USA > New York > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 63
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
family are numerous and widely scattered, and include many of the best citizens of the county.
Elisha Cole, son of Elisha, the first settler, married Charity, daughter of Caleb Hazen. His homestead was a farm in the town of Carmel, about a mile and a half southwest of Cole's Mills, and now owned by Henry Cole. A few tombstones in a field on the south side of the road mark the last resting place of Elisha Cole and some of his family. His son, Elisha 3d, was and born in 1776, died July 19th, 1851.
Although the mill yet stands, the business of the place is no longer what it was, and the changes produced by the railroad have affected this, as they have many other like localities. South of Cole's Mills, on the road to Carmel, is the old home- stead farm, which originally belonged to the Hopkins family. It was here that Capt. Solomon Hopkins lived during the Revolu- tion. He was the brother-in-law of Enoch Crosby, the hero of Cooper's "Spy," and after the war he purchased 341 acres of land in the Morris Lot No. 5 from the commissioners of for- feiture. The homestead descended from Solomon Hopkins (who died September 22d, 1792, aged 52) to his son, Jeremiah, who in turn left it to his son, Abraham, who sold it to his brother, Solomon, and it came to his son, Addison J., who sold it in 1869 to Polly D. Haight, wife of Joseph Haight, to whom it now belongs. It was in the old house which stood on the site of the present residence of Mr. Haight that the murderous attack was made upon Enoch Crosby, which came near ending his days. The old house was torn down and the present resi- dence built about 1874.
It was on this farm that the first school house in Kent was built. This stood about eight rods east of the present school house, and was torn down more than sixty years ago. In its place was built another, for which purpose Abraham, Nathan- iel, Reuben and Jeremiah Hopkins leased " for one pepper- corn, to be paid annually 4 rods square of ground, five rods north westerly of the old school house, and south westerly of Daniel F. Cole's mills for the term of forty years." This in turn became unfit for use and pretty well hacked to pieces by several generations of jack knives, and the present school house was erected, a few rods west of the former one, on land bought from Stephen Townsend, December 15th, 1865, in exchange for the former site.
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TOWN OF KENT.
BOYD'S CORNERS .- The valley which is now covered by the Croton Reservoir was the best tract of farming land in this por- tion of the town. The place derived its name from Ebenezer Boyd, who was of Scotch parentage, and born about 1735. He was a captain in the Revolution and a brave and gallant officer. About 1780, he removed from his home in Westchester county, came to Kent and bought several tracts of land in Lot 5 from the commissioners of forfeiture. Here he built a house, and kept a tavern till the time of his death, which occurred June 29th, 1792. He was buried in the old cemetery which is now covered by the waters of the reservoir. The homestead was left to his oldest son, Ebenezer, who died March 27th, 1848, at the age of 82, after which it fell to his sons, Ebenezer and Still- man. The latter sold it in 1853, and moved to Jefferson Valley where he now resides. The place now belongs to John Bennett and his house stands on the site of the old mansion.
At this place is located the First Baptist Church of Kent. This church was constituted October 4th, 1810, by a Council called by the First Baptist Church in Philipstown, and held at the house of Isaac Drew. Of this meeting, Elder Ebenezer Cole was moderator and among the members present were Elders Job Foss, Jonathan Sturdevant, and Simeon Barrett. The new society was known as the "Second Baptist Church in Fred- ericktown." Elder Moseman Barrett was the first pastor, and Abijah Yeomans, clerk. From July, 1818, to February, 1819, 58 members were added to the church. November 30th, 1826, Peter Robinson was ordained deacon in the church. By a re- vival in 1828, 50 more members were added to the church by baptism, and another large addition was made in 1836. March 2d, 1844, Elder John Warren was engaged as pastor and Novem- ber 30th of the same year the church dismissed a number of the members to form the Second Baptist Church of Kent. Up to 1831 the meetings had been held in school houses or private dwellings, and in that year the first meeting house was built on land said to have been given by Ebenezer Boyd, jr. This build- ing stood on the old road, across the Croton and directly east. of the present church', and near it was the old burying ground. In February 1846, another revival increased the membership and on August 4th, 1849, the church voted to unite with the Union Baptist Association. Rev. John J. Eberle was ordained pastor 1 This church was dedicated November 16th, 1831.
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
March 13th, 1850, and was succeeded by Elder David James July 5th, 1851. Rev. James C. Smalley was licensed to preached tlie gospel July 31st, 1852, and on the 13th of December, 1854, lie was ordained pastor. James J. Townsend was licensed to preach, May 1st, 1858, and in January of the same year a new revival added 40 members to the church. February 5th, 1859, Allen Barrett and Charles Patrick were elected deacons. Henry Light and Allen Light were elected deacons February 4th, 1865. Rev. James C. Smalley resigned the pastorship February 6th, 1869. The construction of the new reservoir rendered the re- moval of the church necessary and a new meeting house was built and dedicated on the 29th of September, 1869. This build- ing stands directly west of the former church on land given by Platt Parker.
On the 6th of August, 1870, Rev. Allen E. Light was licensed to preach the gospel. In January, 1874, Rev. W. S. Clapp was invited to act as pastor and accepted but preached there only twice a month. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Henry Light, who was ordained January 26th, 1876, and still continues to labor in this place. During his term of service he has baptized 129 persons. At the present time he also supplies the church at Dykeman's Station and his labors, though arduous, are crowned with success.
West of the church is a new burying ground, to which the remains were moved from the old one now covered by the reser- voir. From the oldest stones we give the following names and dates: Sarah, wife of Jacob Knapp, died Jan. 2d, 1878, age 73; Solomon Williams, Jan. 1st, 1873, 77; Rachel, wife, April 11th, 1872, 79; Josephine Townsend, Nov. 9th, 1858, 71; Stephen Brown, April 20th, 1852, 73; Jane, wife, April 2d, 1856, 70; Nathaniel Nichols, April 8th, 1861, 60; Elizabeth, wife, Oct. 3d, 1855, 53; Moses Adams, May 20th, 1851, 82; Phebe, wife, Aug. 19th, 1849, 71; John Mead, March 4th, 1826, 77; John S. Mead, Aug. 22d, 1840, 66; Hannah, wife, Sept. 6th, 1830, 59.
"In Memory of Isaialı Smalley, who died July 7th, 1856, aged 100 years three months and 14 days."
On the .west side of the reservoir and at the corner of the road running down Peekskill Hollow, is the old homestead of the Bailey family. Rowland Bailey, who came to this part of the country in the latter part of the last century, was the county clerk in 1820. He purchased several tracts of
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TOWN OF KENT.
land, and was a very extensive owner of real estate. He died in the summer of 1839. The homestead was the residence of his son, Dr. Joseph H. Bailey, during his whole life, and few of the citizens of the town or county were more prominently known than he. Dr. Bailey was a surgeon in the United States Army, and a practicing physician in the county. The home- stead was sold to William H. Stevens in 1885, by the executors of the estate.
The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist is located at this place and was built principally through the liberality of Dr. Bailey. The church was organized March 8th, 1878, with Dr. Bailey and Andrew John Bennett, as wardens. The church lot was given by Dr. Bailey, November 26th, 1881, and the edi- fice was built soon afterward. Rev. Matthew A. Bailey was the officiating clergyman till the decease of his father, who in his will bequeathed to the church the family burying ground on the estate and certain lands adjoining the church edifice.
On the road running northwest from Boyd's Corners, is a small neighborhood known as Richardville. Through the pub- lic spirit and liberality of Dr. Bailey, a chapel has been erected here. The land where it stands, on the north side of the road, about half a mile from the corner, was given by Dr. Bailey to "Jackson Bennett, Darins Williams, John P. Williams and Corigan Tompkins, trustees of the Richardville Chapel," June 27th, 1873, and the building was erected soon after. A large number of people attended the dedication, and the Sunday school established was doubtless productive of great good, and redounds to the credit of the liberal donor.
The neighborhood of Boyd's Corners is now more generally known as "Kent Cliffs," a name which has been given to it in later years.
BOYD'S RESERVOIR. - This reservoir was surveyed and land for it purchased by the mayor and corporation of New York city, in 1866. The first purchase was a farm of 70 acres, which included the land where the dam is built and the land owned by the city of New York on the south of it. This farm was originally owned by Seth Robinson, who had a saw mill near where the dam now stands. This he sold to Jesse Cole, and he in turn sold it to Laban Barrett, in 1836, who sold it to the city of New York. At that time an old road ran across the
682
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
valley from nearly opposite the present Baptist church to the road to Farmer's Mills, on the east side. On this road, near the west bounds of the reservoir, was the old church and close to it an ancient burying ground. On the low land near the river was, in ancient times, a settlement of Indians, and relics of the aborigines were often found. At this place the old militia trainings were held in the days of yore and frequently closed by fights, not of a strictly military character. Near the north end of the reservoir, upon a road now obliterated, stood, in the beginning of this century, a forge and small furnace for melting iron. This was owned by James Townsend, and he was the first man who used ore from the Tilly Foster Mine. Relics of the old forge may yet be seen at low water. Maps of the reservoir, showing all the land purchased, are now in the office of the county clerk. The reservoir covers 303 acres and its capacity is 2,750, - 000,000 gallons. The contract for building the dam was taken by Edward Roach, Joshua B. and Simon S. Jenkins for the sum of $201,002.80. The corner stone was laid July 2d, 1866. The contractors soon found that the price was far inadequate to the work to be done and failed to complete it. The dam was finally finished in February, 1873, and the reservoir was first full April 1st of that year. The elevation of this reservoir is 600 feet above tide water.
The old Philipstown Turnpike runs through this town. At the point on this road where it crosses the town line is the house of Isaiah Booth. The boundary, which is the original line be- tween the Morris Lot No. 5 and the Robinson Lot No. 4, runs a few feet west of his house, a large chestnut tree standing on the line .. On the north side of the road the line can be distinctly traced, and a short distance from the road is a large boulder, resting upon a rock. On the bank of a small stream, southeast from the house, is a tract of low land, bounded north by a high bank. On this tract was the last Indian village in the county, and it was occupied by them as late as 1812.
FARMER'S MILLS .- This place, which stands on a small stream, the outlet of White Pond, has been a mill seat from very early times, the first mill having been built, it is said, by one Burton in 1784, and was owned by Joseph Farrington at the beginning of the present century. Previous to 1822, the mill site and property were owned by Josiah Terry, but by a foreclosure of
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TOWN OF KENT.
mortgage it was sold to William Colwell, March 18th, 1822. He remained the owner until his death, and on March 23d, 1828, William Colwell, jr., James Cole, Adah Cole, Warren Townsend, Betsy Townsend, Perry G. Nichols, and Phebe Nichols, heirs of William Colwell, sold to Walker Todd, "two pieces of land. The first beginning by a garden wall formerly owned by Aaron Hazen," and ran by the south side of the water course "to a small dam, commonly called the fulling mill dam, but now tlie turning shop dam, then south to the road, then with the road to the forge dam so called, then east to south edge and along the forge pond, to a stream that runs from White Pond, then east on the south bank of stream, to White Pond, then north across the stream, then west with the bank of stream to head of forge pond, then with the old road to the forge dam, then west with the stream, before the forge dam, to north end of turning shop dam, thence by stream to a stake in the line of land for- merly Josiah Smith's, now Gildersleve's." The second piece was on the south side of the stream and the deed mentioned the "house of Harvey M. Dean," "Joseph Phillip's Peach orchard," and "Smith Worden's land."
Another piece is described as "beginning at the north end of bridge near grist mill," and at that time Jarvis Washburn, Ray Smith, John Patrick and Reuben Barrett were mentioned as living in the place. Walker Todd sold the premises to Joseph Olmstead, April 28th, 1831, and he sold to John W. Brinker- hoff, of Fishkill, December 14th, 1833. In 1837, Brinkerhoff sold to Cornelius H. Cornwell 80 acres, on the north side of the mill stream "with a certain water power to extend to the foot or bottom of the water wheel, of the Mechanic shop," and to Joseph D. Worden "a lot with a blacksmith shop standing on it and opposite the brick house of James Wright, and bounded north by brook."
Previous to that time the place had borne the name of " Mill- town." March 8th, 1838, Mr. Brinkerhoff sold to an association of the neighboring farmers, consisting of Daniel Kent, Samuel Townsend, Warren Townsend, Horace Townsend, Samuel A. Townsend and Robert Wixon, " a parcel of land having thereon a grain or flouring mill, dwelling house and other buildings " for $7,700. After this the place became generally known as the "Farmer's Mills," a name which it still retains. Among the various kinds of business carried on at the place was a tan yard,
684
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
kept by Joseph and William Haight. The Philipstown Turn- pike ran through the place, and before the days of railroads it was a business center for a great extent of country round. The Farmer's Mills Company finally dissolved and the property was divided. The store property was sold to Reuben R. Barrett, the present supervisor of Kent, and the mill. after passing through several hands, is now owned by Eli and Charles Mead. The building of the Harlem and the Hudson River Railroads took the business of this place in other directions, and Farmer's Mills at the present time presents the aspect of a " stranded village."
It is said that when the mills were bought by the Farmer's Company, an old resident, when he heard the news, inquired " What did they buy it for ?"' The reply was "For speculation." " They'll find it a --- poor speculation," was his remark, and it proved true in the end.
Horace Townsend had a store and a hotel here on the place now owned by Reuben Barrett. A brick yard was started about 1836, a bed of clay being near the creek. The Putnam County Bank was located in this place when first organized.
An important mill seat is situated about half a mile southeast of Ludingtonville and now owned by Daniel Merritt. A mill was built here about 1833, by John W. Brinkerhoff, who bought the stream and land from John Nowlen. He sold the mill to Nathan C. Baldwin, and it passed in succession into the hands of John Patrick and Sarles Drew. The latter sold it to Daniel Merritt, the present owner, about 1855. The premises consist of 65 acres besides the mill pond, and the grist and saw mills here do an extensive business.
THE KENT AND FISHKILL BAPTIST CHURCH' is pleasantly situated near the village of Farmer's Mills, in the town of Kent, Putnam county. As this is one of the oldest churches in the association, its early history, doubtless, will be read with curi- osity and interest. However, much valuable information has been lost. All the records previous to 1795 can not be found.
The church appears to have been constituted in 1782. The organization was composed of members forming a branch of the Pawling and Beekman churches, and also some from the Carmel church. Elder John Lawrence, having the pastoral charge over 1From a sketch by Jehial Parker.
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TOWN OF KENT.
the Pawling and Beekman church, was instrumental in estab- lishing this church in Frederickstown. He frequently preached in this vicinity in private houses, and particularly in the upper part of the grist mill in Milltown (now Farmer's Mills), pre- vious to the organization of the church, and became its first pastor. Elder Freeman Hopkins was his successor.
Previous to 1795, we find Articles of Faith and Covenant signed by Elder Hopkins, Deacon Benjamin Knapp, and one hundred and sixty members, which, at this early day, testifies to their success in the ministry. In the latter part of 1795 there appears to have been a gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Elder Truesdal came among them, and preached the gospel with such demonstration and power that many souls were convicted of sin and added to the church. Brother Jonathan Sturdevant also preached among them with so much success that his ordi- nation was unanimously called for. He became pastor and labored until April 3d, 1802, with much success; then the church, failing to raise the money promised him, voted to dis- charge him from the pastorship, giving liim an opportunity to labor in another field. He still continued to preach some part of the time until November 7th, 1807, a period of twelve years.
For twenty years after its organization the church had no meeting house. Meetings were generally held at Bro. Joseph Farrington's in Farmer's Mills, sometimes at Israel Knapp's, Benjamin Hutchings, Samuel Hawkins, and in other neighbor- hoods. By courtesy, Sabbath meetings were held once a month in the Carmel Baptist meeting house during the years 1798 and 1799.
In 1799 the church laid aside the written covenant, and took the Bible as a guide in discipline and travail.
In 1800, the church built a house of worship upon the ground occupied by the present building. For eight years the church worshipped in this building, having no walls. Then it was fur- nished, by each member paying his equal proportion according to his ability.
In 1800 Simeon Barrett was licensed to improve his gift in the ministry. He preached one-fourth of the time until 1805, when he was ordained. He still continued to preach a part of the time, and in 1807 took the oversight of the church. He continued his labors with them until 1830, having the care of the church twenty-three years. Deacon William Knapp was
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
.
licensed in 1800. He preached one fourth of the time until August, 1816. In 1804 they licensed Bro. Luman Burch to preach the gospel. He preached one-fourth of the time in con- nection with Elders Sturdevant and Barrett, and Deacon Knapp, for several years, when he began his labors with the church at Stamford, Dutchess county. Bro. Nathaniel Parker, after having served as deacon several years on trial, was ordained in December, 1806, by the assistance of the Carmel and North Salem churches. He faithfully filled the office for fourteen years. Bro. Moseman Barrett received license to preach in 1815. He preached about one-half the time at this church as licenti- ate, until June, 1818, when he was ordained. Although he was never considered as pastor of this church, still he continued to preach nearly one-half the time, until 1844, in connection with Elder Robinson.
In 1818 Elder Barrett and several other members of this church accepted an invitation from the Peekskill Hollow church, and united with them in order to build up the cause of Christ in that place. Elder Barrett took the oversight and con- tinued his labors with them until his death.
November 3d, 1819, Bro. John Patrick, jr., after having served as deacon two years on trial, was ordained and set apart to that office by a council called for that purpose. He filled that office faithfully until February 2d, 1822, when he united with the Second Baptist Church in Fishkill, as deacon, and officiated until his death. In the same year Bro. Nathaniel Robinson related his call to the ministry, and the following year received license to improve his gift. He preached one- fourth of the time at this church, and the rest of the time in different places, until October 21st, 1824, when he was ordained upon application of the Second Baptist Church in Fishkill. He still continued to preach one-fourth of the time until 1832, when he became sole pastor of the church. In 1865, feeling too feeble to be of service to the church, he advised them to call another preacher to fill the desk. Acting upon this advice, the church called Bro. Samuel Sprague, after giving him license to preach, to fill the desk and break unto ns the bread of life. Brother Sprague performed the duties of pastor until August 17th, 1867, when the church unanimously called upon Brother Robinson to resume his pastorship. His first pastorate covered a period of thirty-four years.
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TOWN OF KENT.
In 1820 Bro. James C. Barrett and Bro. James Mead were licensed to go out and improve their gifts in the ministry. In 1821 this church was first called the Kent and Fishkill Baptist Church. November 4th, 1826, Bro. James Scut was appointed deacon. In 1832 the church licensed Bro. George Horton to preach. In 1837 the church voted to raise $60 as a salary for Elder Robinson, who preached one-half the time. This is the first salary mentioned on record. September 16th, 1840, the present house of worship was dedicated.
In 1843 the church gave Bro. Judson Dykeman license to preach the word. June 4th, 1845, he was ordained, by request of the First Baptist Church in Pawling. He became pastor of that church and still fills that office with acceptance. He also labored with this church nearly one half of the time, in con- nection with Elder Robinson. In 1857, Elder Robinson be- coming too feeble to administer the ordinance of Baptism, Elder Dykeman administered the ordinance, and also assisted at the communion table.
April 20th, 1844, Bro. Peter Robinson united with this church by letter, as deacon, and faithfully filled that office till death, being highly esteemed by the church and society.
January 28th, 1860, Bro. Addison Kelley received license to preach. By the request of the Second Kent Church, he was ordained and installed pastor of that church on the 26th of October, 1861. About the same time the church met with a heavy loss in the death of Deacon Patrick.
February 15th, 1862, Bro. Nathaniel R. Shaw and Bro. Joseph P. Russell were elected deacons by vote of the church.
Rev. Nathaniel Robinson, after a long life of active labor, departed to his rest August 20th, 1869, at the age of 81. A neat monnment near the church marks his resting place, and near him rest the mortal remains of his father, Peter Robinson (so long identified with this church), who died May 21st, 1849, aged 88 years, 2 months, 13 days, and also his mother, Phebe Robinson, who died in May, 1834, aged 70
Rev. Judson Dykeman died October 11th, 1875. aged 70.
The pastors since Elder Robinson have been Rev. James C. Smalley (who resigned in 1877), Frederick Kratz, Daniel W. Sherwood and Daniel Sprague.
The first Sunday school was organized in the spring of 1857. It was a flourishing school, being under the superintendence of
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Bro. Silas Russell. Since then a Sabbath school has been main - tained every summer. Preaching has always been sustained by voluntary subscriptions, with the exception of eight years pre- vious to Elder Robinson's pastorate, when the sacred rite was entirely unobserved. This church has never failed to come to the communion table at least four times a year.
The church at Farmer's Mills was dedicated September 16th, 1840. The old church was built about 1800.
In 1866, a small number of members seceded from the church and formed a new organization called the "Central Baptist Church of Kent." On Sept. 22d, 1866, they purchased from Samuel T. Barrett "all that certain store house known as the Wm. Taylor store," with the land on which it stood. This store stood on the south side of the turnpike, and on the east side of a road running south. The trustees of the church were Jacob Wright, Sarles Barrett, and William Wright. The new church existed for a few years and dissolved. The building has since been destroyed. The church was dedicated February 26th, 1867. The first pastor was Rev. C. J. Ganong, who also preached at Ludingtonville. Rev. William James was there in 1873.
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