USA > New York > Ulster County > Marlborough > History of the town of Marlborough, Ulster County, New York, from its earliest discovery > Part 31
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
421
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
disposition, he gained the confidence and esteem of all, and gathered together a fair-sized congregation. On May 2, 1847. he was promoted to priest's orders at St. George's Church, Newburgh, and became rector of the parish. His missionary labors were extended to Milton, Lloyd, Stone Ridge and Ellenville, gener- ally journeying on foot from place to place. In 1850 he organized the church at Milton; in 1853, the church at Ellenville. He also had charge of the Stone Ridge church, preaching at each one a Sunday of each month, and providing lay readers on the other Sundays. His incessant labors impaired his health to such an extent that he was unable to continue his duties. He tried relaxation and rest, but his zeal in the cause became so great that he resumed his duties before he was able. He died on Sunday morning, September 2., 1855. The monument marking his grave reads : 1
Rev. Samuel Hawksley, Presbyter, Rector of Christ church, Marlborough, departed this life Sept. 2d, 1855, aged 41 years. " Even so saith the spirit, for they rest from their labors."
The older people of the town well remember him, not only as traveling on foot Sunday after Sunday from one charge to another, but as passing from house to house, calling upon people of all denominations, making a pleasant and friendly call with all, saying kind words, giving friendly instruction and advice, and leaving pleasant memories and remembrance in the homes of all. I think all will remember him as a zealous worker in the cause, and a true, consistent and faithful minister. I well remember his pleasant calls at my father's house, and how all the family liked him.
Samuel M. Akerly officiated as lay reader. Rev. James C. Richmond acted as pastor for a few months; later the services were resumed by Mr. Akerly, who was frequently assisted by Rev. George B. Andrews.
-
422
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
On Christmas day, 1857, the Rev. William Walsh, of Newburgh, officiated and administered Holy Com- munion to a large number. The day being very cold and windy, larger fires than usual were made and were carefully secured at the close of the service. About 6 o'clock on Sunday morning, the 27th, flames were discovered bursting out of the windows and roof. Before assistance could be obtained the church was totally destroyed. It was insured for $1,800.
The present structure was erected on the same site, being completed in 1858. It is of gothic architecture, built of brick with brown stone trimmings and slate roof. It is twenty-nine feet front by fifty-two feet deep, with a chancel of eighteen feet, and was conse- crated by Bishop Horatio Potter. The entire cost of the church was about $7,000 and is now free from debt. Samuel M. Akerly was admitted to deacon's orders, and in 1861, to priest's orders, and unanimously chosen rector of the parish. In December 1861, Mrs. Hester Doyle gave a lot of half an aere adjoining the church, on which a parsonage was built, 28x40 feet, two stories high; it cost about $3,000.
On the 1st of June, 1870, John Buckley, the senior warden, died in the 85th year of his age. He had taken a warm interest in the church from its organi- zation, contributing liberally toward erecting the present church and parsonage and served as warden and vestryman for over thirty years.
At a vestry meeting held in May, 1875, Mr. Akerly sent in his resignation. His services in the parish commenced even before the death of Rev. Hawksley, for whom he frequently read the service, and from that time to his resignation, he had faithfully served the church as lay reader, deacon and priest. for nine- teen years. leaving the church free from all pecuniary obligations. The resignation was accepted with a
423
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
vote of thanks for his faithful ministration. He was followed by Rev. George Waters of Kingston. A vestry meeting held the 14th of October, 1876, unani- mously elected the Rev. John W. Buckmaster, of Elizabethtown, N. J., rector of the parish. He entered on his duties in November, 1876, and served continu- ously about 16 years. The officers at that time were James Carpenter and Edward Jackson, wardens; C. M. Purdy, Daniel Barns, W. H. DuBois, John Buck- ley, William H. Armstrong, Marcus D. Kelly, Joseph A. Hepworth, J. S. Knapp, vestrymen. On the 15th of September, 1892, Rev. Mr. Buckmaster resigned his rectorship. A man of dignity, decision of character, gentlemanly deportment, and zealous in his calling, when he retired he left many friends behind him; and many regrets were expressed not only by his church people, but by the entire community, upon his de- parture.
After an interim of some eight or nine months the Rev. Hugh P. Hobson was chosen and called to the rectorship, serving the parish five and one-half years, and resigning January 1, 1899, to take charge of St. Luke's Church, Matteawan. His successor, the Rev. Charles A. Tibbals, was elected early the same year and entered on his rectorship February 1st. He re- mained a few years and was succeeded by Rev. Harold Morse in November, 1903, who was succeeded in December, 1906 by the present incumbent, Rev. Harvey Trickett. The work of last few incumbents is still fresh in the memory of the parish and need not be specially characterized here.
During the rectorship of the Rev. Mr. Akerly the new church was built, also the commodious and hand- some rectory, and both paid for. Nineteen years did the Rev. Mr. Akerly minister to this parish and Mil- ton, endearing himself not only to his own parish- ioners, but to the entire community by his good will
424
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
and kindness to all the people. He continued to render many services to the parish after his retire- ment and was always a friend and helper while he lived. His death about eight years ago was felt as a real loss to the parish of his love, as well as a per- sonal grief to his many friends. An appropriate memorial tablet and a beautiful lecturn were placed in the church by his widow and daughters.
The present warden is George S. Clark; vestry- men, C. M. Purdy, D. Maitland Armstrong, Joseph Alexander, James Haberle, Robert Jackson, F. E. McCarthy, Chester A. Gaede. C. E. Lawrence.
Membership by baptism 138; number of comuni- cants 78.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH, MILTON.
This church was organized in 1850 by Rev. Samuel Hawksley of Christ Church, Marlborough. Rev. Dr. Brown, of Newburgh, officiated at the laying of the corner stone May 30, 1854; and Bishop Horatio Pot- ter held the consecration service in October, 1859. It has always been in the care of the rector at Marl- borough. The first wardens were William H. Gedney and Lee Ensign; the vestrymen, Jacob Handley, David Sands, Jr., James T. Knapp, Jacob Rowley, Jr., Edgar D. Gillis, Smith Wood, Jr., L. Harrison Smith and Richard Gee.
The present officers are : C. A. Valentine and Chas. W. Weston, wardens; Jas. R. Francis, John Y. Red- ding, Frank Silverman, Frederick H. Smith, Freder- ick W. Vail, George S. Clark, H. C. Weston, Isaac Crook, vestrymen.
Membership by baptism 73, communicants 44.
The rectors of this church since organization have been supplied from the Marlborough church, or more properly the same rectors have taken charge of both
425
THE MILTON SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
churches and ministered to the people of both neigh- borhoods with the same zeal and earnestness. The names of Hawksley, Akerly, Buckmaster, Hobson, Tibbals, Morse and the present rector are quite as familiar at Milton as at Marlborough. Both churches have done good work; they have been earnest and con- sistent in their doctrines. They have had a steady in- crease in membership, and their communicants have always been among the most intelligent and progres- sive in the town.
THE MILTON SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
On December 31. 1760, Edward Hallock, a Friend's minister from Long Island, with his family, landed his sloop a short distance south of Milton at a rock known as Forefather's rock, and marked E. H. One of his daughters had previously married John Young and was living in the stone house still standing near the house of the late Jesse Lester. The Hallock family moved into the same house, and he immedi- ately began to hold meetings. These meetings are alleged to have been the first services, but they were not, as there were other Quakers here before that time and they certainly never went without some ser- vice. Edward Hallock afterward located a little fur- ther north on the Bond Patent and built a mill. He died in 1809 at the age of 93.
The meetings above spoken of were the first Quaker meetings held in Ulster county. The Friends resid- ing at New Marlborough (Milton), were members of the Nine Partners' monthly and quarterly meetings. Afterward the Cornwall monthly meeting, which in- cluded the meeting here, was set off. In the year 1789. the Cornwall monthly meeting authorized William Thorn, Jacob Wright, Edward Hallock and Alexan- der Young, as trustees, to purchase from Daniel
426
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
Knowlton seven acres of land one mile south of Milton and on the west side of the main road oppo- site to the house where Edward Hallock had held his first meetings. This was the first purchase of land for church purposes by the Friends in Ulster county. A small church was built on this tract, the ruins of which were plainly to be seen a few years since. After this building ceased to be a church (1804), it was used for many years as a dwelling-house, and, I think, some of the time as a store. There was a blacksmith's shop near it, and the old Powell, Quimby, and Lewis docks. A store, a tavern and limekilns were east of it at the river. There was quite a con- troversy at the time among the Friends as to where the next church should be built. John Wood and the other Friends residing at and near Lattintown in- sisted that the church be built nearer the latter place; and a small field of land on the east part of what is now the C. M. Woolsey farm was either bought or contracted for, and is called the meeting-house lot to this day, but the church was built as stated below.
The Cornwall monthly meeting was held by adjourn- ment at Marlborough (Milton) May 24, 1804, at which extracts from the minutes of the Nine Partners' quarterly meeting were received, allowing the Corn- wall monthly meeting to establish or set off a new monthly meeting to be known as the Marlborough monthly meeting; the first meeting " to be held at the meeting-house at Marlborough (Milton), 6 mo. 27th day, 1804, and thereafter at ' The Valley ' (Plattekill) and Marlborough (Milton) alternately on the day pre- vious to the monthly meeting to be held at Cornwall."
August 20, 1804, Joshua Sutton conveyed to James Hallock, John Wood and Samuel Adams, trustees ap- pointed at the monthly meeting held at Cornwall, one and one-half acres of land situated about one-third of a mile southerly from the present village of Milton,
427
THE MILTON SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
on the easterly side of the post-road, upon which a meeting-house was erected and occupied until 1828, at which time the larger part of the Friends became fol- lowers of Hicks, adopted his ordinances and doc- trines; and the regulars or old school of Friends found themselves virtually turned out of house and home. A new and strange doctrine began to be preached in their church which they could not tol- erate, and they renounced all fellowship with the fol- lowers of Hicks. They then held meetings for the next two years at the house of Foster Hallock, grand- father of George Hallock, and where George now re- sides.
In 1830 the Friends bought a lot of land of Foster Hallock, and built a new meeting-house, which, though it had been repaired and modified, did good service for fifty-seven years. It had become so much the worse for wear that in 1886 it was thought best to build a new church, and also to change the site nearer the village. A lot of land was purchased of James H. Barrett's estate, and a new meeting-house built, which looks very different from those erected years ago. It was opened May 22. 1887, with appropriate dedicatory services.
Among the earlier ministers, besides Edward Hal- lock, were his brother, Samuel Hallock; David Sands, who married Clementine, a daughter of Edward Hal- lock, in 1772; Samuel Nottingham, Samuel Adams, Ann Adams, Nicholas Hallock, James Hallock, and in more recent years, Hannah F. Fry. Stephen Taber was a minister for more than forty years. During the past few years several ministers from other places have resided here for a short time, their services add- ing much to the interest and welfare of the meeting. Among these are George Wood, Jesse McPherson and S. Adelbert Wood, Edward Wood, Mary S. Knowles, Harry R. Keats, Caleb J. Jenkins, Thomas E. Wil-
428
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
liams, Emilie U. Burgess and Martha H. Bell, the present minister. This last mentioned lady is a lineal descendant from the old preacher, Samuel Hallock. The present trustees are Fred Taber, Foster H. Clarke and Charles R. Taber. The present member- ship is seventy-five.
Hannah Fry, "Aunt Hannah " as she was called, officiated for many years here, and also assisted at the other meetings. She had a pleasing address, was a fluent speaker, and gave her whole life to the cause. In all cases of sickness or other affliction she was ever ready to give consolation and comfort; many a kind word has she said, and many a kind act has she done. She was known far and near and many years will pass ere her name will be forgotten. Nothing that can be said here can add to her worth. Her character, dis- interested life, and her virtues are too fresh in the memory of all, to require any rehearsal.
Stephen Taber died in 1897 at a ripe old age, after a ministry of more than forty years. Almost every man, woman and child about southern Ulster county, and in parts of Orange and Dutchess counties, knew Stephen Taber. Born in Plattekill, he spent most of his life here; as a farmer working hard throughout the week, and on Sundays and other church days preaching the Gospel. During his long pastorate he served without compensation; the old doctrine of the church was against paying the minister. Persons re- ceiving pay in church work were called hirelings by the Quakers. Just after the civil war, Mr. Taber was appointed by the Quarterly or Yearly Meeting to preach in the south, and he spent several winters in Virginia, North Carolina and other places. He had some quite remarkable adventures. A history of his life and events of his ministry would be most interest- ing, but I understand that no record of it has been left. He was a plain, blunt man with a great many
429
THE MILTON SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
original ideas. He preached from the things he saw and knew in his every-day life; the things which were near to nature, as he thought of them and saw them in the fields he cultivated. No eloquence as taught in schools, no rhetorical perfections, yet he sent many pointed truths home to the hearts of his listeners. His memory and work are fresh in the minds of all - I need say no more.
In closing this brief review of the Friends' Society it might be said that in this neighborhood from the earliest settlements the Friends have exercised an in- fluence for good. Their precepts and examples have been worthy of emulation. They have been an in- dustrious and worthy people, and have stood by and faithfully kept up the traditions of their church. Their order has always been opposed to war, and dur- ing the Revolution they did not always receive the right hand of fellowship from their neighbors who were struggling in the cause of liberty; but their con- sistency and devotion to their religion won respect at last, and they were ready to contribute their share to the needs of the army. During the Civil War several Quakers from Milton served in the army and gave their young lives in the cause. For years before the Civil War the Quakers had been opposed to slavery, and it was elaimed that there were stations among them, where the slave escaping from bondage could find a safe refuge and be helped on his journey to freedom.
CHAPTER XVI.
MARLBOROUGH.
When this name was first used in connection with the precinct or neighborhood cannot now be definitely determined. The first record I find of the name is in the old church records of the Marlborough Presby- terian church, and is as follows:
A register of the proceedings of Stephen Case and John Woolsey, first Trustees of the Marlborough Society, and their successors begun the first day of January 1764.
When the precinct was organized in 1772, it natur- ally took the name of New Marlborough.
The first settler as we have shown was Dennis Relyea ; he built a cabin on the Kill and lived and died there. In 1764 a survey was made; Main street was laid out and village lots of one acre each were sur- veved and numbered along Main street; several water lots were also surveyed, numbered, etc., and a map made of the same.
Lewis DuBois about this time and several years thereafter was the principal personage; his name ap- pears in most all of the public proceedings. He built docks, mills, etc., and was the leader in all public im- provements of the time. Dr. Abijah Perkins was a prominent personage at that time, also Benjamin Car- penter and Stephen Case. Charles Millard became early identified with the interests of the place - in 1790 or before-as in 1799 he was well established as appears by the following advertisement in the New- burgh Mirror, one of the first papers:
Six thousand boards and planks for sale by the subscriber . at his mill on Jew's Creek for cash, or any kind of country produce. All those who are indebted to the subscriber for boards are requested to call and settle their accounts by the
[431]
432
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
15th day of March next or they will be prosecuted without discrimination.
CHARLES MILLARD.
Marlborough Feb. 20, 1199.
N. B. A store to let with four rooms on the floor and the privilage of a dock. Enquire as above.
In an advertisement of sale published in the " Po- litical Index," a Newburgh paper, in 1809, his prop- erty is described as follows:
Within half a mile of the Meeting-House, containing about twenty-three acres of good land, with a handsome grove of timber, and a young orchard of the best ingrafted fruit, and a variety of other fruit trees. The situation is very pleasant. There is on the premises a good dwelling house, a barn with other outhouses, also a never-failing run or rill of water within a few feet of the kitchen and a good well. Also a grist mill and a saw mill, so constructed as to take the logs out of the water without any expense of land carriage. It will cut eight or ten hundred logs in a year. The buildings are all well fin- ished. There is also a convenient place on the premises for a fulling and plaster mill.
This was on what is now the Buckley property, and the mills were along Jew's creek which ran through the property. With his sons, Walter and others, Mr. Millard extended his business across the river into Dutchess county and in different places. The trade grew extensively. The lumber was drawn in the win- ter by teams over the ice and snow for long distances, and in the summer it was shipped by sloops, mostly to New York and along Long Island sound and the Jer- sey shore. The timber was obtained principally by rafts from the upper Hudson, but a considerable part of it came from the country about the mills. He after- ward moved to New Hamburgh where most of his descendants have since resided. His son Walter suc- ceeded him and commenced freighting; he built the barge Lexington for that purpose. Uri Mills was a partner. In 1844 they purchased the Marlborough
-
FALLS AT MARLBOROUGH VILLAGE.
433
MARLBOROUGH.
dock of the Du Bois estate, and a freighting business was established with that at New Hamburgh. The steamboat " Splendid " was purchased and ran from Marlborough and New Hamburgh on Mondays and Thursdays. They commenced the lumber business at Marlborough in 1851. In 1854 Walter Millard retired from the freighting business, but continued the lum- ber business at Marlborough and New Hamburgh. John P. Millard and H. II. Holden succeeded to the freighting and steamboat business, and in 1857 the propeller " Wyoming " was put on the line. Samuel N. Millard took the place of Holden. The firm became J. P. Millard & Bro. They continued the freight and lumber business. In 1863 the firm became W. Millard & Son, but in 1880 Walter died and the business was managed by the estate until 1884, when the firm of Walter Millard's Sons was formed. It will be ob- served that the Millards had been identified with this business for much more than a hundred years. They enjoyed a large trade which gradually increased from its commencement. They had the respect and con- fidence of all their business associates and patrons for their honesty and fair dealings in every branch of the trade.
This firm afterward became the Millard Lumber Co., and in 1903 the Marlborough business was sold out to the Marlborough Manufacturing & Supply Co., but the enterprise at New Hamburgh continues as the Marlborough Lumber Co.
John Buckley in 1815 purchased the carding and spinning mill. He commenced carding and spinning wool; his business increased. In 1822 James and John Thorne became partners. The firm was dissolved in 1830, but Mr. Buckley continued the business until 1855, when he converted his factory into a cotton mill, which he continued until 1861, when he retired from business. As I understand it, Buckley purchased this
43
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
property from Charles Millard, where Millard had previously done business.
AN ELEGY.
On the death of Capt. Annanias Valentine, Thomas Pinkney, Isaac Elliot. Jeremiah Cropsey and Leonard Merritt, all respectable citizens of the town of Marl- borough, who were unfortunately drowned on the flats in front of the town in attempting to go on shore on Friday morning, December 12, 1800, in a violent storm of wind and rain.
This poem received considerable local celebrity at the time :
Come all ye good people, of every degree, And listen with attention one moment to me,
For a sorrowful story I mean to relate, Of a mournful disaster that happened of late.
Oh, Marlborough ! tremble at this awful stroke. Consider the voice of Jehovah, that spoke To teach us we're mortals, exposed to death And subject each moment to yield up our breath.
Oh, reader! these coffins exhibit to view A striking example that's mournfully true To show thee that death will be thy certain doom, That shortly the body must enter the tomb.
On Friday, the twelfth of December, so cold, In the year eighteen hundred, as I have been told, The wind blowing high and the rain beating down, A vessel arrived at Marlborough town.
The anchor being cast and their sails stowed away All hands for the shore prepared straight away. Down into the boats soon all did repair, And unto the shore were preparing to steer.
But, mark their sad fortune, mournful indeed ! Yet no man can hinder what God has decreed, For the councils of heaven. on that fatal day, By death in an instant called a number away.
435
AN ELEGY.
A number of men in their health and their prime Called out of the world in an instant of time. For their boats turning over plunged all in the deep, And five out of seven in death fell asleep.
A vessel at anchor was lying near by, The men in the cabin heard their piercing ery : To grant them relief they hasten with speed, And two of their number from the water are freed.
These sorrowful tidings were carried straightway To their friends and relations without more delay. But, Oh! their lamenting no tongue can express, Nor point out their sorrow, great grief and distress.
Three wives widowed, left in sorrow to mourn The loss of their husbands, no more to return ; Besides a great number of orphans, we hear, Lamenting the fate of their parents so dear.
Also a young damsel left mourning alone For the untimely death of her lover that's gone: For the day of their nuptials appointed had been In the bonds of sweet wedlock these lovers to join.
Yet, alas! their lamentings are all in vain. Their husbands are drowned, they can't them regain. Their friends and relations came now too late, The council of heaven had sealed their fate.
Their bodies being found were all conveyed home And the Sabbath day following prepared for the tomb Their bodies in their coffins were laid side by side In Marlborough meeting house alley so wide.
A numerous concourse of people straightway Attended with sorrow on that mournful day, To see the remains of the neighbors so dear, And join their relations in a friendly tear.
A sermon was preached on the occasion also, While the people attended with a solemn awe, To see such a number by death snatched away, Who all lay before them as lifeless as clay.
436
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
The sermon being ended the corpses were conveyed, And in the cold caverns of earth they were laid, Where now we must leave them to molder to dust Until the resurrection of the just and unjust.
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.