USA > New York > Ulster County > New Paltz > History of New Paltz, New York and its old families (from 1678 to 1820) : including the Huguenot pioneers and others who settled in New Paltz previous to the revolution, 2nd ed > Part 2
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
Second: documentary evidence concerning the events of that period is entirely against the tradition. The writ- ten record is, that when the Dutch forces surprised the In- dians, the latter were busy in constructing a third angle to their fort for the purpose of strengthening it, instead of being engaged in preparations for burning prisoners. (See Kregier's Journal.) The prisoners were found alive and well, and no complaint is recorded of any ill treatment, not even that their heads had been shaved and painted, as had been customary. Every night, says the record, they were removed from the castle to the woods, lest the Dutch should recover them before negotiations for their release were con- summated. The entire drift of the record narrative is
9
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
against even the probability of an intention to burn, much more so of preparation to do so."
In answer to Mr. Ruttenber's objections we will say, that it is probable that the Indians had heard of the presence of the Dutch soldiers at Kingston, but supposed they would tarry there longer before marching on their stronghold, and that being enraged at the failure of the negotiations for the exchange of their captives for their chiefs who were prisoners at Curaçoa, they determined to burn them at the stake.
Tradition states that during the advance for the rescue of the captives, an Indian, who was no doubt a scout and had fallen asleep, was killed by Louis DuBois with his sword near Libertyville, before the savage had opportunity to let fly his arrow. His death prevented the news of the ap- proach of the white men being given to their savage foes. The Indians at the fort were taken by surprise; a squaw, named Basha, who had gone to the spring a short distance north of the fort for water, raised an alarm and Louis Du- Bois shot her with his gun and she fell in the spring, which still bears her name. The settler's dogs, which had accom- panied the party, rushed on and the cry " White men's dogs " was raised. The Indians in the ensuing fight lost their chief and twenty-one men killed and thirteen prisoners. Captain Kregier lost five men killed and six wounded. He recovered twenty-three women and children who had been captured by the Indians at Kingston and Hurley. The Indian fort was surrounded with palisades as thick as a man's body and fifteen feet high, but it was not yet completed. The surprise of the Indians was so complete that tradition states that Louis DuBois's wife started to run with the others at first, but was recalled by the voice of her husband,
10
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
exclaiming in his excitement, "Stop, 'Trene, or I'll shoot you."
In 1665 the LeFevre brothers, Simon and Andre, came to Kingston, and in April united with the church at that place. They had been at Manheim in the Palatinate, but their native spot in France is not known. It is possible that they were of the kindred of James LeFevre, the great French preacher and reformer, who was from Etaples, on the Eng- lish channel, in the ancient province of Picardy. They were unmarried men, probably quite young, when they came to Kingston.
The English conquest of the New Netherlands took place at about this date, and the unsettled condition of the pro- vinces prevented the coming of other Huguenots to King- ston for a time.
In the spring of 1673 came Jean Hasbrouck and his wife, Anna, daughter of Christian Deyo, and their two unmarried daughters, Mary and Hester. Jean and his brother, Abra- ham, who came later, were natives of Calais. Jean brought with him his certificate of church membership.
In 1673, likewise came Louis Bevier, who was a cousin of the Hasbrouck brothers, and his wife, Maria LeBlan.
About three years later came Hugo Freer and his wife, Mary Hays, and their three children, Hugo, Abraham and Isaac.
Abraham Hasbrouck sailed from Amsterdam in 1675 and landed at Boston. Shortly after he joined his brother in Kingston.
Probably the last of the Patentees to cross the ocean were Christian Deyo and his son, Pierre. Pierre's wife, Agatha Nickol, and their child came with them; likewise his three unmarried sisters, Maria, Elizabeth and Margaret, who
1I
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
afterwards became the wives respectively of Abraham Has- brouck, Simon LeFever and Abraham DuBois.
There was now quite a number of Huguenots at Kingston and Hurley. No doubt they longed for a settlement of their own where they might speak their own language and form a community by themselves. Kingston was dropping its character as a trading post. . The traffic with the Indians, in furs, was becoming less profitable. The cultivation of the soil was becoming more and more a necessary occupa- tion. The fertile lowlands of the Wallkill had doubtless recurred again and again to the recollection of Louis DuBois. In the meantime the colony of New York had finally passed from the control of the Dutch to the English. Edmund Andross was the Colonial Governor. Among the Hugue- not settlers at Kingston, at this time, was Abraham Has- brouck. He had served with Edmund Andross in the Eng- lish army. He was a native of Calais; had emigrated to Manheim, and in 1673 to America, settling finally in Esopus.
The Huguenots, being desirous of forming a settlement of their own, were indebted, to some extent, to the ac- quaintanceship of Abraham Hasbrouck with Governor An- dross for the grant of so fine a tract as they obtained. It is related that Governor Andross wanted them to take more land along the river to the southward, as far as Mur- derer's Creek, but upon examining the land they found it so rough they declared they did not want it.
Four months previous to the grant from Governor An- dross the land was purchased of the Indians, and the article signed bestowing upon Louis DuBois and his associates the territory comprising the Paltz patent, occupying all the present town of Lloyd, about two-thirds of New Paltz, one- third of Esopus and one-fourth of Rosendale. In the records
12
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
of the patentees-as these twelve men were called-long preserved in an ancient trunk in the Huguenot Bank at New Paltz, is the copy of the document signed by the Indians on their part, and by Louis DuBois and his associates; like- wise by Jan Eltinge and others, as witnesses. This is dated May 26, 1677. Here is likewise the confirmation or grant from Governor Andross, covering the same territory, dated September 29, 1677. The four corners of the patent were Moggonck-now Mohonk; Juffrou's Hook, the point in the Hudson where the town line between Lloyd and Marl- borough strikes the river ; Rapoos-Pell's Island, and Tower a Toque, a point of white rocks in the Shawangunks near Rosendale Plains.
The papers relating to the matter in the Patentees' trunk are in Dutch and are translated by Rev. Ame Vennema as follows :
By approbation of his Excellency Governor Edmond An- dras, dated April 28, 1677, an agreement is made on this date, the 26th of May, of the year 1677, for the purchase of certain lands, between the parties herein named and the un- dersigned Esopus Indians.
Matsayay, Nekahakaway, Magakahas, Assinnerakan, Wa- wawanis acknowledge to have sold to Lowies du Booys . and his partners the land described as follows: Beginning from the high hills at a place named Moggonck, from thence south-east toward the river to a point named Juffrous Hoock, lying in the Long Reach, named by the Indians Magaatramis, then north up along the river to the island called by the Indians Raphoes, then west toward the high hills to a place called Waratahaes and Tawaentaqui, along the high hills south-west to, Moggonck, being described by
13
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
the four corners with everything included within these boun- daries, hills, dales, waters, etc., and a right of way to the Ronduyt kill as directly as it can be found, and also that the Indians shall have the same right to hunt and to fish as the Christians, for which land the Indians have agreed to accept the articles here specified :
40 kettles, 10 large, 30 small; 40 axes; 40 adzes; 40 shirts ; 400 fathoms of white net-work; 300 fathoms of black net- work; 60 pairs of stockings, half small sizes; 100 bars of lead; I keg of powder; 100 knives; 4 kegs of wine; 40 oars ; 40 pieces of "duffel " (heavy woolen cloth) ; 60 blankets ; 100 needles; 100 awls; I measure of tobacco; 2 horse's- I stallion, I mare:
Parties on both sides acknowledge to be fully satisfied herewith and have affixed their own signatures ad ut supra.
Matsaya x his mark; Waehtonck x his mark; Seneraken x his mark; Magakahoos x his mark; Wawateanis x his mark; Lowies Du Booys; Christian de Yoo x his mark; Abraham Haesbroecq; Andrie Lefeber; Jan Broecq; Piere Doyo; Anthony Crespel; Abraham Du Booys; Hugo Freer; Isaack D. Boojs; Symon Lefeber.
Witnesses: Jan Eltinge; Jacomeyntje Sleght; Jan Mat- tyse. Agrees with the original. W. La : Montague, Secry.
I do allow of the within Bargaine and shall Grant patents for y Same when payments made accordingly before mee or Magistrates of Esopus.
Andross.
We the undersigned persons, former owners of the land sold to Lowies du Booys and his partners acknowledge to have been fully satisfied by them according to agreement.
14
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
we therefore transfer the designated land with a free right of way for them and their heirs, and relinquishing ferever our right and title, will protect them against further claims, in token whereof we have affixed our signatures in the pres- ence of the Justice, Sheriff, Magistrates and Bystanders, on the 15 September, 1677, at Hurley, Esopus Sackmakers,
Witnesses: Sewakuny x his mark; Hamerwack x his mark; Manvest x her mark; Mahente; Papoehkies x his mark ; Pochquqet x his mark; Haroman x his mark ; Pago- tamin x his mark; Haromini x his mark; Wingatiek x his mark; Wissinahkan x his mark; Mattawessick x his mark; Matsayay x his mark; Asserwvaka x his mark; Umtronok x his mark; Wawanies x sister in his absence called Wara- wenhtow ; Magakhoos x her mark; Wawejask x his mark ; Nawas x his mark; Tomaehkapray x his mark; Sagaro- wanto x his mark; Sawanawams x his mark; Machkamoeke x his mark.
Witnesses : Jan Eltinge ; Roelof Henderyckx; John Ward; Gars x Harris ; Albert Jansen.
Testis : Thomas Chambers; Hall Sherrife; Wessel Ten Broeck ; Dirck Schepmoes ; Hendrik Jochensen, Joost de Yadus ; Garit x Cornelise ; Lambert x Huybertse.
Mattay has publicly proclaimed and acknowledged in the presence of all the Indian bystanders that the land had been fully paid for in which all concurred.
Testis :
W : Montague, Secr.
The grant by Gov. Edmund Andross, confirming this pur- chase from the Indians, is in English as follows :
Edmund Andros, Esqr.
Seigneur of Sansmarez, Lieut. t Governor Generall under
15
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
his Royall Highness: James Duke of Yorke & Albany &c. of all his Territoryes in America. Whereas there is a cer- tain piece of Land att Esopus, the which by my approba- con and Consent, hath been purchased of the Indian Pro- prietors, by Lewis DuBois and Partners; The said Land lyeing on the South side of the Redoute Creek or Kill, be- ginning from the High Hills called Moggonck, from thence stretching South East neare the Great River, to a certain Point or Hooke, called the Jeutfrous Hoocke, lyeing in the long Reach named by the Indyans Magaatramis, then North up alengst the River to an Island in a Crooked Elbow in the Beginning of the Long Reach called by the Indyans Raphoos, then West, on to the High Hills, to a place called Waratahaes and Tawaratague, and so alongst the said High Hills South West to Moggonck aforesaid; All which hath by the Magistrates of Esopus been certifyed unto mee, to have been publiquely bought and paid for in their presence ; As by the returne from theme doth and may appeare: Know yee that by vertue of his Ma, ties Letters Patents, and the Commission and authority unto mee given by his Royall Highness, I have given, Ratifyed, confirmed and granted, and by these presents doe hereby give, ratify, con- firme & grant unto the said Lewis DuBois and Partners, Thatt is to say, Christian Doyo, Abraham Haesbroecq, Andries Lefevre, Jean Broecq, Pierre Doyo, Laurens Biverie, Anthony Crespell, Abraham DuBois, Hugo Frere, Isaack DuBois, and Symeon LeFevre, their heyres and Assignes, the afore recited piece of Land and premises; Together with all the Lands, Soyles, Woods, Hills, Dales, meadowes, pastures, Marshes, Lakes, waters, Rivers, fishing, Hawking, Hunting and fowling, and all other Profitts, Commoditys, and Emoluments whatsoever to the said piece of land and
16
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
do allow of , do allows of the withm "Bargain; and shall ground Patents for y, sam, when payment, ma? ramaly toofor me or Magistrates of Copus.
AndTOSS
بجداك جـ
Iv him Volgens account. Barrow. Fransprom
1
all' Norunninge Greer lugarhon Gyangandung
,
fur mong
0
,
ORIGINAL DEED WITH SIGNATURES OF GOV. ANDROSS AND INDIANS IN TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE, NEW PALTZ
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ 17
Arturgor
Thomas Brambory Grad Showifu offer for broth.
Jean Marc Jans
Sönnich forfork gant
godan's voor alles anstands loved Burger Land was goedy was in fly allo wayto sunday
bals
SIGNATURES OF WITNESSES TO ORIGINAL DEED
2
18
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
premises belonging, with their & every of their appurte- nances, & of every part and parcell thereof; To have and to hold the said piece of Land and Premises, with all and Singular the appurtenances unto the said Lewis DuBois and partners their heyres and Assignes, to the proper use and behoofe of him the said Lewis DuBois and partners their heyres and Assignes for ever. And that the planta- cons which shall bee settled upon the said piece of land bee a Township, and that the Inhabitants to have liberty to make a High Way between them and the Redout Creeke or Kill for their Convenience. Hee, the said Lewis DuBois and partners their heyres and Assigns, Returning due Sur- veys & makeing improvem't thereon according to Law; And Yielding and paying therefore yearely and every yeare unto his Royall Highnesse use as an acknowledgment or Quitt Rent att the Redout in Esopus five bushells of good Winter Wheat unto such Officer or Officers as shall be empowered to receive the same:
Given under my hand and Sealed with y Seale of the Province in New Yorke this 29th day of September in the 29th yeare of his Ma'ties Reigne, Anno Domini 1677.
Andross.
Examined by mee,
Matthias : Nicolls, Secr.
The final action taken by Governor Andros in regard to granting the patent appears in the Documentary History of New York as follows :
Upon request of Louis DuBois and partners at Esopus, that they may have Liberty to goe and settle upon the land by them purchased on the South side of the Redout Creek, at their first convenience, these are to certify that they have
19
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
Liberty so to do, Provided they build a Redoute there first for a place of Retreat and Safeguard upon Occasion :
Action in New York, November, 1677. E. Andros.
ALL PROBABLY LIVED AT HURLEY-THE NEW VILLAGE (THREE MILES FROM KINGSTON)
From the Kingston records it appears that Andre LeFevre one of the New Paltz Patentees owned a house and lot at Hurley which he sold, June 29, 1680, to Hyman Allertson Roosa. This house he had bought of the executors of Cor- nelius Wynkoop. It also appears from the same records that about 1678 Simon LeFevre the Patentee transferred for his father-in-law Christian Deyo a lot and house at Hurley to Cornelius Wolverson.
Thus is afforded additional evidence that the New Paltz Patentees were residents of Hurley before coming to New Paltz. We know of no evidence that a single one of the num- ber lived in Kingston. It has been shown that Anthony Cris- pell lived at Hurley and never moved to New Paltz, the treaty with the Indians was made at Hurley, Louis DuBois was a magistrate at Hurley, Abraham Hasbrouck the Patentee mar- ried the daughter of Christian Deyo at Hurley. Abraham Deyo, son of Pierre the Patentee was born at the same place. Quite possibly we may vet find houses once owned by New Paltz Patentees still standing in the ancient village of Hurley. It would no doubt be laborious but perhaps not impossible to trace the ownership down to the present day.
20
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
CHAPTER II
All Frenchmen who came to Kingston did not go to New Paltz. On the church records at the former place are found the names of Perrine, Depuy, Gasherie, Delemater and others, not to be found on the church book at New Paltz. Anthony Crispell, although having a share in the New Paltz patent, never moved there, but remained at Hurley. The eleven who came to New Paltz were, to a considerable extent, related to each other. Abram and Isaac DuBois, the latter but eighteen years of age, were the sons of Louis; the two Deyos were father and son. The two Hasbroucks were brothers, and so were the two Le- Fevers. Four of the patentees, Abram DuBois, the two Hasbrouck brothers and Simon LeFever, married the four daughters of Christian Deyo, who was usually called Grand- pere or Grandfather. Andries LeFever did not marry.
From Kingston the little party came to New Paltz in three carts, and the spot of their encampment, about a mile south of the village, on the west side of the Walkill, is still known as "Tri-Cor," in English three carts. Tra- dition relates that when they alighted one of the party read for them the 37th Psalm.
In 1686, Louis DuBois, who had been the leader of the settlement, returned from New Paltz to Kingston, where he purchased a house, and lived ten years, until his death in 1696. His son, Isaac, had died six years before at the early age of thirty-one.
21
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
MORE LAND WANTED
At the outset the Patentees had quite as much land as they wanted, but it was only a few years before they were ready to acquire more land, as shown by the following paper in the Patentees' trunk in the Dutch language, dated 1683, applying for permission to purchase lands of the Indians, which translated literally reads as follows :
To the Hon. Justice of the Court now in session at Kingston,
We citizens of New Paltz inform your Honor that we must keep a great fence between us and the Indians, and that the Indians are disposed to sell us their land to their New Indian fort. We therefore humbly petition your Honor to give us a further hearing upon the approval of His Excellency the Governor, and we will then give satis- faction to the Indians. We remain your servants, In the name of the citizens of New Paltz.
Abraham Hasbrouck, Jean Hasbrouck, Louis Baijvier.
Permission is granted to the citizens of New Paltz to pur- chase of the Indians, on approval of His Excellency the Governor, the unpurchased lands, to wit: Sewakanamie and Sewankonck, to the New Indian Fort.
By order of the Special Session Court held in Kingston, February 13, 1683.
Rv.nd d La Monragerh.
This purchase of land was never made.
22
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
DEED OF GIFT TO JEAN COTTIN, THE SCHOOLMASTER
To the general reader there is no paper in the Freer col- lection of greater interest than the copy of the deed of gift to Jean Cottin, the schoolmaster, of a house and lot in the little settlement in 1689, just eleven years after the first settlers arrived on the ground. The copy was made in 1707. The paper is in good French, the writing legible, but the lines and the words in the lines crowded so close together that it is difficult to read it on that account. A rough translation is as follows :
We the undersigned gentlemen, resident proprietors of the twelve parts of the village of New Paltz, a dependency of Kingston, county of Ulster, province of New York, certify that of our good will and to give pleasure to Jean Cottin, schoolmaster at said Paltz, we to him have given gratu- itously a little cottage to afford him a home, situate at said Paltz, at the end of the street on the left hand near the large clearing (creupelbose) extending one "lizier " to the place reserved for building the church and continuing in a straight line to the edge of the clearing, thence one "lizier " to the extremity of the clearing to the north, thence running along the street and continuing to the west (couchant soliel) as far as the extremity of the clearing, and we guarantee the said Cottin that he shall be placed in possession without any trouble and we allow said Cottin to cut wood convenient to his purpose for building and he is given the pasturage for two cows and their calves and a mare and colt. We the proprietors at the same time agree among ourselves, for the interest of our own homes to request said Cottin that he will not sell the above mentioned property to any one not of
23
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
good life and manners, and we are not to keep said Cottin as schoolmaster longer than we think fit and proper.
Done at New Paltz, August 1, 1689.
Thus signed : Abraham hasbroucq, pierre doio, Jean has- broucq has made his mark HB, hugue frere has made his mark X, Abraham dubois, Isaac dubois, Louis dubois, An- thoine Crespel, Louis Beviere, Lisbette doyau has made her mark E. D.
We Anthoine Crespel and Estienne Gacherie certify that this copy is true, just and conformable. In evidence we have signed.
Anthoine Crespel. Estienne Gasherie.
Kingston, October 9, 1707.
In presence of me,
D. Wynkoop, Justice of Peace.
This deed of gift throws a strong light on the character of the Huguenot settlers at New Paltz. It shows that they highly prized education, that they already had a school- master, only eleven years after the date of the first settle- ment, and that they treated him with great kindness; it shows, moreover, that they had a lot reserved for a church, that they objected to a sale of property to any person " not of good life and manners," and their business ideas were sufficiently practical that they did not care to bind them- selves to employ Jean Cottin as schoolmaster longer than they saw fit and proper.
24
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
Itover foulsigner Mestreun heidrun proprietario rougepatt Ta. Vilup on Nouveaux parlieren mouncenter nigtonne (gnola relator fortune de source york, erfolgs que aunos bonnes volontaire now for Maiin a Jean Colom Mostre woll det falle, nous Luy accous donna gratuitement Une petite Waren pouzdan Partir Vi Login destur. audit Salle au bout de La Rue amam proch Bonne O a grand Houverposse finantomu Liziere a La place ssero pour basil onee glise ou continuent en drocteur Jusques du bas et fur le bord Du prorispettose Dacie L'viete).
D'unbout aboutissent Sur Lo que a Comment dorateur tiques
Folose Couchant en allant Fund Si on Bas faire Con decorouyet Bose~
Mell or Outroon portetions focus on Tour atoujours farm troubles Buy of Kendiens Comme estan enproposerent permetlow dusty ande Boutmiel ouper Con Gon rantesfage et Bon pour Gosto Sul frutta apropossam le Bon budet pallet ro pour toujoursLing et Les freni de marines aufy rermotivos pour toujours anddry outin Lay er fur ter quil pouric indir Dans in bou gou table how B amarog taux Vache a few vera of the Canale " Jen porlamy nous proporetlaira et nu mere tempide nos accord et raining nor accommodations pour le potage uragrandi ferment de Glos Matter Now Grown rese hun La Just petit Mature or L'amour dome Comme it rydudet, Recentmoms Nous Voulons et ontendons que dy tas cas Leon ( pum Vou lou entre cote Matin Unala four Vendre qua des pretonnes der bornier vier on theurs et qu'il nous agostont et arian. aufg le preference re que cht scon cutichono aprocesy Mourn Somme to unonettenintegerum pour Notre desconto autour que nous trouver a propos velour ce quedi mockus auown low Condonty a los Option a aussy neuf af inoitions gaz budete mathun Sito fujo au Por tes du village
smy 0 Rugue flere a Point Sumary amy Abrahamicousin Liam dubon bon of myhome Carpet down Bewhere Lieu royan a faitla. manyany 0 p
Now Anthoine, Brunet & Extreme Jachere Cotations que Cer Copie at Averitable of Gunver Conforme a L'original in forcequoy nous avons Signer respondent addingforme De Bourbonby 10
In the to cine of the Is gut wynhoop giftif place
DEED OF GIFT TO JEAN COTTIN
25
HISTORY OF NEW PALTZ
THE FRENCH SCHOOLMASTERS AT NEW PALTZ
In the early history of New Paltz two men stand out as pastors and two as schoolmasters in the little community. The two French pastors, Rev. Pierre Daillie and Rev. David Bonrepos have had their names and memories preserved in the church records, but it is only within the past few years that documents have been brought to light showing who it was that taught the school in those early days. In the same building in which the Huguenot pastors preached the gospel and baptised the children on their occasional visits to New Paltz, in the years preceding 1700, two other Huguenots of learning and ability gathered their little flock to instruct them in secular learning on week days and probably in re- ligious matters on the Sabbath, in the absence of the pastor.
It is greatly to the credit of the New Paltz people that they organized a school as well as a church at so early a date. In their kind and liberal treatment of their instruc- tors they set an example to people of the present day.
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.