History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 76

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 76

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The "Geological Report of the State of New York," make a beautiful marble. Specimens are deposited in the 1843, gives the following account of the limestone in State collection. This is said to make a fine lime, and one or two kilns of it have been burnt." Rockland county:

" This limestone in Rockland county is not very ex- tensive, but, from its location, it is of high economical importance. It skirts the shore of the Hudson for a mile or more, from the landing on the cove at the north- west point of Stony Point to a little north of Tomkins's most northern quarry. It extends thence to near Cap- tain De Camp's, two miles west of Grassy Point, where it disappears beneath the red sandstone formation. It occupies an area of some four hundred to six hundred acres, and much of it lies near to the water. It also skirts the west side of the marsh west of Stony Point. It is not much altered by metamorphic action, but is like that de- scribed in the Faconic rocks. Much of it is sparry, or traversed by veins of white carbonate of lime. Some of it is the grey sub-crystalline rock like that in Pine Plains, Barnegat, Newburgh, Canaan, New Lebanon, Stephen- town, White Creek, etc., and some is dark, bluish, compact and sparry limestone.

"This stone is now quarried extensively on the banks of the Hudson at Tomkin's quarries. Mr. Tomkins'pur- chased twenty acres of this land on the shore of the Hud- son in 1837, for one hundred dollars per acre, which was thought an extravagant price. It is a ledge of limestone rock seventy-five to one hundred feet above high-water mark, with deep water along side, so that vessels are loaded with great ease. The stratum at the new quarry is from three hundred to five hundred feet thick (measured across the strata), from the shore to its junction with the talcose slate rock. Many thousand tons of this stone are shipped annually to New Jersey, where it is burnt into lime with dust anthracite at a small expense. The lime is in part used as a stimulent manure in New Jersey, and part is barrelled for the New York market. Each acre of this limestone ought to yield, in course of working down to water level, six hundred thousand barrels of lime, upon which a mean profit of twenty-five cents per barrel ought to be estimated. Most of this limestone is grey, but some is black and variegated, and might make a pretty marble. Farther south and west, where this limestone approaches the plutonic rocks it is metamorphic, as at the two follow- ing localities:

" 2. A limestone quarry has been opened about three- fourths of a mile west of Captain De Camp's, in Haver- straw, on land belonging to John Brooks. Much of the stone is white, granular, crystalline limestone, with thin tortuous black veins of the same material; and if good blocks of this character could be obtained, it would

"Granitic, sienitic, and hornblendic rocks are near to these localities; and the proximity of these plutonic rocks is probably the cause of the altered characters of the limestone, and the intermixture of various mineral substances with it."

MINES.

The mountains of Stony Point abound in iron, and many shafts have been sunk, but thus far, with few ex- ceptions, to but little profit. The oldest mine, however, called the Hassan Clever Mine, was worked for many years. The mine is situated near the Orange County line, in Cheesecocks Patent, No. 3. The vein of ore extends through the mountains northerly and is opened in Orange county. The Forest of Dean Mine is on the same vein of ore. The Hassan Clever Mine was first opened by a London company about the year 1770, and mined a considerable quantity of ore. Jonas Brewster & Co. afterwards became possessed of it and worked it for some ten years. They made, at the Cedar Pond Furnace, near by, some of the iron for the great chain which crossed the Hudson at Anthony's Nose. They also made can- non balls.

Messrs. Colfax & Co. succeeded Jonas Brewster, and for several years obtained quantities of ore. Colfax was the father of Schuyler Colfax. After Colfax & Co., who worked it for about ten years, Messrs. Ward & Co. suc- ceeded, and in turn they were succeeded by Leman Bradley, who worked so long as fuel for the furnace could be obtained. When the forests were destroyed, and no more charcoal could be made, the fires went out, the miners removed, and nature kindly clothed the scene of desolation with verdure. The main shaft is said to be one hundred feet deep. As nearly as we can learn ac- tive operations were continued at this mine for about forty-five years.

On the property of Brewster J. Allison, which he calls the Bulson Lot, in Cheesecocks Patent, No. 2, a mine was opened in 1871, and considerable quantities of nickel ore have been taken from it.

The lease was made to John Sneviley, of New York city, who sold it in 1875 to The Rockland Nickel Com- pany, Emory Rider, president, 162 William street, New

" I. The marble quarry, as it is called, is on the banks of the Minisceongo Creek, about two and a half York city. The mine is not now worked.

331

STONY POINT-CHURCH HISTORY.

THE HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

In the town of Stony Point, on a commanding site on the bank of the Hudson is a house for orphan and desti- tute children, duly incorporated under the laws of the State of New York, with the title of " The House of the Good Shepherd, Rockland County, New York." This house originated in the town of Haverstraw in the year 1865. A German widow died in August of that year, leaving four young children to the care of the Rev. E. Gay jr., who was at that time the rector of Trinity parish. A few days later an English woman of the same town died, leaving three little children to the same pastor's care. Mr. Gay at once arranged for the temporary care of these orphan children, and made the case known to the people of his charge and to some other kind friends. A house was taken in the village of Haverstraw at the corner of Broad street and Broadway, and a matron, Mrs. Sarah A. Waters, was engaged. On the first of April 1866, the family was removed to a house on the Henry Garner estate in Garnerville, near Trinity chapel, where it remained five years. In the spring of 1871, the property now owned by the house was bought and build- ings erected, and since April 1871 it has been occupied by the family.

For the first five years of its existence the house was considered as a " Parish Home of Trinity " parish, Haverstraw, though no members of the parish except the rector were in any way responsible for it.

In 1870 a board of managers was incorporated under the general law of the State and organized with the fol- lowing named persons as members: Ebenezer Gay jr., James M. Nelson, William Govan, John Taylor, Francis Payson, Charles H. Dabney, Alexander G. Wood, S. Russell jr., Frederick Tomkins, S. G. Hitchcock, Frank- lin Babbitt, Romaine S. Mansfield, Walter Delafield, George W. Burr, and William H. Tomlins.

In 1871, through the efforts of the Hon. James M. Nelson, Member of Assembly for Rockland county, the Legislature appropriated $2,000 to the House and the succeeding year the sum of $15,000 was appropriated. This money was used for the purchase of the land and erection of buildings, and about $12,000 additional was given by individuals towards the erection of the build- ings.

About four hundred children, including both sexes, have been trained and educated in the House of the Good Shepherd, and sent into the world to take their places in the varied industries of life.

rules. He finds his days filled from early morning light till bed-time with duties, studies, and amusements. He is assured of the kind love of those who are over him. He finds himself trusted, his word believed. He is taught his part in the family religious services and joins in the hearty singing of God's praise. The result is that the wild, undisciplined boy is transformed into a truthful, trusty, honest youth. The children are kept under the charge of the house till they reach eighteen years of age, and are taught to think of it as their home. The results of this work have been most gratifying, and for a child from the House to turn out otherwise than well is an al- most unheard of thing.

In school the children are well taught the common branches of education, and at home the various indus- tries of farm, household, and family life.

CHURCHES.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STONY POINT.

The church was organized in the year 1855, under the care of the Presbytery of New York city. Its officers were: The Rev. Abijah Green, pastor; Dr. William Go- van, elder; Warren House, William H. Brewster, and Wil- liam Govan, trustees.

The church was formed from the Haverstraw Presby . terian church, organized A. D. 1820. The pastors of that church held services in the part of Haverstraw now in the town of Stony Point, and in 1844, a meeting house was built on a lot that had been given by the late Rich- ard Brewster Esq. This lot and building were trans- ferred to the new society by the Presbyterian church in Haverstraw, which held the legal title.

A Sunday school was held at this point for several years. In 1845, this school was regularly organized in connection with the Presbyterian church of Haverstraw, with Dr. William Govan as superintendent, and after the formation of the new society in 1855, it was reorganized with the same gentleman at its head. He and the pres- ent superintendent, Mr. William H. Rose, have continued in its charge to the present time.

The pastors of this church, before its reorganization, were Rev. Messrs. Burns, Samuel Pelton, and D. Hild- reth, of the Haverstraw church. Since its reorganiza- tion, its pastors have been: Rev. Messrs. Green, David Eagan, Frederick King, J. J. McMahon, R. B. Mattice, and T. C. Straus.

The following gentlemen have been elected and served as elders: William Govan M. D., William Osborn, Wil- liam Rose, Alexander Waldron, John J. Brooks, William H. Rose, Richard B. Marks, and Stephen H. Bowen; and the following have been elected and served as dea- cons: - Rose, George Fales, and George Crum.

In the care of the children in the House of the Good Shepherd, the managers have endeavored to realize the ideal of a Christian family. The children are allowed as much freedom as is consistent with good order and punctuality, and are encouraged to form habits of trust and honor. There are no high walls and no bolts or bars. A boy comes to the House from the city or village street or coun- The church building, erected in 1844, was rebuilt and people. try lane. He is, perhaps, perfectly undisciplined and has enlarged, in 1869, to supply seats for five hundred many bad habits. He is introduced to a boy of his own age, who is to show him the place and inform him of the The present board of trustees are: Richard B. Marks,

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HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

President; William Govan M. D., Secretary; Daniel history dates from 1804, when preaching was introduced Keesler, Treasurer; John H. Neilly, John Vervalen, E. and services were conducted by Revs. Mr. Fowler and O. Rose, and William H. Rose.

The present number of communicants is ninety-six.

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH, STONY POINT.

The first services of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the town of Stony Point were held by the Rev. E. Gay jr. in 1869. Mr. Gay resigned the charge of Trinity parish, Haverstraw, in that year, and was appointed by the bishop of New York, the Right Rev. Horatio Potter, D.D., to hold services in Stony Point. Services were held in different localities and Sunday schools opened. In the spring of 1871, services were begun at Tomkins Cove and have been maintained there regularly since that time.

In July, 1877, services and a Sunday school were begun at Caldwell's Landing. On November 9th 1861 the cor- ner stone of a church was laid. The building was used for services during the succeeding summer, and conse- crated March 29th 1883, under the the title of "The House of Prayer," by the Right Rev. J. A. Paddock D.D., acting for the bishop of New York. The lot was given by Charles H. Jones, of Cold Spring, Long Island.

A parish was organized in April 1884, under the name and title of "Grace Church, Stony Point," with the Rev. grounds were the gift of Matthew Gurnee and Adelia, E. Gay jr., rector; Jacob de Ronde and Charles M. Cas- seles wardens; Joseph Casseles, William Springstead, William Tomlins, and George King, vestrymen.

The number of communicants, July Ist 1884, was sev- enty-eight.

THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.

In March 1841, the conference stationed the Rev. T. people had a mind to work." Under the pastorate of

K. Witsel at Tomkins Cove as the first regular pastor. For several years preceding that date a circuit had been established from Rockland Lake to West Point, and preaching services were held at the Cove once in four weeks. A Sunday school was organized in 1839 by Miss Lydia Wheeler, and has been continued regularly. The

William Hibbard, the regular traveling preachers of the circuit, in the dwelling houses of Daniel Phillips and Mr. Wandall, and subsequently in that of John Thiell. These famous pioneers of Methodism for years opened their houses for public worship and afforded comfortable rest- ing places for the weary itinerants. Daniel Phillips is said to have been the first class leader. Among the names of the long list of preachers subsequently appointed to this locality, are Sherwood, Pitman, Wolseys, Finley, At- kins, Vannest, Crawford, Dillon, Fiddler, Rice, Lybrand, Banghart, Force, Felch, Day, Dunn, Ashbrook, Brown, Lummis, Burrows, Van Horne, Herr, Chamberlain, Mc- Combs, Atwood, Bartine, Wolf, Stokes, Wiggins, Winans, Seran, Walter, Barrett, Johns, Cole, Compton, Hayter, Fort, King, and Kiefer.

Twenty years of struggle in incommodious preaching places marked the progress of the society, till, in 1828, they removed from Mr. De Noyelles' barn to a new church building in the village of Warren, now Haver- straw. The first edifice, though very small, was located on the same spot where the present church now stands. It was erected in 1834, and dedicated by Rev. Manning Force, on the 14th of June of the same year. The

his wife. The trustees were John J. Bulson, William H. Rose, and Abraham Knapp. The 14th day of last June was the fiftieth anniversary of the dedication of the church. The event was noticed in an appropriate ser- mon by the present pastor. The discourse was founded on Nehemiah IV, 6, "So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof; for the

Rev. I. W. Cole, an extensive revival occurred, which gave great strength to the society, and resulted in its be- ing detached from the other churches on the circuit and becoming self supporting.

A published history by Rev. E. V. King says: " The first M. E. church was built in the town of Haverstraw, Lime Company furnished a meeting house in which the in the year 1800. In 1805, William Vredenberg is named people worshiped until Mr. Calvin Tomkins erected the present building, which was dedicated in 1854. The lot of land was given by deed September, Ist 1853, " in trust to Calvin Tomkins, by Walter Tomkins, Daniel Tom- kins, and Warren Searing, as members of the firm of Calvin Tomkins & Co., for the purpose of the erection of church buildings for the use of the Methodist Protes- tant inhabitants, to be controlled by trustees." by the old minutes as the pastor at Haverstraw. Then there were less than 120,000 Methodists in all of the United States and Territories." (The same denomina- tion now numbers nearly 2,000,000.) A letter written in 1855, and now in the possession of H. B. Mckenzie, of Haverstraw, says: " In 1800, the Haverstraw society con- tained So members. In a few years, the voice of prayer and song of praise were heard in scores of humble homes Calvin Tomkins, Daniel Tomkins, and Warren Sear- ing were the first trustees elected, of whom Calvin Tom- kins is at the present time, July 1884, the sole survivor. between Fort Montgomery and Mount Thor." Special revivals are recorded in 1839, under Mulford Day and L. R. Dunn; in 1842, under Joseph Ashbrook; in 1848, The present membership of the church is one hundred and forty. under Martin Herr; in 1871, under Isaac W. Cole; and in 1872, under A. S. Compton.

STONY POINT METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .*

The Stony Point Methodist Episcopal Church is a made in 1882, under the pastorate of Rev. E. V. King. part of what was once an extensive circuit. Its earliest

The church building has been repeatedly altered and enlarged. The greatest and most substantial change was when it was rebuilt at a cost of $4,600, wholly paid. In the spring of 1884 the writer was appointed to the charge,

*By its pastor, W. R. Kiefer.

333

STONY POINT-BIOGRAPHIES.

soon after which the Quarterly Conference gave an or- In 1850, he established cement works at Rondout, New der to the trustees to sell their parsonage with a view to reinvestment at the village of Stony Point. This will be one of the most important improvements ever made on the charge, and will be hailed with much pleasure by every pastor connected with the Newark Conference, who may hereafter become a possible candidate for the pas- torate of this time honored church.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CALVIN TOMKINS.

The ancestors of that branch of the Tomkins family which is now settled in Stony Point, came from Connec- tieut, and lived in Orange, New Jersey, during the latter part of the eighteenth century.

Enos Tomkins, who married Sarah Condit, was the father of nine children: Elias, David, Ambrose, Daniel, Enos Condit, Calvin, Sarah wife of Jacob Stagg, Lydia wife of Charles Dean, and Elmira wife of John Fox.

Calvin Tomkins was born January 31st 1793. Until the age of fifteen he remained with his father, assisting him at his trade, which was that of tanner and currier; and then, resolving to try business on his own account, he went as a boatman, running between Newark and New York, and various points along the Hudson. Com-

Mr. Tomkins married, in 1818, Esther Tuers, who died , and he was married a second time to Eliza Par- mencing as a " common hand," he was soon given charge ish, in 1850. His children are: Walter; Sarah, wife of of a boat, and became a partner in the freighting busi- James G. Lindsley; Phebe, wife of James Hill; Jane, wife Joseph T .; and Cornelius T.

ness. After a while he ceased going on the vessel, and of Henry T. Lincoln; Laura, wife of George S. Wood; remained on shore, looking after the interests of the com- pany. His time not being fully occupied, he established a wood and coal yard.

At that time the coal business was in its infancy, and try's history, Mr. Tomkins passes the evening of his days he supplied the principal part of the anthracite consumed in Newark. The fine coal was in those times thrown away as worthless. The president of the Lehigh Com- pany, then just started, informed him that in other places the fine coal was used in burning lime. Aeting HON. DANIEL TOMKINS. upon this suggestion, Mr. Tomkins started a lime kiln, and brought limestone from Sing Sing, supplying coal in exchange. The business began on a small seale, but soon increased, and steam power soon supplied the place of mules, which had been previously used. He then commeneed the business of grinding and caleining gyp- sum, and, having the requisite facilities, he afterward es- tablished the manufacture of cement. The immense cliffs of limestone above Stony Point had long been known, but a small kiln, made by John Crom, about 1789, was the only attempt to utilize the material which nature had so liberally supplied.

In 1834, Mr. Tomkins came to this place, and bought a small tract of land (or rather roek) near the present the company had come with the intention of making a

railroad station. The small lime kilns were then owned by Samuel Brewster. Cargo after cargo of the limestone was shipped to Newark, and after the supply which was first purchased had been exhausted, he, with his brother Daniel, bought all the available lime rock in the vicinity.

York, and at those works 1, 100 barrels a day are now produced. About 1854, he resolved to increase his fa- cilities for manufacturing plaster, and went to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on a prospecting tour. In the former province he bought 200 aeres of land, con- taining vast deposits of gypsum. And the Albert Manu- facturing Company was incorporated, and at the present time is making 500 barrels of plaster daily, besides fur- nishing material for making the same amount at Newark.

Mr. Tomkins eame to Tomkins Cove, to make a per- manent residence, in 1858. At that time the country round was owned by a few inhabitants, the descendants of the original Duteh settlers. The facilities for educa- tion were very meager. A small wooden school house was standing, but no school was kept for a large portion of the time. In 1874, Mr. Tomkins, at an expense of $22,000, ereeted the present Union School building, which will be a lasting monument to his memory, and a blessing to generations yet unborn. Previous to this, he built the Methodist Protestant Church at a cost of $6,000, the church lot having been given by his brother, Daniel Tomkins. In the war of 1812, Mr. Tomkins was a sol- dier in the company under Captain Joel Harrison, in Colonel Frelinghuysen's regiment, which was stationed on Staten Island.

In his elegant residence overlooking the Hudson Riv- er and the scenes of many events famous in our coun- in quiet repose, blessed with a degree of health and strength wonderful for his years, but the natural result of a life of activity and temperance, and his whitened locks are like the snows of winter, " frosty but kindly."

Daniel, the fifth son of Enos Tomkins, was born in Orange, New Jersey, February 14th 1807. His early life was passed on the liomestead with his parents, and, at the age of twenty-two, he married Phebe, daughter of Bethuel Baldwin, of Newark. He then engaged in the manufacture of hats, and continued in this business till 1838. In the spring of that year, he embarked, with a company of sixteen laborers, on board a small sloop named Contrivance, and came to what has since been called Tomkins Cove, above Stony Point. At this place he had purchased, the year before, a tract which was originally a part of the estate of William De Ronde. As

permanent settlenient, they brought a horse and eow in the sloop with them. There being no wharf in that vi- einity, the animals were hoisted overboard and swam to the shore. The company soon erected a small shanty, and commenced housekeeping in very primitive style.

Mation Ton kins

334

HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

During the next year a comfortable house was built, and Mrs. Tomkins joined her husband at the new home. The business of manufacturing lime for agricultural purposes was commenced, and carried on with such success that, in eighteen years, in the place of the humble shanty, there was a thrifty village of 300 inhabitants, who gained a comfortable support from the business which was be- gun on so small a scale. Vessels from North Carolina, Delaware, and Virginia crowded the harbor, and carried away to their various States cargoes of the lime, which was manufactured at the rate of 10,000 bushels per day. In 1856, Mr. Tomkins purchased the farm of Samuel Brewster, being the north portion of the estate owned by Captain Jamies Lamb before the Revolution. When this purchase was made there were several brick yards on the premises, which were managed by persons who had leased land of the Brewster family. They were making bricks at the rate of 3,000,000 per annum, but, after they came into Mr. Tomkins' possession, the business was increased so largely, that, at the time of his death, 12,000,000 were made here annually.

Mr. Tomkins increased the amount of his real estate by various purchases, among which may be mentioned the greater part of the " 3d Tract granted to the chil- dren of Richard Bradley " (sometimes known as the Shaw Tract from the name of a subsequent owner), and the far-famed Stony Point (the scene of General Wayne's great victory), which is now owned by his descendants, who highly prize the historic spot.

During the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Tomkins was a member of the war committee for the 8th district, and labored earnestly and energetically in behalf of the gov- ernment. He was a man of great energy, foresight, and perseverance, qualities which usually lead to success, and to this his own case was no exception. When a member of the war committee, Mr. Tomkins became personally acquainted with President Lincoln, and this acquaintance continued till the untimely death of the great leader;

In September, 1851, Mr. Tomkins married Amanda, and he enjoyed the confidence and respect of many of youngest daughter of Hon. George S. Allison. Her the most prominent men of the day. Although his po- father purchased the farm which formerly belonged to Tobias Waldron, and presented it to his daughter, and for a few years they lived in the old house which was a relic of the days before the Revolution. They moved to this place in 1862, and in 1872, he built his present ele- gant residence, which overlooks the river, and the far famed Stony Point, the scene of General Wayne's great victory. litical views were in opposition to those of a majority of the citizens of the county, yet such was the personal es- teem in which he was held by the public, that in 1872 he was elected to the Legislature by a large majority, and served his constituents faithfully and well. After the expiration of his term, he was compelled, by failing health, to retire from active business, and he passed his winters in Florida and the West Indies; and after a life Mr. Tomkins has three children: Helen A., Ada F. (who married Harry W. Allison), and Mary A., all of whom are living with their parents. of success and usefulness, he passed away August 27th 1877. Mr. Tomkins was the father of three sons, Wat- son, Frederick, and Theodore, of whom biographical sketches are appended; and two daughters, Elizabeth, wife of Stephen Ginna, and Phebe, wife of John D. Brumley M.D. The latter died in May, 1878, leaving one son, John D). Brumley jr., of Newark, N. J.

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History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 76

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