USA > New York > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 27
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282
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
In the statement of Nimham, the Indian sachem, it is seen that many persons settled at an early date on the eastern part of Philipse Patent as tenants of the Indians who claimed the land, or by their permission. The affidavit of Timothy Shaw? furnishes a very reliable list of some of the early settlers. Among these was George Hughson, who settled at the north end of Lake Mahopac about 1740 and probably on the farm which was held by his son, Robert Hughson, at the time of the Revolu- tion, and was bought by him from the commissioners of for- feiture in 1782.
About 1741 William and Uriah Hill came to the place after- ward known as Red Mills and began to clear a tract of land purchased of the Indians. Uriah is said to have made himself obnoxious to his dusky neighbors and was obliged to leave. William continued here and in 1765 purchased of Roger Morris and Mary his wife the tract on which he had made a settlement, and part of which is owned by his descendants at the present time.
Timothy Shaw3 made his home at the north end of the lake which from him took the name of Shaw's Pond, which it con- tinued to bear till modern times, when it was changed to the more romantic and musical title of Lake Gleneida. As in his affidavit made in 1767 he states that he was well acquainted with all the settlements that had been made in these parts within twenty-five years, it is evident that he must have been here as early as 1742, and he doubtless has the honor of being the first settler in the present village of Carmel.
The Myrrick family were also here at an early date, though the first of whom anything definite is known were Isaac and
1See Chapter on Wappinger Indians.
?See Chapter on Population.
3In an old burying ground on the Belden farm, at the southwest corner of Lake Gleneida, and where the slaves of the Belden family were buried, is a small enclosure surrounding a single grave and a head stone recording the death of Deborah Shaw, who died May 5th, 1824, aged 84. She was a white woman who lived with several families. She requested to be buried in that place because, as she said, " my ancestors lie there." It is probable that she was a daughter of Timothy Shaw and that a family burying place was there in early times.
4 Isaac was born about 1740, and died in May, 1812. He married Sarah, daughter of Caleb Hazen. Their children were: Jemima, wife of - Green; David, born December 18th, 1768, died 1863; John, born 1770, died 1812; Aris- tobulus, born 1774, died 1850; Samuel, born 1778, died 1812; Ada, wife of Thomas Smith; Mary: Naomi, wife of Foster Finch; Ezra, and Sarah.
283
TOWN OF CARMEL.
David Myrrick, who were doubtless of a second generation. A family named Tompkins were among the earliest residents in the western part of the town, north of Lake Mahopac. Wil. liam Wright, a Scotchman, lived south of Carmel village, on the present farm of George M. Hughson.
It will be remembered that at the time of the settlement and for many years after, the Philipse Patent was not surveyed, and these early inhabitants were simply squatters on unoccupied land, and made such arrangements with their Indian neighbors as they could. In the year 1754 the patent was surveyed and divided into lots, and Lot 6 (which includes the eastern part of this town) fell to Philip Philipse, and Lot 5 (which includes the western part) fell to Mary Philipse, afterward wife of Roger Morris. These two portions will be considered sepa- rately.
In the year 1762, Lot No. 6, which belonged to Philip Philipse, was surveyed and divided into farms of various sizes and leased to a large number of tenants, most of whom were in actual possession at that time. The descendants of many of these tenants are to be found here at the present day, while some families, once numerous, have moved away to other re- gions, or become extinct.
Among the names of the earliest settlers should be mentioned John Spragg, who was here in 1745, and whose house stood on the east line of the lot, where the residence of LeGrand Hugh- son now stands, on the road from Carmel to Brewster. A man named Wooden had a mill on the west branch of the Croton, while another, kept by one Kellogg, was probably on what was then called "Mill River," and now "Michael's Brook." And Silas Washburn also had a mill on the west branch of the Croton.
In the Field Book of Survey of Lot No. 6, made April 12th, 1762, by Benjamin Morgan, the following persons are men- tioned as living on that part of the lot which is now embraced in the town of Carmel: Daniel Taylor, Samuel Peters, Abraham Mabie, Daniel Taylor, Isaac Lounsbury, Joseph Bates, Thomas Baxter, Thomas Karl, Solomon Jenkins, Daniel Philips, Michael Sloat, Francis Brian, Thos. Ferguson, John Craft, James Sears, Eleazar Hamlin, Caleb Hazen, James Russell, Jesse Smith, Jonathan Hubby, Elisha Oakley, John Ganoung, Edward Ganoung, Joseph Ganoung, Russel Gregory,
284
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Joseph Bates, Timothy Gregory, Ebenezer Robinson,
Wooden, Kellogg, James Wilson, Hannah Fincli, Nathaniel Robinson, John Maybee, William Stone, Helkiah Brown, Philip Ruff, John Ruff, Isaac Peree, Uriah Lawrence, Abraham Hartwell, Caleb Brundage, Rev. Elnathan Gregory, Jeremiah Huston, Burbank, John Tompkins. Widow Kerkins, Thomas Crosby, John Merrick, Samuel Lucas, Matthew Bump, Wheaten Robinson, Bethiah Ballard, Silas Washburn, David Merrick, Seth Merrick, Moses Fowler, Daniel Townsend, William Merritt, John Sprages, Josiah Peck, Benjamin Barber, Samuel Gates, Isaac Merritt, Mercy Hopkins, John Barber, Thomas Philips, Esq., Jonathan Hopkins, Robert Fuller, Joseph Barber, John Paddock, Hezekiah Mead, David Barber, Samuel Peree, William Dean, Hezekiah Mead, Abigail Terry, Amos Fuller, Edsy Baker, Cornelius Fuller, John Travis, Eleazar Baker, John Purdy, Edmund Baker, Wm. Rapelyea, Benjamin Weed, Elisha Baker, Isaac Smith.
As stated before, these farms were leased to tenants. One of the original leases is yet in existence, and as a relic of antiquity it is here given in full :
"This Indenture made the Eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-six. Be- tween Philip Philipse of the City of New York of the one part and James Dickinson of the County of Dutchess in the province of New York of the other part. Witnesseth: That the said Philip Philipse for and in consideration of the sum of twenty pounds current money of New York, to him in hand paid by James Dickinson, the receipt whereof the said Philip Philipse doth hereby confess and acknowledge, and also in considera- tion of the rent and Covenant hereinafter Reserved and Con- tained, he the said Philip Philipse hath granted, Bargained, sold, delivered, enfeoffed, Released, Conveyed and Confirmed, and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, alien, enfeoff, Release, Convey and Confirm unto the said James Dickinson and his heirs and assigns forever. All that Messuage and tract of land, Situate, Lying and being on Philipse Patent in Dutchess County and Province of New York, that was formerly in possession of Thomas Crosby. Beginning at Shaw's Pond so called. Running Easterly in company with Silas Washburn's farm to Saw Mill River, from thence running Southwardly down said river in company with Matthew Bump's farm, so
285
TOWN OF CARMEL.
called, to Jeremiah Hughson's farm' from thence running westwardly in company with Jeremiah Hughson's farm to the Rev. Mr. Elnathan Gregory's farm,' from thence westwardly to John Merrick's farm, so called, from thence Northwardly in company with John Merrick's farm to the first mentioned bounds. Containing two hundred and ninety-two acres. In- cluding the dwelling houses, barn and saw mill, orchards, fences and appurtenances thereto belonging. Excepting and always reserving unto the said Philipse, his heirs and assigns, all mines, minerals and oares of metals that is on, or shall be found or discovered in or upon the said premises, or any part thereof.
" To Have and to Hold the said Messuage and premises here- by granted and conveyed, and every part thereof, with the ap- purtenances thereof, except as excepted, unto the said James Dickinson, his heirs and assigns to the only proper use and be- hoof of the said James Dickinson, his heirs and assigns for ever. Yielding and paying therefor yearly and every year unto the said Philip Philipse, his heirs and assigns the rent or sum of fourteen pounds, current money of New York at or upon the eighth day of August yearly and every year for ever, at the dwelling house of the said Philip Philipse, his heirs or assigns in the City of New York, if he or they shall reside in New York or at such other place in the City of New York as the said Philip Philipse, his heirs or assigns shall by writing direct and appoint, or if the said Philip Philipse, his heirs or assigns shall not reside in the city of New York, or shall not by writing di- rect and appoint any place in the City of New York for pay- ment thereof, then and in such case the said reserved rent shall be payable on the said granted premises. And if it shall hap- pen the said yearly rent and payment or any part thereof to be behind and unpaid in part or in all, by the space of twenty days next after the said time limited for payment thereof, on which the same ought to be paid, that then and from thence- forth it shall and may be Lawfull to and for the said Philip Philipse, his heirs and assigns, with the said premises with the appurtenances, or with any part thereof in the Name of the whole to re-enter and the same to have again, Reposess and en-
1 Now the farm of Addison Hopkins.
? Now the homestead of Lyman Craft (opposite Gilead burying ground) and land adjoining.
286
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
joy as his or their former estate, this present indenture or any thing therein contained to the contrary notwithstanding. And the said Philip Philpse, for himself and assigns, Doth coven- ant and grant to and with the said James Dickinson, his heirs, and assigns that for and notwithstanding any matter or thing by him the said Philip Philipse, done or committed to the contrary, he the said Philip Philipse, hath good right full power and law- full authority in his own right to grant, bargain, sell and con- vey the said premises above mentioned with the appurtenances unto the said James Dickinson, his heirs and assigns to the only proper use and behoof of the said James Dickinson, his heirs and assigns forever, according to the true Intent and meaning of these presents, and also that the said James Dickinson, his heirs and assigns shall and may from time to time and at all times henceforth forever hereafter by and under the said rent of fourteen ponnds herein contained, peaceably and quietly en- ter into and have, occupy and enjoy, all and singular the said Messuage and premises above mentioned with all the appurten- ances, and receive the profits thereof to his and their own use, without the denial of him the said Philip Philipse, his heirs or assigns, or any other persons whatsoever and that freed from all other bargains and Incumbrances whatsoever. And the said James Dickinson for himself, his heirs, executors and admin- istrators Doth covenant with the said Philip Philipse, his heirs and assigns that he the said James Dickinson his heirs, execu- tors, administrators and assigns shall and will well and truly pay or cause to be paid to the said Philip Philipse, his heirs or assigns the said yearly rent of fourteen pounds herein contained and reserved according to the true intent and meaning of these presents without any deduction, abatement or imposition of taxes either ordinary or extraordinary whatsoever.
"In Witness Whereof the parties to these presents Inden- tures, have interchangably set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.
"PHILIP PHILIPSE. (L. S.)
"Sealed and delivered "in the presence
" JOHN DICKINSON,
" DANIEL WRIGHT."
Such was the general form of a lease at that time. Of course the term of years varied in different cases from one year to
287
TOWN OF CARMEL.
perpetuity as in the above case. The farm thus leased includes the land where the railroad station at Carmel stands, the farm and homestead of Henry D. Clapp, the grounds of the Drew Ladies' Seminary, the Gilead Burying Ground, the present Presbyterian church and lands adjoining. The north line of the farm starts from the lake at the south line of the school house lot, and runs east along the north line of the Presby- terian church lot, the lands of Daniel W. Robinson and Char- lotte Hopkins, to the Michael's Brook or Saw Mill River as it was formerly called. It ran south along this brook to the present farm of Addison J. Hopkins, then west to the old road that used to run east from the Gilead Burying Ground; then along the old "Horse pound road " west to the corner. The farm of John Merrick lay on the west of the road (which ran some distance west of its present route) and is now owned by George W. Hughson. Upon the back of the original lease was endorsed the following :
"I, James Dickinson, do, for value received assign over all my right, title, claim and interest in the within lease unto John Wallace, jr., and Thomas Huggeford as witness my hand and seal this 23 day of April 1774.
" JAMES DICKINSON."
John Wallace transferred his interest to Mr. Nathan Pad- dock " beginning at a pile of stones by the highway, south of the house of James Dickinson and running east 16 chains and 30 links to a pile of stones; tlien north 12 degrees, west 20 chains and 60 links; then N. 773 degrees E. to the saw mill river; then up the stream till it comes to Samuel Washburn's farm; then westerly by Washburn's farm till it comes to John Merrick's farm; then southerly along John Merrick's farm to the first bounds, containing 170 acres more or less." 1 January 7th, 1785.
This is evidently the north part of the farm. Thomas Hug- geford "of Fairfield County, Connecticut," transferred all his right to James Dickinson, jr., April 13th, 1775.
A deed from Frederick Philipse to Elisha Cole dated Decem- ber 2d, 1828, recites the foregoing lease, and goes on to state that the farm had been divided and sold by subsequent owners, and that the rent had been charged to each part. The north
1 Original document in possession of O. W. Cole, Carmel. See Book " A " of Deeds, page 166, Putnam County Records.
288
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
part of the farm had come into the possession of Frederick Philipse (who was the heir of Philip Philipse) and the south part had come into the possession of Elisha Cole whereby he was liable for the annual rent of seven pounds, and by this deed Frederick Philipse, in consideration of the sum of $291.60 cents, released all his claim on the south half of the farm to Elisha Cole, with the following reservations :
"It is understood that the right to collect any part of the said rent from the trustees of the Gilead meeting house or society, or to distrain for the same upon the premises occupied for the said meeting house and burying ground attached thereto is
THE PHILIPSE MANOR HOUSE. From a drawing by Chas. H. Ludington, July 6th, 1846.
hereby reserved by the said Frederick Philipse to himself and his heirs." Upon the north half of this farm stood for many years a house said to have been built by Frederick Philipse after the Revolution, and in this mansion he resided when he came to visit his estate. This house stood on the east side of the present road about an eighth of a mile below the seminary. A row of lilac bushes mark the spot and have long survived the hand that planted them, and they are all that is left to remind the traveller that there stood the house of the "Lord of the Manor." . After the death of Frederick Philipse his daughter,
289
TOWN OF CARMEL.
Mary, with her husband, Samnel Gouverneur, sold to Elisha Cole all the remaining north part of the farm, the deed being dated February 1st, 18301.
Elisha Cole remained in possession of the greater part of these tracts until the time of his death which occurred July 19th, 1851, at the age of 75. After some changes, the larger part came into possession of Daniel Drew and is now owned by his de- scendants. After the death of Philip Philipse, which occurred in 1768, Lot 6 fell by the terms of his will to his wife, Margaret (who afterward married Rev. John Ogilvie) and his surviving children; Nathaniel, Frederick and Adolph. In 1771 a parti- tion of this lot was made among these heirs, and the field book of survey is in the county clerk's office at Poughkeepsie, while the map is in the office of the secretary of State. The partition was made in accordance with the terms of an act of the Pro- vincial Legislature, passed January 9th, 1762, "For the more effectually collecting his Majesty's Quit Rents." As some of the heirs were minors it was necessary to proceed in a strictly legal manner. The field book states all the proceedings. An advertisement signed by Adolph Philipse was printed in " Hugh Gaine's New York Gazette and in John Holt's New York Jour- nal," or the "General Advertizer," for the term of twelve weeks. Two of the commissioners appointed, Thomas Belden and Moss Kent, "met at the house of John Swan, Innholder at Peekskill," and Beverly Robinson, the other commissioner, not appearing they adjourned to his house, where they were all duly sworn by Judge Henry Vandenburg. On October 17th, 1771, they " met at the house of Thomas Smith on said lot." The surveyor was Benjamin Morgan, who had divided the lot into farms in 1762, and the chain bearers were Samuel Gregory, Jacob Kniffen, Isaac Everitt, Isaac Ganung and John Utter. The first thing done was to "run the out bounds of the lot" and as this locates many ancient land marks it is given in full:
West Line. "Thursday 17 October 1771, began to run the out bounds Present, Beverly Robinson, Thomas Belden, and Moss Kent Esqrs. Began at a stake and a heap of stones on
1 An old house stood south of the Philipse mansion, near the corner, and was owned by various persons who in turn held the south half of the original farm. About 1777, Charles Cullen, who married Lucy, daughter of Rev. Elisha Kent and aunt of Chancellor Kent, came from Milltown in Southeast, and lived on this place till the time of his death in 1784.
19
290
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
top of a hill by a walnut sappling, marked M. P. on the west side and P.P. on the east side and 1753 on the north side, which heap of stones lyes in the line of the Manor of Cortland, and is also the southeasterly corner of Lot No. 5, belonging to Col. Roger Morris. Then ran by line of Lot No. 5, N. 9 degrees, 9 minutes E, formerly N. 10 E. 962 chains 46 links. At 28 chains crossed a run of water; runs to the right; at 33 crossed a road; at 34 Benj. Thompson's house; 3 chains to right; at 83 crossed road; at 84 crossed Peter Mabie's house; at 94, ch. 42 l. a hickory sapling, found the angle to contain 15 minutes; then runs N. 8, 54 E. at 163.42 a dead tree, in Michael Sloat's field; at 179.85 a hickory tree; thence N. 8,48 E; at 235 crossed a run of water, runs to right; at 244 James Beldens house 50 links to right; at 246 crossed Belden's barn, at 273 made monument of stones on south side of road in a run of water about 1 chain from Gabriel Carpenter's house on lot 5, at 276 crossed Fish brook, at 278 where Dea. Hamblin's saw mill formerly stood, 3 ch. to right; and John McLean's house 4 ch. to right, at 294 James Sear's house 8 ch. to right, at 308 Eleazor Hamblins 6 ch. to right, at 357.50 crossed brook runs to right3, at 358 Wm. Meads 2 ch. to right, at 387 black oak formerly marked, at 391 a red ash tree, at 392 another at 419 a rock, corner to Jesse Smith's farm, now widow Hall, on which we laid a heap of stones, at 436.80 crossed the west branch of Croton River; at 450 David Frost's house 3 ch. to right; at 452 a barn 1 ch. to right, at 452.75 a flat rock, on north side of road marked M. R.P.P4. at 459 top of hill (here troubled with mineral) at 485 chestnut tree, at 492 a steep preci- pice of rocks at bottom of which we marked a hickory trees, at 511 came to Pine Pond brook, at 517 crossed brook, runs to right, at 550 made a monument of stones in Charles Townsend's field, at 578 made a monument of stones in Robert Fuller's field on a large flat rock, at 593 made a monumeut of stones between 2 white oak trees both standing on the S.W. point of a knoll and S. W. edge of swamp, at 602 came to an island in swamp,
1 These letters stand for Morris and Philipse.
2This is on road from Carmel to Lake Mahopac, at the Alvah Hopkins place, now Townsend Secor's heirs, a short distance east of road running north to the Crane Burying ground.
"This is at the house of James Harvey Reed, on road to Long Pond.
4 At house of George Smalley, on road to Coles Mills.
5This is on the County Alms House farm.
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TOWN OF CARMEL.
at 625 to Pine Pond at 667 the upper end of pond, at 700, monument of stones in south edge of a cleared field, at 722 Daniel Taylor's house 12 ch. to right, at 760 a cleared field, at 780 a heap of stones; at 786 crossed small brook, runs to right at 790 another, at 807 monument of stones south side fence Jonathan Dickinson's field; at 817 crossed a small brook, runs to right in a swamp, at 947 a black oak tree on top of a high mountain, in all 962 chains, 46 links, along a line of old marked trees, and terminates at a chestnut oak tree on north side of the high mountain on a rock 25 links S. by E. from where the rock makes a precipice 7 links deep."
North Line. "Begun at the chesnut oak tree and run N. 86 deg. E formerly N. 87 E; at 13 chains crossed road to Fish- kill on east side of which we made a monument of stones round an Alder bush; at 25 ch. a small brook running to right, on east side of swamp; at 33 a large single rock in the line on west de- clivity of a mountain, 13 links high; at 47 crossed brook, runs to right; at 60 made monument of stones on west side of hill and edge of clear field; at 104 John Russell's house 4 ch. to right; at 121 crossed small brook, runs to right; at 123 another; at 164 Samuel Barrads house 4 ch. to left; at 195 crossed road; at 223 crossed Campbells brook', runs to right; at 242 crossed road, in all, 246,41 to large heap of stones the centre of which 8 links N, 63,30 E, from a white oak tree formerly marked with the letters P.R. 1753 and have now caused a rock to be marked with the letters R.P. distant 34 links2; being the N. W. corner of Lot 7 on the west side of Bear Hill."
East Line. "Began at the corner of lot 7 at the heap of stones of west side Bear Hill, and ran S. 9 deg. W; at 23.90 ' made a monument of stones on west side of road: at 48 chains in Campbell's brook on north side made a monument of stones; at 49 Edward Smith's house 2 ch. to right; at 64.14 two black oak trees, three stones laid between them now grown fast; at 80 an old monument of stones 4 1. to left; at 103 David Hill's house, to right; at 140 made a monument of stones on S. side of road to Fishkill3; at 160.28 a tree on top of mountain; at 228.50 Benj.
This is the brook that runs by the railroad station at Reynoldsville.
?This northeast corner of lot 6 is the northwest corner of the land of Silas Ab- bott at Reynoldsville station in town of Pawling and 48 chains north of where the brook crosses the road south of station.
3This is on the town line between Kent and Patterson about 50 rods west of the school house in District No. 8, Patterson.
292
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Hatch's house to right; at 240 a meadow; at 290 John Wilson's house1 5 ch. to right; at 320.46 a monument of stones 10 1. east which is the south west corner of Lot 7, and N. W. corner of Lot 8; at 401.38 a monument on N. W.side of road at 403 Joshua Conklin's house 4 ch. to left; at 500 a stake in Edward Rice's field; at 527 crossed the east end of Gilbert Clapp's house; at 529 crossed road; at 539 crossed Rowland's mill brook; at 544 a bend of brook, at 552 a monument of stones on N.E. side of road; at 562 the east end of Wm. Merritt's barn the remains of an old house 40 links to right; at 640.69 the hickory sapling on S. side of hill corner to lots 8 and 93; at 665 Justice Sprage's old house 1 ch. 17 L. west4 at 670 crossed small brook, runs to left; at 691 David Vickery's 2 ch. to right; at 748 a tree; at 784 a tree; at 800 the east end of John Haines house; at 803 stones on N. side of road; at 816 John Smith's house, 3 ch. to left; at 824 crossed brook; at 881 Rowland's mill brook; at 882 a road; at 974 the north side of the east branch of Croton in line of Cort- land Manor."
South Line. "Began at corner and went S. 88 W .; at 5 2 ch. crossed the west branch of Croton; at 54 crossed road; at 114.72 a large stone set in the ground between the lots of Mr. Andrew Johnston and Samuel Bayard on the Manor of Cortland shown by Mr. Hackaliah Brown to be in the Manor line 1 ch. 17 L. to left; at 178,50 or great brook, runs to left on east side of a boggy meadow; at 210 a tree, in all 239.50 to the beginning heap of stones, which course is now S. 87 W. formerly due west, along a line of old marked trees."
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