History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. II, Part 33

Author: Sylvester, Nathaniel Bartlett, 1825-1894. cn
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 818

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 33

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Benj. Cross, onl. March, 1864, 20th Regt. Oliver P. Carpenter, sorgt., enl. Vugnet, 1961, 44th liegt. ; pro. to commissary ; re-eul. October, IsGt; pro, to capt. and acting maj.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DAVID J .. BERNARD

was born in 1803. He was the eldest son of Reuben Ber- nard, who was of English descent; born and reared on Long Island, bear New York. In carly manhood hie catte to Ulster County, and about 1795 married Mary Lawrence, a descendant of an English family of that name. The branch of the family to which she belonged was a prominent Quaker family residing at Plattekill, Ulster Co. He bought land and established a home in the same town, remaining there until the time of his death, in 1840. He was a man of marked individuality and unswerving integrity, being at that early date a strong temperanee man, still having the kind-heartedness and charity peculiar to the members of the society of Friends.

He reared a family of seven children ; the eldest, David L. Bernard, received such education as the public schools then offered. but being naturally of a literary turn of mind, by careful reading and study became a man of more than ordinary intelligence.

Early in life he engaged in teaching; at twenty-three married Abbie, daughter of David Demarest, of Plattekill, a woman of great strength of character ; her pure life and Christian example was a constant influence for good, a help and stay to all around her. Ilis next step in life was to become editor of the Kingston Palladium, an anti- Masonic journal, during the height of the Masonic excitement. Using the language of one who knew him in those times and kindly remembered him, we quote, " Mr. Bernard's editorial career was marked by a ready, versatile talent, by a vigorous discussion of broad and underlying principles, and by a fearless utterance of carnest, honest convictions. No cause ever had a more intelligent, a more devoted, or zealous exponent."

From Kingston he returned to Plattekill, and for a time

was a merchant at that place; he next removed to the farm he occupied for so many years of his life ; while there he was greatly interested in improved methods of cultivation and in the highest standard of cattle, farm improvements, etc., keeping a daily journal of all events, all business trans- actions, and a diary of the weather; was much interested in the advancement of agriculture, and for a time president of the Ulster County Agricultural Society ; was actively en- gaged in the temperance cause, both with pen and public addresses.

Politically he was a member of the old Whig party, and during its existence was frequently its representative in county and State conventions, representing his district in 1840 in the State Legislature. Helped to organize the Republican party, and remained in full fellowship with it to the end of his life.

In 1872 he began to feel the infirmities of age, gave up his farm, all publie duties, and removed to Highland, living in retired seclusion till his death, in 1879. Ile was a member of the society of Friends and a believer in the gospel of Christ.

Ilis wife died some years prior to his decease. Ile left three children,-William, now a farmer in Sullivan Co., N. Y .; Reuben, a lawyer iu Kingston; and Mary, now living on the homestead property at Highland.

HENRY J. PERKINS,

fourth child of Ebenezer and Hannah (Purdy) Perkins, was born in the town of New Paltz, Ulster Co., N. Y. He was employed on his father's farm during his minority, receiving only a common-school education. He was twice married. llis first wife was Maria Merritt, daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth Merritt, and a native of New Paltz. His wife died about five years after they were married, in the village of Lewisburg. She is buried in the Highland Cemetery.

Ilis second wife was Charlotte Gedney, whom he married July 1, 1841. Mrs. Perkins was born in the village of Milton, town of Marlborough, March 17, 1812. She was the daughter of Dr. William and Eleanor Gedney. He has no children living.

At the time of his second marriage .Mr. Perkins was carrying ou a general store at Highland Landing, and for eleven years thereafter he continued in trade there. In 1852 be moved to llighland, and for twelve years engaged in merchandising there, owning and living on the place now owned and occupied by his brother, Richard D. In 1867 Hre purchased and moved on to the " Burr Croft" farm, situ- ated on the post-road, about one mile south of Highland. In the fall of 1871 he sold the farm and again settled in the village of Highland, where he died, Dee. 7, 1871. Mrs. Perkins survives lim, and is, at the present time, living on the farm, which has come again into her possession.

In politics Mr. Perkins was a Republican. For many years he was a member and supporter of the Methodi -: Episcopal Church at Highland. He was a man thoroughly devoted to his business, seeking no official positions, quiet and reserved in his manners, and was universally respected by the community in which he lived.'

F. J. Perkins

Lavid L Bernard

TOWN OF LLOYD.

OLIVER J. TILLSON.

The family of Tillsons trace their ancestry to Archbishop Tillotson, dean of Canterbury, one of the most celebrated divines of the Church of England, who was born in 1630, und died in 1694. He was of the family of Tilston, of Tilston, County Chester, England, his father changing the name to Tiflotson. The archbishop's three sons, Job, John, and Ezra, took mubrage at their father because, as they thought, he favored the Catholics, the archbishop not think- ing it Christian-like to behead them when the Church of England came into power. So the sons left England in disgust towards the close of the seventeenth century, and lauded at Old Plymouth, changing their name from Tillot- son to Tilson.

Ezra, the youngest son and meestor of the subject of this narrative, settled in Rhode Island. Timothy Tillson, his descendant, son of baiah and Phobe Tillson, of Rhode Island, was born at Oll Plymouth, Mass , Sept. 8, 1738. He married Siteace Whiting, and after marriage settled at Quaker Itill. Dutchess Co., N. Y., where his name stands enrolled as " one of the toyal patriots and lovers of liberty in Amenia precinct. July, 1775." There six children were born to them, -- Timothy, Job, John, Silence, Alice, and Isaiah. There also his wife died. the married for his second wife a Widow Adams, whose maiden name was Anna Lamb.

Subsequently he moved to the town ef Hurley, Ulster Co., and settled near the Wallkill, at Rosendale Piains, and died there, March 16, 1800.

Job Tillyou, second son of the former, was born at Qua- ker Hill, July 20, 1766, and joined the Aurican army towards the clore of the Revolutionary war, although a mere boy at the time, and served on the frontier against the Indians. For this service for his country he afterwards re- ceived a pension from the government. He married Esther Freer, by whom he had seven children. viz .: Paul, Moses, Timothy F., Peter, Benjamin, Esther, and John. Job Tillson died in 1834, aged eighty-four years, and his wife in 1872, at the advanced age of ninety-three years.

Timothy F. Tillon, the third son of Job, and father of Oliver J., was born in the town of Hurley, now the town of Rosendale, Not. 10, 1793. He married Plate Wood- mansee, Jan. 11, 1821, who was born Feb. 24, 1-02, and diel April 18, 1956. For his second wife be married Widow Sabber, whose maiden name was Almira Vande- mark, who still survives him. He died Oct. 31, 1879, on his firm at Rosendale, where for nearly sixty years he had resided. By his first wife he had two children,- Caroline, born JJan. 10, 1823, and the wife of Nathaniel 'T Cornell, of Annapolis, Md., and Oliver J. Tillson. The latter was born in the town of Rosendale, Dec. 20, 1831, and received his education at the New Paltz and Kingston academies. In his early life he gave considerable attention to practical surveying, and at the age of twenty, in con- vection with P. Henry Brink, of Saugerties, and Jay Goutd, then of Delaware County, now the great railroad financier, he made and published a map of Ulster County, which for accuracy, thoroughness, and completeness has rarely been excelted, and furnished an index to all Mr. Till- son's subsequent undertakings.

In 1855 he was nominated by the American party and eterted supervisor of his native town ; was renominated in 1856, but was defeated by a small majority, through the strong foreign vote that prevails in that town. This ended his active connection with polities, for in 1858 he moved to New Paltz Landing, now Highland, in the town of Lloyd, where he has since resided, devoting himself to hortient- tural pursuits. He was one of the pioneer fruit-growers in this section of Southern Utster, a region which has become famons for the fine quality of its fruit products. His vine- yards are among the largest as well as oldest along the Hud- son. Under his judicious and systematic culture his fruit farin has reached a high degree of productiveness, both in quality and quantity, almost all the many kinds of fruit, strawberries, raspberries, currants, peaches, grapes, ete., being found on his grounds. As an amateur he tries alt the new vmieties of fruits, and has experimented success- fully in growing valuable new seedling strawberries, peaches, etc. He has made the fruit-culture not only a practice, but. a science, and the profitable returns that have resulted from! his skillfut management fitly entitle him to a foremost place . among the fruit-growers. flis fruit farm is certainly a model of culture, and his buildings and grounds of tasteful adornment. He married, June t, 1856, Mary M. Synar, daughter of Richard Synar, of Philadelphia. Mrs. Tillson was born April 9, 1834. They have three children, - Sarah, Harry, and Laura.

CAPT. ABRAHAM ELTING

was born Dec. 29, 1785, in the town of New Paltz (now Jh yd), Ister Co, N. Y. He descends in direct line as follows: from. Ist. Jan Elting; 24, this eldest son, Roelof Elig; 3d, his eldest son, Roelof J. Elting; 4th, his son, Jesiab Elting; 5th, his eldest son, AAbraham Eking; 6th, his son, Noah, who was the father of the subject of this sketch.

For many years Capt. Abraham Elting was engaged in the freighting business at New Paltz Landing. He began it in early life, before the days of barges and steamboats. His sloop sailed every Saturday for New York, having ae- commodations for passengers as well as freight. The farmers for a large section of country, extending to and beyond the Shawangunk Mountains in the west, and in the broad agri- culturat region lying between it and the Hudson River, ex- tending northward and southward, contributed their freight to Capt. Elting's line. He was the trusted agent of all this population, made up of the descendants of the sturdy Hol- land and Huguenot settlers, for taking to market their pro- duets of every kind, to be sold by him, and the money returned therefor on the return trip. All the financial transactions of that fine productive region were more or less connected with Capt. Eling's commercial business. In- mouse sums of money for those days were distributed by him weekly to his patrons, which was done with serupulous integrity, and with an antenity that endeared him to all his patrons. His earnestness and devotion to their interests made him a great favorite with them all. The sphere in which he moved was no ordinary one. It was necessary

134

HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.

for him to have much business with banks at Poughkeepsie. Hle was well and favorably known to all the bankers in that city. His estremed probity and integrity of character rendered it easy for him to command all the facilities his business demanded. In every enterprise connected with the development of the business of his locality and sur- rounding country he gave a helping hand. In private life and family relations he exhibited the most sterling traits of character.

He married Betsey Ransom, daughter of Joseph and Phæbe Ransom, who was born March 27, 1790. The will of his esteemed wife, who was a most exemplary lady, was the law of his house, and there reigned paramount the highest considerations that paternal regard for their chil- dren could demand. They were bred to a high tone of moral obligation, and the highest principles of honor were instilled, which bore fruit as they grew to years of maturity. His memory is still fragrant, and his natae is ever mentioned as a type of the old patriarchal period, when honesty, purity of heart and purpose placed men in the first rank in the community.

Ile died July 3, 1839. His wife died Jan. 7, 1851. They had seven children, viz. : Nonh, Milton, Phoebe Ann, Luther, Albert, Mary Eleanor, aud John Jay. Phube Ann, widow of Dr. Dewitt Hasbrouck. Mary Eleanor, wife of Ezekiel S. Elting, and Luther, whose biography appears in this work, are the only members of the family living.

CAPT. LUTHER ELTING

was born at New Paltz Landing, in the town of Lloyd, Ulster Co., N. Y., Aug. 2, 1815, an.I was the fourth child of Capt. Abraham and Betsey Elting. At the early age of fifteen he became an able assistant to his father in the freighting business at New Paltz Landing. His adaptability to the deurinds of his work soon became evident, for he proved to be an able coadjutor. He had good judgment, and could dispatch with ease and with great accuracy the varied duties of his position. All who did business with the establishment were involuntarily drawn to him as one fully entitled to their confidence. No fault could be found with his transactions in marketing the products placed in his hands; the cash returns were always ready for the farmer when due. His mind was so absorbed with his duties that he found little time for cultivating society, so that he had advanced somewhat in life before his attention was given to the gentler sex. When, however, his mind was moved to the consideration of a more permanent settlement in life, he displayed his usual positive purpose. Upon becoming acquainted with Miss Watkins he very soon dis- covered in her the lady of his choice,-one fully worthy. Their marriage occurred Jan. 26. 1853. (A more extended notice of Mrs. Elting will be found on another page of this volume.)

The business which gave entployment to his talents had been made profitable by his assiduous care and attention. Ile became the owner of property in the city of New York and elsewhere, and relinquished his business after having been twenty-four years connected with the establishment.

He purchased the former residence of Hon. N. P. Tallmadge, of Poughkeepsie. Thither he and his companion moved, and entered upon the duties incident to housekeeping. Their home was improved and beautified. All the endear- ments of a well-regulated household rested upon a firm foundation. Success in the employment of his capital added to his means. He devoted much time to traveling with his wife, both in the United States and abroad. They visited all the States lying between the Great Lakes and the Gulf,-the Middle States, New England, and the Canadas. Later, the States and Territories lying west of the Mississippi, and the Pacific States, with all their won- derful natural curiosities, were included in a trip, which enabled them to fully carry out their intention of gaining a thorough knowledge of the wonderful resources and terri- torial extent of their own country before going abroad. Their example in this respect is certainly worthy of imitation by those whose time and means will allow it. After these extended trips at home they turned their attention, in 1872- 73, to the Old World, visiting every country in Europe except Spain and Portugal, also Asia Minor and Egypt. The cus- toms of the people, the natural objeets of beauty, and the works of art as they are to be seen in London, Paris, Vienna, Rome, Berlin, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Athens, Constan- tinople, Smyrna, Cairo, and other cities were in turn the subjects of their observation and study, their amusement and profit.

They have had three children,-Theodore, Irving, and Eugene. Theodore and Eugene died in infancy. Their second son, Irving, was born at Poughkeepsie, May 1, 1856. They gave excellent educational advantages to their son, who proved himself an exemplary student ; was prepared for college at Riverview Military Academy at Poughkeepsie; graduated with honors at Harvard in the class of 1878, aud is now studying law at the Harvard Law School.

MRS. SARAH ELIZABETH (WATKINS) ELTING, the wife of Luther Elting, was born Nov. 28, 1821, in Hamptonburg, Orange Co., N. Y. Her parents were Hezekiah and Sally Ann (Seely) Watkins. Her father was born in Hamptonburg, Aug. 23, 1800; her mother in Albany, N. Y., July 12, 1803. Their only ether child was Lavinia Strong, born July 11, 1823, who is the wife of Edward Du Bois, a native of New Paltz, Ulster Co., now residing at Marlborough.

Mr. and Mrs. Watkins came to live with their daughter, Mrs. Elting, at Poughkeepsie in 1854. Mrs. Watkins- a woman of uncommon purity and integrity of character -- died there Oct. 10, 1860. Mr. Watkins still resides with his daughter, and, although in his eightieth year, is hale and well preserved, having been a man of most systematic habits and of unvarying cheerfulness of disposition, as well as a man of strict morality and of progressive mental tendencies. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins gave great attention and care to the education of their children. Sarah E. was educated at the Goshen Institute under Nathaniel Webb, and at the Montgomery Institute under Mrs. Harriet Mills- paugh. At the early age of eighteen she became the prin-

Selling

----

.. ....

Saran E. M. Elling

135

TOWN OF LLOYD.

cipal of the Middletown Female Institute, a position which she Held for several years, and in which she was ably assisted by her sister. Iler snecess in this engagement had given her an excellent reputation as a teacher, and she was then appointed an instructress in Rutgers Female Insti- tute, New York City (an institution which then stood at the head of the schools for young ladies in this country), where she took high rank. She had a literary east of mind, and her efforts at composition evinced a high culture, and were marked by an unusual power and beauty of dietion.

While in the discharge of her duties at the Institute, or shortly after her retirement therefrom, she formed the ac- maintance of her future husband, Luther Elting, to whom she was married Jan. 26, 1853. In the course of her married life she traveled in company with her husband throughont the United States and Europe. She enjoyed greatly these opportunities for sightseeing, nud particularly their travels in the East ; having always been most interested in the history of these ancient people, with their strange customs and wonderful works of art, her visit to these lands proved especially enjoyable. In the pleasure and profit of most of these journeys her son Irving, in whose education she was assi-luously aiding, was also a participant ; and the trip abroad had been so planned as to give hint a pleasant and profitable respite from books between his school and college work.

During her varions travels she wrote many letters. which were full of interest, aml were thoroughly enjoyed by many of her friends. Unfortunately, they are yet mainly in manuscript form. One series of her letters was written some years ago for the Middletown Press, Orange County, -a paper published in the town where she first engaged in teaching. The editor of that journal on the occasion of his valedictory alluded; in reviewing the past career of his paper, to the correspondence of Mrs. Elting which had graced its columns, and pronounced her descriptions of travel in the South and West "productions of classic beauty as well as interest." Other accounts of her travels now in manuscript would, no doubt, if published, be found replete with entertainment and instruction.

Mrs. Elting's mental vigor and intellectual power, cotu- lined with a most generous and sympathetic nature, have marked her life as that of no ordinary character, and gained for her a large cirele of appreciative friends and an exten- sive private correspondence which have enabled her to exert a wide influence for good,-an influence which has been exerted in a most unobtrusive and quiet way. The domestic phase of her career in the endearing relations of daughter, wife, and mother, has also exhibited not only commendable but surpassing virtue and excellenec.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JOHN HI. COE.

J, JJohn H. Coc, was the second son of Daniel Coe; was born in the town of New Paltz, Oet. 7, 1798. My father was boru in 1759; married Sarah Halstead in 1781, both being residents of Rockland Co., N. Y., of English deseent, but acquired many Low-Dutch customs in their mode of liv-

ing. Father was in the service of his country in the Revo- lutionary war. He was a Republican in the days of Federal and Republicanism, having retained a strong prejudice against England and the Tories. My parents were plain working people, of limited education, members of the Pres- byterian Church. They removed to Ulster County in 1787 ; settled in the New Paltz patent. Their first purchase

LITTLE

John 16 Car

was lands lying on the Hudson River, from Major Has- brouck, a large land-owner, who lived in New Paltz, near the Wallkill. Ile was the grandfather of my esteemed neighbor, Col. Jacob J. Hasbrouck. My father paid twenty shillings per acre for the land, and by subsequent purchase the farm was increased to about three hundred aeres. On this land they built a house overlooking the Hudson and the village of Ponghikecpsie, where they resided until their deatl :. Father died in his sixty-fifth year, mother in her seventy-sixth year.

They lived plainly and comfortably on this land. The fleeces of their sheep and flax which they raised gave them their clothing. Here the subject of this sketch was born, the second of a family of seven children. William, the eldest son, was in the service of his country in the war of 1812. My youth was spent on my father's farm. My edu- cation was that obtained at the district school. In 1823 I married the daughter of Wells Lake, a former State Sena- tor from this district, by whom I had ten children, eight of whom still live, -- Lewis II. ; Daniel; Wells L .; Ruth T., wife of Sylvanus Purdy ; Mary E., wife of John R. Lc Roy ; Josephine, wife of C. W. Elting; John HI .; and Sarah A., wife of Simon Hasbrouck. Myself and wife connected with the Presbyterian Church in 1832. Ihave had the confidence of iny townsmen in a remarkable degree. Their suffrages have elected me to offices of trust and re- sponsibility. I have held the office of justice of the peace,

136

HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.

assessor, overseer of the poor, ete., and for several years superintendent, secretary, and treasurer of the Lloyd Rural Cemetery, in which capacity I received great credit from the plot-owners for my management of it. I accepted the positions when it was very much out of order and in debt. I resigned the positions iu my eightieth year, leaving it greatly improved and money in the treasury. I held the office of justice of the peace before the town of Lloyd was organized. At that time we held elections three days, one day in this portion of the town, one day at New Paltz village, and one day at Libertyville. The whole region for twelve miles square was then known as the town of New Paltz. My wife died in 1853, and in 1855 I married a widow lady, a daughter of David Demarest, a noted millwright and ship-builder. She died in January, 1873. I still live in the home given me by my father, with my sons, Daniel and John H. Coc, Jr. I have lived in an eventful period of the world. Science has made rapid strides in my memory. 1 have seen the wilderness change into luxuriant farms (for I distinctly remember the howling of wolves from our home in my boyhood). I sur the first steamboat (built by Rob- ert Fulton ) that paddled up the Hudson, and an odd affair it was. It caused us much surprise and speculation; it looked more like a floating saw-mill than our present steam- boats. I have seen the introduction of railroads, telegraphs, etc. I am now advancing in my eighty-second year. My contemporaries are nearly all gone. I am done with the business of life, and am patiently waiting my sun:mons to that land where partings are unknown.

JOHN H. Com.

THE HOWELLS OF LLOYD.

Jonathan Howell came to Ulster County from Long Is- land about 1750. Ite married Miss Harris at Plattekill. John Howell was born there in 1750. Dissatisfied at home, he ran away. Trading his coat for a broad-axe, he learned the ship-carpenter's trade, and hewed his way to success. In 1804 he married Esther Pride, and commenced business at " Crum Elbow," on the west side of the Hudson River, by starting a ship-yard. He built a number of sloops. Then be started a store. Cord-wood was a legal tender at that time, so much so that at one time he had seven thou- sand cords on hand. Very high prices ruled prior to the close of the war of 1812. Ilickory-wood brought twelve dollars per cord. Large quantities of wood were used in the lime-kilns at Hampton and Barnegat. In 1818 he purchased the property aud built the house where the family How reside. He retired from active business in 1820. When Robert Fulton came upthe Hudson River with his steamboat, the " Clermont," Mr. Howell thought that " all the rocks in 'Crum Elbow' were tumbling in the river." He went out in a small boat, and clambered on board. Fulton was shav- ing, and roughly demanded his business. He answered, " I have come to see." Mr. Howell possessed great foree of character, which, with economy and an indomitable will, carried him to fortune. He died in 1867.

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History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. II, Part 33

Author: Sylvester, Nathaniel Bartlett, 1825-1894. cn Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 818

Author: Sylvester, Nathaniel Bartlett, 1825-1894. cn
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 818