History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 103

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1336

USA > New York > Orange County > History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 103

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The public money distributed amounted to $267.41.

VII .- CHURCHES.

THE PRESBYTERIAN SOCIETY OF HOPEWELL

was incorporated by a certificate executed Feb. 25, 1800, at a meeting held at the church. The paper was signed by Jacob Linderman and John Crawford, inspectors of the election, and the trustees chosen were Henry Palmer, Abraham Caldwell, William Hunter, Jacob Linderman, Robert Thompson, David Milligan, Daniel Bull, Nathan Crawford, and Israel Losee.

The first effort to build a Presbyterian church in Hopewell was made about the year 1779. All, how- ever, that was done at this time was to raise and inclose a building without finishing the interior, but in which the people occasionally enjoyed the preach- ing of the gospel.

In this situation they continued till the year 1792, when they formed themselves into a body corporate and chose the following persons as their board of trus- tees, viz .: William Cross, Robert Milliken, Jonathan Crawford, Daniel Bull, Andrew Thompson, Nathan

In-Sb Leggete

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CRAWFORD.

Crawford, Abraham Caldwell, Robert Thompson, and Robert McCreery.

At a meeting of the trustees, held very soon after, they adopted measures to finish the inside of the building, and about the same time resolved upon the expediency of securing the regular preaching of the gospel. They accordingly made a call on the Rev. Jonathan Freeman, and on his accepting of the call he was ordained and installed their pastor, Aug. 28, 1793. Soon after his settlement among them, Mr. Freeman ordained Abraham Caldwell, William Cross, Robert Thompson, Jacob Linderman, John Crawford, and Matthias Millspaugh ruling elders; and this appears to be the true date of the organization of the church.

The ministry of Mr. Freeman was not of long con- tinuance. The pastoral relation between him and the people was dissolved April 18, 1798. During the ministry of Mr. Freeman everything seemed to pro- gress comfortably, and at the time of his leaving them the little church, which at first consisted of 21 members, had grown to the number of 105.

The resignation of Mr. Freeman left the church vacant for more than five years. At the expiration of this time the church called the Rev. Isaac Van Doren. He was ordained and installed their pastor on June 29, 1803. The ministry of Mr. Van Doren was long and happily protracted. He continued his labors among the people during the full period of twenty-one years, enjoying their warmest affections, and finding his ministry followed up with many blessings. In the year 1820 lie enjoyed a very ex- tensive revival of religion among his people, which resulted in the addition of 152 members to the church. But a time came, in the providence of God, for the severance of hearts so long and happily united. This occurred April 20, 1825, when, at the request of Mr. Van Doren, the Presbytery dissolved his pastoral re- lation, and once more declared the church of Hope- well to be vacant.

After being vacant nearly two years, the church called the Rev. Hugh M. Koontz to become their pastor. He was ordained and installed Dec. 20, 1826, and after laboring among the people for nearly six years lis pastoral relation was, at his own request, dissolved. This was done in May, 1832.

About this time the congregation took measures to build a new house of worship. In carrying out these measures they abandoned the old site and selected another one, on which they erected a neat, commo- dious, and firm stone building. This new building was commenced early in the spring of 1831, and was finished and dedicated to the worship of God the fol- lowing year. The way being now open again for the administration of the word and ordinances, the con- gregation called the Rev. John H. Leggett to become their pastor. Ile was installed May 15, 1833.

The following persons were ruling elders in 1846, viz .: Robert J. Crawford, Nathaniel Hunter, Nich-

olas Leybolt, Hieronomus Weller, David C. Bull, Alexander Crawford, and Samuel K. Leybolt.

Rev. Mr. Leggett continued as pastor until 1855. Subsequent ministers have been : Rev. Andrew John- son, 1856 to 1866; Rev. B. G. Benedict, Oct. 21, 1866, to 1870. The present pastor, Rev. John Turner, was called soon after. The present elders (November, 1880) are Alexander Crawford, Cornelius Barnes, Robert Crawford, Stansbury Gillespie, and George D. Shafer. The members number 152.

REV. JOHN H. LEGGETT, born in the city of New York, May 28, 1800, was educated at Columbia College, and after a four years' course of theological study under John M. Mason, D.D., who then stood at the head of the American pulpit, was ordained to preach the gospel by the Second Presbytery of New York, in the year 1824. May 19, 1824, he married Mary Noel Bleecker, resident also of New York City. His first pas- toral charge was at Moreau, Saratoga Co., N. Y., his second at Peekskill, whence he removed to Marlbo- rough, Ulster Co., where his labors were followed by a powerful and memorable revival of religion. In the year 1833, Mr. Leggett was called to the Hopewell Church, where he continued to labor for twenty-three years. The following extract is from an article written and published just after his death by Rev. Dr. E. D. G. Prime, editor of the New York Observer :

" Having for a period of more than thirty years enjoyed the intimate acquaintance and friendship of Mr. Leggett, and knowing well the trans- parent purity and excellence of his character, and his great usefulness in the ministry of the gospel, we feel that his death should be marked by this memorial to his life and services. His long pastorale was over the Hopewell Church, where he remained for twenty-three years, enjoying in the highest degree the affections of the people and ministering to them with earnestoess, fidelity, and great ability. In all this time he was detained from his pulpit only one Sabbath by sickness, and was sel- dom absent for any other canse a single day. Few men have devoted themselves to their pastoral work with such entire singleness of purpose, and few have been more honored or blessed by the Master in the marked approval of their labors. As a true shepherd, he weut in and out before the sheep of his flock, leading them, in the name of the Great Shepherd, both by his example and his fervent, iostructive preaching, in the green pastures of the word, and beside the still waters of divine consolation and refreshment."

As a preacher he was characterized by remarkable fervor and animation. His sermons, which, though carefully prepared, were invariably delivered from briefs, were both instructive and impressive. Many elderly people still tell of sermons they had heard him preach years ago, and not a few throughout the county who heard him but once or twice, and that while perhaps they were children, yet remember even the text, and the effect of the discourse upon mind and heart.

Mr. Leggett was chosen stated clerk of the Presby- tery of Hudson in 1838, and filled that office with great efficiency for more than twenty years. "The records of Presbytery under his hand were models of neatness and beauty."

In 1856 he was called to the more arduous work of building up a new congregation and church at Mid- (letown, which was successfully accomplished, and

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

in which he continued for about nine years, when, on account of feebleness by age and disease, he retired from the stated duties of pastor, though continning to preach with great acceptance from time to time in New York and other places.

The last few years of his life were passed at the home of his youngest son, Rev. T. A. Leggett, at Chester, where he died on the 31st day of May, 1873.

GRAHAM'S CHURCH (ASSOCIATE REFORMED).

This congregation was formed and church erected in 1799, by the exertions of Mr. Robert Graham, who at that time was an elder in the church of Goodwill.

The name was bestowed in his honor on the day the building was erected. Mr. Graham resided within the bounds of this congregation.

opened by public worship on the 4th of August, 1799. The Rev. John McJimsey, of Neelytown Church, preached the sermon. Mr. Graham died Sept. 22, 1799, and by his will he devised his farm of abont 100 acres, in the vicinity of the church, to the congregation for the use of the pastor. The individuals who com- posed this new congregation principally were in the habit of attending church at Neelytown. By an arrangement made with that church the labors of Rev. Mr. MeJimsey were obtained for every alternate Sabbath. Before the erection of the house of worship he had preached in this neighborhood in private houses and sometimes in barns. The Graham Church was for a time only a branch of the Neelytown or- ganization, but in 1802 it became a distinct body, and the first elders ordained were Samuel Gillespie and Andrew Dixon. Mr. Wm. Crawford, an kler previ- ously in the Little Britain Church, united with this church, and became a member of the Session. The church was still united with that of Neelytown in >up- porting the same pastor. At the first administration of the sacrament there were twenty-eight members. The growth of the congregation, though not rapid, was progressive.

In 1809, Mr. MeJimsey received and accepted a call from an Associate congregation in Albany, and his pastoral connection with these churches was dis- solved. This did not arise from any dissatisfaction between any of the parties, but was sincerely re- gretted by all. Within a year the Rev. Arthur I. Stansbury was called to this church, in connection with Neelytown, who continued his services till 1816. From that time till 1819 the church was vacant, with occasional supplies ; when she, in connection with Neelytown, recalled the Rev. J. MeJimsey, who re- sumed his ministerial labors, as before, between the two churches. When he left, ten years before, there were 57 members ; on his return, he found but 21, and the first elders dead. Death and removals had almost extinguished the whole.

from that time Graham's church had all the services of Mr. McJimsey.

The services of Mr. McJimsey were continued until his death in 1854. The next pastor was Rev. Alex- ander Me Williams, 1855 to 1861. The present pastor, Rev. John Erskine, was settled in 1861.

The elders have been : 1802, Samuel Gillespie, An- drew Dixon, William Crawford, Sr. ; 1809, Daniel Wilkin, Andrew McWilliams; 1823, Gawn Mackim- son, Arthur Mckinney, Jason Gillespie ; 1839, Henry H. Weller, Robert Burnet; 1846, Robert L. Brown, Luther Mckinney.

Robert Graham, the founder of this church, was a genuine Presbyterian of the Scotch-Irish stamp, and dearly loved the Master and his cause. "He rests from his labors and his works do follow him." This

Soon after erection, and before being finished, it was . church was connected with the Associate Reformed

Presbytery of Newburgh till 1858. It is now United Presbyterian.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CRAW- FORD

is located at Bullville. It was incorporated April 20, 1859. The certificate was signed by John Shorter and James C. Gowdey. The trustees named therein were Jacob M. Shorter, Robert Hill, and Heman S. Shorter. Mrs. Jacob M. Shorter, Robert Hill, Mrs. Heman S. Shorter, Matthew M. Wilkison, Mrs. M. M. Wilkison, Rhodes Mance and wife were among the first members.

The house of worship was finished so as to be dedi- cated in the summer of 1861. It cost $8000, all of which was a gift from Mrs. Mary Shorter. The first pastor was Rev. John Wardle, the Conference ac- ceding to Mrs. Shorter's request that he should be ap- pointed. Matthew Wilkison was the builder of the church edifice. Successive pastors have been Rev. Messrs. Wardle, Jones, Lamont, Heroy, Shrives, Esray, Shurter, Bohlman, and the present pastor, A. Van Kenren. Present number of members about 92.

The official members are as follows : Trustees, Wil- liam Stephens, G. D. Roat, J. M. Green, Daniel Gibb, James E. Miller ; Stewards, G. D. Roat, Daniel Gibb, James MI. Green, William Stephens, Stephen Great- singer.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF PINE BUSHI

was incorporated Nov. 28, 1870. The certificate was signed by Samuel M. J. Gillespie and Theron Bodine. The trustees named were William B. Barnes, Jobn Walker, Samuel Armstrong, William H. Cow- ley, Francis M. Bodine. There had been religious services for many years in this village before the form- ation of this society or the erection of a church. A large number of people were attached to the Reformed Church, located but a short distance over the Kill, in the town of Shawangunk, Ulster Co. The ministers of that church and the Methodist ministers from Bull-

In 1831 the Neelytown church was permitted to go down by building a new one in Hamptonburgh ; and | ville occupied the school-honse, at Pine Bush, on alter-

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nate Sundays. Finally those inclined to Methodist , views deemed it proper to organize. The movement was somewhat earlier than the date of incorporation given above. Trustees had been chosen in 1869, the same as named a year later in the certificate. Nov. 19, 1870, steps were taken towards building. A lot 100 feet in front was presented to the society by Wm. II. Cowley, and an addition of 50 more feet front was purchased of him for $100. The whole was 150 feet in lengthı.

The house is located on the west side of the road leading from Pine Bush to Bullville. Ground was broken for the enterprise immediately, and the first load of stone delivered Nov. 30, 1870. The corner- stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies July 13, 1871. A box containing a Bible, a hymn book, and other articles was placed in a cavity of the stone. Addresses were delivered by Rev. G. C. Esray, Rev. J. K. Wardle, Rev. George Clark, and Rev. E. B. Pieree.

The dedication took place April 24, 1871. Rev. Benjamin I. Jones preached the sermon from the text, "The glorious gospel of Christ." The financial state- ments were then submitted, showing the property to have eost, including labor, about $8000, of which $4000 remained to be raised that the edifice might be free of incumbrance. The praiseworthy custom of not dedicating an edifice not fully paid for was next presented with great foree, and $1600 pledged on the spot. At the evening service Rev. W. P. Abbott, of New York City, preached, and Rev. Mr. Jones again presented the subject of the finances. After a vigor- ous effort, with much self-sacrifice and liberal giving, the whole amount was reported raised, and the cere- 1 mony of dedieation took place just before midnight. This charge is still connected to that of Bullville under one pastor, who resides at the latter place. The present offieers are Rev. A. Van Kenren, pastor; F. M. Bodine, E. M. Johnson, D. T. Bowen, stewards ; E. M. Johnson, William H. Cowley, and D. T. Bowen, trustees ; Orville Eichenbergh, Sunday-school super- intendent.

The house of worship is a handsome building of wood, 40 by 60. There is a tower 12 by 18 at the base, atfording an entrance to the church. The height of the spire is about 70 feet. Repairs and improvements have recently been made to the amount of $324. The church was reopened after the repairs, Nov. 14, 1880, and on that day a balance, not previously provided for, of $128, was fully pledged.

VIII .- BURIAL-PLACES.

Burials in the Pine Bush section of the town are mostly at the New Prospect Dutch Reformed Church, ' town of Shawangunk, and at the old Rainey burying- ground, on the farm now owned by A. R. Taylor, two miles below Pine Bush.

At Bullville there is a new cemetery in good order and well maintained.

At Collaburgh there is a burial-place in very good preservation.

The James R. Crawford burial-place, on the present farm of Franeis Crawford, is also very well kept.

There is a dilapidated burying-place, known as the Bruyn ground, on the farm now owned by Leander Gillespie.

On the farm of Ezra Smith is a very old graveyard, with a few red stone in use for monuments about the beginning of this century.

The old Hopewell burying-ground has many early graves and is worthy of some study for family history. The Hopewell graveyard contains many of the old settlers who died at a ripe old age : David Sease, eighty-seven ; Stephen Farnum, eighty-eight ; Daniel Bull, eighty-seven ; John Crover, eighty-three ; David C. Bull, eighty-one ; Dr. Increase Crosby, eighty (he died May 13, 1845) ; Hannah Bull, wife of Alexan- der Thompson, Jr., eighty-two; Henry Linderman, seventy-nine. In the Crawford family cemetery, near Hopewell Church, we find Milton Bull, eighty-four ; Eleanor Stewart Crawford, eighty-seven; Jonathan Crawford, seventy-nine. At Bullville Cemetery, Ephraim Niver, eighty-nine. Oliver Mills, one of the early town officers, is buried in the Hopewell graveyard.

IX .- TOWN SOCIETIES, Etc.

The only societies are various social, religious, or benevolent organizations, which have had a brief ex- istence from time to time, leaving, however, little or no records for the historian to gather up.

A recent movement at Pine Bush on behalf of tem- perance has led to the establishment of a Temperance Hall, with a design for a free reading-room.

X .- PLACES OF SPECIAL NOTE, OR OF HIS- TORIC INTEREST.

There is perhaps nothing to mention under this head, except those places where the earliest pio- neers built their humble homes in the dense forest. Here and there a single old apple-tree, and near by the eavity of an old eellar, indicates the spot where some family reared their dwelling in the far-off'times, -where a single rose-bush, perhaps, still blooms, though the hands which planted it were long ago folded for the rest of the grave. These places, though sacred in the personal traditions of families, can seareely claim a place in the sphere of a county his- tory.

At Pine Bush there is a Revolutionary relie, though even there we must cross the Shawangunk Kill and enter Ulster County to find it. Not far from the site of the old Cornelius Slott grist-mill, and almost on the very bank of the kill, is an old log house, said to have been standing there in the days when Indian incursions and Tory raids made the life of every family familiar with danger. It is now on the prop- erty of N. W. Clearwater, but in the days of the

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Revolution it was the Van Amburgh property, and that family is also said to have been in some way con- nected to Anneke Jans, the historie ghost which every now and then disturbs the slumbers of those who guard the title to the vast estates of Trinity Church, New York. In this old cottage lived a stalwart woman, a member of the Van Amburgh family, for whose capture (as the tradition runs) a price had been offered by the British authorities. Shanks Ben, the one Ulster Tory, who was as famous in that county as Claudius Smith was in Orange, laid in wait at one time for her. He concealed himself in the hay stacked in the farm barracks, intending to seize his victim when she should come out to feed the cattle. Presently he saw her coming, a stout, vigorous woman, with a huge, old-fashioned fork. His heart failed him, and he made no effort, glad enough to remain concealed, and not bring down upon his devoted head the muscular indignation she was evidently capable of developing. He afterwards said that his heart was in his mouth all this time, fearing she would drive the tines of the fork into him as he lay covered with the hay she was reaching for. The wild days of those border wars have long since passed away, and these uncertain traditions only linger around the firesides of this valley, yet the old log house still stands, though for a hundred years the winter storms have beaten upon its primeval roof.

XI .- INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

The people of this town are mostly engaged in farming. Its grasses are free from noxious vegetables, and growing upon high land, are strong and produce a fine quality of milk, It is noted in the markets for its first-rate quality of butter. The roads of the town are in good condition. The Newburgh and Cochecton turnpike runs through the southern portion of the town, and furnishes desirable facilities for pleasure and business purposes. This region is favorable to the growth of apples and peaches, the quality and quantity of which, especially the apple for winter use, are on the increase.

MILLS.

The grist-mill at Pine Bush was built by Cornelius Slott, as already mentioned. Its successive proprie- tors since were Arthur Slott, A. R. Taylor, the firm of Charles Sinsabaugh and Andrew Thompson, J. C. Bennett, William Cowley, Theron Weller, Smith & Terhune, the last named selling to the present pro- prietors, Smith & Cox. The grist-mill at Searsville is an early affair, and has had many proprietors. The present owner is Mr. Rumph. Near Pine Bush was the old saw-mill of James Rainey, now abandoned. The Henry Hill saw-mill is still in operation. There are two saw-mills at Searsville, one owned by Mr. Comfort, the other now unused. There is also a saw- mill at the Widow Hill place, beyond Searsville. On the Pakadasink is the Henry Mould saw-mill, and also Elder's saw-mill.

XII .- MILITARY.

Being of comparatively modern organization, the town has no military history in its separate capacity prior to the great civil war. In the military rolls of the Wallkill of old times, and in the general account of military operations in the county, various incidents and several names will doubtless be found relating to the territory now constituting Crawford. There were a number of men from the town in the company called ont during the war of 1812, but no list is ob- tainable here. Egbert Brink, Jemuel Corwin, and Isaiah Whitten are mentioned, whose widows now draw pensions on account of their husbands' services, and Virgil Y. Duryea, now living, is also a pensioner.

In the war of the Rebellion the town furnished the following numbers of men :

Prior to the call of July, 1862 31

Under the call of 1862 ..

From July, 1863, and calls following 14

Draft of 1863-commuted 17

Furnished substitute 1

Entered service. 1

Draft of 1864-commuted.

Furnished substitutes 8

Volunteers, 1863

Substitutes, 1864.

last call.

Volunteers, last call.

- 128

By contract in 1864

1865.

- 60

Total

188

The sum of $525 was raised by subscription in 1862 for bounties, and paid to twenty-one volunteers in the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment, Co. H, Capt. Samuel Hunter, which company was organized in the town, and $50 was similarly raised and paid to volunteers in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment. Three thousand dollars was paid by county to volunteers from the town in 1863. In 1864 town bounties were paid to the amount of $27,610, and under last call $16,500. On final settlement with the State, the town was allowed for excess of years $3000, and for bounties $8700, total $11,700.

The following is the official record of the action of the town :

At a special town-meeting, held Aug. 9, 1864, the following resolutions were adopted, 185 voting in favor and 11 against :

"Resolved, That for the purpose of filling the quota of this town under the call of the President of the United States, dated July 10, 1864, for five hundred thousand men, the number of which from our town is now fixed at forty-five men, a sum of money not to exceed forty-five thonsaud dollars be raised on the credit of the town pursuant to the bounty law passed by the Legislature Feb. 9, 1864, for the purpose of paying bouo- ties to volunteers.

"Resolved, That the town board be a committee to carry out the above resolution, and that they be empowered to make the bounties so as to be equal with and compete with other towns and also to make provisions for enlisting in the rebel States if deemed advisable."

On the 26th of the same month another meeting was held at which the above resolutions were ratified and confirmed, the necessary authority to issue bonds

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CRAWFORD.

granted, and such further provisions made as were necessary to carry out the objects desired. The fol- lowing persons were named as a committee to co- operate with the town board, viz. : William B. Craw- ford, Hezekiah W. Decker, John A. Crawford.

In the winter of 1864-65 the calls of the President rendered it necessary to take further action with ref- erence to filling the quota, and a special town-meeting was held Jan. 28, 1865.

A tax of $30,000 was authorized for the purpose of paying bounties. The amount of the bounty to be paid to each volunteer was left to the town board, and ample anthority was granted to take all necessary steps for carrying out the object of the meeting and filling the quota of the town. As will be seen above, the full sums authorized were not expended.

The Presbyterian Church at Hopewell contributed $50 for Bibles for the Fifty-sixth Regiment, and sub- sequently, for similar purpose, $55; total, $105. The Crawford Soldiers' Aid Society sent $300 in cash and supplies to the Sanitary Commission.

The following list of men was carefully prepared by Mr. Augustus Thompson in 1865, and has been compared with muster-rolls and other authorities :

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 103

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1336

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1336