History of Duchess county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 61

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 61

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The orchid house possesses a special interest, from the variety of the plants it contains, principally Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, Shilleriana, Dendrobium, Stanopea, Oncidium, Laelia, Cypripedium, Ærides, Saccolavium, Odontoglossum, Lycaste, Cymbidium, and Celogyne, of all of which there are many varieties. Among the bedding plants we were shown the Achyranthus emersonii, which was raised on this place by the gardener, Thomas Emerson, from whom it was named in the catalogues. Its distinguishing peculi- arity is a crimson stem and vein through the leaf, while the other plants of that species have generally black stems. It was hybridized by crossing the Achyranthus acumunate and the Achyranthus lindenii, the latter of which was raised by Linden, a florist in Brussels.

The farm is essentially a stock farm, but is conducted more with a view to excellence than profit, the whole vast farm being made to cater to an aesthetic taste. There are about 200 head of cattle, all Jerseys-a breed Mr. Dinsmore greatly admires, and prizes for the quality rather than the quantity

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"THE LOCUSTS"-VIEW UP THE HUDSON FROM THE LANDING.

"THE LOCUSTS"-FROM THE RIVER.

3II

TOWN OF PLEASANT VALLEY.

of milk given. It is believed to be the largest, and is, perhaps, the finest herd of Jerseys in the country. All were imported or raised on the farm, as many as 75 head having been imported from first to last. The first importation was made in 1860. The herd has been very much improved within the last ten years, both by importation and by methods adopted and in use on the farm. All the milk produced is manufactured into butter on the farm, about 25,000 pounds of butter per annum being made, or 200 pounds from each of 125 cows. The butter is marketed in New York, to which city it is shipped twice a week, and brings about double the price ordinarily received for butter. There are nearly 100 acres of woodland on the farm, about 300 acres are devoted to meadows, the rest to graz- ing, except about 75 acres, which are plowed and under cultivation each year, and planted to corn, oats, rye, potatoes and carrots. About 1} acres are devoted to vegetable gardening, to supply the table of Mr. Dinsmore's family. Fully 500 tons of hay are raised annually, the amount of stock kept being governed by the grazing and producing capacity of the farm. The fields are alternately used as meadow and grazing lands, being subjected to three years cultivation before they are again used as meadows. The grain fed to the stock is ground on the farm. About forty persons are employed on the farm and gardens in various capacities, while many mechanics find more or less constant em- ployment on the premises. There are eleven dwelling houses on the farm, all occupied by per- sons employed thereon, six of them having two families each.

A stream fed by springs on the farm runs through the grounds; but water for the stock is conducted through about a half mile of pipe from springs on the hills in the eastern part of the farm. On the hill in the western part of the farm and near the river is a reservoir 40 feet in diameter, and 52 feet deep, which is filled from the river by one of Knowle's pumps, worked by an engine with a fourteen inch cylinder. From this, water is con- ducted by means of pipes to the several houses, the green-houses, and various parts of the farm ; also to the stock barns for use in dry times, though it is only used there in such emergencies, as the spring water is preferred. This supply is found to be inadequate, however, and it is proposed to en- large the reservoir in the spring.

Since 1857 the farm has been under the general supervision of Timothy Herrick, a native of An- trim, N. H. Mr. Herrick was brought up on his father's farm. He enjoyed an extensive acquaint- ance with the Dinsmore family, and through that influence gained his appointment to his present position, though he had not then attained his ma- jority. By persistent and intelligent application he has shown himself admirably qualified for the re- sponsible duties which devolved upon him. Previous to 1857, the grounds were under the supervision of James Downing, a native of Ireland, who had lived in this locality for many years, and was for a long time William C. Emmet's gardener. Little

attention, however, had been given to farming and farm improvements, only a few cattle being kept and a little hay cut. Mr. Herrick found the fences down, and the land neglected and in bad condition. To him, therefore, next to Mr. Dinsmore, whose instructions he has faithfully carried out, is due the high state of perfection which the farm exhibits. The present gardener is Thomas Emerson, a na- tive of Dumfries, Scotland, who had spent his life as a gardener on gentlemen's estates in that coun- try. He came to this country in March, 1870, and in April of that year engaged with Mr. Dins- more, as assistant gardenener, under A. L. Black, whose place he took in 1871, Mr. Black having engaged in business in Philadelphia. Under the able management of Mr. Emerson, who has elab- orated and executed Mr. Dinsmore's ideas, the lawn has assumed its present artistic appearance, and the hot-house capacity been more than doubled.

CHAPTER XXVI.

HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PLEASANT VALLEY.

T THE oldest monument of the past in the town of Pleasant Valley is the cemetery opposite the Methodist Church at Washington Hollow, where lies the dust of many that were the first set- tlers of this town and Washington. While the settlers lived principally upon the territory belong- ing to the latter, yet their meeting house was built within a few feet of the site of the Methodist Church, which stood for a long time, and was a witness of many scenes and incidents of interest, both of a political and religious character. Several aged inhabitants of the vicinity are positive they have seen a grant from Queen Anne, to the "church of Pittsberry, " of a piece of land upon which to erect a church, bearing date 1710. Were it not that the lands lying here were granted to the Nine Partners in 1697, we might be satisfied as to their correctness ; but such being the case, and having been given without reserve with the excep- tion of timber for naval purposes, we are led to think the grant was a permit, or certificate of organization granted to the Nine Partners, for the purpose of encouraging a settlement. However, if the date of the instrument is remembered correctly, it gives the settlement of this locality an earlier date than has generally been supposed. In search- ing for that document we were successful in find- ing the church record in the hands of Rev. A. B. Prichard, beginning Sept. 19, 1746. From it we copy the following, verbatim :---

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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.

"Crom Elbow Precinct in Dutchess County September 19th 1746 we the subscribers do Cove- nant and Promise for ourselves Heirs and Assigns to pay towards Building and Erecting of a Presby- terian meeting house the sum or Sums Enexed to Each of our names Under Written and it is to be Understood that said meeting house is to Stand about twenty or thirty Rods to the South East from Henry Filkins Sheriff and said money is to be paid to Mr. Jacob Hall, Capt Samuel Jackson, Joseph Barber Esqr. Henry Lott and Thomas New Court who being a committy chosen to Receive said money and it to be understood that any of the Subscribers Under Written have Liberty to pay what they Subscribe in work according to the acceptance of the said committy and Said Com- mitty are Obliged to Render a true account of their disbursements of the money to a committy which shall be hereafter chosen."

The next meeting was in July, 1747, when articles of agreement were drawn up for the build- ing of the church. It says: "The majority of the Committee met and agreed With Joseph Barton Esqr. to build the frame of the Presbeterian meet- ing house and are to give him twenty-five pounds and-" Here the record stops and nothing is recorded until "ye 19th September 1763." With- out doubt the building or the frame, was erected that year, and the society's affairs passed along without any unusual occurrence.

At the last mentioned date, another meeting was "held in the " Presbeterian meeting house near Henry Filkins of Charlotte Precinct, Duchess county," with Rev. Benoni Bradner, as moderator, for the purpose of electing trustees. A resolution says : "That Frederick Hanum, Simon Flagler, William Allen, John Gazely and Daniel Ward Jun. be trustees, assistant to the old ones to have the custody of this said meeting house and Lands be- longing to it &c according to the original deed and Plans" and also, "That the same persons who are Trustees, all be appointed as a committee to invite ministers to preach as supplies, to us on Proba- tion." Joseph Hoff was chosen "Clark to keep the Records of the Society's Proceedings." The next meeting was held "ye 30th August 1769," and then it was agreed, "That John Platt John Carpenter and Melancthon Smith be chosen to Carry on, Seat and Repair the said meeting house and that after the said work be accomplished, the Seats be Sold at Publick Vendue to the highest bidder." In December of that year the church was finished and auction held, at which twenty- three of the pews, and the small seats in front of the pulpit, were sold for eighty-four pounds, as follows :---

Pew No. I Reserved for the pastor.

2 To Simon Flagler £5 IOS.

4 " Frederick Ham.

5 " Noah Smith and Jessee Wood

3 IOS.

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6 " Sam'l and Melancthon Smith 3 I55.

7 " Daniel Carpenter, Sen., and Joseph Carpenter 3 I7S.

8 " John Carpenter and John Ward 3 I2S.

9 " James Harris and Isaac Pettit 3 18s.

" Timothy Beedle and Albert Adrieance 4

" John Gazely and Isaac Hoff

" David Bedford, Isaac Bloom and Harris Griffin

" Daniel Ward, Jun.

2 195.

14 " Thomas Rabblee

2 15S.

15 " John Rabblee.

16 " William Allen

" Zachariah Flagler

" Joseph Hoff-paid three pounds, and Simon Loose the rest .. 3 15s.

20 " William Beedle

21 " John Platt and Isaac Veal .... 3 16S.

" Eliphalet Platt and Jacob Everson 4

60 23 " William Allen

Small seats in front of pulpit, to Daniel Ward, Jun. I 25

The expense of repairing was £78, Is., 8d. In 1774, at one of the regular meetings, the church was first called in the Records the "Pittsberry Church."

During the summer of 1777, a band of Tories from the the lower part of the county, to the num- ber of nearly four hundred, came to the neighbor- hood and made their head-quarters at the church. Throughout the border settlements such parties were sent out to intimidate the patriots, and obtain supplies for the British army. Then too, such invasions, would naturally frighten the patriot families, and lead them to throw themselves upon the Government for protection, and have a ten- dency to draw the volunteers from Gates' army and thereby weaken it, and ensure success to Bur- goyne's invasion. That General's success in reach- ing Albany was the great point to be gained, and everything was resorted to, that would ensure it. Gates had drawn upon every locality, this not excepted, but not to such an extent as to leave their families unprotected. The Tories doubtless were great braggarts and very impudent, and gave their edicts with threats of extermination if not com- plied with. While they were thus showing author- ity, and anticipating submission, the patriots sent a messenger to Sharon, Connecticut, where lay a small company, which immediately marched to the relief of their patriotic brethren, receiving additions to their numbers as they passed along the route.

When the force arrived at the Hollow the Tories were upon the interval to the south of the church " on parade, " and did not observe the patriots until they were before them with cocked guns and "glistening bagonets." A demand to surrender put the " brave paraders " in an excitement, that

3 " Israel Platt and Wilmott Oakley. 4 IOS.

" Henry Bush and Jacob Sharpenstones. 19

4 IS.

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TOWN OF PLEASANT VALLEY.

led them to charge upon the hill, with "quickened tread.". The Yankees fearful of losing their com- pany, gave them a broadside and killed several, which changed the resolution of quite a number of their companions, who saw they could not escape, and ended the affair by giving themselves up as prisoners of war. They were about thirty in num- ber and were placed in file and marched to Sharon, from whence they were taken to safe quarters, principally to New Hampshire, and held until the war closed.

Having occupied the church, they injured the same, which a committee was appointed to repair in 1778.

On the 20th of November, 1780, another meet- ing was held at the house of Rev. Wheeler Case, at Pleasant Valley, and a subscription taken to pay the expense of such repairs. In 1803 they commenced again to repair the old building, and finished in 1805. Here the records close, and, as will be seen, the church at Pleasant Valley re-or- ganized this one at a later date. Why the original organization was not continued can not be ascer- tained, but in all probability that village became the leading centre, and either society not being able to sustain a church, that society consumed this one. We are assured by Mr. Milton Ham, that for several years after 1805, this church was in connection with that at Hughsonville. The old building stood until the year 1858, when it was taken down, and the property drifted into the hands of the Methodists, who built the present edifice that year. It will be novel, perhaps to those inter- ested, to learn that each page of the old church book bore the stamp of King George the Third according to the famous stamp act.

During the war of 1812, the sacred walls of the old church were again the quarters of a large com- pany of soldiers who were on the march to the northern borders. About twenty cannon were in their charge to be taken to Sackett's Harbor, and they rested here, using the church as a sleep- ing apartment.

The next settlement of importance within the town was near the village of Pleasant Valley, about the year 1740, by both Quakers and Presby- terians from Rhode Island and Connecticut. The latter, in the year 1765, united with those of the Hollow in worship, when they built a church un- der the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Case. The earliest settlers were the Allens, Marshalls, Harrises, Sel- lecks, Formans, Beadles and Flaglers. Soon fol- lowed several more families of Quakers, among

whom were the Deans, Brights, Adees, Abbotts and others, who began to make use of the mill privileges afforded by the Wappinger creek. But nothing of much importance, more than for the convenience of the immediate settlers was built before 1808-'10.

John Kenyon built a fulling mill east of the vil- lage in 1808, where now stands Bowers' factory. It was afterwards run by William Buckley. Thom- as Carpenter built a carding mill, where George Everson erected a woolen factory the year follow- ing. In 1810, Daniel Dean commenced printing calico, near " Bowman's Mills," in a small way. The ground work of the cloth was blue and by a device of his own, he varied the color by putting on white spots, of paste, which when dampened would disappear. Being a Quaker and partial to fair dealing, he would invariably say to his custom- ers, " I will warrant the blue to be a fast color but the white may wash out." In 1809, Robert Abbott established the present cotton factory near the bridge. He erected two buildings, one a grist and cotton mill, the other for mechanical shops. The former was 34 by 80 feet and the latter 36 by 102 feet in dimensions. The enterprise became a stock concern and did a lucrative business, but January 27, 1815, it was burned. The same year the present structure was rebuilt by Delavergne & Thwing, who, either as owners of the property or building contractors, failed. We think it was a stock concern up to the year 1820, when John Gibbons and George Everson purchased it, and from that time up to the purchase of Garner & Co., the present owners, it oscillated from individual to stock control. Since the establishment of this factory, the Farrington family have been connected with it in various capacities. At the present time Edward Farrington is the superintendent, under whom fifty hands find steady employment. Thirty- five hundred spindles are kept busily in motion, driven by a powerful engine.

The cloth here manufactured, is printed at Wap- pinger's and compares favorably with other American products of the kind. The village becoming quite a manufacturing centre, and increasing in popula- tion, Israel Dean a Quaker and son-in-law of Rob- ert Abbott, organized a boarding school in 1809, similar to the "Nine Partners school." It was well attended by the youth of the place in addition to about twenty boarding pupils, and was kept in operation about ten years. The season following, the " Friends " becoming numerous, built the pres- ent church edifice. Their meetings previous to

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HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY.

that year had been held in private houses, princi- pally in that of Jonathan Dean's. When the church was built, the supports in the inside were turned with a bead near their top, as an embellishment ; this, modest John Bright thought to be vanity, and to show his repugnance to such things, he whittled them off with his jack-knife. The village still growing and the inhabitants anticipating a brilliant future, they petitioned to the Government for a postoffice, which was answered, and establish- ed in 1813. Another petition went to the Legis- lature for an act of incorporation as follows :-

" Beginning at the Eighth mile board from Poughkeepsie on the Duchess Turnpike road, thence due south sixty chains, thence west along the line of the 8th and 9th Nine Partners lot to a station, ten chains from the East Shore of the great Wappinger Creek-thence southerly in a direct line ten chains to a point where the lands of Peter Flagler Dan'l Carpenter and Halstead Price join each other,-thence North seventy-five degrees west, forty chains or to the west side of the said turnpike road-Thence due north to a point bear- ing due west from the mile stone aforesaid, thence due east to the said mile stone being the place of beginning."

It was further enacted that :-

"John Robert Abbott, John Beadle, Israel Dean, Hubby Adee and Joshua Ward, be and hereby appointed the first trustees in and for the said vil- lage of Pleasant Valley to serve from and after the passing of this act, until the second Tuesday of May, which will be in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifteen inclusive, or until others shall be elected in their stead."

There seems to be no record of the doings of the corporation until May 9, 1843, when William Thorn, Franklin Dudley, Zachariah S. Flagler, Gilbert Noxen and Joel Terrill were elected trus- tees ; Franklin Dudley, president, Joel Terrill, clerk. In 1844, another meeting of the free-holders was called for the election of officers, but so few responded that nothing was done.

The board, then consisting of Franklin Dudley, Zachariah Flagler and Joel Terrill, convened on the 27th of March 1851, but feeling delicate about taking the responsibility of transacting any business without the presence of freeholders, they adjourn- ed, and nothing was done until the excise law was passed in 1862, when by that act, "special pro- ceedings should be taken in incorporated villages." A meeting was called, and Z. Flagler was the only member of the old board left. Upon Mr. Jere- miah Clearwater being chosen chairman of the meeting, Mr. Flagler resigned the office of trustee, and the following were duly elected: David L

Jackson, William Pattee, Joel O. Holmes, John C. Velie and George W. Forman. From 1862 to May 13, 1873, no elections were held, and upon that day the excise law was acted upon and Charles DeGraff, Danvers Osborne, John B. Duncan, John Lester and Albert Devine were elected trustees, with John B. Duncan as president, and Albert Devine, clerk. It was the last election of officers, and consequently the above gentlemen are the legal officials of the corporation.

From the incorporation of the village up to the formation of the town, nothing occurred more than a slow, but steady increase of population and buildings. The town of Clinton being large, and political objects and interests becoming weightier, it was considered advisable by the citizens of this village and Hyde Park, in union with those in the vicinity of each, to petition for the division of the town. Accordingly upon the 26th of January, 1821, a bill was passed to that effect. After giving the boundaries of Hyde Park, it reads as follows :-

" And be it further enacted that the remaining part of the said town of Clinton shall be divided into two separate towns by the following division line to wit: Beginning on the west line of the town of Washington in the corner made by lots number five and six in the great division of the Nine Part- ners Patent and running westerly along said lot line until it intersects the east line of the aforesaid town of Hyde Park, and that the north of the two last mentioned towns shall be known by the name of Clinton, and that the first town meeting in said town shall be at the house of John F. Schultz, esqr. on the first Tuesday in April next, and that the south of the two last mentioned towns shall be known by the name of Pleasant Valley, and that the first town meeting in said town last mentioned shall be held at the house of Cyrus Berry, on the first Tuesday of April next."

The records of this town, with the exception of the official canvas of 1821, '22 and '23, are entire and have been kept with greater care than is usually bestowed upon such documents. The officers in 1824 were as follows : Samuel M. Thurston, Super- visor ; Oliver D. Collins, Clerk ; Anthony G. Badgley, John Humphrey and Enoch Lewis, As- sessors. A list of jurors is given in which nine are competent and fourteen incompetent.

The town has been fortunate in the selection of officers, as the public business has been success- fully managed, and enables it to stand in the front rank with the sister towns of the county.

As evidence of the town's prosperity, better ex- ample cannot be given than in its "bonding " for the construction of the Poughkeepsie railroad,

315

TOWN OF PLEASANT VALLEY.

built to Pleasant Valley in the fall of 1872. The amount contributed was $30,000, which was levied and collected in one season, beside the usual State, County and Town taxes. The "pay as you go " policy has always been adhered to by this town, and hence its healthy financial prosperity.

Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Valley .- This organization is the oldest landmark within the village, and is an outgrowth, no doubt, of the Pittsberry church of Washington Hollow, and the one that consumed it by the village becoming the business center. The first meeting we find of the branch was in 1765, which date is the one set down as the organization. It is a fact, that while the parent church was built and for several years meetings held at Washington Hollow, no regular church organization was actually formed, that the records speak of, until the year 1765.

Previous to 1763, one Deliverance Smith served the Pleasant Valley church as stated minister about three years, and also a Mr. Thompson (uncle to Hon. Smith Thompson), but how long is not known. Their services were rendered, no doubt, in connection with some other church or churches, undoubtedly as missionaries. In November, 1765, Rev. Wheeler Case was ordained and installed as pastor, in connection with the Poughkeepsie church, which stood about half way between Pough- keepsie and Pleasant Valley.

In 1770 was erected a new meeting house in the now village of Pleasant Valley. It was a wooden struc- ture and stood on the main street a few rods north- west of the present building. Parties now living recall its quaint octagonal pulpit, which was sup- ported by a single wooden pillar at an elevation sufficient to allow seats for the church officers and choristers underneath it.

The ground upon which this church stood and which continues the property of the present corpo- ration, was given to the congregation, in consid eration of 10 shillings, by Jacob Everson and his wife, neither of whom appear to have been mem- bers of the church at the time. The deed of the property is dated " the tenth day of April in the tenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c., and in the year of our Lord Christ One thousand seven hundred and seventy ;" and is chiefly remarkable for its redundacy of substantives.

This change of the location of the churches from Washington Hollow to Pleasant Valley, taken with other known particulars, would indicate the ten-

dency of the settlers to migrate toward the latter place, where the central village was ultimately lo- cated, although the Washington Hollow Church was maintained for a number of years.

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History of Duchess county, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 61

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