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 86
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Baily Beers and Joseph B. Andersou have been inn- keepers at Dewittville.
The Johnson Brothers, in connection with their other business, keep a general country store.
STATISTICS.
The population of Denning, as stated in the census of 1875, was 1113. Of these, 1041 were native born, and 72 foreign born. As to race, all were white ; and as to sex, 501 were males, and 522 females. The males of voting age were 296. The total equalized assessed value of property in Denning for 1879-80 is $71,247, and the total tax col. lected upon that basis $2751.53.
330
331
TOWN OF DENNING.
IV .- ORGANIZATION.
This town was formed from Shandaken, March 6, 1819. Its territory was diminished by the formation of Harden- burgh, ten years later. The town was named in honor of Wmn. HI. Denning, who was formerly the proprietor of a large part of the territory included within its limits.
The first towu-meeting was held in the Red Hill school- house, April 9, 1849. The officers chosen for the new town were the following: Supervisor, Abraham De Witt; Town Clerk, John De Witt ; Justices of the Peace, Herman De- pew, Abrm. Vanbuskirk, Bradford D. Donaldson, Ezra S. Bliss; Assessors, Jacobus Rosckrans, Harvey W. Hoyt, Cornelius Bevier ; Commissioners of Highways, Peter T. Bush, Nathan Sheely, Henry T. Whipple; Overseers of the Poor, Abrin. Vanbuskirk, Stephen Peck ; Constables, James Evens, Nathan Kogons, Albert Vandover, Cornelius Drew ; Town Scaler, Conrad Bevier; Inspectors of Elec- tion, Peter T. Bush, Herman Depew.
PRINCIPAL TOWN OFFICERS FROM IS49-1880. SUPERVISORS.
1849, Abraham Dewitt ; 1850. Herman Depen ; 1851, John W. Smith ; 1852-53, Abraham Dewitt; 1851, John W. Smith; 1855, Jacob Osterhoudt; 1856-57, Henry 8. Wilson; 1558, James Johnson ; 1859, Nathan Spencer; 1860-61, Daniel Gillett; 1862-63, Wil- liam Parks; 1861, Jaines Johnson; 1865-66, William Parks; 1867-68, James Johnson : 1869-70, William Parks . 1871, Daniel Gillett; 1872, William Parks; 1573-74, Daniel Gillett; 1875, record missing; 1876-77, George R. Johnson; 1878-79, Peter Parks; ISSO, Lorenzo R. Johnson.
TOWN CLERKS.
1849, John De Witt; 1850, John Pandee ; 1851-5!, Albert Vandover; 1835-56, John Dewitt ; 1857, Henry Ingraham; 1558-61, Francis Hammond; 1562-63, James Johnson : 1564, George S. Frast; 1865, Win. Il. Ingraham; 1866, Ebenezer M. Ackerly ; 1867, John Schwab; 18GS, Geo. K. Hamilton : 1869-70, Geo. R. Johnson; 1871-79, George K. Hamilton ; 1875-74, Lewis Hammond ; 1875, record missing; 1876, Iryia Knickerbocker; 1877-78, S. V. Knickerbocker ; 1879, L. R. Johnson ; 1850, Irvin Knickerbocker.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1813, IFerman Depew, Abraham Vanbuskirk ; 1850, Cornelius A. Vern- .
noly, Tsase Hamilton ; 1851, Abraham Barnum; 1852, Herman Depes, 1. 1. Farington ; 1958, Jacob Osterhault ; 1856, Daniel 3. Monat, Samuel butcher. iva5, E. S. Bis, J. B. Anderson, J. 3. Will; 1836, Samuel Barber, Henry Dixon : 1855, Franc Hat- ilton ; 1858, Daniel Giflett; 1859, Ezra S. Bliss; 1860, Samuel Dutcher; 1861, Jacob Aster : 1902, Jesse Reynolds; 1863, Albert Vandover; 1861, Ebenezer Ackerly, Isaac Hamilton ; 1865, Henry Beardsley, Henry M. Krom : 1506, Leane Hamilton ; laft, Albert Vandover, P. F. Swarthout; 1868, Nathan II. Spencer; 1869, Daniel Gillett; 1870, Isaac Hamilton; 1871, Albert Vandover; . 1872, Nathan II. Spencer; 1973, Solomon Crawford; 1874, Isaac Hamilton, E. Ackerly; 1575, record missing; 1876, Joy O. Sterbondt; 1877, Artemus D. Many ; 1878, Anson T. Alverson; 1579, William C. Gillett, Anson T. Alverson; ISSO, Allen G. Dech.
.
V .- VILLAGES. DENNING.
This is nearly eentral, and the principal post-office of the town is located here. John W. Smith was the first post- master. He was suceceded by James Johnson and he was followed by George B. Johnson, the present incumbent. When the office was opened the mail was brought from Claryville, and it takes the same route at the present time.
DEWITTVILLE.
This place is below Denning, in the valley of the east branch of the Neversink, and is near the line of Sullivan County.
PARDEESVILLE.
This name is given to a neighborhood in the valley of the east branch, about half-way from Denning to Dewittville.
THE SATTERLEE NEIGHBORHOOD.
This is the most thickly-settled portion of the valley of the west branch of the Neversink.
SUNDOWN VALLEY.
This is the poctical name which the people have be- stowed upon the beautiful valley along the Roudout Creek, and more particularly at the junction where the cast branch unites with the main stream.
VI .-- SCHOOLS.
To establish schools in the thinly-settled portions of the town required much effort. There are now nine distriets in town, and several good schools are maintained. The re- port for March, 1879, showed that the number of children of school age was 440, and the amount of money appor- tioned $944.33. The average attendance upon the schools was 123.
The following report gives the latest statisties of the schools, and shows their condition in a concise form :
COMMISSIONERS! REPORT, MARCH, ISSO.
Number of districts.
Number of children of school age ....... 200
Average daily attendance previous year ... 117.986 Public money, equal district quota ... 8428.40 Public money on the basis of number of children$236.99 Public money on the basis of attendance ...... 8200.79
Library money $12.24
VIL-CHURCHES.
Deuning being a sparsely-populated town, and one of comparatively recent settlement, churches have only been established within a few years. The people in the south- western portion of the town attended church at Claryville, just over the line, in Sullivan County, and this is still the place of worship for many families in the valley of the east branch at Dewittville and above. Along the Rondout Creek, known by the suggestive name of Sandown Valley. consid- erable effort ha., been made to seeure religious privileges, as shown by the organizations mentioned below.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SUNDOWN.
This society was organized by a certificate of incorpora- tion bearing date April 22, 1878. The inspectors of clee- tion were Sylvester E. Porter and Lewis Du Bois. The trustees chosen were Lewis Du Bois, Jacob Coddington, Sylvester E. Porter. The proceedings were verified before Jay Oosterhoudt, justice of the peace, and recorded June 11, 1878. A still earlier organization than the above in- corporation was made in 1856 by Rev. F. N. Andrews, the first pastor. The church consisted at that time of 33 members. In 1863 a house of worship was erected at a cost of $2000. Rev. A. B. Barber was a subsequent pas- tor of that church.
332
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF SUNDOWN.
This is understood to be an existing society, located as imlicated by its name. No statistics have been received for our history concerning the church after repeated in- quiries.
VIII .- BURIAL-PLACES.
The principal place of burial is just beyond the limits of the town, in the valley below Dewittville, so that it is tolerably accurate to say that here is a town without a cemetery.
IX .-- SOCIETIES.
A lodge of Good Templars was formed in Dewittville some years ago. The ball where it met was, however, over the line, in Sullivan County. The society has not met for some time, and the hall has become a house of worship for the Methodist Episcopal Church. Upon the banks of East Pond, a beautiful sheet of water near the southwestern angle of the town, there has been erected the Willewemoe Club-House, by an association of gentlemen who secure for themselves and their invited guests the rare pleasures of this mountain region.
X .- PLACES OF SPECIAL INTEREST.
These are found principally in the mountain scenery that is scattered with nature's lavish hand in every part of the town. They must be visited to be understood and appre- ciated. Year by year the increasing army of summer tourists are seeking their places. Neither mountain crag nor lonely glen ean elude their eager search. The wildest gorges and the most remote inaccessible peaks are alike explored and frequented.
The following article, written by a gentleman reported to be the best fisherman of this section, is appropriate to all this part of the country :
"TROUT-FISHING IN THE CATSKILLS.$
" Parties coming to the mountains seeking rest of mind, improve- ment of health, and desirous of pleasure and amusement will find trout-fishing one of the best and most profitable recreations in the country. Those who have tried it universally adinit that there is no known recreation which will relieve the mind of care and anxiety equal to it. Along the mountain strommes are to be found the most romantic, the grandest, the most beautiful and picturesque scenes in nature during the samnuer months, when the foliage is in its brightest colors, numerous varieties of wild flowers, pure air to breathe, pure water to drink, the songs of birds, the music of the running waters, and, with the ever-changing variety of scenery, together with the ex- citement of tront-fishing, will make a person for the time forget ho ever had any care, business, or anxiety. I have heard a careworn divine, after wandering along these streams nearly all day, make the mountains echo with his shouts of joy at the landing of a trout twelve inches in length, while at the same time he had a ten-pound basket well filled. E presumo be had often dreamed of catching tront, and if he did his dreams were well realized ; for during a stay of six weeks at Phoenicia, fishing about two days in a week, three to five hours each day, he with his friend caught nearly two thousand trout, after which the worthy rerereud returned to his charge in Newark, N. J., much improved in mind and body.
" The streams are made up of numerous tributaries, or small spring looks, whose rise in some places is only at the side of the main stream, while the source of others can be traced a long distance up the hillside, and others may be found ruuning along through forest ail meadows nearly parallel to the main stream.
* By H. R. Winter, M.D.
" The quality of the water is of the purest kind, cool and good to. drink at any time. It has been truly said, 'These streams are the natural home of the trout.'
" The species aro of the variety known as 'brook trout' (Sat) Fontanali4) ; their size, us usually caught from these streams, is trotta six to twelve inches, although occasionally those of larger sive are caught. Their flavor, when properly served, is the most delicious of any variety, and better than that of any other fish. Those who have eaten them, whether the delicate invalid or the individual in jerfert health (though cynically inelined), speak in the highest praise of the brook trout taken from the streams in the Catskills.
"Persons inclined to try the pisenatorial art ought at least to supply themselves with the following outfit : a pole, reel-line, bait and By- hooks, basket with strap, water-proof boots, and a drinking-cup, all of which can be found in any of the larger cities where such articles are kept for sale. The best rod is made of split bamboo, although a rod made of ash oud lance-wood will answer all practicable purposes, and can be obtained of good quality at a cost of from $5 to $15, which can be made by a change of tip to answer for bait or fly-fishing; the length, 102 to 12 feet, with two or three extra tips. The best line is a waterproof brailed silk. A click reel of good quality. For bait hooks, the N. Y. trout No. 7 or S with me have a decided preference, yet the Carlisle Kinsey, Aberdeen, Limerick, and other varieties are good and have their friends. For bait, worms, minnows, grube, grass- hoppers, eyes of trout, and their fins are used.
"The use of flies is generally governed by the ones which are on the water, selecting the one that imitates the one trout are jumping for; therefore it is a good plan to have a variety, so that you may have at hand an exact imitation of the desired fly. The best selection of flies for these streams are among the following, any of which will be found good at certain times during the season : Queen of the Water, Beaverkill, Cowdung. Coachman, Yellow Dun, Stone, Great fun, Professor, Montreal Governor, Red, Brown, and Grizzly Hackle, Black Ginat, White Miller, and Grasshopper. A good fly-book will be found a great convenience. The best hook for fly-fishing is the Sprout, size No. 8 to 10, and the best tied flies are the cheapest. Io Ulster County feling is allowed from April let until September 1st of each year. In Greene County, by special act of the Board of Super- visors, fishing is allowed only in the months of July and August.
" A new beginner may not be rewarded with great success in bis fir -: attempt at augling, but with any degree of observation, and by j me- tice and perseverance, he may in a short time have his highest atori- pations realized ; and if lucky enough to fasten a trout of suffic of 1 size to set his reel to whizzing, he will experience sensations of Jeli, 1 .: which will be remembered long after returning to the busy cares of active life."
XI .- INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.
There is very little land in this town that can be reduer } to cultivation. Along the water-courses there are a few limited tracts of intervale, making an occasional firm cet .- sisting of arable land. The statistics given below show that in the aggregate the productions of Denning are of voor. 1. crable amount. Lumbering and the furnishing of timber for various forms of manufacture constitute an important industry. There is a large amount of primeval forest to- maining within the town of Denning. A heavy growth of maple and other valuable timber abounds. Tanning is still in vigorous operation in Denning, though abandoned ri many of the neighboring towns. The principal cultivo i traets of land are found in the valleys of the str anos .! which there are three principal ones, -the valley of t' Rondout, the valley of the cast branch of the Mieterin and the valley of the west branch. The product of town formerly reached a market by the Delaware ant li : son Canal, teams making the long trip to that route 1 Napanoch, in Wawarsing. This has mostly erased. 1 .. opening of a new road from the east branch to the " : branch, in the northeast part of the town, has mad . it | ..
$
333
TOWN OF DENNING.
sible to reach Big Indian, on the Ulster and Delaware Rail- road, much easier than to drive down the valley of the Lackawack, in Wawarsing. Produce is also delivered to the railroad at Claryville, just over the line, in Sullivan County.
INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS.
According to the census of 1875, the farms in Denning were valued at $148,385 ; farin buildings, other than dwell- ings, at $25,610; stock, $43,268; tools and implements, $7683; fertilizers bought, $2; gross sales from farms, $3377; acres plowed were 681; neres in pasture, 1056; acres mown, 2878; hay produced, 2514 tons ; grass-seed, 107 bushels ; barley, 11 bushe's ; buckwheat, 3733 bush- els; corn, 889 bushels; oats, 2481 bushels; rye, 1150 bushels; spring wheat, 10 bushels: beans, 32 bushels ; potatoes, 8639 bushels; apples, 1259 bushels; cider, 68 barrels; grapes, 126 pounds; maple-sugar, 2620 pounds ; maple-syrup, 364 gallons; honey, 1099 pounds ; horses, 110; mnles, 3; value of poultry, $511; value of poultry sold, $309; value of eggs sold, 8234; number of cattle, 1256; butier made, 36,970 pounds; sheep shorn, 432; weight of clip, 1838 pounds; lambs raised, 387; sheep slaughtered, 102; killed by dogs, 19; hogs on farms, 396; pork made in 1874, 38,146 pounds.
MILLS, TANNERIES, ETC.
On the head-waters of the Rondout a saw-mill was built some years ago. It is on the Chambers tract, in the midst of a small settlement very much isolated from other parts of the town. Farther down the stream is the mill privilege im- proved by the Coddingtons for a saw-mill. Below, in San- down Valley, is a saw-mill in the Swartwout neighborhood. On a branch of the Rondout is another, at the place of A. Schoonmaker. There is still another, near the junction of the two streams. . Tracing the valley of the east brunch of Neversink, the tray-mill at the place of A. Conkling, Jr., was established some years since, and has at times turned out a large amount of finished work. At Deuning post- office, better known as Johnsonville, there is located the extensive tanvery of Johnson Brothers. They also have a saw-mill, and are dealers in hemlock and bard-wood lumber and turned stuff. Their tannery has a capacity for tan- ning about 10,000 hides annually. They employ ten or twelve hands directly, and furnish through their business a large amount of labor for huubermen, teamsters, and others.
. At Pardeesville, in the valley below, is another tray-mill, established some years ago. At Dewittville is located the well-known tannery of L. Hammond & Co. This has been managed upon a scale of considerable magnitude, using at times 3000 cords of bark annually, and turning out 24,000 hides. At Dewittville, Capt. Daniel Gillett has carried on a lumber business for some years, owning a saw-mill and a large tract of wo alland. He has recently ( February, ISS0) sold this property, comprising about 300 acres of valuable timber, to M. M. Pinner, of New York. It is expected that the latter will engage in the manufacture of veneering for the European market, using the beech, birch, and maple that are found in abuilince upon his purchase. His mill will also be arranged for manufacturing a large amount of turned stuff. In the valley of the west branch, at the
Satterlee neighborhood, there are two saw-mills. Below, ou the same stream, is the saw-mill of C. Leroy, and two others still farther down, -the Prothero mill and the Shook till. On the Willewmoe Creek is also a tray-mill.
XII .- MILITARY.
Denning, being one of the more recently-formed towns of the county,-searcely settled even at the time of the Mexican war,-first shared in military affairs in the great struggle of 1861-65. The following list comprises the names of the soldiers who entered the Union army from the town of Denning. It is prepared from the printed muster-in rolls of the State, from the reports of the census enumerators of 1865, and has been revised by inquiry among the citizens :
MILITARY LIST, IS61-65.
Lewis J. Shortman, enl. Aug. 13, 1662, 120th Regt., Co. E.
Anthony H. Schwab, enl. Aug. 13, 1>62, 120th Regt., Co. E; died March 20, 1:65, at Petersburg.
Rush M. Whitcomb, ewl. Ang. 8, 1862, 120th Regt., Co. E; died July 3, 1803, at Gettysburg.
Walter Vanse, enl. Aug. 13, 1862, 120th Regt., Co. E.
Anthor K. Keegan, enl. Sept. 1, 1864, 56th Regt., Co. B.
John Yegar, enl. February, 1864, Ist Eng. ; pro. to corp.
Www. K. Sheely, ent. September, 1861, 56th Regt., Co. I :.
Isaiah Christian, enl. September, 1851, 56th Regt., Co. D.
Charles Christian, enl. September, 1861, 50th Regt., Co. D; re-enlisted.
Dubois H. Vanwagener, enl. 1962, 120th Regt.
Thomas Larcom, Ist corp., enl. 1862, 120th Regt., Co. E.
Stephen C. Dewitt, 2d corp., ent. 1862, 120th Regt., Co. E.
Joseph B. Anderson, 3d corp., enl. 1862, 120th Regt., Co. E.
Jeremiah Dellaff, enl. Aug. 13, 1862, 120th Regt., Co. E.
Jatues J. Doloway, en !. July 31, 1362, 120th Kogt., Co. E.
Thomas Davenport, eul. Ang. 14, 1862, 120th Regt., Co. F. Cornelius Evans, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, 120th Regt., Co. E.
James S. Evans, enl. Ang. 13, 1562, 120th Regt., Co. E.
Artemins D. Many, enl. Aug. 13, 1812, 12uth Kegt., Co. E; trans, to ISth Regt.
Leartas W. Many, enl. Ang. 14, 1862, 120th Ragt., Co. E.
Samnel Hose, enl. August, 1862, 120th Regt .; trans, to Invalid Corps.
Ozro Hayes, enl. March, 1804, 15th Eng.
John Q. Adams, ent Oct. 16, 15G1; promoted.
Levi 1 :. Townsend, enl. Oct. 15, 1561, 56th Regt .; traus. to Elst Regt.
Samuel 1:, Fields, enl. Angust, 1504, Ist Regt.
Allan G. Dean, ent. August, 1964, 120th Regt. ; a prisoner ten months.
Seth Green, enl. February, 1864, Ist Regt.
James D. Pomeroy, enl. March, 1861, 20th Regt.
Bevier Swartwont, enl. September, 1861. Ist N. Y. Eng.
Jesse Brooks, eul. September, 1861, 56th Regt .; transferred.
Aldison Wright, enl. December, 1661, Ist Eng.
Win. Y. Mulfor.1, ont. January, 1864, 1st N. Y. Eng.
Isaac Knickerbocker, enl. Septender, IsC1, 20th N. Y. Kegt. ; reenlistel.
Kony Dean, enl. August, 1sc2, 120th Regt. ; pro. to corp. .
Thomas Rogers, eul. February, Ist1, 20th Regt.
George W. Barner, enl. October, 1881, 56th Regt. ; re-enl. March, 1804. 1.to (.) Bengt.
John Hvorubeck, ent. August, 1862, 156th Regt.
Sylvester Bartholomew, enl. August, 1862, 156th Regt.
Jarel Maxim, enl. May, 1861, 20th Regt.
Elwin S. Bhas, enl. September, Isot, 56th Regt. ; transferred.
Anthor S. Whitcomb, enl. Septentber, 1861, 56th Regt. ; pro, to sergt
Hiram Franks, enl. September, Ist1, 50th Regt.
Wesley Matem, enl. August, late, 120th Regt.
Daniel Gillett, en1. 1562. 120th Regt.
Beaj. Knickerbocker, ent. Ist, Ist Eug.
Solomon Crawford, enl. Aug. 22, 1862, 1201h Regt.
Petitnan O. Prothero, cul. Ang. 22, 1:62, 12th Regt.
Sunaman Van Aken, enl. August, le62, Ist Eng. ; re-enl. Sept. $, 194.
Avrey Multux, . al. Jau. 95, 1844, 20th Regt.
evey T. Mulinix, ont. March 1, 1565, guth Regt.
Licorge Holdridge, cul. January, ING3. Dewalt Happy end. Laut, 20th legt. ; re-enl. September, ISC1
Harrison Kowy cul. January, 15:1, 59th Regt. Miller Rose, val. August, 1234, 224 Cav. James H. D.dlaway, . nl. An , 2, 1sc2, Lenth Regt.
Fortis 1 .. Stevens, enl June 1, 1sc!, 129th Regt.
Peter Minderhoutt, enl. Istil, Ist Eug.
John S. Yorks, out. October, let2, 20th Hegt. Smith: M. Fuller, ent. S. plumber, 1861, 24th Rest.
334
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
David P. Grayham, enl. August, 1861, 20th Regt. ; disch. April, 1862; re-enl. Aug. 1, 1×03.
John Dewitt, enl. September, 1862, 1431 Regt.
Manning Conklin, out. Aug. 8, 1862, 1431 Regt.
Charles Ilau:ilton, ent. 1861, 56.h Regt .; is-enl. December, 1861, fu 30th Regt.
Theodore Barber, enl. September, 1862, 1434 Regt.
James A. Back, enl. Aug. 12, 1862, 143d Rogt. ; died Nov. 5, 1862, at Murfrees- boro', Tenu.
Clark Brook, ent. March 30, 1864, 56th Regt. ;. died March 5, 1865, in South Carolina.
Peter Rightmyre, enl. March, 1864, 62d Regt. ; died June 20, 1864, Richmond, Va.
John Rudolph, ont. September, 1862, 156th Regt. ; died Nov. 7, 1804, at sheridan hospital.
David A. Bishop, enl. September, 1862, 156th Regt .; died Aug. 22, 140%, at Baton Rouge, La.
Ita F. BUiss, enl. Feb. 10, 1 .4, 25th Cav .; died March 25, 1%HA, at Sarat. 28. Samuel Carr, enl. October, 1861, 301h Regt .; died Sept. 10, 1502, at Yorktown Ya, Samnel Evans, enl. Aug. 5, 1862, 127th Regt. ; died April 5, 1863, at Alevan-info. Va.
Nicholas Yorks, ent. Oct. 10, 1862, 1434 Regt .; died March 26, 1963, at Abrain. dria, Va.
Im Van Aken, enl. Oct. 5, 1861, 93d Regt .; died April 17, 1962, at Washingt 1. D. C.
ULSTER.
I .- BOUNDARIES, AREA, TITLE.
THIS new town is somewhat peculiar in its geographical relations. It is situated upon the Hudson River, having the front which belonged to the late town of Kingston as it existed after the incorporation of the city. Ulster is bounded north by Saugerties; east by the east line of the county ; south, mostly by the city of Kingston, but par- tially by the town of Esopus and the new town of Kings- ton ; west by Hurley, the new town of Kingston, and Woodstock. No statement of its area can be made with accuracy until the assessors shall have completed their assessineut-roll for the current year. As to the title to the soil, the territory is wholly-embraced within the lines of the old Kingston patent, and the titles of the present day must therefore be traced back to that document, or to Eng- lish or Dutch grants prior to the granting of the patent. The principal subordinate traets made in dividing the patent and found in Ulster are the Pine Bush class, Flat Bush class, Clove class, Compensation class, First class, and Kingston Academy tract.
IL-NATURAL FEATURES.
Along the Hudson River are the highlands common to this section of country. Extending westward from these is a broken, undulating surface, in some places rocky, but containing many fine farms. Almost parallel with the Iludson lies the valley of the Esopus, extending in nearly a north-and-south line through the town. Along this, and especially near the city of Kingston, are those alluvial " flats" which delighted the eyes of the first colonists and decided the point of settlement. It was the fertile meadow- land they sought for cultivation. The slight phiteau upon which they located the fortified Wiltwyck, now upper Kingston, was chosen for a village partly because it was convenient of defense, but the farms stretched away upon the plains of the Esopus. The Saw Kill, flowing from the west, makes a junction with the Esopus about half-way from the- city to the Saugerties line. There are other small streams in the town, merely rivulets, but of no special importance, as they furnish little or no water-power of value. The portion of Ulster lying southwest and west of the city contains quite an area of the fertile lands near the Esopus, but in its southern part, near Eddyville, is
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