History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 73

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 73

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Fire Department Fund .- In 1851 an incorporation of the fire department became necessary, in order to make available the provisions of an act of the Legis- lature, passed the previous year, requiring the pay- ment by insurance companies of a certain percentage of their receipts for the benefit of local fire depart- ments. To accomplish this object the several com- panies appointed committees, who agreed to the terms of an act of incorporation, which was submitted to the Legislature, and became a law July 1, 1851. This

act directed the organization of a board of trustees, composed of representatives from each company, to " manage the affairs and dispose of the funds of the corporation ;" and the corporation, by its by-laws, established a "Fire Department Fund," the income of which should be appropriated to the relief of indi- gent or disabled firemen, or their families, if such cases should arise. This fund, on July 24, 1851, amounted to $175.68; and, although repeatedly drawn upon for the purpose for which it was constituted, is now about $7000.

XIII .- NEWBURGH REGATTA ASSOCIATION.

The Newburgh Regatta Association was organized in the spring of 1837, through the exertions of Capt. Henry Robinson. Capt. Charles Ludlow was elected president, and J. J. Monell secretary. The first re- gatta took place June 27, 1837, when the following four-oared boats were entered, viz .:

1. "Gazelle," scarlet, red and white dress, red and white cap, New York.

2. " Highland Wave," black, white dress, blue and white cap, New- burglı.

3. "Gull," blue, blue and white dress, straw hat, New York.

4. " Wave," black, blue and white dress, blue and white cap, New York. 5. " Halcyon," green, green and white dress, blue and white cap, New York.

6. " Pearl," white, blue aud white checked dress, straw hat, New York. 7. " Minerva," East India Particular, red and white dress, red and white cap, New York.

8. "Corsair," black, green and white dress, red cap, Newburgh.

The distance rowed was five miles, and the time made by the winning boats as follows, viz. : " Wave," 32m. 38s. ; "Gull," 33m. 38s. ; "Corsair," 35m. The prizes were awarded by J. J. Monell, who delivered an appropriate address on the occasion.

The regatta of 1838 was for the benefit of the New- burgh Library Association. The following were the boats entered, viz. : "Galatea," "Highland Wave," "Corsair," and "Scilla." Time : "Galatea," 24m. 35s .; "Wave," 24m. 50s .; "Corsair," 25m. 46s. ; "Seilla," 27m. Another regatta was held in 1839, but the record has not been preserved.

The association was reorganized in 1856, and a re- gatta was held July 4th of that year. Three raees were run, viz. : By four-oared boats, double-seull boats, and single-scull boats. For the first race, the "W. H. Terboss," the "Jacob Swartzer," and the "Whitehall," of New York, and the "Witch of the Wave," of Cold Spring, were entered. The first prize was taken by the " Terboss" in 27 minutes, the second by the "Swartzer" in 273 minutes, and the third by the " Whitehall." For the second race, the "Enoch Carter," the "T. C. Ring," the "Geo. W. Shaw," the "S. Roach," and the "Fanny Fern" were entered. The first prize was won by the "Carter" in 30 minutes, the second by the "Ring," and the third by the " Shaw." The third race was won by the "Gale" in 36 minutes.

The regatta of the association on the 4th of July, 1857, was one of more than usual historie interest

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NEWBURGHI.

from the fact that it was the occasion of the debut of the famous oarsmen, Joshua and William H. Ward. The race was a double scull, and the distance full for miles. The Wards rowed iu the " Fanny Fern," and carried off the first prize; time, 33 minutes and 30 seconds. The regattas of the association were among the first on the Hudson, and from them and the oars- men which they developed sprang, in a great measure, all the principal contests which have occurred in this country, whether local or international .*

XIV .- NEWBURGH HORTICULTURAL SO- CIETY.

The first horticultural society of Newburgh was organized Jan. 13, 1829,-Rev. John Brown, president; Selah Reeve and William Roe, vice-presidents; Aaron Belknap, treasurer; John W. Knevels, corresponding secretary ; Tooker Wygant, recording secretary. The first exhibition of the society was held Aug. 28, 1829, when premiums were awarded for twenty-four differ- ent kinds of culinary vegetables, and also for melons, grapes, peaches, and twenty specimens of flowers. The officers for the succeeding year were,-Rev. John Brown, president; David Ruggles and Charles Lud- low, vice-presidents ; the other officers remaining as during the previous year. The society continued annual exhibitions for several years, but ultimately ceased. Its successor, the Newburgh Bay Horticul- tural Society, was organized in 1862,-H. W. Sargeant, president ; Odell S. Hathaway and Robert Sterling, vice-presidents ; Alfred Post, treasurer ; E. W. Gray, recording secretary ; J. C. Rennison, corresponding secretary. The society has held annual and semi- annual exhibitions since its organization, and devel- oped a previously latent interest in the higher branches of garden culture.

XV .- CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, Etc. CHURCHES.

St. George's Episcopal .- The history of the first church (the German Lutheran), as well as that of the introduction of the Church of England, has been given elsewhere. The latter, as the successor to the income of the Glebe, continued its existence under the name of St. George's until 1775. During the Revolution it was without a rector, and at the close of the war it had become literally destroyed. On Nov. 4, 1805, the church was reorganized under the old name of St. George's, and Rev. Cave Jones was indneted as rector. "So fearfully small," says Dr. Brown, " was the number of her friends here that it was found necessary to resort to the neighboring parishes for a sufficient number even to form an in- corporation." At this time the special purpose of

the reorganization was a legal one, such a step being deemed necessary in order to a recovery of the old church and Glebe. Of the trial at law which ensued it is unnecessary to speak, as a full account of it is given in a previous chapter. The following is the record of the reorganization :

" Nov. 4, 1805 .- At a meeting of the persone attached to the l'rotestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, it was unanimously agreed that the Protestaut Episcopal Church of the parish of Newburgh should be known, as heretofore, by the name of St. George's Church; and that the election for church wardens and vestrymen of said church should be held annually on Tuesday in Easter week at the Protestant Episcopal church, on the German Patent, in the said parish of New- burgh.

" The following wardens and vestrymen were elected: Arthur Smith and George Merritt, wardens; Wor. W. Sackett, Gilbert Colden Willet, Samuel Floyd, Thos. Carskadden, John Garrit, David Fowler, Henry Caldwell, and Justin Foot, vestrymen ; and Jonathan Fisk aod Joseph Hoffman, trustees of the Glebe."

" Jan. 28, 1806 .- On motion, Resolved, That Mr. Sackett, Mr. Fisk, and Mr. Carskadden be a committee to wait on Mr. Foster for his consent that our minister, next time he preaches in this parish, preach in the academy.

"On motion, Resolved, That Mr. Fisk, Mr. Hoffman, and Mr. Carskad- den be a committee to open and repair St. George's church in this parish." (The old Lutheran church.)

" April 8, 1806 .- At a meeting of the wardens and vestrymen of St. George's Church, in the parish of Newburgh, held on Tuesday, the 8th day of April, 1806, at the house of Robt. R. Dolph, in the parish of New- burgh, for the purpose of electing two wardens and eight vestrymen : George Merritt in the chair : J. Fisk, clerk. The following were chosen : Henry Caldwell and David Fowler, wardens; Wm. W. Sackett, G. C. Willet, Samuel Floyd, Thos. Carskadden, Justin Foote, Francis Smith, John Garrit, and Wm. Taylor, vestrymeu.

"On motion, Resolved, That Mr. Fisk be clerk to the vestry and war- deos.

"On motion, Resolved, That Henry Caldwell be treasurer of this church.

"On motion, Resolved, That Messrs. Floyd, Hoffman, Fowler, and Wil- let be a committee to procure subscriptions and solicit donations for the purpose of enabling the church to support a clergyman.

" Mr. Graham and Mr. Colden, a committee from St. Andrew's, applied to St. George's to ascertain if this church will unite with them in the support of a clergyman. On motion, Resolved, That this church will noite with St. Andrew's in the support of a clergyman ; and that Mr. Fowler, Mr. Caldwell, and Mr. Fisk be a committee to coufer with the said committee from St. Andrew's, and conclude the terms on which such clergyman shall be employed by our united support, and that the said committee also confer with the Episcopal Church at Goshen and ascer- taio if that church will unite with this and St. Andrew's to support a clergyman."

"July 28, 1806 .- Committee on pastor reported that they had not been able to nieet with committees from St. Andrew's aod Goshen.

" Aug. 4, 1806 .- Committee reported that the church at Goshen, St. Andrew's, New Windsor, and Newburgh had agreed to noite in sup- porting a clergyman."

The pastor whose services were secured under the agreement of Angust 4th, above quoted, was the Rev. Frederick Van Horne, who resided at St. Andrew's (at the time probably the strongest congregation in the proposed circuit), who continued in that capacity nntil 1809, when he removed to Ballston. The Rev. Mr. Mackin succeeded him, but remained in the field only a few months ; and during the next year (1810) an engagement was made with Rev. Mr. Powell, rector of St. Andrew's, Coldenham, by St. George's Church, for the one-third of his time. This state of things continued until 1815, when the Rev. Dr. John Brown entered upon the duties of rector of St. George's

* The Ward brothers, William Il., Joshua, Gilbert, und Ellis F., de- feated two picked English crews in the international regatta at Saratoga, Sept. 11, 1871. Joehna was the winner of the champion belt in the con- test off Staten Island, Oct. 11, 1859. Walter Brown and John Ilancon were also pupils io the regattas of the association.

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Church, having preached his inaugural sermon on December 24th of that year. Dr. Brown, then only in deacon's orders, had just commenced his minis- terial labors in Trinity Church, Fishkill. By the ad- vice of the late Bishop IIobart, he was induced to perform a third service in Newburgh for many Sun- days in succession, during which period "the Holy Communion was administered for the first time in the parish since the Revolutionary war to the small number of three."* During the first year of Dr. Brown's inenmbency the number of persons con- firmed was 37, and 28 were admitted to the holy com- munion. Dr. Brown continued in full charge of the work of the parish until January, 1859, when Rev. Caleb S. Henry, D.D., was engaged as assistant min- ister, and served until March, 1861. In October, 1859, Rev. ITobart Chetwood was engaged in the same capacity, and served until June, 1860. He was succeeded in October by Rev. John W. Clark, who served until November, 1862, when the office was dis- continued. Revs. T. M. Riley, John F. Potter, John Downie, and Alexander Davidson successively served as assistants to the rector until October, 1868, when the Rev. Octavius Applegate was elected assistant minister with duties involving the active rectorship. Dr. Brown resigned in 1880, but holds the honorary position of Rector Emeritus; Mr. Applegate that of Rector.

The first edifice occupied by the congregation of St. George's was, as before mentioned, the one erected by the Lutherans, and long known as the old Glebe school-house. When the Episcopalians ceased to oceupy this church is uncertain, but it was probably very soon after the war of the Revolution began. In 1815 the congregation was temporarily accommo- dated, through the kindness of the late Mr. Thomas Ellison, of New Windsor, in a building on Liberty Street, known as the MeIntosh house. Here it re- mained for some years. The church edifice (St. George's) was begun in 1816, and was consecrated by Bishop Hobart, Nov. 10, 1819. The increase of the congregation rendering more room necessary, a gal- lery was put up in 1826, and at the same time an organ was purchased. In 1834 the building was en- larged, and the steeple was added, in which a fine- toned bell was hung. The church was again enlarged and beautified in 1853, at an expense of $9000. At that time the tasteful and commodious Sunday- school room and vestry was built on the south side of the church. The church edifice is the Doric style of architecture. It has a front on Grand Street of 45

feet, and is 90 feet in depth. Its pews furnish accom- i land Academy (now the Home for the Friendless), on modations for 650 persons.

The accommodations furnished by the enlargement of the church, however, failed to meet the require- ments of the congregation, and in March, 1859, the

rector and vestry of St. George's purchased the edifice originally erected by the congregation of the Union Associate Reformed Church. This building was thoroughly refitted and improved in its archi- tecture, and in the following May it was consecrated for Episcopal worship under the name of St. John's chapel. The enterprise failed of success, and the building was (1864) sold for other purposes. In the mean time the necessity which its purchase was designed to supply had found accommodation in

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the organization of which sprang from a desire, on the part of several members of St. George's parish, to extend the influ- ence of the Episcopal faith over a field wider than that which it was thought could be successfully em- braced under a single church jurisdiction. The prop- osition to divide the old parish and erect an additional one was made in 1858, but no steps were then taken to accomplish that object. On May 12, 1860, the proposition was renewed, and a formal application was made to the rector of St. George's, in accordance with the laws of the Episcopal Church, for his official consent to the organization of a new congregation within the limits of his parish.

The application received the consent of the Rev. Dr. Brown, and the congregation of St. Paul's Church was soon after informally organized. On June 5th the members of the proposed new congregation ex- tended a unanimous call to the Rev. Hobart Chet- wood, at that time assistant minister of St. George's Church, to be their pastor. This call was accepted by Mr. Chetwood,-the acceptance to take effect at the termination of his engagement to the old parish, Nov. 1, 1860. By the subsequent action of the vestry of St. George's, Mr. Chetwood's connection with that parish ceased on June 23d, and on June 25th he con- sented to enter at once upon his duties as minister of St. Paul's. The organization of the church was com- pleted September 11th by the election of David M. Clarkson and William E. Warren, wardens, and F. C. Withers, Hiram Falls, H. H. Bell, William Bogert, R. V. K. Montfort, John Gordon, E. W. Gray, and G. J. Appleton, vestrymen. Mr. Chetwood exchanged with Rev. H. P. C. Melville during the winter of 1866. Rev. Dr. Lundy served as assistant minister from Sept. 1, 1867, to his death in April, 1868. Rev. Dr. Irving was his successor for six months. In June, 1872, Mr. Chetwood resigned the rectorship, and in September following Rev. Rufus Emery became his successor.

The first service of the church was held in the High- Sunday, July 1st. Within a fortnight after that date a lot was purchased on Grand Street, at a cost of $4100, and a contract entered into with Mr. John Little for the erection of a chapel. The building was opened for divine worship on the first Sunday in Oc- tober (Oct. 7, 1860). Its cost, including furniture, was about $2300. On June 1, 1864, the erection of a

* Dr. Brown was first located in New Windsor village. (See General History-" Churches.")

John Brown

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NEWBURGH.

church edifice was formally inaugurated, with the ex- press intention of prosecuting the undertaking to in- closure, leaving the nave, tower, etc., to the future. The corner-stone was laid on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 24, 1865, by Rev. John Brown, D.D., under ap- pointment of the bishop of the diocese. The build- ing, although in occupation and supplied with an organ, etc., awaits completion in the respects already mentioned. The expenditure so far made is about $35,000.

St. George's Mission .- St. George's Mission was be- gun June 4, 1871, in an upper room, called MeCon- key's Hall, on Western Avenue. In October following two floors of a tenement were engaged and fitted up for service as well as Sunday-school, which were con- tinued from Oct. 29, 1871, until Feb. 16, 1872, when the chapel, which had been erected in the mean time, was occupied. The cost of the chapel, including lot, was the only minister of his church on the west side furniture, etc., was $4353.16. Revs. Boss, Smith, and G. W. Hinkle have been the ministers in charge. of the Hudson between New York and Catskill. Under his rectorship the church edifice of St. George's parish was consecrated by Bishop Hobart, Nov. 10, 1819, and the subsequent repairs and alterations were made. His active individual work continued until Jannary, 1859, when an assistant minister was en- gaged, Dr. Brown retaining the rectorship. That state of affairs continues at the present writing (1881), at which time Rev. Octavius Applegate is the assistant

REV. JOHN BROWN, D.D .- Probably no man in Orange County is more widely known and revered for his many excellencies of character, and the devoted Christian work that he has done through a long series of years, than is the subject of this memoir. Born in New York City May 19, 1791, his collegiate training was obtained at Columbia College in that city, whence he was graduated in 1811, being the valedictorian of , minister, with duties involving the active rectorship. his class, and its last living representative to-day. Se- lecting the sacred ministry as his calling in life, he engaged in ecclesiastical studies under Bishop Ho- bart, and was ordained deacon of the Protestant Epis- copal Church at St. Paul's, New York, in 1812. At the request of the bishop he went to Trinity Church, Fishkill, which had then been without a rector for seventeen years, and reorganized the congregation. During the same period he was induced to hold a third service in Newburgh for many Sundays in succession, during which time "the Holy Com- munion was administered for the first time in the parish since the Revolutionary war to the small num- ber of three." In 1815 he was ordained priest by Bishop Hobart, at St. Paul's Church, New York, and during the same year removed to Newburgh, having received and accepted a call to St. George's Church of that city, an ecclesiastical body reaching back in its origin to the year 1729, at which time the first missionary was sent to that field by the English "So- ciety for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts." Dr. Brown preached his inaugural sermon on Dec. 24, 1815. He also reorganized St. Thomas' Church, New Windsor, and was chosen rector of that parish also, dividing his time between the two parishes until 1844, when he resigned the New Windsor charge.

tionary war, and its organization well-nigh effaced. A reorganization of the parish had been effected on Nov. 4, 1805, but only a slight degree of spiritual prosperity had been enjoyed up to the time of Dr. Brown's installation as rector. During the earlier years of his rectorship he performed a large amount of missionary work in this section of country, and exerted himself faithfully to the building up of his own parish and the extension of the Episcopal form of worship in other sections of the county. In this field he organized St. John's Church at Monticello, Grace Church at Middletown, and later the churches at Cornwall and Marlborough. He also revived the church at Goshen, St. Andrew's at Walden, St. Peter's at Peekskill, and St. Philip's at Garrison's, holding services at intervals in those places until the churches were able to support a minister. For many years he

The services of Dr. Brown in his own parish are more fully referred to in its history on preceding pages of this work. His life has been a singularly devoted one, full of self-sacrifice and of zeal in the cause of the Master. His influence has ever been exerted in the encouragement and support of the various benev- olent, educational, and philanthropie movements of the day, and to the maintenance and consecration of the institutions of his locality. Throughout the long passage of years, years fraught with many trying scenes, many sad vicissitudes, he has ever remained the same faithful, sincere friend, the same earnest ex- emplar of Christian devotion and simplicity. His spoken as well as printed discourses have ever breathed the spirit of a pure religion, and the good that has been accomplished by them is immeasurable. Now in his ninetieth year, the oldest minister of his de- nomination in the State, he can look back with satis- faction upon the record of a life well spent, conscious that he enjoys the respect and love not only of his own people but of the community at large, and calmly awaits the welcome call to the higher life beyond.

Aside from his services as a Christian minister, Dr. Brown has also been actively identified with other movements of a secular character in Newburgh. As a member of the board of trustees of the Newburgh Academy, and subsequently of the free schools, he performed valuable service, and as a member of fraternity, chaplain of the Nineteenth Regiment of Militia, and in connection with other local organiza-

When Dr. Brown entered upon the discharge of his duties as rector of St. George's Church a vast the Horticultural Society, chaplain of the Masonic amount of work required to be done. The prosperity of the church had been sadly affected by the Revolu-

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tions and enterprises, his labors have been arduous and efficient.

Dr. Brown married on Nov. 15, 1819, Frances Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Ludlow, the ceremony being performed by Bishop Hobart at St. George's Church. Mrs. Brown lived to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of her wedding, and died April 18, 1872. Six children were the issue of the union, namely, Mary, who married Daniel T. Rogers ; Margaret T. L., who married George W. Kerr, president of the Na- tional Bank of Newburgh; Augusta P., who married Moses Ely ; Helen ; Anna W., who married Eugene A. Brewster, a leading lawyer of Newburgh ; John Hobart ; and Charles L.

The Church of the Corner-Stone :- Aug. 8, 1875, Bishop Cummings, of the Reformed Protestant Epis- copal Church, held service in the American Reformed church, and on the evening of the 25th "The Church of the Corner-stone" was organized under the general statute of the State of New York, and the following officers elected : Wardens, Daniel T. Rogers and Walter C. Anthony ; Vestrymen, James G. Graham, J. Wilson Stratton, William J. Roe, Jr., George Middleton, Robert L. Case, James G. Birch, Edward Haigh. Benjamin F. Clark, secretary and treasurer ; James G. Birch, superintendent of Sabbath-school. Regular services were subsequently held in the lecture- room of the Associate Reformed church. Rev. Dr. Leacock was called to the rectorship in October, and entered at once upon the discharge of his duties. In November ground was broken for the erection of the church edifice on South Street; and on the 24th of i held for the purpose of organization are as follows : that month the contract for building was given to Thomas Dobin at $4969. The structure is of Gothic style, and has a frontage of 33 feet. Seating accom- modations are provided for about 250 persons. It was first occupied on Easter-Sunday (April 16), 1876.

First Presbyterian Church .- The adherents of the Presbyterian faith who first came to Newburgh were connected with the Bethlehem Church in Cornwall, which was founded about 1726. From this parent stem sprang the church of New Windsor, which was organized Sept. 14, 1764, when the sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Moffat, and Joseph Wood, William Lawrence, Samuel Brewster, and Henry Smith were chosen elders. The Rev. Timothy Johnes, afterwards and for many years pastor of the church of Morristown, N. J., was appointed stated supply of the church by the Presbytery of New York, and served in that capacity from May 5, 1766, until Oc- tober, 1767, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Francis Peppard, who remained until 1773. During the pastorate of Mr. Peppard the district was divided into four parts, viz .: Bethlehem or New Cornwall, Murderer's Creek, New Windsor, and Newburgh, in each of which trustees were appointed for the purpose of raising funds and taking charge of the temporal affairs of the church in their respective neighborhoods, thereby creating, as it were, four informal societies.

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 73

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