History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 130

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 130

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Virgil Seward was postmaster during the Taylor- Fillmore administration, and prior to him was Horace | Elliott for a long series of years. Between Mr. Seward's term and that of Mr. Elliott, Frederick A. Hoyt was postmaster for a time.

HOTELS .- The Occidental is conveniently situated, near to the depot, and reached quickly without cross- ing the railroad,-a point of considerable importance with the wide track of the Erie road and the numer- ous trains in the way. The present proprietor is Mr. A. Brownson, a gentleman of long and varied ex- perience in the management of hotels. Guests are sure of courteous attention, an excellent table, good rooms, and ready assistance to and from trains over all the roads. It is the favorite stopping-place of commercial travelers, of the board of supervisors, and of attendants upon courts.

The Orange County Hotel is further up-town. It has been a public-house back to the "time when the memory of man runneth not," and has had a long suecession of proprietors. It stands upon the site of the early court-house of 1738. It shares with the other hotels in the ordinary travel and the general business of the county-seat, and besides has quite a patronage from summer boarders, who like its dis- tance from the railroads and its consequent quiet.

The Erie, the Van Nort, and the Union are the other principal hotels of the village.

MAPES' CORNERS

is a village in the south part of the town, near Mount Lookout. It is situated on the old publie road lead- ing south from Goshen, and which afterwards became the "Plank Road." At the opening of the Pine Island Branch Railroad, Mapes' Corners was made a station. It bears the name of a well-known citizen of that place, as well as that of one of the oldest families.

COUNTY FARM.

The latest established post-office in the county dates from Jan. 26, 1880, and the postmistress is Miss C. Augusta Goodale. At this place is located the Orange County farm and the County House, the present superintendent being Harvey H. Goodale. (See chap- ter on county buildings.)

EAST DIVISION AND WEST DIVISION

are two terms found in early writings and continually recurring in all descriptions of the village of Goshen. They need to be clearly defined. The explanation is this: The oblong square known as the "township of Goshen" was divided into four parts, North Division,

East Division, South Division, and West Division. The names East and West have ever since been in frequent use, but North and South have not. That the latter existed is, however, clearly proved. In a deed of land given to encourage the settlement of the first blacksmith, bearing date July 17, 1721, it is re- cited that certain lands lying in the South Division are granted to William Thompson for the purpose of encouraging him to locate there.

VI .- SCHOOLS.

A large amount of information upon the schools of the town and the names of the school officers, such as we have given for other towns, cannot be obtained for Goshen in consequence of the loss of records, already mentioned. From the records of the late years which are preserved we obtain the names of most of the town superintendents : 1846, Benjamin F. Duryea ; 1847. Benjamin F. Dunning; 1848, Charles T. Jansen ; 1850, Benjamin F. Dunning ; 1852, Benjamin F. Dun- ning; 1854, John H. Thompson ; 1856, John H. Thompson. At this latter date the schools passed to the control of the district commissioners.

FARMERS' HALL ACADEMY .- A select school of a classical character was maintained for some years before the incorporation of an academy. Noah Web- ster, the subsequent author of the dictionary, was the first teacher of note. To meet the expense of his education he had resorted to teaching.

In his itinerancy as a pedagogue he came to Goshen, and is said to have been at that time poor, and com- paratively without friends. Indeed, it is a local tra- dition that be had but seventy-five cents left in his pocket after reaching there and securing a school. It is evident that he taught about one year. No list of the pupils is preserved who enjoyed the teaching of this afterwards illustrious lexicographer. He may have practiced upon them the lessons of his first spelling-book, for it was issued very soon after he left Goshen. On leaving he received from Hon. Henry Wisner the following note of introduction :

" GOSHEN, August 26, 1782. " Sık,-The bearer, Mr. Noah Webster, hns taught a grammar school for some time past in this place, much to the satisfaction of his employ- ers. He is now doing some business in the literary way, which will, in the opinion of good judges, be of great service to posterity. He being a stranger in New Jersey, may stand in need of assistance of some gentle- men with whom you are acquainted. lle is a young gentleman whose moral as well as political character is such as will render him worthy of your notice. Any favor which you may do him will be serving the pub- lic, and accepted as a favor done your friend and very humble servant, " HENRY WISNER.

" His Excellency GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON."

The school building in which Mr. Webster taught had been erected in 1773, not long after the court- house of that period. The builder is said to have been James Webster, a Scotch Highlander, who fought at the siege of Quebec. The school established was known as Farmers' Hall Academy, and was in- corporated by a charter bearing date April Ist, " in the fourteentli year of American independence." The

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

incorporators named in the instrument were William Thompson, Jesse Woodhull, Birdseye Young, John Carpenter, Phineas Case, Reuben Hopkins, Samuel Gale, Jonathan Swezey, Seth Marvin, John Hathorn, Henry Wisner, Elihu Marvin, Hezekiah Howell, Thomas Moffatt, Moses Phillips, Joseph Wood, James Carpenter, David Arnold, Coe Gale, James Denton, Anthony Carpenter, Timothy Dunning, Joseph Den- ton, Joshua Wells, Joshua Brown, Jr., Nathan Kerr, Henry Wisner, Jr., John Everett, Israel Wells.

The first principal of the academy was Benjamin C. Carpenter. He taught until Dec. 30, 1791. Mr. Minor appears to have been the next teacher, and he was followed by Johu K. Joline, whose service closed in 1808. The next principal was Abijah Carrington.

Horace Swezey became principal of Farmers' Hall. He remained until some time in 1828, when Mr. Rogers taught for one quarter first and then for a longer engagement to 1831. Vietor M. Watkins then became principal for two years.

In April, 1833, John C. Slack was employed, but left unexpectedly, and Nathan Stark, a former teacher, was employed. Nathaniel Webb then became prin- cipal of both schools for about two years. About 1837, Rev. B. Y. Morse was appointed, and made a longer stay than some of his predecessors. Stephen D. Bross, afterwards Lieutenant-Governor of Illinois, taught one year, commencing April 15, 1843. His successor was Henry Fitch, to Sept. 19, 1846.

Then David L. Towle became. principal, and con-

NATHANIEL WEBB.

He was succeeded by William Danielson, and on Oet. 15, 1815, Mr. Kenyon was appointed. He was fol- lowed by Joshua Boyd, for a few weeks only. About this time the Female Academy was established, and put under the care of the trustees of Farmers' Hall. William Ewen became the first principal.

John Decker, Jr., was appointed principal of Farm- ers' Hall, April 19, 1822. He remained only one term, and August 5th of that year Wm. C. Hasbrouck was placed in charge. He taught only a single term, and his successor, taking control in November, was Nathan Stark. He taught for some years, his labors closing Aug. 1, 1826.

Nathaniel Webb then taught for a few weeks, when he became a teacher in the female department, and

tinued eleven years. In the fall of 1857, Wm. H. Foster took charge and taught one year. Mr. Phil- lips followed for a short time, and then, Oct. 19, 1859, C. W. Davenport became principal.

Goshen Female Seminary was established in 1851 by those who preferred an independent school for girls to the Female Academy in connection with Farmers' Hall. Elizabeth Phillips was the first principal. Her successor was Julia Seward, and then Mrs. M. P. Bradley took charge of the seminary.

NATHANIEL WEBB, whose connection with the schools of Goshen is above noted, was the son of Ben- jamin, and grandson of Benjamin Webb. He was born on the old homestead farm near Middletown, N. Y., Aug. 16, 1798. His preparatory education was

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obtained in the academy of his native place, and he . about twenty, was commenced in 1849, and continued was graduated from Union College soon after reach- for some years. ing his majority. Ilis early inclinations were for the The Young Ladies' Institute was started in the old Washington Hotel by Prof. D. L. Towle, who had taught for some years in Farmers' Hall .* profession of the ministry, but ill health compelled him to relinquish his cherished desires in that direc- tion, and immediately after graduating he traveled in Miss Jennie Bishop at the present time maintains a select school in the village. the South for his health, which he partially recovered. Returning, for some time he was a teacher in the public school at Goshen.

He married, May, 1827, Lonisa, daughter of Xeno- phon and Abigail (Burr) Mead, of Wilton, Conn., and sister of Charles Mead, of Goshen. She was born June 20, 1802, and survives in 1881, well pre- served in body and mind. After his marriage Mr. Webb opened a private school at Middletown, which he continued for only six months, and for the follow- ing two years was principal of the academy of that place. He was afterwards principal of the academy at Montgomery for one year, and in 1831 opened a private female boarding-school in Goshen, which was the origin of the Female Seminary of that place, that obtained such a wide repute for high scholarship and moral influences. For thirteen years Mr. Webb de- voted his entire energies to the work of this school, and continued to teach and to take an interest in it until his death, which occurred April 20, 1855.

In 1843 he purchased the interest of J. W. Gott in the Democrat and Whig, and was afterwards, until his decease, associated with Charles Mead in editing and publishing that newspaper.

As a writer for his paper he possessed solid abili- ties, and a quiet, chastened humor, which lurked be- neath a terse and pleasant style. As a teacher he had both experience and judgment, and acquired and preserved the confidence and patronage of the public. His gentle manners, and the familiar sympathy which he exbibited towards his pupils, endeared him to both old and young, and wherever the fame of the Goshen Female Seminary reached, his name, as the scholarly, gentlemanly, efficient, and beloved teacher, was insep- arably connected with it.

He was emphatically a self-made man. Industry, honor, and sagacity were the implements with which he made himself useful to others and carved out an enviable reputation for himself.

As a man, he was foremost in every good work. As an instructor, his reputation is identified with the prosperity of some of our best schools. As the editor of a leading political journal, he acquired and judi- ciously wielded an extensive influence. As the superintendent or teacher of the Sunday-school, he became endeared to his pupils and fellow-teachers ; and as a Christian from early manhood, and an elder for many years in the Presbyterian Church of Goshen, he left a name for purity and holiness of life which shall long,

" Like the memory of the just,

Smell sweet, and blossom in the dust."

Daniel Wells' Classical School for boys, limited to

The Goshen Institute, an academic boarding and day school, is held in the ample rooms of the old Washington Hotel. It has had many successive pro- prietors. Prof. Joel Wilson is the present principal. He came to this place in January, 1877, and has been successful in maintaining an excellent school and se- curing a large number of pupils.

The present public school is simply the long-stand- ing organization of an ordinary school district. The building is of brick, arranged for three departments, and four teachers are employed,-Wellington McBride, principal; Mrs. Wellington McBride, Miss Sarah Houston, Miss Julia Kane, assistant teachers.

A school for colored scholars is maintained by the trustees of the district, Miss Elizabeth Drake teacher. The trustees at the present time are R. C. Coleman, N. J. Kelsey, and William E. Mapes, and the clerk is Charles G. Elliott.

VII .- CHURCHES.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GOSHEN

executed a certificate of incorporation May 19, 1784, in which the trustees named were William Bodle, John Steward, John Wood, Joshua Brown, Jr., Sam- uel Moffatt, Benjamin Conkling, David M. Westcott, James W. Wilkin, and Thomas Borland. The paper was signed by Saml. Carpenter and Reuben Hopkins.

There is ample evidence of a collateral nature to show that the church of Goshen was organized as early as 1721. The dates of legal papers conveying property to the church of Goshen, and the regular call and set- tlement of a pastor, establish this fact. There are, how- ever, no church records in possession of the society showing either facts, dates, or names for the succeed- ing sixty years. The founders of the church were doubtless in the main the founders of Goshen, and their names may be inferred from the list of early settlers, already given, and from the information which families of the present time have in relation to their ancestors, and this is all that can be given as to the names of members prior to the Revolution.

For some reason not now apparent, the above cer- tificate of May 19, 1784, was not considered sufficient, as another one appears in a few months, executed Dec. 7, 1784. The meeting effecting this organization was held at the meeting-house, and was called by Ben- jamin Gale and Samuel Carpenter, two of the elders of the church. The trustees chosen were Benjamin Gale, John Carpenter, John Steward, Reuben Hop-

* An expected article, showing the connection of these schools with those of the present time, has not reached ns.

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

kins, Peter Gale, Henry Wisner, Jr., James Carpen- ter, Joseph Wood, and Daniel Hall. The paper was verified before Judge William Allison.

At the laying of the corner-stone of the present house of worship, May 11, 1869, the pastor, Rev. Dr. Snodgrass, read the following paper :

"The congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Goshen have come together to-day-the 11th of May, 1869, at 3 o'clock P.M .- to lay the corner-stone of the third edifice erected by them for the worship of God. They have been in existence in an organized form since the year 1720: and are therefore in the one hundred and forty-ninth year of their age During this long period they have had Unt eight pastors, in addition to the present incumbent,-a number uausually small when compared with the number of years of which this period consiste. It makes the average length of time during which their pastors have lived and labored among them between sixteen and seventeen years.

" During the year 1720 there was preaching in the settlement occa- siopally by & clergyman whose name was Treat, and in 1721 a call was made upon the Rev. John Bradner, who accepted the invitation, and was installed during that year as the first pastor. He was ordained to the ministry in 1714, and was settled for some years before his removal to Goshen at Cape May, in the State of New Jersey. lle died in 1732, and his remains are with us to this day.

" Mr. Bradner was succeeded by the Rev. Silas Leonard, whose pastor- ate extended to the year 1754, and was terminated by his deceaso. He was succeeded hy the Rev. Abner Brush, who was installed in the fall of 1758, and whose term of office covered a period of between seven and eight years. Ilis connection with the congregation was dissolved by the Presbytery in May, 1766. In the fall of the same year Rev. Nathan Kerr was installed as pastor, and continued in office until his death in 1804, a period of nearly thirty-eight years. Rev. Isaac Lewis was called near the close of 1805, and was installed Jan. 1, 1806. llis pas- toral relation was dissolved in June, 1812. The Rev. Ezra Fisk, D.D.,* was called in June, 1812, entered upon his labors in August of the same year, and was installed April 21, 1814. He was dismissed on the second Tuesday in September, 1833, and died Dec. 14, 1834. Before his dismis- sion the pulpit was supplied for some time by Rev. John N. Lewis. Dr. Fisk was succeeded in the pastoral office by Rev. James R. Johnson, who was installed April 30, 1835, and was dismissed Oct. 17, 1839. The Rev. Robert McCartee, D.D., was installed May 6, 1840, and resigned his charge July 31, 1849. The present pastorate commenced shortly after- wards, and if continued, by the favor of Providence, till the 7th of No- vember next, will have reached the termination of its twentieth year.

" In 1724 & committee was appointed to superintend the erection of the first house of worship. There are no particulars on record as to the character, dimensions, or completion of this building, but it is well knowa to have been a wooden structure, and to have occupied the ground on which the court-house now stands. It seems to have been occupied for many years in a somewhat nafinished state, as measures

* The following inscription is on the stone over the vault belonging to the Presbyterian Church :

" Here repose the remains of Rev. John Bradner, a native of Scotland, the first Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Goshen. settled A.D. 1721. Died 1732."

" also of Rev. Nathan Ker, ITis successor, who preached the Gospel in this place for 38 years. Died December 14, 1804, aged 69 years." "also of

. Rev. Ezra Fisk, D.D., who was born Jan. 10, 1785, at Sherburne, in Massachusetts. Settled as Pastor of the Goshen Church Ang. 13, 1813. Died December 14, 1804, Aged 49 yeal s."

This vault was on the grounds of the church, a little southwest of the present edifice, and has been covered from sight in later years.

were taken, long after it was built, to have pews constructed in the gallery. With repairs and improvements from time to time, it continued to accommodate the congregation up to the year 1810. In January of that year a committee was appointed to take into consideration the pro- priety of erecting a new building. Their report, favorable to the meas- ure, was made, considered, and adopted on February 5th. On April 16th a committee was appointed to draft a plan, and the edifice in which we now worship was the result. An effort was first made to raise the neces- sary fuads by subscription, but this plan failing to produce a sufficient amount, was afterwards abandoned, and resort was had to a sale of pews in the contemplated building, which took place on the last Thursday in December, 1810.

" The structure took rank among the best and most expensive church buildings of its time. The plan in the main, and especially that of the pulpit, was taken from the Second Presbyterian Church in Philadel- phia, worshiping at that time at the corner of Second and Arch Streets. Its cost was $14,500. It was completed early in 1813, and was dedicated in August of that year. During the fifty-six years of its existence there have been but few Sabbaths on which it has not been opened for the worship of God and the news of salvation published within its walls. It is now waxing old, and is about to vanish away, but there cluster around it sacred memories that will not die as long as any of this gener- ation shall live. It has been the scene of some of the most remarkable displays of awakening and renewing grace which the churches in this land have witnessed. In addition to other seasons of unusual interest, during one year between 80 and 90 stood up within its walls to profese their faith in Christ, and during another, 120; of this latter number 104 were received into the communion of the church at one time, 55 of whom received the ordinance of baptism together.

" It is not, therefore, because we are wanting in veneration for the old church, or ingratitude for the service it has rendered in its day, that we propose soon to give it into the hands of those who are to demolish it, and thereby make room for the new structure which is rising by its side. For several years it has been too small to accommodate all who have desired to have & Sabbath-home under its roof. At the same time the impression has become general that something more in accordance with the architectural improvements of the last half-century is demanded by a due regard to the past history and present character of the congrega- tion, to the prominence, amplitude, and beauty of this plot of ground on which they have always been accustomed to meet for the worship of God, and to the favorabile influence which an ample, commodious, and even beautiful house of worship in this locality may be expected to exert upon the interests of morality and religion in this community and in the country aronad. It was therefore declared by the congregation, in a resolution passed July 21, 1866, to be ' proper and expedient that a new church edifice be built.' Since that time the object aimed at in this resolution has been kept in view. Various consultations have been had as to what the new structure should be as to its character and cost. It was important, on the one hand, not to undertake what the congregation were unable conveniently to accomplish ; and, on the other, to produce, if possible, a structure which would adorn and beautify the eligible ground on which it was to stand, and at the same time be best suited to the wants and conveniences of those who were to worship in it for years and perhaps for generations to come."

In pursuance of the plans submitted the new edifice was erected. The first contractor was W. A. Wilkison. The first ground was broken Sept. 7, 1868, and the first stone laid the 28th. On July 7, 1869, Mr. Wilkison abandoned the contract, sud Peter H. Terhune, of Binghamton, was employed to complete the edifice.

From the time Mr. Terhune took hold of the building of the church till the last stone was laid, in September, 1871, there was no cessation of the work.

The building committee were Rev. Dr. Win. D. Snodgrass, Rev. Dr. Johu A. Staats, Ellis A. Post, D. J. Steward, John E. Howell, R. M. Vail, and N. C. Sanford.

The trustees of the church were at that time Adamı H. Sinsabaugh, chairman; George M. Grier, clerk ; Stephen Smith, John C. Wallace, James S. Hopkins, Alfred Wells, George M. Sayer, George II. Crans, and Joha Wallace. The elders were Dr. John S. Crane, Hannibal M. ITop- kins, Adam G. Crans, Adam I Sinsabangh, John Valentine, and James G. Thompson.

The new edifice was built of blue limestone, cut on the grounds, and quarried from the Orange County farai, about four miles from the village. The doorways, windows, and copiags are of ilressed Syracuse stone, very closely resembling the dressed native limestone of which the upper por- tions of both towers are built. The main tower was 186 feet high from the ground. The bell, weighing with ite appurtenances about 4000

MIGn od grafs

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GOSHEN.

pounds, was about 120 feet from the ground. It was cast in froy, N. Y., and bears the inscription, " Holiness unto the Lord," The clock was sbont 130 feet from the ground, and a very excellent time-piece. It was made by George M. Stevens & Co., Boston, and cost, put up, $650. The body of the church is capable of seating 1000 persons very com- fortsbly. There is a gallery around both sides and the organ end of the church.

The organ occupies the western end of the church, in the gallery. The architectural design of the case is in conformity with the church, made throughont of solid black walunt, with gilded front pipes. The pulpit is in the eastern end. It is approached by three steps at either side, from within the church, and by side doors from vestibules connectiog with the two rear entrances. The communion table in front is of beautifully polisbed black walnut, and bears, in beautifully-carved letters of lighter colored wood, the inscription, " In remembrance of nie."

The ceiling is of wood, in panels, profusely ornamented with a variety of brilliant colors. The pews, pulpit, doors, wainscotings, etc., of the inside of the church are of solid black walnut. The outer doors are of heavy oak. At the eastern end of the galleries are illuminated texts in golden let- ters bearing these words : "Give unto the Lord the glory due uuto His name : bring an offering, and come into His coorts."-Ps. xcvi. 8. "O come, let us worship sud bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker."-Ps. xcv. G.

The windows are Gotbic, and are of beautiful stained glass, arranged in corresponding colors on opposite sides of the church. In addition to the many beautiful designs and arabesques in color, the windows have each some fitting symbol or ecclesiastical desigu at the top. Some of these are, we believe, for the first time now introduced into the architecture of a Presbyterian church. Certainly such designs in stained-glass windows would not have been adopted or dreamed of by Presbyterians fifty years ago, bot a wiser and more enlightened policy takes the good and beauti- ful in allegory, art, church, aud Bible history, aud keeps them as living symbols of the faith from which they spring. Among these emblems are the cross and crown, the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, the heart and hand, the trefoil and other emblems of the Trinity, and even an Agnus Dei. Behind the pulpit is a beautiful and large triplet window, in which the richest colors of all are found. On this window are nearly life-sized images of Christ, St. John (the beloved Apostle), St. Gabriel, and St. Michael. The colors also bear at the bottom of the window the following inscriptions : " Lo! I am with yon alway, even uuto the end." "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 130

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