannery was erected in 1750 by Nicholas Perry.
6 Bap, Friends, Luth., Prot. E., and Ref. Prot. D
7 A family by the name of Strobe, living on the Shingle Kil, were murdered by the Indians during the war.
8 3 M. E., Bap., Presb., I'rot. E., and Union.
332
GREENE COUNTY.
CATSKILL1-was formed March 7, 1788, as part of Albany eo. It was annexed to Ulster eo. April 5, 1798. A part of Woodstock (Ulster eo.) was annexed March 25, 1800; a part of Cairo was taken off in 1803 and a part of Athens in 1815. It lies upon the IIudson, in the S. E. corner of the eo. The surface is broken by several rocky ridges parallel to the Iludson: these ridges are principally composed of shales and gray grit. In the latter formation are extensive quarries, from which a fine quality of flagging stone is obtained and largely exported. A swamp, covering an area of several hundred aeres, extends along the IIudson below Catskill Village. The Catskill Creek flows s. E. through the N. E. corner to the Iludson, and receives the Kaaters Kil after the latter has pursued an irregular course through the center and s. w. part of the town. The other streams are Kiskatom Creek, and Jan Vosent Kil. The soil is principally tenacious clay, with sections of gravelly and shaly loam. Hay is the principal agricultural export. Large quantities of briek are manu- factured and exported. Catskill Village being the chief entrepôt for the eo., commerce forms one of the leading pursuits of the people. Catskill, (p. v.,) the co. seat, was ineorp. March 14, 1806. It is situated on the Hudson, at the mouth of Catskill Creek. It contains 5 churches, 3 newspaper offices, 2 banks, and a large number of mercantile and manufacturing establishments. Pop. 2520. Leeds, (p. v.,) situated at the falls on Catskill Creek, contains 2 churches and several manu- factories. Pop. 450. Palensville, (p. v.,) on the Kaaters Kil, in the w. part of the town, con- tains 2 tanneries, a woolen factory, and 18 dwellings. Kiskatom is a p. o. Settlements were made upon the banks of the Hudson, at a very early period, by immigrants from Germany. The flats in the valley of Catskill Creek w. of Leeds were first settled by Martin G. Van Bergen and Sylvester Salisbury, who in 1677 purchased the Indian title to an extensive tract. There are 9 churches in town.2 The Catskill Mountain House is on the line of Ilunter. See page 333.
COXSACKIE3-was formed, as a distriet, March 24, 1772, and as a town, March 7, 1788. Dur- ham was taken off in 1790, a part of Cairo and Greenville in 1803, New Baltimore in 1811, and a part of Athens in 1815. It lies upon the Hudson, N. E. of the center of the eo. A range of clay bluffs about 100 ft. high extends along the course of the river, and a range of hills 500 ft. high through the center of the town. The surface is level or undulating in the E. and is hilly and broken in the w. The prineipal streams are the Coxsackie, Potick, and Jan Vosent Creeks. The soil in the E. is clayey and sandy, and in the w. it is a gravelly, shaly, and clayey loam. Brickmaking is extensively pur- sued. Coxsackie, (p. v., ) situated near the Hudson, contains 6 churches, an academy, a news- paper office, a bank, and several manufactories.4 Pop. 1,800. Coxsackie Landing is 1 mi. E. of the village. Jacksonville, in the w. part, is a hamlet. The Dutch settled in town about 1652, on a traet about 6 mi. sq. purchased of the Indians. There are 8 churches in town.5
DURHAM-was formed from Coxsackie as " Freehold," Mareh 8, 1790, and its name was changed March 28, 1805. Parts of Cairo and Greenville were taken off in 1803. It lies near the center of the N. border of the eo. Its surface is hilly and broken, the N. E. eorner being occupied by the s. slopes of the Helderbergh Mts., and the w. border by the Catskills. The principal streams are Catskill Creek, flowing s. E. through the E. part, and its tributaries Fall, Bowery, Posts, and Brink Street Creeks. The soil is generally a heavy clay, with occasional sections of gravel. There are several mills and tanneries on Catskill Creek, which stream affords a fair amount of water power. Oak Hill, (p. v .. ) on Catskill Creek, has a pop. of 320. Durham, (p. v., ) 1 mi. w. of Oak Hill, contains 2 churches and 30 houses, East Durham (p. v.) 17 houses, Cornwall- ville, (p. v., ) in the central part of the town, 15 houses, and South Durham (p.o.) 10 houses. Centerville is a hamlet. The settlement of the town was commenced in 1776. Capt. Asahel Jones and Rozel Post, from Conn., settled in 1788.6 There are 7 churches in town.7
GREENVILLE-was formed from Coxsackie and " Freehold," (now Durham,) March 26, 1803, as "Greenfield." Its name was changed to "Freehold" in 1808, and to Greenville, March 17, 1809. It lies on the N. border of the co., E. of the center. Its surface is hilly,-the southern extremity of the Helderbergh Mts. occupying the eentral and w. parts of the town. The principal streams are Potiek, John Debackers, and Basie Creeks. The soil is chiefly a heavy, clay loam, well adapted to grazing; but much of it has been exhausted by too frequent eroppings with hay. About 1 ini. w. of Greenville Center is a sulphur spring. Greenville, (p.v., ) N. of the center
1 Great. Imbocht District, including this town, was formed | near this place : and several of the carly Hudson River steam- March 24, 1772.
2 3 M. F., 2 Ref. Prot. D., Pap., P-csb .. Prot. E., and Union.
8 Pron. Cook-sock'ey. Derivol from an Indian word signify- Ing " Owl-lukt."
' Shipbuilding was formerly carried on at the lower landing,
boats were built here.
6 2 Ref. Prot. D., 2 M. E., Prot. E., R. C., Union, and Af. M. E. . Mr. De Witt built the first gristmill, in 1758, and Jared Smith the first sawmill. about the same time.
7 2 Cong., 2 M. E., Bap., Presb., and Prot. E.
333
GREENE COUNTY.
of the town, contains 3 churches, the Greenville Academy, and 35 houses; Freehold, (p.v.,) in the s. w. part, 1 chureli and 24 houses; Norton Hill, (p. v., ) in the N. w. part, 16 houses; Green- ville Center 15; and East Greenville 1 church and 10 houses. 'Gay Head is a p. office. In 1768 the British Government granted 2 patents-one for 2000 and one for 5000 acres, located togetlier in the w. part of the town-to Major Augustine Prevost, of the 6th British infantry, who served in this country during the Old French War.1 Steplien Lantiman, Godfrey Brandow, and Hans Overpaugli, who settled in the town in 1774, were among the earliest settlers.2 There are 7 eliurches in town.3
HIALCOTT-was formed from Lexington, Nov. 19, 1851, and named from George W. IIal- eott, then sheriff of Greene co. It is situated in the s. w. corner of the co., and is separated from the other towns of the eo. by a mountain ridge 1000 feet highi. This ridge is crossed by difficult and unfrequented roads. A considerable portion of the territory is covered with forests. The sur- face is mountainous, comprising four valleys, in whieli rise the sources of the E. branchi of the Delaware. The soil is chiefly a gravelly loam of medium quality, and stony, but is well adapted to grazing. From its isolated position among the mountains," the chief avenue of communication with the outside world is on the s., by way of Middletown, Delaware co. West Lexington (p. o.) is in the central part of the town. The first settlement was made on the Bush Kil, in 1790, by Reuben Crysler, - Thurston, Josepli Brooks, and Timothy Tyler.5 There are 2 churches in town; O. S. Bap. and M. E.
IIUNTER6-was formed from Windham as " Greenland," Jan. 27, 1813. Its name was changed April 15, 1814, a part of Saugerties was taken off in 1814, and a part of Jewett in 1849. The surface is roeky and mountainous, not more than one-fourth being susceptible of cultivation. Several of the highest peaks of the Catskills-among which are High Peak, Round Top, and Pine Orchard- lie within the limits of this town." Two narrow valleys extend quite through the mountains and cross each other at nearly right angles near the center of the town. The first of these is the valley of Scho- naric Creek and its southerly continuation, that of the Platte Kil; and the second, that of the Kaaters Kil and Stony Clove. The soil is generally a heavy, elayey and shaly loam, very stony, and poorly adapted to agriculture. Hunter, (p. v.,) situated on Sehoharic Creck, in the N. w. part of the town, contains 2 churches and several manufacturing establishments. Pop. 393. Tanners- ville, near the center, is a p. office. Settlements were made during the Revolution, by "cowboys" from Putnam co. Their property was confiscated by the Whigs.8 Col. Wm. W. Edwards and his son Wm. W., from Northampton, Mass., moved into town in July, 1817, and erected the first ex- tensive tannery in the State in which the then new method of tanning was adopted. Within a few years after, other tanneries were built, and a very large amount of leather was made in the town annually for a long series of years, until the hemlock bark was exhausted. Most of the establish- ments are now abandoned. There are 3 churches in town; Presb., M. E., and R. C.
JEWETT-was formed from Lexington and Hunter, Nov. 14, 1849. It lies near the eenter of tlie w. half of the co. Its surface is principally occupied by high and rocky spurs extending w. from the principal N. branch of the Catskills. A high and almost precipitous ridge extends along the s. w. border of the town. Schoharie Creek and its tributary East Kil are the principal streamis. The soil is a heavy, reddish, gravelly loam of medium quality, often stony and rocky, and largely underlaid by a tough hardpan. Jewett,9 (p. v.,) in the N. w. part of the town, contains 2 churches and 14 houses. Jewett Center, at the junction of East Kil and Schoharie Creek,
1 Major Prevost erected a fine mansion on one of these tracts, a little w. of the village of Greenville, in which he resided until his death.
: Abraham Post, Eleazar Knowles, Bethnel Hinman, Peter Curtis, and Edward Lake, from Conn., settled in the town in 1783. David Hickock and Davis Denning erected the first grist- mill, in 1785.
3 2 Bap., 2 M. E., Prot. E., Presb., and Christian.
4 Wild game is still found in the mountains, and the pure, limpid streams abound in trout.
' Ralph Coc and Henry Hosford built the first sawmill, in 1820. Ralph Coe kept the first inn, and Ilenry Hamnican the first store. There is now no tavern, lawyer, nor doctor in town. 6 Named from John Hunter, an early proprietor of a part of the Hardenburgh Patent.
7 The Catskill Mountain Honse, npon Pine Orchard, is situated upon a precipice overlooking the Hudsou, and is 2212 ft. above tide. It was built by the Catskill Mountain Asso'n, at a cost of $22,000. for the accommodation of visitors. Among the hills, {ini. w. of the house. are 2 small lakes, each 1} mi. in circumference, -their outlet forming the Kaaters Kit. Upon this stream, a little
below the lakes, are the Kaaters Kil Falls, where the stream plunges down a perpendicular descent of 175 ft., and, in a few rody, another of 85 ft., falling into a deep, rocky ravine or clove, and finally finding its way into Catskill Creek. The views from the Mountain House, and the scenery among the mountains, are among the finest in the country, and the place is visited annually by thousands of tourists.
8 Samnel, Elisha, and John Haines, and Gershon Griffin, en- tered the mountains by way of Kingston and Mink Hollow, and settled on Scholarie Kil. Their location was discovered a year or two after by some Dutchmen from the x. side of the moun- tain, while hunting bears. They were followed, in 1786, by & number of Shay's followers, from Mass., who, on the suppression of his rebellion, fled to the mountains. James and Jacob Cari settled in the town in 1785; Saml. Merritt, and Saml. and Wm. Hayes, in 1791. Roger Bronson was the first settler at the village of Hunter. The first birth was that of John Haines. Mr. Olnr sted built the first gristmill, in 1794, and subsequently the first tannery, and kept the first store and inn.
9 Formerly called " Lexington Heights."
334
GREENE COUNTY.
and East Jewett, are p. offices. The first settlement was made near Sehoharie Creek in 1783-84, by Wm. Gass, a Scotchman.1 There are 4 churches in town; 3 M. E. and Presb.
LEXINGTON-was formed from Windham as " New Goshen," Jan. 27, 1813, and its name was changed March 19, 1813. A part of Jewett was taken off in 1849, but reannexed in 1858, and a part of Haleott was taken off in 1851. It lies on the s. border of the co., w. of the center. More than one-half of the surface is occupied by the lofty peaks and ridges of the Catskills. Schoharie Creek, flowing through the N. E. corner of the town, is bordered by high and steep rocky ridges. West Kil, its principal tributary, drains a valley 9 mi. in length, everywhere bordered by lofty mountains except on the w. Bush Kil Clove is a natural pass in the mountains, extending from the Schoharie Valley s. into Ulster eo. The soil is a slaty and gravelly loan. Only about two-fifths of the surface is susceptible of cultivation. Lexington, (p. v., ) on Schoharie Creek, N. of the center of the town, contains 2 churches and 27 dwellings, and West Kill (p. v.) 1 church and 31 dwellings. Bushnellsville is a p. o. on the line of Ulster co. The first settlement was made in 1788, on the flats of Schoharie Kil.2 There are 3 churches in town ; 2 Bap. and M. E.
NEW BALTIMORE-was formed from Coxsackie, March 15, 1811. Seutters, Little, and Willow Islands were annexed from Kinderhook April 23, 1823. It lies upon the IIudson, in the N. E. corner of the co. The general surface is hilly and broken. A line of high, rugged elay and slate bluffs rises from the river to a height of 100 to 200 feet, and a range of high, broad hills ex- tends s. through the center of the town. The w. part is comparatively level. The principal streams are Haanakrois Creek in the N. w. corner, Deep Clove Kil, Cabin Run, and the E. branch of Potiek Creek. Nearly all these streams flow through narrow and rocky ravines. The soil is chiefly a heavy, clay loam, with limited patches of sand and gravel. New Baltimore, (p. v.,) on the Hudson, in the N. part of the town, contains 2 churches, and has a pop. of 709. Medway is a p. office. Settlement was commeneed upon the Coxsackie flats at an early period. The Broncks, Houghtalings, and Conyns were among the first settlers. There are 9 churches in town.3
PRATTSVILLE-was formed from Windham, March 8, 1833, and named from Col. Zadoek Pratt. A part of Ashland was taken off in 1848. It is the N. w. corner town of the co. Its sur- face is principally occupied by broad mountain uplands bordered by steep and rocky slopes. Sehoharie Creek and Batavia Kil flow through wild and narrow mountain gorges. The soil is a heavy, reddish, gravelly and clayey loam, moderately fertile and profitable only for grazing. Prattsville, (p. v.,) on Schoharie Kil w. of the center of the town, contains 3 churches and several manufactories." Pop. 617. Red Falls, (p. v.,) ou Batavia Kil, contains a cotton fae- tory, a paper mill, and several other manufacturing establishments. Pop. 231. Settlements were made on the flats at Prattsville by Dutch immigrants from Schoharie co., during the period between the elose of the Old French War in 1763 and the breaking out of the Revolution in 1776.5 During the latter war the settlement was attacked by a body of Indians and tories led by a British officer. The inhabitants rallied, and a battle took place upon the bank of Schoharie Kil, a little below the Windham Turnpike Bridge, N. of the village, in which the Indians and their allies were routed. Rev. Cornelius D. Schermerhorn was the first settled preacher. There are 3 churches in town ; Ref. Prot. D., Prot. E., and M. E.
WINDHAM-was formed from Woodstock, (Ulster co.,) as part of Uister co., March 23, 1798. "Greenland" (now Hunter) and Lexington were taken off in 1813, Prattsville in 1833, and a part of Ashland in 1848. A part of " Freehold" (now Durham) was annexed March 26, 1803. It lies upon the w. declivities of the Catskills, N. w. of the center of the co. Its surface is very broken and hilly. A high range of mountains extends along the s. border, at the N. foot of which flows Batavia Kil,6 in a deep, rocky valley. The central and N. parts are occupied by mountain spurs divided by narrow ravines. The soil is a heavy, gravelly and clayey loam, of which disintegrated shale forms a large
1 Zephaniah Chase, from Marthas Vineyard, (Mass.,) settled ; son the first gristmill, in 1792; and Richard Peck opened the In the town in 1787 ; and Chester Hull, from Wallingford, Coun., first inn, in 1795. a soldier of the Revolution, in 1789. Among those who settled 83 Friends, 2 M.E., Bap., Christian, Ref. Prot.D., and Prot. Meth. 4 At this place, at the extensive tannery of the Ilon. Zadock Pratt, 60,000 sides of sole leather were tanned and 6.000 cords of bark consumed annually for 25 vears. soon after were Zadock Pratt, Theop. and Sam. Peck, Eb'r David, and Stephen JJohnson. Laban, Ichabod. Abraham, and Amherst Andrews. Benajah, John. and Jared Rice, Henry Goslee, Justus Squires, Daniel Miles, Adnah Beach, Isaac and Munson Buel, Gideon, Reuben, and Joel Ilosford, and Samuel and Daniel Mer- vin. The first birth was that of Henry Coslee, Jr. Wm. Gass kept the first inu, in 1790, Elisha Thompson the first store, in 1795, and Laban Andrews built the first gristmill the same year.
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