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 59
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Jacob married Margaret Teller, a direct de- scendant of Anneke Jans, the marriage taking place in New York city soon after their arrival.
In 1752, he with several others, sold a tract of land to Barent Lewis, which undoubtedly was the
300
HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
land Morgan Lewis afterwards owned and lived upon, and now occupied by N. Pendleton Rogers. He may have been sole owner of one of the water lots, as P. H. Smith states in his History of Duchess Co., but we think he owned in part, as all conveyances of large tracts or farms from him mention others as being connected with him.
The same author says, " He gave to his son Luke, three hundred and fifty acres located about Hyde Park." One of the houses he built, perhaps for himself, is still standing south of the village and is a monument of his enterprise and the architect- ure of that early day. Tradition's pleasing story is to the effect, that General Washington, the sainted chieftain, once made his home within its time-honored walls for several weeks. Following the wearied steps of the General, we can but think it was at the time that Gates stood before Burgoyne upon the upper Hudson in 1777, to contest his passage to Albany. Withdrawing to this place of quiet, accessible to all facts and near the Council of Safety-perhaps he here laid the plans to which he adhered during the campaign of that and the succeeding year. Perhaps he was here when the shout of victory from Bemis Heights echoed along the historic valley, and awoke the proud Clinton to a sense of the patriots strength and fortitude. May the intelligence and patriotism of Hyde Park pre- serve the old building thus consecrated, without a mar or change, as but few such relics are to be found. Modern enterprise and vandalism have nearly annihilated them all, with their eager fingers of demolition.
Another of Stoutenburgh's houses still stands at Union Corners, which was built for his son William, and is now occupied by Mr. Van Wagener. The family are yet to be found within the town and vicinity and have been identified with the political interest of the town and county for a long term of years. Isaac Stoutenburgh was a member of the second, third and fourth Provincial Congresses ; was State Senator from 1779 to 1787, and was elected to the "Council of Appointments " in 1781. The Legislature appointed him Commissioner for the building of Newgate Prison in 1796, and he was appointed by the Governor, Inspector of Prisons in 1797. T. S. Stoutenburgh was Member of Assembly in 1807 and 1808, and others of the the same family have held offices of less note.
When the Council of Safety was sitting at Poughkeepsie, they received for the forts below, supplies from the Mohawk and Schoharie valleys. These were drawn by teams belonging to the
patriots living in the section that contributed. Such was their zeal in the cause of liberty, that they voluntarily drew such articles as the sub-com- mittee collected, long distances, which incurred many hardships and often dangers. A son, long since dead, of a revolutionary farmer and patriot of Schoharie, related to the writer an incident that occurred at "Stoutenburgh's Landing," in which the father took an active part. There were several teams in company and they reached this place near night, but desired to reach Poughkeepsie be- fore nightfall. In order to do so with "lively spirits," they stopped to take a "horn of grog," and while enjoying the beverage a "stump" to wrestle was made by one of the occupants of the bar-room, which was readily accepted by the Schoharie teamster. The parties clinched, and for a while it was an even match, but the Schohariean becoming impatient, hurried matters and threw his man, upon which the party residing here decided the fall to be unfair. Having an eye upon Pough- keepsie, the teamster refused to try again, and when passing out the door, was caught and roughly handled by a burly fellow. The ire of the Scho- harieans became aroused, and turning upon the party they all enjoyed a free knock-down. After taking another "horn all round " they again com- menced, and not until ten o'clock at night did they release their visitor. He being "too long winded, they were severely chastised, but separated the best of friends."
Where now stands Staatsburgh, during the Revo- lution resided the Staat family, whose circle of acquaintances and relations was large in the Mohawk Valley. Their residence was another stopping place for those of that section, and there many a gala time was enjoyed, regardless of the "troubled political waters."
Many of the old German stock, as we have in- timated, were partial to the King. They were conscientious in their loyalty, through gratitude towards that government for transporting them from their native country to America, and placing them upon fertile lands for a nominal sum, which, as they became able, they paid. They were but delving, heavy taxed tenants of extravagant Pala- tines, and were kept under the yoke of oppression by the general government. They lived in poverty and ignorance, and when brought here, they felt too grateful to ask for greater blessings. Their con- sciences led them to remain, as they, by solemn oath affirmed, to be true to the King. As a class, they were not desperate in their loyalty, and dese-
"THE
THE LOCUSTS."
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TOWN OF HYDE PARK.
crated not the principles of honor and reason by committing atrocious deeds ; on the contrary they were quiet and inactive. An occasional " evil spirit " among them, embraced the oppor- tunity given, to commit inhuman crimes under the guise of loyalty and necessity, which in those days were placed to the credit of the whole High Dutch race, by the less magnanimous Low Dutch; but we are too far advanced in intelligence and reason, to accuse the many of the evil deeds of the few. There were also many faithful patriots among that class, and we invariably find they were those, or the children of those, who were led to mistrust the honesty of the English government, through the dishonorable peculations of the officials placed over them, in their first emigration to this country.
We have already mentioned the fact that Bar- ent Lewis purchased of Jacob Stoutenburgh and others, a tract of land lying near Hyde Park. In the division of the Nine Partners, we think the lands lying here fell to Hendrick TenEyck, of whom Jacob Stoutenburgh and others purchased. In 1797, Jacob and Catharine Lewis conveyed the property, purchased by Barent, to Morgan Lewis, then living at "Rombout." Here Gen. Lewis lived many years in a manner becoming his sta- tion, and exhibited that generous hospitality for which he became noted. His life was a busy and useful one, and a worthy example for the youth to notice. From "Jenkins' Governors of New York" we cull the public life of Duchess' honored son.
He was born in the city of New York, October 16, 1754, and educated at Elizabeth Academy and Princeton College, from which he took his degree. He afterward entered the law office of John Jay, one of the brightest professionals of the day. While engaged in his studies, he joined (1774) a volunteer company composed mainly of his asso- ciates, or those about the same age as himself, who had united together for the purpose of per- fecting themselves in military discipline under the instruction of one of the soldiers of the "Great Frederick." The ability of the teacher and the manner in which they profited by his tuition, may be inferred from the fact that this one company furnished to the army of the Revolution more than fifty of its best officers.
Soon after the battle of Bunker Hill, young Lewis was found in arms before Boston, as a vol- unteer in a rifle company commanded by Captain Ross, of Lancaster, Penn. He soon returned to
New York, as he was appointed to a command of volunteers, whose first duty was to remove the arms, ordnance, etc., from the battery, in the face of the British ship Asia, sent from Boston to " overawe the city."
In November following, Capt. Lewis was com- missioned as first Major in the Second Regiment of foot, as the New York militia was organized by the Provincial Congress. He accompanied Gen. Gates to the northern frontier in 1776, as the chief of his staff, with the rank of Colonel, and was soon appointed Quartermaster-General of the Northern department. He was through the Saratoga cam- paign, and rendered as a soldier in common with others of that noble band such efficient duties as marked an event that will resound to all coming time. At the close of the war, he resumed his studies in the city of New York, and was soon admitted to the bar. At this time began his polit- ical career. The Federalists elected him to the State Assembly from New York. Dissolving his connection with the Federalists in 1790, he was elected by the " Republicans " to the same position that year. Removing to this county, the electors re-elected him in 1792. He was appointed Attor- ney-General of the State in 1791. The year 1792 elected him fourth Judge of the Supreme Court, and in 1801 he rose to the Chief-Justiceship. It is well known that the " Republicans " were at that time the party of the day, so far exceeding the "Federalists" in strength, that the latter were but a shadow of their former greatness. In the campaign of 1804, the Republicans were divided and placed two candidates in the field for the gubernatorial chair, Aaron Burr and Morgan Lewis ; the Fed- eralists fading from existence without a candidate. Lewis, being connected with the most powerful family of the State, the Livingstons, also favored by the Clintons, and drawing a large vote from the Federalists, was elected, with the worthy John Broome as Lieutenant-Governor. He was again nominated to the office of Governor, but having displeased the Clintons, was defeated by Daniel D. Tompkins.
In 1810, he was elected State Senator. In 1812 he was once more appointed Quarter- master-General, with the rank of Brigadier- General, and was promoted to Major-General in 1813, which position he held till the close of the war. Becoming advanced in years, he retired to private life, but was honored in 1835 by being elected President of the New York Historical So- ciety, which position he graced with interest and
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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
dignity. At the time of his death, which occurred on the 5th day of February, 1860, he was the pre- siding officer of the State Society of Cincinnati, and the Grand Master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of New York. He married in 1799, Ger- trude Livingston, sister of Robert R. and Edward Livingston.
His only child, Margaret, married Maturin Living- ston, and lived at Staatsburgh until her death, which occurred on the 9th of February, 1860, at the age of eighty years. Throughout her life she endeared herself to those around her, by her affability and charity.
Maturin, her husband, preceeded her in death many years. Their children were : Maturin, Mor- timer, Lewis, Mrs. Col. Alex. Hamilton, Mrs. Will- iam Lowndes, Mrs. Major Lowndes, Mrs. Henry Livingston and Mrs. G. L. Hoyt. Maturin occu- pied the old mansion at Staatsburgh, a fine resi- dence, where the leading society of the early part of the century often assembled and enjoyed the hospitality for which the family have long been noted.
The Lewis mansion was long owned by Hon. J. K. Paulding, to whom the literary world owes much for many fine productions in both poetry and prose. He was a close associate of Washing- ton Irving, and in sentiment and expression of the same school. The residence is now owned and occupied by N. Pendleton Rogers, a nephew of the late Judge Pendleton.
About the year 1790, Dr. John Bard, a native of New Jersey, removed to this place, having pur- chased, many years previous, a portion of one of the water lots. He was born in Burlington in 1716, and practiced in the city of New York many years, as leading physician and surgeon, and was also President of the State Medical Society for a long time. He passed his last days here, upon the place now owned by Mrs. Kirkpatrick, upon which he spent large sums of money, making it the finest estate of the vicinity for that early day. He died April 1, 1799, and was followed by his son, Dr. Samuel Bard, who was born in the city of New York in 1742. He was the originator of the hos- pital and of the medical school of that city, and long a professor of the latter. After acquiring a portion of his education he pursued his studies in the best schools of France, England and Scotland, and received his degree in Edinburgh in 1765. In 1813 he was elected President of the Medical College, which position he held until his death, which occurred here on the 24th of May, 1821.
His last request was complied with, by burying him beneath a tree in front of his mansion, where he had spent many days in study and meditation. His remains were, however, re-interred in the St. James cemetery, where they lie with the ashes of his kindred. The Doctor was deeply interested in educational matters, and with other gentlemen who had purchased retreats near him, established a fine school under his son William as principal. The school building stood to the south of the rail- road depot, and was one of the best institutions found outside of the city of New York. Among those that gave a helping hand to the enterprise, was Nathaniel Pendleton, a native of Virginia, a scholar and jurist. He held various offices before he left that State for the North, and after locating in New York City was elected to the Assembly, (1816-'17) and held other positions of trust. He was taking a ride upon the old Poughkeepsie road on the 20th of October, 1821, when his horse be- came frightened as he was descending a hill and he was thrown from the carriage. His head striking a stone he was instantly killed. He was sixty-six years of age, and a true type of the old Virginians, intelligent and hospitable. His son, Edmond Hen- ry, also studied law, and was Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Duchess County from January 6, 1830 to January 20, 1840. In 1831 he was elected to Congress, and held his seat until March 3, 1863. As a jurist, Judge Pendleton was just, expeditious and thorough. As a lawyer, practical, conscientious and most honorable.
Another gentleman of taste and culture that established a country home at Hyde Park, was the late Dr. Hosack, long a professor in the New York Medical college, and author of several medical works of great value to the profession. He built the fine residence now occupied by Walter Lang- don, and here spent his latter years in quiet enjoy- ment, surrounded by all the pleasures that wealth and a refined taste could command. Being a healthy and romantic locality and easy of access to New York city, the grounds lying between the old Kings road and the river, within the town of Hyde Park, have long been occupied by wealthy fami- lies as country residences. At present, beside those already named are those of ex-Lieutenant- Governor Dorsheimer, James Roosevelt, the heirs of Elias Butler, Stuyvesants, Smiley the bank note engraver, Mrs. Daniel S. Miller, Mrs. Kirkpatrick, Mrs. Hoyt, and William Dinsmore the president of the Adams Express Company. From each of these mansions can be seen a long stretch of the
MOSS ENG Co N.Y
THE HUDSON RIVER FROM THE RESIDENCE OF JAMES ROOSEVELT, ESQ., HYDE PARK, N. Y.
2º
"THE LOCUSTS"-THE
00004
TH LAWN IN FRONT OF RESIDENCE.
3º3
TOWN OF HYDE PARK.
Hudson, upon which are continually floating in summer time, boats of every description from the ancient canoe to majestic steamers whose grace and elegance surpass the dreams of ancient fancy. The shrill whistle of the steam car is sent forth from the river's edge below them as if to awaken the very air to greater motion and keep pace with the mighty strides that progress here exhibits.
While enterprise presents its most pleasing pic- ture, nature, not to be outdone, unfolds the grand- est panorama before the eye that she ever presented ; mountain, hill, crag and gorge chiselled in romantic grandeur, loom up to the right and left with marked boldness, beauty and impressiveness.
The eastern part of the town adjoining Pleasant Valley and Clinton, was settled at an early day by Quakers from Rhode Island, Connecticut and Long Island. Among them, were the Moshers, Waters, Frosts, Marshalls, Bakers, Briggs, Halsteads, Hoags and Stringhams. Families by the name of Barber, Van Valin and Dickinson, removed from that section to Schoharie county in 1804 and '6, and united with the Friends of Charlestown, Montgomery county, and those of Quaker street, Schenectady county, in their meetings. The old members who removed have long since passed away, leaving their children to unite and conform to the manners and discipline of other sects. The Friends' house of worship was for a long time called the " Crom Elbow meeting house." Author Smith says: " This edifice was erected about the year 1780," but we are laboring under the impression that its erection will date back a few years, at least, previous to that date. An old lady living in Scho- harie county in 1856, at the age of eighty-five, attended church here when she was a very small child, not more than four or five years of age, but did not remember the erection of the building. This society like all others of that faith is fast dwindling away, much to the regret of all lovers of honesty, meekness and sobriety. While their life principles are admired and highly respected, their quaint garb and expressions are not agreeable to the taste of the people of to-day. The world pre- sents too many fascinations that are antagonistical to the Friends' biblical doctrine, and hence, but few additions are made to their numbers, while death fast removes those who have " long lived in the faith." No sect, that ever adorned the christian world goes out of existence with so worthy a record, as that of the Friends, socially, morally and spirit- ually.
The act passed on the 26th day of January, 1821, to divide the town of Clinton, reads as follows :-
" That from and after the last day of March next, all that part of the town of Clinton lying west of the following line, towit : Beginning in the north line of the town of Poughkeepsie, at the southeast corner of the water lots of the nine part- ners patent, from thence along the east line of the said water lots to the northeast corner thereof, and thence in the same course until it intersects a line running due east from the southeast corner of the farm of John LeRoy, then due west to the said southeast corner of the farm of the said John LeRoy, then along the south line of the said farm of John LeRoy to the Crom Elbow creek, then up said creek to the line of the town of Rhinebeck, shall be known and distinguished as a separate town by the name of Hyde Park, and that the first town meeting in said town shall be held at the house of Philip Bogardus, on the first Tuesday of April next."
The Hamlet, now the pleasant village of Hyde Park, bore that name as early as 1795, and was so called by Dr. John Bard. Previous to that date its landing was called "Stoutenburgh."* Agreeable to the above Legislative act, on the twenty-fifth of March following, a commission was chosen by the new town and surveyed the same : " Beginning at the southeast corner of the water lots in the Nine Partners patent and run from thence north two degrees and fifty-five minutes west in a direct line to the farm of Ichabod Will- iams and made a monument directly east from the southeast corner of John LeRoy's farm," thereby cutting off the southwest part of the old town of Clinton. The first general town meeting was held as by act, over which P. B. Collins presided as moderator and inspector and the following were by a majority of ballots cast declared elected : James Duane Livingston, Supervisor ; Reuben Spenser, Clerk ; Peter A. Schryver, Tobias L. Stouten- burgh and Christopher Hughes, Assessors ; Isaac I. Balding, Collector ; John Lamoree, Abraham O. Van Wagenen, Overseers of the Poor ; Cornelius Van Vleet, Jr., Isaac Stoutenburgh, Willett Mar- shall, Commissioners of Highways : Rev. Peter S. Wynkoop, Rev. David Brown and Luther Clark Commissioners of Schools ; John Caswell, I. Tom- kins, F. Russell, Inspectors of Schools ; Charles A. Shaw, William Wagenen, Constables. The records continue :-
"And the following gentlemen were chosen vive voce or by lifting up of hands, viz : David Mul- ford, Peter A. Schryver, Abraham O. Van Wagenen,
* In 1770-'79-'85-'90 there were two distinct places. " Stoutenburgh" and,", Staatsboro."
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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.
Peter I. Schryver, Andrew Philips, Nehemiah, Hoag, and Benjamin DeLamater, Fence-viewers ; Garrett P. Lansing, Abraham Lansing, Barent VanWagnen, Pound-masters."
It was resolved that sheep and hogs "shall not be allowed to run at large unless well yoked and rung." " A vote was taken and passed that eight hundred dollars be raised in the town for the sup- port of the poor for the ensuing year."
The following is the list of supervisors and clerks elected in the town, and the date of serving :-
Supervisors.
Clerks.
1821-'23. Jas. D. Livingston, Reuben Spenser.
1824-'25. do do T. L. Stoutenburgh.
1826. John Johnston, do do
1827. do do S. V. Hoffman.
1828. do do James Rogers.
1829. J. D. Livingston,
John Johnston.
1830. Elijah Baker,
R. Stoutenburgh.
1831. do do John Johnston.
1832. J. D. Livingston, do do
1833. David Barnes, Alex. McClelland.
1834-'37. L. S. Stoutenburgh, do do
1838. W. W. Woodworth, do do
1839.
James Russell,
Nelson Andrews.
1840.
do do John Hinchman.
1841.
W. W. Woodworth, Wm. B. Outwater.
1842.
Nelson Andrews,
do do
1843. do do Theop'ilus Gillender.
1844.
James Russell,
David Johnston.
845. Elias Tompkins,
do do
1846. David Collins, do do
1847. do do
J. A. Parker.
1848. Isaac Mosher,
H. C. Stoutenburgh.
1849'-50. L. T. Mosher, Henry Green,
do do
1851.
852. Elias Tompkins,
Jas. P. Van Wagener. George Westfall.
1854-'55. D. H. Mulford,
Isaac W. Wood.
1856.
Brooks Hughes,
John A. Parker.
1857. Morris G. Loyd,
M. R. Vedder.
1858. do do
Walter S. Brown.
1859. A. V.W. Tompkins, Isaac L. Green.
1860. Morris G. Loyd,
do do
1861-'62. John M. Friss,
John A. Parker.
1863.
Elias Tompkins,
do do
1864. John Russell, Jr.,
Joel N. DeGraff.
1865-'66. J. N. DeGraff,
Albert B. Schryver.
1867. Elias Tompkins, do do
1868. David H. Mulford, do do
1869.
Albert S. Schryver, William H. Riley.
1870. do do
1871-'72. James Roosevelt,
James A. DeGraff. Michael Smith.
1875.
John A. Marshall,
1876. do do G. W. Meyding. do do
1877. Henry K. Wilber,
1878. do do Isaac DeGraff.
1879.
do do G. W. Meyding.
1880. Edw'd H. Marshall, H. B. Manning.
1881. do
do Casper Deyo.
CHURCHES .-- The Reformed Presbyterian .- The first meetings held within the town outside of the Quaker society, of which we have any knowledge, were by the Reformed preachers of Poughkeepsie and Pleasant Valley-in private houses, until the year 1790, when a church edifice was erected near the present Reformed church of Hyde Park village. It was built as a Union church, in which various de- nominations worshipped, the Reformed Presby- terians however, having the preference. At what time that society was organized we are unable to tell, undoubtedly about 1785. Rev. Cornelius Brower of Poughkeepsie, occasionally preached pre- vious to 1794, when he was called and accepted as the regular pastor, and continued as such until the year 1815. Besides officiating here, he preached in private and school houses in the outskirts of the town, as was usual for ministers of all denomina- tions of that day. Rev. Mr. Brower supplied the Poughkeepsie church, also, during that time, ex- cepting the last three years, from 1812 to '15, when he was relieved from the latter. From 1815 to '17, the pulpit was occasionally supplied by other churches, but in the latter year Rev. P. S. Wynkoop commenced his labors, which ended in 1822. In the fore part of 1823, Rev. F. H. Van- derveer was called and remained till 1829. It was during his pastorate that the church was rebuilt, (1826.) Rev. Mr. Cahone followed and officiated four years. The following year (1834) Rev. S. V. Westfall came and successfully preached three years, when Rev. J. C. Cruikshank followed and closed his services in 1843. The society was then in a prosperous condition and immediately called Rev. A. Elmandorf, who remained till 1848, when Rev. Mr. Ten Eyck succeeded him to the forepart of the year 1853. Rev. Henry Dater then settled and remained till 1877, followed by Rev. Geo. R. Garretson in 1878-'80, and Rev. C. R. Blauvelt, the present pastor.
St. James' Episcopal Church .- This church was established in 1811, by Rev. Wm. A. McVickar, D. D., for over fifty years a professor in Columbia College. He married a daughter of Dr. John Bard, and was one of the most brilliant scholars of his day. The society worshipped in the Union church for many years. In 1844, the present edi- fice was built. It is a very substantial structure of ancient architecture, giving it the appearance of a Scottish kirk. Around it lie, beneath the shade of stately trees and creeping myrtle, those who were early connected with the organization as pastors and members. Here lie Rev. Mr. McVickar, Revs.
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