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 2 > Part 76
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 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
ESOPUS-was formed from "Kingston," April 5, 1811. A part was set off to Kingston, and a part of Hurley was annexed, in 1818, and a part of New Paltz was annexed April 12, 1842. It lies upon the Hudson, and is the central town upon the E. border of the co. Its surface is rolling in the E. and moderately hilly in the w. A range of hills extends N. and s. through near the center of the town, the highest peak being 1,632 ft. above tide. Hussey Hill, s. of Rondout, is 1,000 ft. high. Wall Kil forms the w. and N. boundaries, and Swarte Kil and Black Creek flow through the s. part." The soil is a light, clay loam. Fruit growing is becoming an important branch of business. Ce- ment is largely manufactured, and an extensive commerce is carried on by means of the river and Delaware & Hudson Canal.5 Port Ewen, (p. v.,) upon the IIudson, s. of the mouth of Ron- dout Creek, is a village built up by the Penn. Coal Co. A large part of the coal brought forward by the canal is here shipped upon barges for the Northern market. Pop. 1,300.6 Arnoldton, (p. v.,) upon Rondout Creek, in the s. part of the town, contains a church, woolen factory, cotton factory, and 150 inhabitants. South Rondout, upon Rondout Creek, in the N. part, contains an extensive cement and lime factory, a lager beer brewery, a brickyard, several boatyards, and 568 inhabitants. Dashville, upon Rondout Creek, in the s. part, contains a cement factory and 20 houses. Sleightsburg, upon the IIudson, at the mouth of Rondout Creek, contains an extensive shipyard and 40 houses. Ellmores Cove, (Esopus p. o.,) upon the Hudson, con- tains a church and 40 houses. Amesville (p. o.) and Atkarton are hamlets. Freeville, in the N. part, contains a gristmill and 20 houses. Settlements were made by the Dutch, soon after their first occupation of the co.7 The first church (Ref. Prot. D.) of which there is any record was formed in 1751; Rev. G. W. Mancius was the first prcacher.ยช
GARDINER'-was formed from Rochester, New Paltz, and Shawangunk, April 2, 1853. It is an interior town, lying s. of the center of the co. The surface is rolling in the E. and hilly in the
forcement of 40 men, under Ensign Myssen, arrived, and re [origin. The Esopns Indians-who lived in this region when lieved the fort. Capt. Krygier, with a cannon and a force of 210 first known to the whites-were of the Algonquin stock, and were allied to the Mohegan and the other river tribes. men, pursued the Indians to their forts and destroyed their grain. In Sept. another expedition surprised an Indian fort. 36 ' Along the bluffs that overlock the Hudson are several fine country residences. Two lighthouses are built in the river up- porite this town. mi. s. w. of Wiltwyck, killed the chief and 20 others, and re- stored 22 captives. The Indians were effectually broken and scattered, and late in the fall they sued for peace and restored all the remaining prisoners except 3.
: Thomas Chambers, the original proprietor of this patent, endeavored by will to entail it in his family; but it passed to strangers before the Revolution.
* Named in honor of Wm. II. Denning, former proprietor of a large part of the town.
3 The first sawmill was built in 1827, and the first tannery in 1850, at Dewittaville, by De Witt & Reynolds.
1 Sopus," as known by the Dutch, included both Kingston And the country s. of the Rondout. Their descendants still de- sigmate Kingston as "Spus," and the corporate town above named as "Klin Spus," or Little Sopua. The word is of Indian
0 Nained from John Ewen, President of the Penn. Coal Come pany. The village was laid out in 1551: nearly all of the in- habitants are more or less interested in the coal trade.
7 Johannes Louw was born in 1981; Baltus Terpening and Tryntje Van Vliet were married in 1052. These, so far as ia known. were the first birth and marriage in town. Win. Hin- man taught a school, at the llook, in 1763. A mill was built on Black Creek prior to 1800. A cotton factory was built at Dashville in 1828, and the one now at Arnoldton in 1530; the former is standing idle.
8 There are 6 churches in town ; 3 Ref. Prot. D., M. E., Prot. E., and Friends.
9 Named in honor of Addison Gardiner, formerly Lieut. Gov.
663
ULSTER COUNTY.
center and w. The Shawangunk Mts. extend along the w. border.1 The Wall Kil flows N. E. through near the center and receives Shawangunk Kil from the s. w. The soil is principally a gravelly loam, with clay and alluvium along the strcams. Lumber and Icather are manufactured to some extent. Tuthilltown, (Tuthill p. o.,) upon Shawangunk Kil, near its mouth, contains 20 dwellings.2 Libertyville, (p. o.,) on the N. line, and Jenkinstown are hamlets. The first settlement was made at an early period, by a colony of French Huguenots. The first church was formed in 1833; Rev. Wm. Brush was the first preacher.
HARDENBERGH'-was formed from Denning and Shandaken, April 15, 1859. It lics in the extreme w. corner of the eo. Its surface is a broken and mountainous upland, the highest summits being 2,000 ft. above tide. It occupies a portion of the watershed between the Hudson and Delaware. Beaver Kil, Mill Brook, and Dry Brook take their rise in the town. Dry Brook (West Shandaken p. o.) is a hamlet.
HURLEY'-was granted by patent Oct. 19, 1708.5 A part of the Hardenburgh Patent was released by Margaret Livingston, and was annexed March 3, 1789 ; and a part of New Paltz was taken off in 1809, a part of Esopus in 1818, a part of Olive in 1823, a part of Rosendale in 1844, and a part of Woodstock in 1853. It is an interior town, lying N. E. of the center of the eo. The surface is a rolling and moderately hilly upland, the highest summits being about 700 ft. above tide. Esopus Creek flows N. E. through the s. part. Along its course are extensive fertile flats. The soil is a sandy loam, a considerable portion lying N. of the creek being unfit for cultivation. Stone quarrying is extensively carricd on.6 Hurley, (p. v.,) on Esopus Creck, contains a church and 160 inhabitants ;7 and West Hurley, (p. v., ) in the N. part, 2 churches and 25 dwellings. The first settlements were made by the Dutch, about 1680.8 This town became the refuge of the inhabitants of Kingston when the latter place was taken by the British in 1777. The first church (Ref. Prot. D.) was formed in 1800; Rev. Thos. G. Smith was the first pastor.9
KINGSTON-was incorp. by patent May 19, 1667, and was recognized as a town May 1, 1702.10 Fox IIall Patent was annexed March 12, 1787.11 Esopus and Saugerties were taken off in 1811; a part of Esopus was annexed in 1818, and a part was annexed to Saugerties in 1832. It lies upon the Hudson, N. of the ecnter of the eo. Its surface is broken and hilly, the highest summit being Kuykuyt or Lookout Mt., about 600 ft. above tide. Esopus Creek flows N. E. through near the center, receiving Saw Kil from the w. as tributary. Rondout Creek forms the s. boundary. The soil is principally a clayey loam. A large business in coal, ice, and stone is carried on by the eanal and river. Kingston, (p. v.,) upon Rondout Creek, 2 mi. w. of the Hudson, was incorp. April 6, 1805. Besides the eo. buildings, it contains 8 churches, the Kingston Academy, several private seminaries,12 3 banks, ] savings bank, 4 newspaper offices, and several small manufactorics.13 It is the center of an extensive trade upon the river and canal.14 Pop. 3,971. Rondout, 15 (p. v.,) upon the Hudson, at the mouth of Rondout Creek, was incorp. April 4, 1849.
1 "The Traps" is a deep pass or gully, 650 ft. wide, extending through these mountains.
: A woolen factory was built at this place at an early period.
3 Named in honor of Johannes Hardenburgh, the patentee of an immense tract in this and adjoining cos. This town has been formed since the statistics for this work were obtained.
+ Named from Geo. Lovelace's family, who were Barons flurley in Ireland .- Benson's Memoir, p. 49. In early times it was called "Hurley Common."
$ The pateutces of thiis trart were Cornelius Kool, Adrien Gar- retsie, Matthew Ten Eyck, Jacobus Du Bois, Johannes Schiep- moes, Roeloff Swartwout. Cornelins Laminerse. Peter Petersies, Lawrence Osterhout, and Jnnuetie Newkirk. The successors of the original trustees afterward bonght 300 acres for the benefit of the corporation. An act of April 4. 1806. nppointed John A. De Witt. Levi Johnston, and a third person. to be named by the frecholders, to sell these lands and make a partition among the owners.
6 The stone obtained from these quarries is used for building and flagging. The business gives employment to several hun- dred men.
T Some of the buildings at this place are nearly 200 years old. A wire suspension bridge 160 ft. long here crosses the Esopus.
8 Among the early settlers were families named Crispell, Du Bois, Cole. Newkirk. Schepinves. Ten Eyck. Wynkoop, Elmen- dorf. Rowan, Constable, Louw. Delamater. and others,-mostly from llolland and Beleinm. In 1719 the following persons held the office of trustees of the corporation :- Cornelius Kool, Adrien Garretsie, Jacob Da Bois, Barnabas Swartwont, Jacob Rutse, Nicolaes Roosa. and Charles Wyle. The first inn of which there ix definite knowledge was kept about 1760, by Charles De Witt. at Hurley Village. Two gristmills were erected soon after the first settlement.
" There are 3 churches in town; 2 Ref. Prot. D., and M. E.
10 Called by the Indinns " Atkankarten,"-said to signify smooth land. It was more commonly called Esopus, from a tribe of In- dians that inhabited it. Gov. Stuyvesant granted it a charter, May 16, 1661, under the name of Wiltwyck. (Indian Town,) and relieved ft from dependence upon Fort Orange. Its affairs were to he managed by a sheriff and 3 schepens. Roeloff Swart- wout was appointed first sheriff, and Evert Pels, Cornelius Barentsen Sleight, and Elbert Ileymans Roose, the first schepens. Appeals from their decisions might be made to the Director General and Council in New Netherlands. The sheriff and commissioners were to hold n court every fortnight, except in harvest time, unless occasion or necessity might other- wise require. All criminal cases were to be referred directly to the Director General and Council, except the lesser crimes,-as quarrels, injuries. scolding. kicking, beating, threatenings, simply drawing a knife or sword, witbout assault or bloodshed,-which might be prosecuted in the lower court.
11 Fox Hall Patent was issued to Thomas Chambers, May 21, 1667, with manorial privileges. Chambers first settled on the trnct now occupied by Troy, as a tenant under Van Rensselaer Ile removed in 1652 to Esopus, acquired n large estate by trade, and rendered efficient service in the war against the Indians. He died in 1698. The district still bears the name of " Fox !Inll." 12 The Golden Hill Seminary and the Brookside Female Semi nary, two private bonrding schools, are located at this place.
13 The Newark Lime and Cement Manufacturing Co., organized in 1848, has 2 manufactories at Newark. N. J., and one ] at Ron dout, N. Y., producing in the aggregate 750.000 barrels annually 14 The principal trade is that of stone, obtained from the neigh boring quarries.
16 Formerly named "The Strand" and "Kingston Landing." When the canal was located, it was nained "Bolton," from the then president of the canal company ; but its present unme was adopted soon after. It is the Dutch unme for redout. It was,
664
ULSTER COUNTY.
It contains 8 churches, a bank, and newspaper office. The people are principally engaged in the coal trade; and a large number of stcamers, barges, and sailing vessels are constantly engaged in freighting coal, stone, and cement from this place.1 The Newark Lime and Cement Manufac- turing Co. manufacture a larger amount of waterlime and cement annually than is produced at any similar establishment in the country. Pop. 5,978. Eddyville, upon Rondout Creck, 2} mi. from its mouth, contains a cement factory2 and about 50 dwellings. It is the N. terminus of the D. & II. Canal. Wilbur, (p. v.,) on the Rondout, below Eddyville, contains about 100 houses. It is the center of an immense trade in flagging stones.3 Fly Mountain is a p. o. Dutch Settlement is a hamlet in the N. part. Flatbush contains a cement factory." The Dutch built a trading and military post here as early as 1614 ; but every thing was swept away in the wars of 1644-45. Another settlement was commenced in 1652, and abandoned in 1655. The first permanent settlers came in soon after, but suffered much from Indian hos- tilities for several years.6 Feb. 19, 1777, the first State Convention adjourned from Fishkill to Kingston. On the 9th of September following, the State Legislature convened herc, but dispersed upon the approach of a British force under Sir Henry Clinton on the 7th of Oct. At that time the public records were hastily removed to the back settlements, and the place was burned.6 The first church (Ref. Prot. D.) was formed May 30, 1658. There are 18 churches in town.7
LLOYD-was formed from New Paltz, April 15, 1845. It lies upon the Hudson, s. of the center of the co. Its surface is mostly a rolling and hilly upland, terminating in a bluff upon the river; and the average height of the surface above tide is about 200 ft. Swarte Kil flows N. along its w. boundary and Black Brook N. through the center. The soil is generally a clay and gravelly loam. The bluffs along the river are principally occupied by fine country scats. New Paltz Landing, (p. v.,) upon the river, contains 2 churches and 50 houses ; 8 Centerville (Lloyd p. o.) a church and 17 houses. Lewisburgh is a hamlet on the river, s. of New Paltz Landing. Riverside is a p. o. in the N. E. part. The date of first settlement in this town is quite ancient ; but most of the details of thic first ycars are lost. It was originally named "Paltz." The first church (M. E.) was formed in 1787. There are 3 churches in town ; 2 M. E. and Presb.
MARBLETOWN-was formed by patent June 25, 1703.9 It was first recognized as a town March 7, 1788. A part of Olive was taken off in 1823, and a part of Rosendale in 1844. It is ncar the geographical center of the co. The surface is a hilly upland, broken by the valleys of the streams. Stone Ridge, near the center, the highest summit, is about 400 ft. above tide. Esopus Creek flows through the N. part, and Rondout Creek through the s. E. corner. The soil is chiefly a clay and sandy loam. A quarry of Shawangunk grit has been opened, and a sulphur spring has been found near the line of Rosendale. Stone Ridge, (p. v., ) s. E. of the center, contains 2 churches and 80 houses ; Kripplebush, (p. v., ) in the s. part, a church and 12 houses. Iligh Falls10 is a hamlet upon the canal. Marbletown is a p. o. Bruceville (High Falls p. o.) is a small canal village on the line of Rosendale, in the s. E. corner. The first church (Ref. Prot. D.) was formed in 1738.11
MARLBOROUGHI-was formed as a precinct, from Newburgh Precinct, March 12, 1772,
at an early period of its growth, a maze of crooked lanes, bor- | 10 days after passing the barriers at the Highlands they amused dered by rude shanties and inhabited hy a floating population ! themselves by burning and plundering the places along the of Irish laborers. The village still contains a large proportion ; river. They took possession of Kingston Oct. 17, and. after plun- of Irish, and has a large and increasing number of German in- habitants. Its appearance has much improved within a few years.
1 Abont 20 steamers are engaged in the freighting business of this place. Lines of steamers also run regularly to Albany, New York, and intermediate places. A steam ferry connects the place with Rhinebeck, on the E. bank of the Hindsun.
2 The Lawrence Cement Co. mannfacture 90,000 barrels of cement annually.
3 The aggregate amount of this trade is more than $250,000 per annnm.
+ The Kingston and Roeendale Cement Co. mannfacture 70,000 barrels of cement annually.
' The site of the first Dutch fort is said to be npon a platean in the w. bonnds of Rondout. The locality is still called by Its Indian name, Ponkhockie, said to signify "Canoe Harbor." - On the 7th of June, 1663, as most of the people were at work In the fields, the Indians made a sudden attack upon the fort, (which was carelessly left open,) killed 18. and carried away 42 as prison- ers. Capt. Chambers rallied the men. drove out the Indians, and commenced a war in which the captives were mostly reclaimed and the Indians nearly exterminated. The first marriage on the church record was that of Jan Janse Timmermans and Catha- rine MattyRon, Oct. 3, 1660.
" The British force under Gen. Vanghan. consisting of 3.000 nen, was sent np the river to co-operate with Burgoyne. For
flering it several hours, they burned every house but one. The liouses were mostly of stone, and the woodwork was easily re- placed after the retreat of the British. Several of the early meetings of the Legislature were held at this place; and the first State Constitution was formed here.
7 2 Ref. Prot. D., 2 M. E., Bap., Prot. E., Presb., and Jewish, at Kingston ; 2 M. E., Presb .. Germ. Evar g. Lnth., R. C., Bap., Prot. E .. Ref. Prot. D., and Jewish, at Rondout; and M. E. at Eddy- ville.
8 A ferry connects this place with Poughkeepsie.
. This patent was granted to Col. Henry Beekman, Capt. Thor. Gaston, and Capt. Chas. Brodhead, in trust for the in- habitants. Trustees continued to be annually elected until 1808. The records of 1703 contain the names of the following petitioners for grants of land :- Mosy's Du Puy, Thomas Vande- Inarke, Loondart Kool, Richard Wilson, Jeremy Kettell. jr., Gysbert Roosa, Win. Nottinghamn, John Cock, sen., and Capt. Richard Brodhead.
10 The cement works of Delafield & Baxter. at High Falls, employ about 50 men. and produce about 40,000 barrels annu- ally. The falls on the Rondont are here about 50 feet high, affording a great amount of water-power.
11 The census reports 5 churches in town; 3 Ref. Prot. D. and 2 M. E. Rev. Derick Romeyn and Rev. J. R. Hardenburgh (afterward Pres. of Rutgers College) wero both pastors of the Ref. Prot. D. church at Stone Ridge.
665
ULSTER COUNTY.
and as a town, March 7, 1788. Plattekill was taken off in 1800. It lies upon the Hudson, in the S. E. corner of the co. Its surface is broken and hilly. Marlborough Mt., a rocky ridge along the w. border, is about 1,000 ft. above the river. The streams are principally small brooks flowing directly into the Hudson. The soil is a slaty loam. Milton, (p. v., ) upon the Hudson, in the N. part, contains 3 churches and about 75 dwellings. Marlborough,1 (p. v.,) in the s. part, contains 2 churches, several manufactories,2 and about 50 dwellings. Lattingtown is a hamlet. The date and statistics of the early settlement have not been ascertained. The first church (Presb.) was formed Jan. 1, 1764.3
NEW PALTZ'-was granted by patent by Gov. Andros, Sept. 29, 1677.5 Its bounds were enlarged April 1, 1775, and a part of Hurley was annexed Feb. 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 s. E. of the center of the co. Its surface is mostly a hilly upland. The Shawangunk Mts. extend along the w. border. Paltz Point, the highest summit, is 700 ft. above tide. Wall Kil flows N. E. through near the center ; it is bordered by wide, fertile flats. The soil is generally a fine quality of sandy loam. Hay is one of the principal products and exports. New Paltz, (p. v.,) upon Wall Kil, near the center, contains the New Paltz Academy, 2 churches, and 45 dwellings. Butterville, Ohioville, and Springtown are hamlets. The first settlements were made by a colony of French Huguenots, a few years before the date of the patent.6 The oldest church record is in French, and bears date of 1683. There are 3 churchies in town ; Ref. Prot. D., M. E., and Friends.
OLIVE-was formed from Shandaken, Marbletown, and Hurley, April 15, 1823. A part was annexed to Woodstock, and a part of Woodstock was annexed, in 1853. It is an interior town, lying a little N. w. of the center of the co. The surface is mountainous in the N. and w. and hilly in the s. and E.7 A considerable portion of the mountainous region is too rough for profitable cul- tivation. Esopus Creek flowss. E. through the town, a little N. of the center. The soil is a sandy, gravelly, and clayey loam. Lumbering and tanning8 are largely carried on. Shokan,9 (p. v.,) upon the creek, N. of the center, contains 2 churches and 20 houses ; Samsonville,10 (p. v., ) on the s. line, a church, tannery, and 30 houses ; Olive, (p. v., ) in the N. E. corner, a church and 25 houses; and Olive City, (Olive Bridge p. o.,) on the creek, near the center, a tannery and 20 houses. The first settlements were made in the Esopus Valley, in 1740.11 The first church (Ref. Prot. D.) was formed at Shokan, in 1800.12
PLATTEKILL" -- was formed from Marlborough, March 21, 1800. A part of Shawangunk was annexed April 3, 1846, but was restored March 28, 1848. It lics upon the s. border of the co., near the s. E. corner. Its surface is broken by a series of ridges of an average elevation of 300 ft. above the valleys. Its streams are small brooks and creeks. The soil is a fine quality of sandy and gravelly loam. Plattekill, (p. v., ) near the s. linc, contains a church and 25 dwellings; Clintondale, (p. v.,) in the N. part, on the line of Lloyd, a church and 20 dwellings; Flint, (New Hurley p. o.,) in the s. w. corner, on the line of Shawangunk, a church and 15 dwellings, and Modena, (p. v.,) near the N. w. corner, 16 dwellings. The first settlements were made about
1 This place is situated at the head of a deep, rocky gorge | ments made by the Twelve Men were confirmed. Their "Com- opening down toward the Hndson.
2 About 15,000 wheelbarrows and $40,000 worth of agricultu- ral implements are manufactured annnally. 3 The census reports 9 churches in town; 2 Presb., 2 M. E., 2 Friends, Prot. E., Bap., and Christian.
+ Pronounced New Pawltz, and named from Pfalz, the Ger- man name of the Palatinate.
6 The patentees of this tract were Lewis Dn Bois, Christian Deyo, Abraham Hasbroecq. Andries Le Fevre, Jean Brocq, Pierre Deyo, Lawrens Beverie, Anthony Crespel, Abraham Du Bois. Ilugo Frere, Isaac Du Bois. and Simon Le Fevre.
" The valley of Wall Kil was discovered by one of the par- ties engaged in parquing the destroyers of Wiltwyck. in the Bummer of 1663. The persecuted exiles from France, who first sought refuge in Germany, and thence emigrated to America, decided upon settling here. They bought the land of the In- dians May 26, 1677, and soon after they settled in their new homes. In 1728, the owners of the patent intrusted its care to 12 trustees, known as " The Twelve Men." These trustees wore dected annually, until the organization of the town under the State Government. The Twelve Men in 1785 were Simon Dn Bois. Jarobns Hashrouck. Johannis Freer, Jacob Hasbrouck, jr., Abraham Donaldson, Abrabam Eltinge, Petris Hasbronck, Samuel Bevier, Benjamin Deyoe, Isaac Le Fever, Matthew Le Fever, and Abraham Ein. By act of March 31. 1785, the allot-
mon Book" was to be retained hy the Surveyor General until a convenient time, and then it was to be deposited with the co. clerk of Ulster co., to be forever preserved. Its records are deemed authentic evidence in court.
7 The towns of Olive, Rochester, and Denning, corner on a hill which is about 2,700 feet above tide. Shokan Point is about 3,100 feet high; and the average elevation of the low- lands is 800 feet above tide.
8 There are 4 extensive tanneries in town, one of which, owned by Pratt & Samson, is the largest oak tannery in the co. It produces 70,000 sides of sole leather annually.
" Pronounced Sho-kan'.
10 Named from Gen. Henry A. Samson.
11 Geo. Middagh settled in 1740; Samuel Cox, in 1742; William Nottingham, in 1745,-all near Olive Bridge; John Crispell, in 1747, a little E. of Shokan; Ilendrick Crispell, at Shokan, in 1760; John Coons, in 1775; and Thos. Bush, in 1755, 8. of Olive City. The first inn was kept at Olive Bridge, by Conrad Du Bois : and the first store, sawinill, and gristmill, by Lemuel Winchell, at Winchells Falls. Two sons of Frederick Bush were carried off by the Indians in 1781. The early history of this town is blended with that of Marbletown.
12 The census reports 4 churches in town; 2 Ref. Prot. D. Bap., and M. F.
18 Pronounced Plaw-ta-kill, and signifies "Flat Brook."
666
ULSTER COUNTY.
the commencement of the last century. The first church (Ref. Prot. D.) was formed in 1770; Rev. Stephen Goetschius was the first pastor.1
ROCHESTER ?- was incorp. by patent June 25, 1703,8 and organized as a town March 7, 1788. A part of Middletown (Delaware co.) was taken off in 1789, Neversink (Sullivan co.) in 1798, Wawarsing in 1806, and a part of Gardiner in 1853. A part of Wawarsing was annexcd March 21, 1823. It is an interior town, lying a little s. w. of the center of the co. Ranges of mountains extend along the E. and w. borders, and a rolling upland occupies the central portions. Rondout Creek flows N. E. through the s. part, and receives as tributaries Sander Kil, Peters Kil, and several other streams. Vernooy Creek flows s. through the w. part. The soil upon the up- lands is a gravelly loam, and in the valleys a sandy loam mixed with clay. The Delaware & Hudson Canal extends along the valley of Rondout Creck. Esopus millstones are largely quar- ried in this town. An extensive cave near Kyserike has been explored about half a mile. Alligerville and Port Jackson are small villages upon the canal. Accord and Ky- serike are p. offices. The first settlements were made about 1700, by the Dutch." The first church (Ref. Prot. D.) was formed soon after the first settlement. There are now 2 churches in town ; Ref. Prot. D. and M. E.
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.