USA > New York > Ulster County > Kingston > History and legend, fact, fancy and romance of the Old Mine Road, Kingston, N.Y., to the mine holes of Pahaquarry > Part 17
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65
HISTORICAL NOTES.
fifty cents to clean him, and returned home. Afterward he was retaken, and put into jail in Kingston.
NO. II. TREATMENT OF THE TORY VANVLERT, OF NEWTOWN.
This Tory, it is said, lived back of Newtown, in the town of Rochester. He was taken at Minisink, and forwarded by the Captains from one military post to another until he came to Capt. Kortright's, at Rochester, it appears, without much ceremony; but the old Captain's feelings would not permit him to pass his hands without some cere- mony suitable to the occasion. He ordered out a few of his company with drum and fife. Vanvleet received the marks of attention due to his honor. He was tarred and feathered, yoked and belled. A negro then went ahead with a rope attached to the yoke, by which he led him along to the next station, which was at Millhook. The Rogue's March was played, and a few soldiers with charged bayonets marched behind, to spur him up occasionally. Sometimes the negro would give the rope a jerk, when the bell would tinkle; blending beautifully with the mar- tial music.
NO. III.
CONTEST BETWEEN THE TORIES AND REPUBLICANS, AT THE FIRST TRAINING AFTER THE WAR.
The following affray will show the bitter feelings which were still cherished by the Tories and Republicans against each other after the war. At the militia training in Rochester, several of those who were well known to be Tories, attended. The soldiers were indignant at
66
HISTORICAL NOTES.
them, and only wanted the slightest pretence to abuse and insult them. They did'nt hesitate to call them Tories to their face. At last, near the close of the day, one of the Whigs gave a Tory a kick. This was re- turned by a blow. Others fell in on both sides, and a desperate skir- mish ensued. At length they were parted, and the Tories bent their way to their homes in Newtown. On their way they met a Whig, and abused him. He brought the word to the other Whigs, and informed them that the Tories were loading their pieces with balls. The Whigs instantly loaded also and went in pursuit, and fired on them; but for- tunately none were killed.
This state of feeling gradually wore away, but the old people were accustomed, long after, to look with suspicion on all who bore the name of men who had been Tories in the War: and even at the present day there are old people in whose breasts such prejudices exist. This may be natural, but it is decidedly wrong. It is a principle both of divine and human law, "that the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father; neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son," "but whosoever doeth righteously shall be accepted." Ezek. ch. xviii.
APPENDIX.
TOPATCOKE.
This, as before observed, is the Indian name of a remarkable spring in the Shawangunk mountain, about one mile from its base. It is situated in a small gully or hollow, which extends along the mountain towards the southwest, a few rods southwest of the great ravine before mentioned, called Louis's Ravine, or Gully. It contains excellent water, and is remarkable because it boils up but does not run over. This is said to be the signification of the Indian word Topatcoke. It is one of the boundaries of the Patent purchased by Joachim Staats, and is referred to by many of the old deeds and writings. It undoubtedly has a subterraneous outlet. There is a little rivulet which heads in the gully some distance southwest of the spring. About a mile south of Topatcoke is the famous
ICE CAVE,
Which contains abundance of ice at all seasons of the year. The moun- tain in that vicinity abounds in awful chasms, which appear to have been caused by some convulsion of nature; but of which there is no account, verbal or written. Some of those chasms are so narrow that a man can step over them; others are from 8 to 12 feet wide, and extend about half a mile up and down the mountain. In some places there are
68
APPENDIX.
winding paths, by which one can descend into those caverns, under the projecting rocks, where there are perpetually large masses of ice. It is a place of much resort, as a natural curiosity, and as a repository of ice in the warm season. In some places the chasms are probably 200 feet deep, although not more than 3 or 4 feet wide.
THE HONK FALLS,
Are also an object of some interest, and are much frequented by visitors at Naponoch, and others. They are situated about three quarters of a mile north of Naponoch, on the Naponoch Creek. They are said to be 75 feet in height; and when the river is swollen, they present an aspect truly magnificent.
The scenery around is of the most romantic kind. The craggy rocks on each side of the stream extend to a very great height, and those along the bed of the stream are wrought into every imaginable variety of shapes and forms, by the action of the water, assisted by loose stones or gravel, which in working or whirling round by the action of the water, have, in some places, worn deep cavities into the solid rock, which are truly remarkable. In one place there is a species of stone or rock resembling a honey-comb. In the middle of the stream, at the top of the Falls, there is a rocky promontory, which divides it into two parts, and extends for some distance up the stream. A rainbow can always be seen when the sun shines at these Falls. It is also one of the great original landmarks, and one which "neighbors will not" easily "move."
69
APPENDIX.
THE OLD CHURCH OF WAWASINK.
This old edifice was erected about one hundred years since, by the first settlers, who were mostly from France and Holland, as before stated. About four years since, it was abandoned as a place of pub- lic worship, and a new and more commodious building erected at Napo- noch. It was with great reluctance that the old settlers left the sacred spot where their fathers, and their fathers' fathers had worshipped the great "I AM," for the past century, and for the enjoyment of which sacred privilege their ancestors had sacrificed their estates in a foreign land, and endured unparalleled privations and sufferings; all of which they might have avoided, by consenting to have "the mark of the Beast in their foreheads or their right hands," but they chose rather to die than to deny their Saviour. In 1843, on the 12th of June, it was de- stroyed by fire. It had become private property, and was used at the time for kill-drying boards, from which it took fire. The old stone walls are still standing, and although to the thoughtless and inconsiderate those old remains are an object of little interest, to the reflecting and contemplative minds they open a wide field for meditation. As you pass the hallowed spot, thoughts crowd thick upon the mind-thoughts which it is not easy to express. Our reflections naturally flow in a channel corresponding with the character of the object we contem- plate; for example, when we think of the broken-down walls of Jeru- salem, we think of the stubbornness and grievous backslidings of an- cient Israel, which drew down upon them the wrath of God in the overthrow of their city and nation. Similar reflections crowd upon the mind when we think of Babylon. Nineveh, and other ancient cities now
70
APPENDIX.
in ruins. And when we think of the tower of Babel, we are led to consider the consummate folly of man, in attempting to evade the judg- ments and designs of the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. But the reminiscences wheich the object now before us brings to the mind are of quite a different chracter.
First of all we are instinctively led to inquire, what was the motive in erecting this edifice? It was no small work to be done by so few- (tradition says that it was built by twelve or thirteen individuals.) It was the same that animated the heart of David, when he said to Nathan the prophet-"I dwell in a house of cedars, whilst the ark of God re- maineth between curtains." It was erected for the sole purpose of worshipping and honoring the great Jehovah. It was the fruit, or effect, of that same principle of love to God which constrained them to resist all the efforts which were made by the Pope of Rome and his emis- saries to compel them to bow down and worship the Beast with seven heads and ten horns, "whose name is Blasphemy." It is to that divine principle implanted in the heart of man, through the word and spirit of God, that we are indebted for all our civil and religious rights and privileges, by which we are elevated above every other nation on the face of the globe.
Another reflection is, the solemn exercises that have been con- ducted there. There the faithful servants of God have stood up, as it were between the living and the dead, warning sinners to repent and flee from the wrath to come-there saints have had their times of re- freshing from the presence of the Lord-have had fresh supplies of grace, enabling them to run the Christian race-there they have united in commemorating a Saviour's dying love,-there have been poured
71
APPENDIX.
forth the sweet and melodious songs of Zion. Never can the writer forget those "old familiar tunes" which he has heard within those sacred walls, or the solemn prayers and exhortations that have been offered there.
While to some those solemn exercises have proved a savor of life unto life, to others they have proved a savor of death. To some the preacher has been "as the voice of one that could play well on an instrument;" his words only reached the ear, while their thoughts were about their farms, or merchandise, or roving with the eyes of the fool, to the ends of the earth. It is a solemn reflection, that however those means of grace have been received, they have now ceased for ever; as far as this place of worship is concerned the "die is cast"-so far as respects the privilege of the means of grace there, the vision is "sealed up," for those who enjoyed them, as effectually as if an angel had already set one foot on the sea and the other on the land, and sworn by Him that sitteth on the throne, that time should be no longer.
But there is another consideration-the influence exerted there will not cease until the end of time; and hence the propriety and justice of the great God, in fixing the judgment after that period. The apostle, speaking of one who had departed this life, says, "he being dead yet speaketh." Thus the influence of the writings and lives of those who have been connected in that place will continue to flow on, augmenting in its course, from generation to generation, until the end of time. On the other hand, the evil consequences resulting from the disobedience of others to the commands of God, will continue to the same period. We need no better illustration of this point than that which we have in the history of the churches in our land. How clearly are the linea-
72
APPENDIX.
ments of that little band of Puritans, who embarked in the Mayflower, in 1620, and landed at Plymouth, seen, after the lapse of 226 years, in the evangelical churches of New England. That stern and rigid piety -- that inflexible adherence to all the laws and ordinances of God, which characterized that little company, has been impressed upon each suc- ceeding generation, until the present time, and been incorporated into all their institutions. But how greatly have their numbers increased as the stream of time rolls on; and who can calculate the influence on the immortal destinies of man, which had its origin in that little band of Dissenters, and which will continue to flow on, augmenting in its course after the manner of geometrical progression, until the end of the world?
The same observations will apply to the Reformed Dutch Church, and others in our own land.
Such are some of the reflections which have often occurred to the writer, on passing the uncovered walls of the old church at Wawasink. Never, while the purple current courses its way through my veins, will I forget that sacred spot.+
It was contemplated to remove the old pulpit (which tradition af- firms was brought from Holland,) to the basement of the new church at Naponoch, that it might be preserved as a precious relic of our ancestors, and that we might point the rising generation to the marks of the Indian tomahawk in its side, which, like the twelve stones which
· Tha writer does not wish to be understood as attaching any superstitious idea of asnetity to any spot or article anch as Romanists attach to certain placas and things; bnt na being sacred only on account of the solsmn axercises attended to thare and tha hallowed reminiscencea associated with them, in tha sama sensa ma the ground where Moses stood when he saw the burning bush wss "boly ground."
₴
73
APPENDIX.
Joshua caused to be set up in Jordan, to show where they lodged the first night after crossing, might serve to remind them of the great mercy and goodness of God in delivering us from all our enemies and giving us peace through our borders. But while we slept it fell before the devouring element. The writer hopes by this notice in some de- gree to accomplish the 'object so unhappily defeated.
THE OLD CANNON.
The reader will perhaps smile at my making this the subject of a notice. But to one acquainted with its history, it gives rise to some interesting reflections calculated to arouse a feeling of patriotism and gratitude, entitling it to a notice in the history of this neighborhood. It was obtained from the State Arsenal, for the defence of the frontier. In 1781, when the Indians burnt Wawasink, it was made the means, in a remarkable manner, of deterring the Indians from commencing hos- tilities at Naponoch, according to the design of the enemy; and so, in all probability, much property and many lives were saved. It has been used ever since on the anniversary day of our National Inde- pendence, and on other festival occasions. Many an aged patriot will recollect the jovial times which he used to have on the hill at Capt. Simon Bevier's, in marching round the liberty-pole, while the "star- spangled banner" was floating to the breeze, and the loud roar of the nine-pounder reverberated along the Shawangunk, and at intervals, the old "Taxation,"* or some other patriotic song was sung; bringing
. As copies of that old song are rather scarce at the present day, and believing it to be admirably calculated to aronse and inspire patriotic feelings, I will here insert it.
74
APPENDIX.
vividly to mind the great events in the history of our country, and the noble deeds of our venerable sires in the cause of liberty.
But in the "midst of this laudable emotion," this "feast of reason and flow of soul," there was one thing to be regretted. A canker was at work at the very vitals of our republic, in whose prosperity they were rejoicing; and they were not aware of it. Men were not contented with the spirits that flowed from prosperity and health, alone-the in- toxicating bowl was freely passed around, and many a giant intellect fell a victim to its bewitching influence, and their mortal remains now fill a drunkard's grave. Blessed be God, that the eyes of this nation have been opened to see its danger, and that so much success has at- tended the efforts to expel this fell monster from the land. Had it not been for the glorious temperance reformation, our noble republic might now have lain by the side of the ancient republics of Greece and Rome, buried in undistinguishable ruin; for it is a settled principle that a nation of drunkards are incapable of self-government.
TAXATION OF AMERICA.
While I relate my story, Americans give ear; Of Britain's fading glory you presently shall hear; I'll give you a true relation, attend to what I say, Concerning the taxation of North America.
O the cruel lords of Britain who glory in their shame, The projects they have lit on they joyfully proclaim; 'Tis what they're striving after, our rights to take away, And rob us of our charter in North America.
There are two mighty speakers, who rule in Parliament, Who always have been seeking some mischief to invent, 'Twas North, and Bute, his father, this horrid plan did lay, A mighty tax to gather in North America.
He searched the gloomy regions of the infernal pit, To find among those legions one who excell'd in wit, To ask of him assistance, or tell them how they may, Subdue without resistance this North America.
Old Satan, the arch traitor, resolved a voyage to take, Who rules sole navigator on the burning lake; For the Britannic ocean he launches far away, To land he had no notion, in North America.
He takes his seat in Britain, it was his soul's intent, Great George's throne to sit on, and rule the Parliament, His comrades were pursuing a diabolic way, For to complete the ruin of North America.
He tried the art of magic to bring his schemes about, At length the gloomy project he artfully found out; The plan was indulged, in a clandestine way, But lately was divulged in North America.
76
TAXATION OF AMERICA.
These subtle arch contrivers addressed the British court, All those were undersigners, for to observe report- There is a pleasant landscape that lieth far away, Beyond the wide Atlantic in North America.
There is a wealthy people, who sojourn in that land, Their churches all with steeples most delicately stand; Their houses, like the lilies, are painted red and gay; They flourish like the gallies in North America.
Their land with milk and honey, continually doth flow, The want for food and money they seldom ever know: They heap up gold and silver, they have no debts to pay, They spend their time in pleasure in North America.
On turkeys, fowls and fishes, most frequently they dine, With gold and silver dishes, their tables always shine, They crown their feasts with butter, they eat, and rise to play, In silks their ladies flutter in North America.
With gold and silver laces, they do themselves adorn, The rubies deck their faces, refulgent as the morn! Wine sparkles in their glasses, they spend their happy days, In merriment and dances in North America.
Let not our suit offend you, when we address your throne, O king, this wealthy country and subjects are your own, And you their rightful sovereign, they truly must obey, You have a right to govern them in North America.
O king, you've heard the sequel of what we now subscribe, Is it not just and equal to tax this wealthy tribe? The question being asked, his majesty did say, My subjects shall be taxed in North America.
Invested with a warrant, my publicans shall go, The tenth of all their current they surely shall bestow; If they indulge rebellion, or from our projects stray, I'll send my whole batallion to North America.
77
TAXATION OF AMERICA.
I'll rally all my forces by water and by land, My light dragoons and horses shall go at my command; I'll burn both town and city, with smoke becloud the day, I'll show no human pity for North America.
Go on, my hearty soldiers, you need now fear no ill- There's Hurly, Hills, and Roger's, and Johnson will fulfil- They tell such ample stories, believe them sure we may, That half of them are Tories in North America.
My gallant ships are ready to hoist you o'er the flood, And in my cause be steady, which is supremely good; Go ravage, steal and plunder, and you shall have the prey; They quickly will knock under in North America.
The laws I have enacted, I never will revoke, Although they are neglected, my fury to provoke, I will forbear to flatter, I'll rule with mighty sway; I'll take away the charter from North America.
O George! you are distracted, by sad experience find; The laws you have enacted are of the blackest kind, I'll make a short disgression, and tell you by the way, We fear not your oppression in North America.
Our fathers were distressed, while in their native land; By tyrants were oppressed, as I do understand; For freedom and religion they were resolved to stray, And trace the desert regions of North America.
Heaven was their sole protector while on the roving tide, Kind fortune their director, and providence their guide, If I am not mistaken, about the first of May, This voyage was undertaken for North America.
To sail they were commanded, about the hour of noon, At Plymouth shore they landed, the twenty-first of June; The savages were nettled, with fear they fled away, And peaceably they settled in North America.
78
TAXATION OF AMERICA.
We are their bold descendants, for liberty we'll fight, The name of independence we challenge as our right, What heaven has freely given, no one can take away, Kind heaven, too, will save us in North America.
We never will knock under, O George, we do not fear The rattling of your thunder, nor lightning of your spear; Tho' rebels you declare us, we're strangers to dismay; You cannot therefore scare us in North America.
To what you have commanded, we never will consent; Although your troops are landed upon the continent; We'll take our swords and muskets, and march in bright array, And drive the British rustics from North America. -
We have a bold commander, who fears nor sword nor gun; The second Alexander, his name is Washington; His men are all collected, and ready for the fray, To fight they were directed for North America.
We have Green, Gates and Putnam, to manage in the field, A gallant train of footmen, who had rather die than yield; A stately troop of horses train'd in a martial way, For augmenting our forces in North America.
Proud George you are engaged all in a dirty cause, A cruel war hath raged repugnant to all laws, Go tell the savage nation you're crueller than they, To fight your own relations in North America.
Ten millions you've expended, and twice ten millions more; Our riches you intended should pay the mighty score; Who now will stand your sponsors, your charges to defray? For sure you cannot conquer this North America.
I'll tell yon George, in metre, if you attend awhile, We forced your own St. Peter at Sullivan's fair isle; At Monmouth too we gained the honor of the day- The victory obtained in North America.
79
TAXATION OF AMERICA.
Surely we were your betters hard by the Brandywine; We laid him fast in fetters, whose name was called Burgoyne, We made your horse to tremble with terror and dismay, The heroes we resemble in North America.
Confusion to the Tories, that black infernal name, In which Great Britain glories for ever to their shame; We'll send each foul revolter to smutty Africa, Or noose them in a halter in North America.
A health to our brave footmen, who handle sword and gun, To Green, Gates and Putnam, and conquering Washington; Their names be wrote in letters which never shall decay, While sun and moon doth glitter in North America.
Success unto our allies, in Europe and in Spain, Who man their ships and gallies, our freedom to maintain, May they subdue the rangers of boasting Britannia, And drive them from their anchors in North America.
Success unto our Congress of the United States, Who glory in the conquest of Washington and Gates- To all. both land and seamen, who glory in the day When we shall all be freemen in North America.
Success to the legislation that rules with gentle hand, To trade and navigation, by water and by land; May all with one opinion our wholesome laws obey, Throughout this whole dominion in North America.
CONTENTS.
A
Adama, Jobo, Traveled the Old Road .. 159
Advertiaament from the Ulater County
Gazette
52
B
Bacha'a Kill
107
Bell, Mr., of Accord
63
Bevier, Conrad, House of, Leuren Kill ..
98
Bible (The) on the Doctor
55
Bogardua, Nicholas
29
Bonnell, Capt. Ja.
139
Border Wars Between
New York
and
New Jersey
121
Braat in the Miniaink Country
126
Breakfast Brook
113
Brick House
142
Brodhead House
99
Burr, Aaron, and John Vanderlyn
28
C
Carpenter'a Point
133
Churchea, Early, of the Minisink.
129
Church of Rome
108
Church Notices, Hurley
48
Clinton, De Witt, Birthplacea of
70, 83, 118
Clinton, George, Letter from
106
Colden, Cadwallader
38
Conaabaugh, Battle of
147
Council Hill, Near Wurteboro
104
Council House of the Indiana, Wawarsing 75
Caddabackville
117
Care for the Bewitched
34
D
Decker, Christopher
185
Delaware and Hodson Canal
101,
171
Depue, Benny
75
Depue House, Accord
60
Dutch Church, Kingston, Legenda of. .. 24, 28 | Kingaton
E
Ellenville
84
English aa She Waa Writ
53
F
Fantine Kill Monument
85
Fita, Core for
46
Flatbrookville
153
French and Indian War
120
G
Garden of Eden Located
22
Ghost Story, a true
83
Gooaalus, Doo Manual
105
Gould, Jay, Story of
60
Gumaer, Peter C.
118
H
Hardenbergh House, Kerbookson
63
Hine, Philip
78
Holland Guoa
82
Honk Falla
81
Hoornbeek House, Pine Boah
Hurley
65
85
Hurley aa the Fathera Spelled It.
52
Hurley Greene, Tha
52
Hurley Hotel
40
I-J
"Indiana, The, or Narrativea of Masaa-
crea", etc.
Appendix
Indian Minea, Stories of
111, 119, 120
Indian Raid on the Miniaink.
126
Iodiane Raid the House of Peter Jan ..
100
Jail Limita Stonea, Kingston
30
K
Kettle, John, Ghost of
87
Kings Highway
87
22
THE OLD MINE ROAD.
Kingaton-Ita 250th Anniversary
Kingaton Coffee House and Kingaton Ho-
tel 28
L
Lackawack, The Fort at 80
Leuren Kill 98
Louia Ravine, Napanoch 82
Lucaa Avenue, Kingston
30
M
Mamnknting Valley
105
Marbletown
.
55
Marbletown, The Depot at 41
Masonic Lodge-Firat in Hurley 55
Millbrook
155
Mine Holes of Pahaquarry
159
Mohonk
59
Mombaccua Creek
63
Montague, Suasex Co., N. J. 134
Montanye, Benjamin
116
N
Napanoch
81
Neveraink River
117
Neveraink Turnpike Rond
30
Ninety-Nine, Legend of
75
0-P
Old Mine Road, The
1
Page'a Brook
113
Pinehuah
65
Port Clinton
118
Port Jervla
126
Preciona Metnia, Early Hopea of.
2
Preaton, Samuel, Letter on the Minisink
Settlement
5
Q-R
Quick, Tom
135
Quinlan, Jamea Eldridge, on the
Old
Mine Road
10
Raymondakill, Battle of
147
Rochester Town Recorda
61
Rome
108
S
Saddler's Hell
113
22 | Sandyaton, Sussex County, N. J.
147
Scalps, Price on
73
Schnpnnach
149
Schoonmaker, The Firat 61 Schuyler's, Capt. Arent, Journal. 12 Senate House, Hurley ... 37, 38, 39, 165, 167 Senate House, Kingaton, Legend of . 31
Shawangunk, Meaning of
59
Shippekonk Rocks
135
Shoemaker, Henry
159
Sink Holea
56
Slick Stone
47
Smith, David M., Strange Diaappearance
of
90
Spanish Mine, Ellenville
85
Spavin, A Cure for the
47
Spook Hole, Hurley
36
Spook Hollow, Montague 145
Stone Church of Wawaraing
72
Stone Ridge
58
Symmea, John Cleves
149
T
Tack Honse, Stone Ridge
58
Tree, A Notable Old
57
Tri State Rock
133
V
Van Auken House
134
Van Benschoten, Rev. Eliaa
144
Van Campen, Abraham
150,
156
Pahaquarry, Warren County, N. J ..
155
Van Campen, laanc
150
Van Campen, Major Moaes
156
Van Duaen, Capt. Jan
165
Van Wyck, Dr. Theodore O.
111
W
Walpack, Suaaex County, N. J.
149, 154
Warts, To Cure
46
Wawarsing
69
Wawarsing, Indian Attack on
.69, 72, 73
Weatbrook, Johannis
147
Westbrookville
116
Wheat, How to Spell
51
Whetstone
47
Witebes of Hurley
42
Witeh, A, of Miniaink
131
Witch, A, of Wurtsboro
109
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