USA > New York > Orange County > New Windsor > History of the town of New Windsor, Orange County, N.Y. > Part 16
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"he was personally unpopular, from a certain coldness and hauteur of manner." This peculiarity was a family inheritance. Nor was he re- markable for his conversational powers: on literary subjects and other grave topics, he was interesting though not eloquent; his attempts at wit, among those with whom he associated were generally puerile and sometimes offensive. As a political writer, he was capable of keen and biting sarcasm, perhaps more so than any other writer of the age." An index of his mind is perhaps to be found in the decisions which he ren- dered while member of the State Senate, by virtue of which position he was also, ex officio, a member of the highest court of the state. "Some of these," says Chancellor Kent, "are models of judicial and parlia - mentary eloquence, and they all relate to important questions, affecting constitutional rights and personal liberty. They partake more of the character of a statesman's discussions than that of a dry technical law- yer." The general summary of his character will be anticipated fron what has been written: As a statesman he was preeminent; as a politic - ian, he was defective in natural tact and address. He was able, honest and patriotic in his conduct as a public servant and a man of indomitable personal and moral courage. He died poor, and in view of the cir- cumstances the legislature voted an annuity of $10,000 for the support and education of his children.
George (4), son of General James Clinton, was born June 6, 1771 and died in New York city, September 16, 1809, in his thirty-ninth year. He was an "intelligent and accomplished gentleman, and at different times represented the city of New York in the State Legislature and in Congress." He married Hannah Franklin, sister of the wife of his brother, DeWitt. She was born in 1785 and died May 12, 1855. They had three children : 1. Mary Caroline, born May 9, 1802, died January 18, 1870, was the wife of Henry Overing; 2. Franklin, died young ; 3. Julia Matilda, married first, George Clinton Tallmadge, 1826, and second. James Foster, Jr. She died November Ist, 1880.
Mary (5), eldest daughter of General Clinton, born July 20, 1773, died at Albany, September 4, 1808. She married first ( 1795) Robert Burrage Norton, and second ( 1807) Judge Ambrose Spencer.
Elizabeth (6) was born January 12, 1776 and died at Binghamton August 27, 1832, in her fifty-seventh year. She married William Stuart in 1803.
Catharine (7), born September 24, 1778, died at Albany, August 20, 1837. She married first (1805) Samuel J. L. Norton, and second (1809) Judge Ambrose Spencer.
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James (8), General Clinton's first child by Mrs. Gray his second wife, died young.
Caroline H. (9), born March 27, 1800, married Judge Charles HI. Dewey 1824, died May 21, 1864.
Emma (10), born February, 1802, died unmarried, 1823.
James Graham (II), born January 2, 1804, died in New York, May 28, 1849. He was admitted to the bar in 1826; was for some years a master in chancery, and represented the district in Congress from 184I to 1845. He was married December 27, 1826 to Margaret Ellsworth Conger, daughter of Joshua Conger, of Montgomery; she died Decem- ber 29, 1863. They had one son, DeWitt. He was captain in the army, during the war with Mexico, and died unmarried at battle of Rivas, April 7, 1856.
Letitia (12), born April 17, 1806, married Dr. Francis Bolton, Jan- uary 26, 1830, and died April 23, 1842, leaving one son surviving, James Clinton Bolton, now dead.
Anna (13), born July 26, 1809, married Lieutenant Edward Ross of U. S. army, November 9, 1830, died December II, 1833.
George (7), youngest son of Charles and Elizabeth Clinton, was born at Little Britain, Sunday, July 26, 1739, and died in Washington city (where he was buried) April 20, 1812, in his seventy-third year.
George Clinton was to the state of New York what Washington was to the nation. In early life he gave promise of great activity and cour- age; he left his father's house and sailed in a privateer in the French war, and on his return demanded and received a place in the expedition under his father and his brother against Fort Frontenac. At the close of the war he settled down to the study of law under Judge William Smith. In 1759 he was appointed Clerk of Ulster County, but held that position for only about one year. He took an active part in colonial politics and was elected to a seat in the Assembly in 1760, serving until the closing session of that body under the English government. In the discussions of that period no voice raised in the province was more con- sistent and firm in resisting the demands of the ministry, nor was there
*New York was represented in the continental congress by twelve delegates, and three or four of whom were authorized to cast the vote of the State. The vote on the Declaration being taken by states, and the delegates from New York being under instructions, none of them voted for the measure. Clinton and several of his associates hurried home to secure the repeal of their instructions, and having effected that object, the signature of the state was attached to the instrument by the representatives there present, William Floyds, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis and Lewis Morris. Whatever may have been their personal opinions, their signatures were not judicially a personal act. Their names stand as the synonym of th state which they represented.
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of his contemporaries one whose energy and zeal was more devoted. In 1775 he was elected to the Continental Congress and served in that body until after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, that instru . ment, however, failing to receive, under instructions from the provincia! convention of New York, either his vote or his signature .* He was ap- pointed a brigadier-general in the army of the United States in 1776 and during the earlier years of the war was active in military affairs in New York, where he held, by virtue of appointment, commission as brigadier - general of militia, subsequently by virtue of his office as governor, he was commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the state. In the former capacity he was in the field with his brigade for the defense of New York city in 1776; and in the latter, held command of the forts in the Highlands at the time of their reduction by Sir Henry Clinton, Oc- tober 7, 1777, and marched to the defense of the Mohawk Valley in 1779. In April, 1777, he was elected Governor and Lieutenant-Gover- nor, under the first constitution of the state, and was continued in the former office eighteen years. His duties were peculiarly trying. The state was the battle-ground of the nation during almost the entire war of the Revolution ; invasions of the enemy swept in on the north and on the south, while the western frontiers were ravaged by savages and tories; yet through the darkest clouds of the heroic struggle he held the helm with a firm hand and an inspiring courage. His duties after peace was established were not less trying though of a different type ; poverty and distress were in his borders, and crude laws required shaping to the changed political relations of the people. In this respect New York dif- fered from the eastern provinces. There, the rebellion carried with it the provincial government, in New York a government had to be formed, and that it was wisely formed and still more wisely administered no one will question. He was president of the convention assembled at Pough- keepsie to consider the federal constitution in 1788 ;* was again choser
*See note bottom of page. 144
** To understand fully the politics of that period one must read Hammond's "Political History of New York," "History of the Constitution," etc. New York had a policy of its own growing out of its geographical position which it was loath to relinquish. The legislature had voted to send delegates to the consti- tutional convention to amend the articles of confederation, not to frame a new instrument, and, had not approved that instrument in the convention. The new instrument was believed to be defective in its judical provisions, and in other respects, and above all it contained no bill of rights guaranteeing personal lib- erty, freedom of religion, etc. Massachusetts and Virginia opposed its adoption, and only consented to it under an implied agreement that amendments should be made. Those amendments were made and may be found in all publications of the constitution. Without them, very few men would be found to-day who would vote for the constitution. He is a very ignorant man who denounces Clinton for his opposition.
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Governor of New York in 1801, and in 1804 was elected Vice-President of the United States, which position he held, by re-election in 1808, at the time of his death. It was by his casting vote that the bill for re- newing the first charter of the bank of the United States was defeated, his opposition being placed on the ground that at best the power of Congress was doubtful, and that it should ever be considered the safest rule that Congress should not exercise doubtful powers. In whatever position he was placed, either in public or in private life, whatever he esteemed to be his duty was executed fearlessly and promptly. When 'nı the city of New York, at the close of the war, he saw an English officer in the hands of the mob, to be tarred and feathered, he rushed single- handed to his rescue and saved him from the ignominy, and when again what was known as the Doctors' Mob was raging, he called out the mi- litia and quelled the disturbance. In the most trying periods of the Rev- olution he did waver in the protection of friends. His old legal instruc- tor was a "King's Man," or Tory. He gave him liberty under restraint, but, he added, "Don't write to me again while the war lasts. Col. Col- den and Vincent Matthews of his own neighborhood, met similar treat- ment, and Silas Gardner was pardoned by him under the gallows. These incidents simply show his character. As early as 1783, he considered and discussed the construction of canals for the internal commerce of the state, and it was from these discussions that his nephew, DeWitt Clinton, became the executive in measures which won for the state the title of Empire; indeed the latter only extended and sounded the ad- ministration of his uncle, with the added brilliancy of his own great in . tellect. In private life he was frank, amiable and warm in his friend- ships. He married Cornelia Tappen, only daughter of Petrus and Tyante Tappen, of Kingston, Feb. 7, 1770, and immediately thereafter took up his residence in New Windsor, where he remained until October, 1777, when on the fall of the Highland forts his family hastily removed to Little Britain, and from the latter place to Poughkeepsie in December .* His children were: I. Catharine, born in New Windsor November 5, 1770; married, first John Taylor, of New York city, October 25, 1791. Mr. ¡Taylor died November 26, of the same year, and, June 4, 1801, she married Major-General Pierre Van Cortlandt. She died at Peekskill, Jan. 10, 1811, in her forty-first year. 2. Cornelia Tappen, born in New
*His residence in New Windsor was on the farm late of Thomas W. Christie. It was sold by Clinton to Hugh Walsh, who sold the Christie homestead to Capt. Charles Ludlow, who bequeathed it to his daughter, Mrs. Christie. His removal to Poughkeepsie and subsequently to New York was in consequence of the changes in the location of the state government.
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Windsor June 29, 1774; married Citizen Edmund Charles Genet, ** No- vember 6, 1794, and died March 23, 1810, in her thirty-sixth year. 5. Geroge Washington, born at Poughkeepsie, October 18, 1778; married Anna Floyd, daughter of General William Floyd, September 19, 1808; died March 27, 1813, leaving one son, George William Floyd, born in Poughkeepsie, October 31, 1809, died unmarried in New York May 12. 1842, in his 33d year. 4. Elizabeth, born in Poughkeepsie. July 10. 1780; married Mathias B. Tallmadge, October 25. 1803, died April 8, 1825. 5. Martha Washington, born in Poughkeepsie. October 12, 1783. died February 20, 1795. 6. Maria, born in New York, October 6. 1785. married Dr. Stephen D. Beekman, died April 17, 1829.
In connection with the descendants of Charles Clinton may properly be noticed those of his sisters, Christiana and Mary, and also of his aunt, Margaret.
Christiana Clinton, first married John Beatty, a resident native of County Antrim, Ireland, by whom she had, Charles, Arthur, Mary and Martha, and a son James, who died on the voyage to America in 1729. and on the same voyage, her husband. John Beatty, also died .* Some- time after her settlement in Little Britain, she married James Scott. and removed to New York, where her husband died in March, 1757. She continued her residence in New York until her death, which oc- curred in March or April, 1776 or 1777, in the 91st year of her age. It is said of her that "she was possessed of a mind, both naturally and by cultivation, of a superior order, and of great moral purity. She was exceedingly dignified in her deportment, and a pattern of propriety in her manners, conversation and dress. The portrait of her represents a lady with quite an agreeable and intelligent countenance."
Her daughter, Mary, married at Little Britain, Robert Gregg, to whom she bore five children. Within the space of six wecks, she was deprived by death of her husband, a daughter, Jane, and three sons. John Charles and James. These most afflictive events produced mental derangement. She lived to a great age, and towards the close of her life her intellect was restored. Her son, James Gregg, was in command of a company of volunteers, under Colonel James Clinton, in the Canada expedition of 1775, and subsequently under Col. Gansevort, at Fort Schuyler. During the investment of that post bv St. Leger, in 1777, he was the subject of a most remarkable adventure. Going out from the fort one day with two soldiers to shoot pigeons,
** Embassador from the French Republic to the United States in 1793.
*See Genealogical Sketch, by Joseph Young, in Appendix.
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all three were shot down and scalped by Indians in ambush Recovering consciousness, he bade his dog, who had accompanied him, to go for help. As if endowed with intelligence the animal at once obeyed. He ran about a mile and found two men fishing, who were induced by his moans to follow him to his master. The captain was conveyed to the fort, and after suffering much, was restored to health. "He was a most frightful spectacle," says Dr. Macher. "The whole of his scalp was re- moved; in two places on the forepart of his head the tomahawk had penetrated the skull; there was a wound in his back with the same in- strument, besides a wound in his side and another through his arm with a musket ball." (Lossing's Field Book. History Newburgh, 279). He continued in the service until the close of the war, was a half-pay officer, and also a member of the Society of the Cincinatti. He died without is- sue; as did also his brothers John and Charles. His sister married Stuart Wilson and has descendants.
Martha, the second daughter of Christiana Clinton, was distinguished for great personal beauty. She married a Mr. McMillan, by whom she had one son. Her husband died at an early age, and she took up her residence with her mother, in New York, where she died.
Charles Beatty, Christiana Clinton's eldest son, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, about 1715. He accompanied his mother and her rel- atives to Little Britain in 1736, where we find his name among the en - rolled militia in 1738. August 22, 1744, being then a resident of Nesh- aming, Penn., he purchased two hundred and fifty acres of the Cornelius Low patent, and sold the same to James McClaughry, July 14, 1749. What his early occupation was is not known. It is said, however, that he started out as a merchant, carrying his goods in a pack on his back. In one of his tours he stopped at the "Log College," in Bucks County, Penn., then under the care of the elder William Lennet, who, becoming interested in him, induced him to enter the ministry. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, October 13th, 1742, and on the 26th March, 1743, was called to succeed his patron and instructor, at the Forks of Neshaming, where he was ordained and in- stalled on the 14th of December. After a laborious and useful life in the ministry, he died at Bridgeton, in the island of Barbadoes (whither he had gone to solicit funds for the College of New Jersey), August 13th, 1772, of yellow fever.
He married, June 24th, 1746, Ann, daughter of John Reading, of New Jersey, who bore him eleven children, nine of whom reached ma- ture life, viz: Mary, Christiana, John, Elizabeth, Martha, Charles Clin- ton, Reading, Erkuries, George, William Pitt and Ann. Erkuries was
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an officer in the army of the Revolution, and the father of Rev. Charles Clinton Beatty, D. D., L. L. D., of Steubenville, Ohio.
The complete list of Christiana Clinton's descendants exhibits one of the most remarkable families in American history. What the descen- dants of her brother were in the politics of the nation, hers were in the religious field, in which she still has several distinguished representatives.
Mary Clinton, the second sister of Charles, married a Mr. Condy and had a daughter, Ann, who was the mother of Hon. John Taylor, of A !. bany. The latter died without issue.
Margaret Clinton, aunt of Charles, married John Parks, and was the maternal ancestor of John Young, one of the Clinton immigrants of 1729, and also of Arthur Parks, who settled at Montgomery some years later. The Crawfords of Albany, and the Bostwicks of Troy, are also of her lineage.
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CHAPTER IX.
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SKETCHES.
In a previous chapter of this work has been given, in connection with the settlement of patents, the names of the pioneer families of New Windsor .* In regard to Patrick MacGregorie and his associates no fur- ther information has been obtained than is stated in that connection. They were unquestionably the first European immigrants in the present county. Following the MacGregorie colony, and, very nearly in chrono- logical order, were the families of William Chambers, William Suther. land, Peter Matthews, John Alsop, Joseph Sackett, Thomas Ellison, John Nicoll, Peter Mullinder, John Humphrey, John Reid and Robert Burnet, who were followed by Charles Clinton, Alexander Denniston, John Young and others, known as the Clinton immigrants, in 1730, after which time settlements were more rapid and at dates which cannot now be ascertained with certainty, but are in many cases approximated by the military roll of 1738.
WILLIAM CHAMBERS.
William Chambers, one of the holders of the Chambers and Suther- land patent, was a resident thereon prior to its date of issue. He died in 1738 leaving sons William and John. William entered the English Navy and rose to the rank of Admiral. He died without issue. ** John studied law and entered practice in New York city in 1730. In August, 1751, Governor Clinton, (the first), recommended him for appointment as a member of the Council, saying that he was "a gentleman of good reputation and a large estate, and a person the most agreeable in the whole province," as he had "always behaved with moderation, never countenancing any faction." He served in this capacity until 1762. In 1754, he was one of the representatives of the province in the famous Congress at Albany. In 1751, he was appointed Second Justice of the Supreme Court, which he resigned in 1761. He died in 1762-3. Gov-
*See Patents and First Settlements.
*Ante p .- Patents and First Settlements.
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ernor Colden writes: "I never heard his integrity called in question." "His religion was that of the Church of England, of which he was no+ only a zealous professor but an ornament, and an honor to the religion he professed." (Jones' History N. Y.)
WILLIAM SOUTHERLAND.
William Southerland, (now written Sutherland), was also a settler on the patent with Chambers prior to its issue. He died leaving a family. of whom David Sutherland was a purchaser from Dr. John Nicoll of a portion of the Lawrence patent, in the town of Cornwall, and is pre . sumed to have been the founder of the Cornwall family of Sutherlands. Sutherland's creek takes its name from him. Charles Sutherland was the holder of part of the original purchase in 1815. Front abstract of wills on file in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals, at Albany. the following abstracts are taken :
"Southerland. David, of New Cornwall Precinct, Orange Co., yeo- man. Wife Mary; grandson Charles Southerland : sons Andrew, David, Alexander ; granddaughters: Mary and Jane, daughters of dec'd son Patrick; daughters Jane, wife of William Edminster ( ?) ; Lesbia ( ?) wife of Moses Clark; Mary, wife of Robert Farrier; da .- in-law Mar- garet, widow of son Patrick.
"Dated February 27, 1769; probated November 3, 1778.
"Mack Gregory, Patrick, of Orange Co. yeoman. Daughter Mary, wife of David Southerland of Ulster Co., and her sons Patrick and David; grandson Gregor MacGregory. Executors: son-in-law David Southerland and John Alsop. Dated Feb. 25. 1727-8; probated Nov. 20, 1728."
Patrick Mack Gregory was son of Patrick MacGregory or Mac- Gregor, of Plum Point.
PETER MATTHEWS.
Peter Matthews, originally from Ireland, was a captain in the War of 1692-'93, and engaged in active service in the Mohawk country. Gov. ernor Bellomont made a lieutenant of him, and wrote, in 1700, that he kept a tap-house in New York; that he was "bred up from a child with Governor Fletcher ;" that it was at his house the "angry people" of New York had their club and held their cabals, and that he was no friend to him (Bellomont), for which reason he tried to have him removed or ex- changed, but did not succeed. Governor Cornbury was his friend and
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sent him to England as bearer of dispatches in 1702. On his return he appears to have resumed his military duties, and in 1715 was ap- pointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs. He held several patents and was a party in others which were obtained in the names of other per- sons, among the number that to Chambers and Sutherland. He died in: 1719. His son, Vincent Matthews (there is no record of other child- ren), purchased, August 22d, 1721, for £1000, of Rip Van Dam & Co.,* the patent for three thousand acres of land, granted to them in 1709, on which he settled and to which he gave the name of Matthewsfield. He served as Clerk of the original County of Orange from 1726 to 1763; as Member of Assembly from 1726 to 1759, and as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1733. He was largely interested in land patents, holding among others the New Windsor tract, and the Forest of Dean tract. He died in June, 1784. It appears by his will, which is on file in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals, of the State of New York, that he was married, first to Catalina Abeel, of Westen- hook, Columbia County, by whom he had four childrn-1. Fletcher; 2. James; 3. David; 4. Bridget, (who married Doctor Evan Jones)* all of whom were born in Orange County. By his second wife Elizabeth, he had a daughter of the same name, who married Theo- philus Beekman, of New York. Fletcher (1), married Sarah, daughter
*The patentees were Rip Van Dam, Adolph Phillipse, David Provost, Jr., Lancaster Syrus, and Thomas Jones. The tract contained 3,000 acres, of which each patentee held one-fifth. The patent was granted March 23, 1709.
Rip Van Dam & Co. (patent)-Rip Van Dam. Adolph Phillipse, David Provost, Jr., Lancaster Syrus, and Thomas Jones-3,000 acres-"beginning at a station bearing from Maringoman's wigwam west 24d., S. 85 chains." Issued March 23d, 1700.
Sold by Rip Van Dam, Adolph Phillipse, David Provost, Lancaster Syrus, John Thomas and David Jones, to Vincent Matthews, Aug. 22, 1721. Described. "Beginning at a certain station bearing from Maringoman's wigwam W. 24d. 85 ch. and runs thence N. IId. E. 120 ch., thence E. II d. S. 200 ch., thence S. IId. W. 180 ch .. thence W. 27d. N. 211 ch., to the station above named, bounded on all four sides by unpatented lands. Containing in the whole 3,000 acres, be it more or less" Consideration £1,000.
Vincent Matthews erected grist mill at Salisbury-date not known-and sold the same to John Carpenter, July 21, 1762, for £800 N. Y. lawful money. Deed conveys lands and falls and grist mills on Murderer's Creek .- Orange County Review. Lib. C, 445.
Henry Wisner, in company with John Carpenter, was authorized to erect Powder Mill, "at or near John Carpenter's saw mill," in the precinct of Cornwall. April 27, 1776 .- Prov. Con, N. Y.
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