History of Columbia County, New York. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 99

Author: Everts & Ensign; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 648


USA > New York > Columbia County > History of Columbia County, New York. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 99


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" JACON SHAFER, BENJAMIN HAMLIN,


" Justices of the peuce and Inspectors of Election.


" Recorded by me,


" WM. ELLIOTT, Town Clerk."


The following is a list of the most important town officers from the organization of the town to the present :


TOWN OFFICERS FROM 1824 TO 1878.


Supervisora.


1824. William Murray.


1825.


1826. *


Jacob Shafer.


Wm. M. Turner.


1827. =


Wm. T. Trafford.


1828. Jacob Shafer.


1829. William Murray.


16


Calvin Williams.


1830.


44


Jacob A. Decker.


Sapervisors.


Town Clerks.


1831. William Murray.


1832.


1833.


=


1834.


1835.


"


1836.


1837. William T. Trafford. Horace Culver.


1838. Abram Bain.


Ira Williams.


1839.


1840. Horace Culver.


1841. Peter Decker.


Ransom Rogers.


1842.


=


1843.


1844. Walter Shafer.


John A. Bain.


1845. Chas. Van Deusen.


Orville H. Wilcox.


1846.


1847. "


Martin Holsapple.


Cornelius Wolcott.


1848. Calvio Williams.


Lee Chamberlaio.


Charles A. Hoag.


1849. = =


Gilbert Langdon.


Thomas Edwards.


1850. John D. Langdon.


W. M. Van Benacho- Wm. T. Trafford. teo.


1851. John Miller.


Joho H. Williams.


1852. 16


Nelson Williams. Ephraim Hawver. A. M. Ten Broeck.


1853. David Rhoda.


1854. =


Freelio Vao Deusen. Joha S. Decker.


1855. William M. Elton.


Nelson Williama.


Wm. Waldorph.


1856. Wm. I. Holsapple.


P. G. Kisselbrack.


Abram Shultis.


1857. Wm. M. Elton.


Joseph G. Near.


1858. "


Lester Van Densen. Abram Wolcott.


1859. Orville H. Wilcox.


Jacob D. Snyder.


1860. Peter S. Pulver.


Freelia Van Deusen. P. Van Debogart.


1861.


1862. =


1863. Fyler D. Sweet.


1864. Joho D. Langdon.


1865.


1866.


1867.


Porter VanDebogart. Norman Brusie.


1868. Wm. I. Holsapple.


Hoffman Sweet.


Dedrick Shultis.


1869. "


Gilbert Langdon.


Nelson Williams.


1870. E. Vao Beoschoten. Hoffman Sweet. John Stang.


1871. Joho D. Langdon.


Sidney Shufelt.


Isaac Oakley.


1872. Hoffman Sweet.


Artemus Austin. Wesley Burdick.


1873. =


Spencer T. Wolcott. John I. Laogdou. Jerry S. Miller. Elisha W. Sweet. Abram Decker.


1875. Nicholas Robinson.


1876.


Almood Shufelt.


Seymour Decker.


1877. John D. Langdoo.


Jacob G. Rossmao.


1878. Theo. Lampman.


W. Van Debogart.


Sylvester Turner.


JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.


1837. Albertus Nooney. Jamea Austin. 1824. Benjamio Hamlio. Jacob Shafer. 1825. William Elliott. 1838. Richard Van Deuseo.


1826. Ulysses Cole. Isaac Griffin.


1827.# Jeremiah Shufelt, Jr. William T. Traffor.


Gideon Sheldon. Jacob Shafer.


1828. Augustus Reed.


1829. Gideon Sheldon.


1830. William T. Trafford.


1831. John Chrysler.


1844. Andrew Whitbeck. Ransom Rogers.


1832. Augustus Reed.


1833. Gideon Sheldon. Aaron Williams. 1834. William Elliott.


1845. Albertus Nooney. 1846. James Austio. William T. Trafford.


1835. Horace Culver.


1847. William T. Trafford.


1836. Andrew Whitbeck.


1848. William M. Elion.


Adam Shultis.


1849. Abram Coons.


* From this time the justices were elected by the people.


Collectors. Tunis Race. =


Wilson Bates. Russel Everett. Peter Decker.


Jacob A. Decker. Cornelius Wolcott. " William Yager. M. G. Van Deusen. Thomas Groat. Norman Brusie. Samuel Frayer. Martio Holsapple. Thomas Williams. Jacob A. Decker. P. Van Debogart. Isaac Davis. Wm. T. Trafford.


Norman A. Novoey. George I. Rosaman. M. Van Deuseo. Sylvester Turner. Levi Race. = Nicholas Robison. Jeremiah Decker.


Robert E. Trafford. Morgan Williams. Platt Rogers. Miltoo Trafford.


1874.


1839. James Austio. Isaac Griffin. 1840. Andrew Whitheck.


1841. Albertus Nooncy. James Reynolds. 1842. William Elliott. 1843. Norman Brusie.


Town Clerks. William Elliott. "


Collectora. George I. Rossman.


Cornelius Williams. Peter Snyder.


Joho D. Langdoo. "


391


HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


1850. James Austin.


1851. William T. Trafford.


Ransom Rogers.


1852. Andrew Whitbeek.


1866. Edmund Shultis.


1867. William Wright, Jr.


1853. William Elliott. Daniel Sheldon. 1854. George Haywood.


1868. James E. Christie. 1869. George Shafer. Daniel Haywood. 1870. George Shafer.


1855. James E. Christie.


Cornelius Snyder.


1856. Ransom Rogers, James I. Snyder.


Nicholas Rohison. Milo Van Deusen.


1857. Frederick W. Shattuck. Walter Brusie.


1871. Conrad A. Wheeler. Byron N. Crary. 1872. Byron N. Crary.


1858. William Murray. Martin L. Smith.


1873. Nicholas Robinson.


1859. James E. Christic.


1874. William Wright.


Daniel Haywood.


1875. Peter Wilsey.


1860. Fyler D. Sweet.


1876. John P. Marshall.


1861. John E. Judson. George Shafer.


1877. George Shafer.


1862. Peter Deeker.


1878. William Wright.


1863. William Wright.


The town has always been in favor of licensing the sale of intoxicating liquors. The first board of excise of the town (1824) granted licenses to Peter Vandebogart, Peter Sturges, Elisha Wilcox, John Parsons, and Catharine Williams, all of whom were innkeepers. The present year there are four licensed hotels in the town.


The commissioners of excise elected since the act of 1874 went into operation have been as follows, viz. : 1875, Cornelius Whitbeck, Walter Lampman, Peter G. Kissel- brack ; 1876, Norman Niver, Porter Vandebogart ; 1877, Freelin Vandeusen ; 1878, Benjamin B. Miller. The latter was appointed, the vote being a tie.


At the second town-meeting, the citizens passed a law that every person who allowed Canada thistles to go to seed, either upon his land or upon the roadside adjoining his land, should pay a fine of $3 for the benefit of the poor fund.


The town-meetings are usually held at Copake Flats, but occasionally at Copake Iron-Works, and at Craryville. Previous to 1866, the town formed one election district ; but on Oct. 2, 1866, it was divided into two districts, the north and west part forming the first district, with the polling-place located at Craryville, and the east and south part forming the second district, with the polling-place at Copake Flats.


There are four post-offices in the town, located in small villages and hamlets.


The first of these is " Copake Iron-Works," located at the village bearing the same name. This village has at- tained its present size in a growth of thirty-three years, and is a direct result of the establishing of the iron-works at this place. In 1845 there was not a dwelling-house in the place. Two old shanties, hardly fit for use as barns, were the only buildings. The growth of the village has been such that it now numbers about forty dwellings, has two stores, one hotel, a depot, two churches,-Protestant Episcopal and Roman Catholic,-the Copake Iron-Works, and about two hundred inhabitants. It is a station on the New York and Harlem railroad, one hundred and four miles from New York, and twenty-three miles south of Chatham.


The second, Copake Post-office, is located two miles


southwest of Copake Iron-Works, at Copake Flats. This village is very pleasantly situated a little sonthcast of the centre of the town, on the level ground that formed Liv- ingston's purchase, called Taghkanic. Before the village attained any size the locality was called " the Copake Flats," and this cognomen has clung to it through all the stages of its growth. Located on the principal thoroughfare of the county from north to south, it offered a fine stand for an inn, and the water-power, a short distance north, caused a mill to be built there at an early day. The growth of the village has never been rapid, but it has rather been re- garded as a quiet, pleasant place of residence, and has at- tracted the farmers of the vicinity who desired to retire from active business. The buildings are generally of a very good class, and the citizens manifest a commendable public spirit in beautifying their grounds with flowers and shrubbery.


William Murray was an early merchant at this place, and Nicholas Robison was the first miller. Among the earliest settlers were Francis Brusie, Nicholas Brusie, Cor- nelius Brusie, Wilhelmus Viele, and a family of Millers. Peter Miller was an early innkeeper, and one of the hotels still bears his name. At present the village consists of two hotels, two stores, a carriage-shop, three blacksmith-shops, a Methodist church, a shoe-shop, a tin-shop, a harness-shop, a school-house, and about thirty dwellings. Near the vil- lage is located the Copake trotting-course, which is a mile- track, and was first opened in 1856 by Hoffman Sweet and Lee Chamberlain. The land was leased of Daniel L. Wil- liams. At present the course is under the control of E. Halstead.


The third post-office is located at West Copake, in the southwest part of the town. This place is a small hamlet, containing half a dozen houses, a summer hotel, and a store and post-office. At this place, which was formerly called " Anderson's Corners," is located the splendid residence of Henry Astor, which was built in 1875, and is a much more elegant, imposing, and costly building than is very often seen in such a rural section. The fourth and last of these post-offices is located at Craryville, in the northwest corner of the town. This place was first settled by Jacob Hager- man, who owned nearly, if not quite, all the land on which the village is situated. It was formerly called " Bain's Cor- ners," after Peter Bain,-a son of Abraham Bain, and grandson of Peter Bain, who was an early settler in Tagh- kanic,-who kept the hotel and owned considerable prop- erty in the place. About 1870 the Bain property was sold to Peter Crary, and the name of the place was changed to " Craryville." It is a small village, pleasantly located in the valley of the Copake creek, and contains about eighty inhabitants. It has about fifteen dwellings, two stores, one hotel, two wagon and blacksmith-shops, a shoe-shop, and railroad depot. It is a station on the New York and Ilar- lem railroad, 111 miles north from New York, and 16 miles south from Chatham. The post-office was formerly called " North Copake."


In the northeast part of the town, one and a half miles south from Hillsdale, is a little hamlet called the " Black Grocery." It contains a store, wagon and blacksmith-shop, and two or three dwellings. Near by the New York and


1864. James E. Christie. Artemus Austin. 1865. George Shafer.


Wilson Sheldon.


392


HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


Harlem railroad crosses the Roeloff Jansen's Kill, on a long, covered bridge, at a considerable height.


The manufacturing interests of this town are limited in number. The principal one, and which rauks well with similar enterprises elsewhere, is the


COPAKE IRON-WORKS.


This enterprise was first established, in the year 1845, by a firm called " Lemuel Pomeroy & Sons," of Pittsfield, Mass. The firm was composed of Lemuel Pomeroy, Sr., Lemuel Pomeroy, Jr., Robert Pomeroy, and Theodore Pome- roy. They had formerly, for a period of about ten years, been running the old Livingston furnace, in Aneram, but, being attracted by the large bed of fine ore and the excellent water-power, decided to come here and build a new furnace. They immediately ereeted the necessary buildings, and commenced the first blast in 1846. The capacity of this furnace was sowie fifty or sixty tons per month. In 1848 the " Copake Iron Company" was formed by the admission of Isaac C. Chesbrough and William L. Pomeroy as mem- bers of the firm. An interest in the business was soon after sold to " Hathaway & Johnson," of South Adams, Mass. In 1850 the firm was again reorganized, and Lemuel Pome- roy, Jr., Isaac C. Chesbrough, Robert Pomeroy, and Theo- dore Pomeroy became the owners. In 1853, Lemuel Pomeroy died, and the other three partners continued the business until 1861, when they sold to John Beckley, of Canaan, Conn., and he, in 1862, sold to the present owner, Frederick Miles.


In 1847 a forge was built in connection with the furnace for the purpose of converting the cast-iron into wrought- iron, and preparing it for use in the manufacture of car- axles and gun-barrels. A heavy trip-hammer was used in this work, and all kinds of rod and bar-iron were produced. This branch of the business was given np in 1854. For the first years of its existence the iron produced at this furnace was transported to Hudson in carts, to be shipped from there by rail or water. In 1852 the Harlem road was built through, and furnished them with increased facilities for transporting their productions.


The old stack or furnace was used till 1872, when the present one was ereeted. It is about thirty feet square at its base, nine feet inner diameter at the boshes, and thirty- two feet high. It is built of marble stone, from Dover, Dutchess Co., and has three tuyere arches, using four three- and-one-fourth-inch tuyeres. The blast is furnished by two large blowing-cylinders run by an overshot wheel about twenty feet in diameter. The air is heated to a tempera- ture of about 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and applied to the furnace under a pressure of five-tenths of a pound to the square inch. The buildings occupied by the works are nine in number, and the proprietor also owns about twenty buildings which are occupied by the workmen. A railroad about three-fourths of a mile long has just been completed, which connects the furnace with the depot, furnishing un- surpassed facilities for handling of materials and the iron produced. A foundry for the manufacture of plows and other agricultural implements is also contemplated. In ad- dition to the power furnished by the water-wheel, the works are supplied with a fiue steam-engine, which is used in


times of low water. The works employ about fifty hands, and consume annually about eight thousand tons of iron ore, twelve hundred tons of limcstone, and four hundred and fifty thousand bushels of charcoal. The iron produced amounts to three thousand seven hundred and fifty tons per year, and is of a fine quality, excellently adapted to the making of car-wheels. Its tensile strength is from thirty-two thousand to thirty-seven thousand pounds to the square inch. There are seven grades of this iron, numbered from " No. 1," which is the softest, to " No. 6," which is the hardest. Most of the iron is composed of Nos. 3, 4, and 43, which are the best adapted to car-wheel work, being both hard and tenacious. This iron bears an excellent reputation, and is shipped to all parts of the country.


The ore-bed owned by Mr. Niles and from which most of the ore used at the furnace is obtained, lies near the rail- road. It was first opened many years ago, but was not very extensively worked until the furnace was built in 1845. It is worked by the " open-cut" method, and sev- eral different ents have been opened. The one now being worked was opened by Mr. Miles, and has been worked to a depth of sixty feet, furnishing an ore that produces fifty per cent. of metallic iron in the furnace, and fifty-eight per cent. by assay. At present about five thousand tons of ore are being taken out yearly, the rest of the ore used at the iron-works being brought from Pawling and Amenia, in Dutchess county, and from the Weed mine in Ancram. The ore is drawn from the mine in carts, and after passing through the Blake crusher and the Bradford washer, is again loaded into carts or wagons and drawn to the furnace.


The other manufactory was located at the foot of Robi- son's lake, and was first built as a grist-mill by the propri- etor of the manor for one of his tenants, Nicholas Robison, after whom the lake was named. It has since been owned by James Robison, Isaiah and Isaac Griffin, Silas Miller, Norman Pulver, and has finally passed into the hands of Messrs. MeArthur & Van Deusen. It has four run of stone, and employs water-power equivalent to one hundred and twenty-five horse-power. Its capacity is about eight hun- dred bushels per day. There is also a saw-mill located there. While owned by the Robisons a clothiery was es- tablished there, consisting of a carding-machine and a full- ing and cloth-dressing mill. This business was afterwards carried on by Edward and Christopher Gernon, and was finally abandoned about thirty-five years ago.


FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN COPAKE.


About the year 1832 the Methodists of this town began to hold a series of " grove-meetings" in several different places in the southwest part of Copake and in the northern part of Ancram. One of the places of meeting was near the residence of George Niver. In the summer or fall of that year a class was formed, consisting of a dozen or more mem- bers, by the efforts of Revs. Richard Hayter and Edward S. Stout. At the next meeting of conference these gentle- men were appointed as preachers at this place, it then being an appointment on the Hillsdale circuit. The grove-meet- ings were continued during the summer of 1833, and re- sulted in quite an extensive revival of religion, which added a considerable number to the church, and so strengthened


393


HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


it in numbers, influence, and resources that steps were taken to secure the erection of a house of worship. As a pre- liminary step, due notice being given, a meeting was held " at the barn of Peter Miller," on the 19th of June, 1834, to incorporate the society. William T. Trafford and John Shaver, Jr., presided, and John Porter, John Shaver, Jr., George Niver, William T. Trafford, and Richard I. Vos- burgh were elected trustees.


A subscription was raised and the first church was built at the upper or eastern corners, on lands donated by Elisha Wilcox, some time in this or the next year, 1834 or 1835. It was a plain building without tower or belfry, and eost about $2000. It was used till the new church was built, and was then sold for $400 or $500, and removed to the lower corners, where it was converted into, and has since been used as, a store. It is believed that this church was dedicated by Rev. Joseph B. Wakeley. The second or present church was built in the fall and winter of 1853-54, during the pastorate of Rev. Marvin R. Lent, and was ded- icated by Rev. Joseph B. Wakeley, then of New York, in the following spring. This church was built by Jude Sny- der, in the burying-ground, and cost about $3500. It will comfortably seat about three hundred and fifty persons.


Soon after, a parsonage was purchased of a Mr. Brown, at a cost of about $1400. It is still owned by the church and used for a ministerial residence. The present valuation of the entire church property is about $4000.


The trustees before named and John Williams, together with their several wives, were among the first members of the church. George Niver and Wm. T. Trafford were the first class-leaders.


The present officers are Darius Van Deusen, John P. Bain, William Northrop, James Peck, Ward Van De Bogart, John Lyke, Henry Lloyd, Charles Lloyd, Norman Decker, stewards; the six first named, IIenry Niver, Am- brose Williams, Wesley Holsapple, trustees ; William Nor- throp, Henry Lloyd, class-leaders. The membership is two hundred and ten, fifty-five of that number being probationers.


The ministers who have preached at this church, and all of whom, with the exception of the seven first named, have been regularly stationed here, are as follows, viz. :


Revs. Richard Hayter, Edward S. Stout, S. L. Stillman, D. B. Ostrander, J. Carley, W. Lull, Charles C. Keyes, D. B. Osborn, W. Lull, A. Bushnell, Jr., Alonzo G. Shears, David Holmes, David Plumb, Levi Warner, Matthew Van Deusen, William Gothard, Aaron Hunt, Jr., Loren Clark, L. Mc K. Pease, Loyal B. Andrus, Jeremiah Ham, Aaron Hunt, Jr., Cyrus G. Prindle, Marvin R. Lent, Isaac H. Lent, Alpheus C. Gallahue, C. Fuller, Charles Gorse, Loyal B. Andrus, B. M. Genung, Marvin R. Lent, Isaac H. Lent, Thomas Ellis, J. H. Phillips, J. G. Slater, and J. H. Michell, the present pastor, who is now serving in his third year.


The Sabbath-school in connection with this church is in a prosperous condicion, having a membership of one hun- dred and seventy, and a library of about four hundred vol- umes. The officers are Rev. J. II. Michell, superintendent ; William Northrop, assistant superintendent ; Charles Bur- roughs, secretary ; John Lyke, treasurer ; Charles Roberts, librarian.


CHURCH OF ST. JOHN.


Previously to 1852 Episcopal serviees were held occa- sionally in the district sehool-house at Copake Iron-Works ; Mrs. Aurelia Pomeroy and Mrs. Harriet Chesbrough being teachers.


The parish was organized in 1852, at a meeting held for the purpose at the residence of Isaac C. Chesbrough, Rev. N. S. Stoughton presiding and William L. Pomeroy acting as secretary. The following officers were elected, viz. : Lemuel Pomeroy, senior warden ; Isaac C. Chesbrough, junior warden ; William L. Pomeroy, Lemuel Pomeroy, Jr., S. H. Platner, Lee Chamberlain, Sylvester Melius, John D. Groat, Julius Snyder, J. G. Palen, vestrymen.


The minute of these proceedings was accepted May 24, 1852, and signed by Rev. N. S. Stoughton, in the presence of two witnesses. June 17 it was recorded, and the so- ciety was incorporated.


The land for a church site and parsonage lot was given by the "Copake Iron Company," and the members con- tributed liberally towards a fund to build a church. In this they were assisted by the Trinity church of New York, and a church was erected at a cost of $3000. The size of the main building is thirty by forty-five feet, with a chan- cel fifteen by twenty-two feet. It furnishes comfortable sittings for one hundred and fifty persons. It was conse- crated on St. Peter's day, June 29, 1852, aud received into the jurisdiction of the bishop of New York by the Rev. Carlton Chase, of New Haven, performing episcopal duties at the request of the standing committee of the diocese of New York.


Prior to the settling of a rector over this parish, service was held by various clergymen, among others by Revs. N. S. Stoughton, H. Wheaton, Dr. Berrian, - Haight, and - Anthon, the three last all of New York. The first resident rector was Rev. William T. Ludlum. He was fol- lowed by Revs. E. W. Hager, Peter S. Ruth, P. O. Barton, William A. Leach, J. H Babcock, and Levi Johnston. Services have also been conducted at the church by Revs. Joseph Johnson, W. C. Brant, - Hale, and Rev. R. C. Terry, of Hudson, N. Y. The church is at present without a pastor. The membership is quite small. The present valuation of the church property is about $5000.


The present officers are Isaac C. Chesbrough, senior warden ; Lemuel Pomeroy, junior warden ; H. T. Goodale, William Wright, William A. Miles, Darius Weed, Peter N. Campbell, Asa Martin, F. P. Miles, Lott Cook, vestry- men ; Wm. A. Miles, treasurer ; Lemuel Pomeroy, secretary.


ST. BRIDGET'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.


Religious services were held at Copake Iron-Works, in the house of Michael Herihy, by the Rev. James S. O'Sul- livan, of Hudson, from 1855 to 1867. At that time it was thought best to build a church, and steps were taken to secure its erection. It was commeneed in 1866, and finished in 1867. The mission was attached to Chatham parish in February, 1873, under the pastoral care of Rev. James J. Moriarty, A.M., who is still ministering to the people. Oct. 31, 1875, the church was formally dedicated, and seventy persons confirmed by Rt. Rev. Francis MeNierney, Bishop of Albany.


50


394


HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.


The church, which will seat two hundred persons, cost $5000. Present valuation about the same.


Previous to Father O'Sullivan's ministrations, Rev. Wil- liam Howard, of Hudson, held services. He first began about 1849.


The congregation now consists of forty-five families. The present lay trustees are Michael Herlihy and Matthew Murnaue.


REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH.


This church is situated in the western part of the town of Copake, and is generally known as " the Lyall church," a name which it derived from the Rev. William Lyall, who was its pastor for a number of years. He was known popu- larly as " Dominie" Lyall, and died while pastor of this church. He is buried in the ground adjoining it.


The church was an offshoot of the " Greenbush" or " Vedder" church, in Gallatin. The present pastor is Rev. - Garretson, who, by his negleet to furnish a good his- tory of his church, forces us to pass it by with this brief notice.


CEMETERIES.


There are four cemeteries in Copake. They are called town cemeteries, and a sexton is appointed for each ground at the annual town-meeting. The first record of these ap- pointments is found in the year 1836, when it was " voted to have a grave-digger appointed at each burying-ground, and paid by the town." The meeting then proceeded to appoint the grave-diggers, and fix the amount they were to receive for their services on each occasion, as follows, viz. : At the "burying-ground near Peter Miller's," John F. Brusie, fee $1; at the " burying-ground at Presbyterian meeting-house," Philip I. Lown, fee $1.37} ; at the " bury- ing-ground near Christian Niver's," David Taylor, fee $1 ; and at the " burying-ground near David Williams'," Thomas Williams, fee $1; and a tax of $50 was voted for expenses of grave-digging. The first of these, and also the oldest one, is more commonly known as the Copake Flats burying- ground. It is situated in the lot of the Methodist Epis- copal church. It contains about two acres of ground, and is quite full of graves. Many of the stones and monu- ments are costly and of fine designs. The ground, however, lacks the symmetry of arrangement, the walks and drives, and the results of care and labor that ought to characterize our cities of the dead. The earliest date on any of the tombstones is borne by a slab of gray stone, the inscription ou which reads as follows, viz. : " Abraham Spoor, died Oct. 23d, 1757." Among the other early graves (nearly all of which are marked by smooth slabs of black slate more or less elaborately carved) are found the following : " Gashe, wife of Mr. Abraham Spoor, died May 3, 1777, in her 63d year ;" " Arnaut Viele," and " Catharine Vau Keureu," in 1776; "Francis Brusie," in 1780; " Elizabeth, wife of Wilhelmus Viele," in 1785; "Isaac Spoor, Esq.," in 1789; " James Robison, who fell June 2, 1791, by ye ac- cidental discharge of a gun. Aged 51 years ;" " Nicholas McArthur," in 1793; "Silence Lawrence," in 1795; " Rebecca Lott," in 1793; "Eleanor Brusie," in 1794; " Andrew C. Brusie," and " Cornelius Brusie," in 1795;




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