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 64
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
" Please bear in mind that the Andries De Witt of Napanoch wus the ellest son of Egbert De Witt, who lived on what was recently the Averill Hungerford place. He was a physician, and finally settled at Springtown, New Paltz, where he died the 20th of September, 1799. His mother was Maria Nottingham, granddaughter of Jacob Ratzen. "Going back to Egbert De Witt, the first settler at Napanoch, we find, in 1734, his house referred to in a statute as then in the town of Rochester. In 1738, Egbert De Witt was on the list of troopers. His will was dated 13th July, 1738, naming his wife and children, giving one-tenth to each, but requiring his eldest son, Andries, before taking, to divide with his brother and sister what might come to him frou Col. Rutzeu's estate. Ilis will was proved 7th May, 1761, Lib. 23, N. Y. 22."
In connection with the Bevier family there are men- tioned hy Edgar Bevier three old homesteads : first, the place lately owned by Jacob Joy and the stone house stand- ing there, which is very old, even if it does not actually date back to the first settlement ; second, the place lately owned by L. D. B. Hoornbeck ; and, third, the homestead of Coonradt Bevier, grandfather of Dr. Benjamin R. Bevier and of Edgar Bevier. This is the old stone dwelling-house standing a little east of the village, owned now by Messrs. Schoonmaker and Young.
William Nottingham also settled about the same time as the Beviers and the Dewitts, but his family has not de- svended to modern times, and his homestead is not deter- mined. He was probably connected to the Dewitts, as the wife of Egbert Dewitt was Maria Nottingham .*
The Brodhead homestead at Leuren Kill is very old, and has been in the possession of successive generations of the fouily from the earliest settlement. The date upon the venerable dwelling is 1753, but the present family suppose their ancestors to have settled there about 1700.
To further show carly settlement we add the following ummes, obtained from the old records of the church of Wa- warsing, now the church of Napanoch. The venerable book is a valuable memorial, and of untold value for the purposes of compiling family histories. Men of wealth and of his- forie tastes in Wawarsing can well afford to have at least the baptismal record translated and printed for preservation. The ald custom of recording at a baptism the name of the father and the maiden name of the mother, and further of adding two witnesses, and these generally a man and his wife, with the maiden name of the latter, furnishes a clue
to the marriage connections of numerous early families. This record of haptisins extends over a period of one hun- dred years or more, commencing with 1745. We give the earliest four baptisms :
"Oct. 20, 1715 .- Reuben, son of Egbert Dewitt and his wife Maria Nottingham; witnesses, Samuel Bevier, Jr., and Sarah Du Lefevre (his wife)."
"Oct. 20, 1745 .- Maria, daughter of Jacob Hardenbergh and his wife Nellie Bruyn; witnesses, Isaac Hasbrouck and Maria Bruyn (his wife)."
"Nov. 18, 1716 .- Abram, son of Samuel Bevier and his wife Sarah De Lefevre; witnesses, Abram Bevier and Rachel Ver Nooy (his wife)."
"Simon, son of Conradt Ver Nooy and his wife Margaret Lefevre; witnesses, Johannes Bevier and Rachel Lefevre (his wife)."
The first marriage recorded appears to be that of Jo- hannes Bevier, Jr., to Rachel Lefevre, Aug. 9, 1746, or 1747 perhaps. The year is not written.
Daring several years following 1745 the following per- sons had children baptized or appeared as witnesses :
1746 .- Coonrad Ver Nooy, Johannes Muller, Elias De P'ny.
1747 .- Benjamin Hoornbeck, Cornelius Kortright.
174S .- Richard Ketel (probably the one killed by the Indians near Kerhonkton in the latter part of the Revolutionary period), Benjamin Du Bois, Cornelins Ver Nooy, Jr.
1749 .- Andries Dewitt, Jacob Rutse Dewitt, Peter Helm, Manuel Consales, Jacobus Elinendorph, Jacob De Puy, Jr.
1750 .- Derick Hoornbeck, John Wood.
1751 .- Moses C. De Puy, Abram De Puy.
1752 .- Isaac Bevier, William Dewitt, Jonas Middagh, Martin Mid- daglı.
1753 .- Jacob Bevier, Aries Van Vliet.
1754 .-- Michael Sax, Matthew Lefevre, Peter P. Louw, Jacob Ver Nooy, Solomon Westbrook, George Mack, Isane Van Campen, Hendrick Krom, Johannes Bruyn, Benjamin Schoonmaker, Direk Hoornbeck, Jacob Hoornbeck, Gerardus Swartwont, Johannes Oosterhoudt, Peter Harp.
1755 .- John Wood.
1756 .- Johannes G. Ilardenbergh, Abram Lefevre, Peter Sax.
1758 .- Cornelius C. Vernooy, Moses De Puy, William Van Campen, Elisha Hoornbeeck, Jacob Har lenbergh, Tobias Hoornbeck. 1763 .- Jesse Bevier, Thomas Dewitt, Lewis Bevier, William Cox. 1766 .- Jacob Baker, John Dewitt, Laurence Hoornbeck, Abraham Van Campen, Johannes Scott, Daniel MeFinley.
1767 .- John Jolinson, Andries Bevier, Jacob Du Bois, John Hoorn- beck, Wiu. Dewitt, Thomas Dewitt, Daniel Van Vliet.
1768 .- Petrus Cantine, Matthew Lefevre, Jacob Newkirk, Jobn Brod- best, Vorick Mask. Cornelius Chambers, Abraham De P'ny, Petrus Cantine.
1769 .- Johannes Hoornbeck. 1771 .- Nicholas Ziumerman.
1772 .- Peter Ed. Oosterhoudt, Coruchius Bogart, Arthur Morris.
Here are a few facts relating to a very early period :
Feb. 11, 1655, Peter Jacobsen, of Albany, let by attor- ney to Warrenaer Hoornbeck, of Hurley, a tract of 30 morgans land at Wawarsink for ten years, to fence aud build a house ou, 30 by 24, with thatched roof, two rooms, one window in each, and a chimney in the middle; also a barn, 28 by 40, with 3 linters, and a rent of 4 bushels of winter wheat.
May 20, 1730, Cornelius Hoornheck, of Rochester, black- smith, mortgaged a lot obtained of the trustees of Roches- ter two years before (and bought of the Indians) by Frederick Schoonmaker and siil Cornelins Hoornbeeck, ou the east side of the Sandburg Kill, from mouth of the Roudout, near the land of Abram Jan Borie, eastward of Mamakating, south of Sandburg, north of Cape. Joha
. The record of Marbletown show that Maria, daughter of William Vattingham, probably tamed for un annt, was baptized in 1746. William Nottingham was clerk of both Marbletowu and Rochester. He owned land at several points in both towns, und his residence is but certainly determined.
254
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Evans, and southward of Rochester lands. This had lead upon it, and the purchase price to the Indians and other charges were 490, paid by Cadwallader Colden, Lodewyck Hoornbeck, Albert Pawiing, Gerardus Hardenbergh, Fred- erick Schoonmaker, Cornelins Hoornbeck, John Schoon- maker.
Nov. 7, 1708, Peter Low bought of HI. Beekman a lot obtained of the Rochester trustees, commencing by the great fall called Honk, from thenee up the ereek to the high mountains.
This brings us down to the Revolutionary period, and undoubtedly affords a very full statement of the leading families during the first fifty years of settlement. Thirty- five years later the town was organized, and further light is thrown upon the settlement and growth of the town at that date by the record of the road distriets formed in March, 1807. This shows the actual residents of Wawarsing at that date, nearly three-quarters of a century ago. It shows not only the residents, but the different parts of the town in which they lived, and is exceedingly valuable for the purposes of local history.
1st District .- " Beginning on the southwest bounds of the town of Rochester at the twenty-mile stone, and to extend from said stone along said read to the lane opposite the house of Jacobus Bruyn :" Henry Kortright, Peter P. Burger, Peter Burger, William Turner, Henry Woodin, Johannes G. Hardenbergh, Benjamin Bruyn, Elias New- kirk, Coonradt Himrodt, Derick Schouten, Solomon Haw- ley, William Allen.
2d District .- " Beginning on the first, and extending to the small bridge on the road opposite the house of Ebenezer Gere :" Jacobus Bruyn, James Burger, Henry Kettle, Eliz- abeth De Witt, James C. De Witt, Moses D. De Witt, Art Van Wagener, Cornelius Van Wagener, Thomas Botsford, Abraham I. Bevier, Nathan Vernooy, Eltie De Witt, Thomas D. De Witt, Benjamin B. Depuy, Sarah Depuy, Lewis Be- vier, John Van Wagener, Garret Van Wagener, Gideon Hoornbeck, Jr., Jacob W. Vernooy, Peter Vernooy, Cor- nelius B. Vernocy, John Vernooy, Wilhelmus Bevier.
3d District .-- " Beginning on the second district, and extending to Amnon Skidmore's ; thence up Payne's road, formerly so called, to the five-mile tree on said Payne road :" Ebenezer Gere, Abraham Bevier, William Doll, Coenradt Bevier, Matthew Bevier, Benjamin Bevier, Egbert De Witt, Andrew I. De Witt, Simcon De Witt, Jr., Stephen De Witt, John S. De Witt, Egbert S. De Witt, John Barber, Jr., Gerret C. Newkirk, Eli De Witt, Simon Bevier, Lawrence Van Gorden, David Bevier, Jr., Nathan Freer, Abraham Johnson, Jacob Devens, Christopher Evelin, Edward Fair- child, Alpheus Fairchild, Oliver Fairchild, Levi Kimball, Jr., Ephraim Payne, Peter Helm, Simon Hehn, Thomas Crossman, Seth Fairchild, Levi Fairchild.
4th District .- " Beginning where the fourth district in- tersects the Minisink road, near the house of Ammon Skidmore, and extending along said road to the Mama- cotting Town ; thence mp Greerfield road next southeast of Belew's, at a small bridge :" Ammon Skidmore, William W. De Witt, Stephen De Witt, Jr., Charles De Witt, James De Witt, Jr., John De Witt, Hebert W. De Witt, Moses Holmes, John Brodhead, Jacob Brodhead, Isaac
Newkirk, Matthew Newkirk, Moses De Witt, Jacobus De Witt, Jacob Cantine, Matthew Cantine, Peter Cantine, John Brodhead, Jr., Richard Brodhead, Benjamin New- kirk, Comelins Newkirk, John B. Newkirk, George D. Shaver, James Turner.
5th District .- " Beginning on the fourth district at a small bridge next southeasterly from Belew's, and extending to where it was laid by the commissioners of Rochester, formerly including the road from where the Burkill road district intersects the Greerfield road to the intersection of a road laid along Lefevre's Mills with Burkill's road dis- triet at a heap of stones around a birch-tree :" Isaac Belew, Joseph Belew, Daniel Belew, Frederick Devoe, John Devoc, Cornelius Brodhead, Coles Besley, Oliver Besley, Joel Sarles, George Lumly, Sarah Fair, Thaddeus Grey, De- borah Tompkins, Joseph Washburne.
6th District, known as " Burkill's." -- " Beginning on the fifth district at a hemp of stones by a birch-tree, and extending northwesterly to where the same intersects Dis- trict No. 7 on Payne's road district, formerly so called ; thenee from the last place of beginning at the heap of stones along Lefevre's Mills to Payne's road distriet, at the house of Isaac Tyrrel, as laid out by the commissioner of the town of Wawarsing :" James Washburn, Uriah Pride, Peter I. Lefevre, Andrew I. Lefevre, Isaae Tyrrel.
7th District, named " Payne's."-" Beginning at the five- mile tree and extending to the town of Neversink :" Pe- terFreer, Samuel Cristle, Jesse Grey, Luke Price, Joseph Knox, George Brown, John Oostrander, Andrew Oostral- der.
8th District, ealled " Huuk."-" Beginning on the second district, near the house of Jacob Heermance, and extend- ing till just aeross Mr. Douglass' bridge :" Cornelius I. Iloornbeck, William Hixon, William I. Woods, Cornelius Vernooy, Charles Vernooy, Jacob Vernooy, Benjamin I. Hoornbeck, Cornelius Depuy, William Davis, John W. Davis. Johannis Hoornbeck, Johannis Hoornbeck, Jr., Daniel Hoornbeck, Nathan Hoornbeck, Jacob Heermanee, John Dewitt, Philip Dewitt, Hugo Freer, Gerret A. Freer. John Hook, Jacobus Davis, Albert Demerest, David Dem- erest, William Hassock, William Bogs.
District No. 9, known as # 2d Hunk District." -" Begin- ning ou Hunk district, at Douglass' bridge, and extending to opposite the house of Daniel Oosterhoudt :" Daniel Oosterhoudt, Henry I. Oosterhondt, Robert Akerly, Peter MeKnight, James Mitchell, Plaid Mitchell, Widow Boggs.
. 10th District, known as " Lackawack." -- " Beginning on the ninth district, and extending on the old road to the town of Neversink :" Eliza Divine, Cornelius Chambers, Me- rinnus Chambers, John Black, Jacob Sheely, Joseph Addi- son, Philip Mullen, John Minllen. .
State Road, District No. 11 .--- " Beginning at the tenth district, near the house of Samuel Vernooy, and extending on the State road to the town of Neversink :" Jacob C. Sheeley, Daniel Sheeley, Johannis Mullen, William Wilson, James Thompson, Ezen Kellock.
Johannes Hoorubeck, the first supervisor of the town, was from New Paltz. The town of Rochester had a very large uamber of this family name. The homestead of the supervisor was the De Garmo farm, near Wawarsing. His
-
255
TOWN OF WAWARSING.
sons were Nathan, who settled at Ellenville; Daniel, at Wawarsing ; Johannes, on the old homestead ; Cornelins, at Wawarsing ; and John, who died young. His daughters were Anna ( Mrs. Wilheluns Bevier), Sarah ( Mrs. John S. De Witt), and Jane (Mrs. Joseph Hasbrouck).
The town of Wawarsing having been a part of Roches- ter from its first settlement until 1807, its history is neces- sarily blended with that, and reference is made to the chapter upon that town for further items relating to Wa- warsing.
The following article from the Ellenville Journal of April 2, 1880, is worthy of a place in the history of Wa- warsing :
"AN ANCIENT LETTER.
" The following letter is a relie of the past, and is worth preserving, no less for the glimpse which it gives into the heart of its author than for its reference to the men and times that are now historie. It was written to Mr. Richardl Brodhead, the grandfather of the late Mr. Audrew Brodhead. Its anthor, in bis younger days, fell in love with a sister of Mr. Brodhead, and was anxious to marry her. But greatly to his chagrin and greatly to the disgust of Mr. Brodhead, who ar- dently espoused Mr. Depni's canse, she preferred another man, a Mr. William Cox, whom she subsequently married, and with whoin she moved to New York, where she lived and died. Mr. Depui, finding the attractions of Leurenkill greatly lessened by her departure, whether ' with a handsomer man' or not doesn't appear, went down into the Minisink region, below Port Jervis, where be became a well- to-do farmer, and where he lived and died. The letter was written from there. It will be noted that since the old friends had met the stirring events of the Revolution bad all taken place, and at the time of the writing the whole country was agitated by the question of Con- federation or union : which shall be ?
"' August the 1st, 1785.
"'DEAR SIR,-Twelve years is past since I have had an oppor- tunity of seeing you or seldom to hear from you, although I always when opportunity offered made Inquiery Conscerning yon; but it secins time and distance will bury Friendship however well founded. But L assure you, Sir, the kind usuage I often receivd from you is not forgotten by me, but shall always be greatfully acknowledged. It is about twenty-six years since we contracted the first acquaintance. We wero then in the Vigour of youth, but now on the declineing hand, surrounded by a Riseing Generation ready to take our places when time shall be no more with us. I have often thought on the Situation of your family liveing on the Frontyers during the last war, exposed to the Ravages of the Savages and the more horrid White Savages. It is the most surprising thing in Nature to think that White Men could! joiu themselves to Savages to Imbroe their hands in the blood of their Countrymen, and your state in particular has been afflicted by a great number of bloody internet Enemyes; but to the Immortal honour of the Virtuous citizens you have brav'd dain- ger and vanquish'd your Encinyes. I therefore congratulate you on the happy Termination of the War, and I wish those brave meu that
has retir'd from the scene of dainger may injoy in future that Do- westie happiness that may Compensate for all their toils. I have had three sons and three daughters, but the second son I had the Mortifi- cation to loose at three years old. I have found Married life much more agreeable than a single; I hope it is the same with you. I long to see you and more of my friends in the Contry. I lately heard of the death of your worthy aged Father, whoe I had a sincere regard for, but I hope the familey's loss will be liis gain ; and a tiew rowling years will land us all in Eternity. May we therefore think of our latier end und the things that belong to our eternal peace.
"'I am, dear Sir, with a grateful Remembrance of former kin- nesses, your friend and humble Sarv't,
"' NICHOLAS Derci.
"" My respects to your aged Mother and all Inquireing friends."
TAVERNS.
In the notice of Ellenville it will be seen that Nathan Hvorubeck opened an inn in 1816 on the site of the Joseph
Il. Tuthill dwelling-house. This was continued for many years. His children numbered thirteen, and are all still living, the youngest aged forty-three. In 1833 the De Graff tavern was on the site of the present Cristian House. It soon after passed into the hands of William Heddisz. A tavern has been kept there ever since. The Terwilliger House was built about 1833 by George Bailey, and has been kept as a hotel from that time to the present. Mr. Bailey remained some years, and was followed by John Berzemer, and later by Henry B. Fowler. Mr. Fowler soll to Eli Terwilliger, who transferred it to the present owners, Con- stable & Derby. Eli Terwilliger had previously kept a hotel at the corner of Main and Canal Streets, on the site of the present hardware-store of Mr. Du Bois. It burned down. He was a stirring, active man, and a successful landlord. William Wedding kept a tavern for some years at Napanoch. This was in the seminary building, knowu as the Dall property. For other items about early taverns, see chapter upon Rochester.
MERCHANTS.
In the Ulster County Guzelte of Jan. 4, 1800, the fol- lowing advertisement of Luther Andres & Co. appeared :
" He has reecived near every kind That you in any store can find ; And as I purchase by the bale, I am determined to retail, For ready pay, a little lower Than ever I have done before. I wish my brother man to live, But as for credit shall not give : I would not live to ronse your passion, For eredit bere is out of fashion. My friends and buyers, one and all, It will pay you well to give a call ; You always may find me by my sign, A few rods from the house divine. Cash will not be refused .:
" WARSINK, Dee. 21, 1799."
The location of this store is indicated clearly in this curi- ous poetical notice. Of Mr. George Dudley we obtain the following notes of the stores existing about 1833 and for a few subsequent years. Charles Hartshori was then iu partnership with Selah Otis, a brother-in-law, who catay from Shawangunk. Their store was on the site of the one lately Lept by Decker & Son. There was another store, ou the corner of Main and Centre Streets, now a tenement- house owned by John L. Billings. A little earlier than the above was the store of Lewis llanford, on the site of the present brick store opposite the Terwilliger House. Soon after the opening of the canal, about 1828, there had been a small grocery-store opened at the canal. At Napa- noch the Messrs. Southwick, Adnah, Richard, and George, were in the full tide of business in 1833. They kept a very large assortment, but retired from that line of business in a few years. There was a store for many years by Augustus Elmendorf on the south side of the ereck from Wawarsing village, at the corner- where at present stands the building marked . Union Store." At Port Benjamin there was a store kept by Hungerford & Fauton. It was continued by them for many years. The Southwicks had a branch store at Lackawack for a time.
--------
256
IHISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
PHYSICIANS.
Dr. Benjamin R. Bevier, father of the present physician bearing the same name, was licensed about the year 1804 or soon after. He was then about twenty-one years of age, and had studied in Marbletown with Dr. Oliver, a surgeon of the Revolutionary war. Dr. Bevier practiced for a few years in Marbletown, Hurley, Woodstock, and Kingston. About 1810, eireumstanees induced him to return to Wa- warsing, where he settled permanently and practiced for nearly fifty years. He had an extensive ride, and on horse- back wound his way over the mountains and along the valleys, facing any kind of a storm, and with a rugged con- stitution that enabled him to endure any degree of hard- ship. Still earlier than Dr. Bevier was the pioneer physi- cian Dr. Doll, who had practiced for many years. Dr. Bevier entered into partnership with him, and, as Dr. Doll gradually retired through age and infirmities, Dr. Bevier became his successor. Contemporary with. Dr. Doll, and somewhat with Dr. Bevier, was Dr. Jacob Heermance, grandfather of the well-known Jacob Heermance, recently deceased. Dr. Bevier, Sr., died in 1866, at the age of eighty-four. Dr. Bevier the younger graduated about , 1849, and went into business with his father soon after. On the retirement of the father he became his successor. He is now in active practice in the same field upon which his father entered seventy years ago. Dr. Landon practiced a few years at Ellenville, 1833 to 1836. He was a man universally liked. He removed to Michigan. Dr. Ostrau- der was at Ellenville a short time. About 1840 he was also a preacher, and removed to Grahamville, in Sullivan County. Dr. Doll, spoken of above, was probably the pio- neer physician, and was a man of wider influence. His office and residence was the property formerly well known as the Doll place, now partly occupied by a store located at Napanoch. The present physicians are Dr. Scoresby, Dr. P. Finelt, Dr. J. L. Hammer, homeopathist, Dr. P. M. Gedney, and Dr. G. B. Garison, surgeon-dentist. Dr. Charles II. Leut is in partnership with Dr. Scoresby.
LAWYERS.
Mr. Thomas Botsford and Coonrad Elmendorph practiced for many years. Henry Brodhead practiced law at Ellen- ville; was afterwards elected surrogate, and removed to Kingston. John Lyon came from Shawangunk, and com- menced the practice of law in Ellenville, Jan. 1, 1852, and has maintained an office here from that time to the present. He was elected district attorney, but did not remove to the county-seat. Nicholas K. Graham was also an attorney here for several years. He was elected county judge in the fall of 1855, and, removed to Kingston. George G. Keeler began the practice of law in partnership with John Lyon about 1861, and afterwards opened a separate office. Ile is now associated with his brother, under the firmn-name of G. G. & J. B. Keeler. John T. Dewitt has been in practice here for some years past. John G. Gray has been a practicing lawyer in this town for several years. He re- sides at Napanoch. but has his office at Ellenville. Corne- lius A. Van Wagener has been doing business as a lawyer since 1867. William H. Hasbrouck has been practicing law at Ellenville for a few years past. John G. Newkirk
was in partnership with Mr. Gray for a time, but afterwards removed to the West, and is professor of history in an In- diana college. Billings G. Childs, recently deceased, was also a practicing attorney for a few years. His father, John G. Childs, has a law-office at Napanoch, where he has done business for several years. Charles A. Fowler practiced law for a time in Ellenville; was elected surrogate, and removed to Kingston. At the election of 1879 he was ehoscur a member of the State Senate, in which body he is now serving as a member (February, 1880).
STATISTICS.
The total population of Wawarsing, as stated in the cen- sus of 1875, was 8693. Of these, 7686 were native born and 1007 foreign born. With reference to race, S558 were white and 135 colored. With reference to sex, 4332 were males and 4361 females. The males of voting age were 2172. The total equalized assessed value of property in Wawarsing for 1879-80 is $1,280,508, and the total tax collected upon that basis $49,499.26.
IV .- ORGANIZATION.
The town of Wawarsing was formed from Rochester, March 14, 1806. The latter had held jurisdiction over this territory for a century or more, though for many years there were of course but few inhabitants located upon it. In considering the history of Rochester in its earlier periods it must be remembered that many of the facts brought out relate to what is now Wawarsing, and the his- tory of the latter will be found to some extent in the former. The orthography of the name was Wawarsink at the time the town was incorporated, and that was often shortened to Warsink, as Wa-war-sing is now shortened by usage to Warsing, in prononneiation, but not in the spelling. The name is an old Indian term, and has been applied to this scetion from the earliest known settlement. It was said by the late Rev. N. W. Jones, of Samsonville, to mean " Holy place of sacred feasts and war dances." Mr. Jones had given much study to these old names, and was re- garded as excellent authority. The record does not show where the first town-meeting was held.
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.