USA > New York > Dutchess County > General history of Duchess County from 1609 to 1876, inclusive > Part 31
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Another incident : an ancestor of hers, a young girl, lived with her parents on Long Island, at a time when there were comparatively few white people there. One day a squaw was tempted to pilfer some peaches growing on the premises of a white settler ; she was detected by the owner, who shot and
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killed her. This act caused a general uprising of the savages, who determined on revenge, yet kept their purpose a secret from their white neighbors. The parents of the girl had occasion to go to New York about this time, taking her along with them. When ready to return, the girl showed a desire not to return. When asked for her reason, she replied she had a vague feeling of horror, as though some evil would befall her if she did not remain where she was. She was suffered to remain, and the parents returned home. That night the savages massacred the whole white population of the settle- ment. The giri's premonition saved her life.
Once her great-grandfather, Henry Beekman, when a boy, was playing with some Indian lads near a sand bank. Henry left the place before the others did; and soon afterward the bank fell in, burying all the little Indians under it. As they did not come home, the Indian parents began to search for them. Unable to ascertain their whereabouts, they began to accuse Henry of having foully dealt with them, as they were last seen in his company. He told them that when he last suv the Indian boys they were playing near the sand bank, and on going there saw the bank had fallen. They commenced digging, and the bodies of the missing ones were found.
A little above the residence of Miss Garrettson stands the ancient grove, distinguished in the annals of the Methodist Church as having been the scene of camp meetings, such as were held when Rev. Freeborn Garrettson and his cotempo- raries were on the stage of action. We passed through it as the shades of evening were creeping over the landscape and piused a moment among the grand old trees that " oft have listened to the voice of song and praise" of the pioneer Metho- dists. Within these limits many a weary soul has been led to that fount from whence flows eternal life. Here hundreds have gathered, from near and from far, to listen to the preached word. Here many a word has been dropped, whose influence has gone out into the world, and will continue to act as long as time lasts.
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The Methodist Church at Rhinebeck was erected in 1822, Rev. Freeborn Garrettson contributing largely towards its erection. His monument stands in the graveyard attached to this church.
Gertrude, also a sister of the Chancellor, was born in 1757, and married Governor Morgan Lewis. He was at the bloody battle of Stillwater; led the van of the attack against Johnson and Brant at Klock's Field, on the banks of the Mohawk ; was Attorney General of the State of New York, and after- wards Governor. He may be said to have been the founder of the common school system. He was President of the Society of the Cincinnati from 1838 to the time of his death, which occurred in 1844, in the goth year of his age. His wife died in 1837.
Joanna Livingston, born in 1759, married the great politi- cian, Peter R. Livingston. He passed the greater part of his life at Rhinebeck. It is on the farm occupied by him that Montgomery's Willow stands. Joanna died February, 1827. The Livingston family was a most remarkable one. All of the daughters married distinguished men ; and the sons occupied high positions. Writes Mrs. Montgomery of a family dinner party : " Never was a table so surrounded. All the sisters were ardent politicians, of more than ordinary ability, who followed with intelligent appreciation the public labors of their brothers and husbands."
John R. Livingston, a son of Judge Livingston, married Margaret Sheaffe, in 1779. Margaret was greatly admired by LaFayette. Said he to John R., while the latter was paying h's addresses, "Were I not a married man, I would try and cut you out." When he returned to his native France, he sent her a handsome present. John R. was a merchant in New York ; retiring from business he returned to his estate in Red Hook, now owned by the Aspinwall family.
Thus is given, in brief, a sketch of this most remarkalle family. We doubt if a parallel can be found in the annals of the whole country.
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Conspicuous among them was the lamented Montgomery, a man of genteel, manly, graceful address, and possessing the love and confidence of the whole army. Congress voted a monument to his memory ; and in 1818 his remains were taken up and conveyed to New York, where they were deposited with the highest honors in St. Paul's Church .*
The first church-Reformed Protestant German-was formed May 23d, 1724, at the present village of Monterey. This was originally the village of Rhinebeck ; what is now Rhinebeck being then called Rhinebeck Flats. The old church edifice having been injured in a severe tornado, the structure was taken down and afterward built in the town of Red Hook. The Lutheran Church at Monterey was formed in 1730. Fred. Henry Quitman, father of General Quitman, of the Mexican War, was for several years pastor of this church. He was born in the Duchy of Cleves, Westphalia, 1760, and died in 1832.
The Dutch Church at Rhinebeck Flats came into being simultaneously with the German Reformed at Monterey. John Benner used to tell the following story : The first minis- ter that preached in either church came from Germany. At first he preached in both churches on the same day. The German Reformed Church at Monterey raised their full quota of the salary. The Dutch Reformed at the Flats were short. Notwithstanding this, the minister preached the first sermon in the latter church. At the close of the services, it is said, one Hendrick Heermance, probably one of the elders, was in rap- tures over the sermon ; he urged the people to put their hands in their pockets and complete their portion of the salary. The good people demurred, however, until they could hear him preach in a language they could understand-the sermon
* Against the chaneel end of St Pant's c'inrch, and facing Broad var, is a monument on which is the following inscription : " This monument is creeted by order Congress. 25th of January. 1776. to transmit to posterity a grateful remembrance of the pairne tic conduct. enterprise and perseverance of Major-Ge. eral ifichard Montgomery, who, after a series of sureesses amid the most discouraging difficulties fell in the attack on Quebec, 31st of De- comber. 1775. a red 37 years." He who passes on the street can easily decipher the inscrip- tion, and there is not a pleasant day that does not witness little groups prering through t e iron railings to study the record of the g dlant young patriot, whose praises were sounded in Parlament by Barre. Burke. and Chatham, and whose loss was felt throughout the Colonies to be a public calamity.
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having been delivered in German-a fact which Heermance had not discerned before. Annexed is a copy of deed by which Henry Beekman conveyed a tract of land on Rhinebeck Flats for the use of the church :
ATT the Request of Lowrens Oosterhout Jacob Kip and Wm. Traphagan and the Rest of the Inhabitants of the North Ward in Dutchess County. I have surveyed and laid out for them a certain tract or parcel of land being situate and lying in Dutchess County aforesaid on the north side of a certain Creek called Lansmans Kill near the house of Wm. Schut. Beginning at a stone putt in the ground on the north side of the said Creek from thence running North twenty chains to a stone putt in the ground, then East one degree South, nineteen chains to a white oak saplin marked; then South Twenty chains to the said Creek ; then along the same as it winds and turns to the first station. Bounded on the South by the Creek and on all other sides by Lands of Col. Henry Beekman- containing forty and four acre two Quarters and thirty and three perches.
Performed this 26th day of August, 1730.
Per me-GER. VAN WAGENEN.
Henry Beekman also conveyed two acres of land at the same time, where the Dutch Church now stands, to the Inhab- itants of Rhinebeck who worshipped according to the profes- sion of the Reformed Dutch Church of Holland, situated on the " King's Highway"-afterward called the New York and Albany Post Road-" neither shall any person sell any wines, rum, brandy, beer, cider, or other spirits, nor peddle, trade, nor carry on a merchandise upon the hereby granted premises,"-a requirement which has not been closely adhered to. Under this church lie the remains of Henry Beekman, the donator of the land, and the sacred edifice is itself a monument to his memory.
The first house of worship was a wooden building. The present one was afterwards built, which has since been con- siderably remodeled. Two sides are constructed of stone, and the other two of brick. It is said there was a diversity of sentiment as to what the house was to be composed of-one.
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party wanting a brick and the other a stone house. To effect a compromise, it was built of both stone and brick.
The Baptist Church at Rhinebeck was constituted July 4th, 1821. On the Sabbath previous, ten persons were baptized by Elder Freeman Hopkins, of Northeast. On the day of organ- ization four were baptized, who, with the other ten, and five received by letter, composed the church. The following min- isters and brethren were members of the council :- Elders Hopkins and Buttolph, and brethren Philo M. Winchell and Nicholas Vosburgh, of Northeast ; and Elder Jesse Hartwell, and brethren Jonathan Smith, Sylvester and Asahel Doud, of Sandisfield. Robert Scott, one of the constituent members, was ordained at the same time, as their pastor. He continued to preach, in addition to teaching a valuable school in the village, as long as his health permitted. Before his death, which took place Sept. 24th, 1834, at the age of 74, he pre- pared an address to be read at his funeral. In the Spring of 1842 Isaac Bevan settled in this village as a missionary in the employ of the County Association, and became pastor of the church.
When the old Dutch Church was rebuilt, a low wooden building stood there. When the steeple was pulled down, the air was thick with bats. Below the church, where the mill was recently burned, stood the old grist mill put up by Col. Henry Beekman, probably the first in the town. Near the stone bridge was formerly a toll-gate, and the road there was then known as the Delaware and Ulster Turnpike. A man named Hagadorn was gate keeper. Dr. Kiersted lived in the William Teller house. Where Platt's store and adjacent buildings now stand was an apple orchard. Christian Schell built the store, and his heirs sold it to W. B. Platt. Among the early settlers were Palatinates, who located near Monterey or "Park's Grocery."
The oldest school in the place, in the recollection of the present inhabitants, was that taught by Elder Robert Scott, a Baptist, from England. The Algates, afterward prominent
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men of New York, were among his pupils. A Miss Jones taught school in the lecture room of the Dutch Reformed Church, during the ministry of Dominie Hardenburgh. Miss Jones had a "flare-up" with the latter because of her breaking an engagement with him to teach his school.
There is a map in the Starr Institute, drawn 1797, which shows three Dutch Reformed Churches, one German Reformed, two Lutheran, and one Methodist Church. in Rhinebeck, which then included Red Hook. One of the Dutch Churches was near Tivoli ; another in Upper Red Hook, formed 1780 ; the other was in Rhinebeck village. There are now five Lutheran Churches within these limits. There are also two Methodist Churches and three Chapels, against one in 1797 ; two Baptist Churches and four Episcopal Parishes against none in 1797.
An old stone house on lands of Mrs. Huntington, proba- bly the oldest in the village, was occupied some eighty years ago as a pest house. "Crazy Gin" was an inmate of the town poor house, and was quite a character in her way. In order to keep her within bounds, a heavy block and chain were attached to her ankle. She used to attend church, and en- gage in prayer with the rest. Her petitions were always of a personal nature ; mentioning each individual by name, she would ask that good or evil might befall them, as they happened at that moment to have her good or her ill-will. Among the other relics in Rhinebeck is a cradle, over two hundred years old, in which several generations have been rocked ; also a powder horn, likewise supposed to be over 200 years old, and which was used at the battle of Ticonderoga.
The first substantial house built in the town, and probably the oldest now standing within the county, is the Heermance House, situated about a mile Ileermance Ilouse. from Rhinebeck Station. The old part of this building was erected, it is believed, in the year
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1700, and has stood therefore more than one and three-fourths centuries. It has port holes under the eaves, it having been used as a sort of fortress in early times, as a protection against the Indians. On a stone in the rear of the house is the inscription-"J. & A. K., 1700"-supposed to be the initials of the builders and the date of erection. As before stated, the Kips were living here, and had some sort of claim to the land, before Beekman obtained his patent. The settlers first built log houses, eventually putting up more substantial dwell- ings, as occasion offered. The Heermance house is composed of stone, and the brick for the chimneys came from Holland. In 1703, Beekman acquired a title to the land bordering the river from Staatsburgh to Red Hook,* which of course included the stone house just mentioned. In this house resided Col. Henry Beekman, and afterward his son Henry, and it is still occupied by descendants of the Beekman family. It is usually spoken of in history as the " Beekman House." The first sermon preached in this town was before a congregation assem- bled in this stone dwelling.
Another house, interesting in its history, stands in the village of Rhinebeck. We refer to the Montgomery House distin- guished as having been occupied by Gen'l. Richard Montgomery and his wife from the time of their marriage until he left home to join the expedition against Que- Montgomery 1, ouse bec. The young couple were living in retirement in their plain but comfortable cottage attending to the labors of their farm. The house then stood on the "King's Highway" [the post road] a short distance north of the village ; it has since been removed a short distance to the eastward of its original location. As the cottage and its surroundings were hardly suited to their tastes and feelings,
* This patent is thus defined: The territory Iving at a p int opposite Klein Sopus ffy [site of Sta tsburgh], thence north to the Schuyler Patent [now Red Hook], thence east to Warankamick Pond, five miles from the riv. r, thence : outh parallel to the river, and west to the place of beginning.
Z
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they looked about for a suitable place to locate and build up an estate more in keeping with their aspirations. They finally selected a tract of 400 acres, in what is now the town of Red Hook, the same on which the widow afterwards built " Mont- gomery Place."
Undoubtedly the young couple held many an interesting conference in relation to their new home, and looked forward with bright hopes to the time when their plans would all be perfected, and they permitted to enjoy their earthly paradise. But an overruling Providence ordained that their companion- ship should cease ere their plans had been fully matured. They were living in this little cottage when the tocsin of war was sounded, which brought our Revolutionary army into the field. We can imagine the struggle in the mind of Montgomery, as he weighed the love and companionship of his accomplished wife against his duty to his country. His decision was soon formed; nor did any sordid self-interest prompt her to turn him from his purpose. He might fall on the field of bloody strife ; yet his services were needed, and the call was answered. Their affairs were put in order, and the young general left for his command. She accompanied him on his journey as far as was deemed advisable, and at the house of a friend at Saratoga, took her last leave of him. In mid-winter, before daylight, in the midst of a furious snow storm, he led his com- mand to attack the Prescott Gate, at the foot of Cape Diamond. The vigilant captain of Canadian militia, in command of a masked battery at that point, knew of the approach of the Americans. The latter were gallantly march- ing up, ex ecting to take it by surprise, and when within fifty yards were met by a charge of grape, which swept their column with terrible effect. General Montgomery, his aid McPherson, and Captain Cheeseman were instantly killed. The rest, appalled at the slaughter, fled. The body of Montgomery was found in the snow by the enemy the same day, was carried into the city, and buried within the walls that surrounded a powder magazine.
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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
Though savoring strongly of the romantic, this chapter would be incomplete without a mention of Capt. D'Hart's War-Horse. Some time ago, about seventy-five or eighty years, when training days were regularly observed, and militia officers were strutting about in their gay trappings, full of martial valor, there appeared a man of soldierly bearing, who was familiarly known as Capt. D'Hart. But still more note- worthy was his war-horse, a dapple-gray, of warlike spirit, who would have made his mark on the field of battle. ' The captain loved his horse as he did his own soul, and truly he was a noble steed; and when in his war dress he pranced and curvetted about the parade ground, he was the center of ad.niration.
As the animal advanced in years, the fire of his eye grew dim ; his step became less buoyant, and his martial spirit was quenched. At last he laid himself down and died, to the great grief of his master. Most persons would have merely hitched a rope to the animal's neck, dragged him away to some secluded hollow, and there unceremoniously put him out of their sight ; but not so did Captain D'Hart. He shocked the community by observing that horses had souls as well as anybody, espec- ially if they were good horses. He further declared his defunct war-steed should be clothed in his armor, and buried with military honors. Great preparations were made for the funeral ceremony. Two or three companies of militia assem- bled, full-plumed, each member wearing crape around his left arm. They formed on each side of the vehicle on which reposed the body of the horse, and the procession moved for- ward to the sound of martial music. Capt. D'Hart followed behind, in the capacity of chief mourner.
Arrived at the place of interment, the military surrounded the grave, and as the horse was being lowered into his last resting place, the band played the "Dead March in Saul." A deep hole had been dug, into which the animal was placed in a standing position. He was clad in all the gay trappings that were wont to grace his form in the days of his strength.
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Solemnly the earth was closed over him ; a mound was raised over the spot, and covered with green turf. The race-course was after vard located near his grave ; and it is often surmised that his ghost still haunts the vicinity, and infuses a little of his old mettle into the equines gathered there. At an exhibi- tion of wax-works in the village of Rhinebeck, some two or three years since, D'Hart's war-horse appeared to the audi- ence, clad in his armor ; and so life-like did he seem, that some were almost ready to admit he had really broke away from the grave, and was present to their senses.
The Starr Institute, already referred to, is an elegant structure, standing in the village of Rhinebeck, which is used as a public library, tree reading room, and for other kindred purposes. For this noble institution, the people of Rhinebeck are largely indebted to Mrs. Mary R. Miller, who donated the building, and contributed a large proportion of the books. The experiment of a free reading room, and a circulating library at a small subscription price was first tried ; and the :success of the effort encouraged the erection of a commodious edifice. April 18th, 1862, an act passed the Legislature incorporating the Starr Institute; and on the 24th of July following, Wm. Kelly was elected President, Theophilus Gillender, Sec., and N. W. H. Judson, Treasurer of the Board of Trustees. The Starr Institute property consists of real and personal property connected with the building. The lot on which it stands was conveyed by Mrs. Miller, the deed bearing date of May 20th, 1862. The property was purchased, build- ing erected and furnished at a cost of $15,000.
Opposite Rhinebeck Station is the old Kingston Landing, where the three thousand British troops went ashore. That port was the port of Kingston until within a few years, and the New York and Albany boats used to stop there; but the thriving village at the mouth of Rondout Creek caused it to be abandoned. In 1614 the Dutch traders built a redoubt at Rondout [corruption of redoubt] Creek. Kingston was first called Wiltwyck, or Wild Indian Town, and its inhabitants
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were dispersed by the Indians. Another settlement soon followed, but the natives soon drove them off. In 1660 a. treaty of peace was concluded which promised quiet to the settlers. But the wrath of the Indians was soon kindled against one Mr. Stuyvesant, who had sold some of their num- ber as slaves, and war broke out about three years afterward. Some of the red men came into the fort, in June, 1663, ostensibly to trade. At a concerted signal they fell upon the white people, murdered eighteen of them, and carried away forty-two captives. The out settlements were all destroyed. A destructive war ensued, and the Indians were expelled from the fort. Nine days afterward a reinforcement came from New Amsterdam, when the savages were pursued and almost exterminated. In the Autumn they returned all the captives but one, and sued for peace.
Isaac F. Russell, the venerable postmaster at Rhinebeck Station, related some facts connected with the early settlers of this vicinity. His father, Isaac Russell, was from Sherborne, Mass., and was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary army. His captain was killed at the battle of Saratoga, when Russell was promoted to that office. One Ames was a captain of the Athol company, and a friendship sprung up between the two young officers, that lasted through life. They were employed to assist in guarding Burgoyne's captive troops when they were marched through our County to Fishkill. They stopped and encamped one night in the vicinity of Staatsburgh, and were so charmed with the country that they mutually agreed if their lives were spared, they would locate there after the war was over. This they afterwards did, taking up some of the most desirable land in that quarter. Russell also took an active part in the suppression of Shay's rebellion, and used to relate many entertaining incidents connected with that event.
Our informant said the first meeting he ever attended was held in the Lamoree house, near Staatsburgh. An itinerant M. E. Minister preached there. He, while a mere lad, went in company with Morgan Lewis, to the soldiers' encampment
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at Greenbush, during the war of 1812. Lewis was Commissary General of the troops quartered there. Russell was a member of the Board of Supervisors cotemporaneous with J. M. Ketcham, of Dover, James Duane Livingston, of Hyde Park, Henry A. Livingston, of Poughkeepsie, and Daniel Toffey of Pawling.
The Vidage Smithy.
STANFORD.
POPULATION, 2,209 .- SQUARE ACRES, 31,581.
TANFORD was formed from Washington, March 12th, 1793. This town was included in the Great Nine Partners Tract. Its surface is a broken and hilly upland. The hills generally admit of being cultivated to their summits. Slate crops out in numerous places along their declivities, and boulders and water-worn pebbles are thickly strewn over a considerable portion of the surface. Hunns and Uptons Lakes, are the principal bodies of water. Wappin- gers Creek is the principal stream. The soil is a good quality of gravelly and slaty loam. Stanfordville, Bangall, Stissing- ville, and Attlebury are hamlets. An immense spring of pure cold water near the latter place has considerable local notoriety. Smith Thompson, U. S. Circuit Judge, was a native and resident of this town.
Bangall is a station on the line of the Duchess and Colum- bia Railroad. It has several stores and factories, post-office, flour, feed, and saw mills ; also three neat and comfortable churches. The origin of its name is thus given ; A Yankee pedlar was traveling through here in the prosecution of his
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