USA > New York > Dutchess County > General history of Duchess County from 1609 to 1876, inclusive > Part 35
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* It is related that one evening about the time of the dedication of this, their third meeting house, three prominent members were riding homeward, alone, each in his sepa- rate conveyance. One was upon the road near Patterson : another was in the vicinity of Southeast. and the third was on the Coll Spring road. They were each meditating on the cause of the Gospel among them, when all at onee a sound of distant musie met their ears, which seemed to come from mid air, at. a poin: directly over their new meeting house. This celestial melody, coming to them at such distant localities at the same hour of the night. and seeming to eminate from the same point, was interpreted as a token from Heaven, that a blessing would be ponred "ut there among the people. This prophetic vision-if such it was-was more than realized.
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January Ist, 1842, Elder Warren closed his labors with the church, after serving them for twenty-one years. With this year began a revival under the preaching of Elders C. Brinker- hof, E. C. Ambler, and C. H. Underhill, the last named becoming pastor of the church in March. One hundred and nine names were added to the church. At the annual meet- ing occurring June 4th, two hundred and seventy-four members answered for themselves, one hundred and one responded in writing, or by friends, and only nine remained, from whom no intelligence was directly received.
April Ist, 1844, Elder Underhill's pastorate ceased, and he was succeeded by Rev. Aaron Perkins, who continued with them until January, 1845. Bro. Jonathan Cole, a licentiate, supplied the pulpit most of the time until August, when the church settled Elder J. M. Coley. With the beginning of 1846 a revival commenced, under the ministry of Elder Coley, which resulted in the addition to the church by baptism of twenty-eight. During the year 1848 the church was sadly disturbed by contentions; and pastor and people, to a lamen - table degree, seem to have lost sight of the great work of the Gospel. This state of things continued until the termination of the pastorship of Elder Coley, which took place April ist, 1849. He has been succeeded by Elders C. B. Keyes, John Seage, D. T. Hill, A. Perkins, Otis Saxton, and W. S. Clapp, who is the present pastor.
KENT.
Kent was formed as "Frederickstown," March 7th, 1788. Its name was changed to " Frederick" March 17th, 1795, and to Kent April 15, 1817. Frederickstown Precinct received its name from Frederick Philipse. The town received its present name from the Kent families, who were early settlers. Carmel and a part of Patterson were taken off in 1795. Its surface in the eastern part is broken by hills, and in the west by steep and rocky mountain peaks separated by deep ravines. Smalley Hill is the highest peak. The west and middle
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branches of the Croton, the Horse Pond and Pine Pond Brooks, are the principal streams. The principal bodies of water are White, Pine, Barretts, China,* Forge, and Drews Ponds, and Lake Sagamore. Forge Pond was so-called because a forge was erected near the outlet at its western end, about sixty years ago. Farmers Mills, Coles Mills, and Ludingtonville, are hamlets. A boarding house was several years ago erected on the borders of White Pond, by one Ketcham, of mowing machine notoriety. It was about forty feet in length, cheaply put up, and intended only for summer use. It stood in a romantic spot on the eastern shore of the pond. Its builder believed the pure air and beautiful scenery of the locality would attract hundreds of visitors to the spot. The undertaking was not a pronounced success ; and pecunia- ry embarrassment overtaking the proprietor of this "rural retreat," the structure was demolished, and the materials devoted to other purposes.
This town was settled by the Boyds, Smalleys, Wixons, Farringtons, Burtons, Carters, Merritts, Barretts, Ludingtons, and a few others from Massachusetts and Westchester. Zachariah Merritt located here about 1750, and built a log house near Stillman Boyd's. He planted himself in the midst of the Indians who had a settlement at this place. Arrow- heads are frequently plowed up in the vicinity. Merritt espoused the cause of the British, and his land was confiscated.
The Boyds are of Scotch descent. Ebenezer Boyd settled in the town about 1780. Joseph Farrington was about the first settler at Farmers Mills. During the "hard winter," one Burton put up the first grist mill at that place. The Wixons came in about the year ) 760, locating east of the Boyds. The Coles were likewise early settlers.
Col. Henry "Luddinton" [Ludington] settled in this town about 1760. He settled in the northwest part, at a place known in the Revolution as "Luddinton's Mills," now
* So named from the fact that a basket of china-ware was thrown into it by a wife, to spite her drunken husband.
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Ludingtonville. He was one of the noble defenders of our country in the days of her struggle for independence. The following is an extract from the "Fredericksburgh Records :"
" April ye 7th Day and first Tuesday 1747. Matthew Roe, Clark. Supervisor Chosen Samuel Field. Constables Chosen viz: Joseph Jacocks, George Huson, John Dickeson, William Bruster. Nathan Taylor Senr Collector. Joseph Lane Seessor, Capt. James Dickeson Seessor."
The Putnam County Poor House is located in this town, a cut of which is given in this connection.
Putnam County Poor House.
About a mile from the County House is a valley through which a branch of the Croton passes. A road crossed this stream by a rustic bridge, near to which are the ruins of a house. Connected with this locality is the following legend : Years ago, when belief in the supernatural was more general than now, a farmer was returning from a visit to a neighbor's, late one evening. He had occasion to pass over this road ; and when near this bridge, he met a company of six men, clad in white, who were walking very rapidly, and whom he recognized as residents of the vicinity. He spoke to them, but they made no reply, and did not appear to even notice him. On his arrival home he mentioned the occurrence to his family, when many conjectures were made concerning the purposes of the party in being abroad at that time of night. What was more mysterious still, when inquiry was made next morning, it was ascertained that every one of the six men were at their homes at the hour mentioned by the farmer, and not one of them had been abroad during the whole evening. It was surmised the farmer had concocted the story for his own amusement ; but when the party of six sickened and died, one after the other,
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in the space of a few weeks, it was interpreted as a premoni- tory vision, in which the death of the six men was foreboded.
PATTERSON.
Patterson was formed from "Frederickstown" and South- east, March 17th, 1795. At the time of its organization it was called Franklin, in honor of Dr. Franklin ; its name was changed to Patterson April 6th, 1808, after a family of early settlers by that name. The back short lot of Beverly Robinson embraced nearly its whole area. Its surface is hilly ; but, with a few exceptions, the hills are arable to their summits. The principal streams are the east branch of the Croton River and its tributaries, Quaker, Birch, and Muddy Brooks.
This town, says Blake, was principally settled by people of Scotch extraction. A few came from Westchester and New York City, but the greater number were from Massachusetts and Connecticut. A large number of families from Cape Cod came into this and adjoining towns of Southeast and Carmel, about the same time.
Previous to 1750, two men, by the name of Bobbin and Wilmot, settled at " The City." The former was a blacksmith and the latter a saddler. When the war broke out they both went to New York and joined the British. About this time Capt. Daniel Heecock, and a Mr. Towner, made a settlement in the town. Asa Haynes, who had served three years in the French War, came at its termination to this town, and settled at the residence of the late Reed Akin, about a mile east of Havilands [now Akins] Corners. Daniel Close settled at the latter place in 1748. About the same time the Joneses and Crosbys settled in the south part of the town. Roswell Wilcox located about a mile south of "The City" at an early day.
A few years previous to the French War, Matthew Patterson, grandfather of the late James Patterson, came from Scotland to New York City, and at the age of eighteen enlisted as a captain
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of a company of artificers in the British Army, under General Ambercrombie. After the war he went back to the city, and a few years later removed to the residence of the above mentioned James Patterson. He was a member of the State Legislature nine years in succession, and was several times elected County Judge. When a member of the Legislature, Col. Beverly Robinson's land in this county was confiscated ; and having voted in favor of the measure, he refused to become a purchaser under the act ; but subsequently purchased 160 acres, on which the Patterson mansion stands, from one who had derived his title from the State. The McClains, Grants, Fraziers, and Flemmings, were early residents.
About the same time one Captain Kidd, who likewise came from Scotland, settled a short distance east of Patterson Station. His monument-or a portion at least-is standing in the church yard near the Episcopal Church. On it is the representation of a full-rigged ship in full sail, under which is. the following poetic inscription, now nearly undecipherable :
By Boreas' blasts and Neptune's waves We were tossed to and fro ; Now well escaped from all their rage, We anchor here below.
Safely we ride in triumph here, With many of our fleet ; Till the signal calls to weigh again, Our Admiral Christ to meet.
Before the Harlem Railroad was built, the village of Patterson was located about three-fourths of a mile west of the depot, and was then known as " The City." During the Revolution, and previous, it was called Fredericksburgh. The post-office was formerly located here, but was removed to Havilands Corners soon after 1840, by Frederick Stone.
" Four Corners" was a bustling little hamlet at the intersec- tion of the roads near the present Baptist Church; but was afterwards called Towners, "from James Towner, who lived there, and who kept a public house."
"Cranberry Hill," says Blake, "is a small eminence about half a mile east of Judge Stone's residence, over which runs
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the Birch road. It lies in the east part of the town, and is partly cultivated. Cranberries grow on it-hence its name."
"Pine Island" is an eminence rising abruptly from the centre of the Great Swamp. This swamp traverses the whole length of the town, and is about a mile wide. The island covers about thirty acres, and towers about two hundred feet above the level of the swamp. It formerly abounded in pines, whence it derives its name. It was once the abode of a colored man, who lived for years a solitary life in a little cabin which he had constructed.
Beverly Robinson, Jun., who was Lieut .- Col. of "the Loyal American Regiment," commanded by his father in the British Army, occupied a farm in this town located in Havi- land Hollow, at the commencement of the Revolution. It was appropriated by the Commissioners of Sequestration as a rendezvous for military stores and keeping cattle, which were collected for the use of the American Army.
MONDAY AFTERNOON, April 21st, 1777.
The Convention met pursuant to adjournment. Present- Col. VanCortlandt, Vice President; Messrs. Van Cortlandt, Harper, Bancker, Dunscomb, and Gen. Scott, of New York; Messrs. Harper and Newkirk, of Tryon. Colonel De Witt, Major Tappen and Mr. Cantine, of Ulster ; Messrs. Abraham Yates, Bleecker, Cuyler, Ten Broeck, Gansevoort, and Col. Livingston, of Albany ; Mr. G. Livingston, of Duchess ; Col. Williams and Major Webster, of Charlotte ; Messrs. Smith, Tredwell and Hobart, of Suffolk; Mr. Lockwood, Judge Gra- ham and Col. Drake, of Westchester; Mr. Stevens, of Cum- berland, and Mr. Clark, and Col. Allison, of Orange.
Gen. Scott, to whom was referred the letter from Hugh Hughes, dep. quarter-master-general, relative to the farni of Beverly Robinson, Jun., reported as follows, to wit : That they are of opinion that as a very considerable lodgment of stores in the quarter-master's department is formed at Morrison's Mills, in Fredericksburgh, in the county of Duchess, to and from which there will be much carriage, a proper farm in its vicinity, for supporting the cattle that may from time to time be employed in that department of service, will be absolutely necessary, and that the farm lately in the occupation of
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Beverly Robinson, Jun., will be very convenient for that purpose. It is therefore the opinion of your committee, that the commissioners of sequestration in the County of Duchess be directed to lease the said farm for one year to the said deputy quarter-master-general, at such rent as they shall think proper notwithstanding any treaty for the same that may have been in agitation between the said commissioners and any individual person, for the use or occupation of said farm.
Resolved, That this Convention doth agree with their Committee, in their said report.
" At the first Town Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabi- tants of Franklin, held at the house of James Phillips on Tuesday, the 7th day of April, 1795, voted, That Samuel Cornwall be Town Clerk, and Samuel Towner be Supervisor ; Benjamin Haviland, Nehemiah Jones, and Stephen Heayt, Assessors; David Hickok, Senr., and Jabez Elwell, Overseers of the Poor; Solomon Crane, Elisha Brown, and Abner Crosby, Commissioners of Highways ; Abel Hodges, Collector and Constable; and David Barnum, Constable. Voted that the next Town Meeting be held at the Presbyterian Meeting House. Also that the sum of £60 be raised for the main- tenance of the Poor of this town."
A Special Town Meeting was held April 23d, 1795, at the Presbyterian Meeting House for the purpose of choosing a delegate to meet other delegates chosen by other Towns to establish a line of division between the Town of Franklin, Frederick, Southeast and Carmel.
At a Special Town Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabi- tants of Franklin in DUCHESS County, held at the Presbyterian Meeting House on Thursday, the 26th of January, 1798, agreeable to legal notice given, respecting a division of DUCHESS County, Voted, that DUCHESS County remain in its present situation without any Division, unanimous. Voted that the Town Clerk send the proceedings of this meeting to Samuel Towner to lay before the Legislature, when most convenient. [A similar vote was taken at the same place in the fol- lowing year, which shows the subject was considerably agitated. ]
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By an act of the Legislature, passed the 6th day of April, 1808, the name of this Town was changed to that of Patterson.
On the last Tuesday of April, 1801, Stephen Van Rensse- laer received 65 votes for Governor, and George Clinton 29.
From 1795 to 1810 inclusive, Town Meetings were held in the Presbyterian Church. In 1811, it was held in the Baptist Meeting House, at Four Corners. Excerpts from records :
Know all men by the Presents, that I, the subscriber, have purchased of P. Allen a certain negro man for life by the name of Jack; but the subscriber doth promise and agree that if the said negro doth faithfully serve him the subscriber, his heirs or assignees, for the term of eight years, that at the expiration of the said term of time, he shall be free from the subscriber, his heirs and assignees, and all persons whatever- Provided always this present writing is upon the express condition that should the said negro Jack run away, or in any wise behave himself in an unbecoming manner, so that the subscriber shall be put to any cost or trouble on the said Jack's account, that then this present writing shall be null and void, and of none effect. In witness whereof I have here- unto set my hand and seal this eleventh day of March, 1794.
SAMUEL CORNWALL. FRANKLIN, April Ist 1803.
I, the subscriber, do hereby certify, that on the 2 1st day of July, in the year 1802, there was born in my family a male negro child, which I have named Frank.
MATTHEW PATTERSON.
FRANKLIN, May 19th, 1803.
This may certify, that Sill, a slave, was delivered of a female child the 22d day of August last. Said slave is the property of Sarah Patterson, wife of John Patterson.
JOHN PATTERSON.
We, the Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Kent, in the County of Putnam, do hereby certify, own and acknow- ledge, that A. Disbrow, his wife and children, are legally .settled in the town of Kent, aforesaid. In witness whereof, &c.
April 28th, 1818 SAMUEL TOWNSEND,
Overseers MOSES MEAD, 5 of Poor
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This may certify that I, Silas Whitney, of the Town of Patterson, do by these presents forever manumit a certain colored woman Rosannah, wife of William Williams.
SILAS WHITNEY.
Above a century since, South Salem, South East, Patterson, Bedford, and Rye, were under one Presbytery. About the year 1720 William Tennent preached in East Chester. He- was from Ireland, and was originally an Episcopalian. Having openly professed a change of religious belief, he was accepted by the Synod of Philadelphia. About twenty years subsequent to this, Samuel Sackett, from New Brunswick, administered in various parts of Westchester, and there is good reason for the belief that he occasionally preached in Patterson. The third was Dr. John Smith, who administered at Rye, White Plains, Sing Sing, &c. About 1740, Rev. Elisha Kent, grand- father of Chancellor Kent, was stationed over the First Church in Philipse Precinct, afterward known as Kent's Parish. About the same time, Elnathan Gregory and Ebenezer Knibloe were pastors over the church at West Philippi, now Carmel ; and Joseph Peck was pastor of the church in Freder- icksburgh, afterward Franklin, and now known as Patterson, He preached also at Salem, now South Salem. Solomon Mead was another of the early preachers.
In 1762, Revs. Elisha Kent, Joseph Peck, and Solomon Mead, met at Southeast Parsonage, and formed the first Presbytery in the County of Duchess, and which was recognized by the Synod of New York and Philadelphia. In 1774, the church of Carmel joined the Presbytery, then known as the Duchess County Presbytery.
The first Presbyterian Meeting House in the town of Patterson, was constructed of logs, and stood on the rise of ground near the residence of Coleman Haines. A burial ground was attached to it. One of the early pastors of this church, David Close, who had been placed over the church by the Presbytery of Hudson, and who died in 1783, was buried in this ancient graveyard in the rear of the log building. The.
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monument that marked his grave, of red free-stone, was after- ward placed in the new grounds near the present church edifice, where it may be seen, with its quaint inscription as legible as when first set up.
There are authentic records to show that the Presbyterian Church at Southeast was organized in 1730, and that a log church was erected about the same time. Though the absence of precise data leaves it partially a matter of conjecture, yet it is believed the existence of the society at Patterson is nearly or quite coeval with the one at Southeast, and that the log church on the hill near " The City," was built about a century and a half ago. The fact that its first pastor, Rev. Joseph Peck, while in charge of this society, took a prominent part in the matters relating to the early Presbytery in Duchess County, seems to confirm this statement.
. The second house of worship was built in 1775, and stood a few yards west of the present church edifice. It had no tower or spire, and was seated with square pews. The celebrated Rev. Elisha Kent, grandfather of the Chancellor, used to preach here occasionally. The society now belongs to the Westchester Presbytery. Revs. Jackson, Perkins, Phelps, and others, are mentioned in the early records as having been pastors over this church. They also mention one General Samuel Augustus Barker, and Captain Abner Osborn, who were once members of the church. The present place of worship was erected in 1834, and an extension added to it a few years ago.
The Baptist Church of Patterson was organized Dec. Ist, 1790, as the Baptist Church of Frederickstown. They first worshiped in a log meeting house, which was located about I{ miles north of the present house of worship. Elder Enoch. Ferris was the first teacher, remaining until Nov. 23d, 1793. He baptized 23 persons during his stay. Elder Simon Smith was called in May 1795, and remained awhile with them. After ward they sent a request to the surrounding churches beseech- ing the brethren to " send their Elders to preach for them as
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oft as they can." One brother was much grieved because of the "superfluity of garb." About this time the name of the church was changed to "Franklin Baptist Church," and Elder Moses Phinamber preached one half the time.
The history of the church from 1808 to 1812 is full of trouble. A Baptist sister declared " the Baptist bretheren were more carnal than the Presbyterians or Methodists." Six dollars and twenty-five cents were raised for the minister. In 1812 the church took its present name, occuping its new building on the present site. Elders St. John, Adams and Warren, served them as pastors-the latter taking charge in 1818. March 1836, their third house was dedicated. Present house built in 1866, cost $12,500. First Woman's Rights question was debated in 1825, when by vote the women were allowed to speak.
Not far west of the village of Patterson, there stands an old house which years ago had the reputation of being haunted. The witch, or hobgoblin-or whatever else the disturbing spirit may have been-seemed to entertain a special spite against the eaves-trough. No sooner was the trough placed in position, than the ghost was sure to hurl it to the ground. Finally it was determined to secure it in place by means of iron fastenings. When the workmen were about to lift the trough, the hobgoblin seemed to be aware of their purpose, and endeavored to prevent its accomplishment. It was found necessary to bring into requisition the united effort of five men to hold the trough in its place, where it was fastened so securely as to defy the utmost effort of the ghost to remove it.
Hard by this dwelling, tradition says some chests of gold were buried by Capt. Kidd and his piratical crew. Only a few years ago there were evidences of excavations here that were made by persons searching for the treasure. It is stated that while some parties were digging in the meadow in the rear of the house, their spades struck a hard substance, which proved to be a large and strong box, heavily ironed. The box
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was opened, and in it were found a quantity of gold and silver money, and also the body of a darkey chopped into pieces and mixed with the specie. This so frightened them that they shut up the box, threw back the earth, and fled from the spot. On another occasion another party were digging for the money, and their spades also struck what appeared to be an iron box. Success, thought they, was then to crown their search and they redoubled their efforts. To their bitter disappointment, however, the box receded as fast as they dug ; and they were at last forced to give up the undertaking.
A colored woman known as "Black Soph" died in this town in the autumn of 1876, at a very advanced age. Neither she nor any other person knew her exact age, but the supposi- tion is it approximated one hundred years. She was formerly a slave of the Cornwall family, and died on the farm on which she had worked as a slave. She was probably the last person living within the counties of Duchess and Putnam, who was held as a slave within their limits. During the last few years of her life she was too feeble to work. Her personal appearance is spoken of as being somewhat unusual. One striking feature was the disfigurement of her face caused by two white sores, one on either cheek.
Nearly a century since-long enough ago to give an air of antiquity to the story-a man died and was buried in the old churchyard, not far from the Episcopal Meeting House in Patterson village. A farmer living in the vicinity attended the funeral, and assisted in the duties of sepulture. He then went a few miles further, to attend to some business, and did not set out on his return until after dark. His way led him by the burial ground where the man was that day interred. As he neared the spot he heard low moans coming from the enclosure which grew more distinct as he approached. Though consider- ably startled, he nevertheless ventured near enough to make an observation, when to his utter horror he saw the dead man in the act of struggling to get out of his grave, dressed in his burial clothes. After a moment's hesitation he started off for
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