History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 161

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 161

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In 1854 he represented the Second District of Orange County in the New York State Legislature; and in 1855 and 1856, and for fourteen consecutive years, from 1860, represented the town of Hamptonburgh in the board of supervisors, and was chairman of that body in 1865, 1869, and 1873. He is one of the trustees of the Goshen Savings-Bank, and has been a member and one of the trustees of the First Presbyterian Church of Hamptonburgh for many years.

Mr. Thompson is a man of active mind, and still re- tains an interest in the matters of the town and county of which he has formed a part. He married Lorinda, daughter of Robert D. Hunter, of Crawford, May 14, 1851, and of this union was born Robert O. Thompson. She died June 5, 1853. On Feb. 20, 1861, he married Mary A., daughter of John A. Wilbur, of Wallkill, and their children are Charles M., William M., and Mary Jennie.

633

HAMPTONBURGH.

finished, and the seam is very observable at this time. The Christopher Denne place (identical with the Indeed, there has been no time since built when it . Tusten place) is frequently alluded to in these pages. It is occupied by Mrs. G. W. Price. Mrs. Price is a daughter of Ezra Sanford, now living at the age of eighty-seven in Warwick. Her husband (now de- ceased) was from Warwiek also, and they settled here on the Tusten farm about 1838. Through her grand- parents, one or both from this neighborhood, she is well informed on the early traditions, and can relate many interesting ineidents of those times.

was not there. This is corroborated by reference to an old work entitled "The Life and Travels of Samuel Bownes, in 1726 and '27." Bownes was an English Quaker and came out to travel and visit his friends in the colonies, and while here attended the yearly meetings through New England. In Septem- ber, 1727, he was attending the yearly meeting in Rhode Island. Speaking of the conclusion of the meeting he says, "This evening as I was going to bed, about ten o'clock at night, there was an exceed- ing great earthquake, that made a noise like driving carts or wagons on an uneven causeway ; it continued about two minutes, to the great surprise of the people. It was felt about fifteen hundred miles as was after- wards computed, and as was thought, by calculation, was not quite three hours going that space."

William Bull died February, 1755, aged sixty- six. Sarah Wells, his wife, was born April 6, 1694, and died April 21, 1796, aged one hundred and two years and fifteen days. They were buried in the fam- ily yard at Hamptonburgh, in the grounds he gave for the purpose, and known as " Burying Hill." Her children by William Bull were John, born May 3, 1721, married Miss Holly, of Goshen ; William, born March 13, 1723, married Miss Booth, of Hampton- burgh ; Sarah, born Sept. 1, 1725, married Charles Booth, of Hamptonburgh ; Thomas, born Dee. 27, 1727, married Miss Kerr, of Florida ; Isaac, born Nov. 17, 1729, married Miss Mulliner, of Little Britain ; Esther, born May 29, 1731, married John Miller, of Montgomery ; Mary, born Feb. 3, 1733, married Ben- jamin Booth, of Hamptonburgh; Margaret, born May 1, 1736, married - Horton, of Goshen ; Cath- arine, born May 24, 1738, married James Faulkner, of Wallkill ; Ann, born Nov. 4, 1740, married Wm. Eager, of Neelytown; Richard, born May 29, 1743, married Miss Budd, of Goshen; Elinor, born March 4, 1745, married Henry Weller, of Montgomery.

The remarkable longevity of Mrs. Bull served to bring the events of the early settlements clearly to the knowledge of a comparatively late generation. She married, after the death of Wm. Bull, Johannes Miller, one of the earliest settlers of Montgomery. He died in 1782, and she survived him fourteen years. Truly a venerable relie of a former age, surviving in the midst of a wide circle of descendants and mar- riage connections. An orphan girl,-a foster-child,- in her history is exemplified the language of the Bible, "Thou settest the solitary in families."

The early settlement of this town is further shown in the full and valuable records given in the chapters upon those towns from which it was formed. To these reference must be made for additional names. The early papers in the General History and in the town chapters of Montgomery, Wallkill, Cornwall, Bloom- ing-Grove, New Windsor, and Goshen, all throw more or less light upon the settlement of this territory.

IV .- ORGANIZATION.

This town was formed from Goshen, Blooming- Grove, Montgomery, New Windsor, and Wallkill in 1830. The following proceedings took place at the first town-meeting, held April 5, 1831 :

" At the annual town-meeting for the town of Hamptonburgh, held at Charles Heards', pursuant to the act erecting said town, April 5, 183], James D. Bull was appointed clerk of said meeting, pro tem. Hezekiah Watkins and Benjamin Brown were appointed to associate with Morri- son Taylor, Esq., inspectors of said town-meeting, and to conduct the business. The following resolutions were adopted :

" Resolred, That the next annual town-meeting be held on the first Tuesday of April next, and that said town-meeting be held at the house of James Mapes.

" Resolved, That there be three assessors for the ensning year.

" Resolved, That there be three constables for the ensuing year.

" Resolved, That fence-viewers have one dollar per day.

" Resolved, That commissioners and inspectors of common schools have one dollar per day for their services.

" Resolved, That the collector have three per cent. for collecting the taxes.

" Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to draft by-laws, and that Stephen Ingersoll, Hezekiah Watkins, Jr., John McBride, Henry P. Ilopkins be said committee.

" Resolved, That the sum of $250 be raised for the support of bridges.

" Resolved, That every man's yard shall be his pound.

" The following persons were elected town officers :

"Supervisor, Stephen Ingersoll; Town Clerk, Ebenezer Bull; Asses- sors, Capt. William Jackson, John McBride, John Barker ; Commission- ers of Highways, Stephen Ingersoll, Hezekiah Watkins, William Jack . son ; Commissioners of Common Schools, Ebenezer Bull, Robert C. Hunter, Vincent Booth ; Inspectore of Common Schools, James D. Bull, Barto Wright, John McCord; Overseers of the Poor, William Conning, John B. Horton ; Collector, Andrew L. McCord; Justices of the Peace, Henry Pierson, Morrison Taylor, Stephen Ingersoll, Benjamin Brown Constables, Samnel B. Laroe, Edward Drake, Milton Bobertson."

The road districts were thirty-one in number, and the following overseers were appointed ; and the days' work assessed upon each district are shown by the numbers attached to the names :

Days'

No.

Days' Work.

No.

Work.

1. Gilbert I'. Hopkins. 42

17. Stephen Ingersoll 61

2. l'hilip Crist. 60

18. James Strong.

3. Ilorace Seward. 37

19. Henry PiersoIl 76

4. Williaoi Barker.

23 20. Oliver Thompson.

5. Andrew L. McCord

21. Joshua Thompson. 23

6. Giles Goodrich

22. Benjamin Mitchell

7. John B. Horton 29

23. Benjamin luise

8. William Heard. 19

24. Vincent Booth

9. Rumsey Coleman.

25. John Barker,

57 28

11. Moses T. Ilnlse. 26

27. Sammuel Birdsall

12. Fletcher M. Brooks. 022

28. Cupt. Wm. Jackson 47

13. James Townsend 21

29. Wm. Conning. 10

14, Alexander Scott. 17

30. John McCord 30

15. Samuel Brewster.

16. BenjamDio Brown. 5.8

31. Dewitt Decker. 26

10. Garret Thew 16

26. Valentine Hill

The following have been the principal town officers from 1830 to 1880:

654

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Supervisors.

Town Clerks.

1831-33

Stephen Ingersoll.

1834.

Benjamin Brown.

1$35-38

James Strong.

William L. Webb. James M. Brown.

1844

1845-46. Elijah C. Watson.

1817

W'm. Jackson.

1M .....

John Mc Bride.

1×49-50

W'm. Jackson.

1×51

Roswell Benedict.

Henry F. Brown.

1852-53

Vincent Booth.

Cromloin Brown.

1:55-56

Charles M. Thompson.

1857-59

Moses B. Wilkio.

1860-67

Charles M. Thompson.

1868 73.

Benjamio D. Brown.

1874-75

George Gouge.

David H1. Booth.

1876

Henry Seacord.

Emmet Helms.

1877-79

Samuel B. Hill.

Frank D. Case.

1880

David H. Thompson.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

1831, Morrison Taylor, Henry Pierson, Stepben Ingersoll, Benjamin Brown ; 1832, Morrison Taylor; 1833, Henry Pierson ; 1834, Stephen Ingersoll: 1835, Vincent Booth; 1836, David W. Corwin; 1837, Ilenry Pierson ; 1838, Alexander Scott; 1839, Hudson Webb: 1840, Charles B. Tuthill; 1841, Joseph Case ; 1842, Alexander Scott, Oliver Thompson ; 1843, Hudson Webb; 1844, Wm. Jackson ; 1845, Benja- min Brown, Abel B. Watkins, Jr .; 1846, Oliver Thompson ; 1847. Hudson Webb; 1848, Abel B. Watkins, Jr .; 1849, Edward Dekay ; 1850, W'm. Monell : 1851, Hndsoo Webb: 1852, Abel B. Watkins ; 1853, Halstead Gurnee; 1854, Wm. Monell, Moses B. Wilkio ; 1855, Thomas W. Watkios, Moses B. Wilkin ; 1856, Vincent Booth, Albert G. Watkins ; 1857, Hudson Webb, Moses B. Wilkia, John M. Monell ; 1858, John M. Monell, John C. Carpenter ; 1859, Daniel T. Brown; 1860, Moses B. Wilkin ; 1861, Hudson Webb ; 1862, John MI. Monell; 1863, Daniel T. Brown ; 1864, Joseph C. Eager; 1865, Hudson Webb ; 1866, John M. Monell; 1867, Daniel T. Brown; 1868, John Brown ; 1869, George Pierson, Samuel B. Hill; 1870, Samuel B. Hill; 1871, Daniel T. Brown; 1872, John Brown; 1873, George Pierson ; 1874, Samuel B. Hill, Joseph C. Eager ; 1875, Daniel T. Brown, Joseph C. Eager; 1876, Joseph C. Eager ; 1877, John M. Monell ; 1878, David H. Booth, George Pierson ; 1879, George Pierson, Daniel T. Brown; 1880, Joseph C. Eager, Stephen I. Webb.

V .- VILLAGES. CAMPBELL HALL

is situated very nearly in the centre of the town, and is a station on the Wallkill Valley Railroad. Mr. Eager says of this place,-

" It was formerly the residence of Col. Campbell, and received its name io true English style. Col. Campbell was a Scotchman. His daughter, Mrs. Margaret Enstace, wife of Dr. Enstace, is mentioned by Mr. Eager as the lady who had few equals in dignity of mander, good sense, and lady-like deportment. Gen. Enstace, of the Revolutionary army of France, was a son of Dr. Eustace. Both be and his mother are said to have died in the vicinity of Newburgh sixty to seventy years ago."

In this connection we give the following paper :

The story of Campbell Hall is well worthy of pres- ervation. "Capt. Lachlin Campbell, of the isle of Islay, in North Britain," says Judge Jones, in his re- cently published " History of New York during the Revolutionary War," " encouraged by a proclamation issued by George Clark, Esq., then (1737) Lientenant- Governor of New York, with the advice of His Majesty's Council promising 30,000 acres of land ad- joining Lake George to any person who would under- take the immediate settlement of it, came to New York, viewed the land, and liked it mnch. He was begged by the Indians to settle there; they were struek and delighted with his Highland dress. The grant was promised in a public advertisement signed

by the Lieutenant-Governor himself. It was to be free of all charges, the king's quit-rents and the fees of surveying excepted. The faith of the government thus pledged, Campbell thought himself safe, re- turned to Scotland, sold his estate there, and at his own expense transported to New York 83 Protestant families, consisting of 483 men, besides women and children .* Private faith and public honor demanded the performance of a promise so solemnly made, to an nndertaking so expensive to himself and so benefi- eent to the colony. It, however, failed."

The Lientenant-Governor, notwithstanding his promise, together with Cadwallader Colden, James Alexander, and Philip Livingston, Esq., three of the Council, insisted each upon a share in the grant. Campbell, who was a man of spirit, would by no means consent. The letters patent were refused. Campbell applied to the General Assembly. They had no jurisdiction or power in matters of this kind. He then applied to the Board of Trade. This he found too expensive. He therefore left his immi- grants to themselvest (one of whom, John MeDou- gal, was the father of Gen. Alexander MeDongal of the American Revolution), and with the small re- mains of his fortune purchased a farm in Ulster (now Orange) County, built a honse, and gave it the name of Campbell Hall.

He was active, loyal, and spirited. When he heard of the rebellion in 1745 he took up his broadsword, went to New York, embarked for England, went to Scotland, served as a volunteer under the Duke of Cumberland, signalized himself in the battle of Cul- loden, saw the rebellion at an end and his native country at peace. He then returned to New York, went to Campbell Hall, and shortly after died. In regard to the descendants of Capt. Campbell very little is known to the writer of this article. He ap- pears to have had sons Donald, George, James, and danghters Rose, Lily, and Margaret (Mrs. Enstace). The latter had one son, Gen. J. J. Eustace, referred to by Mr. Eager.

Of the oldest, Donald, Judge Jones writes : " Donald was born at the Hall. He was a yonth when his father died. There were several children, the estate not large. Donald was therefore apprenticed to a mer- chant in New York. When his time was out lie went several voyages as a supercargo to the West Indies. By this means he made some money. When the war of 1755 broke out he was living in New York, and doing some little business in a mercantile way. In 1756, Lord John Murray's Highland Regiment ar- rived. Among the officers Donald found several re- lations. He was young, active, and sprightly. He

* By a petition ou file at Albany, it appears the immigrants came in three ships in 1738-40 .- Land Papers, xvi., page 142.

t So far as this relates to Capt. Campbell it is correct. After his death, however, a grant of 47,450 acres was made to eighty-three of the families who accompanied him. This graot was made May 21, 1764, and consti- tnted the town of Argyle, Washington Co.

1839-40. Robert C. Ilunter.

1:41-43

Hudson Webb.

Ebenezer Bull. Benjamin F. Brooks.

Robert Robertson. .4

1×54

Hudson Webb.

Daniel &Bull

DANIEL II. BULL is a lineal descendant of William Bull, who was born in England in 1689, and came to this country when a young man. By trade he was a mason, and built the old stone house in Hamptonburgh known as the " Bull Homestead" about 1720. Sarah Wells, the first white woman who came to Goshen township, was his wife, and it is from this an- cestry that most of the people in the United States who bear the name of Bull are deseended.

Their descendants in the first generation were John, William, Sarah, Thomas, Isaac, Esther, Mary, Margaret, Catherine, Ann, Richard, and Eleanor. These children married and reared large families, and John, who was born in 1721 on the homestead, was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch.

Ilis wife was Hannah Holly, of Goshen, and they had children,-Ebenezer, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, William, Samuel, John, Richard, Daniel, Esther, and Crisse.

Richard, who was born in 1762, was the father of Daniel H. Bull. On April 12, 1800, he married Lena Harlow, and settled in Chester, at the Sugar Loaf Valley. He lived there as a farmer and miller until his death, on Jan. 5, 1846. Here also his children were born, -- Hannah (deceased), Jesse (whose biographieal sketch appears under the history of the town of Blooming-Grove), James, Harvey, Daniel II., Ira, and Charles W. (deceased).

Daniel H. Bull was born at the homestead, Dec. 11, 1806. He was carly taught by his father habits of industry on the farm and in the mill, and his educational advantages were confined to the schools of his native town.

On Jan. 8, 1840, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Kingsland) Board, of New Jersey, and of this union were born Harriet, who died Ang. 27, 1865, at the age of twenty-four years; Mary B., married John W. Harlow, a farmer of Wallkill; Sarah, died Ang. 6, 1865, at the age of twenty-one years; Anna L., who lives at home; Charles W., who died Aug. 23, 1865, in the nineteenth year of his age; and Richard, who lives at home.

The year after his marriage Mr. Bull left the homestead, and purchasing two hundred acres of land of James D. Bull, in the township of Hamptonburgh, moved upon it. There he has since resided, giving his attention and energies to his farm and fireside. He can see the result of his industry ; and his life, though unassum- ing, has been active and honest. Mr. Bull is a member of the Orange County Agricultural Society, and pays some attention to stock-raising.

Ile and his wife are members of the Hamp- tonburgh Presbyterian Church, and there the family attend. He is a fitting representative of a snecessful agrieulturist in the fourth generation of his paternal ancestor, William Bull.

655

HAMPTONBURGH.

quitted the business of a merchant, entered as a vol- unteer in this regiment, and served in a campaign or two. Whether he was ever promoted in this regi- ment I know not, but we find him a lieutenant in the Royal Americans at Quebec after its reduction in 1759. Upon the conclusion of the peace of 1763 Donald was reduced to half-pay, went to England, and presented a memorial to the crown, setting forth his father's sufferings, loyalty, and ill-usage, and praying a compensation for himself and family. The memorial was referred and recommended to the Gov- ernor of New York. Gen. Monkton, then Governor, i pass near Campbell Hall, thus securing increased rail- road facilities for this town.

laid it before his Council, who advised a grant of land. Letters patent were therefore issued, granting to Donald, as the eldest son, 20,000 acres of land, and to his mother, sisters, and brothers 20,000 acres more .* His business completed he returned to England, and, pretending a relationship to the Duke of Argyle, Lord London, and other heads of the Campbell family, he lived high, kept good company, and fre- quented all places of diversion. The result was that he was obliged to return to New York, where he mortgaged his estates to pay his debts.

" He was in New York when the rebellion (1775) broke out, and having little or nothing to lose, and much perhaps to gain, he entered heartily into the American cause. He was appointed deputy quarter- master in the American army, went with Montgomery into Canada, was at the siege of St. John's, at Mon- treal when it surrendered, and at Quebec. It is not known that he was otherwise actively engaged in the war. His half-pay from Great Britain was of course taken from him. He retired into the country, where he lived until his death. George, his brother, was a lieutenant in an old English regiment in America dur- ing the war of 1755. He afterwards went to India in a military station. When the rebellion broke out he returned to New York and became a lieutenant-colo- nel in Fanning's corps. Upon the reduction of Geor- gia by the British he went there, raised a regiment of horse, served during the war, and retired from the English army on half-pay of a lieutenant-colonel."

From this statement it will be seen that Campbell Hall is directly connected with some of the most im- portant periods in European and American history. It was a fighting family literally, and for three gener- ations at least maintained its reputation.

* Judge Jones says that at the time of the grantiog of this land Donald Campbell had a brother, George, two sisters, and a mother living. The petition on file at Albany (Jan. 5, 1763) contains the names of Donald, George, and James, while the grant recites the names of Donald Campbell, George Campbell, James Campbell, Rose Grahanı, Margaret Eustace, Lily Murray, and Allen Campbell, Jr., who together received 10,000 acres of Saratoga lands. An order of the king in conn- cil, May 13, 1764, gave Donald Campbell 30,000 acres additional, and Oct. 18, 1765, he received 2000 acres for his services as lieutenant in the Sev- enty-seventh Regiment. The grant of 1763 was extended (1772) to Don- ald Campbell, George Campbell, James Campbell, Rose Graham, Margaret Eustace, and Lily Murray, for 30,000 acres. In 1790, Donald, with the rank of colonel, claimed bounty-lands from New York for his services in tbe Revolution, and receive 1 5000 acres, now part of Peru, Clinton Co.

A post-office was established at Campbell Hall Jan. 30, 1869, and B. F. Decker was appointed postmas- ter. He has been the only incumbent of the office. Other business at this point may be mentioned, as the store of B. F. Decker ; tin-shop of F. D. Case; black- smith- and wagon-shop of F. Case ; the creamery of David HI. Thompson ; the new creamery now being erected by the Farmers' Association ; the railroad business, E. Helms, station agent. It is understood that the extension of the New York, Ontario and Western Railroad from Cornwall to Middletown is to

HAMPTONBURGH

is directly south of Campbell's Hall, and is the site of the settlement made by William Bull, as already stated. It is only four miles from Goshen, leaving but little trade or business to develop a village at that point. The one church of the town is located here, and with its parsonage constitutes the most important feature. There is a hotel by A. E. Hulse ; a black- smith-shop by the Rose Brothers, and a creamery owned by D. H. Thompson. There was formerly a store here, but there is none at the present time.

The old stone house where William Bull lived is a short distance from the village, and also the beautiful rounded hill where is located the early graveyard. A fine farming country lies round about this point.

NEELYTOWN

is the old and well-known neighborhood on both sides of the town line,-Montgomery and Hamptonburgh.

BURNSIDE

is a hamlet on the Otterkill, in the east part of the town, near the line of New Windsor. The place has been known as Otterville, but the name of Burnside being given to the post-office will gradually supersede the older name. There is at this place the grist-mill of Charles Rose, also a saw-mill owned by him, and a distillery by O. P. Hinckley. Charles Rose also has a store.

KIPP'S

is on the line of Goshen, and is a milk station upon the railroad. It also atfords an opportunity for pas- sengers to leave or take the cars in that neighborhood.

PURGATORY

is about one mile east of the Heard farm. In early times there was a dismal swamp of considerable ex- tent, through which ran a small sluggish stream. Over this there was a log bridge with a causeway on each side. The name is said to have been bestowed by Peter Bull as a proper descriptive term of this dubi- ous locality. Older residents who remember what a difficult road this was to travel, how easy it was to get into this place but how difficult to emerge in safety, appreciated the force of the name better than the present generation can.

656

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

PARADISE

was the sunny slope where Peter Bull above men- tioned lived. In his mind it was so pleasant a home, and the seat of so much enjoyment, that he denomi- nated it Paradise, as in the strongest possible con- trast with the dismal region beyond.

LAGRANGE

is the pleasant name bestowed upon the place which formerly bore the unpoetical designation of Goose- town. This old name originated in the fact that a large number of geese were raised in that neighbor- hood, and it elung to the place long after the geese had mostly disappeared. It was only removed by holding a formal town-meeting and deliberately se- leeting the new name in honor of General Lafayette. This did the work effectually, and the older name now lives only in the chronicles of the past, or on the irreverent lips of some scoffer. There is a hotel at the present time, J. P. Monell, proprietor.

The greatest celebrity of Lagrange results from the location there of the stock farm of Charles Backman. Here are kept some of the best horses in Orange County, or in the United States. The number of horses at this splendid establishment often rises to three hundred. The place is much visited by lovers of the turf. Not far away, near the banks of the Wallkill, is a race-course.

DECKER'S

is a small settlement in a beautiful part of the country on the road from Washingtonville to Goshen. Here the Messrs. Decker erected their manufactory, and from them the name is given to the locality. Settle- ment began in this vicinity as early perhaps as 1730, for soon after this, in 1744, it was a missionary station under the care of the London Missionary Society, with New Windsor and St. Andrew's. At that time it was called St. David's Corners, that being the name of the church located there. The building was put up after 1770, but never finished, and during the Revo- lutionary war was used as a hospital by the American forces. Shortly after that it was partly blown over, never rebuilt, and allowed to go to decay. Vincent Matthews was an early patron of this church, and after him Jonathan Brooks greatly aided it. John I. Brooks, of Blooming-Grove, in later years, and Fleteber M. Brooks, of Hamptonburgh, were de- seendants of the last-named gentleman. This place is now acquiring the name of Lincolndale. There is not, however, much to constitute a village.

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 161

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