USA > New York > Orange County > The history of Orange County, New York > Part 15
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Many of the wealthier guests who saw that there was a possibility of forming a colony similar to that of Tuxedo, joined in a syndicate to purchase land. to lay out roads and develop its resources. Later it was found desirable to have a place of meeting for themselves, and the club- house was built. It was incorporated under the title of the Deer Hill Company in 1890. Besides being able to accommodate many guests cot- tages were built in the grounds and the Mountain House found its days of prosperity gone. Mr. J. W. Meagher surrendered his lease and fire destroyed two-thirds of the building, when it passed into the hands of Mr. James Stillman. One of the next houses in point of numbers was
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Mr. James G. Roe's. It has sheltered three hundred guests. The Elmer, had nearly two hundred; the Smith was almost the length of a city block. The Wiley House had ninety feet of broad piazzas. Grand View, owned by Mrs. Alott, is the only one at present that is still in the business. There were many others, and nearly every private family was willing to accommodate city guests. Recently the club has surrendered its charter, and it has passed into private hands.
ROUND TOP.
While we are in the mountain we will stand for a few minutes on Round Top, the home of the late Miss Hussey. Near us is a small chalet, consisting of three rooms with a cedar rail portico in front. Here for sixty years a woman, refined, cultured, and of marked literary ability, dwelt alone. There came a break in her seclusion, when in 1861 she entered the army as a nurse, where she remained until the close of the war. She was a fine raconteur, and many a story of those days enter- tained her visitors, and she had many, for she and her romantic home attracted nearly everyone who came to Cornwall. She kept a visitors' book, and there were 5,000 names in it before mine. In 1876 she, with two other ladies, Miss McClean and Miss Hayes, edited the first news- paper printed in the town, but it was not a success after the first year, when she abandoned it. She received a pension from the Government, and died about four years ago.
E. P. ROE.
As we have been dealing with personal history, a modest residence with large grounds suggests another name, that of E. P. Roe, the novelist. His childhood was passed in Moodna and the home and surrounding scenery in the background of the picture drawn in "Nature's Serial Story." He studied in Williams College and then entered a theological seminary, but in 1862 resigned to become chaplain in the Harris Light Cavalry. He participated in several engagements, but on being appointed Hospital Chaplain, was granted a furlough, came home and was married to Miss Sands, who accompanied him back to the seat of war. He retained his position until the close of hostilities, when he took charge of the Presby-
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terian Church at Highland Falls. He visited Chicago after the fire, and that suggested the plot of "Barriers Burned Away." The success of this was phenomenal, several editions following in quick succession. Feeling he could reach a larger congregation by his pen than by his voice, he resigned his charge and came to Cornwall. His mornings were spent in his garden, where his success in fruit raising equalled that in literary work. The afternoons in his study resulted in volume after volume being given to the public in quick succession. His books sold well and his royalties were large, but through the misfortunes of others he became financially embarrassed and sold the royalties of his then published novels for $30,000. He still found ready sale for all he produced, which soon enabled him to liquidate his obligation, and the "children of his fancy were his own again." But the strain told on him, and in 1887 he went to Santa Barbara for rest and recuperation. There he wrote "The Earth Trembled," a story of the Charleston earthquake. He returned in 1887 and began his last work, "Miss Lou," which was never finished. In August, 1888, he was reading aloud in his library, when he was seized with sharp pains in his heart. Two physicians were summoned, but failed to give relief and half an hour after his first attack, E. P. Roe was no more. After his death several gentlemen, among others Mr. Thomas Taft. Mr. Valentine and the Rev. Lyman Abbott, consulted as to what shape a permanent memorial to him would take. A Roe Me- morial Park was decided upon, the location being near his home on the side of Round Top, bounded by the Boulevard. It consists of a little more than two acres and is heavily wooded. None of the trees have been disturbed, only the underbrush cleared up and paths made through the grounds. At the top is a large boulder and on top of this was placed a bronze tablet, on which was engraved two branches of chestnuts with their foliage and burrs, some open. Above this is inscribed : "In Memory of Edward Payson Roe." and under this. "Near to Nature's Heart." The tablet was unveiled on May 30. 1894, with very impressive cere- monies and was presented to the village.
COLONEL DUNCAN.
Another name very dear to Cornwall, but one almost forgotten by the present generation, was that of Colonel James Duncan. He was born
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at Cold Springs, but his parents moved here when he was a small boy, and settled on a farm a little out of the village. He graduated from West Point in 1835, and was appointed Lieutenant of the Fourth Cavalry. In 1838 he perfected an arm of the service called "The flying artillery," and this first brought him into notice. During the Mexican War he rose from the rank of Lieutenant to that of Colonel. He received the ap- pointment of Inspector General of the United States Army, and during one of his visitations at Mobile he contracted the yellow fever and died there in 1849. His body was brought on and buried near his home, but some years later it was removed to the cemetery at West Point.
CANTERBURY.
That part of the town known as Canterbury was probably the first portion settled. Old records give names of path masters who resided here previous to the Revolutionary War, but seemed to have left no de- scendants. As far back as 1820 we have the name of John Chadeayne, one of whose sons, Mr. Henry F. Chadeayne, was the father of our pres- ent supervisor. The early physicians all located in that end of the town. Dr. Tobias was the first one of which we have any record. Dr. Clinton came next, and then Dr. Elisha Hedges, dying a young man in 1824. The house where he lived was occupied until recently by his daughter. His successors were Dr. Heaton and his son-in-law, Dr. Gough, and they cared for all the sick in the radius of many miles. But as the population increased there was found work for others, and Dr. Beattie came to us and died among us in his eightieth year. Dr. Thomas Heaton also lies in one of our cemeteries, one of the most beloved and trusted of doctors. He was a grandson of the first one of that name. Dr. Hotchkiss represented homeopathy, and at his death was succeeded by Dr. Bergen, to be fol- lowed by Dr. Chandler of that cult. Beside the latter we have Drs. Winter and Bowdislı, of the upper village, and Drs. Shirk and Bayard, of the lower one, at present with us.
CHURCHES.
Presbyterian .- The earliest record of religious worship came from Bethlehem, which was at first the name of the church, and then ex- tended to the neighborhood. It was Presbyterian in form and ministered
John Orr.
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to by the Rev. Mr. Challoner, who had charge also in Cornwall, New Windsor and Blooming Grove. The building was erected in 1730. In point of seniority it was the third oldest congregation west of the Hudson and north of the Highlands. The second incumbent was the Rev. Enos Ayres, who was followed by Mr. Close in 1764. He remained for forty years, and was chaplain during the Revolutionary War to soldiers :ta- tioned in the vicinity. The Rev. Artemus Dean was installed in 1813 and served for twenty-nine years. During his pastorate the church that had stood for ninety-six years was torn down and replaced by the present edi- fice. In 1872 the Rev. Mr. Atwater was appointed. In 1827 the Rev. James Thorn, of Canterbury, gathered some members of other churches together and, obtaining letters of dismissal from their several organizations, formed them into a congregation. A small church was erected, and in 1828 he was installed by the Presbytery of the North River as pastor for New Windsor and Canterbury. He was succeeded in 1835 by Jonathan Silli- man, who remained pastor for twenty-six years. The Rev. Messrs. Baker, Eddy and Clarke succeeded each other for short terms, but in 1872 the Rev. Lyman Abbott took charge. He labored faithfully for many years, and only severed his connection when the call came from Plymouth Church, Brooklyn. His place was filled by Mr. Egbert, who proved to be a thoroughly live man, leaving the impress of his personality not only on his church but the whole neighborhood. A call to a larger field took him away, and his mantle fell on the Rev. Mr. Beattie, who had been taught in that Sunday School. He too gave up and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Allen.
Cornwall-on-Hudson Presbyterian Church .- As early as 1855 some families residing in what is now known as Cornwall-on-Hudson, felt the need of a church at this place. They held their first meeting in the school-room of Alfred C. Roe, in the building now occupied by the Gold Cure, and "depending on divine aid resolved to erect a house of Wor- ship." and one year later the present building was dedicated. There were only seventeen members and eight of them belonged to the Roe family. Their names were Peter Roe. Mrs. Susan Roe, Alfred C. Roe, Mrs. Caroline Roe, James G. Roe and wife, Mrs. Roe Caldwell. Milton Wiley and wife, Mrs. Mary Jackson, Miss Amanda Adams, Mrs. Mary A. Clark, Mrs. Rachael Bruen, Phebe Greegs, Mary Johnson, Angeline Clark, and John P. Roe. In 1899 there were four survivors, but Mrs. Sarah
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Wiley died that year, Mr. Milton Wiley following three years later. In 1906 Mrs. Mary Jackson passed away, but was able to be present part of the time in the church at the celebration of its fiftieth anniversary. Her sister, Miss Amanda Adams, still survives.
The first elders chosen were Milton Wiley and James G. Roe, James O. Adams was elected later. The first stated supply was the Rev. Dr. Deyo, who was succeeded by the Rev. Joseph Robinson, who died in 1858. Dr. Ledoux followed, who resigned when Mr. Teal was appointed. He was called to a larger field and the Rev. George P. Noble came. In 1891 he dissolved his connection with the church and Mr. Hugh Frasier, the present incumbent, was installed.
The next church in point of age is the plain Quaker meeting house in Canterbury. Previous to its erection, service was held in the house occu- pied by David Sands, who was a noted Friend preacher, but as the con- gregation grew it was found a place of worship was needed. About 1790 the present edifice was built and Catherine Sands, a girl of twelve years old, carried the nails for the workmen from New Windsor on horseback.
A division in doctrine caused a separation in the society in 1827. The part retaining the buildings was called the orthodox and the seceders Hicksites, from a member called Elias Hicks, who had promulgated the new belief. These held meetings in private houses for some months, when a brick building was erected in the rear of what is now John Chat- field's stable. Both Mr. Beach and Mr. Ruttenber mention a coincidence in the two buildings. The first marriage in the first house was Catherine Sands to Squire Ring, and the first one in the new building was that of her son, Robert Ring, nearly forty years later.
Methodist .- The early Methodists held their meetings in a school- house, which stood for many years at the Corners, but in 1830 erected the present building on a knoll in Canterbury. It has been almost rebuilt and modernized, and now is a very handsome church. The first pastor was the Rev. Phineas Rice, who had charge in New Windsor, and what is now Vails Gate, Salisbury and Mountainville. In 1863 it became self-supporting, and was detached from the other missions, and the Rev. J. H. Gregory was appointed by the Conference. It has always since had a resident pastor and the present incumbent, Rev. Angelo Ostrander is justly popular and has been returned by the unanimous request of the congregation three successive terms.
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Episcopal .- Previous to 1858 there was no separate organization of the Episcopal Church in Cornwall. Those who could do so drove to New Windsor, and those who were unable, joined in the worship with other religious bodies. Many of the strangers coming here at that time were of that faith, and in conjunction with some of the residents took the necessary steps for the incorporation of a parish. On July 17th, 1858, a meeting was held and officers were elected to serve until the following Easter. Alonzo Alvord and William Bayard were chosen wardens, and N. P. Willis, Thos. Cummings, Daniel Birdsal, James Crissey, Nich- olas Chatfield, Jr., Francis Barton, Chas. H. Mead and John Chatfield were elected vestrymen. A lot was purchased and a contract for the building made with Messrs. Shaw & Sons, of Newburgh, and on May Ioth, 1829, the corner-stone was laid by the Right Rev. Dr. Potter. By the 20th of November of the same year it was opened for divine service. Until 1864, the services were conducted by the resident minister at New Windsor, but in November of that year the Rev. John Webster was in- stalled, who was succeeded in January, 1866, by the Rev. W. G. French. In 1869, the tower and spire was completed, one of our wealthy residents who was a vestryman, Mr. Sherwood, contributing $2,000. The ladies' auxiliary, an organization that has shown the greatest success in collecting funds for church purposes, contributed the clock. Mr. Snowden was the next minister, who died in office. The Rev. Mr. Huntington succeeded him, and was succeeded by Mr. Cleveling, who gave place to Dr. Page, who has charge at present.
The Catholic .- Previous to 1857 the members of the Catholic Church met for service in the home of Mrs. McQuade, in Canterbury, and at the corners in what was then known as the Weaver house. Three gentle- men, John Diffendale, Daniel O. Callahan and John McClean started a building fund, each contributing one hundred dollars. The next on the list was a non-Catholic, Mr. Henry F. Chadeayne with fifty dollars. Mr. Stephen Gillis gave 50,000 bricks from his yard. But a few weeks elapsed before there was money enough to justify their purpose of building a church, and a lot was purchased at the top of River avenue, which com- manded a magnificent view of mountains and river. The building was erected by Messrs. Little Brothers & Co., of Newburgh, and would seat about 150. About twenty families represented the entire congregation. But only a few years elapsed when it was found wholly inadequate to
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accommodate the resident population, and the summer visitors would have filled one three times as large. It was supplied from St. Patrick's, New- burgh, a priest driving down on Sunday morning, and returning after service. After A. E. Mattheissen and the Harvey and Sherwood families settled here, steps were taken to build a larger edifice. The present lot was purchased for $1,000 and nearly $2,000 more was in the savings bank, when an application was made for a resident clergyman, and in 1870 Father Ambrose Keogh was sent by the Archbishop of New York. His health was very delicate, and at first it seemed a task beyond his strength to attempt to erect a church, but the present fine building is a monument of his perseverance and energy. The corner-stone was laid in 1871 by Bishop McQuade, of Rochester, and the following year services were held in the basement. A handsome rectory was built and furnished at the same time. It was connected with a mission at Washingtonville. After five years' service Father Keogh was transferred to Tuckahoe, and was succeeded by Father Mackin. There was a mortgage of $13,000 on the property and Cornwall prosperity had begun to wane, and the churches were among the first to feel it. Meeting the annual interest and current expenses were nearly all that was attempted at that time, with the exception of the purchase of a cemetery for $2,000. At the end of five years Father Ward succeeded to the pastorate, and immediately took steps to complete the upper part. This he did, at a cost of about $8,000, without increasing the mortgage. He was succeeded by Father Gordon, who paid $8,000 of the debt during the five years of his incumbency. His promo- tion to a large city parish was followed by the Rev. Phillip Ahearn, who was in turn succeeded by the Rev. James Curry. A heating plant, electric light and village water were installed at this time into both church and rec- tory. Two handsome side altars were built with three costly statues. In 1901 he was appointed to St. James's Parish, New York, and was suc- ceeded by the Rev. James S. Fenton. Under his management the re- mainder of the mortgage has been paid and plans drawn for a parochial school to be erected on the grounds in the rear of the church. A large Sunday school has always been an important part of the work. In 1907 Father Fenton went abroad for his health, and the Rev. Father Brosan has charge.
FIRE PROTECTION.
As early as 1830 means were taken for fire protection in Canterbury.
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and each man who contributed $2.50 could become a member. The names of the first trustees were Nathan Westcott, Elias Hand, W. T. Cocks, Geo. Marriott and John M. Gough. Soon others joined it, and it was created a body corporate under the name of the Canterbury Fire Com- pany. A hand engine was purchased at an expense of $125. About 1836 a second-hand suction engine was purchased in New York, but as the population increased they realized how important it would be to check any serious conflagration, so in October, 1869, a meeting of property owners was held, which made arrangements for purchasing a lot and engine house. A committee was appointed who finally bought the premises where Hunter & McClean had their market for $2,000. A new engine was bought and called Highland Engine No. I. During 1905 a very tasteful brick building costing $5,000 was erected. There were sixty members in good standing and many applications for membership when a vacancy occurs. The same year, 1869, that the engine was purchased in Canterbury, a similar project was started at the Corners, and a subscrip- tion paper was sent out, but failed to get any definite pledges, each person approached being unwilling to be the first to sign. A public meeting was called, and thirty-five young men responded, each promising to give five dollars. In a few days nearly $700 was secured, and Messrs. Titus, Wiley and John McClean went to New York to see what could be obtained for their money. Steamers had been introduced into the New York and Brooklyn districts, so they found an article that suited them in Engine Goodwill 4 of Brooklyn and it was bought and shipped on the Orange County for Cornwall. They had no house, but procured the use of Cars- well's barn. A company had been organized with Win. J. Quigley, foreman, John K. Oliver, assistant and John McClean, Jr., secretary. A charter was procured in 1870, March 30th, in which A. E. Mattheissen, Stephen Gillis, Hamilton Salmon, David Clark, Jas. Hitchcock and E. H. Champlin, constituting themselves a body corporate, under the name of the Storm King Engine No. 2. Another subscription was solicited, which met with such a generous response that a lot was purchased and a two- story building erected on Duncan avenue. The dues of members supple- mented by entertainments, furnished their rooms and met their expenses, but in 1900 they surrendered their charter to the village corporation and were henceforth a public charge. A lot was bought on Main street and a handsome building costing $6,000 was erected. They have a recep-
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tion room, pool room, and public meeting room, and a large space down stairs for their engine house. Their charter allows only sixty members, and there are always candidates waiting for any vacancy. A company was organized at the Landing and some hundred feet of hose purchased, but it soon disbanded. Last year a hose company was formed on the heights for fire protection.
SCHOOLS.
Public schools were established soon after the Revolutionary War, and each village had its schoolhouse and teacher, for at least the winter months, and as the instruction was confined to the three R's several pri- vate schools were started, but were only moderately successful. The earliest of these was that of Madame Rutkai, the sister of the famous Hungarian, Louis Kossuth. Mr. Alfred Roe taught one in Canterbury for a time and in the spring of 1853 purchased the Fowler Griggs prop- erty, where he conducted a boarding and day school for young men. It was very successful, but in 1863 he gave it up, entered the ministry and joined the army as the chaplain of the Eighty-third Volunteers. In 1877 he again came to Cornwall and opened a school for young ladies, following the Harvard standard, but the patronage did not warrant its continuance and it was closed in the third year. Dr. Ledoux succeeded in founding a permanent institution. While he was pastor of the Presbyterian Church, he was taken very sick with typhoid fever, and at times was deliri- ous, and then spoke only French, it being his native language. Mr. Mc- Creery, the New York merchant, who was boarding in the neighborhood, was looking for a school for his sons, and after the Doctor's recovery ar- ranged with him to receive his boys into his family. He soon had as many as he could teach, resigned his living, purchased a tract of land on the Heights, and began a most successful career. He sold out to Mr. Cobb, who after a few years sold in turn to the present proprietor, Rev. Charles Stone.
Down to 1869 our public school was taught just long enough every year to obtain the public money, and then some one would continue it as a private enterprise for three or four months. But in that year, some of our summer residents, including E. A. Mattheissen, Chas. Bellows, Mr. Solomon, Stephen C. Gillis, James Dunn, Mr. Hitchcock, James Couser, John Mckibben and Dr. Vail, formed a board of education. A
Thomas Taft.
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lot was purchased from Mr. Hitchcock near the Corners, and a substan- tial building erected. The school was opened on May 24th, 1869, with Mr. Williamson as principal, Miss McClean and Miss Frances Marvel as assistants. There were then about 80 pupils. In 1896 it was found an addition was needed and a large building was erected across the front at a cost of $8,000. There are fourteen teachers in the building now, and one in the annex on the Heights, and the census of this year show- 500 children of school age. The training school under Mr. Aldrich, turns out wonderful work for boys and girls, and the sewing class in charge of Miss Murray, which has only been established a year, shows how little hands can be trained. The present board of education consists of Mr. Townsend D. Wood, president ; Mr. P. Bevins, J. J. IIall. Louis Velton, Carlos H. Stone, George Mailler, Jas. H. Ward, John Noe, and Harris Cox.
VILLAGE OF CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON.
The village of Cornwall-on-Hudson was incorporated in March, 1885. the first officers being: Thos. Taft, president; trustees: Wm. Fogarty, Charles W. Clark and Oren Cobb: treasurer, H. N. Clark; collector, Charles E. Cocks, and clerk, Daniel E. Pope.
In 1891 an excise board was elected, that refused to grant licenses, and since then the town has remained dry. Two reservoirs were built on the mountain, and the pure spring water carried through the town. The out- lay was $67,000, but at present the water rents defray all expenses for interest. In 1906 a proposition was made to unite the two villages of Canterbury and Cornwall, but was defeated. The present board of trus- tees are : John Clarkson, president ; Louis Velton, Charles Smith, Norman Chatfield and Ralph Quackenbush : clerk, James H. Ward; collector. John Noe.
CANTERBURY SCIIOOLS.
A small building on one of the side roads was used for many years, after it was evident the days of its usefulness as a schoolhouse was over. In 1905 the people voted to raise $30,000 for a new schoolhouse. A lot on Willow avenue was purchased, and a building, complete in all modern appliances has been the result. There are twelve teachers under a most
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efficient principal, Mr. Woodworth. Both this and the one at the Corners, are high schools under the regents.
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.
The Village Improvement Society was organized in 1900, when a public meeting was called in Mattheissen Hall. Dr. Harrison was chairman, and introduced the Rev. Lyman Abbott, who explained the object of the association, which was that each one should pledge themselves to take care of their premises, and use their influence to abate anything that would detract from the beauty and order of the village. Nearly every- one present agreed to become a member. The following day a meeting was held and officers elected. Mrs. Lyman Abbott was chosen president ; Mrs. Seaman, first vice-president; Mrs. Hunter, second vice-presi- dent ; Mrs. Furey, secretary ; Miss Laura Currie, corresponding secre- tary, and Mrs. Dr. Harrison, treasurer. A handsome loving cup was purchased to be given to the person who, in the estimation of the judges, should show the best kept garden for the year. Anyone who should win it three years in succession would own it. Mrs. John Noe held it the first year, Mrs. Milton Couser the second, but the three following sea- sons it was held by Mrs. John Noe, who then became its permanent possessor. Almost the first work done by the society was offering ten cents a hundred for the nests of the tent worm. Seventy-two thousand were brought in by the school children, with the result that while the neighboring villages lost hundreds of trees the place was free from the pests. Trash cans were placed in different parts of the village, and thir- teen hundred posters were removed from trees, fences and telegraph poles.
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