History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 105

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 105

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

The territory now embraced in the town of Wall- kill was originally in two distinct portions,-one the Minisink Angle, the other a part of the John Evans Patent. In the repatenting of the latter the following tracts were granted :

Daniel Everott and James Striogham, Jan. 16, 1734, 3850 acres. Joseph Sackett, Sept. 1, 1737, 618 acres.

Richard Gerard and Wm. Bull, Dec. 14, 1724, 1000 acres.

Richard Gerard and Wm. Bull, Dec. 14, 1724, 500 acres.

Thomas Noxou, Dec. 21, 1727, 2000 acres. James Stringham, July 17, 1736, 1630 acres.

Jane and Alice Coldeo, Oct. 30, 1749, 1000 acres, near Scotchtown.

David Crawford, James Crawford, Samuel White, James White, May 13, 1761, 1055 acres.

Thomas Ellison and Lawreoce Roome, Nov. 12, 1750, 1330 acres, Jacobus Bruyn and George Murray, Sept. 26, 1750, 4000 acres.

Livingston & Provost, May 26, 1750, 3000 acres.

Thomas Ellison and Lawreoce Roome, Nov. 12, 1750, 440 acres. Daniel Horsmanden and others, 1130 acres (date not ascertained).

Jane and Alice Coldlen, Oct. 30, 1749, 3000 acres, on the south side of the Shawangunk Kill, opposite Bloomingburgh.

Thomas Ellison and Lawrence Roome, Nov. 12, 1750, 500 acres.

David Crawford, James Crawford, Samnel White, James White, May 13, 176., 736 acres.

II .- NATURAL FEATURES.

of Mount Hope extends east of the Shawangunk and takes from Wallkill a portion of that valley.

The surface of the town is undulating, rising at some points into hills of moderate elevation and at others including valuable alluvial lands along the water-courses.

The smaller streams are numerous. An important tributary of the Wallkill rising south of Crawford Junction drains a large tract and unites with the main stream at Phillipsburgh. Northeast of this are several other branches of the Wallkill. The Manyunk's Kill is mostly in this town, but unites with the Wallkill just below, within the town of Montgomery.

In the northwest are several branches of the Shaw- angunk. In the southwest part of the town are vari- ous streams that flow south and unite with the Wall- kill beyond the limits of the town. One of these, the Monhagen Creek, is the source from which Middle- town is supplied with water. Another forms one of the sources of Rutgers' Creek, a tributary of the Wallkill.

The scenery in this town has many of the attrac- tions that belong to the mountain section of the State, combined however with the gentler features of finely cultivated farms, pleasant rural villages, and charm- ing landscapes. If one wants pure water, clear air, and nature's invigorating breezes, they are all to be found here, while those desiring the wilder depths of the mountains can easily reach them from Middle- town.

III .- EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The territory now included in Wallkill was not settled as early as that of other towns in the vicinity. The dates of the patents given above range from 1724 to 1761. It is doubtful whether there was any settle- ment upon them until near the close of that period. The lands were purchased perhaps more largely for speculative purposes, and not reduced to settlement as promptly as those in Montgomery. William Bull, and west, in a long strip on both sides of the Wallkill River, which he gave to his two sons, William and Thomas Bull. William was the ancestor of William, Moses, James, and Charles of a later generation ; and Thomas, of Daniel, Cadwallader, and Absalom.

The northern and larger portion of this town lies between the Shawangunk River, which forms the of Goshen, procured a patent in this town, lying east boundary line on the northwest, and the Wallkill, which separates the town from Hamptonburgh on the southeast. A little east and north from Crawford Junction may be found the summit which divides be- tween these "river systems." The southern portion of the town extends east of the Wallkill in the Though the patent was unequally divided by the stream,-there being about 300 acres on the west side vicinity of Phillipsburgh, while on the west the town

429

430

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

and 200 on the east,-yet they divided their rights by the stream ; William taking the western, and Thomas the eastern portion.

William built his first house nearly in the vicinity of the brick mansion of his grandson, William Bull, deeeased, on the high bank of the Wallkill, and in later years occupied by his widow, Mrs. Keturah Bull.

Thomas built also near the stone house, known as the Cadwallader Bull house, on the road from Goshen to Montgomery.

Ile afterwards built that stone house. He was a mason by trade ; and it is said that for several years previous to erecting it he was engaged in preparing the stone. He kept his hammer in the field, and when disengaged from other business would shape a few stones for the purpose, by which process, continued through several years, the materials were all prepared and ready for the building, so that in the process of erection the sound of a hammer was not heard on the building. The material is limestone, and the work as perfect now as when erected. These two brothers were in the town as early as 1767.

On the farm owned in modern times by Stephen Harlow, Esq., on McCormick's Kill, there was an ancient flour-mill and an early settlement. At the organization of the town it was owned by Mr. John MeNeal. He was connected with another old family the descendants of which were numerous and widely dispersed. Charles Borland, Esq., surrogate of the county, and Col. Charles Borland, of the army who served in Mexico, under Gen. Taylor, were of that family. The original settler was from Ireland. Israel Rogers and Daniel Butterfield lived in that vicinity also.

At the place now known as Phillipsburgh, on the Wallkill, there was an early settlement. The locality belonged to the Wisner family, ancestors of Jeffrey Wisner, Esq., of Warwick, and Henry G. Wisner, Esq., of Goshen. Mr. Moses Phillips married in the

The place was known as Hampton in 1806, but from the number of families of the name of Phillips at the location it became changed. It is most beautifully

and romantically situated, and is a lovely spot for a country residence. It is on a small level piece of land, on the west bank of the stream, surrounded on all sides by hills and graceful knolls. Mr. Phillips had several sons,-George, Gabriel, William, and Moses, -all active and enterprising men, and engaged at the place in some one of the various departments of manufacture.

In the year 1776, Mr. Phillips and Henry Wisner had a contract with the government of the colony for the manufacture of powder at this place, where they made and furnished it to the satisfaction of the old Congress. On one occasion Mr. Wisner, correspond- ing with Congress on the subject of powder, said that he had 3000 pounds ready, and remarked that they must excuse his writing, as he had but two half-sheets of paper, and when they were gone he did not know where he could get another, and therefore could not afford to transcribe his letter. This excuse, doubtless, was satisfactory. The family is of German origin, very early in the country, and came from New Jersey into this county.

Further south there was an early settlement made These two individuals were recommended to Con- gress as most worthy of the contract by the committee of Ulster County, while Messrs. Wisner and Carpen- ter were recommended by the committee from Orange. In the latter case, the business was to be conducted at Carpenter's saw-mill, at what is now Salisbury. by Mr. John McCord, the father of Andrew McCord, Esq., of a later generation, on the farm afterwards owned by Col. Wilbur. The building in which he lived, like that of almost all others at the time, was loopholed for musketry. This family was attacked one night by some Indians, but the neighbors hearing The settlement made near Middletown by Mr. Murray was quite early. This gentleman was a de- scendant of George Murray, of Inverness, Scotland, and came to Canada as an impressed soldier with the English troops to take Quebec, and drive out the French from the colony. In the assault on Quebec of it, came in time to drive them off and save the family. In the morning a track of blood was found leading in the direction of the high hill direetly in the rear of the house, then covered with wood, and it was found that an Indian had been killed. The hill is called " Gerard's Hill," after the name of one of | by Gen. Wolfe, in 1759, Murray nobly discharged the the early patentees.

duty of an English soldier, and afterwards came and settled in this town, giving origin to numerous and respectable families. Mr. A. Spencer Murray, cashier of the Orange County Bank some years ago, is a descendant of this individual.

Another point of early settlement was in the vicinity by the name of Borland, who resided in that vicinity, , of Scotchtown. The name of Seotehtown is appro- priated to a small cluster of houses in the immediate vicinity of the Presbyterian church, and took its rise as near as we can ascertain from the building of the church. When this was erected and the congregation was organized, the question was asked, " What shall we call the church ?" and as there was at that time a number of Scotch families residing in the neighbor- hood, it was proposed to call the place Scotchtown, and the church was named accordingly. The names of the families were McCarter, McVey, Mcwhorter, McInnis, MeLaughlin, McCord, etc.

This place is on very elevated ground, being nearly family, and received Phillipsburgh along with his wife | 1000 feet above tide-water. A rise of ground upon as a portion of her estate.

the farm once owned by Rev. Mr. Baldwin commands a view in every direction of a large part of Orange County, and a portion of Duchess, which is from twenty to thirty miles distant. The view embraces a

431

WALLKILL.

perfect amphitheatre, and well repays the labor of a visit.

Of the McInnis family the following aneedote is pre- served : Mrs. McInnis was a strong-minded, open- hearted young woman, free and pure as the mountain air of her native Highlands. It is said that after the marriage ceremony had been performed, and she be- came Mrs. MeInnis, her husband informed the clergy- man that he had thoughts of emigrating to America, who endeavored to dissuade him by all the off-hand arguments he was possessed of, but all to no purpose. Finding him fixed in his determination to leave the country, and withal a little vexed at his obstinacy and improper appreciation of argument, he turned from him, and addressing himself to Mrs. MeInuis, said,- " If your husband goes, as I fear he will, you ought not to go with him, but stay at home."

To this she replied in fervent strains, dietated by her feelings fresh gushing from the heart,-"Sir, you have just united us for weal or woe and for life, and will you be the first to break the bonds yourself have made? I will follow him, sir, if he goes to the ends of the earth."

The clergyman stood rebuked by the strong affec- tion of the Seottish maid, and the argument elosed. Though hard and trying to the feelings it may have been, yet this new-married couple soon left for America, and with others stamped the impress of their native land upon the hill-tops of this, never to be effaced.

Peter Mclaughlin, one of the settlers mentioned above, died March 1, 1804, in the seventieth year of his age. In him society lost a valuable member, as he was a truly pious and honest man.

The White family, though early in the country, are not old settlers in this town. The aneestor, James White, who came to this country from Ireland, located in Montgomery as early as 1741, near the town line of Wallkill. Maj. John White, of this town, was a deseendant, and removed here after the Revolution, when this part of the town was yet a wilderness. The first house erected was just east and south of the subsequent residence of Mr. Andrew White, on the north bank of Manyunk's Kill. This is a small stream that runs easterly through the farm and enters the points of its course.

Israel Green was an early settler of Wallkill, and Wallkill. It furnishes a small water-power at some , owned (as shown elsewhere) the principal part of

There was also an early settlement made at Camp- bell Hall, on the Otter Kill. This was known by that name as early as 1767.

Adjoining Campbell Hall, and a little further down the road east, Samuel Watkins located at an early period and made an extensive settlement .* This gentleman was of English origin; the family-con- sisting of several brothers-emigrated to New Eng- land, and four of their children removed to this county. They were in this town in 1767. Their

names were Samuel, Ephraim, Joseph, and Hezekiah. The Rev. Hezekiah Watkins, mentioned in the history of St. George's Church, Newburgh, was an uncle of these four brothers. A small portion of the original purchase is still in the possession of the family de- scendants.

Still further east the Faulkner family made an early settlement. From Campbell Hall down, including these settlements, the land is beautiful, and riehly compensates the cultivator.

George F. Reeve, of this town, had the honor of inventing the dog power somewhere between 1820 and 1824. Though this is a small affair, yet it is a happy application of mechanical power to relieve household labor in the manufacture of butter. Had he lived in ancient times he would have been decreed a public benefactor, or the nation would have erected a monument to his memory. Services not half so valuable have deified many an individual, and sent him down to posterity as an immortal being.

Andrew McCord was a plain, unostentatious farmer, who, by a long course of honest industry, and intelli- gent discharge of private and publie duties, endeared himself to all his fellow-citizens with whom he became acquainted. As the legitimate consequence of a vir- tuous private life, offices of honor and high trust were conferred upon him, which he discharged with fidelity and to the satisfaction of his constituents. Mr. Mc- Cord belonged to the Republican party in politics, and was elected to Congress in 1803. After his term was out, his political friends were so well pleased with his conduet that they elected him in 1805 to the State Legislature, and continued him in 1806 and 1807. The last year he served in that office he was elected speaker of the House,-no small compliment to his general character at that early day.

Isaae Mills was a prominent citizen of this town. He was a son of Ebenezer Mills, who came from Mills' Pond, L. I., to Orange County in 1787, coming up the river in a sloop to New Windsor and across the county on foot to Wallkill. The son, Isaac Mills, was born March 5, 1788, and married Clarissa Hulse in 1816. His son, Andrew J. Mills, was a member of the Legislature in 1854 and 1855.t

Middletown along Main Street. One of the family is understood to have settled in Mount Hope during the Revolutionary war. The wife of Israel Green is said to have been carried in her mother's arms when a child in a flight across the Shawangunk Mountains, the Indians being in hot pursuit. The child cried very much, but being obliged to hide under a log which the Indians soon after passed, the child eeased to ery, and they were not discovered. Charles S. Green, Esq., married Mary Woodward, sister of Am- brose Woodward.

* Now Hamptonburgh.

t See Mount llope.

432

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

David Moore was an early settler on the present place of Samuel Tryon, between Middletown and Phillipsburgh. He was there probably some years before the Revolution. Of his children, William set- tled in Mount Hope; David, Jr., died in early life ; Wilmot (father of Emmet Moore, now residing in Middletown) settled in Dolsentown; Walter in Wall- kill, on his father's homestead; and there were also four daughters,-Mrs. Wickham, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Treadwell, Mrs. Seeley.

A case of poetical talent at an early age is con- nected with the history of this family. Walter Moore, probably a brother of David Moore, Sr., died May 16, 1768, aged thirteen years, six months, and twelve days. The year before, during a time of mor-

Israel H. Wickham was born in 1741, and was a tailor by trade. Ilis wife was Elizabeth Carpenter, of Goshen. The deed from his father is dated 1769, and it may be inferred he came to Middletown about that time. He served for a time when only sixteen years tality and sickness, he composed quite a number of , old in the French war, going to Fort Edward. He was poetical pieces of a religious character, the versifica- tion in many of them being of easy flow and of gen- uine poetic feeling. A collection of them in posses- sion of Mr. Emmet Moore, Middletown, was printed in 1769, but the name of the publisher is not given.

Samuel Mapes was an early settler at what is now Howell's Depot. Ile was from Long Island, and un- doubtedly settled here some years before the Revolu- tion. He bought 650 acres. His children were Samuel, Jr., Smith, Seth, Enos, Erastus, Selah, Cyrus H., and Mrs. Jesse Carpenter. A son of Samuel, Jr., resides at Howell's, and Mr. N. B. Mapes, merchant and sta- tion agent, is a grandson of Enos. N. B. Mapes has in his possession two old deeds: one from George Duncan to Daniel and Samuel Mapes, bearing date Sept. 5, 1763; the other from Daniel Mapes and Samuel Mapes to John Brewster; each for the same tract of land,-240 acres,-but the bounds given have so little reference to natural features that it can scarcely be decided whether the tract was at Howell's or further east in Orange County; the precinct in which the parties lived is not stated. The homestead of Samuel Mapes, Sr., was the present place of Walter Tnttle.

The Moore tract mentioned above was bought in connection with the Wickham purchase. The whole included the present Samuel Tryon farm, the present George Wickham farm, and quite a portion of what is now Middletown village. The field notes of the original survey are in possession of Mr. George Wick- ham. The tract comprised about 1120 acres and was surveyed " Tuesday, the 13th of April, 1742," by " Mr. Clinton." At the close of the survey Mr. Clinton makes the following remark : " The chief fault yt can be found with all ye tract is the stoneyness of it." It was lot No. 35, in the Minisink Angle.

Samuel Wickham came from Southhold, L. I., and settled in East Division, Goshen, June, 1740. He was the first of the name in the county, but was soon fol- lowed by his nephew (among others), William Wick- ham, a long time judge in this county.

Samuel Wickham's children were Samuel (father of Israel H. Wickham, who was the father of S. S.

Wickham, of Middletown), and William (father of Mrs. David Reeve, and grandfather of O. P. Reeve and Mrs. B. W. Shaw). Some years before the Revolu- tion he, in connection with David Moore, bought lot 35 of the Minisink Angle, settled three of his chil- dren upon it,-Samuel where Mrs. Babcock now lives (corner of Main Street and Academy Avenue), Israel where John Baird now lives (corner of Main Street and Grand Avenue), and Jerusha (Wells) where John Gardiner now lives.

the owner of several slaves, setting them free at the age of eighteen and twenty-one years. Among these was "Abel," who was well known and respected. Israel Wickham had two children,-Abigail, who died un- married, and.Israel, Jr., born September, 1773. The latter married Mary Moore, and settled first two miles north of Middletown, but five years later moved to Middletown, and bought a farm now occupied in part by the Monhagen Mills and Hillside Cemetery.

Ile died in 1821, leaving five children,-Benjamin C., Joseph, Israel H., George, and Abigail.

Israel H. was the father of George Wickham, now residing at Middletown.

When Samuel Wickham and wife commenced in Goshen they sawed all the boards used in the first house with a pit saw,-he on the log and she in the pit.

David Moore, who bought in connection with Sam- uel Wickham, came on to his land before the French war, and made a beginning where Thomas E. Hulse now lives, but was compelled to abandon it for a time.

Samuel Bull, Sr., settled on the homestead which Robert Boak now owns. Ile was a blacksmith, and is said to have been employed upon the chain used in the obstruction of the Hudson River during the Revo- lution. His children were Samuel, the well-known citizen of Circleville : Benjamin, who moved to Ohio; Oscar, who remained on the old farm for many years; and Phebe, who died unmarried.

Silas, son of Silas IIorton, was born in Goshen, Aug. 24, 1756; married Mary Danes in 1777, and settled in Wallkill abont 1780. His farm is near what is known ax Rockville. The Wallkill Old-School Baptist church was built upon it. He, though yonng, like his father, was truly patriotic, and signed the pledge of independ- ence for the colonies in 1775.

His children were Silas Danes, died in 1850; Bar- nabas, died in 1867; Hiram, died in 1840; Nelly, married Timothy Wheat; Molly, married Israel Moore, and afterwards Daniel Slanson ; Mahala, mar- ried William Wheat, and is the only child now living (1880).

He died in 1816, but his wife lived many years after

433

WALLKILL.

his death on the same farm with her son Barnabas. of 1812; lives upon the farm he has owned over sixty They, with some others, were buried upon the farm, | years. His youngest son lives with him ; his other which spot was always recognized as a burying-ground children are Mrs. James White, of Scotchtown ; Har- rison, of Crawford; Nathan J., of Circleville; and Mrs. Ira II. Coleman, of Seneca Co., N. Y. until this year. After Barnabas died the farm was sold to George E. Beakes, but it was owned by the Ilortons about ninety years. Timothy W. Horton, a son of Barnabas, owns and lives upon the adjoining farm, known as the Vinson Clark farm.

At an early date two brothers, Thomas and Samuel Brinson, settled in the north part of the town. After many years Thomas sold his farm to Abner Bull, who had married his only daughter, Maria. It contained 244 acres, and was long known as the best farm in this section. Mr. Bull died in 1857, leaving his widow and the following children : Mrs. Charles Mills, of Millsburgh ; Mrs. William D. Hurtin, of Circleville; Sarah, never married, died in 1860; Mrs. William Gale, of Rahway, N. J .; and one son, Thomas, who died in 1871. The farm is owned by Henry A. Shaw. Samuel's farm contained 318 acres. lle sold it to Boltis Moore, of New York, who used it as a summer resort. At his death Mrs. Mary Hill bought it of his

built a stately mansion in 1856. Previous to this she had married Jacob M. Shorter. She spared neither money nor labor to make the place attractive, yet her poor health gave her but little opportunity to enjoy it. During her life she caused many marks of remem- brance to be made. She built the first Methodist church and parsonage at Bullville at her own ex- pense ; also expended much upon the burying- ground adjoining her estate. While the house was being built the place received the name "Pierce Valley," and is known as such to some extent now. Mrs. Shorter died in 1872, leaving the lwautiful home to her daughter Emma, who married Edwin Parme- lee, of Newburgh. They occupy it now. William's farm is now owned by Mrs. Brinkerhoff. Henry L. Haight bought Robert's, and lives upon it. These farms are one and a half miles from Circleville.

Millsburgh is a ridge of land running from Scotch- town towards Bullville, and was bought by Jacob Mills, of Little Britain. This wild tract of land con- sisted of 1700 acres ; his grandsons own the most of it now; he lived upon it many years, and built several houses for his sons.

Ilis children were Jonathan, lived near Blooming- burgh ; Samuel, lived where his son Albert now lives ; Jacob, lived at Scotchtown; Hezekiah D., lived at Wallkill; Wickham, moved to Long Island ; Charles, of Millsburgh, died from a fall; Mrs. Thomas Bull, whose husband owned and founded Bullville; Mrs. Jonathan Hawkins, of Hamptonburgh ; Mrs. John Gale, of Milo; Catharine, never married; Mrs. Samuel White, Scotchtown.

The only survivor of this family is Hezekiah D., who is now eighty-seven years old. He has lived under every President ; was a captain during the war

Not many years after Wallkill was formed Mr. Taylor, of New York City, bought a patent of 700 acres. James Morrison and Henry Patterson bought the greater part of this, and lived upon their farms many years. Morrison sold his farm to Phineas Hulse and moved West. Hulse sold it in 1849 to Nathan J. Mills, who owns and ovenpies it now. When Henry Patterson died his farin was bought by William D. Hurtin, and is now owned by his heirs.

These farms adjoin the " Honey Pot" farm, also the " Bush" farm, which is now Circleville.

Patterson's family is still represented in Orange County, as the following will show. His children were Mrs. David Linderman ; Alexander, who never married ; Mrs. Peter Sears, of Coldenham ; Mrs. John B. Cox, of Middletown, who died Dec. 4, 1880, leaving two sons and two daughters in Middletown; John, heirs. She divided it into two parts for her sons, Wil- . married Arietta Bull, of Wallkill (he was killed by liam and Robert, reserving ten acres, upon which she ; the cars) ; Sally, who never married ; James M., who died in California; Henry, who married Catharine Harris, of Randall's Island (her grandfather owned the island). Ile lives in Harlem, and is seventy-nine years old, the youngest and last of the family.

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

History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 105

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