History of Duchess county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 38

Author: Smith, James H. (James Hadden); Cale, Hume H; Roscoe, William E
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 868

USA > New York > Dutchess County > History of Duchess county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 38

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The traces of the cellar of the Vosburgh house on " Molly Coon " hill, mark the site of one of the oldest houses in the town.

On this road from Madalin to Upper Red Hook, over Saulpaugh's Hill, is one of the oldest houses in the town, now known as the Gale House, which was built in 1733.

The first merchants here were Myers & Mar- tin .* Jacob Van Steenburgh was next in succes- sion, and he was succeeded by his clerk, Charles Kent, who afterward left here and entered into partnership with Judge Tyler, at Barrytown. His brother, James Kent, and James White then took the store. White shortly after went out of the busi- ness, and Kent connected with him Alfred Lewis Moore, and the firm was known as Kent & Moore for a number of years. Alfred L. Moore died in 1878, having been a merchant here forty years.

His son, Clarence L. Moore, succeeded to the business, which he still conducts.

The other merchants doing business here are :- Philip Peelor, general merchandise, in business here twenty-five years, succeeding Erastus Kim- ball ; William S. Ross, (born in New York city, 1818,) druggist ; Gustave Muller, (born in France, 1843,) boots and shoes, in business ten years ; William A. Decker, (born in Red Hook, 1820,)

* Ten Broek Myers and Ephraim Martin, in Moore's store, built by Myers.

* Catholic.

190

HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.

confectionery, began business in June, 1881; Will- iam A. Washburn, (a native of Johnstown, N. Y., born 1858,) druggist, in business here three years ; Edward Feller, general merchandise, in business here ten years; Roswell C. Gleason, (born in Red Hook in 1832,) furniture and undertaking, in business here twenty years ; Jacob Pfeiffer, bakery, established in 1873 ; C. W. Coons, (born in Gal- latin, N. Y., 1853,) merchant tailor, in business here three years; Clarence W. Lasher, (born in Tivoli, 1852,) harnesses and horsemen's goods, in business two years; Peter Feroe, (born in Red Hook, 1818,) furnishing undertaker, in business ten years ; Henry Fraleigh, boots and shoes ; Au- gustus Moore, (born in Red Hook, 1839,) general merchandise, in business here nineteen years ; William Rockefeller, (born in New York, 1844,) fancy notions, in business thirteen years ; Charles C. Champlin, general tinware.

The postoffice was established here in Decem- ber, 1861, with Charles C. Champlin as postmaster, which office he has since held.

The following are the only manufacturing in- dustries : -

George H. Ellsworth, wagon maker, in business here since 1827.

Steam box manufactory, Sylvester Teator, pro- prietor, established in 1876.

Barrel factory, Clarence Feroe, proprietor, suc- ceeding George Feroe & Son, who had conducted the business twelve years. The factory was estab- lished by Henry N. Leak some seventeen years ago, who, in a few years gave up the business which was resumed by Feroe & Son. The factory turns out yearly from ten to twenty thousand fruit barrels, besides its other work in tight cooperage. Clarence Feroe was born in Madalin, January 28, 1847.

Saw, grist and plaster mill, George Feroe & Co., (Montgomery Queen,) in business three years, succeeding Cooper & Ham.

This mill stands on the White Clay kill, and the property in its vicinity was once owned by the Schuyler family. The building which at one time occupied the site of the present mill, was built many years ago for a woolen factory, and for a number of years was run by Robert Lasher as lessee. A man of the name of Hubbell, also a lessee, succeeded Lasher in the business. This factory did a considerable business. About 1835, Nathan Parks purchased the property, and con- verted the factory into a grist-mill, and removed the dam from where it once stood to its present

location above the bridge. The mill afterwards carne into the possession of Henry Alkenburgh, and was destroyed by fire. It is said that he purchased the property of John K. Feroe in 1857, and that the mill was burned about twenty years ago. After the lapse of some two or three years, Alkenburgh built the present mill. Ozias Cooper was the next proprietor, then James Gardner bought from Cooper, then William Hann obtained possession, and at his death the estate sold the property to George Feroe.

This part of the village has also two hotels. The Madalin House was built by Philip McNiff in 1839,* by whom it was first kept as a hotel. The next proprietor was Amos Proctor. -- Mandeville and Charles Hamlin also kept hotel in this build- ing. The present proprietor is Peter Overbough, who has conducted it since 1854.

The Morgan House was built for a store by Erastus Kimball, in 1846, and was changed into a hotel by Edward Lasher some ten years ago. The present proprietor is Philip Potts, who purchased of Lasher three years ago.

Lodge No. 374, F. and A. M., was organized here July 8, 1855. The charter bears date July 6, 1855, and contains the following names as charter officers : Rev. John A. Edmonds, Master ; Simon VanNamee, S. W. ; Benj. F. Gedney, J. W. Charter members : Samuel Nelson, William Whitting, N. P. Tyler. The lodge was incorpor- ated in 1878. The first trustees were Jacob E. Fingar, F. S. Ormsbee, P. H. Miller. The lodge meets in the Elm House on Broadway and has, for its size, one of the most beautiful halls in the county. This is the centennial year (1881) of the Order in the State, and Andrew Rockefeller has the distinction of being in so memorable a year the W. M. of this lodge.

In this part of the village is situated Trinity church, and the celebrated Academy bearing its name. This school was established primarily by John Bard and General J. Watts de Peyster, in No- vember, 1853, as a private school, to meet the wants of Madalin-Tivoli, under the superintendence of Rev. James Starr Clark. In the spring of 1854, General de Peyster withdrew from the support of the school, and Mr. Bard, with the consent of the Rector of St. Paul's church, Rev. Henry de Koven, determined to support a parish school and mission to meet the educational and spiritual wants of the village. In July, 1854, a brick building, two stories, 30 by 60, was begun, and was especially adapted * John K. Feroe, builder.

191

TOWN OF RED HOOK.

for the purpose mentioned. The building con- tained a chapel and a vestry-room in the second story, and two large school rooms, suitably fur- nished, in the first story. On the first Sunday in January, 1855, the chapel was first occupied. School was opened on the following Monday with seventy pupils and two efficient teachers, both chapel and school being under the direction of James Starr Clark.

The church began with two communicants, and increased so that at the expiration of six years it numbered seventy. The school and church were free.

This parish school continued until 1867. Mr. Bard having signified his intention of withdrawing his support, on account of limited means, Mr. Clark determined to establish a boarding school, as a means of support, and to carry out his education- al ideas. The cottage in which he was then living was enlarged to accommodate twelve pupils, and in October, 1867, he opened his school with four scholars. By the end of the first school year this number had increased to ten, and by the end of the second year the school was full to overflowing. In 1871, the school then having fifteen pupils, and many more applying for admission, the building was enlarged to hold twenty-five. Other ad- ditions were made from time to time, and in 1875 the building was enlarged, giving accommodations to forty pupils in all. In 1879 a large portion of the earlier structure was rebuilt, and a third story added, at a cost of about $8,000.00. When com- pleted, the building was 113 feet long, 42 wide and three stories high. The school was soon filled to its utmost capacity, and many applicants could not be received. The number of pupils in 1881 was sixty. The school has, in addition to the Rector, a staff of five efficient teachers, and is conducted on a modified military system. Pupils are here fitted for entrance to the military and scientific schools of the country. A large and well appointed gymnasium-65 by 42-including bowling alleys, is located on the grounds, and on the Hudson are two 40 foot gigs and two 30 foot barges for the free use of the pupils.

Among the early physicians who located here, after Myersville became a village of any extent, was a Dr. Mixture-said to have been a most ap- propriate name in every respect. He remained but a short time. His successor was Dr. William Bush, a most attentive practitioner, who became a surgeon in the army during the Rebellion, and lost his life in the discharge of his duty. He was suc-

ceeded by Dr. Thomas J. Barton, one of the pres- ent practitioners, and one of the most remarkable men, through his acquaintance with the English classics, that is to be met with. He is the author of some very respectable verses. Dr. Barton was born in Valatie, Columbia county, N. Y., in 1830, grad- uated from Albany Medical College in 1855, and in 1856 came to this place, where, for twenty- five years, he has had an extensive practice.

Other physicians who have practiced here, for brief intervals, were Drs. McMenamy, George Cleary, - Watts, and Baldwin.

The only other resident physician is Dr. Lester Cass Baldwin, born in Jewett, Greene county, N. Y., December 14, 1850 ; graduated from the Medical Department, University City of New York in 1879, in which year he came to Tivoli.

The representatives of the law are Zachariah Weeks and Frank S. Ormsbee. The former was born in Copake, Columbia county, N. Y., in 1829; studied law with George S. Gorham, Burlington Green, Otsego county, N. Y., was admitted to the bar in July, 1851, and became a resident of Red Hook in May, 1853.

Frank Stanley Ormsbee was born in the town of Ashland, Greene county, N. Y., in June, 1843, studied law with Olney and Mott in Catskill, in 1862-'63, and went to University of Albany, from whence he graduated in 1864. He was admitted to practice in that year, and came to Tivoli in the spring of 1868 .*

Tivoli has five churches, the Baptist, Methodist, Roman Catholic, St. Paul's and Trinity, the latter being mentioned in connection with Trinity Academy.

The Baptist Church was formally organized in 1842. Previous to the year 1839 but few Baptist ministers had ever preached in this town and there were in the town but few families of that denomi- nation, who belonged to churches in Sanford and Saugerties. Among these families were those of the Wakemans and Beekworths, or Beckwiths (Col. Nathan Beckwith). In 1839 Rev. Thomas Stokes, for several years Bishop of the Baptist church in Cairo, Greene county, was employed by the Mis- sionary Board of the Duchess Baptist Association to preach in different parts of the county. In this service he continued some eighteen months, preach- ing with much success in Pawling, Hartsville, Rhinebeck and Mechanicsville, now Madalin.

He was succeeded by Rev. David James, of New- burgh, who labored for the board one year. Both * Supervisor in 1881.

192

HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.

of these Elders preached in the school house at Madalin. An effort was made to build a Union meeting-house, but it did not succeed. A few families in Madalin and at the Landing were friend- ly to this denomination, and treated the Baptist missionaries with much kindness and hospitality.

In the spring of 1842 Rev. Isaac Bevans settled at Rhinebeck, and succeeded the Elders mentioned, in preaching at Mechanicsville. In the same spring B. S. Pier, who, with his wife, was a mem- ber of the Cannon St. Baptist Church, New York, moved with his family to the upper village where he opened a store. They were generous friends to the cause in this town. Some time in the fall of 1842 it was decided to organize into a conference, preparatory to a church organization, all the people of Baptist proclivities who could be called together. This conference was held at the house of Edwin Knickerbocker, and Lewis Beckwith was chosen clerk. There were eight persons present; viz :-- N. Beckwith and wife, B. S. Pier and wife, L. Beck- with and wife, -- Hanford and wife.

In the last of fall it was decided to begin preach- ing at the Landing. J. S. & S. Collyer, the pro- prietors of one of the docks, had an old store which was not occupied, and which they kindly offered to the Baptists as a place in which to hold services. This store was fitted up with coarse boards for seats, and the first sermon here was preached by Rev. Mr. Bevans, on Sunday evening, November 20, 1842. Here a series of meetings were begun by Mr. Bevans on January 22d, 1843, which were held every evening, with few exceptions, until the first of March, in which Mr. Bevans was assisted by Revs. N. D. Benedict and C. Shook. The result was the conversion of between sixty and sev- enty persons, and thirty-six were baptized. The first baptism was administered February 26th, to nine individuals. The congregation rapidly in- creasing, an effort was soon put forth to erect a church building, which, after some delay, was ac-

complished, and a house, 34 by 40, was erected on land given (conditionally)* by E. Elmendorph.

This building was located between the landing and Madalin.t Members of the church and con- gregation contributed liberally toward this object, and some friends in other places, and a few not of their communion, also very generously assisted. William Kelly, of Rhinebeck, gave $100.00. The

church was dedicated Thursday, February 14, 1844, by Rev. T. G. Freeman, of Hudson, and Rev. I. B. Breed. The house was built by Cor- nelius Patterson, at a cost of $830.00. In October, 1843, the church united with the Duchess Baptist Association, and reported 36 baptized, 4 received by letter, 2 dismissed by letter-total, 38.

Rev. Mr. Bevans remained as pastor from the organization in 1842 to April, 1848. His suc- cessors were Rev. Henry Cornell, Sept. 9, 1848, who remained until August, 1849; Elder Lyman Palmer, September, 1849, supplied the pulpit about three months; Elder David Morris, De- cember, 1849, remained until January, 1852, but preached occasionally during that winter; Elder Parmenus Watts, a licentiate, April, 1852, to June, 1854, he was ordained June 2, 1853 ; Elder Albert Griffith, a licentiate from Lewisburg University, September, 1854, was en- gaged for six months, and closed his labors in May, 1855 ; Elder Vassar, September 1, 1855, six months; Elder Edward Tompkins, a licen- tiate from Hyde Park, July 15, 1856, was or- dained December 9, 1857, and remained till May, 1860 ; Elder John W. Crumb, May 18, 1860, to February, 1862, returned in 1863, and preached until 1869; Elder Green came about June 5, 1869, remained a year ; Elder Joshua Wood, No- vember 5, 1871; Elder Edward Tompkins came as a supply in 1875, which relation he sustained until February, 1876 ; his successor was Rev. Jacob L. Williams, the present incumbent, a licen- tiate of Saugerties Baptist Church. He began his labors in March, 1876, and was ordained in April of that year.

The present church edifice was begun in 1880 and completed in the spring of 1881, at a cost of $5,000.00. It was dedicated May 11, 1881. The present membership of the church is 85.

The Society of Methodists was organized some little time previous to 1842, but the membership was not large, and the society belonged to the Lower Red Hook charge. Among the early members were, George Gleason, Jacob Van Steenburgh and wife, James Kent and wife, and R. Gleason. The oldest members living to- day are Mrs. Lowe, Mrs. John Feroe, and Mrs. Van Steenburgh. Among the early pastors were Revs. Mr. Gray, Mr. Sing, E. O. Haven, Mr. Burch and Mr. Daniels. Having been on the Lower Red Hook charge, it is to be presumed that the pastors who officiated there also preached here.

* The conditions were that the property was to remain in the posses- sion of the denomination so long as the Baptists remained there ; but should they remove, the property was to revert to the heirs of Mr. Elmen- dorph.

+ The old building is still standing at the forks of the road.

193

TOWN OF RED HOOK.

The first church edifice was built in 1843, on land given by Eugene Livingston. This in years becoming too small, was sold, and the present edifice was erected about 1860. The society is now on the Germantown charge, presided over by Rev. Aaron Hunt. The present membership is between twenty and thirty. The society has num- bered over one hundred members, but from various causes has decreased to its present low status.

St. Paul's Church-St. Paul's Episcopal Church is situated in the extreme N. W. corner of Red Hook (the N. W. town of Duchess county.) The first entry in connection with it, to be found in the records, bears date in December, 1816.

This church was incorporated agreeably to an Act of Legislature, State of New York, 1817, and was admitted into the Union of the Protestant Episcopal Church, October 2 Ist, same year. Rev. Henry Anthon, then Deacon, afterwards Rector of St. Mark's, New York city,-was the first minister, hav- ing commenced his services in the neighbor- hood of Upper Red Hook Landing-now Tivoli-in December, 1816. The first bap- tism noted was that of Mary Kimball, and the first burial, Joseph Kimball, occurred in December, 1816.

On the 7th of July, 1818, the corner-stone of the first church building was laid in a lot on the N. W. corner of the main road run- ning east from Tivoli to Upper Red Hook and the Germantown or Telegraph, then known as the River road, crossing the former at right-angles. The unpretending struct- ure was of wood, and was known as the "White Church," in contra-distinction to the Dutch Reformed Church, less than a mile farther to the north, on the same road, which was the oldest place of worship in the town, and recognized far and near as the " Red Church," from its color.

On the 27th of May, 1819, St. Paul's was consecrated by Bishop Hobart, and was the second Episcopal congregation organized in Duchess county; that of St. James, at Hyde Park, being the first.

The first Wardens were Edward P. Living- ston, Lieutenant-Governor, State of New York, 1831-32, and John S. Livingston, who had been First Judge of Columbia county.

After a zealous discharge of his duties for three years, Mr. Anthon was succeeded in his charge by the following gentlemen, several of whom rose to

high dignities or prominent positions :- Rev. Nathaniel T. Bruce, M. D., 1820-24; Rev. Will- iam Sheldon, 1824- ; Rev. Cicero S. Hawks, D. D., subsequently Bishop of Missouri ; Rev. Revaud Kearny; Rev. John McCarty, D. D., afterwards Chaplain U. S. A., with General Scott, who held the first Protestant services in the capital of Mexico, and preached the first Evangel- ical sermon in the cathedral of that city; Rev. John Henry Hobart, son of the bishop of the same name ; Rev. Henry de Koven, Rev. R. O. Page and Rev. G. Lewis Platt, A. M. The latter is still Rector, having officiated twenty-two years. The Rev. Messrs. E. A. Nichols, Adams, Bartlett

MOSS E NO COFNY

white

(CHURCH OF ST. PAUL'S.)

and Punderson also at different times have had temporary charge of the church, but not as Rectors.

The original site was selected on account of its central position as to the congregation, who were

194

HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.

scattered along the river and River road, north and south, for a distance of over sixteen miles. The building of several other Episcopal churches -tliree in this town and one in Clermont, Columbia county,-having drawn off a number of members, it was determined to sell the old and build a new church. The change was not satis- factory to all, because the grounds had been fenced and improved by one member, and a Free School had been erected by several, in union ; the latter finally fell into the hands of General de Peyster, as sole Trustee, in which about fifty scholars were educated by him at one time, many of whom did great credit to the institution.

On June 16th, 1868, the corner-stone of the new Church of St. Paul's was laid with impressive services, and an appropriate address was delivered by the Rector, Rev. G. Lewis Platt, A. M.

The site is beautiful, on the new River road, about a quarter of a mile north of the main road from Tivoli station to Madalin village. The grounds originally contained two acres, of which one and a half were deeded as his subscription to the church by Mr. E. A. Livingston, and half an acre by General de Peyster as a part of his subscription. The latter gentleman subsequently added another acre to the west, and two acres more were purchas- ed by the congregation to the south. The greater part of the land is handsomely disposed and thickly set with noble trees. The total cost of the struc- ture, including the organ and all complete for consecration, according to one statement was $22,000.

St. Paul's is a building of rough stone, roofed with slate, about 92 feet long and 57 feet wide outside of all, with a spacious chancel to the rear, and a tower and spire at the northeast corner 90 feet high, partly stone and partly timber, sur- mounted by a large gilt cross. The windows are partly of ground and partly of stained glass, be- tween buttresses. There is a semi-hexagonal pro- jection or transept to the south, whose interior constitutes the spacious pews of Johnston Living- ston, Esq., and General de Peyster. The style of architecture is pure original English- or Norman- Gothic, and now that it is almost entirely over- grown with five-leaved or American Ivy, popularly known as the Virginia Creeper-planted for the most part with her own hands and fostered with care by Mrs. General de Peyster -- there is scarcely a church to be seen anywhere throughout the land which presents a prettier picture. It faces the east and stands on an artificial esplanade. On

this account and through the judgment exhibited in taking advantage of the natural disposition of the ground, and moreover, from its resting, as it were, upon a long row of substantial vaults in the rear that seem to constitute a portion of the foundation of the edifice,-the church, viewed from the north-west, towers aloft with graceful outline amid the tall, original trees, as if constructed upon an elevated plateau. From every point of view the effect is imposing, and the edifice worthy to rank with many of the religious structures in Europe which are deemed worthy of especial mention in guide books. Thence, from the es- planade, in every direction, the eye of a visitor rests on beautiful or pleasing scenery, and to the westward he enjoys a magnificent pros- pect of the whole range of the Catskills.

The grading around the church was done under the personal superintendence of General de Peyster, and at the expense of Mr. Johnston Livingston and himself. For this a handsome "Resolution of Thanks" was voted and presented by the Vestry.

Very peculiar arrangements have been entered into by the original subscribers for the protection for all time of their burial-places, so that this " God's acre " is less liable to probable or possible desecration or vandalism than any other in the country. Even the style of monuments is under the safeguard of a committee, and the jurisdiction of the Vestry is restricted to the church itself and a space of only a few feet outside of the walls of it.

As the grounds are new, the monuments are, as yet, few. One of these, quite imposing from its situation and surroundings, of a peculiarly hard grey marble which seems calculated to last forever, bears the name of JOHN WATTS on the east base, and JOHN WATTS DE PEYSTER on the west base and the following inscription on two faces, east and north :---

In memory of JOHN WATTS, born in the city of New York, 27th of August, 1749 (Old Style), and died there 3rd (6th) Sept., 1836 (New Style): (3d Son of Hon. John Watts, Senior Member King's Council, and destined Lt. Gov. Province of New York, and of Anne, eldest daughter of Etienne (Stephen) de Lancey,) Last Royal Recorder, City of New York, 1774-77 ; Speaker of Assembly, S. N. Y., 1791-94; Mem- ber of Congress, U. S., 1793-95; First Judge of Westchester Co., N. Y., 1806; &c., &c., &c. Founder and endower of the Leake & Watts Orphan House, New York City. "VIR AQUAN- IMITATIS."

In Memory of MARY JUSTINA WATTS, youngest Child and Daughter of Hon. John Watts, 2d; and of Jane,-[the latter] Daughter of Peter de Lan-

TOWN- OF RED HOOK.

195

cey, "of the Mills," Westchester Co., N. Y., and [of] Elizabeth Colden, Daughter of Cadwallader Colden, Royal Lt. Gov. and Acting Gov. Province N. Y. Born in New York City, 26th Oct., 1801, and died there 28th of July, 1821.

The west and south sides of the plinth have no lettering.

Westward of this is a large and extremely tasty marble memorial of a young and handsome Union officer, who died of the ultimate results of exposure and disease contracted during the Peninsular Cam- paign of 1862. On the obverse are a few lines, setting forth his name, rank, etc., as follows :-

FREDERIC DE PEYSTER, JR., Brevet Colonel, N. Y. V .. Brevet Major, U. S. V. Born in New York City, 13th December, 1842, Died at Rose Hill, in the Township of Red Hook, Duchess Co., 30th October, 1874, of diseases contracted in the field, with the Army of North-eastern Virginia in 1861, and with the Army of the Potomac in 1862.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Duchess county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 38

Author: Smith, James H. (James Hadden); Cale, Hume H; Roscoe, William E Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 868

Author: Smith, James H. (James Hadden); Cale, Hume H; Roscoe, William E
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 868