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 35
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Hc married Jan. 11, 1537, Sarah Frances Buekhout, daughter of Daniel E. ard Phoebe (Perkins) Buckhout. Mrs. White was born in Highland, March 17, 1839. They have one child, Charles, born February, 1867, living at home.
In politics Mr. White is Republican. Both he and Mrs. White are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Highland.
ALFRED TERPENING.
Alfred Terpeuing was born in the town of Esopus, UI- ster Co., N. Y., Sept. 5, 1822. His grandfather, Elias
S
ALFRED TERPENING.
Terpening, raised a family in Esopus of three sons and four daughters, all but one of whom were married and raised families.
His father, Samuel Terpening, married Susanna Van Every. Their children were Anna Maria, Catharine, Elias, Oliver, Alfred, Juliette, Lncinda, Angeline, and Ly- mau. Anna Maria, Catharine, and Juliette are deceased. The former married Frederick Winfield, the latter Oliver Winfeld; each had two children. Elias married Maria
Pareel, by whom he has five sons and two daughters. Oliver married Harriet Delamater ; they have one son and four daughters. Lucinda married Zachariah Eckert; has one daughter, Susie, wife of Reuben Decker. Angeline married John H. Brinkerhoff ; no children. Lyman mar- ried Mary E. Sahler, by whom he has had two children, but one living ; owns and lives on the homestead farm in Esopus. Samuel Terpening died in Esopus.
Alfred Terpening lived at home until he was thirty-two years of age, with the exception of a single summer which, on account of his health, he spent upon the Hudson River. His education was limited to the common school of Esopus. In 1854 he moved to Highland, where for many years he 'carried on the milling business in company with his brother- in-law, John Il. Brinkerhoff. Having purchased the patent for bending wagon-rims, they eventually sold out their milling interests, and gave their exclusive attention to the manufacture of wagen-rings and other bent stuff. In 1875, Mr. Terpening purchased Mr. Brinkerhoff's interest in the property in Highland which they had heretofore held in common, and subsequently sold a half interest in the factory to Jaunes De Graff. At the present time the business is conducted under the firm-name of Terpening & De Graff.
While on a visit to friends in Cayuga County, at the age of twenty-two, during a revival in the Baptist Church at Mentz, in that county, Mr. Terpening was converted. He first joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in Esopas, and upon his removal to Highland became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in that place, and has been one of its most active and zealous workers. In polities he is Republican, but has never sought office. He was mar- ried Nov. 5, 1857, to Harriet Selleck, daughter of David and Abigail (Lockwood) Selleck. Mrs. Terpening was born in Milton, town of Marlborough, Nov. 13, 1829. They have had six children, as follows : Samuel, born Oct. 22, 1859 ; died Nov. 23, 1866. Myron, born March 16. 1861. Grace, born June 23, 1862. Royal, born May 4. 1865; died May 8, 1865. Bertha, born April 2, 1807; died April 11, 1867. Paul, born May 25, 1871.
WILLIAM J. RELYEA.
Born in 1810, in the town of Plattekill, Ulster Co., sou of Jeremiah Relyea, and grandson of William Relyea, who was of Holland descent, settled in Plattekill, building his house so substantially that the subject of this sketch visited the dwelling in our centennial year, and found it in many respects just as it had been built. The floor boards of the second story, forming the ceiling of the first, were a deep mahogany color from the accumulated smoke of many years. and were remembered by the family with interest because of their being a gift from his bride to help build their now home. But he had a short time to enjoy its comforts before the premonitory grumblings of the Revolutionary war were heard, and, like many of our forefathers, he took up arms in defense of his country. When the war was ended. he in company with others of his comrades started for home
143
TOWN OF LLOYD.
in mid-winter, wading through deep snows, almost famished for food. They would take turns in their weary tramp, appointing first one, then another, to go ahead and break a path, till almost overcome with exhaustion he would fall back and another take his place. William Relyea, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came as far as his own barn so worn out he leaned for support against the side of the building, hearing the steady breathing and quiet
content of his own cattle enjoying their evening rations, while their owner was so exhausted as to be almost unable to stand. He started for his dwelling, and fell three times in the deep show, the chill of which would rouse him to renewed action, till he finally reached his house, when the meeting with his family is beyond the power of pen to de scribe. His exhaustion was so great he was unable to take food, except in the smallest quantities, for suany days ; but he lived to raise a family of children, of which one son, Jeremiah Relyea, the father of our subject, settled at a place now called Clintondale, Ulster Co., where he resided until his death. He reared a family of thirteen children, of whom William was the fourth child.
The advantages for an education were very limited at that time ; but he had much to make up for that deficiency in a firm will to conquer difficulties, and a strong. constitu- tion to fight the battle of life. He chose the business of farmuing, and at the age of twenty three married Phebe Ann, fourth child of David Demerest, of Plattekill, a deli- cate, sensitive woman, not well fitted to meet the rough parts of life; but with this disadvantage he struggled through these first years amid many discouragements suc- cessfully, and by careful economy and great perseverance obtained a home of his own, settling in Lloyd, Ulster Co., in 1840. His sympathetic spirit soon began to open heart
and hand to others who were struggling to gain an inde- pendence.
In 1859 he sold his farm, and bought at Highland, town of Lloyd, a little place in an uncultivated condition ; but his persevering industry soon changed the aspect of things, and Vine Terrace now represents the character of the man. He is one of those strong, self-reliant men whose principles are well defined ; a practical farmer, exactly suited with his surroundings, and whose advice is considered of importance in his branch of business ; still, with a mind fully sympa- thrizing with the wants of church and State, one of our best citizens, a part of the "backbone" of our country. All the members of the family were first Whigs, then Re- publicans, from the time of their emigration from Holland. His father was a Friend, and himself a member of the Presbyterian Church for forty years.
WILLIAM HENRY DEYO
was born in the town of New Paltz (now Lloyd), Ulster Co., N. Y., Nor. 6, 1832, the youngest child of Joseph
WILLIAM HENRY DEYO.
Ilenry and Jane ( Deyo) Deyo. He is a descendant both on his father's and mother's side from the French Hugue- nots by that name, who were among the twelve original patentees of New Paltz. There were four sons and four daughters in his father's family, as follows : Ennis, Noah, Sally, George, Catharine, Harriet, Phoebe Jane, and William Henry. Harriet died at the homestead, Sept. 1, 1851. AH the rest are living, have families, and, except Noah and George, who live at Springfield, Ill., are settled in the towns of Lloyd and Plattekill. His grandfather, Henry Deyo, was a practical miller, and owned and carried on a grist-mill at Shadigce Pond, in Lloyd. His father, Joseph Henry, born in Lloyd, June 26, 1783, inheriting from his father about one hundred acres of land on Vineyard Avenue, about one mile south of the village of Highland, to which he
14-4
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
afterwards added two hundred acres, after his marriage, which occurred May 28, 1812, settled on the place now owned and occupied by his son, William Henry; and here all his children were born. His wife died here June 7, 1847. He died July 1, 1853. Both are buried in the Old Highland burial-ground.
William Henry Deyo has always lived on the place of his birth, inheriting the homestead of one hundred aeres by deed from his father. He was among the first who gave especial attention to fruit-culture in a locality which has since become noted for its many varieties and excellent quality of its fruits. As a fruit-farm, Mr. Deyo's is not surpassed in the county.
Mr. Deyo was married. Oct. 3, 1854, to Zoraida A. Le Roy, daughter of Jolm and Gertrude (Cropser) Le Roy. Mrs. Deyo was born in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co., N. Y., Sept. 1, 1833. They have had two children, viz. :. Le Grand C., born Sept. 30, 1855, died Feb. 6, 1856; Helen C., born Nov. 20, 1857, married, Sept. 14, 1875, to George H. Brown, son of John S. and Fanny Brown, of La Grange, Dutchess Co. They have one child, Edna, born April 26, 1877.
In polities Mr. Deyo has been an active member of the Republican party. Both himself and wife have been mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church at Highland for the last twenty-four years.
HURLEY.
I .- SITUATION, BOUNDARIES, AREA, TITLE.
THE town of Hurley lies just west of the territory of Kingston, and is one of the interior towns of the county. It is bounded on the north by Woodstock, on the east by Kingston, south by Rosendale and Marbletown, west by Marbletown and Olive. The area, as stated in the census of 1875, comprises an area of 18,175 acres. Of this 8915 aeres are classed as improved, and 9260 acres as unim- proved. Of the unir .. proved, 4219 aeres are stated to be woodland, leaving 5051 acres elassed as " other" unini- proved.
The title to the soil of Hurley, or, rather, to that portion first settled, was derived from the Dutch government the Indian rights having been extinguished by treaty. This was confirmed by the subsequent English Governors of the province. A large tract of land, known as Hurley Com- mons, originally granted by King George the First to Cornelius Cole aud others, as trustees for the people of Hurley, was divided among the freeholders of the town, pursuant to an act of the Legislature passed in 1800. There was also inchided in this division a traet of 300 aeres within the limits of Marbletown, which had been previously purchased by the trustees of Hurley Commons, and thus became a part of the Commons property. The terms of the division were as follows: Every freeholler having an estate valued at $300, and residing in the town at the time of the passage of the aet, was to have one cer- tain tract, and every frecholder whose estate was valued at less than $300 was to have a proportionate part of one such tract. The land was surveyed and divided into 108 lots.
Under an act of the Legislature, passed April 4, 1806, the common lands of Hurley were surveyed and divided up among 168 proprietors, who were entitled to the common- alty of these lands as freeholders and inhabitants of the town of Hurley. The coromissioners who made the divi- sion were John S. Dewitt, Levi Jansen, and Andrew Suy- der. After completing the survey they met at the house of
Peter Elmendorf, in the town of Hurley, Nov. 13, 1800, to ballot for the same, when Levi Jansen, one of the said commissioners, was appointed by the rest for that purpose. The drawing was completed the next day, November 14th, at the house of Gerret II. Newkirk, innholder, at Bloom- ingdale.
The following is the list of proprietors and the numbers of the lots drawn. A map accompanying the survey is preserved in the town clerk's office, though somewhat dam- aged hy frequent usage and by remaining folded. The volume containing all the proceedings of the commissioners, with a careful description of each lot and the whole finely and beautifully engrossed, is also among the books of the office :
Names. Lots.
Compensation Lots.
Cornelius Elting.
126
John E. Roosa
42
Mary Ostrander 46 131
Mary, John, Samuel, and Polly Ostran- der
10 120
John G. Krom.
120
Hyman Roosa
60
Jenekah Brown
30
Geriet Constable .. 45
130
Corral E. Linealorf.
Caleb Merritt 07
25
Johannis Suylandt ..
1
Henry Dewitt.
3
121
Peter Ehnendorf.
41
160
Coonrad W. Elmendorf.
127
Anthony Crispell
1
122
Peter Wynkoop ..
5
123
Solomon Elting
92
Coonrad 1. Elmendorf.
124
Richard Ten Eyck.
13
91
Peter Crispell
28
119
Cornelius Cole, Jr.
90
Matthew Ten Evek
125
Gerret B. Nowkirk ..
118
Tenants of Conradt Newkirk, deceased Peter Dubois.
9.1
Corneliu Newkirk
108
135
Derick C. Wynkoop.
112
156
Peter Brink.
101
140
Jacob P. Dubois 107
131
Abram Cole
139
Jeremiah Houghtaling, Jr .. 103
Peter P. Boost .. 10S
112
Cornelius Dubois 104
Wilhelmus Kiersted 109
John Crispell.
1.22
Hendrick Elmendorf
143
TOWN OF HURLEY.
Lots.
John I. Dubnjs ... 110
Jacob, Jolla I., and Jacomptjie Dubois 100
141
Richard Oliver ..
113
167
Jacobus Hardenbergh 10;
150
Cornelius Cole 111
Kay Woolmancy. 114
150
Catherine Hardenbergh
133
Egbert Roo-4.
Israel Knillin
Samuel Patterson ..
Christopher Kiersted.
152
John S. Dubois
151
Joshua Eckert
14:+
George Van Vliet
151
John O. Neil
111
Cornelius Conway
23
123
Jane Dubois.
143
Jobaluau Krom
Gerret Dewitt
-> ()
Jolmuins Von Wagenen, Jr
Abraham Van Wageneu ..
1 !.
165
Jarob Van Wagenen
Johannes Vun Wugenen
153
Peter Van Wareura, Jr.
lewis Il rdenber b.
William Smi ....
160
Jonathan Terpenning.
Johannes 1. Lelever.
150
Juines Auchmoody
1,5
Juha D. Har lenbe gh.
13
Marins Van Auke 1.
:1
Charles Har labergh
19 21
John Blanshan ...
15
William Reiyea.
5
Matthew Batishan.
Gilcon fr-tran ler.
58
Cornelius hrom.
113
Jacob Manelita.
15
Johannis s. S .L wonmiker ..
161
William Girery
53
Benjamin Van Wagenen, J:
Simon Lefever ..
161
Jonathan lohy r, J.
Garret N. Newkirk
Alexan ly b. l.zert.
Jahr i. p việt.
166
Abralın. S'urter ..
51
Mizabeth Davis on I chillrea
Hezchinh Content.
Fach Courant .. 147
j w. . lo berts
John Tilson. .
-3
William Coul int.
John Van Nostrant ..
Jacob T. Resto 148
Abral im T. Podemacer
J.ha C. Harlinkers
153
Witiiam livet
Cornel is 1. Chaundori.
SI
Andrew Say ler. 115
143
Simon Itever, Jr .. ..
l', njmin sluyter. Jr.
Cornelius Van Wey
Robert Martes ..
1.aac Howell
Abraham llehu 1332
Jas Davis
15++
Jonathan Schoonmaker.
1531
Zachariah Burger .1
1513
John Auchinton ly
145
John P. Kester.
Dani 1 D. P'reer
The total population of Hurley as stated in the census of 1875 was 341 !. Of this number 2535 were native born, and 420 forrige born. With reference to race, 2946 were white ail US were colare 1. With reference to sex, 1569 were males and 1115 females. The males of voting age were 754.
The equalized assessed value of the property in Hurley & West part of. t East part of. 19
for 1879-80 is 8472,059, and the total tax paid upon that basis $8202.09.
The heights of the two railroad stations, according to the figures of Professor Guyot, are: West Hurley, 510 feet, and Olive Branch, 511.
For convenience of reference we give at this point the following paragraph from the statutes of the State, defining the boundaries of Hurley :
" The town of Hurley shall cont sin all that part of saidl county be- ginning at a flat rock known by the name of Taurataque, being the northwest corner of the New Paltz patent; running thence north thirty minutes west ninety chains to the northwest side of the Rondout kill; thence north fifteen degrees thirty minutes east two hundred and four chains; thence north fifty-three degrees thirty minutes west thirty- four chains to a blick-oak-tree markel : thence north fourteen degrees eust sixty chains fifty links to the sontherty corner of Guysbert Krom's patented land : thence north forty degrees thirty minutes east twenty -two chains eighty-three links to the south- east bounds of Cornelius Etting's lan 1: thence along the same north forty degrees thirty minutes west seventy-three chains to the west side of the public highway; thence worth forty-seven degrees west four hundred and sixty chains to the cast bounds of the town of Olive : thence along the same northerly and casterly to the bounds of the town of Woodstock ; theure along the same north seventy degrees erst seventy-in chains, south lifty-nine degrees east one han fred and twenty-eight chains, north seventy-nine degrees east one hundred anl twenty chains, an I south Forty-seven degrees cast one hundred and nine chains fifty links to the bonnets of the town of Kingston ; thence nlung the same south two degrees twenty minutes cal two hundred and forty chains, south twenty-six degrees cast two hun Ired and thirty-eight chains, south seventy degrees east twenty-six chains, aud south six degrees: east three hun Ired and fifteen chains to the middle of the Horalout kill : thener op the same to its junction with the Wallkill ; thence up the Wallkist to the north bounds of the New Paltz pulent ; thence along the same north eighty-three degrees forty- five minutes west one hundred and forty-three ebains lifty links to the place of beginning."-Fiering Staenter, vol. i. page 215.
The above description was modified by the act erecting. the town of Rosendale, as given in the chapter upon that town ; and by the annexing a portion of Hurley to Wood- stock, as stated in the chapter upon that town.
II .- NATURAL FEATURES.
The surface of Hurley is a rolling and moderately hilly upland. There are some points that attain considerable altitude. but the hills are usually not more than 700 feet above the-water. The Heapns ( reek flows across the south- ern part of the town, in a northeasterly direction. Near the east houndary of the town it receives a tributary from the north, which drains a large portion of the southern part of the town. In the west and northwest are several streams that flow westward to the valley of the Esopus in ils great southern detour. A few risulets in the northeast flow eastward to the valley of the Esopus in its northern course. Thus Hurley virtually lies within the folds of this winding and historie stream, as well as considerable territory of Olive on one side and of Kingston on the other. Tem- ple Pond is a tise body of water in the northwest part. The rocky strata of the town furnish inexhaustible quarries of stone for building and flagging purposes.
III .- EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The settlement of this town dates back over two centu- ries. It was first known as " Niew Dorp." From the old records, as collated by J. W. Hasbrouck, it appears
50 5 .: 56
137
Peter G. Ostrander.
11
Robert Baker.
Jobu P. Elmendorf.
Conqensation
£
146
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
that as early as 1662 several patents were granted upon the territory of Niew Dorp. The names appearing in these papers are Thomas Hall, Nicholas Varlett, Mattys Blanshan, Anthony Crispell, Lambert Huyberts, Roeloff Swartwout, Johu Thomassen, Petrus Schuyler, Jan Volck- ert, Lewis Du Bois, Gosen Gerrets, Albert Heymanse Roosa, and Lambert Kool. It will be noticed that a ma- jority of these names are the same that were frequent in the records of this and other towns a hundred years later, as well as at the present tiure after more than two hundred years. Settlement probably followed soon after the grant- ing of the titles; for in 1666, only four years later, the country having changed hands, Governor Nichols required settlers to have their deeds confirmed by the new authority on penalty of forfeiture. Soure attended to this require- micut; others neglected it, trusting to their right by posses- sion. Sir Francis Lovelace was appointed Governor of the colony, and his brother, Dudley Lovelace, was sent into Ulster County to settle dificulties between villagers and soldiers, name the several towns, and assist in settling new villages. And this was in 1869. The commissioner wrote on the 18th of September that the " Niew Dorp" was named Hurley, after the paternal estate of the Governor. These dates decide the time of first location pretty closely, but the details of this settlement are difficult to obtain with much completeness. Just where each pioneer located, what son sueceeded to the paternal acres, and how these early pio- neers anl their descendants scattered over this and the . ur- rounding towns, are all matters of family and local interest, aud many of them are buried in the oblivion of the past. Public acts by publie men are obtainable from the archives of the State and of the county, but the dispersion from the old homesteads, the tracing of successive family links, these are not recorded, and we can only gather up some of them iu broken and fragmentary f. rm.
Fifty years after the settlement above mentioned we find the members of the corporation to be Cornelius Kool, Adrian Garretsie, Jacob Du Bois, Barnabas Swartwout, Jacob Ratse, Nicholas Roosa, and Charles Wyle. These are in part the samue names as already given, so that the real pioneer fam- ilies are well known and their permanent settlement deter- mirel.
It is recorded among the documents of the State chat in 1703 the town of Hurley hal a population of 174. This was mostly in that part of the present town known as Old Hurley. extending somewhat in that part set off to form the town of Rosendale.
The list of the killed and those taken eaptives at Hurley, June 7, 1663, was evidently written up with care then or soon after, and it determines authentically the first settlers of Hurley. corroborating the names above given.
At Hurley, then known as New Village, there were killed in the Indian attack of June 7, 1663, Martin Harmensen, found dead and stripped naked behind the wagon; Juve- ques Ty-sep, beside Barent's house; Derrick Ariaensen. shot on bis horse. Taken prisoners: Jan Gerrittsen, on Volckert's bouwery; from the family of Louis Du Bois, One woman and three children ; family of Matthew Blan- shan, two children ; fiovily of Antoni Crapel, one woman, two children ; family of Lambert Huybertsou, one woman,
two children ; family of Marten Harmensen, one woman, four children ; family of Jan Joosten, one woman, two children ; family of Barent Harmensen, one woman, one child; family of Grietje Westercamp, one woman, three children ; family of Jan Barents, oue woman, one chili ; family of Michiel Ferre,* two children ; family of Hender- ick Joeherus, one child ; family of Henderick Martensen, one child ; family of Albert Heymans, two children.
The village of Hurley was entirely burned, except a uew uncovered barn, one rick, and a little stack of reed.
Matthew Blanshan was a brother of the wife of Louis Du Bois. He settled at Hurley, and left four daughters and a son. He came over in the ship " Gilded Otter," landing in New York, April 27, 1660. He was born in Noenville, Le Come, Parish St. Paul, Province Artois. Ilis wife was Magdale-na Jorise. His will is extant, and shows hiu to have left property in France. The old Louis Dar Bois farin, at Hurley, was divided by his will between Matthew Du Bois and Jacob Du Bois. The will was proved June 23. 1696, and it is concluded by the descend- ants that he died not long before that date.
Louis Du Bois was a magistrate in the village of Hurley in 1671, as appears by a complaint filed by him before the Governor against Roelof Swartwout because the latter had gone to dwell on the Flat Land, contrary to order.
The following extraet from a historical address delivered by Anson Du Bois, at the Du Bois family celebration, in New Paltz, 1875, brings out certain facts appropriately giveu in connection with the town of Hurley :
"Soon after arriving at Wiltwyek we may suppose Louis Du Bois took measures for securing a home and a portion of land, for he had been a tiller of ibo soil, and, like the Old Testament patriarchs, . his trade hath been about cattle.' We bave commonly assumed that his home was at Wiltwyck. now Kingston, before going to New Polte. This is probably incorrect. His home at this period was three miks from Kingston, where he kept a store and traded thriftily with his neighbors and the people of the back settlements, and with the In- dians. At the Indian raid of 1663, Hurley was almost entirely de- stroyed. Here the Indians secured most of the captives, and amongst them the wife and three children of Du Bois, as will appear hereafter."
The only qualification this passage may need is, that from 1660 to 1663 there could bave been no " back settlements" to trale with. The trade of Louis Du Bois must have been with las own few villagers and with the Indians.
How soon after the destruction of the village the settlers rallied and repossessed their homes is not clearly stated ; but it was, no doubt, within a few months. Only three wore killed. The majority at Hurley were made captives, and, being reseued, but few families were broken up, and the mnost, no doubt, rebuilt their dwellings soon after the return. The population, being only 174 thirty-seven years after- .wards, proves that no very rapid progress had been made ;. that Rochester and Marbletown had increased faster than Hurley. There could hardly have been more than thirty families in 1700.
The records of the town have evidently been lost, as the earliest that has been examined for this work dates back to only 1720, fifty years after settlement. This latter date was, however, about the time the Hurley Commons were
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