USA > New York > Ulster County > Marlborough > History of the town of Marlborough, Ulster County, New York, from its earliest discovery > Part 14
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
LEONARD SMITH Commissioners NATHANIEL KELSEY of II. Ways.
This it would appear is the road which runs west from Lattintown across the mountain.
A Return of an Open Publick Road Laid out four Rods Wide by the Commissioners of the Town of Marlborough in the Month of November in Anno Domini 1790 as follows
Begining at the Highway that leads from John Bonds Over the Mountains Westerly a little Southerly of Thomas Wygants House from thenee North as the Lane now runs to John Wygants Land then Westerly as the Lane Runs to the Foot of the Mount- tains then Westerly up and Rising the Mountains nearly as the Road now Runs to near to the Top of the Mountains then Southerly in the most convenient place Still Rising the Moun- tains to the top thereof Then from the Top of the Mountains a. Westerly course in most convenient place to the Fall thereof on the west side of them then Southwest Down the mountains near a small run of Water near David Pembrooks field from thence about a West northwest Course in the most Convenient Place till it Joins the Line Between the Town of Marlborough and New Borough to be and remain an Open Publick Road and bear Equal Testimony with other Publick Reccords.
DAVID MERITT ANANIAS VOLENTINE Commissioners
This is the break-neck hill road.
191
ANCIENT ROADS.
A RETURN OF AN OPEN PUBLICK ROAD AS FOLLOW :
We the Commissioners for the Town of Marlborough in the year 1790 in the Month of June: By a Petition from the Free- holders and Inhabitants of Said Town for a Publick Road or Highway from Latting Town to Hudson River have Laid it out as follows: Beginning at or near the House of David Meritt and to keep the old Road through Latting Town to the Lands known by the name of Goldings Ridge within Ten or Twelve Rods of Henry Woolsey house from in the Edge of the feild North of Said Woolseys house Running in the fieilds to the bottom of the first hill Coming down said Hill where it Shall be most Convenient for the Easment of Said Road from thence along the old Road through the Lands now in Possession of Noah Woolsey Continueing the old Road near a Certain Roek from thence to go through the Corner of a field of the Lands of Nathaniel Harcourt the South Side of Said Rock where it Shall be thought most Convenient for Said Road thence in the old Road through the Lands of Daniel Knowlton to turn round the Corner of Said Knowltons Orchard up the Side of the Hill thenee into the old Road Again and to follow that down to the main Post Road, the Said Road to be three Rods wide from the Place of Beginning to the main Post Road from thence four Rods to the River as the Road now Runs through lands of Elijah Lewis and from the Top of the Hill near Solomon Townsend Dwelling house Said Road is to Extend four Rods Down the hill from the upper Side of the Road as it now Runs Down to Lewis Lime Kiln: the Said Road to go Either Side of Said Elijah Lewis Dwelling house wherever it Shall be thought most Con- venient for the good of the Publiek Down to Low Water Mark to Extend four Rods up and four Rods down the River from the Lime Kiln
Also another Part of Said Road beginning upon The top of the Hill the north Side of Solomon Townsend Dwelling house abont four Rods from Said House Running nearly as the Road now Runs down to the north Corner of Solomon Townsend Store House four Rods wide from the other Road that Leads down to Elijah Lewis to Corner of said Store House
Given under our hands this 12 Day June 1790 LUDLAM SMITH Commissioners STEPHEN NOTINGHAM of Higways
DANIEL EVERITT BENJAMIN CARPENTER
192
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
This is the road from Lattintown to the Hudson River at the old Jacob Powell dock and stone house, substantially as it now exists; for years previous to 1790 this road had been traveled but it had never been formerly laid out until this time and at this time sev- eral changes were made to make a better grade around the hills. The Solomon Townsend store house spoken of was afterward the Powell store house and from the dock a line of sloops had been running to New York for years and all the people from miles back in the interior passed over this road to the river and shipped their wood and produce.
The different branches of this road at the river are now all closed up or abandoned except one. It was a very busy place about here then
Whe the Commisioners of High ways for the Town of Marl- borough being Called upon by a Number of Freeholders acord- ing to Law to Lay out a Publiek High way Begining as follows at a crotched appel tree Standing on the Nort Side of a Road Leading from the Post Road Near the Friends meting house Leading to Jach Powel Landing thence from Said appel tree Northerly to Bunch of wild Charitrees from thence To a Car- tain Ridge or Ledge of Rocks on the west Side of Said Ridge and as Nier to It as Convenantly thence North- ardly to a white wood Sapling Standing on the South Side of a Ditch or Run of wanter Said Saplin Has a Piece of Bark of the west Side an thece along a certain Path Lately Cut open Norterly to HutSons River at the Corner Between Richard Lewis and Zeadock Lewis at High wauters Mark and Said Road to be an open Publick Road or Highway Four Rods wide whe Do Certify the above to be a threw Return of the above Road Said Road this 10 Day of Fabruary 1795
CORNELIUS DRAKE Commisioners of
LUDLUM SMITH
Highways 1795
The road spoken of as commencing near the Friends Meeting House and running to Powell's Dock
193
ANCIENT ROADS.
is substantially the road commencing at the post road at Sturgeon's house and runs to the place formerly owned by Capt. Sears to the river where the old Town- send stone house stood. The meeting house stood on the south side of the Lattintown road just before it reached the post road and the Powell dock was in front of the old stone house. Jacob and Thomas Powell kept a store and tavern there in the stone house and the road above laid out is the road that turns from this road at Captain James Hyde's place. It is the same now as when laid out.
-
A Return of an Open Road Laid out In the Town of New marl Burough 5 Day of May 1195 Agreeabele to an Act Passed for the Laying out and Establiahing Publick Roads in the State of New york By a Potition of the Freholders and Inhabitants of the Town afforsaid for a Publick Road Begining at a Cartain Road that Lied from Newburgh To Esopus Runing Nort At the House of Peter MeCoon Beginning and Runing with a Soud- east Corse as the old Road Runs thro the Lands of Benjamin Sands on the East Side of a Cartain Maddow and Along the Said madow In the most Convenant Place and So By a Black- smith Shop along the Same Road untill It Comes to the House of Deniel Eavortt on the Sought Side of His House on the Dock to Low warters mark of the River In the most Con- veenentest Place to be an open Publiek Highway of four Rods wide for Conveneney of the Contry or Town
Given under our Hands thes 5 Day May 1:95
NOAH WOOLSEY Commissioners of Highways
SOLOMON FOWLER fo the Year 1195
The house of Peter McCoon was on the site of the Woolsey building, and the road is the one running from there to the river.
A Return of an open Publick Road Laid out By the Com- missioners of the Town of Morlburough Begining at a Certain Dock of Richard Lewis Nier the middel of Jacob Powel and
194
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
Levy Quimby Docks at High water mark Runs Northward By a Line of marked trees to the South Side of the Land of Joshua Suttons and So throo the Land of Said Sutton and fields and thence aLong the Said field on the East Side of Said fields Untill It Comes to Levni Quimby Lot and along the west Side of Said Quimby Lott until It Comes to the Main Road that Lieds to Quimby Dock whe Do Hereby Certify the Road to be a Publiek open Road to be and Reman a Publick Road of four Rods wide Given under our Hands this 10 Day of fabuary 1795
CORNELIUS DRAKE Commisioner
LUDLOM SMITH
It appears from the above description that Lewis, Powell and Quimby all had docks along the river in the same vicinity and that the above road was laid out to connect them.
We the Comisheners of high ways have Laid out a New Road Begining on Hutsin River at the water at a Plase the old Ship Yard Laying Between Two pints at a walnut Sapling from Thens Up the Bank To a Ston wall South To Nathanil Har- cort and John Woods Corner thens Sowestly Up the Hill till It Striks the old Road Baring the Same Corse a Crost the Said Road Upon the Side Hill till it Striks a Slate Rock thense on To the Top of Hill then Northwestely To the Main Road near a Small Stone hous Beloening to Nath Harcort then Begining at a Large Chusnet Tree North of Nath Harcorts Runing northwestly with the path Now in Use till meats with the Road Runing from hutsons River To Leating Town near Noah Woolsey and Benj Sands Two Roads Wide, Marlborough April 5 1794
PETER MCCUNE DANIEL LOCKWOOD JONATHAN BALY
The old ship yard here spoken of was where John or Jacob Wood or both built sloops and vessels for many years, and, on this road is the large boarding house of Stephen Woolsey. What is now called Dog street, commenced at the river there and at its head
195
ANCIENT ROADS.
on the post road there used to be a little stone house close to the road. At my earliest recollection it was standing and a colored family lived in it. It seems the road then passed on till it came to a large chest- nut tree. The tree is still standing and has been a land mark ever since the country was settled. The road ran from there to the Lattintown road at the house of the late Charles Woolsey. This road is the same as when laid out and had been used more or less for a long time previous to this time but was simply a lane running through woodlands and not dedicated to the public. The very oldest road was, I presume, the King's Highway, laid out under an old colonial act, being the road running north and south through the town along the river.
An Act to Incorporate the Farmers' Turnpike and Bridge Company. Passed March 11th. 1808. Be it enacted * *
* That Tjerick Van Keuren, Nathaniel Lefever, Jacob Ransom, William Dusenbury and Isaac Hill and all such persons as shall associate with them. by becoming subscribers to make a good and sufficient turnpike road to begin at or near the store of James Denton in the Town of Marlborough near the landings of Hill, Sands and Town- send. running from thence westerly the most convenient route, and as near the old road as the make of the ground will admit, to where the two roads intersect near the house of Peter Frisiner in the Town of Plattekill, and thence continning westerly nearly straight and crossing the Wallkill at the north- easterly bounds of Tjerck Van Keuren, and from thence by the most convenient route to the house of Thomas Harris in the Town of Shawangunk, shall be and are hereby created a body corporate and politie in fact and in name. by the name of " the president, directors and company of the Farmers' Turnpike road and Bridge Company." and by that name they shall be capable in law to purchase, have, hold, enjoy, and retain to them and their successors lands. tenements, hereditaments. goods, chattels and effects of every kind whatsoever, to the amount of five thousand dollars.
7
196
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
And be it further enacted. That the stock of said company hereby incorporated, shall consist of six hundred shares of twenty dollars each; and that Selah Tuthill and Thaddeus Haight shall be and are hereby appointed commissioners to receive subscriptions for said stock in the manner directed in and by the act, entitled, "An Act Relative to Turnpike Com- panies," passed the thirteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and seven,
Provided Always, That if after the full amount of the said 600 shares shall have been appropriated and expended by the president and directors of the said company for the purpose of making the said turnpike road and building the bridge at the places aforesaid, and if the sum so appropriated shall be found insufficient to effect the purpose aforesaid, it shall and may be lawful for the said president and directors, in order to complete the said road and bridge, to increase the funds of the said corporation by adding a sum not exceeding $5 on each share in the whole stock, which sum so to be added shall be in equal ratio upon each and every share.
And be it further enacted, That it shall and may be lawful for the president and directors to demand from the stock hold- ers respectively, all such sums of money by them subscribed, or to be subscribed, and also the advance sum of $5 on each share in case an increase of stock shall be found requisite, at such times and in such proportions as the said president and directors shall see fit, under pain of forfeiture of their shares and all the previous payments thereon to the said president and directors.
And be it further enacted. That it shall and may be lawful for the president and directors of said company to erect 2 gates or turnpikes. on and across the said road, one whereof shall be erected at the distance of not less than 3 miles from Den- ton's store aforesaid and one other gate or turnpike at or upon the bridge to be made across the Wallkill aforesaid in the route of said road.
And be it further enacted. That the said company hereby incorporated shall be entitled exact and receive at each of the said gates or turnpikes, to be erected on said road and bridge from all persons traveling and using the same the following rates to toll, to wit: For every wagon with two horses, mules or oxen, ten cents and three cents for every additional horse, mule or oxen; for every one horse cart, five cents; for every coach, coachee, phaeton or curricle with two horses, twenty cents; for every chair, chaise or other one horse carriage, ten
197
ANCIENT ROADS.
cents; for every cart drawn by two oxen. horses or mules, six cents, and for every additional ox. mule or horse, three cents: for every horse and rider, or led horse or mule, four cents : for every sleigh or sled, drawn by two horses, mule or ox, five cents and for additional horse. mule or ox. two cents ; for every score of cattle, horses or mules, sixteen cents, and so in proportion for a greater or less number: for every score of sheep or hog. six cents: for every stage-wagon, drawn by two horses or mules, ten cents, and for every additional horse or mule, three cents.
And be it further enacted. That the company hereby incor- porated shall have and enjoy all the rights, privileges, powers, and immunities which are given and granted in and by the aforesaid act. entitled. "An Act Relative to Turnpike Com- panies." and shall be subject to all the conditions, provisions, restrictions and regulations contained in the said aet.
Provided nevertheless. That it shall and may be lawful, for the said company to appoint five directors of which number three shall be a quorum ; and it shall and may be lawful for the said company to work the road twenty feet in width, exclusive of the ditches, and that the said company may erect a toll gate, when they shall have completed the first six miles thereof agreeable to the true intent and meaning of this act, and to ask and receive the rate of toll aforesaid provided also, that it shall be the duty of the president and directors, incorporated by this act, when application had before them from any person or persons traveling said road, not more than five miles west from the Hudson River aforesaid, to commute with such person or persons and regulate the toll at said gate to be erected, not less than three miles from the store of said James Denton, so as that such persons shall not pay more toll than is proper for the number of miles they shall travel on said turnpike, that is to say, at the rate of 12 1-2 cents for ten miles, for wagon drawn by two horses and so in proportion for every other carriage :
Provided always. That nothing in this act contained shall prevent the Legislature from directing the said corporation, at any time hereafter to extend the width of the said road, to twenty-four feet, and if the said company shall refuse or neg- lect to comply with such directions that then, and in such case, all right and interest of said company, of, in and to said road shall vest in the people of this state.
198
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
This charter was amended in 1828 as follows:
Sect. 1 It shall be lawful for the Farmers' Turnpike Road and Bridge Company in the County of Ulster, to demand and receive at the gate erected on said road, and from all persons using the same, the following rates of toll, to wit: For every wagon with two horses or oxen, six cents; for every wagon with one horse, four cents. and in all other cases of the payment of toll, the directors of said company are hereby directed to regu- late and reduce the rates thereof. to any sum not less than one- half of the amount fixed in and by the act of incorporation of said company, passed March 11th, 1808: but every person when passing through said gate to or from public worship, or a funeral or a grist mill for the grinding of grain for his family use, or a blacksmith's shop to which he usually resorts for work to be done or attending Court when legally summoned as a juror or witness, or a militia training when required by law to attend, or a town meeting or election at which he is entitled to vote, or going for a physician or midwife or returning there- from, or to or from his common business on his farm.
Sect. ? Nothing in this act contained shall prevent the Legis- lature from altering or repealing it at any time when it shall think proper.
This turnpike was completed on or before 1812, and was an exceedingly good road for the times. As will be seen, it crossed the Wallkill into Shawangunk, now Gardiner, and beyond and through Tuttletown, at that time a thriving place with great water power, several mills etc. This road opened up a large country; in fact people crossed the mountains here at what is now called The Traps, a pass in the Shawan- gunk mountains, from the valleys to the west. It opened up a large tract of country which became tributary to Milton, people bringing their produce here for shipment to the city by sloops and barges. Grains of all kinds, beef and pork, fat cattle, butter, sheep and wool, wood, hay etc., were brought from long distances back in the country, many requiring a day to come and another to return. The road was often blocked with teams and wagons extending from
199
ANCIENT ROADS.
the post road at the village to the river. It added great prosperity to the Milton part of the town for thirty years or more. Lumber of all kinds was sold here, also building supplies and all kinds of iron for blacksmith work. There were tailors, hatters, cabinet makers and artisans of all kinds; there were soap works, sash and blind factory, and a paper was printed, and during this time Milton saw its greatest prosperity; but the back country was afterward opened up by roads to other parts and the turnpike was discontinued in about 1860. Capt. Jacob Handley controlled most of the stock of the road for several years before and at the time it was discontinued. The very old people along the route of the road will well remember the large amount of trouble over it. There was said to be twenty taverns along the road for the use and convenience of the men and teams, mostly the men, who could obtain their meals for a trifle and the best of rums and whiskeys at three cents a glass.
CHAPTER VIL.
MARKS OF CATTLE.
At the time of the first settlement of this commu- nity, it was the custom to brand cattle that each owner might readily distinguish his property from that of his neighbors. Following is a description of some of the various brands :
Men
Lewis Dubois
Caleb Merritt
This mark Taken up By David Staples
John Woolsey
Richard Woolsey
John Young
Abner Brush
This is altered for
Henry Torbose
David Merritt
This Mark is taken up by David 3I Hait June 20th 1186
Gabriel Merritt
A Hole in the right Ear and a half penny ve under of it
This Mark is Taken up for Nathan Salsbury
Abijah Perkins This is Altered for Ben- jamin Ely 1:84
William Martin
N. B. this Mark is Al- tered and Taken up by Seth Husin This mark Is taken up By Thadius Haight May 24, 1196
Marks One Hole in Each Ear One hole in the right and a half
penny the upper side of ye left Ear
One hole in ye right and a Crop in the Left Ear A crop in ve Left & ? Slits and a Slit in the right Ear A Slope the under side of the left Eare
A Crop of the Left and a slit in the same Ear
A Crop of the Left Ear and a hole in the right and in ve Left
A Slope the upper side of ye right & a half penny ve under side of ve same
A Slit in each ear and half-penny the upper side of ve right
202
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
Men
David Martin taken up By Semore
Daniel
Nathal. Kilsey
Nathl. Hull
Richard Woolsy
Jacob Dayton altered to a Swallow fork in Each Ear & the D in forehead David ostronder
A Slit in the off Ear and a half- penny the under Side of the near one and a D in the fore- head
A half penny ve under Side of ye Right Ear a Slit in the Left Ear under Side
Joshua Sutton
A Crop of the Left Ear and a half - penny the under Side of the Same and a half penny the np- per Side of the Right Ear and a hole in the Left A Slop Crop of the right Ear
Edward Hallock taken up by James Hal- loek
Edward Hallock Junior A Crop of ve left Ear
taken up by Nicholas Hallock
Daniel Knowlton A Crop off ye left ear and a Slope ve under side of the right
this mark Is taken up Bv James Quimby Junr Right Carpenter Nehemiah Smith
Samuel Hallock This Mark is taken up by Foster Halloek
A Swallows tail in the right Ear A Crop of the Left Eare and a half-peney the under side of the same and a halfpeny the upper side of the Right A Slope the under side of Each Eare
Marks A Slit in the left ear and a half penny the upper sid ve right
A Crop in the left ear and a half penny under the same A crop in the right ear & a hapny the under side
A Crop of the Left Ear a Slit in the Crop a half penny the un- der Side of the Same Ear a Slit in the Right Ear a half penny the back Side of the Same
203
MARKS OF CATTLE.
Anning Smith this mark is alterd below on this Leaf
Benjamin Woolsy this mark is taken up by Mathew Buryann
John Caverly This mark altered For William Caverly
Benjamin Ely
Noah Woolsey This mark taken up
May 26, 1836 by Zephaniah Northrip
Charles Woolley
Nathaniel Harcourt
Feb 20th 1824 this mark taken up By Nathan- iel Harcourt Richard Carpenter
A Crop of the near Eare and a hapeney the under Side of Each and a hapeney the upper Side of the Right
A Crop of the Left Ear and a hole in the Same
a Halfpenny on the Upper Side of Each Ear N. B. this Mark has been Used by Samnel Townsend
A Slope in the Upper Side of the Right Ear and a half Penny the Under Side of the Same Ear N. B. this Mark was for- merly Used by and for Doctor ABijah Perkins
A halt Crop the Under Side of the Right Ear and a Slit in the left Ear
a Crop of the Right Ear and a nick under the Same Also a Brand with the Letter W
A Crop in the right ear and a Slit in the left Ear
A Swallow's Tale in ye left Ear
There are a large number of these marks recorded in an ancient record of the town. It appears that all the first settlers had a distinctive mark to designate their cattle, horses etc., and this continued for many years until the lands were cleared up to some extent and fenced off, so the cattle were prevented from run- ning at large. The settlers coming from the homes they had formerly occupied, brought their cattle, horses etc. with them ; they had no fences and the land was to be cleared up, and necessarily they were unable to properly restrain them; so the live-stock ran at
204
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
large over the lands of the owner and upon the com- mons often upon the lands of the neighbors. In which latter case they were taken up, held, and the descrip- tion and marks were filed in the town clerk's office, so when the owner missed his cattle, he could ascer- tain if they had been taken up, and by whom, and by the payment of certain fees for damages, he could obtain his cattle.
There were many cattle here in those times and lots of rich lands lying open to the common, therefore the raising of cattle was a great industry. The following is a sample of how strayed stock was officially described :
February ve 25. 1:23 then entered on Record a Stray Stone. Horse three years of Age having no Artificial Marks or Brand; of Natural marks, one small white spot between his Nostrils and some white in his Right foot behind just above his Huff
Nov. 3, 1444 . Entered A two years advantage Heifer Red Brindle with a white Streak on her Back & belly - a Cross off the right Ear & a half Cross off the Left.
November 22. 1225 then Entered A stray stear two years old will be three next Spring with a white spot on his fored and a Crop of his Right Ear with a swallow folk in it with halpaney the under side of the Left.
in possession of Henry Lockwood
1785 Nov. 26 Job St. John Entered A Stray read Heipher of two Years old and Uppwards with a Bell on her neck and a Slit in the End of her Ear No Natural marks Distinguishable
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.