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 6
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Incorporation .- The village increased so rapidly that in six years from Mr. Barclay's settlement here the advan- tages of a village government were desired, and the place was incorporated under the name of Uister. This was subsequently changed to the present Sangerties. The village records being lost, but little can be said concerting the officers of the earlier years. Henry Barclay was the first president. In 1851, on the death of Mr. Barclay, Mr. James Russell was president and D. W. Russell clerk, as shown by resolutions of condolence and respect then published. From 1855 the following citizens have served in the offices named :
PRINCIPAL VILLAGE OFFICERS, 1831 80.
PRESIDENTS.
1835, David Von Buskirk ; 1856, John Vedder; 1557, Cornelius Pat- telle ; 1555, Soloinen Cone; 1:59, William C. Dewitt; 1560, Samuel Merclean ; Is61, Cornelius Battelle; 1962-63, John Vel- der; > 1864, Egbert Cooper; 1965-16, William lianna ; Isbi, Henry D. Lafin : 1968, William E. Kipp : 1869, Joseph Smith; 1570-71, Mozes Krohn: 1972. James Maines : 1573, Thontas Maxwell; 1974, Egbert Cooper; ISTS, Benjamin M. Freligh; 1876-57, William F. Bu-zell; 1-75, William R. Sheffield; 1879, Robert A. Suyder ; Is>0, Jaques A. Jators.
$ Part of the year, and William F. Russell the remainder.
CLERKS.
1855, Stephen C. Lusk : 1856, William J. Lennon ; 1557, George W. M. Silver: 1858-39, William M. Patterson ; 1860, Isaac B .- e- pangh : 1861, David V. N. Hotaling ; 1862, Thomas C. Maines; 1363, David V. M. Hoteling: 1861-65, Thomas L. Masten : 1566. David V. N. Hotaling; 1867-72, George W. Elting ;t 1579. Ren- jamin M. Coon; 1571, Thomas B. Keeny ; 1875-76, Benjamin MI. Coon: 1877, John J. Nelligan; 1878, William G. Morgan; 1879-80. Benjamin MI. Coon.
TREASURERS.
1853-56, John P. Styles; 1557-61, Andrew J. Ketcham ; 1562-68, Seaman G. Searing ; 1869-73, Thomas B. Keeny ; 1874. William HI. Eckert; 1575-78, Thomas B. Keeney ; 1879-80, William H. Eckert.
Present Organization ( Murch, 1880) .- Directors, James A. James, Francis Phillips, Ward No. 1; Peter Cantine, Chester Blackwell, Ward No. 2; William E. Kipp, Aaron Hanna, Ward No. 3; President, James A. James ; Vice- President, William E. Kipp; Clerk, Benjamin M. Coon ; Treasurer, William H. Eckert; Street Commissioner, William N. Pultz; Assessors, William G. Morgan, Simen Merelean, Charles Davis.
In the absence of the earlier records, a few facts are ob- tained from the files of the Telegraph. In 1842 the trus- tees were Peter D. Schoonmaker, S. S. Hommel, Henry Huyck, John Maines, Stephen Webster. In 1851 the trustees chosen were Philip 11. Pultz, James James, Jerred Dodd, William Van Buskirk, Benjamin Artman ; the Clerk was B. M. Freligh ; Treasurer, Jacob Felt; Col- lector. Thomas Keys; Assessors, Peter P. Post, John G. Myuderse, Robert Montross.
In 1852, Trustees, F. L. Inflin, Peter M. Gillespy, Gas- ton Wilbur, James Swart, Henry Huyck ; Clerk, S. C. Lusk ; Treasurer, Jacob Felt ; Collector, Thomas Keys ; Assessors, John Field, Nelson Brainard, John Kiersted, Jr.
In 1853, Trustees, John Fream, Peter J'. Schoonmaker, IT. D. Van Orden, John Kearney. William B. Du Bois; Clerk, John W. Davis; Treasurer, Hiram Post ; Collector, Ludwig Schaff; Assessors, William F. Russell, Nelson Brainard. Peter P. Schoonmaker.
In 1854 the Trustees were Jesse T. Bookstaver, Samuel Crawford, Peter T. Overbagh, Peter Kettyn; Clerk, S. Merclean : Treasurer, Charles N. Hommel.
Ferries, Bridges, etc .- The first method of crossing the Esopas at Saugerties of which any trace can be found was a seow or a rope ferry, which was located at Stony Point. This was previous to 1800. It was known as the Mynderse ferry. There was a similar ferry near where the present iron bridge stands. This was known as the Person's ferry, be- cause of a grist-mill owned by a man of that name, which stood on the site of what has been known in subsequent years as the " old lead-mill" and below the dam. Thie ferry was abandoned about 1825. The Stony Point sous was replaced by a pontoon toll-bridge about 1530. That was owned and built by Solomon Roosa. Henry Barclay bought it a short time after this and placed it where the present bridge is situated, and toll continued to be taken upon it. It was destroyed by a hurricane in the summer of 1831 or 1832. Smith Cram then built for Henry Barclay a wooden, open-top arch bridge, similar to a subse-
t Part of 1872, Benjamin M. Coon the remainder of the year.
37
TOWN OF SAUGERTIES.
quent one well known, except that it was open at the top and that there was simply one while roadway. This a toll- brilge also. It was totally destroyed during a freshet in the spring of 1839 by a large tree which came drifting swiftly down the creek, struck the iron guy on the upper side of the bridge at the south side of the creek with such force as to break it and twist the entire bridge from the abut- ments, tumbling it into the creek. A temporary raft-bridge was then built for foot passengers.
In 1840, Ralph Bigelow built the last wooden bridge for Henry Barclay, at a cost of 87000. It was a toll-bridge until a year or two subsequent to the death of Mr. Barclay (1S51), when the administrators sold it to the town for 83000, and it became a free bridge. In 1874 the old bridge was deemed unsafe, and the present handsome iron structure was ereeted in its place. Among those active in securing this work were Hon. Win. F. Russell, James H. Van Keuren, and William Mulligan. It is known as a wrought- iron, diagonal lattice or truss bridge, and was erected by Leighton & Hill, sub-contractors for Thomas Leighton, con- tracting bridge-bnilder of Rochester City, Western New York. It was made self-sustaining in the short space of two weeks and four days, and was opened to the public Dee. 30, 1874. The iron work is two hundred and sixty- right feet long, -- said to be the longest single span of auy similar bridge in the State. It has a sustaining force of 1800 pounds per linear foot, is thirty-nine feet six inches high, and thirty-five feet six inches wide, outside measure- mient. The roadway is twenty feet in the clear, and the footways, of which there are two, are each five feet two inches wide. The entire cose was about 225,509.
Ferry route between Saugerties and Tivoli .- The first method of crossing the Hudson was by a scow ferry run by the ancestors of the Brink family, from where the Brink fırın touches the Hudson directly across to the Livingstou Dock of old times. This was very early, probably before 1800. About 1810, Win. MeCaffery ran a small boat for foot-passengers, and a scow for horses and wagons from the old Overbangh farm, owned in late years by Dr. G. R. Spaulding, across to where the ferry-boats now land. Two men usually managed it. Passengers arriving at one of the landling's with the boat on the other side were expected to rouse the ferryman by a blast upon the horn that was always hanging on a convenient tree near by. In 1828, James Outwater, of Tivoli, commenced running a four- horse ferry-boat, which landed at Burhans & Brainard's Old Dock, opposite the Ulster Iron-Works; Daniel Ackley was the captain. Somewhat later Outwater changed it to a two- borse ferry-boat, with John I. Coon captain. This was "creeded by a small side-wheel steam ferry -boat, called the " Jack Dowling," which was run by Capt. John I. Coon. The Dowling gave out in a short time, and was succeeded by a two- horse ferry-boat, also run by Mr. Coon. Edward Laverty & Brother bought her, and afterwards she passed into the hands of a company composed of Maj. Overbaugh, R. N. I-ages, James Outwater, and Wm. Burt. The boat " a- then run by them for several years, Mr. Coon still con- Ling as captain. On Monday, Sept. S, 1951, the steams- i try boat " Chelsea" was put on the route by Jamies Out- *ster, and commenced making regular trips, connecting
with all trains on the Hudson River Railroad, which had been opened for business on the 8th of the preceding month. She was first run by Capt. Ogden, afterwards by Cart. Wmi. H. Wilcox, who was suceceded by Robert A. Snyder and Alexander Hanver. When the dam gave way, in 1857, the boat was torn from her moorings at midnight and sunk just east of the Magazine Dock, where she filled with sand and was afterwards torn to pieces, the attempt to raise her being a failure. After this there was no ferry for one year. In 1859 the Fields Brothers bought the " Black Maria," and ran her up to 1860. Her name had been changed to the " Fanny Fern."
The Fields Brothers took her off the route and broke her up. They put the " Stella" on the route, but under the pru- dential regulations of the United States Government, put in force at breaking out of the war, they were obliged to eall her the " Air Line," as that was the original name she had been " christened ' T. J. Barritt bought her that year, and continued the ferry line until 1864, when he sold to H. L. Finger, and the latter continued to run her until 1869, when he soll to Hon. Robert A. Snyder, who is the present owner, and has commanded her in person until he was elected sheriff, in the fall of 1879.
Transportation between Sangertics and New York .- The first method of carrying freight and passengers between Saugerties and New York City was with sailing vessels. In the early times these carried live-stock, horses, cattle, and sheep forward of the mast, and to keep them from get- ting overboard they were strapped fast, and whenever they shipped a sea the animals were sure to receive an involun- tary bath. The first steamboat that plied between this port and New York was the . C. Vanderbilt." This was in the summer of 1837. She was nuder the command of Captain John Ketcham; steward, William H. Wilcox ; barkerper, Abrato Banks. Ju 1839, Jolin Elting, of Barrytown, brought the steamer " Congress" here: captain, William H. Wilcox ; pilot, David Lampman. This boat made two trips a week. In the spring of 1840 the staunch old boat, " Robert L. Stevens," was brought here. She was owned by Crooke & Fowks, of New York, Gregory & Hunt, of Ponghkeepsie, John Elting, of Barrytown, Judge Rexford, and Williama T. Shultz. The last vamed gentleman was captain, and the pilot was David Lampman. William F. Russell and E. J. McCarty were their agents here. This boat ran in the years 1841 and 1842, and part of the season of 1843. She was then taken to New Rochelle, where by some accident or tuismanagement she was run on the rocks, a hole broken in thirty feet long, followed immediately by the siaking of the boat. Fortunately none were drowned, though there were some three hundred persons on board. Crooke & Fowks raised the boat and rebuilt her that same fall. The next year, 1844, Robert L. Maybee and George Lorillard brought her back to the Saugerties route. She ran here that season with R. L. Maybee captain, Pavid Lampman pilot. The next season, 1815, the " Robert 1 .. Stevens" ran from Albany to New York in opposition to the boats of the Peoples' line. During this season the en- gines gave out, and after having them repaired the boat ran to the fishing.banks for ninety days, and in September, after the varied experience of the summer, the boat was
38
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
again brought back to the Saugerties line. During this absence of several months the steamuers "Safety" and " Mutual" ran into the port of Saugerties. In 1845, Cap- tain John Fream bought the " Robert L. Stevens," and he kept her steadily on this route every season until 1852, when he soll her to Captain A. Anderson. The latter ran the boat two seasons, 1833 and 1854, and then sold her to his brother, Captain Charles Anderson, who ran her to the fishing-banks. For the last five years James Sickels bad been pilot upon the boat.
In the absence of the " Robert L. Stevens," during the season of 1854, Captain A. Anderson brought the "Tom Powell" to Saugerties. James Sickels was pilot upon this boat. Captain Charles Anderson brought the " Stevens" back to this route in 1855. and continued for three years, having the former pilot, James Sickels. lu 1858, Captain Charles Anderson brought the " Wm. F. Russell" to Saugerties, and placed upon her the okl pilot, James Siekels. This boat was kept here through 1859 and a part of 1860. Her after history is interesting. Captain Anderson sold her to William Raybold, of Philadelphia, who ran her as a transport South during the rebellion. She was in later years run by the same gentleman on the Delaware River under the first name she had borne, " Char- lotta Vanderbilt." After the sale of the "Russell," in 1860, the steamer " Naushon" was placed on this route during the remainder of the season. In 1861 no steamers ran between Sangerties and New York, Int the barge " John I. Hashet" was run by Silver & Frame, under command of Captain John Oosterhoudt. In 1862 the " Norwalk" and the " Nanshon" were on this route. Iu May, 1863, the " Rip Van Winkle" was brought to Sau- gerties by Simmons & Co. Captain, John Oosterhondt ; pilot, James Sickels. In 1864 the " Monitor," owned by George H. Powell, of Hudson, ran here for a short time. In 1865 the Saugerties Transportation Company was forined, and gave to this route more permanent and regular communication. Messrs. Battelle & Reuwick owned a con- trolling interest in the company. They purchased the stemmer " Ansonia," and placed her under the management of those experienced men, Captain John Oosterhoudt and Pilot Jares Sickles. The " Ansonit" has continued to form this line down to the present time. and the same ofi- cers, Captain Oosterhoudt and Pilot Sickels, orerpy their respective positions. James Moon is now assistant pilot.
The Saugerties Fire Department .--- At a meeting of the trustees of the village of Ulster, at the house of James Woodruff, on the 4th day of February, 1834; present, Ilenry P. Heermance, president pro tem., John Field, and Moses Y. Beach (the latter afterwards proprietor of the New York: Sun), it was resolved aud thereby ordered that there shall be two fire-engine companies organized in said village, to consist of twenty meu each. That one company shall be called " Engine Company No. 1," of the village of Ulster, and that the other engine company shall be distin- guished as " Engine and Engine Company No. 2," for said village of Ulster ; the former to be for the use of those on the north, and the latter for the use of those on the south side of the Esopus. Also it was ordered that two hook-and-ladder companies of ten men each in said village
of Ulster, which are respectively to be distinguished as number one and number two, and like the engines, one to be for the use of those on the north, and the other for the use of those on the south side of the Esopus; it being stipu- lated that the members of said companies are to reside on the same side of the creek that their engines or their hook- and-ladder truck belong. It was also
" Resolved, That there shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees for the management of said Engine Companies, the following officers for each, viz .: One Captain, one foreman, one treasurer, and one See- retory, who shall be members.
" Resoleri, That the small shop on George Taylor's lot, South of his dwelling-house, on Partition Street, be purchased for ten dollars, and that two dollars per year be allowed said Taylor for ground rent for said building to remain upon.
" Resolved, That Moses ). Beach be authorized to cause an Engine- house No. 2 to be built on the South side of the creek, and to nego- tiate for a site for said building."
On the 4th of March, the same year, it was voted " that nineteen dollars be drawn from the treasury on an order in favor of Abram D. Burhans, which, together with the eleven dollars in the hands of the President, is to go to him in full payment for building engine-house number two on the South side of the Esopus Creek, for which the said Burhans has given his receipt for thirty dollars in full."
The engines bonght at this time were the old-fashioned hand-machines. They were worked by eight men, four on a side. The propulsion was by brakes pushed forward and backward, and not up and down, as in subsequent years. The engines had to be filled by buckets, as there was no suction-pipe attached to them. They worked very hard, requiring a change of hands every few minutes.
Only one hook-and-ladder company was organized, though two had been voted. Its truck and apparatus were kept at. the engine-house of No. I, and it is said the ladders were very convenient for the citizens in picking apples, building houses, and similar work. June 13, 1839, the trustees di- rected a notice to be posted, requiring all persons having any of the village ladders to return them forthwith.
The house of No. 1, after some additions, was 12 by 31 feet, one story high, and surmounted by a cupola. This last was erected by the contributious of citizens, and con- tained a bell weighing 300 pounds. A brass G pound can- non loaned to the village by the State was kept. The build- ing and its contents, except one cugine, were destroyed by fire in 1840.
Soon after the formation of the village government fire- wardens were appointed. The first were chosen July 19, 1832 ; John Field for the first ward, Henry P. Heermance for the second, William C. Dewitt for the third, James A. Peet for the fourth, and Moses Y. Beach [for the fifth].
The first company was named Aug. 25, 1834.
" Resolved, That the following-named persons be accepted as mem- bers of Fire Engine Co. No. 1, of said village, and that certificates be issued to them of membership :
"John Bell, Captain ; John C. Burhans, foreman ; Henry F. Heer- mance, treasurer, George A. Gay, Secretary ; David 1. Shafer, Elias Woodruff, Samuel Crawford, Abram Coon, A. F. Ray, George Bennett. Charles Wooster, Jacob Barker, Joel T. Parsous, Robert I. Horton, Victor Post, Peter Freer, Jaines Post, William Tappan, William O. Van Steenburgh. Henry Elting, Jr."
Engine Company 2 .-- Sept. 5, 1835: Freeboru S. Lam -
39
TOWN OF SAUGERTIES.
Fort, captain ; N. S. Shaler, foreman ; W. C. Stansbury, secretary ; C. MeDowell, treasurer ; Ridley Watts, J. E. Shaffer, William M. Dederick, George E. Weaver, S. A. Rogers, B. Osborn, Alexander Lloyd, Jr., Charles N. Hom- mel, Waterioan Titus. Martin K. Bridges, T. W. Sinedes, George West, William Cook, Ralph Bigelow, T. B. Living- ston, H. G. Young.
Aug. 30, 1836, J. C. Burhans appointed captain of Engine No. 1, in place of John Bell. Sept. 15, 1837, Engine Company No. 1 reorganized, with J. C. Burhans captain. Feb. 7, 1840, Peter D. Schoonmaker appointed captain of Engine No. 1.
The Rough and Ready engine, bought 1845-47 (prob- ably), was built by James Smith, of New York City, at a co- of 3300, and at that time it was considered one of the best hand-engines of her calibre on the Ilndson. A one- story briek building was put up for its reception on Russell Street. It is the same building which stands there now, but had many subsequent improvements, a second story and a cupola being added. The old bell now hangs in the cu- pola of the present Fireman's Hall.
Empire Engine No. 2 was purchased in IS35, with hose- cart and appurtenances, for $1000. The building then erected for it, aud in which it is now stored, is a neat two- story brick house, surmounted by a cupola containing a bell, mevl eost something over $800.
U'p to 1855 the fire department had been under the charge of the directors or trustees of the village. It was then decided to appoint a chief engineer. Thomas J. Bin- ritt was chosen, with G. B. Matthews first assistant and J. H. Col-man second assistant, for the term of one year, commeneing Jan. 1, 1856. The subsequent chief engineers have been : 1857, C. W. Baker; 1858, A. J. Myer; 1859, James Maines ; 1860, Joseph MI. Boier; 1861, R. W. Shultis; 1862, William Hanna; 1863, H. D. Laffin ; 1861, 1-aac Rosepaugh ; 1865. B. M. Freligh ; 1866-67, II. D. baffin ; 1868, A. J. Myer; 1569, William Mitchell ; 1870. A. Teetsell; 1871, William Mitchell; 1872, Lewis Yerger ; 1873-75, B. M. Freligh.
The first hose company was formed in 1861, with the fol- lowing members : George D. Dodd, John Wilson, Charles Du Bois, Chas. Il. French, Wm. F. Montross, James il. Morey, Wm. H. Wygant, Abram Turek, Lorenzo Du Bois, Ira Swart, Martin B. Hommel. James P. Russell, C. F. Ven Keuren, Charles Gibbs, B. B. Martin, Heury Brink, J. HI. Auderson, George K. Snyder, Win. B. Pollock.
Empire Hose Company, No. 2, fonued about the same time. cousisted of Jolin Blow, James Mullen, Win. Morgan, Hiram Seeley, James Merchant, Thomas Lockey, Thomas MeMullen, M. Sherman, Caleb Bird, James H. Peck, and Afred Kearney. This company in 1864 purchased the handsome carriage now owned by them, and changed their lame to Lafin Hose, No. 2, in honor of H. D. Laffin.
The hook-and-ladder company formed Jan. 31, 1837, consisted of the following members: A. J. Ketchain, Fore- iran ; Wm. F. Russell, Assistant Foreman ; George W. Silver. Treasurer ; John Kearney, Secretary ; C. F. Sud- derly, George Von Mour, J. F. Bookstaver, F. Dodd, F. Troms, G. Burhans, J. L. Montross, E. B. Knight, Gaston Wilbur, James Maines, W. B. Du Bois, Nathan Krohn,
I'd. Kearney, Ad. Brainard, H. S. Winans, C. N. Hommel, P. D. Schoonmaker, A. Beverly, Wu. A. Post, Benjamin Artman, E. J. MeCarthy, John Myer, J. HI. Van Keuren, O. T. Simmons, A. Cohen, S. G. Searing, F. L. Laffin, J. Stewart, S. Crawford, Stephen Hoyt, Peter Decker, W. E. Kipp, John Glennon.
The hook-and-ladder house was creeted on Jane Street, at a cost of $1200. It was sold in 1873 for $1050. This was the year of the general reorganization. By authority of an act of the Legislature, the old property of the de- partment was sold, and Fireman's Hall was ereeted, a hand- some structure 36 by 50, two stories high, and surmounted by a cupola. The lower floor is used for the apparatus of the department, and the second floor is divided into con- venient rooms for the use of the village authorities. The lot cost 81200, and the building $5000. A steamer was purchased for $4000, and 500 feet of hose at an expense of STVO.
At the present time (March, 1850) certain amendments to the village charter are being perfected, with a view to greater efficiency in the fire department, and a general re- organization is designed. The new steamer company was formed March 13th, with SO members.
The Old Lead- Mill .- Isaac MeGaw in about JS30 made the necessary exeavations, and laid the foundations of a building on the present site of the lead-mill, for the purpose of manufacturing calico prints, sail mill being subject to an anunal lease of $550 for the water privilege, payable to Henry Barely. Before the mill was completed Mr. Me- Gaw became embarrassed, and was obliged to abandon the enterprise. Mr. Somers then un.Jertoook to complete the work, but also failed, though he finished the mill to about half the size of the later building. Ile designed to estab- lish oil-works. In 1835, Charles Ripley bought it, enlarged the building, and commenced the manufacture of white lead according to a process Col. Edward Clark, his superintend- ent, claimed to have discovered. Mr. Ripley died suddenly of inflammatory rheumatism in JS37. The property theo passed into the bands of John Jewett, Jr., of whose father 840,000 capital had been borrowed by Mr. Ripley.
Mr. Jewett carried on the business for some years suc- cessfully. Co !. Clark, who had left upon the death of Mr. Ripley, returned and elaimed a royalty of $10 a ton on all the lead that had been manufactured. Upon the trial that ensued it was proved that the process clanued to be dis- covered by Mr. Clark had been used and abandoned in France many years before. This legal examination showed that Mr. Jewett's income from his business had been $30,000 to 840,000 a year. Mr. Ripley, the founder, had origin- ally obtained 810,000 of Win. Young, in addition to the $40,000 of Mr. Jewett. This second mortgage for 810,000 was owned in 1844 by James McCullough, who finally foreclosed, and at the sale bid off the property at $40,000 or more. In 1851 the right to the water-power was per- chased of the estate of Mr. Barclay, and the payment of an annual reut terminated. Mr. Mccullough had organized a stock company, under the name of " The New York and Saugerties White Lead Company," of which he was presi- dent until 1957. In that year Win. Ghion, son of one of the stockholders, was chosen to that position. Mr. Scaman
40
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
G. Searing was superintendent of the works from July 1, 1850, until 1858, when he retired by reason of ill health, and was succeeded by Mr. John L. Peak.
In 1861 or 1962 the company abandoned the business, and Mr. Hoag and others of New York became the owners, and Samuel L. Mitchell president of the company. The latter was a wealthy merchant, and president of a company running a line of steamers between New York and Sa- vannah.
Mr. John Peak had been sneeceded in the superintend- ency by Mr. Charles L. Buckley. The latter was afterwards superintendent of military telegraphs on Gen. Banks staff, and later was engineer-in-chief of the Russo-American Telegraph, which was abandoned on the snecessful comple- tion of the Atlantic Telegraph. At the old lead-will Minie rifle-balls were manufactured for a short time, when the mill was closed. The property then became the foot-ball of the courts and real-estate brokers, while savings-banks and insurance companies loaned money and foreclosed mort- gages.
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