History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 63

Author: Cole, David, 1822-1903, ed. cn; Beers, J. B., & co., New York, pub
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 993

USA > New York > Rockland County > History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 63

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The only gate on the Orange Turnpike is located at this point.

STERLINGTON.

This hamlet is located on the Orange Turnpike, about a mile south of Sloatsburg. It was first known as the Y, because that at this point, when the Erie Railroad was first opened, the engines were turned on a Y. Later it was known as Pierson's Depot, the Erie Company having built and almost finished a station on the style "of the Egyptian monarchs," possibly with the intention of con- solidating here both the stations of Sloatsburg and Ramapo. Here in 1847 a post office was established by the government.

After 1865, when the Sterling Railroad was opened, it began to be known as Sterling Junction, which name in 1882 was again changed to Sterlington when a post office came to be established here. There are no stores or public buildings at Sterlington, the place being simply the junction of Sterling Mountain Railroad with the Erie Railroad.

RAMAPO .*

This village,-formerly known as Ramapo Works, is lo- cated on the Orange Turnpike, at the base of the Torne Mountain, about one mile southeast of Sterlington, and was founded by Josiah G. Pierson, and his brothers, Jere- miah H. and Isaac, in the year 1795. At that time Mr. J. G. Pierson was engaged in the city of New York, in the manufacture of " cut nails," by machinery of his own inventiont, from iron imported from Russia, and rolled ; and cut at Wilmington, Delaware .; His nail factory was located on Whitehall street, where the new Produce Exchange now stands, and his object in coming to Ram- apo was to avoid the large expense of transportation front Wilinington to New York, to enlarge and unify his works, and to secure abundance of wood and water, then all essential to a large manufacturer. His first purchase was 119 acres||, of Mr. John Suffern, and his first work the spanning of the river with a dam. What he found in " The Clove," and how he commenced and carried on the work of construction, may be gathered from a few extracts from his (J. G. Pierson's) letters from New York to his brother, Jeremiah H., at Ramapo.

In May, 1795, he writes: " Inform the people that they take their cattle off the farm and that they may stay on the place if they will work for me" (evidently he found people and farms in the Pass). " Accommodate for board as well as you can " (in October, 20 carpenters and 55 laborers were boarding at John Smith's, Mrs. Van Blar- cum's, and Lewis Shuart's). "Set the narrow axe men to clear away the brush (for the dam) and hire more help

*This article on Ramapo Works was mainly prepared by Mr. E. Frank Pierson, to whom, more than to any one else. we are indebted for invaluable assistance in the collection of the materials for the his- tory of the town of Ramapo. We take this occasion also to return thanks to Mr. George B Pierson, and to Mr. J. Louis Suffern for large help in copying.

+Mr. Pierson was thus the inventor of " eut nails " (see biography.) #There was no rolling mill nearer New York at the time.

ISubsequent purchases were made from different owners until the Pierson estate now embraces about 8,000 aeres.

Yes! He Pierfin

274

HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

if you can." "Set the diggers to digging out for the used as the "Prayer Rooms," built for Mr. John Colt,* flumes and race ways." "Go up to Augusta Forge for such iron as you find necessary." "Have the bridge 18 ft. wide." "Cut and draw logs." "Build houses." "Get timber for the factory." And in 1797, he adds: " Write to Sterling Furnace for castings such as we want about the slitting mill." "I intend building the Furnace immediately." ' If possible we will get the Mill going this Fall." In 1798 the rolling mill, slitting mill, and nail factory, were all in operation, and the firm name was J. G. Pierson & Brothers.

Passing* now over the first fourteen years of the growth of these important works, let us strive to draw a buildings just given may not seem large; but for those picture of Ramapo as it was in 1812.

The river was spanned, as now, by a damn 120 feet long. On the north side, adjoining the dam, stood the black- smith shop, the rolling and slitting mills, and the works for cutting and heading nails-a group of buildings, 150 xtoo feett, all under one roof. North of these, or between the nail works and the terrace, ran, as now, the road to the pond. Upon the terrace, in front of some of the houses of the men, ran another road, also to the pond.

On the south side of the river, adjoining the dam, was the saw mill, 30x60 feet. Next to this, on the west, was the "straw house," a two-story building, 25x25 feet. Here the straw for the numerous mules and oxen was stored, and here, too, it was cut for their use by water power. Still further west, up the streami, along the pond, stood the horse barn, 30x30 feet; the ox barn, 35x80 feet; and four mule barns, each 30x40 feet, all two stories in height.

On this same south side of the river too, a few rods east, and a little to the south of the saw mill, was the store, built in 1805, and now occupied by Mr. William Van Wagenen. A short distance to the east, and north of this, was the homestead of Mr. Jeremiah H. Pierson, built very soon after the works were established, rebuilt in 1805, and now occupied by Mr. Fred Taylor. Here in the northwest corner of the homestead the first store was kept.

East by north from the homestead, and just west of the present depot, stood the grist mill, a four-story build- ing 30x35 feet. The foundations inay still be seen just west of the depot. Down the river a few rods east of the grist mill was the forge, 70x75 feet, and near by to the south the coal house, 45x45 feet. West by south from this last building, or almost due south from the grist mill, up the hill, on the south side of the turnpike, stood the " Yellow store," built in 18to, and now occupied by the Young Men's Club. Here beef, pork, and other pro- visions were stored away for winter use. East of this, but on the north side of the turnpike, was the house now

in 180S. The church, erected in 1810, was in its present position, while the school house,t a yellow building in two parts," stood on the south side of the turnpike near- ly opposite the present "stone store." A gate, through which there was no admission except on business, filled the space between the store and the homestead, and through this gate the road, bending to the east, ran down the slope in front of the grist mill, and so across the river to the nail works and rolling mill, the present bridge be- ing several rods east of the bridge of those days. Such was Ramapo of 1812. For these days, the array of

days they were immense. Wlien we think of the multi- tudes of farmers' wagons bringing produce of all kinds to this, the great market for all the neighboring parts of Orange and Rockland counties, when we think of the four and six mule teams, || going and returning with their heavy loads to and from Haverstraw, Buskirk's Landing on the Hackensack, and Hoboken, when we read that in 1813 a million pounds of nails was the year- ly output of the nail factory alone, we do not wonder that, for the first 30 years of our century, not a gazetteer speaks of Rockland county without, in describing its in- dustries, giving the foremost place to the works of J. G. Pierson & Brothers.

But, large as these works were, they were still to be made larger, almost doubled, by the erection of the cot- ton mill, which, begun in 1814, was in full operation in 1816. This mill was built to spin yarn to send to Rus- sia in exchange for iron, three-fourths of the iron used in Ramapo being Russian§ iron.

It was a five story" building 140x40 feet, with a dye

*Mr. Colt was a relative of Mr. Pierson's. This house was occupied by Rev. Dr. Fisher In 1834, and by Rev. Mr. Ford in 1876.

+Tbis was the second school house in Ramapo, the first, built in 1798. having been located on the north side of the turnpike, just east of the house previously called the " Prayer Rooins." The foundations of this first school house ean still be seen.

In 1596 the school master appears, and we have his name for each and every year since 1798.

#Some of the farmers bringing their produce to Ramnapo between 1798 and 1814.

From Orange county were Alanson Austin, John McGee. Dr. Samuel S. Seward, Seth and Samuel Marvin, Joel Wheeler, John L. Mend. Josiah and Ebenezer Seeley, Samuel Jnekson, Edward B. Strong, Jolm Palmer, Daniel and Jaines Burt. Edward W. Raymond, Moses and William Phil- lips, Henry, Aaron, Jeffrey, and Guhriel Whitaker, Samuel Tuttle, etc.

From Rockland county were Theunis Crum, John D. Coe, Jolin De Baun, Stephen Gurnee, John, Gilbert T., Gilbert G., Theunis and Jacob Cooper, Jaines, Hendrick, and John Yonng, Willlam Furman, Archibald Cassaday, Cornelius, Abrain I., and John C. Illauvelt, Isaae Sherwood. Abrahamn Servan, Jolm D. Fox. Crynus Bartolf. R. Johnson. Abram and John Winter, Ado'phus and William Shuart, James Parleman, Henry. Adolphus, Rieh., Cornelius and Christian Wannamaker, John and Jonas Forshee, Henry, Abram, Peter, and James Frederleks, Hurmon and Samuel Goctehius, ete., ete.

[The names of some of those furnishing teams for carting, in nddi- tlon to the fifty or more innles owned by the proprietors, are: Lewis Short, Henry Bush, Michnel Weymer, James Parleman, Isque Sloat, William Peck, John Odell, Abram Quackenbush, Thomas Allison, Thom- Francis Gurnee, William Furman, Gilbert T. Cooper, Cornelins Blau- velt, etc.

$We learn this from a letter from Mr. Jeremiah II. Flerson to Mr. Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury, In the year 1809.

"Tho lower part of this cotton mill is now used by the Ramnapo Wheel and Foundry Company,

*This single fact, however, may be of interest. In 1798 the prinel- dles. And in 1807, the growth of the whale fishery had so increased the ! demand for hoops for oil casks that the rolling mill was extended to meet it. It was during this period that Mr. Jeremiah H. Pierson m- vented his mnehine for slitting nail rods, still in comman nse. The o-Iginni patent papers are now in the possession of Mr. HI. L. Pierson.

+The dimensions of buildings here given are approximated.

pal demand for ent nils was for the sugar plantations in the West Tu- fas Onderdonk, Henry Fredericks. Jonas Seaman, benjamin Sherwood.

275

RAMAPO-VILLAGE OF RAMAPO.

house on the north end, and a machine shop (a four sto- ry brick building with an attic, torn down in 1852 to give room for the double tracks of the Erie) on the south.

On the turnpike, too, a stone building was erected (still standing), where cotton was stored, and from which it was slid on a shoot to the mills below. These mills, built at an expense of $155, 848, were furnished with 7,500 spindles, capable of making 506,250 pounds of No. 13 yarn per year, and 78 looms,* capable of producing 486,720 yards of striped shirting, sheeting, and checks per year, and in 1820 gave employment to 119 persons. With the erection of the cotton mill, a large number of cottages for the operators were required. They were ac- cordingly built around the mill. And after their com- pletion, the population of Ramapo is said to have in- creased to 700 souls.

In 1822 the joint interest of the surviving brothers Jeremiah H. and Isaac Pierson, was incorporated under the name of the Ramapo Manufacturing Company.

In 1828 the rations of liquor previously allowed to the men, according to the custom of the times, were stopped.

In 1830 the manufacture of blister steel and wood screwst was commenced. In 1835 the surveyors for the Erie Railroad passed through the village, and the section lying in the village was numbered 21. In August, 1841, Mr. Jeremiah H. Pierson reported that he had finish- this section. May 24th 1841, 24 tons of spring steel were carted from Ramapo to Section 10 (below Spring Valley), whence they were transported to Piermont by rail, and on the 23d of September, 1841, the first passen- ger train came as far as Ramapo.#

In 1851 operations at Ramapo were virtually sus- pended, Mr. Jeremiah H. Pierson, who had conducted the works from the beginning, and had survived his brothers, being then in his 86th year.

We may review the principal industries of this period, i. e., from 1798 to 1851, as follows: cut nails were manu- factured from 1798 to about 1840, cotton yarn and cloth from 1816 to 1836, spring steel from 1810 to 1850, and blister steel and wood screws from 1830 to 1851.

The physicians who practiced here during the time were Drs. Abram Cornelison, William Duzenbury, and Hollenback until 1810; Dr. Zebedee Wood from 1810 to 1845, and Dr. D. L. Reeves from 1845 to 1851. The last two were resident physicians, the former living just east of the church.

As the old works at Ramapo were among the pioneer institutions of the kind in our country, and identified with the agricultural and commercial, as well as the iron industries of both Orange and Rockland counties for

many years, their relation to the outlying region beyond the mountains which inclosed them presents some points for comparison of interest to the descendants of those who dealt with them.

In order to appreciate the situation in this regard from our standpoint, we should first go back and view the lo- cality as it existed 89 years ago, when Mr. Jeremiah H. Pierson first came to " Sidman Clove."

The " Ramapo Pass " is 14 miles long, and through it ran but one road communicating with the cultivated fields of Orange county north and west of the mountains and 12 miles distant. We need mention but one lateral road in this direction, that in the vicinity leading to Ster- ling Furnace and the Ringwood Iron Works, built before the Revolution. On the Ramapo River, near by, were the already noted Augusta Forges. At Suffern the moun- tains opened upon the long settled portions of the same county, which now constitute the body of Rockland county. Here two roads, practicable for heavy traffic, led to tide water, one northward to Haverstraw Landing, 13 miles, and the other southward, 32 miles, to Hoboken Ferry. The navigation of the rivers was then exclusively by sailing craft, and twelve years were to elapse before Fulton should put his steamboat on the Hudson.

The second letter in the correspondence between New York and Ramapo mentions both of these routes. Mr. J. G. Pierson, in New York on the 22d of May, 1795, advising shipment of the first invoice to Ramapo, says: "Isaac has sent to Haverstraw Landing the things I in- tended should go to Boskirk's Landing, on the Hacken- sack. I was there yesterday and engaged wagons. Call on Judge Suffern and tell himn he must try and get wag- ons."

We, living within an hour's journey of the same spot, to whose multiplied wants railroads make the continent tributary, cannot readily appreciate "the day of small things " when men were groping about for transportation after this slow and laborious fashion; but transportation was not then, as now when coal and steam are used, the controlling factor in determining the feasibility of a site for iron works. The great desiderata were water power ,and a forest for fuel. These were abundant in the clove, but they were not transportable, and it was a very prac- tical truth then that "Mohamed must go to the moun- tain."

Through the clove ran the New York and Albany mail stage, but the letter and passenger carriage of that day were equally behind this age. It would sound strange now to read at the close of a letter from New York an apology in the words, "I fear the post will be gone," " the post is waiting." not infrequent in these communications with Ramapo. We are very importunate in our demands for the railroad time table for fear we shall be left, but then the stage time table was needed to show the traveler how long he must wait. This will appear if we scan the table ranging over all hours of the day and night.

*The power looms for throwing different colors (weaving in ditfer- ent colors had previously been done solely by hand used in this cotton mill were the invention of Mr. Jeremiah H. Pierson, and are supposed to have been the first to be used in the world.

+The machine, still in use, for heading und slotting screws, was the Invention of Mr. Jeremiah H. Plerson.

#Tradition speaks of a great celebration and feast at the "Smith House " in honor of this event.

Frances Suffery

276

HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

ARRIVAL OF THE MAILS AT RAMAPO, 1810.

Date.

North.

South.

Date.

North.

Soutlı.

Jan. 1

9.05 P. M.

9.00 P. M.

2.45 A. M.

9.50 A. M.

Midnight.

2.45 A. M.

2.45 P. M.

6.50 A. M.

8.00 .A. M. 9.40 P. M.

Noon.

11.50 A. M. 9.10 A. M.

10.34 A. M.

4.40 A. M.

8.30 A. M.

4.10 .1. M. 10.30 P. M.

10.30 P. M.

Our space will not permit us to touch upon various subjects for comparison between then and now which are suggested by a review of books, letters, and papers preserved and going back over 90 years, but mention should be made of the busy lives which made Ramapo a "hive of industry " for many years long gone by-of the worthy mechanics who "served their time " and honored their crafts here* and elsewhere-of the farmers, the yeomen of Orange and Rockland counties, who found at Ramapo a market for their produce-of the valuable inventions made or developed here which pioneered the way for the better things of our time.

The travel on our wagon roads now is little more than that of neighborhood intercourse. We see nothing of the traffic which " strung along " them when teams were hauling grain and other produce for the sustenance of those who wrought, or of the droves of cattle which in- cumbered them when being driven hither to be slaugh- tered and packed away in huge cisterns or tanks. A record has been kept of this traffic, and we give a sum- mary from it for the years 1820 and 1821: 15,758 bush- els of grain and 181,254 pounds of provisions (beef, pork, mutton, veal and butter) were brought to Ramapo in those years. And so it was each and every year. While this would not make a very long railroad train, the little village whose life it supported presented a lively scene in the fall of the year when it was wagoned to Ramapo. Then, too, there were the three and four six-mule teams hauling daily, for six days in the week, iron, steel, cotton, cloth, screws, etc., the product of the mills, to and fro over the Haverstraw road, and others of the same kind drawing cord wood and charcoal from the mountains to the fur- naces which day and night were consuming it.

Forty-three years have already elapsed since the railroad changed all this. Few are now living who knew the works in their prime and remember the busy scene pre- sented when " hoist the gate," was the signal for work in the mill, factory, and shop. As the activities of the pres- ent are fashioned after a different pattern, we need not dwell longer upon those which started with the water- wheel and have long since ceased.

In 1864 the manufacturing interests of Ramapo were revived and the place, at large expense, built up and beautified by the opening of the Ramapo Car Works by Mr. C. T. Pierson. These works occupied the large

building at present standing just west of the church and which had been partially built (the brick structure) twelve years before by Davis, Evans & Co., for a file works.

In 1866 the Ramapo Wheel & Foundry Company was organized with H. L. Pierson president; George W. Church, treasurer; C. T. Pierson, secretary; and W. W. Snow, superintendent. They leased the old cotton mill premises where they are now maufacturing car wheels. and railroad castings and do a general foundry business

In 1867 the church was reopened (see history of same). Ramapo at present has one store kept by William Van Wagenen; a post-office established in 1807; a church built in 1810; a school house; a summer boarding house; 35 dwellings; and a population of about 200. It is also the home of the Ramapo Manufacturing Company and the Ramapo Wheel & Foundry Company described above.

In the lakes in the vicinity is fine fishing, over the mountain roads superb drives, and there are spots in the mountains where the scenery equals any to be found in the Adirondacks,

HILLBURN.

About one mile southeast of. Ramapo Works, as we journey along the Orange Turnpike, our eyes catch sight of the beautiful village of Hillburn, nestled among the hills, about one-fourth of a mile to the south.

This spot was originally the home of William Suffern,* who inherited it from his father, John. The old home- stead built in 1822, but moved and enlarged in 1860, is now occupied by his son, James.

The first industry at this point was a saw mill, erected by the original John Suffern in 1795. This was followed, in 1848, by a charcoal forge, for the manufacture of mer- chant iron, built by his grandson, James Suffern. To this was added, in 1852, a rolling mill.

The works employed about 25 men, and most of the output was sold to the Erie Railroad Company. They were abandoned in 1872.

In August of this year (1872), Messrs. George Coffin, George Church, and W. W. Snow, managers of the Ram. apo Wheel and Foundry Company, lately established at Ramapo Works, attracted by the beauty of the situation "with Hoover Cuf on the south and the old lofty Torne, 1067 feet high, in full sight on the north," purchased property of Mr. James Suffern, and immediately com- menced to plan and lay out a village, to erect houses, and to encourage and assist their help to purchase lots upon which they could erect for themselves permanent homes.

The place was first called Woodburn on account of the near proximity of woods and water. It retained this name till July, 1882, when an application for a post office disclosed the fact of the existence in New York State, of

*William married Martha, daughter of Crynns Herthaff. March 3d 1804. Crynus Bertholf. of the family of Dominle Bertholf. lived during the Revolution about 2 miles south of Suffern, on the road to Pompton. where Mrs. Sheffield now lives, He was captain In the New Jersey Mill- tia during the war. and was in active service In the vleinity of Ellza- bethport and ffoboken. After the Revolution he moved to Ramapo Works, where he lived in a stone house which stood just east of the present church.

. Of these, late John Crum was conspicuous.

11.30 P. M.

10.41 P. M.

7.40 A. M.

10.50 P. M.

3.40 A. M.

8.20 A. M.

Jan. 17

7.15 A. M.

277

RAMAPO-VILLAGES OF HILLBURN AND SUFFERN.

another post office with nearly the same name. It was then called Hillburn, the characteristics of its surround- ings being still maintained in the name.

The first child born in the place was Ashley Wood- burn Curtis.

After the completion of about fifteen houses, it became evident to those interested in the welfare and progress of the village that a place for Sunday school and prayer meetings was needed.

It was then suggested by Mr. W. W. Snow, to whom more than to any one else the growth of the village has been due, that a small room might be finished off for the purpose in a barn then being erected. But while the matter was under consideration, at the suggestion of Rev. Peres B. Bonney. pastor of the Ramapo church, a subscription was circulated, and money secured to build a house suitable for day school, Sunday school, and church purposes combined.

This building was ready for occupation about Christ- mas, 1873, Mr. J. B. Suffern having donated the ground, and Mr. James Suffern laid the foundation.

The first day school teacher was Miss Blauvelt. The first Sunday school superintendent J. B. Suffern, and the first pastor to hold evening service in the building was Rev. P. B. Bonney. Day school, Sunday school, and evening preaching services on Sunday have been main- tained ever since. At present (1884) a large addition is being made to the building to accommodate the wants of the increasing population.

In 1873, every family in Hillburn was supplied with pure water from the mountains, by pipes run to the sec. ond story, if needed, of their dwellings.

In 1876, a brass band was organized under the leader- ship of Charles G. Hoar. In 1881, Hillburn, then in Suffern district No. 3, was set off into a new district No. 18, by William Van Wagenen then school commissioner.

July 13th 1881 the "Ramapo Iron Works" was organ- ized with W. B. Wilkens, president; George Church, treasurer; R. J. Davidson, secretary; F. W. Snow, superin- tendent. The works near the Erie Railroad were erected by this company and also the cottages on the Orange Turnpike. This part of the village is familiarly known as East Hillbirn.

In closing this sketch mention should be made of Mr. William H. Hollister, Mr. Lewis Sibley, and later of Mr. J. J. Hogan by whom the interests of the village have been most energetically advanced. Hillburn at present has a butcher shop kept by J. J. Hogan, a paint shop kept by S. S. Mapes, about 45 houses, and a population of about 250.

Just north of the site of the buildings of Ramapo Iron Works, the land is familiarly known as, " Jenkins Hollow" because at this point a widow Jenkins (whom we have - assumed to be the wife of John Jenkins, who received a grant from the State in 1800 of 400 acres near the point of the mountains, but who sold the same to Mr. John Suffern before he himself actually acquired possession of it) kept a small " Rum Shop " described as "a sore nuis- ance."

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History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 63

Author: Cole, David, 1822-1903, ed. cn; Beers, J. B., & co., New York, pub Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 993

Author: Cole, David, 1822-1903, ed. cn; Beers, J. B., & co., New York, pub
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 993