History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 78

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 78

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In Trinity parish, Haverstraw, under Mr. Gay's ad- ministration, originated the House of The Good Shep- herd, Rockland county, by which he is more widely known than by any of his other works. This was first established, in 1866, as a home for the care of orphan children in the parish. It was first opencd in Haver- straw village, then removed to Garnerville.

Mr. Gay was married, October 6th 1863, to Miss Jo- sephine Wood, of New York city, In her he found a helpmeet, who was animated by a like spirit with his own. Earnestly devoted to the Church of Christ, for which their labors and prayers have been given, both Mr. and Mrs. Gay have shrunk from no duty which the great Head of the Church has laid on them. The care of the orphan and destitute children, which became their duty and work by the establishment of the House of the Good Shepherd, they were unwilling to delegate to others. After much study and investigation of similar works clse- where, the idea of this establishment as a mission house and home and training school was developed. The children should be educated as bccaine those who had a future as American citizens before them, their hopes and ambitions should be stimulated, and they should have that training and instruction in the elements of the Christian religion which, by God's blessing, should open to them the certain hopc and expectation of eternal life.

It was at a time of great depression in business that Mr. Gay took charge of the parish. Civil war was rag- ing, and a pall of gloom hung over the country. To many, the issue seemed uncertain. Many of the men had | Unlike the ordinary asylums, it should be in the best left their families and were in the army. For months sense of the word a home to which the affections of its inmates should cling in after life, and where they should they had received no pay, and dire poverty prevailed.

339

STONY POINT-BIOGRAPHIES.

learn to realize that no man liveth to himself. It should be a mission house and its inmates should take an active part in the evangelization of the world.

The house was opened in Haverstraw village in Feb- ruary 1866, was removed to Garnerville, April Ist 1866, and to its present location, near Tomkins Cove, April Ist 1871. Mr. Gay lives in the house and makes the in- terests of the daily life there his own.

With his assistants he has established Sunday schools and services in several localities in the surrounding country, so that to many has been broken the bread of life. On horseback and on foot he has penetrated the regions alinost unknown to many of the people near the river, and visited almost every house and log cabin to the Orange county line, conversing with the inmates on religious subjects, and distributing Bibles and other re- ligious books and papers. He has been content to speak of Christ Jesus in school houses or under the trees of the forest, wherever he could gather the people, and fession at Stony Point, in Rockland county, and this has many have heard from his lips the words of salvation.

As a result of his labors the beautiful group of build- In 1858 he became a permanent member of the Medi- cal Society of the State of New York, and in 1860 he was elected a permanent member of the American Med- ings, consisting of a church, a school house, and a rec- tory, all of stone, at St. John's, among the hills, has been erected. At Caldwells Landing stands a most attractive ical Association. In 1872 he was made a Fellow of the stone church, the House of Prayer, built by Mr. Gay, from designs drawn by himself. The buildings of the House of The Good Shepherd were all designed by him, and built under his supervision by men whom he em- ployed by the day. He thus made the erection of the buildings a valuable element in the instruction of the boys, who were taught to work with the men.

Mr. Gay is still in the prime of life, in good health, earnestly and hard at work. He gives to the Sunday schools at Tomkins Cove and Caldwells his personal superintendence, and he rarely holds less than four ser- vices, at three of which he preaches, each Sunday.

WILLIAM GOVAN, A. M., M. D.

Dr. Govan is descended fromn ancestors dating as far back as the seventeenth century, some of whom fought and died during the civil wars in Scotland in defense of civil and religious liberty. His grandfather, William

He has been an active politician, but not an office Govan, was born about the middle of the eighteenth cen- | seeker. He is a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church,

tury. He was a prominent citizen of Glasgow, Scotland, was a burgher and a member of the Common Council of that city. He died in (794 and was buried in the ceme- tery of the High Church of Glasgow. His tomb is still in possession of the family.

gow in 1790, and came to America about 1815. He was a graduate of Glasgow University, and a Presbyterian clergyman. He first settled in Vermont, and afterward preached in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. In 1834 he removed to Michigan where he died in 1876. His wife was Jane, a daughter of Robert Stark.

Dr. William Govan was born at Barnet, in Ver- mont, August 12th 1818. At the age of 16 he en- tered Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H., where he prepared for college. In 1835 he entered Dartmouth College, from which he graduated in 1839. After his graduation he became a teacher, first in New Windsor. N. Y., and then in Peekskill Academy. In 1840 he com- menced the study of medicine, and in 1843 he became a licensed practitioner. In 1844 he received from Dart- mouth College the degree of A. M., and in 1854 he re- ceived from New York Medical College the degree of M.D. In 1843 Dr. Govan commenced the practice of his pro- ever since been his residence and field of labor.

American Academy of Medicine. In 1881 he was chosen vice-president of the Medical Society of the State of New York, and in 1884 he was made a Fellow of the Medical Association of the State of New York. During the last fifteen years he has been the secretary of the Medical Society of the County of Rockland. IIe now holds the position of District Investigator to the State Board of Health for the district composed of Rockland and Westchester counties. He has been during twenty years one of the coroners of Rockland county. During the civil war of 1861-5 he served as a vol- unteer surgeon. His practice has, during many years, extended over the whole of the northern part of Rock- land county.

Dr. Govan has always manifested a lively interest in educational matters, and he is now president of the Board of Education of Stony Point.

and it is worthy of remark that his ancestors, as far back as is known, were members of the same denomination.

July 6th 1845, he married Lucia J. Mitchell, of Peek - skill, N. Y., a daughter of the late Chauncey R. Mitchell. They have had three children, two sons and a daughter,

Andrew Govan, the son of William, was born in Glas- [ of whom a son and a daughter are now living.

Gillian Isviano

ADDENDA.

ST. ANN'S (ROMAN CATHOLIC) CHURCH, NYACK .*

In the year 1833 Bishop Dubois, of New York, pur- chased a large tract of land running along the river from what is now known as the " Green " property, nearly to the Hook Mountain, and immediately commenced the building of a seminary for the education of priests.

The rector of the seminary was also to be pastor of Nyack. It may then be said that the Catholic Church of this village dates its existence from that year, and the Catholics enjoy the proud distinction of having had, as their first pastor, His Eminence Cardinal McCloskey, he having been appointed as first rector of the seminary. His pastorate lasted just five years. In 1838, before the seminary buildings were even completed, they were burned down. It was said to be due to an accident. The feeling against the Catholics being so strong at that time, Bishop Dubois determined not to rebuild. He sold the property at a sacrifice, and had all the stone taken away for the purpose of building the seminary in Brook- lyn.

Cardinal McCloskey, who was then only a priest, was removed to New York, and the Catholics were left with- out an attending clergyman until 1848, when Rev. Fran- cis McKeone was appointed to the pastorate of Haver- straw and the neighboring villages. The Catholics of Nyack being as yet too few to have a church of their own, attended divine worship in St. John's Church, Pier- mont.

In the year 1867, their numbers having increased, they determined upon building a church in the village. For two years previous to this, however, they met regu- larly for worship in a building that stood on the corner of Main and Orchard streets. Four lots were purchased, on Jefferson street, for $2,100, through the agency of Bernard Kane and Daniel C. Callahan. Ground was at once broken, and in a short time a fine brick structure arose.

The Catholics of Nyack deserve great credit for the

work which they had accomplished. They were com- paratively few in numbers, and by no means rich, yet they contributed generously to the undertaking, and many of them, after their days labor was ended, would go and toil on the new church building until dark, so anxious were they to see it completed.

The work was thus pushed with such increased rapid- ity, that on New Year's day, 1870, inass was celebrated in it for the first time by Father Quinn.

The writer, looking back and seeing the difficulties of those times, deems it but just to mention the names of a few who were principally interested in the formation of the parish and the erection of the church. Such were Bernard Kane, Daniel Callahan, John Curran, Thomas Doolan, Michael Scanlon, Michael Kennedy, Peter Ma- loney, and others. Many not Catholics, among them notably, Richard De Cantillon, also lent generous aid to this work.

On the death of Father Quinn, in 1875, Rev. William L. Penny was appointed by Cardinal McCloskey rector of this church and the one of Piermont. Under his ad- ministration St. Ann's congregation has grown to be the largest in the village.

The Sunday school attached to the church has more than doubled its attendance.

He has made, generously seconded by his people, many improvements, among which may be mentioned a gallery, thus increasing the seating capacity; a new vestry room in the rear of the church; and a new altar, worth $600, build under his own personal supervision, and which is justly claimed to be the handsomest in any church along the river.

In conclusion it may be stated that there is a great deal unavoidably left out of the history of this church, which should be mentioned. "The writer has condensed within as small a space as possible the material he had at hand. Since 1838 a complete change has taken place in the religious feelings of the people, and Catholics are no longer looked down upon, as in those early days. Denominations that formerly reviled the title " Catholic,"

*By Rev. Patrick J. O'Meara.

341

ADDENDA-ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, PIERMONT.

now vie with one another in upholding it, and claiming it even to the exclusion of that church that was never ashamed to bear it, or hesitated to defend it.

ST. JOHN'S (ROMAN CATHOLIC) CHURCH, PIERMONT .*

Prior to 1848, the Catholics of Piermont had no regu- lar attendance by a priest. Being rather small in num- bers, and priests but very few at that time, they were obliged to content themselves with religious services held at irregular intervals. In that year, Rev. Francis Mc- Keone was assigned to Haverstraw to look after the spir- itual welfare of the Catholics of that place, Nyack, Pier- mont, Spring Valley, Suffern, and other parts of the county. A regular congregation was soon formed in Piermont, and Mass was first celebrated in what is now known as "Odd Fellows' Hall." Steps were at once taken toward the providing of a church proper. In the summer of 1851 the work was commenced; and on New Year's Day, 1852, a substantial brick building was thrown open for Divine worship, and on that day the Catholics assisted, for the first time, at Mass offered in a church of their own. It was a proud day for those few faithful, persevering, and generous souls. That building was situated on the north side of the creek, nearly oppo- site the present Dutch church.

A few months afterward, Father McKeone was trans- ferred to New York city.

On July Ist 1852, Rev. John Quinn was appointed pas- tor of Piermont, now erected into a parish. He contin- ued the work among the Catholics of this place, Nyack, Spring Valley, Suffern, and Greenwood Lake.

The Catholics of Nyack were obliged to come to Pier- mont to church. The distance being great, they, having considerably increased in numbers, wished to have a church of their own. The congregation of Piermont, likewise, grew so fast, that a new church was deemed necessary for it. Father Quinn then thought of a com- promise by which the wants of both congregations might He came from County Longford, Ireland, in 1842. He went immediately to Fordham College, and was or be satisfied. A handsome piece of property, lying at the . extreme north end of Piermont, on the main road to dained priest, September 23d 1848, by Archbishop Hughes. He commenced his missionary career at St. James' Church (now the Cathedral), Jay street, Brook- lyn. In 1852, he was promoted to the pastorate of Piermont. This village was then in its infancy, and he saw it grow in all its prosperity. He loved his people, and was, in return, truly beloved by them.

Nyack, and bordered on the east by the noble Hudson, was purchased through the agency of Patrick Keene, Esq. A church built here would be so much nearer to Nyack, that considerable distance in travel would be saved to the people of that village.

Before commencing a new church, however, the pastor had to provide for the children of the parish; and so, in 1859, he erected the present school building situated on the north side of the creek in the heart of the village. In 1860, the congregation commenced the work of build- ing the new church, and in the same year it would have been completed but for an accident.

It was in the fall. The building had progressed so far that nothing remained but to have it roofed in.

On a Saturday evening the workmen quit their work. Many of them being members of the congregation, glanced with pride at the noble proportions the building had already assumed, and rejoiced in anticipating the

day when they could assist at divine worship in their new church. But they reckoned not of the elements. On that same night a terrific storm arose, and on Sunday morning only parts of the sides of the building remained standing. It was undoubtedly a severe blow to the pas- tor and his faithful flock thus to find the fruits of their labor and means almost entirely swept away at one stroke.

Nothing undaunted, however, Father Quinn, generous- ly seconded by his people, set to work at once to re- build, and with such earnestness and zeal, that the build- ing was completed and Mass offered in it for the first time on the 13th of the August following (1861). The pastor and people now rejoiced in having a new and inore beautiful edifice dedicated to the service of the Almighty.

The arduous labors of Father Quinn's extensive mis- sions now began to tell upon his health, and he felt compelled to ask for an assistant priest.

The Rev. Christopher Farrell, of New York, was ap- pointed to this post. Having served faithfully for a long period, lie was subsequently promoted to the pas- torate of Mamaroneck, on the Sound.

He was succeeded by the Rev. John Fitzharris, who, | after serving for nearly two years, was transferred to St. Joseph's Church, New York. After him came Rev. Henry J. Gordon, who remained faithful in the discharge of the many duties that devolved upon him, especially owing to the enfeebled health of the pastor. For a long time, the entire administration of parochial affairs rested upon him. He was assistant priest until the death of Father Quinn, when he was transferred to St. Paul's Church, Harlem.

In 1875, on the 24th of December, Father Quinn breathed his last, after a pastorate of nearly 25 years. As his name is, more than any other clergyman's, identi- fied with Piermont, a few words respecting him may not be out of place.

During the 25 years of his pastorate, he was ably as- - sisted in the temporal affairs of the church by Andrew Fallon, Esq., and Mr. Daniel Duran, as trustees.

On the death of Father Quinn, the Rev. William L. Penny was appointed by His Eminence Cardinal Mc- Closkey as rector of this church.

Under his administration, many changes and improve- ments have heen made. He is ably assisted by the Rev. Patrick O'Meara. A large and flourishing Sunday school, a, prosperous temperance society, and other or- ganizations are attached to the church.

The property of the church, situated on the bank of the Hudson, is the most beautiful in the village. The church is free of debt.

*By Rev. Patrick J. O'Meara.

342

HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

HAVERSTRAW NATIONAL BANK.

This bank was established in 1871, by a company of men residing at Haverstraw and neighboring villages. It was organized by electing Isaac Odell of Tarrytown, pre- sident; Ira M. Hedges, vice-president; and George S. Smith, cashier. It was at first a State bank with a capital of $100,000. It became a national bank in 1876, with a capital of $50,000. "The first board of directors were: George S. Allison, Richard A. Ver Valen, George S. Wood, John I. Cole, and John W. Gillies.

As a banking institution it has been very successful, and has sustained no losses which could cause it the slightest embarrassment, and its officers are men who command the confidence of the community.

Its present condition may be learned from the follow- ing statement.

Report of the condition of the National Bank of Haverstraw, at Haverstraw, in the State of New York, at the close of business, June 25th 1884.

RESOURCES.

Loans and discount. $ 97,354.95

U. S. Bonds to secure circulation 50,000.00

U. S. Bonds on hand. 100.000.00

Other stocks, bonds and mortgages 106,912.50

Due from approved reserve agents 13,493-32

Due from other National Banks 8,874.62

Real estate, furniture and fixtures 9,000.00

Current expenses and taxes paid . 3,266.54

Premiums paid . 10,946.25

Checks and other cash items

8,147.56

Bills of other Banks

5,224.00

Specie.

1, 169.31

Legal tender notes

25,000.00

Redemption fund with U. S. Treasurer (5 pcr cent. of circulation)

2,250.00

Total. $441,639.05

LIABILITIES.

Capital stock paid in

$ 50,000.00

Surplus fund. .

8,000.00

Undivided profits

27,476.34

National Bank notes outstanding. 44,000.00

Dividends unpaid 202.50.

Individual deposits subject to check 248,261.42

Demand certificates of deposit .

5.915.14

Certified checks.

516.99

Due to other National Banks.

31,609.05

Due to State Banks and bankers. 657.61

Bills payable.

25,000.00

Total . $441,639.05

STATE OF NEW YORK, }

ss .:

COUNTY OF ROCKLAND.

I, GEORGE H. SMITH, Cashier of the above named bank, do solemly swear that the above statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

GEORGE H. SMITH.

Subscribed and sworn to before }

me this 2d day of July, 1884.

CYRILLUS MYERS, Notary Public.

Correct-Attest:

J. M. HEDGES,

JOHN W. GILLIES, & Directors. GEORGE S. WOOD,

TWO BURIALS IN RAMAPO.

About one mile and a half south of Spring Valley on the road to Pascack is a small burying ground on the property of Mrs. Dr. Grindle where lie the remains of James Dorcy, a soldier of the Revolution, said to have hecn barber to General Washington.

About one mile and a half north of Spring Valley on the road to the English Church, and just above the house of Mr. Jacob T. Eckerson, is the old De Ronde burying ground, where lie the remains of Abram De Ronde and his brother Jacob. The circumstances of the death of Abram De Ronde are as follows. He, with his brother Jacob, and Mr. John Tinkey, were transporting supplies to the American army at Stony Point when they were surprised and captured by a band of Tories near the Re- formed church at Saddle River. Next day, as they were being transported from the home of the Tories at Chest- nut Ridge toward New York and had come to a place now known as the English Neighborhood, they were fired into by a number of American scouts and De Ronde was severely wounded. A few days later, however, he man- aged to reach his home, north of Spring Valley, where mortification setting in, he died and was buried October 2d 1785.

REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS FROM ROCKLAND COUNTY.

From " Pay Abstract of a Regiment of New York Militia Command by Col. A. Hawks Hay in The service of the United States on Different Allarms from the 4th April 1778 untili the 9th of August 1780:"

A. Hawks Hay, colonel; Gilbert Cooper, Lieutenant colonel; John Smith, major; John L. Smith, major; John Ferrand, surgeon; James Clark, adjutant; Joseph John- son, quartermaster; Joseph Hunt, quartermaster ser- geant; James Onderdonk, sergeant major.

Captain Johannes Bell's pay roll: Henry Tourneurs, Aurie Smith, Garret Ackerson, Jacob Onderdonk, John Gardner, Johanes Blauvelt, William Sickles, John A. Ho- genkamp, Aurie Blauvelt; Lieutenants, Cornelius Blau- velt, Daniel Onderdonk, John Sitcher; Captain, Joscph Crane.

A pay roll of Captain Jacob Onderdonk's company, south side of the mountain, in the county of Orange, March 1779 till October the 15th 1779:

Jacob Onderdonk, captain; Resolvert Van Houten, Ist lieutenant; Andrcis Onderdonk, 2d licutenant; Re- solveert Van Houten, ensign; Rueloff Stephens, sergeant; Claus Vanhouten, sergeant; Jacobus Blauvelt, sergeant; Abraham Blauvelt, sergeant; James Vanderbilt, corporal; Tunis Vanhouten, corporal; Peter Stephens, corporal; Abraham Vanhouten, corporal; Johanes Ackerman, fifer; John Blauvelt, Peter Blauvelt, Peter Depew, Daniel Co- poelet, John Vanhouten, Stephen H. Stephens, Hendrick Cooper, Stephen A. Stephens, John Stagg, Albert Ste- phens, William Campbell, Luke Campbell, Stephen Camp- bell, Mathew Riker, Resolveert Stephens, Towles Sea- man, Joseph Seaman, William Taylor, Stephen Smith, Isaac Smith, John Smith, Nathaniel Smith, Abraham Gar-

343

ADDENDA-LAND TITLES IN STONY POINT.

rison, Abraham Garrison jr., Daniel Vansickle, Isaac Secor.

EARLY LAND GRANTS IN STONY POINT.

That portion of the town of Stony Point which lies north of the "Northwest Line," is composed of com- paratively small tracts, into which the great Evans Pat- ent (see page 155) was divided, and a brief notice of each will be given. A full account of the Bradley and Jamison Patent, or Stony Point Tract, will be found in another place, and its subdivisions are fully described. To the west of this tract, and adjoining the " Northwest Line," is one of the tracts which were granted to Brad- ley's children.

Richard Bradley, whose name must ever be associated with the history of Rockland county, was a man of wealth and influence. He was appointed Attorney- General in 1722, and re-appointed in 1728.

Taking advantage of his official position he obtained many grants of land, most of them indirectly. In 1747 and 1749, four tracts were granted to his children, al- though in reality for his own benefit. He died in 1749. leaving a wife, Elizabeth, and five children: Sarah, Cath- arine, George, Elizabeth, and Mary. Of the four tracts granted to these children, the second, third, and fourth are in the town of Stony Point. The first tract, which contained 4,290 acres, is in Orange county.

The third tract, which lies directly west of the Stony Point Tract, contained 840 acres, and is described on page 321. This tract was sold to James Johnson, and he sold it to Theodorus Snedeker, May 31st 1755, and he in turn sold it to George and John Shaw of the city of New York, May 30th 1760.

By a deed dated November 8th 1786, George Shaw, "Tanner and Currier, late of the city of New York, but now of Saint John, New Brunswick," and Jacob Shaw, " of Westchester county," and Rachel, his wife, sold the whole tract to Samuel Brewster, "iron master," for the sum of £336. It was generally known as the "Shaw Tract." The western part of the tract was sold by Brewster to Noah Mott, and this part is still called the "Mott Tract." The eastern portion was sold by the heirs of Samuel Brewster to Daniel Tomkins, and is now owned by his sons. The highest part of the mountain, called Bock-berg, or Goat Hill, is in this tract. This hill was called by the Indians, Skoonnenoghky, and the Northwest Line runs on the south side of it. The North- west Line starts from the Hudson River, south of the promontory of Stony Point, and runs to the Delaware River.

The second tract contained 370 acres, and was granted to Bradley's children, October 30th 1749. It is de- scribed on page 321. This tract was sold to James Johnson, who sold it to Theodorus Snedeker, May 31st 1755. The property of Theodorus Snedeker was con- fiscated after the Revolution, and this tract was sold by Simeon De Witt, Surveyor General, to Samuel Brewster, May 15th 1790.

acres, was sold to Henry Case, of New York, and by hini sold to Johan David Wolfe. From him it took the name of the Wolfe Tract, by which it is generally known.

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History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 78

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