USA > New York > Orange County > The history of Orange County, New York > Part 27
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NATURAL FEATURES.
The fertile valley of the Wallkill, which extends through the town on a northeasterly course, dividing it nearly into equal parts, is a dis- tinguishing characteristic. For nearly a third of the way, where the stream enters Ulster County, it flows very nearly north in a straight line. Then it defiects toward the southwest to the village of Mont- gomery, when there is a sharp bend, which afterward turns nearly at right angles toward the east and finally leaves the town in nearly a straight course again, forming a part of the eastern boundary of the town and dividing it from Hamptonburgh. The most important tribu- tary of the Wallkill is the Tinn Brook, which begins in the town of New Windsor, pursues a sinuous career, and finally tumbles into the Wallkill near the village of Walden. The Beaver Dam stream rises in the southeastern part of the town and flows nearly south into the Otter- kill, in the town of Hamptonburgh. The source of this stream is a large
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spring of great depth. McKnight's Kill also rises in the southeasterly part of the town, and flows southerly into the Otterkill near Burnside. The Muddy Kill rises in the western part of the town, drains that section ir a sluggish way, and ends near the village of Montgomery. The surface of the town is diversified with hills, rolling and meadow land. Comfort's Hills on the west rise from Goo to 800 feet above tide and are much the highest elevation. For adaptation to varied agriculture the town is not excelled by any other town in the county. The upland- are warm, fertile, and comparatively easy to cultivate. The meadows generally produce large crops of grass, and afford excellent pasturage. Numerous springs and small streams furnish an abundant supply of pure water. Dairying is the predominant agricultural industry.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
On the east bank of the Wallkill, on the old Rogers farm, there was an old Indian settlement. The red men had made a goodly clearing in the forest here and, tradition says, had planted fruit trees, and when the white man first set foot in this region he found full-grown bearing apple trees on this ancient clearing. An Indian settlement was found on the flat above the bridge over the Wallkill, near the old Miller stone house. Another had its wigwams on the old Christoffel (or Stuffel; Moul ( Mould) farm about two miles north of Montgomery on the main highway afterwards known as the stage road from Goshen to Albany. These left for more remote regions in 1775.
Near the present village of Walden the settlement of Henry Wile- man was made. His patent contained 3,000 acres, and he settled upon it very soon after its purchase in 1712. What was known as the Harrison Patent was granted May 25. 1721. This was given to the following persons : Francis Harrison, Allan Jarrat, Adolphus Phillips. George Clarke. Johanes Lansing, Henry Wileman, Jacobus Bruyn and William Sharpas. This entire tract was surveyed and a large village laid out. and deeds were given to all actual settlers. Among these the following were named: Hans Newkirk, Hendrick Newkirk, Matthias Slimmer, Peter Kysler, - Kraus, - Brandos. These ancient settlers upon this land were Palatines, and after a few years they erected a small log church within the village, the site of which is still fairly indicated by
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the old graveyard on the east side of the Goshen road, a short distance south of Montgomery. This old village was known as Germantown.
About a mile farther south on this patent Johannes Miller, a German, made a settlement in 1727. The next year he built a stone house where Mr. Elmer Miller afterwards lived. His grandson, Johannes Miller, was a leading citizen of the town in later years-a progressive man, prominent in promoting several important public enterprises, and espe- cially active in the construction of the Newburgh and Cochecton Turn- pike Road. His services towards establishing and maintaining the Mont- gomery Academy have always been held in grateful remembrance.
The 5,000-acre tract granted to Schuyler & Co., was first settled by Jeronimous Weller & Co., in 1721. Another grant of 10,000 acres was settled by a company consisting of Johannes Mingus, his son Jeronimous, Mattias Miltzbagh, and others whose names are not definitely known. It was agreed by this company that a tract of 100 acres would be granted to each family that would locate permanently upon it. Mingus built a mill, around which the old village of Ward's Bridge soon clustered. But Mingus lost his life in this mill by accident soon afterward, which resulted in considerable dispute over the property.
The Wallkill or Goodwill settlement is supposed to date from 1724-25. John Mackneel and Adam Graham were among the first settlers. When they came into the Precinct is not definitely known. The former owned a part of what is now known as the Downs farm; the latter settled on what is now the Parsonage farm. In 1727 Archibald, James and Robert Hunter purchased 200 acres of land, on which a house had then been built, from James Alexander, the patentee; this purchase included the Henry Suydam farm. In 1731 James Munnel settled on, or near, the Charles Miller farm, now owned by Mr. William Y. Dennison. Alex- ander Kidd settled on what is still known as the Kidd Homestead, about 21/2 miles north of the Church in 1736. Benjamin Haines came into the neighborhood in 1739, and the Rev. Joseph Houston was installed pastor of the Goodwill Church in 1740. Other early settlers were James Barkley, on the James W. Bowne farm; the Rev. Joseph Moffat, 1758; John Blake who bought 475 acres of land in 1761, part of which is owned and occupied by his great grandson, Mr. John P. M. Blake, and whose son, John Blake, Jr., was in after years, a prominent man, being supervisor sixteen years, and a member of assembly several terms, sheriff
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Robert Young.
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and congressman ; Samuel Miller, who came from Canada previous to 1754; Peter Hill in 1767; Captain Hendricus Van Keuren in 1768; Colonel John Nicholson ; John Morrison; Gideon P'elton, and Tunis Van Arsdale, whose blacksmith shop is mentioned in the carly records of the town.
Adjoining the Goodwill settlement on the east, Cadwallader Colden had been granted a patent for 2,000 acres and was settled in 1728 where Mr. George W. Pimm now resides. The locality was named Coldenham in his honor. He was one of the most prominent of the early settlers, being surveyor-general of the Province, lieutenant-governor and sev- eral times acting governor. As a man he was esteemed for his great learning, benevolence and strict honesty. As a public officer he was distinguished for his unblemished integrity. Several buildings were erected in that vicinity by members of the Colden family, some of which are still standing.
The Neelytown section adjoins the Goodwill neighborhood on the south, and was so called from a large and influential family which appears to liave been active in bringing in the early settlers, but whose name has entirely disappeared from the community. It was settled before 1726. In that year the names of John Neely and Thomas Neely appear as actual settlers. At that time Charles Booth who purchased 1.000 acres of land had built his first house near where Mr. William Conning lived in later years-his two sons, Charles and George Booth, were with him. A de- fective list of freeholders made in 1728 contains the name of Alexander Neely. William and Robert Neely were witnesses to a will in 1731, and the name of John Neely, Jr .. is seen in an old record. William Eager with his sons, William and Thomas, came to Neelytown in 1741. He built a log house where the residence of Mr. Samuel W. Eager now stands. His second house was of stone and was situated a short distance south of the first and built before the Revolution. His descendants are very numerous and are widely scattered. Samuel W. Eager, Orange County's first historian, was one of them. Other early settlers in this section were James McCobb, who located at a very early date on the Sherwood farm, now "Nestledown"; William Jackson, James Jackson, James Houston, William Young. Captain Alexander Trimble, 1764; Pat- rick Barber, 1764: Captain James McBride and Rev. Robert Annan, 1765.
A settlement across the Wallkill opposite the present village of Mont- gomery, was made by Henry Crist, Stevanus Crist, Matthias Millspaugh
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and others. This land was then considered the best in the town. These Germans were a vigorous and hearty people, and they went to work boldly to cultivate the land and establish comfortable homes, with a de- termination to succeed. They soon began to extend their farms to the Comfort Hills slopes, and into the section now embraced in the town of Crawford. Their success attracted many representatives of the sturdy Scotch-Irish race, who joined them soon afterward. Among the more progressive pioneer settlers was Henry Crist, from whom descended many active men and women who became leading and influential citizens of the town. Jacob Crist is said to have been drowned in the Hudson River.on his return from New Amsterdam with his wedding outfit. Henry Crist, the early immigrant, built near the foot of the hill east of the old Dutch church. His son, Jacob, planted his home on the hill opposite Montgom- ery village near the mill.
Among other early settlers were David Bookstaver, Jacob Bookstaver, Frederick Sinsabaugh, and Johannes Youngblood who bought an Soo acre tract. It is recorded of these pioneer German settlers that they were even unable to build so much as a log cabin at first, and were obliged to make excavations in the hillside in which to pass the winter. This they did in the gravelly hill east of the old Brick church. In these primitive dugouts they waited patiently for the snowdrifts to melt away in the springtime, when they might renew their labors and provide more comfortable shelter for their families.
Johannes Miller came to America in 1700, lived in Ulster County for a time, and about 1727 settled upon a portion of the Harrison patent. Frederick Shafer, a tanner by trade, was also among these old settlers, and soon established a tannery, which was afterward improved by his son Daniel.
Charles Booth purchased 1,000 acres of land in Neelytown, and this tract remained in the Booth family for a long series of years afterward. This family came into the town from Long Island, and George Booth became a leading citizen and was so regarded all through his life.
MILITARY NOTES.
In 1738 a company of militia of the Wallkill was organized under Captain John Byard, and formed part of a regiment of which A. Gaas- beck Chambers was Colonel and Wessel Ten Broeck Lieutenant-Colonel,
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to protect the early settlers against the incursions of the Indians. Among those whose names were enrolled in this company the following are known to have been residents of what is now the town of Montgomery : Jolin Newkirk, sergeant; James Gillespie, Thomas Gillespie, Alexander Milligan, Alexander Kidd, Archibald Hunter, James Hunter, John Min- gus, Stephanus Crist, James Munell, John Munell, George Munell, John McNeill, John McNeill, Jr., Robert Hunter, Richard Gatehouse, Joseph Sutter, Philip Milsbaugh, Cronimus Mingus, Stoffel Moul, Johannes Crans, Matthias Meltzbagh, Hendrix Newkirk, Hendrick Crist, Benjamin Hains, John Neely, Jr., Frederick Sanzabalı.
In 1755 the regiment was divided into two regiments. The first em- braced Kingston and the northern part of the county; the second em- braced the Precincts of Highlands, Wallkill and Shawangunk, and in this form took part in the French and Indian War. The roster of officers in the second regiment included the names of the following persons who then resided in what is now the town of Montgomery. Jacob Newkirk, Captain ; Cadwallader C. Colden, Captain ; David Gallatin, Captain ; Mat- thew Rea, Lieutenant.
The militia of the Revolution was organized by an act of the Provincial Convention passed August 22, 1775. Ulster County was divided into four regimental districts. The second district comprised the precincts of New Windsor, Hanover and Wallkill. At first there were twelve companies in the regiment, of which Hanover furnished five, commanded by Captain Matthew Felter, William Jackson, James Milliken, John J. Graham and John Gillespie. In 1777 the number of companies was re- duced to nine, four of which were in Hanover. under Captains Felter, Milliken, Hendrik Van Keuren and James McBride.
An eminent historian said of the second regiment of Uister County militia that "it gave, perhaps, more fighting men than were drawn from other similar organizations," and that "no other regiment of militia was more active from the beginning until the end of the war." There was fight in it from start to finish. "As a rule circumstances would not admit of the calling out of an entire company from its beat at one time ; some must remain at home ; but portions of this regiment were in almost con- stant motion, some going, others returning." From December, 1876. to April 12, 1778, less than 16 months, the militia of Hanover and adjoining precincts were called out twelve times and spent 292 days in the field.
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Although the records of churches and traditions give glimpses of con- troversies, the inhabitants of Hanover precinct acted with great unanim- ity and showed an intense patriotic spirit during the War for Independ- ence. The pledge of association, dated May 8, 1775, in which they pledged their "support to the Continental Congress in resisting the op- pressive acts of the British Parliament," and in the most solemn manner resolved "never to become slaves," was signed first by Dr. Charles Clinton and received 342 signatures.
The history of the men of Montgomery in the Revolution, who they. were, and what they did, if it could be written, would be a story of toils, privation and exposure of great interest to the present generation. In few sections of the State did the burden of the war bear more heavily than in the valleys of the Wallkill and the Hudson, and in no portion was it borne with more unflinching determination. But this history cannot be written. The names of many of these men and their deeds have sunk into oblivion. A few of those preserved by history and tradition, to- gether with the places where they lived, are mentioned. To locate the places definitely the names of the owners at the present (1908), are given.
Arthur Parks lived at Ward's Bridge (now Montgomery), on what was afterwards known as the L'Hommedieu farm, now occupied by Mr. H. H. Hallett. He was a member of the Committee of Safety in 1775 and 1776, first Lieutenant in Captain William Jackson's company of militia, Major of a battalion of minute men in 1776, member of the first Provincial Convention, member of the convention that framed our first State Constitution and of the convention that amended it, and State Senator for eleven years.
Jacob Newkirk was captain under Colonel Thomas Ellison in the French and Indian War, member of the Committee of Safety, Major, and afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel of the second regiment Ulster County militia, and commanded the regiment during the years that Colonel James McClaughry was a prisoner and was recovering from his wounds re- ceived at the capture of Fort Montgomery.
Henry Smith was also a member of the Committee of Safety for the precinct and was first Lieutenant in Captain Matthew Felter's company ; he lived nearly two miles north of Montgomery on the farm now owned and occupied by his descendant, Mr. James Smith.
Hugh Lindsay was a private in Colonel John Lamb's Artillery, and was
W. T. Lodge.
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taken prisoner at the capture of Fort Montgomery ; he lived at Ward's Bridge and afterwards built and lived in the house on Bridge street now owned by the estate of the late Jonathan M. Morrison.
Alexander Trimble was quarter-master of the Second Ulster Regiment in the War of the Revolution, and also a member of the Committee of Safety ; he lived about two miles south of Goodwill Church on the farm now owned and occupied by Mr. George VanAlst.
v Johannes Moul ( Mould), who lived about two miles north of Mont- gomery, where his great-great-grandson, Mr. John D. Mould, now lives, was a sergeant in the French and Indian War, and with his son, Johannes Moul, Jr., and his brother, Christopher Moul, were privates in Colonel McClaughry's Regiment in the Revolution. These three patriots also evinced their patriotism by loaning money to the Government when it was urgently needed to equip the army for the capture of Cornwallis.
James Milliken, a member of the Committee of Safety, lived on the east side of the Wallkill, where Mr. Harvey N. Smith now resides, was captain of one of the Hanover companies, and was killed at Fort Mont- gomery.
Hendricus Van Keuren was a veteran of the French and Indian War, who served throughout the Revolution as Captain, and according to family tradition, gratuitously lived on what is known as the Downs farm, be- tween Montgomery and Goodwill church.
John Nicholson was Colonel of the Third N. Y. Regiment of the Conti- nental Line, which was brigaded under General Richard Montgomery, and took part in the assault on Quebec when the brave Montgomery was killed. The privations and exposures of that campaign were so great that with impaired health he returned to his farm, near Maybrook, which is now divided, and owned by Mr. John Wiley and Mr. William H. Jewell.
Hamilton Morrison enlisted as soon as he was old enough, and served first as a private and then as a sergeant in Captain James McBride's com- pany, Second Ulster County Militia. He lived about a mile south of Goodwill Church on what is known as the Morrison Homestead, now owned and occupied by his grandsons, Mr. George H. Morrison and Mr. John G. Morrison.
Tunis Van Arsdale lived on the adjoining farm (now a part of the homestead), and was a blacksmith. His shop was the rendezvous of the patriots in that vicinity. He was also a private in Captain Van Keuren's
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company and saved his life at Fort Montgomery by slipping between the legs of a British soldier who was holding an American bayoneted against the wall of the fort, and escaped in the darkness.
John Van Arsdale, who lived with his elder brother, Tunis, enlisted in the Continental Army at the beginning of the war, and served faithfully until its close. He suffered intensely from cold and hardship in the Can- ada expedition, was severely wounded and taken prisoner at Fort Mont- gomery, languished many weary months in the "old sugar house" and in the foul hold of the "Jersey prison ship," was finally exchanged, and then braved the perils of Indian warfare in several campaigns. On No- vember 25, 1783, he witnessed the evacuation of New York City by the British, which was the final triumph of the cause for which he and others had fought and suffered seven long years, and was present when the ad- vancing Americans, following closely upon the retiring British, reached the Battery to perform the last formality in re-possessing the city, which was to unfurl the American flag over Fort George, but found the royal ensign still floating as usual over the Fort. The British had nailed their colors to the staff and taken away the halyards. In this dilemma Jolin Van Arsdale ascended the flag-staff, partly by ladder, but mainly by shin- ning, tore down the British flag and rove the new halyards by which the Star Spangled Banner was quickly run up while the assembled thousands cheered, and the artillery boomed forth a national salute. While other localities may boast of those who struck the first blow for American free- dom, Montgomery may justly claim for one of her sons the glory of re- moving the last vestige of British authority from this country.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWN.
The town was originally organized under the name of Hanover Pre- cinct in 1772. The present territory of Crawford was then included, the whole having been taken from the old Wallkill Precinct. In 1782 the name was changed to Montgomery Precinct, and seven years later it was finally changed to the town of Montgomery. This title was bestowed in honor of General Montgomery, who was killed in the assault upon Que- bec in 1775. Major Colden was the supervisor of the old Wallkill pre- cinct in 1768-69.
The record of the first town meeting, now on file in the town clerk's
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office, is of April 5, 1803. Reuben Neely was then chosen supervisor, and Arthur Parks, town clerk. There were fifty-five overseers of highways in the town that year. But the laborers were few, the system of road-work- ing was sadly defective, as in fact it remained for nearly a hundred years afterwards, and the results were primitive and unsatisfactory, although, of course, far less was required of a public road in those days than is now (lemanded, and the people accepted the situation without complaint, so far as the record shows.
The following is a list of supervisors of the town to 1908: David Galatian, 1798; John Blake, 1799; Reuben Neely, 1800 10 1810; John Blake, Jr., to 1826; Samuel W. Eager, to 1833; Nathaniel P. Hill, 1834; Edward Blake, to 1839; James Galatian, to 1841 ; William Blake, to 1844; William Graham, to 1846; Stephen Rapalje, 1847; Joshua G. Hallock, to 1849; Lindley M. Ferris, 1850; Johannes M. Hunter, to 1852; Stephen Rapalje, to 1863; Marcus K. Hill, 1864; Stephen Rapalje, to 1873; Daniel M. Wade, to 1875; Marcus K. Hill, to 1877 : Charles J. Van Alst, to 1879; Robert Young, to 1886; Andrew K. Wade, to 1889: Robert Young, 1890: Irving H. Loughran, to 1900; William H. Didsburg, to 1905: Hector W. Millspaugh, to 1907; William G. Decker. 1908.
VILLAGES.
The old village of Montgomery is on the bank of the Wallkill in the southern part of the town. It was here that Henry Crist, Stephen Crist and Matthias Millspaugh settled at an early date, on the west bank of the river. Johannes Mingus built a grist-mill there, which was afterwards sold to James Ward with 200 acres of land, upon which the village was built. Mr. Ward built a rude bridge across the Wallkill in order that his customers might reach his mill. This was really the first road bridge of any kind known in that vicinity for years afterward. In fact, the place took its name from this important structure, as well as the post-office itself, it being known as Ward's Bridge for many years.
James Clinton and William Crist, having obtained an interest in the Kennedy patent, upon which the village stands, laid out "a small town called Montgomery town," which gave the village that name. Among other carly settlers there were John McFaugh, David Crist, John McKins- try, Matthew Hunter, Samuel Smith, Arthur Parks and Oolis Shulp. James Ward,' the pioneer, lived in a log cabin.
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The village was incorporated by a special act dated February 17. 1810. Hugh Lindsey was the first president. The first village tax aggregated $60. Two years later $100 was raised to build a market house, and in 1814, $200 was appropriated for a fire engine. But it was not until seven years later that four professional firemen were appointed. In 1880 this village tax had increased to over $1,200.
The location of Montgomery on a placid stretch of the Wallkill, with its slightly elevated banks, affording a fine natural drainage, is peculiarly healthful, and there are many attractive and commodious private resi- dences. Among the leading manufacturing industries is the worsted mills of William Crabtree & Sons. The people of Montgomery are noted for their hospitality and public spirit. The place is surrounded by fine State roads, and ranks as one of the important historic villages of Orange County.
Walden is the most thriving and important village. It is on the Wallkill River at the high falls, by which indefinite name it was known for years. The settlement began many years before the Revolution. Of course, the first structure was the inevitable grist-mill, as in nearly every instance in this region. James Kidd built a mill at the foot of the falls on the east side of the stream, though the precise date is not definitely known. In any event, the records show that in 1768 this old mill had al- ready fallen into the possession of Johannes Decker. In 1789 it belonged to Cadwallader Colden, Jr. The plant was afterward converted into a cotton factory.
Mr. Walden, the founder of this village, is said to have struggled man- fully under adverse influences and suffered defeat at the end in his old age, causing him to retire ultimately from the scene of his labors. Leaving the refinements of city life to establish manufacturing interests in this sparsely settled region, and without adequate protection, he spent his for- tune and his active energies here practically without reward. There being no railways, raw material had to be drawn in sleighs in winter to these factories.
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