USA > New York > Geography of the state of New York. Embracing its physical features, climate, geology, mineralogy, botany, zoology, history, pursuits of the people, government, education, internal improvements &c. With statistical tables, and a separate description and map of each county > Part 22
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DUTCHESS COUNTY.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. Methodists, Friends, Baptists, Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed, Episcopalians, Congregation- alists, Roman Catholics, Universalists, and Unitarians. There are 103 churches, and ninety-four clergymen of all denominations in the county.
HISTORY. The precise period when Dutchess county was first settled, does not seem to be satisfactorily ascertained. The first settlement was made at Fishkill, by the Dutch. In 1683, the number of its inhabitants was sufficient to authorize its or- ganization, as a separate county. It was however very small, and, for nearly 20 years, was considered in the light of a depen- dency upon Ulster county.
In 1689, its inhabitants, like those of Ulster, took part against Leisler, but afterward submitted to his administration.
A large tract, extending from the Hudson to "the Oblong," and some eight or ten miles in width, comprising part of the towns of Hyde Park, Pleasant Valley, Washington, and Ame- nia, was granted to nine proprietors at a very early date, prob- ably about the commencement of the eighteenth century. It was called the " Great Nine Partners."
In 1711, one Richard Sackett lived on this tract, and with his family remained the only settlers upon it till 1724, when some German families, from the East Camp, on Livingston's Manor, in Columbia county, removed here.
In 1702, the first house was built in Poughkeepsie by Myndert Van Kleek, a Dutchman, and one of the early emigrants to the county.
In 1731, the boundary difficulties which had long existed be. tween New York and Connecticut, were terminated by a com- promise; Connecticut relinquishing to New York a tract called "the Oblong," lying mostly in this county, and containing about 60,000 acres, in consideration for which, she received a tract on the southwestern corner of her territory, extending into West- chester county.
Two patents were issued for "the Oblong," one in London the day after the settlement, to Sir Joseph Eyles and others, the other in New York, some few months later, to Hawley & Co. These two patents were the subject of much litigation, and the source of no small amount of party animosity.
In 1741, several families from Connecticut emigrated to the northern part of the county. About the same time a considera- ble number of Friends from Long Island settled in the eastern section.
In the troublous times which preceded the Revolution, Dutch- ess county took the side of liberty, and furnished from among her citizens, some of the most brilliant and useful actors in that
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fearful condict. Such were Montgomery, the hero of Quebec, the Schencks, and others of imperishable renown.
During the revolutionary war, a part of the American army were stationed for a considerable time at Fishkill, under the command of General Putnam, and afterwards of General Par- DODS. Their barracks were about half a mile south of the village .*
VILLAGES. POUGHKEEPSIE, the county seat, in the town of the same name, is finely situated on the elevated bank of the Hudson, about equally distant from New York and Albany. During the Revolution, and after its close, the legislature of the state frequently held its sessions here. The convention of the state, which adopted the Federal Constitution, also met here in 1788. The building occupied by that body has since been used as a brewery.
Poughkeepsie is regularly laid out, and has many elegant pub- lic and private buildings. It has considerable commerce with New York and other home ports.
It is also largely engaged in manufactures. Of these, ma- chinery, malt liquors, flour, carpets, cutlery, fire arms, silk, pins, iron and brass ware, sash and blinds, and bricks in large quantities and of superior quality, and the principal.
The Poughkeepsie collegiate school is a fine institution, un- surpassed in the beauty of its situation, and the elegance of its edifice. This building is 77 by 137 feet, modeled after the Par- thenon at Athens, and surrounded by a massive colonnade. Its cost, exclusive of the extensive and beautiful grounds, was 840,000. The Dutchess county academy, also located in the village, is an excellent chartered institution. Beside these there are four female seminaries. Population about 9000.
Fishkill Landing, in the town of Fishkill, Is situated on the Hudson, directly opposite Newburgh. It has much delightful scenery, and is a place of considerable trade. Population about 1000.
Fishkill Village, in the same town, is a picturesque and beau- tiful hamlet. The Fishkill academy, located here, is a flourish- ing chartered institution. Population 800.
Matteawan, in the same township, is an important manufactur- ing village. Large quantities of moleskins, beaverteens, and fus- tians are produced here. It has also an extensive iron and brass foundry, several machine shops, flouring mills, and other manufactories. The Highland Gymnasium, a celebrated board- - ing school for boys, is located here. Population about 2000.
* In the old stone church in the town of Fishkill, Enoch Crosby the pedlar spy, [the "Harvey Birch" of Cooper's novel, "The Spy,"] was confined, and frota thence he made his escape in an extraordinary and mysterious manner.
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Glenham and Franklindale, in the same town, are flourish- ing manufacturing villages.
Pleasant Valley, on Wappinger's creek, in the town of the same name, is a manufacturing village of some importance. It is principally engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods. Population 700.
Hyde Park is a beautiful village, situated on the Hudson, and has some commerce and manufactures. Population 700.
Rhinebeck, in the town of the same name, is a large and thri- ving village, with several manufactories. The Rhinebeck acad- emy is a highly flourishing institution. Population 1300.
X. ORANGE COUNTY.
Square Miles, 760. Organized, 1683.
Population, 59,927. Valuation, 1845, $11,319,430.
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TOWNS.
1. Cornwall, 1788.
2. Goshen, 1788.
3. Minisink, 1788.
4. Montgomery, 1788.
5. Newburgh, 1788.
6. New Windsor, 1788.
7. Wallkill, 1788.
8. Warwick, 1788.
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9. Deer Park, 1798. ยท 13. Mount Hope, 1825.
10. Blooming Grove, 1799.
14. Hamptonburgh, 1930.
11. Monroe, 1799.
12. Crawford, 1523.
15. Chester, 1845.
Mountains, &c. T. Matteawan. . P. Shawangunk. d. Bare. e. Crow's Nest. f. Butter Hill.
Ribers, &c. C. Hudson. H. Delaware. R. Nevisink. V. Shaw- angunk. g. Wallkill. a. Murderer's Creek.
Lakes, &e. i. Long Pond. h. Drowned Lands.
. Forts. West Point. Clinton. Montgomery.
Battle Fields. Minisink. Montgomery and Clinton.
Colleges. West Point Military Academy.
Villages. NEWBURGH. GOSHEN. West Point. Montgomery.
BOUNDARIES. North by Sullivan and Ulster counties; East by Hudson river and Rockland county ; South by Rockland county and the state of New Jersey ; and west by Sullivan county and the Delaware river.
SURFACE. Mountains, hills and plains diversify the surface of this county. The Matteawan mountains, or Highlands, cross its southeastern border diagonally; the Shawangunk range stretches along its western boundary ; and, parallel to them; run a chain of low hills called Comfort hills. Between these and the Highlands extends a level valley, with occasional marshes.
Upon the banks of the Hudson, in this county, are some of the highest points of the Highlands. Bare mountain is 1350 feet, the Crow's Nest 1418 feet, and Butter Hill 1529 feet above tide water. The eastern face of the latter is an almost perpen- dicular precipice.
RIVERS. Beside the Hudson, which forms "a portion of its eastern boundary, the principal streams are the Wallkill (or Waalkill), the Shawangunk and Nevisink rivers, and Murder- er's creek. The Wallkill, for about twenty miles of its course, flows through a marsh, known as the "Drowned lands." The Delaware river just touches a portion of the western boundary.
PONDS. In the south part of the county are several ponds of considerable size. Long pond, on the New Jersey line, is the largest, and is some nine miles in length.
RAILROADS AND CANALS. The New York and Erie railroad passes through the county, affording a daily communication with New York city, while the Delaware and Hudson canal crosses its western border.
CLIMATE. The climate of the county is mild and agreeable. In the vicinity of the Drowned lands, fevers prevail in autumn;
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but the county generally is remarkably healthy. The spring opens about two weeks earlier than in the counties west of it.
GEOLOGY AND MINERALS. The southeastern portion of the county, including the Highlands, is of primitive formation, and contains granite, sienite, hornblende, and primitive limestone. The remainder belongs to the transition system, being chiefly composed of slate, limestone and graywacke, of which the first and last are mostly found on the hills, and the second underlying the valleys. The Shawangunk mountains are composed mostly of graywacke, in which the millstone grit prevails.
It abounds in minerals of rarity and value. In the towns of Monroe and Canterbury, are vast beds of magnetic iron ore. Hematitic iron ore is also abundant and of excellent quality.
Among the minerals of interest may be enumerated spinel (a species of ruby) of extraordinary beauty ; fine Labradorite, a new mineral ; Ilmenite, a rare and interesting mineral, found more abundantly here than in any other known local- ity ; zircon, apatite, fibrous epidote, tourmaline, serpentine, Clintonite, Boltonite, scapolite, idiocrase, Bucholzite, white iron pyrites, sphene, pyrozene, hair brown hornblende, and many others of less importance. Their principal localities are in the towns of Monroe, Cornwall, Warwick and Deer Park. Excellent peat is found in the Drowned Lands and other low lands.
Bones of the Mastodon have been discovered in several places in this county. An entire cheleton of this gigantic animal, by far the most perfect hitherto dis- covered, was disinterred in Coldenham, in 1845. The locality had evidently once been a marsh, and the animal, in attempting to cross it, had sunk in the mud, and was unable to extricate himself. His length is stated at thirty-three feet ; length of tusks ten feet ;. length of skull three feet ten inches ; weight of head and tusks 692 pounds; weight of all the bones 2002. The contents of the stomach were found within the skeleton, consisting of crushed twigs, &c.
This skeleton is now in the museum of the Harvard University. The skeleton of the Mastodon, in Peale's museum, Philadelphia, was taken from the town of Montgomery, in this county, and bones of others have been discovered in Chester and other towns.
SOIL AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS. The soil is chiefly clay and gravelly loam, and is for the most part fertile, but better adapted to grazing than to the culture of grain, except the allu- vial lands in the southern part. The vast marsh of the Drowned lands, when drained, furnishes a soil of great depth and fertility, and is annually covered with the most luxuriant vegetation.
The timber of the county is principally oak, chestnut, hickory, maple, black- walnut, elm, &c. The county produces apples and other fruit in perfection, and a great variety of the natural grasses. Owing to the rapid and precipitous course of the Wallkill, before entering the Drowned Lands, and its sluggish pro- greas through them, many planta, belonging to a more southern climate, are found here .*
PURSUITS. Agriculture mainly engages the attention of the inhabitants. Orange county stands in the first rank among the dairy counties of the state. More than 4,100,000 pounds of but-
* The first treatise on the Botany of New York, and we believe the first botanical work by an American author, was the Plants Coldenhamit, by Governor Col- den, of Coldenham, near Newburgh. It was published at Upsal, in Sweden, In 1744.
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ter were made in 1845, and about seven and a half millions of quarts of milk sent to New York city, the same year. Large quantities of wool and pork are produced. Considerable atten- tion is also paid to the raising of corn, oats, rye and buckwheat.
Horticulture, and especially market gardening, is receiving increased attention.
Manufactures also furnish employment to a considerable num- ber of the citizens of the county. The principal articles are cot- ton and woollen goods, flour, distilled and malt liquors, leather, iron, oil cloth and paper. In 1845, these amounted to nearly 82,000,000 in value.
Newburgh has considerable commerce with New York. Much of the produce of the county is also transported to that city by means of the Delaware and Hudson canal and the Erie railroad.
Mines. The iron mines in the towns of Monroe and Corn- wall, are scarcely surpassed in value by any others in the state. Iron mines were worked in the county as early as 1751.
STAPLE PRODUCTIONS. Butter, milk, pork, wool, corn and oats. SCHOOLS. There are in the county 180 district school-houses. The average length of the schools, in 1846, was nine months. 11,847 children received instruction, at a cost, for tuition, of $26,672. There were in the district libraries 27,629 volumes.
In addition to these, there were in the county seventy-two private schools, with 1335 scholars, eight academies, and one female seminary, with 528 pupils, and one military academy, with about 250 cadets.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. Presbyterians, Methodists, Dutch Reformed, Baptists, Friends, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics and Congregationalists. There are ninety churches and ninety- five clergymen of all denominations.
HISTORY. It seems to be uncertain at what date the first set- tlements were made in this county ; but from the early date of the settlement at Esopus, (Kingston), in the adjacent county of Ulster, and the advantages afforded by the soil and surface of Orange, both to the agriculturalist and the trapper, it may be reasonably concluded, that the Dutch emigrants located them- selves in the county, at a very early period.
In 1659, the mineral wealth of the county had been so far ex- plored that mines of copper were extensively wrought, probably either in Deerpark or Minisink. The ore was exported to Hol- land, and with it a large quantity of iron pyrites, which the in- habitants of the county mistook for gold.
In 1669 a bloody battle was fought, in the town of Minisink, between the whites and Indians.
The county was organized in 1683, and then included Rock-
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land. A delegate from the county sat in the colonial house of assembly, organized for the first time that year.
In 1689 the citizens embraced the cause of Leisler, and sent deputies to a convention called by him. Under the colonial government the delegates from Orange county were remarka- ble for their firm adherence to the principles of liberty. At the commencement of the revolution, a majority of the people em- barked with zeal in the cause of their country.
Early in the revolution, Forts Clinton and Montgomery were erected, by the Americans, in the southeast part of this county. They were separated from each other by a small stream, the boundary line between two towns; Fort Clinton being in Mon- roe, and Fort Montgomery in Cornwall.
They were intended to prevent the British from ascending the river, and in addition to other obstructions in the river, an iron chain was extended from Fort Montgomery to a point on the opposite side, in the county of Putnam. These fortifications were under the command of Gen. Israel Putnam.
In October, 1777, Sir Henry Clinton, being determined to af- ford succor to General Burgoyne, ascended the river with a force of more than 3000 troops, attacked and carried by storm both these forts, after a brave and prolonged resistance on the part of the garrison (which consisted of only 600 men), and, breaking the chain, proceeded up the river. The British lost in this attack about 250 men, and the garrisons nearly the same number.
The ensuing year the fort and batteries at West point, (a . much more eligible position) were erected, and a larger chain stretched across the Hudson, from that fortress to Constitution Island, under the direction of Captain Machin.
The construction of the fort and batteries was entrusted, it is said, to French engineers, belonging to the army of Count Ro- chambeau. The work was superintended by Kosciusko, a Polish nobleman, of thorough military education, whose love of liberty had led him to espouse the cause of our country.
After the erection of this fortress, and the extension of the new chain across the river, the British never attempted to pass it. The possession of so important a post, was to them, how- ever, an object of great solicitude ; and, in 1780, they had well nigh accomplished it. The command of it had been assigned to
* The site of the fort at West Point was selected by General Putnam, and the first ground broken for the fortification in January, 1778, by General Par- cons, when the snow lay on the earth two feet deep. It was mainly by the strenuous exertions and great personal popularity of Gov. George Clinton, that the materials for its construction were obtained.
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General Arnold, in the autumn of 1779, and it was here that his infamous treason was consummated. Suitable measures were taken, after the discovery of his treachery, to secure it.
In July, 1779, a party of Indians and tories, under Brant, made an attack on the village of Minisink, burning ten houses and several other buildings, and killing and capturing a number of the inhabitants. Those who were able to escape fled to Goshen ; where the militia of that and the adjacent towns soon collected, to pursue the enemy, and recapture the prisoners and spoils.
Aware of the subtle character of his foe, Colonel Tusten, their commander, opposed the pursuit, until a larger force should be collected ; but his prudent foresight was regarded as cow- ardice, and it was decided to proceed immediately. The wary Brant had expected pursuit ; and, when he ascertained that the militia were approaching, he stationed a part of his troops in am- buscade in such a position, as to enable him to surround them.
Thus hemmed in by a superior force, this unfortunate band fought bravely, but in vain; death met them on every side; and of about 180 men, in the full vigor of life, who started upon that expedition, but thirty escaped from the tomahawks of the enemy. Most of these were from the principal families of the county. Goshen, in particular, suffered severely ; forty-four of hcr best citizens being slain. A monument was erected to their memory on the anniversary of the battle, July 22, 1822.
The American army, never well supplied, either with food or clothing, during the revolution, were, at its close, in a state of great destitution. They were paid in a depreciated and almost worthless currency, and the apathy of congress, in delaying to make suitable provisions to reward their toils and sacrifices, disposed them to revolt.
To prevent so dangerous an event, and at the same time to secure justice for his suffering troops, Washington remained with them in winter quarters at Newburgh, during the winter of 1782-3. The house which he occupied, as his head quarters, is yet standing, and is now the residence of the Hasbrouck family.
The officers of the army, early in the winter, addressed a memorial to congress, stating their necessities, and asking for just compensation. Early in March, 1783, a communication was received from their committee, informing them that their requests had not been granted.
On the 10th of March, an anonymous notice was circulated, calling a meeting of the officers on the following day, "to see what measures should be adopted to obtain that redress of grievances which they seem to have solicited in vain.".
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The same day an anonymous paper, written with extraordi- nary ability, and admirably calculated to excite the passions and rouse the indignation of the officers, against the continental congress, was put in circulation.
The writer,-professing to be himself a sharer in their suffer- ings, depicted, in strong terms, their deplorable condition, and the shameful negligence of congress; and exhorted them " to suspect the man who would advise to more moderation and longer forbearance," to threaten the congress in the event of peace, with civil war-and, if war continued, with an abandon- ment of their country to its fate.
This eloquent, but dangerous paper ( written, as was subse- quently ascertained, by Major John Armstrong, afterward secre- tary of war, at the instigation of General Gates,) had well nigh produced the most serious consequences. It required all Wash- ington's prudence and firmness to check the rising spirit of rebel- lion incited by it.
To prevent the ill effects of a meeting, assembling under the influence of so much excitement, he issued a general order, dis- approving of the meeting on the 11th, and calling one on the 15th of March.
The anonymous writer seized on this incident, to address an- other letter to the officers,* insinuating that the commander-in- chief sympathized in their views, and was only restrained, by motives of delicacy, from openly expressing that sympathy.
This opinion Washington labored privately to remove, by conversation with the officers, and, at the meeting on the 15th, General Gates being in the chair, he openly canvassed the prop- ositions contained in the anonymous address, showed their folly and wickedness, and so far changed the current of popular opinion, that the officers voted unanimously, that " they viewed with abhorrence, and would reject with disdain, the infamous propositions" contained in that address. Thus narrowly did the country escape the horrible calamity of anarchy and civil war.
VILLAGES. NEWBURGH, the larger of the two shire villages of the county, was first settled by German emigrants, in 1701, and named by them from Newburgh, in Germany. The bank of the Hudson, on which it is situated, is quite steep, rising 300 feet in a short distance. When seen from the river, the village pre- sents a fine appearance.
It has many neat public and private buildings, and considera- ble trade; although a portion of that, which formerly centred here, now reaches New York by the New York and Erie rail- road, and the Delaware and Hudson canal. 'Two or three
" This and the preceding address are usually termed the " Newburgh letters."
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steamboats, and several sloops and schooners; ply regularly be- tween the village and New York. It has a flourishing academy, a high school, and two female seminaries.
In the village and town, are eighteen or twenty manufacto- ries. The steam cotton mill, at the village, is said, in extent and perfection, to equal any single cotton mill in the United States. Population about 6000.
GOSHEN, the other half-shire village, is justly celebrated for the product of its dairies. The New York and Erie railroad passes through it. The Farmer's Hall academy is a flourishing chartered institution, and has a female seminary connected with it. Population about 1000.
Middletown, in the town of Wallkill, is a new and flourishing village, on the line of the rail. oad. It has a large iron foundry. Population about 1400.
West Point, in the town of Cornwall, is worthy of notice, not only for its important fortress, to which we have already ad- verted, but as the seat of the United States Military Academy, established here, in March, 1802. The object of this institution, is to prepare young men for officers in the army.
The course of instruction is very thorough, the discipline rigid, and the examinations severe. The months of July and August, in each year, are devoted solely to military exercises ; for which purpose, the cadets leave their barracks, and encamp in tents on the plain, under the regular police and discipline of an army, in time of war.
The course of study comprises, the Latin and French lan- guages, an extended course of mathematics, civil engineering, and the art of fortification. The term of study is four years; and so rigorous are the examinations and discipline, that only about one third of those who enter, complete the course of study, and graduate. The number of instructors is thirty-four ; of cadets, about 250. They are entirely supported by the United States government.
Three monuments have been erected here; one to the mem- ory of the Polish hero Kosciusko, whose garden is still shown on the premises ; another to Colonel Wood, an early graduate of the institution, who fell at the sortie of Fort Erie, in 1814; and a third, to the deceased officers and cadets of the academy. Population of the village, about 900.
Canterbury, in the town of Cornwall, and Montgomery, in the town of the same name, are thriving villages, and are engaged, to some extent, in manufactures.
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