USA > New York > Ulster County > History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. II > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88
In polities Mr. Patten is a Democrat, and has ever takeu an active interest in the success of his party. He was elected collector of Marlborough for two years, in 1873 and 1874. In 1877 he was elected supervisor of the town, the latter being largely Republican. He filled the same office in 1879. Hle has been the delegate of his party to a large number of conventions, going in that capacity to the State convention at Syracuse in 1879.
Mr. Patten, though a young man, has attained a promi- nent and influential position in his town and county. By honesty, industry, kindness to the poor, and generous con- tributions to all worthy objects, he has worked his way up from a humble position to occupy an honorable station among his fellows, and has before him the prospect of still larger successes in the uncertain field of political life. H. is one of the rising young men of the county.
83
TOWN OF MARLBOROUGII.
19 .- From John Duffichl's to the Sixth Distriet west. 20 .- From the east district to the Newburgh road at Mr. Megmin's.
21 .- From the Latintown road to the Paltz line.
One of the earliest roads in the town was that from Marlborough to Milton, and, of course, the roads leading to Kingston and Newburgh were early in use.
The Farmers' turnpike was laid out quite early from Milton to the Wallkill, and afterwards to Modena.
. STATISTICS.
The white inhabitants of Ulster County in 1782 were as follows : Males under sixteen, 491; wales above sixteen and under sixty, 335; males sixty and upwards, 24; fe- males under sixteen, 402; females above sixteen, 366; total, 1618.
By the census of 1875 there were 570 dwelling-houses in the town, valued at $815,950. The cash value of farms was 8995,200, and of farm-buildings, $164,050.
IV .- MEN OF PROMINENCE.
The town of Marlborough has produced or fostered a number of men who have achieved special prominence in the various departments in hfe. Some of these, such as Capt. Anning Smith and Maj. Louis Du Bois, have already been mentioned elsewhere, and still others will be found referred to in the other sections of this town history. In this connection mention will be made of a few of those who have been representatives of the political life of the town.
Abram D. Soper was one of the most prominent of these. He was chosen first judge of the county in J828, and was a member of the State Legislature the year following.
William Super represented the town in the Legislature in the year 1843. J. Harrison Smith in 1553, and Jere- minh Clark in 1860. C. Meach Woolsey filled the same place in 1871-72. The latter was also justice of sessions in 1866-67.
Benjamin Harcourt was elected sheriff of the county in November, 1831.
Selah Tuthill was a member of Congress in 1804-5.
V .- CIVIL ORGANIZATION.
The municipal or civil history of the town commences with its formation as a precinct. At the division of News- birgh precinet, March 12, 1772, by a line running along the north bounds of the Harrison, Bradley, Wallace, Kip and Conger, and Jamison patents, to the precinct of Sha- wangunk, " all the land lying to the northward of said line ( was) to be called and known by the name of New Marl- borough precinct, and all the land south of said line (was) to continue to be called Newburgh precinct." By the act of March 7, 1788, the precinets of Shawangunk and New Marlborough became towns. Plattekill was taken off from Marlborough, March 21, 1800. The name of the town is believed by the best informed to have been conferred upon it in honor of the Duke of Marlborough.
The boundaries of the town of Marlborough as defined by the act of the Legislature, dividing the counties of the State into towns (Laws of 1813, page 57), were as follows : " And all that part of the county of Ulster bounded east-
erly by the middle of Hudson's River, southerly by Orange County, westerly by a line beginning on the line of the said county of Orange, two chains and seventy-five links, east of the north corner of a tract of land called the five patentees, from thence on a straight line northward to the most east- erly bounds of Robert Tift's land, where it joins the town of New Paltz, and northerly by a tract of land granted to Lewis Dubois and partners, called the New Paltz patent, shall be and continue a town, by the name of Marlbor- ough."
FIRST PRECINCT-MEETING.
This was held at the house of Henry Deyo, on April 7, 1772, and the following is the first entry on the old book of records, which is well preserved and in good condition :
" At a Town-meeting held at Henry Deyo's, on April ye 7, 1772, for the precinct of New Marlborough, according to the act of Assem- bly for the Province of New York. In meeting assembled, chosen : Clerk, for precinct and poor, Alejah Perkins; Supervisor, Lewis Du- bois ; Assessors, John Jonge, Jacob Wood, Marcus Ostrander : Poor- masters, Robert Averitt, Joseph Mory ; Commissioners, Lewis Dubois, Richard Woolsey, Duruer Relyee; Pounder, Silas Purdy; Fence- Viewers, Caleb Merritt, Richard Carpenter; Constable, William Martin ; Security, Jeremiah Mackey ; Path-Masters, Gabriel Merritt, Jacob Wood, Henry Freyo, Silas Purdy, latin Carpenter, Absalom Case, William Gee, Philip Place, James Quimby, Samuel Merritt, John Duffield, Joseph Mory, William Martin, Gideon Ostrander, Jobn Knowlton."
Since that time the following persons have filled the principal precinct and town offices :
SUPERVISORS.
1772, Louis Du Bois: 1777, Benjamin Carpeuter; 1778-79, Elijah Lewis: 1750. 'nning Sinith ; 1751, Louis Du Bois; 1782, Stephen Case; 1756-80. Anning Smith; 1190-94, Ebenezer Fonte: 1795 -97, Stephen Nottingham; 1798-99, Cornelius Drake; 1800-11, Benjaminin Ely; 1-12-16, Nehemiah L. Smith; 1817, David Sta- ples; 1818-19, Richard I. Woolsey: 1820-24, William Soper ; 1825, William Gidney; 1826-29, Benjamin Harcourt: 1820, Jesse T. Conklin : 1831, Benjamin Harcourt; 1832-33, Abraham D. Soper : 1841, William D. Wygant ; 1835, David W. Woolsey : 1836-37, Miles J. Fletcher ; 1838-39, William Soper; 18in. Lewis W. Young; 1511-42. Robert S. Lockwood ; 1843, Davil Fowler; 1844-15, William Martin : 1846, John D. Crook ; 1847, Cornelius Carpenter: 15/>, John D. Crook; 1849-50, Ice Ensign; 1831, John D. Crook : 1:32-53, William Il. Gedney; 1854, James C. Harcourt ; 1835, William II. Gedney ; 1856, Thomas D. Bloomer ; 1837, William H. Gedney ; 1838, Robert Beebe; 1859, William B. Pierson; 1800, Cornelius Carpenter; 1861, William B. Pier- son ; 1562, Jesse Lyon ; 1865, James C. Harcourt; 1561-71, Jesse Lyons : 1872-13, William Bloomer; 1574, William H. Hedary ; 1575, William Bloomer; 1876, Townsend M. Sherman; 1877, Eugene F. Patten; 1878, Townseud M. Sherman; 1879, Eugene F. Patten; 1850, James C. Harcourt.
TOWN CLERKS.
1772-76, Abijah Perkins; 1777, Benjamin Carpenter; 1778-83, Ste- phen Case; 1784-90, Benjamin Ely; 1791-92, Benjamin Town- send; 1793-94. David Merritt; 1795-97, Johu Duffield: 1795, Samuel Drake; 1798-1809, Benjamin Townsend; 1810, John Caverley; 1811-22, Benjamin Townsend; 1823, Charles Craft; 1824-20, Thewis Wygant; 1830-33, William D. Wygant; 1834, Benjamin Townsend; 1835-26, Josiah Lockwood; 1837, John Woolsey ; 1838, Marcus Dougherty ; 1839, James Il. Harcourt ; 1540, Ilezekinh Hull; 1841-42, Asa T. Wright; 1843. Richard Gee; 1511-15. Robert B. Mapes; 1816-47, Richard Gev; 1848, Jeremiah Thorne; 1819, Henry HI. Hoblen ; 1850, Fletcher Du Bois; 1831, David Carils, Jr. ; 1852-53, Henry Merritt; 1834, Jacob Rowley, Jr .: 1955, Harvey Wygant; 1856, James A. Townsend ; 1557, Eigene Du Bois; 1653-59, Joseph M. Bloom ; 1560, Theodore Quick ; 1-61, Epenetus K. Woolsey : 1562, Joseph
84
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
M. Bloomer : 1803, Jemes S. Craft: 1564. Robert J. Dickey : 1865, James Crook ; 1866, John B. Quick ; 1867, James H. Crook : 1568. Ethan l'arrott ; 1869, Dallas Du Bois; 18;0-71, James H. Crook ; 15:2-72, Robert B. Kelley ; 1874-75, J. Wes- ley Willianis ; 1576-78, M. W. V. Morgan ; 1579, Fred. Il. Smith ; 1580, James 6. Carpenter.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE."
IS30, Gabriel Merritt ; 1531, Samuel Beebe ; 1832, David W. Woolsey ; 1833, Abraham D. Super; 1831, Gabriel Merritt; 1835, James Fowler, Jr., William Soper, Jr. ; 1536, David W. Woolsey : 1837, William Soper; 1628, Gabriel Merritt; 1839. James Fowler ; IS40, Josiah W. Carpenter; 1841, William Soper; 1 42. David W. Woolsey ; 1912, James Fowler; 1914, Asa T. Wright: 1945, Chas. L. Lockwood ; ISIA, Isane Staples ; 1>47, Wm. Martin ; 1848, Asa T. Wright, James Fowler, Gilbert F. Malcolm : 1849, James Fowler : 1850, Isane Staples, Daniel Lewis : 1851, William Super ; 1852, Thomas Bingham, Daniel Lewis; 1853, John Woolsey, . IAward Near; 1-31, Isaac Staples, Jr .: 1855, ladward Near; 1856, Thomas Bingham : 1857, John F. Whitney. Isaac Staples, Frederick S. Webster ; 1859, John B. Ball ; 1860, Thomas Bing- hain, Walter Farrington : 1861, EdwardI Near ; 1-62. Iaac Staples; 1863, Frederick S. Webster; 1864, Charles G. Merritt; 1565, Sammel II. Barrett, Samuel A. Barrett; 1866, Eli T. Lockwood, C. Meach Woolsey, Charles F. Willard : 1867, Edgar W. Clark ; 186%, David Sands; 18c9, C. Mench Woolsey; Isto, James S. Knapp, Sainuel A. Barrett: 18;1, A. J. M. Swith: 1:72, Enoch Baxter, E. Melville Craft ; 1873, C. Meach Woolsey; 1874, Chear B. Bloomer ; 1875. E. M. Craft; 1976, Henry Merritt; ISTT, E. Mench Woolsey ; 1879, E. Melville Craft; ISSO, Enoch Baxter.
NOTES FROM THE RECORDS.
In 1773 the frecholders of the town "voted that £25 be raised for the use of the poor, and El for a pan of stocks, to be kept at Silas Purdy's, who is to be aecount- able to the precinct for the same if damaged or destroyed."
The freeinct-inceting for 1716 was held at the iun of Silas Purdy, when Benjamin Carpenter was chosen super- visor, precinct clerk, and clerk of the poor books.
In 1779 the people voted to pay the collector of the previous year C16 "out of the poor man's money," on account of the bad bills he had taken. The year following the freeholders voted to pay for a worthless $30 bill, which the collector had received for taxes, " out of the first spare poor money raised in the precinct, if not allowed by the county."
April 6, 1773 .- " Voted that there shall be two pounds, the one at Silos Punly's, and the other at Robert Everitt's."
April 2, 1782, " was soll ar vendue a poor boy, manand Jaiba Herrington, to Urian MeKey for seven Pounds eight shillings, and he to have him bound by the Poormasters untill he is twenty-one years oldl; to have meat, Drink, washing and Lodging, and Reading, writing, and Cypher- ing, and two suits of Cloths when of age, one for Holidays and one for Common Days."
April 7, 1795 .- " Voated that the Suposed wife, and Is Not the wife, of Robert Gihuore to be transported, and Not to be chargeabel any more to the Town of Marlborough."
April 17, 1796 .- " Voted that Wilhemus Ostrand, The- dius Haight, and Nathaniel Kelsie, Joseph Mory, and David Stapels Be the Commissioners of the Scools of the town of Marlborough for the year 1796."
" Voted, No liquor chal Be Sold at the Next Town- Meeting, and No Hors Racing Shal Be don, on the Penalty
of five Pounds fine, to be Recover as other Debts, and shall Be for the use of the Poor."
1799 .- By agreement between the two sections of the town lying on each side of Marlborough the annual town- meeting was to be held alternately on the east and west side of the mountain, the supervisor to be chosen on that side of the mountain where the meeting is held.
" Voted to divide the town into two, that on the west side of the mountain to be ealled Plattekill."
April 1, 1823 .- " Voted, almost unanimously, that the people of this Town are in favour of a new County with Newburgh."
VI .- VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. THE VILLAGE OF MARLBOROUGH
is situated in the southeasterly seetion of the town, and stands at the head of a deep, rocky gorge, opening down towards the Hudson River. Reference to the early settle- ments that were made at and near this place has already been made. The village is not incorporated, and probably contains a population of 600. It is laid out into streets, and in the summer season is quite popular as a place of resort. It contains Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, Prot- estant Episcopal, and Catholie churches, a number of stores, two hotels, and several inills and factories, and smaller shops devoted to the mechanic arts. Considerable shipping is done from this point on the river, and it is a regular stopping- plice for two lines of steamboats.
The post office at Marlborough village was established about 1825. Daniel J. Russell was the first postmaster, and kept the office where Henry Carpenter now resides. Miles J. Fletcher and Robert Mapes were also early post- masters. Among those who have filled the office since have been Dr. James S. Kuapp, Samuel Corwin, Pallas Du Bois, Charles T. JJackson, John H. Baxter, and the present incumbeut, John C. Merritt.
MILTON
is a pleasant village on the Hudson River, and is situated in the northeast part of the town. It is pleasantly laid out, and contains six churches, viz., Methodist, Presbyterim. Episcopal, Onbedox and Hicksite Friends, and a Roman Catholic, a number of stores and mills, two hotels, and a population of about 800 persons. A large amount of ship- ping is done from Milton, and the doek is at times a place of great business activity.
Peter MeCoon was one of the earliest settlers at the vil- lage, and was, therefore, quite anxious that it should be called " Petersburgh." Its actual growth began about the year 1812. The old families then living in the village were those of Jacob Rowley, Nicholas Hallock, Absalom Barrett, David Sowie, Innis & De Silva, Williato Bolton, Nathaniel Chittenden, and Hezekiah Gillis.
There was no post-office at the village until after 1820. About 1828 a weekly mail was received by way of King -. ton and Newburgh. The first post-office was established in the old Soper residence, and Abram D. Soper was the first postmaster, and the arduous duties of the office were performed by his sisters. William Super was postmaster
" Elected by the town.
.
85
TOWN OF MARLBOROUGHI.
text. Calvin Bulkley was the incumbent of the office when , lady mail was first rreeived. David Sands and Mr. Stone have also been postmasters, and Ethan Parrott has filled the dice for over a dozen years.
The publication of a paper known as the National l'io- wer was undertaken at Milton, in 18:30, by Daniel S. Tut- Lill. It met with no success, and the project was abandoned.
LATTINGTOWN
is a prosperous hamlet situated in the interior of the town, near the geographical centre. Settlements were made at this point early ; Benjamin and Joseph Carpenter, the Cav- erlys, Harcourts, and Haits being among the old families of the locality. Jolin Hait kert an early tavern there. and tradition says that the sessions of a Masonic lodge were once hold in the building. It was quite a thriving place before the settlements were made upon the river. Now it contains 3 Baptist church and cemetery, blacksmith-shop, and a anmber of dwelling-houses. It derives its name from the Imin family from Long Island, who lived there early. Jacob and John Lattin moved from there to Esopus.
VII .- SCHOOLS.
These have existed in the town since its first settlement, though tradition has handed down to us very meagre ae- counts of them, and scarcely any reference to them is con- tained in the early precinct and towu records.
One of the earliest schools of the town, in regard to which any information can be obtained, was kept near the village of Milton. One of the carly teachers was a man raamted Frisbee, who had the very uawholesme habit of Logging both girls and boys with an immense cudgel, which le kept constantly at hand for the purpose. Nathaniel Chittenden was one of the most popular of the old school- teachers, and taught a large school at Milton village about 1-10-12. Caleb Jewett was also an early and excellent : acher at the same place. An early school was established " the I'riends' meeting-house. It existed as early as 1812. Wiward Youngs was the first teacher of this school, and Caleb Jewett taught there a portion of the time.
A number of select schools of excellence have been hughit in the town at different periods. Miss Henrietta Johnson is successfully conflicting a large school of this Aid in the Quaker meeting-houses.
The district system now prevails in Marlborough, and the town is divided into ci ht school districts. By the . menissioner's certifiente of apportionment for 1879 there Site 1034 children in the town between the ages of five od twenty-one years, and the average daily attendance was .2.193.
VIII .- CHURCHES.
PRESBYTERIAN, MARLBOROUGH VILLAGE.
This is the most ancient religious organization in the fan, the church having been organized Jan. 1, 1764. The :Words of the church open as follows :
. A Register of the Proceedings of Stephen Case and John Woolsey, " Ton-Irea of the Marlborough Society, and of their successors, be- ( the first day of January, 1761."
A subscription for building a house of worship had bech wanted Aug. 8, 1763.
"We, the subscribers, for an encouragement towards building a meeting-house for the worship of God, near the Old Man's Creek, in Ulster County, to be founded on the Presbyterian foundation and government of the Kirk of Scotland, do promise for ourselves, heirs, and assigns, to pay on demand the following suins annexed to var names to those that are trustees of sail building, providing that Lewis Dubois does give two acres of land to remain for that use for- ever."
The following names of the subseribers, together with the sums which they respectively subseribed, will prove of great interest at this late day :
€
£ ..
Louis Dubois.
15
Joseph Cain ........
1 10
Stephen Case.
5
Urian Mackey
1 10
John Woolsey ..
2 Laitery Carpenter ..
1
David Brewster.
1 10
John Carmon ...
1
Joseph Presly ..
0
S Daniel Thurston.
1
Henry Came. Jr ... S Zachariah Thurston. 1
3 William Mitchell.
1
Lewis Adams
0 10
Silas Travis.
16
Thos. Quick.
16
Richard Wodey ...
Benjamin Carpenter.
Malthew Presler.
0
S Thoma- Knowton ..
John Jackson.
0
S Eliphalet Piatt.
John Harris.
5 Elijah Lewis.
1 3
Mecajah Lewis
I
James Quimby
Phineas Lattey.
Nehemiah Fowler.
0 16
James Merritt.
0 15
Alexander Cullen ...
Michael Wygant
2
Jonathan Hasbrouck I
1
Joseph Hallert.
1
4
Aud sixteen others, in all 73
George Stauton.
1
A second subscription was made on Feb. 25, 1765, "to finish the house, put glass in the windows, and make doors." The signers to that were :
£ 8.
Stephen Case ...
£ 3. 1 10
John Quick
Annanias Valentine .... 1
David Merritt ..
0
Louis Dubois.
Josiah Merritt ..
Absalom Case .. ..
0 S Michael Wygant.
Sith Hebbel 0
10 John Woolsey 1 10
Zodiah Lewis
S Morris Fluvelling.
James Townsend
Isaac Fowler.
1
Samuel Merritt.
0 10 Jarol, Winner.
Daniel Thurston
0 1.3 Thomas Knowton 1
Richard Woolsey
0 12
Johu Cosmou. 0
5 Total .. 1 On April 5, 1761, Louis Du Bois conveyed to John Wool- sey and Stephen Case 2 aeres of land, but the society thinking that 12 aeres was sufficient, reconveyed half an aere to the donor. The motive of the donation is stated to be " For that paternal love he hath for and towards the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, agreeable to the Articles of the Kirk of Scotland in the Presbyterion faith."
It was to be used " to build a meeting-house on, and for a burying-ground, for the use, benefit, and advantage of the said Marlborough society and their heirs forever."
The conditions were that the deed should be void if the society should settle any other pastor than one who should maintain the articles of religion of the Church of Scotland, agrecable to the Confession of Faith. The first house of worship, erected the same year, was 35 by 25 feet, and cost about £117.
* * * The whole number admitted to the church froin its organization to 1808 was 71, of whoru 53 were still members.
A revival oceurred in 1811 and 1812, by which 116 members were added to the church. The house of worship was greatly eularged about this time. The first ruling ciders in 1810 were Charles Millard, Leonard Smith, Allen Lester, Andrew Ely, and Nathaniel Bailey. In 1827 the
Benjamin Woolsey.
Thus. Woolsey
·2
--
5
86
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
congregation became separated from that of Paltz, and the pastor's labors were confined to Marlborough.
The following notes extracted from the church records will also be found of interest :
Aug. 26, 1764 .- Rev. Charles Jaffrey Smith, a gradu- ate of Yale College, and who had studied theology with the celebrated teacher of Indian youths, Rev. Dr. Wheelock, of New Lebanon, preached the first sermon in the new building.
March 3, 1764 .- The first person buried in the bury- ing-ground was an infant of James Merritt.
December, 1765 .- A committee was appointed to secure the services of the clergyman and provide for his support for one year. They secured the services of Rev. Abner Brush, a member of the Presbytery of New York, who began his labors among them in the month of January, 1766, and continued to act as the pastor of said society for several years.
Sept. 25, 1773 .- The people secured the services of Rev. Johu McCalloh for six months. to preach one-half of the time in the meeting-house, and the other half towards New- burgh. This joint arrangement did not last very long. The church society at Newburgh joining with the New Windsor Presbyterians in supporting a minister of the gospel, Mr. McCalloh continued to preach at Marlborough as a supply until the close of November, 1771.
1774 and 1775 .- During the winter of 17744 and 1775, Rev. Samson Ocenia, a Mohegan Indian (who had been edu- cated by Dr. Wheelock, at Lebanon, Conn.), celebrated as a preacher, spent some time within the bounds of Marl- borough society, and on Jan. 22, 1775, baptized Lewis, the son of Lieut. Lewis Du Bois, and Sarah, a daughter of William Mckinney. Mr. Occum was the author of the hymn " Awaked by Siraf's awful sound." He finished his days as a missionary among the Oneila Indians in 1792.
April 23, 1775 .- Rev. Nathaniel Kerr, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Gosheu, N. Y., administered the Lord's Supper to six persons, and at the same time baptized Caleb Fowler, an infant, afterwards the father of Peter V. B. Fowler, an elder of the church.
For the succeeding ten years the Marlborough congrega- tion had no regular preaching services. The society had to defend altogether on the services of such clergymen as could be obtained from time to time. The war of Independ- ence had so unsettled affairs that it was impossible either to obtain the services of, or afford an adequate support to, a regular pastor. Yet during these troublous times the church had at times the services of some who were justly celebrated for learning, talents, integrity of character, and patriotism.
April 28, 1785 .- An act to enable all the religious de- nominations of the State to appoint trustees, who shall be a body corporate, for the purpose of taking care of the tem- poralities of their respective congregations, having been passed by the State Legislature on April 6, 1784, on April 28, 1785, after dne legal notice, the congregation at Marl- borough met and clected nine trastees, viz., Anding Smith, Jonathan Brown, Michael Wygant, Isaac Fowler, Jr., Reuben Torker, Nathaniel Du Bois, Daniel Kelsey, Sammel Stratton, and Wolfert Ecker, Esq.
March 1, 178C .- The war being over and quiet restored,
the society began to feel the want of church ordinances among them, and for the purpose of sceuring them a sub- scription was started to raise money to pay for the services of a minister, who was to labor one-half of his time at Marlborough, and the other half somewhere in New Paltz. Ninety persons sigued said subscription-paper, and the sum of #00 was raised.
June 10, 1786 .- The trustees deputed the clerk of the society, Dr. Benjamin Ely, to visit New England, and ob- tain for them, if possible, a ministerial supply for the space of one year. About this time it was also decided "that no Baptist or Separate minister be allowed or admitted to preach in the meeting-house under any pretense whatever without the joint and mutual consent of the trustees, or a majority of them for the time being."
1786 to 1792 .- It appears from the records that Dr. Ely suceceded in obtaining the services of Rev. Ethan Os- born as a supply, and that he supplied the church at Marl- borough and the people at New Paltz until about 1792.
May, 1792 .- The church again finding itself without preaching services, finally obtained for a supply Mr. Abel Jackson, a licentiate under the care of the Morris County (New Jersey) Association. He commenced his labors in the Marlborough congregation during the month of May, and on November 22d of the same year was regularly ordained by Revs. Benoni Bradner, John Townley, John Corowell, Daniel Marsh, and Isaac Sargeant, ministers of the gospel. He remained in charge until about 1805. Rev. Isaac Ser- geant supplied the pulpit for a time.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.