USA > New York > Orange County > New Windsor > History of the town of New Windsor, Orange County, N.Y. > Part 20
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off immediately to Philadelphia; I will take care of them and send them to you by water"-which he performed most faithfully without charg- ing the Doctor one farthing. He told him there were spies watching his motions, but that he should come to his house after it began to grow dark; that he would equip him and have him sent off the Island. The Doctor thanked him for his kindness. When he returned home he found two young ladies from a Tory family there who had never visited him before. He was at no loss to guess the cause of such a friendly visit, but assumed a very sprightly air, took his violin and played a num- ber of tunes; then took his oldest daughter into another room pretend- ing to want her assistance to prepare some medicine. He then told her that he had a secret to communicate to her, if she would promise to keep it inviolate, even from her mother, which she promised; he then told her the whole, and exhorted her by all means to appear cheerful. He then caused her to pack up some shirts and put the bundle out of a back window. Fortunately about dusk, a messenger called on him to visit a patient at some little distance. He told the messenger to return and that he would set off in a few minutes. The messenger returned, and when it grew dark the Doctor went to his friend, who equipped him in a complete sailor's dress. Our new made Jack Tar took up his bundle, embarked on board of a boat, and his brother sailors soon landed him on terra firma. He pushed on and soon met his brother fugitives. John Hancock and Samuel Adams in Philadelphia; and soon after had the felicity to receive his family from on board of one of his benefactor's vessels.
The fugitives hired a house in Philadelphia and fell into some pri- vate practice until the General Hospital was established, when he was appointed a senior physician, and with the celebrated Doctor Rush, had the chief care of the Hospital until his death. He died in June, 1777, of a most virulent putrid fever ; which appeared to be almost as fatal as the plague. His very valuable library, which he had collected with great care and cost, was sold for Continental money, and was in a great measure lost to his family. These are a few of the incidents which oc- curred in the life of a man of superior talents, and, as far as I am ca- pable of judging, of the most consummate physician I ever knew. He married Mary, the daughter of Captain Winegar, of Sharon, Conn., by whom he had two sons, viz: John and Rosmond, and four daughters, viz: Susannah, Catharine, Sarah and Mary. Rosmond died young. Susan was married to a Mr. Knies, of Philadelphia, and had two sons, Thomas and John. She died about 1803 or '4; her sons, Thomas and
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John, removed to the westward of Albany, and their grandmother, Mary Young, lives with them. John Young, the only surviving son of Doctor Thomas, studied physic under his father and was a Mate, in the Hos- pital, until his father died, and was then sent to the Hospital, at Albany. to be under my care. After the conclusion of the war he practiced in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, but removed to Hendersonville, Tennes- see, where he was killed by a fall from his horse, in November, 1805. He married Mary Hammond, at Fayette, by whom he had four child- ren, viz: Mary, Thomas, William and Sarah. Catharine, the second daughter of Doctor Thomas, was married to Mr. Daniel Castle, who re- moved to near Canandaigua Lake, where she died, but I do not know how many children she left. Sarah was married to Mr. Clark, at Sharon or Amenia; and Mary was married to a Doctor Strong, but I know nothing of their children.
Joseph, the second son of John Young, was born on the seventh day of February, 1733. He had an equal desire to acquire useful knowledge, but was neither blessed with that penetrative conception, which seemed to border on intuition, nor that admirable relentive memory, which gave his brother Thomas such superior advantages; but he endeavored to compensate for the defect by accurate observations and attentive appli- cation, aiming in all his pursuits at the investigation of first principles, and cautiously reasoning from these to form conclusions founded on the intrinsic nature of the subject, strictly following the example of the celebrated Alexander Pope, to reason truly from what he knew-that is to say, from well known facts or axiom that cannot deceive or mis- lead the cautious inquirer, as he was convinced at a very early period. that the neglect of this rule was the prolific source of endless error, which no branch of science has escaped, either moral or physical, un- less we may except the mathematics. He had, like his brother, an ar- dent desire to gain a knowledge of physic, and improved every oppor- tunity in his power for that purpose, in which he was greatly assisted by Doctor Alexander Clinton, not as a professed student, but by riding with him and receiving oral instructions. He remained with his father until Doctor Clinton died, and then went and studied with his brother Thomas until 1765, and when Thomas removed to Boston, he remained in private practice in Albany until the Spring of 1776, when he was ap- pointed by order of General Montgomery, to establish and superintend a hospital for the reception of the sick of the Continental Army. As our troops occupied Ticonderoga and Crown Point, there was a Hos- pital opened at Lake George, under the superintendence of Doctor S.
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Stringer, and as the enemy were encroaching, General Schuyler con- cluded to send all the sick down to the Hospital at Albany, and ordered Doctor Stringer to send Doctor Young immediate notice that he might have time to prepare for their reception. Doctor Stringer probably wishing that Doctor Young might be embarrassed, omitted to send him any notice of the intended removal of the sick. General Schuyler, knowing Doctor Stringer's disposition, feared a calamitous result, and to prevent it sent his Aide-de-camp, John Lansing, Jr., to Albany to inquire if his order had been communicated to Doctor Young. Finding that it had not, Lieutenant Lansing reported to General Schuyler, and Doctor Stringer was soon cashiered. Doctor Young immediately ent- ployed carpenters who wrought like beavers and soon furnished every room with bunks. The sick soon came crowding down, and as there had not yet been a clerk appointed, Doctor Young had to enter their names, companies and regiments, to write orders for their provisions and pre- scribe for them; but the sick exulted greatly in the change of their con . dition. In 1776, Congress appointed Doctor Jonathan Polts to super- intend a Hospital in the Canada department, but as our people were obliged to retreat, Polts came down to Albany and assumed the direc- tion there, and commissioned some persons as prescribing physicians, who were scarcely qualified to be Mates. The Juniors and Mates, in derision called them Celestials. They, however, were not very trouble- some about the Hospital; their chief amusement being to dance atten- dance at headquarters and visit some officers, who were at lodgings i: the town. Everything went on cordially until sometime late in the year 1780, when Congress made a new arrangement in the General Hospital. when many of those who attended least to their duty and attended most to their own interest, made personal application, or by their influential friends, and were retained in service, while Doctor Young, who had and was faithfully performing his duty, was by Doctor Shippen, left out of employment. Doctor Young and some of his friends immediately wrote to Congress the facts and the Doctor was immediately reinstated, Doctor John Cochran appointed Director, and the indolent Shippen removed. Doctor Young remained in charge of the Hospital at Albany until May 4th, 1784, when he sent off the few remaining invalids to be attended by a Mate in New York. He then removed to and practiced in New York until the fall of the year. 1797. He married in the fall of the year, 1762, Sarah, daughter of Mr. Samuel Brown, of Colchester, Conn., a most amiable, placid, benevolent woman, who died without issue in the month of November, 1768, and was buried in a vault under the
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Presbyterian meeting house, in Albany, much lamented by her husband and friends.
John and Jane, son and daughter of John Young, died young, and Mary was married to Mr. Samuel King, and had three sons, viz: Thomas, John and Samuel,* and four daughters, viz: Anna, Sarah, Mary and Rhody. Anna was married to Nicholas King and lives in the township of Galen; Sarah was married to Isaac Mills; Mary to David Godfrey, and Rhody to Elijah Tucker. Messrs. Mills, Godfrey and Tucker are dead, and I have no knowledge of their children.
My sister Barbara, was married to Matthew Neely (son of Robert, who married Isabella, sister to Adam Graham). She died soon after she was delivered of her only child, Barbara Amelia, the wife of Thomas Herttell, Esq.
Isaac, my brother, married Esther Wolcott in the state of Rhode Island, who died after having a son William and three daughters, viz: Sarah, married to Cornelius Tiebout, an eminent copperplate engraver, now in Philadelphia. She has two children, Joseph and Caroline. Isaac married a second wife, viz: Susannah Roos, of Fayette County, by whom he had seven children, viz: Robert, Nancy, Isaac, Effy, Nelly, Joseph and Jane, who all live in Kentucky, except Isaac, who is in partnership with his brother William at or near Uniontown, Pennsyl- vania. My brother Isaac came to New York on a visit in the sum- mer of 1795, and died of yellow fever and was buried in Potter's Field.
My aunt, Mary Young, my father's sister, was married to John Brooks and had two daughters, viz: Jane and Mary. Jane was mar- ried to Doctor Isaac Vanheren Caspel, but herself and two children, which she had are dead. Mary, her sister, married Paul Blouck and left several children, who live in this city (New York). My uncle, Joseph Crawford, married Catharine Nelson, at Rhinebeck, and re- moved to Curriesbush, near Schenectady. He left several children, viz: Leah, John, Alexander and Lucretia; the names of the others I do not remember.
My father, John Young, died in 1784, aged 82 years.
Colonel Charles Clinton, nephew to my great grandmother Mar- garet, possessed an acute genius, a penetrating solid judgment, an ex- tensive fund of useful as well as ornamental knowledge, with the affa- bility and polished manners of a polite gentleman. He was a tall, straight, graceful person, of a majestic appearance. If he chanced to
*In another place Dr. Young states that Thomas King married Pamelia Tracey, John King married Eliza Godfrey and Samuel King married Nancy Montanie.
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come into company where a number of young people were cheerfully di- verting themselves, their first impressions were those of awe and rever . ence ; but in the course of a few minutes he would enter into the most pleasing, and frequently instructive conversation, which soon dis- pelled their panic, and inspired them with pleasing and respectful confi. dence. He was a Judge of the County Court, and Justice of the Peace until he died; and a Colonel in the Army in the war, which commenced in the year 1756. He married Elizabeth Denniston, sister to Alexander, by whom he had one daughter, Catharine, a sensible, friendly, ingenio13, placid being, who was married to Colonel James McClaughry, as brave an officer as America could boast of, she died without issue. Colonel Clin- ton and his wife, also four sons, viz : Alexander, Charles, James and George. After Alexander had acquired an excellent school education, he remained six years in College at Newark, when Mr. Burr was President ; he then studied physic under Dr. Middletown, in New York, which he afterwards practiced in Ulster County and parts adjacent ; with great success and rep- utation. He excelled in everything to which he turned his attention ; he was a good classic scholar, a great physician, a considerable poet, an ex- cellent musician, and understood the use of the broadsword in a superior degree ; but what finished and gave lustre to a truly great character was, that he was a most placid, agreeable, benevolent, friendly being, be- loved and highly respected by every person who knew him; and I shall ever remember with pleasure and gratitude the attention and friendship with which he honored me. He married Miss Maria Kane, but died soon after of the confluent smallpox, greatly and very generally 1 .:- mented ; his memory is dear to many at this day, and to none more than to Joseph Young.
Charles, the second son, was a very sprightly lad, and had a good education. He also studied physic under Doctor Middletown, and en. barked as a physician in the expedition against the Havana, and was much esteemed by the celebrated Doctor Huck. When he returned he practiced medicine with success and reputation in Ulster County and parts adjacent, and died a bachelor, of a lingering consumption. James, like David of old, had been a warrior from his youth up. After he had obtained a good education, he enlisted a company and served with repu- tation as a captain in the war, which commenced in 1756. He was a general in the Continental army, and signalized himself in endeavoring to defend a redoubt on the west bank of the North River, that was honored by the name of Fort Montgomery. When it became almost cer- tain that they would finally be obliged to submit to superior numbers,
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General James tried to persuade his brother George to leave the redoubt, alleging it would be a greater injury to our cause to have the Governor of the State taken prisoner, than if he should fall into their hands. They, however, both remained until it grew dark, and were mixed with the enemy ; the Governor escaped in a boat to the east side of the river, and James slid down the very steep bank of a creek* which ran near the re- doubt, and fell into the top of a hemlock tree, and made his escape by going up the bed of the brook, in which there was but little water at that time. When the enemy rushed into the redoubt, Colonel Mc- Claughry and a Mr. James Humphrey, ** the cock of whose gun had been shot off, turned back to back and defended themselves desperately : they were assailed on all sides, and would undoubtedly have been killed, but a British Senator, who witnessed their spirit and bravery, exclaimed that it would be a pity to kill such brave men ; they then rushed on and seized them, and when the Colonel was brought to the British General Clinton, he asked him where his friend George was? The Colonel re- plied, "Thank God, he is safe beyond the reach of your friendship." Gen- eral James married an amiable woman, of the name of DeWitt, by whom he had four sons, viz: Alexander, DeWitt, Charles and George, Alexan- der was a youth of a very promising genius, but when he was - years old he was drowned in crossing the river from the city to Hoboken or Bull's Ferry. After DeWitt acquired a good education, he studied law under Samuel Jones, and being a firm, undeviating, inflexible patriot and a man of superior talents, he was soon honored with a seat in the Assem- bly of the State and has been a Senator in Congress, where he did honor to himself and to his State. In 1801 he was apointed to be Mayor of the c'ty of New York, which office he executed with ability and integrity, until the winter of 1807, when he was displaced by Gov. Lewis and his nefarious Council, and Colonel Marinus Willett, an old doating super- annuated Burrite, substituted in his stead. But he is yet State Senator, and is nominated as a Republican candidate for the next four years. He married Maria Franklin, a daughter of Mr. Walter Franklin, an eminent merchant in this city (New York). Charles married Miss Elizabeth Mulliner, of Little Britain and now lives at Newburgh. I have been told that he is a valuable man and an expert surveyor of land. George studied law under his brother DeWitt, and being a man of capacity, he was honored with a seat in the State Assembly 1804, and in 1805, 1806 and
*Poplopen's Kill. a stream flowing between Forts Clinton and Montgomery.
** Humphrey was the brother-in-law of Col. McClaughry.
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1807, has been a Member of Congress. He married Miss Hannah Frank- lin, sister to Mrs. Maria Clinton.
George, the youngest son of Colonel Charles Clinton, was placed when very young under the tuition of Mr. Daniel Thame, a gentleman who had acquired a liberal education in the college of Edinburgh. The activity and strength of the intellectual faculties of the young student became very perceptible at an early period, which caused him to be caressed by all his friends. After having acquired an excellent school education under several eminent tutors, he served either one or two cam- paigns as a lieutenant under his brother James. And then studied the law under the direction of William Smith, Esquire, which he practiced in Ulster County with ability and integrity. He had previously been ap- pointed Clerk of this County, by Governor George Clinton.
When the troubles commenced between Britain and America, he was elected a Member of the Legislature, where he signalized himself in combating and defeating the nefarious schemes of the Tories. He was appointed a General in the Continental Army, in the year -. and when the State Constitution was formed he was unanimously chosen Governor of the State, and was successively re-elected to that most important office, in times that tried men's courage, ability and prin- ciples, until the year 1795, when, having greatly injured his health by his long and faithful service, he wished for a respite from public business ; the consequence of which was that John Jay, Esquire, was chosen io succeed him. In the Spring of 1801, he was reinstated in the chair, which he had filled for eighteen years, with so much honor to himself and great advantage to the State and to the Union. Soon after he had declined a
re-election in 1804, he was nominated for Vice- President of the United States, and elected without opposition, which station he now deservedly enjoys. He married Miss Catherine Tap- pen, in Kingston, Ulster County, of an ingenious, friendly, placid dis- position, by whom he had one son named, George Washington, and five daughters, viz: Catharine, married Pierre Van Courtlandt, Esquire ; Cor- nelia, married Monsieur Genet, formerly Embassador from the French Republic to the United States; Eliza, married Mathias B. Tallmadge ; Maria
Christina Clinton, sister of the Colonel,* was married to a Mr. John Beatty, (in Ireland), and had a son, Charles, who was a celebrate .! Presbyterian clergyman. He married in Jersey, and had sons that were officers in the Continental Army. She had also two daughters,
*Col. Charles, the progenitor of the family.
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Martha and Mary. Martha was married in New York to and Mary to Mr. Robert Gregg, and had three sons, viz; John, Charles and James, and one daughter, Jane. John was a youth of the most promising talents, and was supposed to be the best scribe on the con- tinent. He was Secretary to Governor Belcher, of New Jersey ; he died young. Charles was also a promising lad, but he also died young. James served with reputation as a Captain in the Continental Army, and died a bachelor. Jane was married to Stuart Wilson and had one son, George, and one daughter. They live about 16 miles from Schenectady, on the place which formerly belonged to Colonel Daniel Claus.
Mary Clinton, sister to Christiana, was married to Mr. Condy, and had one daughter Ann, commonly called Nancy, who was married to Mr. William Taylor, by whom he had one son, John, who is a man of emi- rent abilities, and an undeviating, inflexible patriot. He lived at Lake George until the commencement of the late war with Britain, when lie removed to the city of Albany, and was soon chosen a member of the General Committee, where he distinguished himself in detecting and de- feating the nefarious schemes of the Tories, and some half-way patriots. Since the termination of the war he has, by his abilities and upright un- deviating conduct, gained the confidence of his fellow citizens so that he has been President of the State Bank, in Albany, a Judge of the County Court, and a Senator in the Legislature, and is now in nomina- tion as a candidate for that important office. He married Miss Mar- garet Volkenberg, who died without issue. But he has adopted his niece, Margaret, daughter of John Vernor, Esquire, who is now married to Doctor Charles D. Cooper, who now lives with him.
William Parks, who was related to my grandmothers Jane and Bar- bara, married Janet Beatty, by whom he had two children, Arthur and Margaret. Arthur is now living at Ward's Bridge, on the Wallkill. He is a man of good natured abilities, which he greatly improved by reading, of which he was always very fond. He was elected a member of the State Legislature, at a very early period of the war, and was suc- cessively reelected for several years, and was a very valuable member. He married Miss Howell, daughter of Hezekiah Howell, of Smith's Clove, by whom he has a son Charles, who studied physic and attended the medical lectures in New York. His sister Margaret, an accomplished woman, was married to Mr. David Bostwick, son of Mr. Bostwick, formerly a minister in New York. She is now a widow and 1 emoved to Troy.
JOSEPH YOUNG.
New York, Catherine Street, No. 53, April 11th, 1807.
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COPY OF THE ORIGINAL PATENT OF EAST- ERN END OF NEW WINDSOR
The following is a copy of the Patent which covers much of the eastern end of the Town of New Windsor ( said never to have been print- ed before) :
ANNE by the Grace of God of Great Brittaine ffrance and Ireland Queen Defender of the ffaith &c To all to whom these presents shall come or may concern Sendeth Greeting:
WHEREAS our Loving Subjects William Sunderland and William Chambers by their humble Petition presented to our Trusty and well be- loved Richard Ingoldesby Esqr. our Livt. Governor and Comandr in Chiefe in and over our Province of New and Territories in America and Vice Admirall of ye same &c in Council HAVE Prayed our Grant and Confirmation of a Certaine Tract of Land Scituate lying and being on the West side of Hudsons River and in ye County of Ulster beginning at a Large White Oak Tree Standing near the River marked with three Knotches and a Cross and Runs thence into the Woods North ffifty three Degrees West Eighty Chains to a Young black Oak Tree marked as aforesaid and thence Runs in the Rear North Seventeen Degrees East to Quassaick Creek and thence by Quassaick Creek and the Line of the Widdow Plettle including the said Creek to Hudsons River and by Hud- sons River to the place where begunn Containing in the whol one thous- and acres be it more or less with all and Singular the Houses Edifices and Buildings which now are Erected and Built on the said Tract of Land and Premises or on any part thereof & all other Improvements what- soever on the same which said Land and premises are bounded North by the said Widdow Plettle and Quassaick Creek East by Hudsons River South by marked Trees and West by the Hill Much Hattoes the which l'et tion wee being willing to Grant KNOW YEE that of our especiall Grace Certain knowledge and meer motion we have Given Granted Rati- fyed and Confirmed and by these Presents for our selves our Heirs and Successors Doe Give Grant Ratifye and Confirme unto the sd Willinn Sunderland and William Chambers all and Singular the said Tract of Land above mentioned and all and Singular the Houses Edifices Build- ings and Improvemts thereupon and Hereditaments and Abburtenances thereunto belonging within the Bounds and Limitts above in these pres-
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ents mentioned and Expressed together with all Woods Underwoods Trees Timber ffeedings Pastures Meadows Marshes Swamps Ponds Pooles Waters Watercourses Rivers Rivoletts Runs and Streams of Water fishing fowling hawking hunting Mines & Mineralls Standing Growing lying & being or to be used had & Enjoyed within the Bounds and Limitts above said and all other Profitts beneffitts Priviledges Liber- ties Advantages Hereditaments & Appurtenances wtsover unto the said Tract of Land and Premises or any Part or Parcell thereof belonging or in any wise Appurtaining and all our Estate Right Title Interest benefitt Advantage Claim Demand of in or to the said Tract off Land & premises with their Appurtenances or any Part or Parcell thereof and the Rever- sion & Reversions Remaindr and Remaindrs Together with ye Yearly and other Rents and Proffitts of the prmisses & of every Part & Parcell thereof in two Equall Parts to be Divided ( Except & allways Reserved out of this our prsent Grant unto us our Heirs and Successors all such ffirr Trees & Pine Trees of the Diamiter of ffour & twenty Inches att twelve Inches from the Ground or Root thereof as shall be fitt for Masts ffor our Royal Navy and allso all such other Trees as are or shall be fitt to make Plank and Knees for the use of our Navy aforesd only wch now are Standing Growing and being & which hereafter shall Stand Grow and be in & upon the said Tract of Land & prmisses or any Part or Par- cell thereof wth free Liberty and Lycence for any Person or Persons whatsoever by us thereunto appointed with workmen Horses Wagons Carts & Carriages or without to Enter & Come into and upon the said Tract of Land and prmisses hereby Granted or any Part thereof there to fell Cut Root up hew Saw Rive have take Cart and Carry away the same at his & their Will & Pleasure for ye use aforesd and allso Except and Re- served out of this our Present Grant all Gold and Silver Mines TO HAVE AND TO HOLD one full Moyety or half Part of the said Tract of Land and Premisses with their Appurtenances hereby Granted as aforesd (Except before Excepted) unto ye said William Sunderland his Heirs and Assigns forever to the only proper use and behoofe of ye said William Sunderland His Heirs and Assignes forever and the other full Moyety or half Part thereof unto the said William Chambers his Heirs and Assignes forever to the only proper use and behoofe of ye said William Chambers and his Heirs and Assignes forever to be holden of us our Heirs and Successors in ffree and Comon Soccage as of our Mannor of East Greenwich in the County of Kent within our Kingdom of Great Brittain YEILDING Rendring and Paying therefore Yearly and every Year from henceforth unto us our Heirs & Successors att our Custome House att New Yorke to our Collector or Receiver Genll there for the time being at or upon the Annunciation of our Blessed Virgin
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