History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. I, Part 53

Author: Sylvester, Nathaniel Bartlett, 1825-1894. cn
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 758


USA > New York > Ulster County > History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. I > Part 53


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Oficers appointed by the Common Council .- Augustus Schepinoes, City Clerk ; Grove Webster, City Treasurer ; Seymour L. Stebbins, Corporation Counsel; R. M. Var Gaasbeck, Superintendent of Streets.


At the fourth election, held March 2, 1875, the officers chosen were as follows: Augustus Sehepinoes, Recorder : George W. Hasbrouck, Justice of the Peace; Daniel B. Stow, Assessor; Philip Reiss, City Sealer ; Christopher Shader, Daniel R. Johnston, John Hetzel, Peter Cloonan, Constables.


Supervisors. - First Department, Robert Loughran. Moses Stone; Second Department, William B. Scott. Ste- phen Conwell; Third Department, Jefferson McCausland. Lawrence Kirchner.


Aldermen .- First Ward, Charles M. O'Neil; Seerd Ward, George M. Brown ; Third Ward, Charles M. King ; Fourth Ward, Charles Bray; Fifth Ward, Patrick .J. Flynn ; Sixth Ward, George Bug; Seventh Ward, James G. Tubby ; Eighth Ward, Jacob Freileweh ; Ninth Ward, Jehn S. Gross.


Officers appointed by the Common Council .-- Augustus Schepmoes, City Clerk ; Grove Webster, City Treasurer : Seymour L. Stebbins, Corporation Counsel ; R. M. Van Gaasbeck, Superintendent of Streets.


The fifth election was held March 7, 1876, and the off- cers chosen were James G. Lindsley, Mayor; Samuel T. Hull : full term), Robert li. Hill ( vacancy), Justices of the Peace; Simon S. Westbrook, Assessor ; John Bruck, Chy Sealer ; D.miel R. Johnston, Robert F. Smith, John Het- zel, Peter Cloonan. Constables.


Supervisors .- First Department, Robert Loughran, John R. Stebbins; Second Department, Stephen Conwell. James HI. Cullen ; Third Department, James Joy, Warren Chipp. Allermen .- First Ward. William M. Hayes; Secord Ward, Alonzo Van Bramer ; Third Ward, James Kelly : Fourth Ward, Cornelius Hallinan ; Fifth Ward, Patrick MeGibney; Sixth Ward, George Bug; Seventh Ward. James G. Tubby ; Eighth Ward, Jacob Freileweh ; Ninth Ward, John A. Gross.


Officers appointed by the Common Council .- Augustas Schepmoes, City Clerk ; Grove Webster, City Treasurer ; S. L. Stebbins, Corporation Counsel ; R. M. Van Gaasbeck, Superintendent of Streets.


At the sixth election, held March 6, 1877, the following


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CITY AND TOWN OF KINGSTON.


officers were chosen : Melford Vernooy, Justice of the Peace ; Peter L. Osterhoudt, Assessor ; John Bruck, City Sealer ; Robert F. Smith, Michael Cahill, John Hetzel, James Glennen, Constables.


Supervisors,-First Department, Robert Loughran, Wil- liam F. Van Voris; Second Department, Patrick McCor- mick, James Nugent; Third Department, Warren Chipp, George L. Wachmayer.


Aldermen .- First Ward, Theodore Spore ; Second Ward, George M. Brown; Third Ward, David S. Manchester ; Fourth Ward, John Maxwell; Fifth Ward, Patrick J. Flynn ; Sixth Ward, Isaac M. North ; Seventh Ward, John Derrenbacker ; Eighth Ward, James J. Sweeney; Ninth Ward, John R. Freer.


Officers appointed by the Common Council .- Augustus Schepmoes, City Clerk ; Grove Webster, Treasurer ; Sey- mour J. Stebbins, Corporation Counsel; R. M. Van Gaas- beck, Superintendent of Streets; A. Grant Childs,* City Engineer.


-


The seventh election was held March 5, 187S, with the following result : William Lounsbery, Mayor ; Augustus Schepmoes. Recorder; George Bug, Assessor ; Josiah Du Bois, Justice of the Peace ; Robert F. Smith, Michael Cahill, James Glennen, John Barry, Constables; James Sweeney, City Sealer.t


Supervisors .- First Department, Robert Loughran, John R. Stebbins ; Second Department, James T. Olwell, Michael Flick ; Third Department, Warren Chipp, George L. Wachmayer.


Aldermen .- - First Ward, William W. Ten Broeck ; Sec- oud Ward. Moses Stone; Third Ward, John H. Cordts ; Fourth Ward, Charles Bray; Fifth Ward, Abram JIas- brouck ; Sixth Ward, William B. Scott; Seventh Ward, Andrew McMallen ; Eighth Ward, Jacob Freileweb ; Ninth Ward, W. Seott Gillispic.


Oficers appointed by the Common Council .- Augustus Schepmoes, City Clerk ; Grove Webster, City Treasurer ; Charles M. Preston, Corporation Counsel; R. M. Van Gaasbeck, Superintendent of Streets; A. Grant Childs, City Engineer.


At the eighth election, held March 4, 1879, the officers chosen were George S. Secore, Justice of the Peace (full term) ; Willett 1. Hasbrouck (vacancy ) ;} Alfred Hudler, Assessor ; Robert F. Smith, Michael Cahill, John Barry, James Glennen, Constables.


Supervisors .- First Department, Robert Loughran, John R. Stebbins; Second Department, James T. Olwell, John W. Weber ; Third Department, Warren Chipp, Jefferson McCausland.


"Aldermen .- First Ward, Thomas L. Johnston ; Second Ward, William F. Van Voris; Third Ward. David S. Manchester ; Fourth Ward. John Maxwell; Fifth Ward, Patrick J. Flynn; Sixth Ward, Isaae MI. North ; Seventh Ward, John Derrenbacker ; Eighth Ward, James J. Swee- ney ; Ninth Ward, John R. Freer.


Officers appointed by the Common Council .- Augustus Schiepmoes, City Clerk ; Grove Webster, City Treasurer ;


* Office created in 1877.


i Appointed by the Common Council.


# Hasbrouck resigned, and Mr. Secore appointed for vacancy also.


Charles M. Preston, Corporation Counsel; R. M. Van Gaasbeck, Superintendent of Streets; A. Grant Childs, City Engineer.


The ninth election, held March 2, 1880, resulted as fol- lows : Charles Bray, Mayor ; Peter L. Osterhoudt, Asses- sor; Samuel T. Hull, Justice of the Peace; Robert F. Smith, Michael Cahill, James Glennen, John Barry, Con- stables.


Supervisors .- First Department, Theodore Spore, Thomas II. Tremper ; Second Department, George C. Smith, James Sweeney; Third Department, Warren Chipp, Jefferson MeCausland.


August Weiberman, City Sealer (appointed by the Com- mon Couneil).


Aldermen .- First Ward, William W. Ten Broeck ; Second Ward. George MI. Brown ; Third Ward, John HI. Cordes ; Fourth Ward, Cornelius Hallinan ; Fifth Ward, David Mulholland ; Sixth Ward, William Winter ; Seventh Ward, Andrew MeMullen; Eighth Ward, James Cum- mings ; Ninth Ward, William HI. Fredenbergh.


Officers appointed by the Common Council .- Augustus Schepmoes, City Clerk ; Grove Webster, City Treasurer ; Charles M. Preston, Corporation Counsel; R. M. Van Gaasbeck, Superintendent of Streets; A. Grant Childs, City Engineer.


The board of ahus commissioners was organized in 1872 ; Isaac D. L. Montanye was appointed secretary and superintendent, and has held the position ever since. Presi- dents of the board have been fliram Schoonmaker, 1872- 75 ; Elisha M. Brigham, 1876-77 ; James L. Van Densen, 1878-79. The Hon. Marius Schoonmaker is the present incumbent.


V .- FIRE DEPARTMENT.


The subject of fires and the means of preventing destruc- tion by them were very early taken into consideration by the village fathers. From the old treasurer's book of the corporation of Kingston, it appears that Nov. 28, 1754, the sum of ESO was paid to Petrus Ed. Ehmendorph for a fire-engine. It is presumed that he had purchased the same as a committee on behalf of the corporation.


June 6, 1755, there was also paid to Mr. Elinendorph £12, in part for freight upon the fire-engine, and Decem- ber Sth, of that year, Gs, was allowed to William Eltinge for cleaning the fire-engine.


Fifty years later the corporation transferred to the village board a fire-engine, and the same was accepted by the new authorities. The records do not show whether it was the engine of 1755 or not.


Under the village organization an ordinance was passed April 14, 1806, for regulating the firemen in the discharge of their duties. The captain of the firemen was required to order out the firemen to meet at the engine-house on the 15th day of April each year, and at least once every three weeks thereafter, until the 1st day of November ensuing. The firemen were to proceed with the engine from the place aforesaid for the purpose of filling with water and working in a suitable manner the said engine at such places as the captain or, in his absence, the lieutenant, shall direct. They were required to oil the crow and other machinery of said engine, and keep everything in readiness for actual


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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.


work in case of fire. On the breaking out of a fire, they were required to proceed with the engine instantly to the place of conflagration, and assist in the filling of the engine with water and working the same to the best advantage. The fire wardens were really in command over the firemen. In the absence of the captain and lieutenant, the senior fireman present was to have the direct command of the company. A fireman neglecting or refusing to obey orders was liable to a fine of $10. Each fireman was required to furnish himself with a leather hat painted white, to be worn on all occasions when he appeared as fireman. Each fire-warden was required to furnish himself with a ward- pole, painted white, at least one inch and a half in diameter and seven feet long, which he shall always carry with him whenever executing any of the duties required by this or preceding ordinances. It was further ordained that if any person shall, in any street, garden, or yard within the vil- lage, have a pipe with lighted tobacco or a lighted cigar, he shall for every offense forfeit and pay the sum of $1, and no one was permitted to carry fire in the streets except in a well-covered vessel or other thing.


For the young people of the present time it may be necessary to explain that there were then no friction matches, and, if the fire went out in a dwelling-house, it was often necessary to " borrow fire" of the neighbors.


The directors asked the freeholders to vote an appropria- tion, at a special meeting, Aug. 30, 1806, to purchase fire- buckets and repair the fire-engine. It was, however, refused.


Oct. 27, 1806 .- An agreement was ordered to be made with Peter M. Groen to construct a leader or pipe to the fire-engine. This seems to have been afterwards rescinded.


April 6, 1807 .- The white hats do not appear to have proved of much advantage in extinguishing fires, and the order requiring them to be worn was rescinded.


April 20, 1807 .- The blacksmiths having created some alarm by building fires promisevously in the streets to set tires, they were restrained by an ordinance which forbid them to " erect any fire in any street, alley, road, or garden, except by a special permit from the board of directors," .... the penalty for the offense to be five dollars.


June 15, 1807 .- Nicholas Vanderlyn, captain of the fire company, preferred complaints against several delin- quent firemen.


July 19, 1807 .- He asked to have added to his com- pany John Chipp, Jacob Masten, Anthony Freer, and David Delemater, Jr.


Firemen being more than two miles from the village on a day of parade, or at the breaking out of a fire, were exeused if away ou necessary business.


April 1, 1809 .- Thirty dollars were voted for a uew leader or pipe to the fire-engine, the one made by Jacob M. Groen pursuant to a former arrangeureut not proving satisfactory to the board.


March 20, 1810 .- It was voted that the president con- tract for six leather fire buckets for the use of the company, and also as many hooks used in cases of fire as he may judge necessary.


March 31, 1810 .- The president reported that Mr. Roberts, the blacksmith, had made fire-hooks, and he had paid for theiu by an order on the treasury.


Aug. 17, 1810 .- It was voted to build a public cistern in the court-yard next to the engine-house, " if we have a right to place it there," otherwise on Mill Brook, in the rear of the market-house.


John W. Van Gaasbeck and Benjamin Bogardus were reported to have barracks covered with straw, and, these being regarded as dangerous, they were required to remove the said barracks or cover them with better materials.


Aug. 17, 1811 .- No full lists of the fire company are given, but under this date it appears the following were members : Peter Van Steenburgh, Peter Van Gaasbeck, Coenrad Van Gaasbeck, James Chipp, Samuel S. Freer, Seth Couch, Henry Chipp, Edward Green.


Nov. 14, 1812 .- Other names of firemen appear, viz. : William Brink, Abraham I. Delemater, John C. Jansen, John MeLean, John Chipp, Jacob Ketcham, John Beek-


March 26, 1813 .-- The directors contracted with James & Henry Chipp to make two cisterns, -- capacity twelve hogsheads cach, -- to be placed in the ground with sufficient clay around them, at $26.50 each.


Aug. 11, 1813 .- Among the firemen are named Conrad Gaasbeck, Edward Green, John M. Van Keuren, Alexander Stony, Teunis Swart.


March 18, 1814 .- Another fireman mentioned is James C. Elmendorph. The same year Wilhelmus Van Gaas- beck and Jacob Burhans joined the fire company.


Sept. 16, 1815 .- Discussion began to arise over the ne- cessity of having another engine, and the subject was brought before a meeting of the board. A vote was passed in favor of raising $100 by tax for that purpose.


March 9, 1816 .-- Peter Wynkoop, of New York, ap- peared before the board and explained, in answer to cor- respondenee with Mr. Elmendorf, that he cannot purchase a good engine for 8400, but ean for $500. The board ap- proved the proposition at $500.


March 23, 1816 .- The following firemen are named as being licensed firemen : William G. Elting, Abraham G. Van Keuren, Jacob Burhans, Gideon Ostrander, William Ilohnes, Peter Swart, Abraham Myer, James Rougeu, Tobias Hasbrouck, Jacob Masten, Jonathan B. Ostrander.


April 13, 1816 .- Engine Company No. 1 is mentioned, with James C. Elmendorf captain, and the following mem- bers : John Chipp, Withchuus Van Gaasbeck, John Mc- Lean, Peter Van Steenbergh, Edward Green, Anthony Freer, John M. Van Keuren, John Beckman, Cornelius T. Beekman, Samuel S. Freer, William G. Eltinge, Abram G. Van Keuren, Jacob Burhans, Peter Swart, Tobias Has- brouck. At the same time the following are named as constituting Engine Company No. 2, Seth Couch captain : William Brink, Jamies Chipp, Henry Chipp, Alexander Story, William Holmes, John C. Jansen, Gideon Ostrander, Abraham I. Delemater, Jr., Abraham Myer, James Roggen, Jacob Masten, Jonathan D. Ostrander. It is inferred that at this date the new engine had been procured, and that the two companies were fully organized and equipped.


Sept. 15, 1816 .- John C. Van Keuren becomes a fire- man in place of Samuel S. Freer.


May 26, 1817 .- Peter G. Sharp is appointed a fireman in place of James Chipp.


209


CITY AND TOWN OF KINGSTON.


April 8, 1818 .- John Hume is received as a fireman in place of Alexander Story.


May 6, 1823 .- It was unanimously voted to build a new engine-house on the academy ground.


These notes show at such length as our limits permit the carly movements for the suppression of fires, the purchase of the first engines, and the founding of the first com- panies.


FIRE DEPARTMENT OF RONDOUT.


The three fire-wardeus first choseu were assigned as fol- lows: James Diamond to Fire District No. 1, being the easterly part of the village from Ponekhockie up to Di- vision Street ; Adam Brighteubecker to District No. 2, being the central part of the village from Division Street to Ilone Street; John H. Lansing to District No. 3, being that part of the village lying westerly of Hone Street.


Fire Engine Company No. I was organized by the ap- proval of the board, innnediately after the first village elec- tion, on the petition of Solomon Brown and 25 others.


Hook-and-Ladder Company No. I was formed by the approval of the board, Feb. 13, 1857. D. McMillan was choseu foreman.


Under the amendments of the charter, made in 1857, a chief engineer and an assistant were thereafter annually appointed. After the first year two assistants were chosen. 1857 .- James G. Tubby, Chief Engineer; Jacob Derrenbecker, As- sistant.


1855 .- Palmer A. Canfield, Chief Engineer ; Charles S. Everson, First Assistant; William Winter, Second Assi-'ont.


1850 .-- Donald McMillan, Chief Engineer; George M. Emmett, First Assistant; George Weber. Second Assistant.


1860-61 .-- Donald McMillan, Chief Engineer: George Weber, First Assistant ; James McCausland, Second Assistant.


1862-63 .- George Weber, Chief Engineer.


1864 .- Martin Wynne, Chief Engineer; John O'Connor, First Assist- ant; William Bartholomew, Second .Assistant. 1865-65 .- George Weber, Chief Engineer. 1868 .- George Weber, Chief Engineer ; Peter Kearney, First Assist- ant; Daniel MeGrane, Second Assistant.


1869 .- George Weber, Chief Engineer ; Peter Kearney, First Assist- ant; William Gage, Second Assistant. 1870 .- George Weber, Chief Engineer; Peter Dennenbacker, First Assistant; Patrick Sheridan, Serond Assistant.


IS71 .- George Weber, Chief Engineer ; William Gage, First Assist- ant; Joseph Rice, Second Assistant.


FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY.


At the organization of the city goverment there were two districts provided for, the Eastern and the Western. A chief engineer and two assistants were appointed in each. The Western District included Wards Nos. 1, 2, 9, 8. The Eastern District included Wards Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The engineers under this arrangement were the following :


1872 .-- Western Distriet : Cornelius Burhans, Chief Engineer; John A. Gross, First Assistant; Moses T. Newkirk, Second As- sistant. lastern District : Augustus Hasbrouck, Chief Engineer; l'atrick Dailey, First Assistant; Lewis B. Hoorn- beck, Second Assistant.


1875 .- Western District : John A. Gross, Chief Engineer; Moses T. Newkirk, First Assistant: Peter Plough, Second Assistant. Eastern District : George Weber, Chief Engineer ; Thomas Leonard, First Assistant; Stephen G. Caufield, Second As- eistant.


1874 .- Western District : Mozes T. Newkirk, Chief Engineer ; Peter E. Ilommel, First Assistant; George Lervey, Second As- sistant. Eastern District: George Weber, Chief Engineer ; AA


Richard Mooney, First Assistant: Stephen G. Canfiel.1, Second Assistant.


1875 .- Western Distriet : Moses T. Newkirk, Chief Engineer ; Chris- topher Betterton, First Assistant; John T. Cummings, Second Assistant. Eastern District: George Weber, Chief Engineer ; Richard Mooney, First Assistant; Stephen G. Canfield, Second Assistant.


1876 .- Western District : Moses T. Newkirk, Chief Engineer; Chris- topher Betterton, First Assistant; John T. Cummings, Second Assistant. Eastern District : Richard Mooney, Chief Engineer ; James Cook, First Assistant; Abraham Costello, Second Assistant.


1877 .- Western District: Christopher Betterton, Chief Engineer ; Andrew J. Kecfe. First Assistant; James Oliver, Second As- sistant. Eastern District : Richard Mooney, Chief Engineer ; Martin Fitzgerald, First Assistant; Walter Colville, Sceond Assistant.


In 1878, by an amendment of the city charter, the fire department was consolidated, and the officers thereof ap- pointed by the Common Council :


1878 .- Richard Mooney , Chief Engineer ; Jobn P. Derenbacher, First Assistant; James Cook, Second Assistant; Stephen W. Doyle, Third Assistant ; M. T. Newkirk, Fourth Assistant. 1879 .- Richard Mooney, Chief Engineer; Moses T. Newkirk, First Assistant; Walter Colvill, Second Assistant; Michael J. Leonard, Third Assistant; Frederick H. Arnold, Fourth Assistant.


1880 .- George Weber, Chief Engineer; Thomas B. Johnston, First Assistant; Michael J. Leonard, Second Assistant; Paul Cabel, Third Assistant; Joseph Mothry, Fourth Assistant.


The Eastern District of the city includes five engine com- panies and four hose companies. At the present time (May, 1880) they are located as follows: Lackawanna Steamer, No. 1, Mill Street ; James G. Lindsley Steamer, No. 2, Abeel Street ; Ponckhockie Steamer, No. 3, Union Street ; Protector Engine Company, No. 4, Hone Street ; Resene Hook-and-Ladder Company, No. 1, Abeel Street ; Rapid Hose Company, No. 1, Hone Street ; Cornell Hose Company, No. 2, Abeel Street; Weber Hose Company, No. 3, Mill Street ; Union Hose Company, No. 4, Union Street.


'T'he western district ineludes five engine companies and four hose companies, located as follows : American Engine Company, No. 1, Clinton Avenue; Washington Steamer, No. 3, Fair Street ; Clinton Steamer, No. 3, l'air Street ; John J. Hallaban Engine Company, No. 5, Dunn Street ; A. Sahler Hook-and-Ladiler Company, No. 1, Fair Street ; Wiltwyck Hose Company, No. 1, Fair Street; Kingston Ilose Company, No. 2, Clinton Avenue; Excelsior Hose Company, No. 4, Crown Street ; Booth Hose Company, No. 5, Dunn Street.


VI .- VILLAGES-SPECIAL NAMES-WARDS.


- The two villages, Rondout and Kingston, whose incor- porations were terminated by the formation of the city goverment, have already been extensively treated both in the general story of early settlement and in the special articles under the head of Civil History. Certain other names of localities require a brief notice.


WILBUR.


This name is given to the village which has grown up ou the Rondout Creek, at the mouth of the Twaalf Kill. It is a mile or more below Eddyville, and is the point where


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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.


the " Stone road" (so called) terminates, and the point at which nearly all shipments of Linestone in the vicinity of Kingston take place .. The dwellings are crowded together in the narrow nook between the hills, and extend each way along the Rondont Creek. The Twaalf Kill is apparently of but little importance, but it has been quite prominent in both ancient and modern times. Its water-power is of considerable force, in consequence of the rapid deseent of the streamn from its source in "Jacob's Valley." The principal business at Wilbur is the purchase and shipment of bluestone, and the various mechanical operations used in preparing the rough stone delivered by the quarryuien for all the finest kinds of work used in building. A more extended notice of these industries is given elsewhere. These operations furnish employment to a large number of laborers. Various stores and business places show consid- crable activity in this " seaport" below the hills.


WILTWYCK.#


Before the organization of the city government, while as yet Kingston and Rondout were only two villages in the same town, there was a gradual inerease of dwellings and business places along the road connecting the two, now known as Union Avenue. The neighborhood in the vicinity of the present erossing of the Wallkill Valley road became known as Wiltwyck. This was a revival of the old name of early colonial times, perhaps more easily attached to this section now in consequence of the location, twenty-five years ago, of the Wiltwyck Cemetery in this direction. The bestowal of this name has been attended with a certain result not anticipated probably by those who, in medern times, began to call this central village Wiltwyck.


In the minds of writers who were not actually present to study the localities, the Wiltwyck of to-day became the Wiltwyck of 1663, and to find the " New Dorp" of that Indian age they only proposed to travel to Kingston. A noted instance of this may be found in the articles of Auditor Schuyler, published a few months since in the Albany Argus. A few hours' examination on the ground, and a brief comparison of the localities with the docu- inents, are amply sufficient to dispel any such illusion. The Wiltwyck of old times was the stockaded part of Kingston, elsewhere described, and the ". New Dorp" (new village) was Hurley. The Wiltwyck of recent years was only a fanciful application of the old name to a different place.


HIGGINSVILLE.


This is another local name, applied to that portion of the city lying in the hollow of North Front Street, where was the old Bogardus Mill of 1800, and beyond to the depot of the Ulster and Delaware Railroad. Its name is derived frem that of an early merchant already mentioned. This section of the city is a place of considerable business, having one or more hotels, several prominent stores, many and various shops. The track of the horse-railroad for- Inerly extended through Higginsville to the depot, but a portion of the road has been abandoned, the terminus of the horse-cars being now at the junction of John and Green Streets.


PONCKHOCKIE.


This is said to be an Indian name, meaning " a steep bank," though there is some dispute among local anti- quarians as to the real origin of the word and its significa- tion. The name is now applied locally to the north portion of the village of Rondout, -- a portion somewhat separated from the main village by the various mills, warehouses, and railway tracks of the Newark Lime and Cement Company. If the Indian origin is correct, the high and handsome ground where the old Tremper house stands may have been the cause of the name, or more probably the precipi- tous sides of the hill now penetrated by the galleries of the cement company. Passing by their immense works, the traveler finds pleasant groups of residences, the handsome spire of the " Children's Church" towering up gracefully in their midst, and the green slopes of the lower hills stretching away beyond. Ponckhockie claims the historic ground of the early Dutch fort, and the landing-place of one detachment of the British, Oct. 16, 1737.


The various wards into which the city is now divided may be briefly described as follows :


The First Ward includes the Wiltwyck of colonial times (that is, the stockaded part of old Kingston), and an ex- tensive section lying north and northeast along the Esopus Creek. It extends ont to the city line, comprising the fair- grounds of the Agricultural Society and territory adjacent. Other inclosing lines may be given as Frog Alley and Greeu Street on one side, St. James Street and Albany Avenue on another. In this ward are the court-house. county clerk's office, First Reformed church, and several of the old places of historie interest.




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