History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 25

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 25

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).

Wm. D. Dickey, Feb. 2, 1863; Nov. 2G, 1862; mustered out with regi- ment Oct. 31, 1863.

Marsbal Van Tile, April 27, 1863 ; Feb. 11, 1863; promoted to captain Sept. 14, 1863.

George R. Brainsted, Sept. 14, 1863; July 1, 1863; mustered out with regiment Oct. 31, 1863.

15 regiment Oct. 31, 1863.

1 Resigned

Deserter's

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Second Lieutenants.

Thomas P. Terwilliger, Feb. 2, 1863; Jan. 9, 1863; must. out with regi- ment Oct. 31, 1863.

Isaac N. Morehouse, Feb. 2, 1863; Nov. 17, 1862; mustered out with regi- ment Oct. 31, 1863.

James H. Anderson, Feb. 2, 1863 ; Jan. 20, 1863; promoted to quarter- master July 1, 1863.

George C. Marvin, Feb. 2, 1863; Jan. 20, 1863; mustered out with regi- ment Oct. 31, 1863.

Andrew J. Gilbert, Feb. 2, 1863; Nov. 14, 1862; mustered out with regi- ment Oct. 31, 1863.

Samuel C. Wilson, Feb. 2, 1863; Nov. 20, 1862; mustered out with regi- ment Oct. 31, 1863.

Peter Terwilliger, Feb, 2, 1863 ; Jan. 12, 1863; mustered out with regi- ment Oct. 31, 1863.

George W. Ilennion, Feb. 2, 1863 : Jan. 21, 1863; died Sept. 21, 1863, at Manassas Junction, Va.

Daniel Low, Jr., Feb. 2, 1863; Nov. 26, 1862; mustered out with regiment Oct. 31, 1863. .

George R. Brainsted, April 27, 1863; Feb. 11, 1863 ; promoted to first lien- tenant Sept. 14, 1863.

Bartley Brown, Sept. 14, 1863 ; July 1, 1863; mustered out with regiment Oct. 31, 1863.

Lester Genung, -; July 1, 1863; mustered out with regiment Oct. 31, 1863.

The records of the three regiments ( One Hundred and Sixty-sixth, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth, and One Hundred and Seventy-sixth ) are made more com- plete by adding that the One Hundred and Seventy- sixth was sent to the Department of the Gulf as part of the Nineteenth Corps, and participated in the Red River campaign in 1864; subsequently in Gen. Sheri- dan's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., in the summer and fall of the same year, and in Georgia and North Carolina in the winter and spring of 1865. Its nine months' men were mustered ont in Novem- ber, 1863, and the regiment finally April 27, 1866, having been kept in the field by its three years' men and drafted men and substitutes. A considerable percentage of the Orange County men were for three years. T. Henry Edsall, of Goshen, adjutant, was mustered out in November, 1863, but, with his com- rades from the county, had some rough experiences in Louisiana. A letter of June 26, 1863, states that after remaining at Brashear City for a month, the regiment was sent to Thibodeanx, where it was at- tacked by a force of cavalry, and lost ten killed and twenty wounded. They had the satisfaction of ront- ing the enemy (the Second Texas) and capturing thirty prisoners. The day succeeding this action (June 23d), learning of the approach of a vastly supe- rior force of the enemy, the regiment fell back to Brashear City, retreated from that place, and barely escaped to New Orleans without annihilation, one hundred and forty men only reaching the point of safety, the remainder having been taken prisoners. The casualties in Company D at Thibodeaux were Nelson Smith, corporal, of Chester, mortally wounded and taken prisoner; J. E. Redner, private, of Chester, wounded through the wrist ; William H. H. Hall, of Chester, wounded and taken prisoner; George Slan- son, of Monroe, wounded and taken prisoner ; S. K. Wood, sergeant, of Newburgh, accidentally wounded in jaw.

As in other cases, the names of the volunteers in the regiments named will be found in the town lists. In the official roster we recognize the names of the following officers :

T. Heory Edsall, adjutant, Dec. 18, 1862; mustered out by expiration of term Nov. 16, 1863.

Sprague K. Wood, sergeant ; promoted second lieutenant Dec. 21, 1863 ; first lieutenant, April 13, 1865; captaio, May 29, 1865; mustered out with regimeot April 27, 1866.

Joseph Goodsell, second lieutenant, Dec. 19, 1862; first lieutenant, Sept. 29, 1863 ; captain, Feb. 23, 1864 ; dismissed June 22, 1864 ; disability removed JaD. 17, 1865 ; resigned.

FIRST MOUNTED RIFLES-CO. C.

This company, known locally as the " Middletown Cavalry," was recruited by Morris 1. McCornal, at Middletown, as part of Col. Van Wyek's "Tenth Legion," in the autumn of 1861. It was detached from the Legion and mustered as Co. C, First Mounted Rifles, with ninety-five men. The officers were : Morris 1. McCornal, captain; Charles F. Allen, first lieu- tenant ; Arthur Hagen, second lieutenant; Ardice Robbins, orderly sergeant ; C. R. Smith, quartermaster sergeant. The company served its term of three years, and quite a number of its men re-enlisted. Lieuts. Allen and Smith resigned, and died in civil life since the war. Quartermaster-Sergeant Smith was promoted lieutenant, as were Sergts. James Eaton, Frank Mills, and Fred. Penney. Capt. McCornal resigned in 1862, and re-entered service in Fifteenth Cavalry in 1863.

SECOND REGIMENT CAVALRY (HARRIS LIGHT).

This regiment was organized at New York City to serve three years. The companies of which it was composed were raised in the counties of New York, Queens, Rensselaer, Washington, and Orange, in this State, and the regiment also included two companies from Connectieut and two from Indiana. The vol- unteers from Orange were mainly in Company B, of which Charles E. Morton, of New Windsor, was first lieutenant.

It was mustered into the United States service from Aug. 9, 1861, to Oct. 8, 1861. The original members were mustered out Sept. 10, 1864, and the veterans and recruits organized into four companies. During the months of September and October, 1864, eight new companies were raised in the central part of the State to serve one year. The regiment was mustered ont June 5, 1865.

The regiment was first known as the Seventh (Harris Light) New York State Volunteers, and was changed to Second Regiment ( Harris Light) Cavalry, New York Volunteers, Dec. 31, 1862. Alanson M. Randall, U.S. 1., was colonel of the regiment from November, 1864, to muster out in 1865. He was a native of Newburgh.

The names of those from Orange County who be- longed to this regiment may be found to some extent in the soldiers' lists at the close of the chapters upon the several towns.

103

ORANGE COUNTY IN THE REBELLION.

FIFTEENTH CAVALRY.

This regiment received some of its members from Orange County, but was largely from other parts of the State, the list of counties represented comprising Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Oneida, Chatauqua, Cat- taraugus, Genesee, Tompkins, and Erie. It was mus- tered into the service of the United States from Aug. 8, 1863, to Jan. 14, 1864. It was consolidated with the Sixth New York Cavalry June 17,. 1865, and the consolidated force was designated the Second New York Provisional Cavalry.

Recruits were obtained for the regiment in the fall and winter of 1863-64 by Capt. Morris I. McCornal, of Middletown, who had recruited the Middletown Cavalry, in 1861, for the Tenth Legion, and which was made a company of the First Mounted Rifles ; and also by Lieut. Charles H. Lyon, of Newburgh. McCornal was first lieutenant, Jan. 6, 1864; captain, Nov. 9, 1864; discharged by consolidation, June 17, 1865. Lyon was first lieutenant, Jan. 6, 1864; pro- moted adjutant, June 7, 1865, but not mustered ; dis- charged by consolidation, June 17, 1865. For names of volunteers see town lists.

FIFTEENTH HEAVY ARTILLERY-CO. M.

This company was recruited in the winter of 1863 -64. mainly in Orange County. It was mustered into service at Fort Lyon, Va., Feb. 3, 1864, with the fol- lowing officers: William D. Dickey, of Newburgh, captain ; Alfred Newbatt and Julius Niebergall, first lieutenants ; John Ritchie and Robert B. Keeler, of Newburgh, second lieutenants. It remained in Fort Lyon until March 27th, when it was ordered to Brandy Station, reported to the commanding officer of the Army of the Potomac, and was assigned to duty in the Artillery Reserve. The regiment was brigaded with the Sixth Heavy Artillery. They moved with the army on the 4th of May, acting as guard for the ammunition train until May 5th, -just one day,-when the regiment volunteered to "go in," and accordingly on the 6th it "went in," and participated in the battles of the 6th and 7th.

The battery participated in the siege of Yorktown, battles of Williamsburg, Savage's Station, Fair Oaks, and Malvern IIill; sustained the fire of a rebel bat- At this time the brigade was made a flying column, for the purpose of reinforcing any part of the line needing! assistance. In this capacity it passed through the sanguinary battles around Spottsylvania, at Laurel Hill, Todd's Tavern, and Haines' Tavern, and for its gallant eonduet in this last engagement was complimented by Gen. Meade in a general order. At the crossing of the North Anna River the regi- ment, though not actually engaged, yet sustained a very heavy fire, and lost severely in killed and tery at Harrisou's Landing ; was engaged in the siege of Suffolk, at Bermuda Hundred, and in action at Petersburg, Dutch Gap, Fort Harrison, Hatcher's Run, and Port Walthal. It was on garrison duty at Norfolk eighteen months; also at Fort Drewry, Man- chester, and Suffolk, and in the investment of Peters- burg and Richmond. Its first active service was on the 24th of May, 1862, near Seven Pines, where it was engaged with the batteries of the Washington (New Orleans) Artillery, and lost one man wounded, and wounded. At Bethesda Church and Tolopotomy , one horse killed. The enemy were exposed, and lost Creek it was engaged, and its numbers were here again greatly reduced.

While near Cold Harbor the brigade was perma- . engaged and driven back, and after Battery A, First nently attached to the Fifth Corps, and led the ad- vance of the army nntil the Chickahominy was crossed, and then acted as rear-guard from that river

until the James River was reached. On June 17th it arrived in front of Petersburg, and took part in the numerous engagements which occurred near that city. On the 15th of August Capt. Dickey was placed in command of the Third Battalion, its commanding officer being incapacitated by sickness, and the com- mand of Company M fell upon Lieut. Ritchie, who led it through the bloody engagements that took place in the struggle for the possession of the Weldon Railroad, in one of which the company lost one-third of its men in killed and wounded. The regiment was again complimented by Gen. Meade for gallant conduct. The following are some of the engagements in which Company M specially participated : Peebles' Farm, or Poplar Spring, Chapel House, Hatcher's Run, the famous raid down the Weldon Railroad, Dabney's Mill, etc. The loss of the company in killed, wounded, and prisoners in their year of service was three officers and ninety-five men,-over half their number. It was mustered out in July, 1865.

The following promotions of members of Company M were made, viz .: Capt. William D. Dickey, to be major ; Second Lieuts. Keeler and Ritchie, to be first lieutenants ; Sergts. Joseph M. Dickey and Riemann, to be second lieutenants.

SEVENTH INDEPENDENT BATTERY.

The Seventh Independent Battery was recruited by Capt. Peter C. Regan as a part of the "Tenth Legion." It left Newburgh with the Legion on the 7th of No- vember, 1861 ; arrived in Washington on the 11th ; was organized as an independent battery Jan. 10, 1862, and assigned to Casey's division, subsequently Peck's division, and afterwards to the Seventh Corps. When the Eighteenth Corps was organized the bat- tery was included in it as part of the Second Division. It served also a short time in the Tenth Corps at Ber- muda Hundred. When mustered out it formed part of the artillery brigade of the Twenty-fourth Corps.

a considerable number in killed and wounded. At Fair Oaks, May 31st, after Casey's division had been N. Y. Artillery, had lost all its guns, and another bat- tery two guns, the Seventh was brought up and held the road for more than an hour without support.

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Here it had ten men killed and wounded, and thirty- seven horses killed, and lost a battery-wagon, forge, and one caisson, but recovered them the next day.

The battery was three times recruited by transfers from other organizations, veteran re-enlistments, and new recruits, and maintained an honorable record until the war closed. It was mustered out July 22, 1865. Its members from Orange County will be found in the town lists. The official roll of its commissioned officers is as follows, the first date given being that of commission, followed by the date of rank :

Captain.

Peter C. Regan, Jan. 10, 1862; Oct. 1, 1861 ; mnstered out with battery July 22, 1865.

First Lieutenanta.

Eugene Sheibner, Jan. 10, 1862; Nov. 15, 1861 ; resigned June 25, 1862. Abram Kniffin, Dec. 30, 1862 : Nov. 1, 1862; mustered out on expiration of service Oct. 26, 1864.

Marlin V. Mclntyre, June 14, 1862; Feb. 14, 1862; mustered ont with battery July 22, 1865.

Jobn S. Beunett, enlisted Ang. 15, 1×61 ; served two years; re-enlisted Oct. 23, 1863; promoted to first sergeant May 1, 1864; first lieu- tenant, Jan. 9, 1865 ; mustered out with battery July 22, 1865.

Second Lieutenants.

Abram Kniffin, Jan. 10, 1862; Oct. 1, 1861 ; promoted to first lieutenant Dec. 30, 1862.

Charles S. Ilarvell, Dec. 30, 1862; Nov. 1, 1862 ; mustered out on the ex- piration of his term of service Jan. 19, 1865.

Abram Smith, March 14, 1865; Feb. 25, 1865; mustered ont with battery July 22, 1865.

William H. Lee, Jan. 10, 1862; Oct. 2, 1861; resigned May 14, 1862. Edward Kelly, June 20, 1863; March 1, 1863 ; dismissed April 18, 1865. John B. Broseu, Jr., Dec. 29, 1864; Dec. 1, 1864 ; mustered out with bat- tery July 22, 1865.

FIRST REGIMENT OF ENGINEERS.

This regiment, known as Serrell's, was organized in New York City to serve three years. It was mus- tered into the service of the United States from Sept. 10, 1861, to Feb. 12, 1862. The original members, except veterans, were mustered out by detachments on the expiration of their terms of service, and the regiment, composed of veterans and recruits, retained in service until June 30, 1865, when it was mustered out in accordance with the orders of the War Depart- ment.

This was a large and important regiment in a neces- sary department of the service. It is said to have had from three hundred to four hundred men from Orange County. Some of their names may be found in the lists accompanying the chapters upon the several towns.

NINETY-EIGHTH REGIMENT-CO. C.

Company C, Ninety-eighth Regiment of infantry, was recruited mainly in Newburgh, in the winter of 1863-64, by Capt. James H. Anderson and Lieut. J. K. R. Oakley, then recently returned from a term of service in the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regi- ment. Lieut .- Col. Wead, then commanding the Ninety-eighth, proposed that a person should be se- lected for second lieutenant and a full company raised. Joseph A. Sneed, formerly of Company B, Third New York Infantry, was accordingly selected for second

lieutenant, and early in February, 1864, over eighty men reported for duty at Riker's Island.

On arriving at the rendezvous of the regiment, however, a difficulty arose. Col. Wead had intended to consolidate his smaller companies to make room for the new ones. To do this it was necessary to pro- cure an order from department headquarters. This order he was unable to obtain in time to take the field, and hence sixty of the Orange County recruits were assigned to Company C, making, with the thirty-five already in the company, ninety-five men, under com- mand of Capt. Anderson and Lients. Oakley and Sneed, and twenty-four men were assigned to Com- pany I, Capt. E. M. Allen.

The subsequent history of the company is, of course, blended with that of the regiment. At Drury's Bluff the regiment saved, by its coolness and firmness, the right wing of Gen. Butler's army from a very dan- gerous flank attack, which had already demoralized one brigade; at Cold Harbor, from June Ist to 12th, it was constantly under fire, and in the charges of the Ist and 3d lost over one hinudred men in killed and wounded. At Petersburg, June 15th, it charged and captured the outer line of works defending that city, and from that time until August was ahnost constantly under fire. The colors of the regiment were the first to be planted on Fort Harrison, September 29th, and it was the first regiment to enter Richmond after the evacuation by Lee's army, April 3, 1865. After the surrender it was on post and garrison duty at Rich- mond, Manchester, Burkesville, Danville, and other points in Virginia, until the 31st of August, when it was mustered out of service at Richmond.

Out of the eighty-four men who went out with Capt. Anderson, thirteen were killed or died of wounds re- ceived in action, twenty-three were wounded, more or less severely, and five died of disease contracted in the service. Capt. Anderson resigned, and was hon- orably discharged in September, 1864, on account of physical disability. Lieut. Sneed, having suffered some monthis from fever, resigned in January, 1865. From May 24th until November 19th the company was under command of Lieut. Oakley. He was then ap- pointed adjutant, and the command fell npon Orderly Sergt. Clark B. Colwell, who, on the 2d of December, received a commission as first lieutenant,-a well- earned promotion, and one that gave the greatest satis- faction. Lieut. Oakley was commissioned captain at the same time, but, preferring the position of adju- tant, did not muster.

The personal record of a very large percentage of the officers and privates of the volunteers under Capt. Anderson will be found in the Newburgh list.

MONEYS EXPENDED BY THE TOWNS AND BY THE COUNTY FOR WAR PURPOSES.

The following is an abstract of reports from super- visors of towns and treasurer of county, showing amount of moneys received for bounties and war ex-

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COMMERCIAL HISTORY.

penses, and from what sources received, in the years 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865.

Blooming-Grove .- From town taxes 1864, $10,000; 1865, $9900; from town loans 1863, $31,000; from State, through paymaster-general, $10,000; total, $60,900.

Chester .- From town taxes 1864, $7916.26; 1865, $9009.88; from town loans 1863, $4200; 1864, $21,200; from State (bonds), $11,866.53; total, $54,192.67.

Cornwall .- From town taxes, 1864, $69,200; total, $69,200.

Crawford .- From town taxes 1864, $7901.75; 1865, $18,258.02; from town loans 1864, $27,812.62; 1865, $15,992.50; from State, cash 8700, State bonds $13,000; interest on State bonds, $487.25; miscella- neous, $35; total, $84,187.12.

Deerpark .- From town taxes 1864, $19,465.50; 1865, at one time $24,092.39, at another $25,573.94; from town loans 1864, $146,950; from State, cash $26,900; total, $242,981.83.

Goshen .- From town taxes 1865, at one time $111.12, at another $9923.43; from town loans 1864, $40,096; 1865, 82800; from State, cash $4450, State bonds $25,000, interest on State bonds $782.50, other sources $70; total, $83,233.05.

Greenville .- From town taxes 1864, $4010.89 ; 1865, $6822.45; from town loans 1864, $25,159; 1865, $8132.50; from State, cash $2650, bonds $8000, inter- est on bonds $231.67.

Hamptonburgh .- From town taxes 1864, $21,000; total, $21,000.

Minisink .- From town taxes 1864, $1234.26; 1865, $7071.12; from town loans 1863, $118.70; 1864, $23,- 836.49; 1865, $12,288.94; from State, cash $4500, bonds $8000, interest on bonds $222.11; total, $57,- 271.62.

Monroe .- From town taxes 1864, $22,271.90; from town loans 1864, $66,420.84; 1865, $38,775.91; from State, cash $500, bonds $33,000 ; total, $160,968.65.

Montgomery .- From town taxes 1862, $3000; 1864, $54,250; total, $57,250.

Mount Hope .- From town taxes 1865, $11,034.68 ; from town loans 1864, $35,475; 1865, $4978.56; from State, cash $3400, bonds $8000; total, $62,888.24.

Newburgh .- From town taxes 1862, 824,931; 1864, $25,368 ; 1865, $21,538 ; from town loans 1862, $29,950 ; 1864, $180,550; 1865, $86,100; from State, bonds, $97,200; total, $465,637.

New Windsor .- From town taxes 1864, $2956.39; 1865, at one time $1650.45, at another $2221.84; from town loans 1864, $26,886.87 ; from State, cash $15,000; total, $48,715.55.

Wallkill .- From town taxes 1862, $4000; 1864, $91,100; total, $95,100.

Warwick .- From town taxes 1863, $2000; 1864, $11,960; 1865, $19,725; from town loans 1862, $2000; 1864, $71,575; 1865, 847,760; from State, cash $4300, bonds $40,000, interest on bonds $1750; total, $201,070.

Wawayanda .- From town loans 1864, $26,800; 1865, $12,450; from State, cash $4500, bonds $8000; total, $51,750.

Total for all the towns .- From town taxes 1862, $31,931; 1863, $2000; 1864, $348,634.95; 1865, $166,- 932.32; from town loans 1862, 831,950; 1863, $35,- 318.70; 1864, 8692,761.82; 1865, $229,278.41; from State, cash $76,900, bonds 8252,066.53, interest on bonds $3473.51, other sources $105; total, $1,87I,- 352.24.

By the County .- From taxes 1864, $1800; 1865, $90,649.50; from loans 1864, $421,000; total, $513,- 449.50.

Towns and County .- From taxes 1862, 831,931; 1863, $2000; 1864, $350,434.95; 1865, $257,581.82; from loans 1862, $31,950; 1863, $35,318.70; 1864, $1,113,761.82; 1865, $229,278.41; from State, cash $76,000, bonds $252,000.53, interest on bonds $3473.51, other sources $105; final total for towns and county, $2,384,801.74.

All these sums were raised by official action. The donations of supplies and the cash subscriptions (the latter especially heavy the first year) are not ineluded in the statement.

The draft exemption of three hundred dollars, paid by a large number, may also be taken into the ac- count, swelling the aggregate of the moneys expended for war purposes by the people of Orange to an im- mense sum.

CHAPTER IX.

COMMERCIAL HISTORY-ORIGINAL ROADS- TURNPIKES - RAILROADS AND CANALS- PLANK-ROADS-BANKING-AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL STATISTICS, ETC.

COMMERCIAL HISTORY.

FROM a very early period in its history the com- mercial business of the river towns of the county has been a feature of no small importance, although, viewed from the stand-point of a large commercial port, it would perhaps be regarded as scarcely worthy of notice. Introduced by the skippers of Holland, in the exchange of rum and trinkets for the beaver- skins of the Indians, it was subsequently prosecuted with advantage by the West India Company for half a century. From New York to Albany-New Am- sterdam to Fort Orange perhaps we should say- this company had but one trading-post, that at Wilt- wiek or Kingston, although there were no doubt points along the Hudson at which their trading vessels stopped for traffic. At a later period, and especially during the early years of English colonial administration, individual ventures were made in trading posts, which were conducted in form and manner familiar to many in connection with the present Indian tribes of the West, and perhaps with

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

quite as much fraud and debanchery. In 1686, David Toshack and his servant, Daniel Maskrig, from Scot- land, established one of these posts at the mouth of Murderer's Creek, and continued it until Toshack's death, ten years later. It is not improbable that this post became the foundation of the subsequent com- mercial business of the Ellisons at New Windsor. John Ellison, an immigrant from England in 1688, established himself as a merchant in New York, where, in 1703, he built a store and wharf at the foot of Little Queen Street. With sloops constructed for the purpose, he sent his goods up the Hudson for trade with the European settlers as well as with the In- dians, very much in the manner pursued by the Hol- land merchants who had preceded him. The old Murderer's Creek post was regularly visited, and at a later period the European settlers united in erecting, at what is now New Windsor village, a store- house for their mutual accommodation. Here they brought whatever they might have to sell or exchange and de- posited it until such time as the trading sloop should arrive, which may have been three or four times in a year or oftener. To a certain extent a banker as well as a merchant, Ellison loaned money to his cus- tomers, and among others to William Sutherland, in 1718, and took a mortgage on Sutherland's land, and soon after came into its possession. On the property thus acquired his son, Thomas Ellison, built a dock and store-honse as early as 1725, and established a regular sloop line from thence to his father's wharf at the foot of Little Queen Street. Similar ventures were made by others at different points in the limits of the present county, and especially at Newburgh, where a union store-honse was erected in 1730, and a sloop line established by Alexander Colden. Pre- cisely what constituted the products of the people of the county at that time is a matter of conjecture. Butter, pork, and grain, so many years staples, were probably the principal part of the yield of the farmers. The great business of the period, however, was lum- bering, for which avocation the dense woodlands in the vicinity of the river gave abundant opportunity for saw-mills and sturdy woodsmen, whose pathway is still marked by deserted mill privileges, and who found little difficulty in obtaining advances from the merchant traders. Very large for its times was the trade of Cadwalader Colden, Jr., of Coldenham, in this field of commercial enterprise. In 1767 it is written of the commerce of Newburgh that "many people from the back parts of the country bring their produce to send to New York, having at least three boats belonging to the place that constantly go from thence to New York and return back again with goods, which creates a very considerable trade."

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 25

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