History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 197

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 197

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erty. Mr. Goff then became a landlord, and con- tinued to be for a period of twenty-eight years one of the most popular hosts in the county. He then re- tired to private life, but retained his former residence. In all the relations of life Mr. Goff was an esteemed and influential citizen. Though not immediately connected with either of the religious denominations, he was a cheerful supporter of all churches, and con- tributed willingly to their advancement. He mani- fested much public spirit, and established a reputa- tion for soundness of judgment, both in matters of business and in the larger sphere of public life. MIr. Goff was a Democrat in his political views, and keenly alive to the success of his party, though never himself ambitious for office. The death of Mr. Goff occurred in Monroe, Feb. 13, 1881, in his eighty-first year; that of Mrs. Goff having taken place on Dec. 24, 1878.

GILBERT T. SMITH.

The paternal grandfather of Mr. Smith was Clark Smith, Esq., whose birth occurred at Cornwall-on- the-Hudson. His children were eleven in number,- Joseph, Asahel, Oliver, Clark, Isaac, Thoma», Rens- selaer, Elijah, Hannah, and two whose death occurred at an early age. Asahel, one of the older sons, was born at Woodbury, in the township of Monroe, where he resided until the age of manhood. At a later period he chose Turner's as a place of residence, and was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth, daughter

Peter. Po. Bu

JOHN GOFF.

Gilbert & Smith

J. HORTON THOMPSON.

The grandfather of Mr. Thompson was father of the subject of this biography, was born Dec. 22, 1792, at the home of his parents, where the early years of his life were spent. He served with credit in the war of 1812, and later followed farming pursuits, having removed in 1820 to Monroe, on the land now occupied by his son, George W. Thompson. Nathaniel Thompson was married, Jan. 22, 1818, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Jeremiah Horton, of Blooming- Grove, to whom two children were born, J. Horton and George W., both of whom reside in Monroe. The following mention of Mr. and George Thompson, who was of Irish parentage, and a resident of Blooming-Grove, in Orange County. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Gregory, of Monroe, and had children, -Abijah W., Nathaniel, James G., Hannah (Mrs. Gerret Duryea), Susan (Mrs. Nathaniel Racket), Mary (Mrs. Isaac Lee), Eunice (Mrs. David Case), Nancy (Mrs. Gen. Henry Duryea), and Elmira (Mrs. Oliver B. Tuthill). Mr. Thompson spent his life upon the homestead in Blooming-Grove, having been an energetic and exemplary citizen. His son Nathaniel, the . Mrs. Thompson appears in the Horton genea-

Horton Thompson

Jogical record : "Sarah Thompson was one of the excellent of the earth,-faithful, kind, ener- getie, and industrious, exemplifying Christian- ity in ber daily walk and conversation. She was ever sunshine for the family. Mr. Thomp- son was an upright, Christian man, who lived a life of usefulness." Their son, J. Horton, was born Jan. 13, 1821, in Monroe, and devoted his early years to school, and subsequently to labor, having engaged in teaching for a brief period. He was married Dec. 20, 1845, to Miss Mary, daughter of Samuel Webb, of Monroe, and is the parent of three daughters,-Sarah (Mrs.

Asahel Smith), Anna (now deceased), and Nancy.

Mr. Thompson after his marriage purchased his present home, and has since been extensively engaged in dairying. He has led an energetic life, which has been mainly devoted to the in- terests of his farm, having little taste for the dis- tractions and responsibilities of a public career. He is in his political predilections a stanch Re- publican, though not an aspirant for office.

In their religious preferences Mr. Thompson's family are Presbyterians, Mrs. Thompson being a member of the Presbyterian Church at Monroe.

The pioneer representative of the Thompson family probably left Ireland for a home in the New World at a very early date, and eventu- ally located in the township of Goshen, where he married. Among his children was Wil- liam, who was united in marriage to Miss Mittie Hudson, and had sons,-George, Robert, Phineas H., and Benjamin, and daughters,- Elizabeth and Keturah. Phincas H., who is the father of Isaac H. Thompson, was born in 1789, and spent his early years in labor upon the property of his father. His marriage to Miss Rachel Youngs, of Chester, occurred in 1812, and to this union eleven children were born, whose names are specified in an accom- panying sketch of Alexander Thompson. The birth of Isaac H., one of the sons, occurred April 11, 1827, in Monroe, where his time until manhood was spent in study at the public school of the neighborhood, or in cultivating the land owned by his father. At the age of eighteen he acquired the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and followed this avocation with more or less regularity for a period of thirty years. In 1870,

Mr. Thompson purchased the farm which is his present residence, and has since been extensively engaged in dairying. In this as in his previous occupation he has been successful, not so much from fortunate circumstances as from the devel- opment of those qualities which are the inevita- ble exponents of success. Mr. Thompson was united in marriage, Jan. 18, 1854, to Miss Eliz- abeth, daughter of Elmor Earl, of Monroe. They have four children,-Rachel (Mrs. W. S. Allen), Elmor, Eliza, and Virgil. Mr. Thomp- son at present fills the responsible office of superintendent of the Farmers' Creamery Asso- ciation, the buildings of which are located on his land.

He is a Democrat in politics, though seldom actively interested in the strifes of party, and has little ambition for official honors. He has nevertheless filled the office of highway com- missioner for successive terms.

In his religious preferences he is an attendant upon the ministrations of the Presbyterian Church at Monroe, of which Mrs. Thompson is a member.

Dames Wilkes

811

HIGHLANDS.

18, 1731 (Queensborough tract.)* Bradley Children, No. 1, 4290 acres, Oct. 30, 1749. Vincent and David Matthews, No. 2, 800 acres, Nov. 26, 1768. William and Edward Wilkin, No. 1, 1305 acres, April 15, 1768. John Osborne, No. 1, 1850 acres, March 14, 1775. Thomas Moore and Lewis Pintard, No. 2, 900 acres, Dec. 23, 1762. Smith and Wilkin, No. 3, 100 acres, April 15, 1768. Moore and Osborne, No. 2, 150 acres, March 14, 1775. Smith and Wilkin, No. 2, 190 acres, April 15, 1768. John Nelson, 550 acres, Oct. 4, 1752. Henry Townsend, 2000 acres. Thomas Smith, 250 acres, June 14, 1750. The Hassenclever & Co.'s tract, 1000 acres, in 1765.

II .- NATURAL FEATURES.

This town is rightly named. The range of hills from which it receives its designation extends along the whole river front, from below Fort Montgomery on the south to Cro' Nest on the north. They form so distinct a feature of the geological history of the county that their description is properly included in the chapter upon that subject, to which the reader is referred. The whole line is noted in history and romance, and in modern times has become the resort of hundreds of summer tourists, who seek health and pleasure upon the breezy heights, beside the crystal waters of the mountain ponds, or in the dark forest shades. Several small rivulets flow into the Hudson, one just south of Cro' Nest; a second at Washing- ton valley ; a third, the outlet of Bog Meadow Pond, at Highland Falls; a fourth some distance below ; and a fifth at Fort Montgomery. In the southwest part of the town are several rivulets which flow southward into the town of Monroe, and become tributaries of Poplopen's Creek, which empties into the Hudson just south of Highland, within the county of Rockland. The most noted ponds in High- lands are Bog Meadow Pond, Round Pond No. 1, Long Pond, and Cranberry Pond.

III .- EARLY SETTLEMENT.

In mentioning titles in and near West Point the date of the first grant is given as 1723, and this was obtained on the express condition that settlement should be made within three years. As this title was made valid, and became the foundation to the present title of the United States, actual settlement should be in- ferred. But the names of the settlers have not come down to the present time except as mentioned below. Major Boynton, in his work upon West Point, says,-

"The interval between the granting of the patents and the transfer of the titles, before described, down to the period at which the American Revolution commenced are blanks in historical literature. No traditions

even of early settlers are extant, and the probabilities are that, beyond a settlement made to secure a site or grant, West Point, being in a region of primary stratified rocks, heavily covered with drift deposita, and with- out a suitable soil for cultivation, remained a mere woodland tract, pos- sessing no higher value than attaches to similar adjoining pointe in the Highlands which have remained unsettled and uncultivated to this day."

It is however pretty certainly established that John Moore, the patentee, did locate upon his purchase, and very probably within the required three years, thus making the date of his removal here about 1725. His homestead was in what has since been called Washington Valley, and Gen. Washington is said to have occupied the same dwelling for a time. The house was afterwards destroyed, and a second one erected upon the same site was also long since taken down. The remains of the cellar are still visible, and this spot may undoubtedly be regarded as the point of first settlement within the limits of the pres- ent town of Highlands.

Of Mr. Moore's children there are not many facts now to be obtained. The family were inclined to be loyalists at the opening of the Revolution, and though it is evident they were not violent opposers of the American cause, from the fact that their lands were not confiscated, yet they went to Nova Scotia as the Revolutionary troubles thickened around them, and afterwards to North Carolina. There they became prominent in public affairs, one of them being elected Governor of that State. It was of Stephen Moore, of Caswell Co., N. C., that the United States bought West Point in 1790, as already mentioned. The names of Stephen Moore and James Moore appear in the town records of Cornwall between 1765 and 1775. A daughter of John Moore married Hngh McClellan some time before the Revolution or about the time of its commencement.

McClellan lived at West Point, or rather somewhat west towards the West Grove neighborhood. He was active in support of the American cause, whatever may have been the course of his immediate family connections. Many incidents are related of his per- sonal prowess, his prompt movements in times of dan- ger, and his daring bravery. Though not in the army as a soldier, he undoubtedly earned the right to be considered one by fighting "upon his own hook" everywhere around West Point and at all times. He was employed in hauling stone at the erection of Fort Putnam. On one occasion he crossed the river alone and brought powder to West Point at the imminent risk of capture and death. These are some of the traditional stories of his exploits, many of which are, perhaps, authentic.

The children of Mr. Mcclellan's first marriage re- moved to North Carolina some time after the war, -- perhaps at the time their relatives, the Moores, went to that State from Nova Scotia. Hugh MeClellan married for his second wife a daughter of the early Kronkhite family of West Grove. By this marriage there were two children, a son, who died in early or

* In the county clerk's office is this record :

" The following memorandum was entered at the request of Mr. Ga- briel Ludlow the first day of June, 1732: 'These are to certify to all per- sons whom it may concern that on the 25th of February, 1731, a treo was cnt on the east sido of the house of Gabriel Ludlow within twenty feet of the said house marked T V H.'"

812

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

middle life, leaving, however, a family of several chil- dren, and a daughter, who became the wife of James Denton. Mr. Denton was from Newburgh, but set- tled at West Point. A son of Mr. Denton, James Denton, Jr., is a merchant of Ilighland Falls at the present time, and another son, John Denton, is a : farmer, now residing on the well-known homestead of the Bull family, below Highland Falls.

It should be added that the claim made by James Denton, Sr., under the MeClellan occupancy, to which we have allnded in speaking of titles, was pressed in good faith, believing the title to be valid for whatever land Hugh MeClellan had actually occupied. The statement given above, while in the main correct, is nevertheless regarded by the family as the government side of the story. There are said to have been cer- tain papers showing that MeClellan had derived some rights direct from the Moore family-rights which were not reserved in deeding to the United States, but nevertheless antedated that transaction. Twenty-one years' undisputed possession, following upon a legal and permitted entry, is understood to have strong force in determining a title under the laws of New York, hence there was certainly some ground for the claim to rest upon. As a matter of fact, too, the suit for ejeetment was terminated by a compromise. The aged widow of Mcclellan was paid to surrender her claim, and if a decision was rendered against her it was only pro forma as the result of the settlement.

Still further traeing the story of early settlement, it is probable that Cornelius Swim was the first pio- neer oecnpant in the vicinity of Highland Falls. His homestead was the present place of Judge Charles Tracy. The Swim family had removed to this country from England about the year 1686, and as part of a colony settled on the east side of the river, opposite West Point, the location heing on what is now known as the Phillips property. They were offered a large traet there for ten cents an aere, but (as Cornelius Nelsou, our informant, quaintly observes) "they had not the ten cents," and therefore their title was not secured, and they were obliged to leave when another purchaser bought the tract at fifteen cents an acre.

The date when Cornelius Swim settled at what is now Highland Falls, does not appear to be known among his descendants, but it was at least some years prior to the Revolution, as his name appears in the town records of Cornwall, 1765 to 1775.

It is understood by Mrs. William Avery, a deseend- ant, that the father of Cornelius Swim was Albert Swim, and that he came to this side of the river also, but perhaps as an aged man in the family of Corne- lius. One of the sons of Cornelius was John Swim, and his children were six sons,-Albert, Andrew, John, Coruelius, William, and Samuel; also six daughters,-Mrs. Cashman, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Gar- rison, Mrs. Rose, Mrs. Fitch, and one who married, and moved West. Another son of the pioneer Cor- nelius was Cornelius, Jr., and there was at least one

daughter, who became Mrs. Cronk. Cornelius Swim, Sr., was killed by a British scout because he refused to divulge the place where certain army supplies were concealed.

Another early name is that of Cornelius Gee. He lived before the Revolution at West Point. The sharp angle, the exact "Poiut," is still known by his name. He was from the colouy already mentioned on the east side of the river. Of his children there are mentioned by a recent writer (Mr. Cornelius Nel- son), Jabez Gee and Mrs. Margaret Swim. It is of a member of the Gee family, "Aunt Sally Gee," that the traditional Highland "tea story" is told. It is well known that the basis of this now abund- aut beverage was a scarce article in Revolutionary days. The Gee family had, however, a half-pound of tea bought not long before the British assault on the Highland forts. At the time of the capture, and while the flames of Fort Montgomery were lighting up all this region, announcing the success of the British, " Aunt Sally," regarding all as lost, de- termined to have at least one good cup of tea before commencing the inevitable flight. Accordingly, she emptied the half-pound-the whole of it-into the old- fashioned tea-pot; but, alas! she had overdone the matter,-tlie beverage was too bitter for use.

Mr. Gee established, in company with Jacob Nelson, the old ferry of early times from "Gee's Point" to "Constitution Island." This is often mentioned in the annals of the Revolutionary struggle, and is usu- ally spoken of as " Nelson's Ferry." Mr. Nelson was a descendant of one of the colonists already men- tioned who settled on the Phillips property in 1686. Jacob Nelson, the associate of Mr. Gee in the ferry, was the son of Jacob Nelson, Sr. The children of Jacob Nelson, Jr., were Miphiboseth, Cornelius, Justus, Elisha, and three daughters, Mrs. Gabriel Odell, Mrs. John Warren, and Mrs. Peter Warren. A son of Miphiboseth, Cornelius Nelson, is the only member of the family who settled on the west side of the river. He came to Highland Falls in 1844. We are indebted to him for many of these items of early settlement. Jacob Nelson, Jr., managed the ferry business upon the east side of the river, and Cornelius Gee upon the west side.

Nelson's Point "opposite to Fort Arnold"* is mentioned by Gen. Washington in a report to Con- gress early in the year 1779, in which he calls atten- tion to the danger that the enemy might advance via " Continental village" and gain "Nelson's Point."

" Nelson's Ferry" is also mentioned in the accounts of the great celebration at West Point, May 31, 1782, in honor of the birth of the Dauphin of France. The Tenth Massachusetts Regiment is described as heing encamped in the cleared fields above Nelson's Ferry.

Early settlement in the West Grove neighborhood

* Afterwards named Fort Clinton.

813

HIGHLANDS.

dates back to about the time of the Revolution. An early pioneer was John Kronkhite .* He settled on what is now the Samnel Van Voorhees place. He had one son, Richard, and three daughters, Mrs. James Green, Mrs. James Wilkins, Mrs. Howell. The family were originally from Westchester County,

John Cronkhite, a son of Richard, is residing at the present time on a part of the old tract of his grandfather, and from him these and other items are obtained.

Moses Clark was also an early settler. His home- stead was the present place of his grandson, James Clark. The name of Moses Clark appears in the Cornwall records between 1765 and 1775, and if it relates to the Moses Clark of West Grove, would indicate his residence here before the Revolutionary war.

Tobias Weygant is mentioned by Mr. Cronkhite as another early settler of West Grove. His homestead passed to William Rose, to John S. Gilbert, and is now the Zint place. Tobias Weygant's name is also in the early Cornwall records, but the name was evidently a favorite one in the Weygant family, and may not prove that the West Grove Weygant was here before the Revolution.t

From the Cornwall records and from the names at- tached to the Revolutionary Articles of Association, we mention a few who were probably living on the territory of the present town of Highlands.

Thomas Collins lived in Highlands, on the Bergh property. Joseph Collins is also mentioned.

William Cooper was living near Fort Montgomery before the Revolution. Thomas Cooper, mentioned in the old records, was also in the same neighborhood.

Isaac Garrison's name appears in the old Cornwall records between 1765 and 1775. He lived about half- way from Highland Falls to Fort Montgomery, in the Middle Highlands neighborhood. He was the father of the well-known C. K. Garrison; also of Abram, Benjamin, Oliver. Jonas Garrison is also mentioned in the early records.

William Horton. The Horton family in early times were west of Fort Montgomery, south part of the town. Zaccheus Horton is also mentioned in the early records, and Thomas.

Maurice Havens. This family name was in High- lands, west part of the town, before the Revolution,

David June. The Junes were in the south part of what is now Highlands at later periods, along the Rockland County line, and that neighborhood is probably where this man lived.

D. Lancaster, mentioned before the Revolution, was doubtless on the present Lancaster place, on the line between Cornwall and Highlands.

Stephen Moore. This name appears in the Corn-

wall records, 1765 to 1775, and was probably the son of the patentee already mentioned.

John Parker's name appears in the records, 1765 to 1775. Hle lived, it is presumed, at West Grove, in this town.

Israel Rose lived at what is now called Highland Falls, He had a son Israel, who died at the age of seventy, about twelve years ago.

Samuel Rockwell lived in the Middle Highlands. He was the grandfather of Samuel Rockwell, who died about thirty years ago.

S. Sheldon, mentioned before the Revolution, probably lived at Fort Montgomery.

Birdseye Young. Mr. Cornelius Nelson states that the Young family were in Highlands at an early day.

James Stought (probably Vought), found in the Cornwall records, may have been in Highlands.

Generally speaking, the settlements in this town were along the Hudson and in the West Grove neigh- borhood. Only small tracts in the mountain portions of the town have been settled at any time.

Isaac Faurot, who died a few years since in this town at an advanced age, was a hand on the first steamboat that sailed up the Hudson, under the com- mand of Capt. Wiswell.

IV .- ORGANIZATION,

For many years the town of Cornwall had con- sisted of the thickly settled territory north of the mountains, and the localities around Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery far to the south. It was an un- natural, inconvenient alliance. To transact public official business together required the people of one part or the other to travel over long and difficult mountain roads, or to take a trip by the river, In- deed, to secure an attendance at town-meetings tre- quently required the chartering of a boat to transport the voters, and with a sharp political contest it must have required two boats, carrying different flags. All the town boards, assessors, road commissioners, over- seers of the poor, and town auditors could only meet at considerable sacrifice of time, and considerable trouble and expense. It was a very obvious necessity that led to a movement for a new town south of Cro' Nest,-a town that should consist of territory upon which the people might easily meet and transact the public business.

Accordingly the petition for a new town met with little opposition, and Highlands, the youngest of the towns of Orange County, was authorized to organize by the action of the board of supervisors at the an- nual meeting of 1872.

The first town-meeting was held the next spring, as shown by the following record :

At the first town-meeting held in the town of Highlands, Orange Co., N. Y., March 4, 1873, at the house of Charles Engleskireher, the following-named persons were elected town officers for the town of Highlands : Supervisor, William Avery ; Town Clerk,

* Many members of the family drop the final syllable at the present time, and K has given place to C.

+ Whether in Cornwall precinct or not Tobias Weygant was one of the sons of Michael Weygant, a settler at Newburgh in 1709.

814

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Henry Darcy ; Justices of the Peace, Wm. B. Mich- aels, Wm. C. Likely ; Collector, John Drew; Com- missioners of Highways, Jacob Foster, Isaac H. Meeks; Assessors, John G. W. Kronkhite, Joseph Montross; Overseers of the Poor, Michael Maher, John R. Springstead; Constables, Henry Laforge, Henry Birdsley, Oliver Cronk, Jabez A. Odell; In- speetors of Election, John J. Smith, John Boyle, George Stewart; Town Sealer, John A. Cook ; Game Constable, Henry Laforge ; Pound-master, Thomas Wilson.

The next town-meeting was voted to be held at the house of George Stephens.

The following have been the principal town officers from 1872 to 1880:

1873

Supervisors. William Avery. Jeremiah Drew.

Town Clerks. Henry Darcy. James C. Merritt.

1874.

1875

Henry Darcy

1876

John H. Smith.

1877-78.

Charles A. Mandigo.

1879

Anthony E. Miller.

1880

Charles A. Mandigo.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

1873, Wm. B. Michaels, Wm. C. Likely ; 1874, John II. Smith, William Faurot ; 1875, Wm. Avery ; 1876, Wm. B. Michaels; 1877, E. C. Car- penter; 1878, Oliver H. Cronk ; 1879, Wm. Avery ; 1880, Ezra Drew.

V .- VILLAGES. WEST POINT.

This place, having a national and world-wide repu- tation, is situated in Highlands. Here occurred those Revolutionary incidents that constitute such a wealth of patriotic associations. Here is located the military school of the nation, where have been educated the officers of our armies for a long series of years.

The place derives its name from the sharp point of land projecting into the Hudson from the west shore.

A post-office was established here at an early day. Maj. Roger Alden was the incumbent of the office for some years. Mr. Holt was a subsequent postmaster. In 1835, Prof. Claudius Berard was appointed to the office, and held it until his death in 1848. His widow was then named by the department, and she remained until 1870, a period of twenty-two years of long and careful service. The present incumbent, A. B. Berard, was appointed as her successor.

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 197

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