USA > New York > Rockland County > The history of Rockland County > Part 46
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DOODLETOWN.
On the north side of Donderberg, and extending from that mountain north to Peploaps or Fort Montgomery Creek, and from the inlet west of Iona Island to the Orange county line, is a vast tract of inhospitable mountain and rock which bears the name of Doodletown. How this name was obtained is a matter for conjecture. At the time of the battle of Forts Clinton and Montgomery, the assaulting forces divided in this section and that division under Sir Henry Clinton, which formed the right wing, had a severe conflict with the American Militia at Highland Lake. That militia was composed of farmer lads, few of them over five and twenty years of age, and one of these boys may, in his enthusiasm, have shouted out " Give them Yankee Doodle!" a song that was even then popular. The shiboleth thus uttered clung to the spot and gave it its cognomen.
It is needless to say that this locality is sparsely settled, and that only by woodmen who are engaged in cutting and hauling wood to the land-
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ing northwest of Iona Island, for the brickyards, and their families. When Beveridge bought Iona Island, he attempted to civilize this section and erected a church edifice, of which I have already spoken, in 1851. Day school is held during nine months of the year in this building, which is called the Mountville Church. Mountville is populated, by one occupied house, and a family residing in the basement of the church. At the north end of Doodletown, is Highland Lake, and the Pell mansion on the site of Fort Clinton.
IONA ISLAND.
The original name of this place was "Waggons " a corruption of "Weyant's Island," being so called after the name of its owner. In 1847, it was purchased by John Beveridge, of Newburgh, and on it his son- in-law, Dr. E. W. Grant, began the cultivation of vines, and the propaga- tion of the " Iona Grape" in 1858. At one time a vineyard of twenty acres, several thousand fruit trees, and eleven houses for the culture of grapes, were in operation. Dr. Grant carried on business till 1868. Then he failed in business, and his property was taken by De Graff, who ob- tained the mortgage against it from the Bowery Savings Bank. The Island was hired by Hasbrouck & Busnell, and fitted up as an excursion ground. It remained in the possession of these managers for some time, and then fell into other hands by whom it has since been carried on as a pleasure ground for excursion parties.
The territory of Iona Island consists of about 200 acres of marsh land, which is overflowed at high tide, 60 acres of rocky woodland and about 40 acres of soil cleared for tillage. The Island is at the northern limit of the sea breeze.
STONY POINT PROMONTORY.
We have already traced the ownership of the Point till it passed into the possession of the heirs of Rachel Lamb. On May 17th, 1802, James Lamb Armstrong sold one-eighth of the tract to Richard W. Brewster. Later, Abraham and wife sold one-eighth to Samuel Brewster, Catharine Waldron sold one-fourth to Wm. H. Brewster, and Cornelius Waldron and his wife sold one-eighth to the same purchaser.
In 1826, the National Government purchased a site on the Point for the erection of a lighthouse, and on March 23d, 1826, the State Legisla- ture ceded the land to the United States. Difficulty in obtaining a title was found, owing to the existence of minor heirs and of heirs residing in other parts of the country. To obviate this difficulty, an act was passed appointing Commissioners to appraise the land and report its value. These
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Commissioners valued the lot taken at $300, and the title was then de- clared vested in the United States, the money being deposited with the Court of Chancery, and the proceedings recorded in the County Clerk's office. The lot chosen includes the old fortifications within which the lighthouse stands. This house is 179 feet above the sea level and burns a " fixed white light." The fog signal is a bell struck by machinery at intervals of fifteen seconds.
On July 16th, 1850, a demonstration occurred at Stony Point in honor of the seventy-first anniversary of its capture by General Wayne. Gen- eral Aaron Ward of Sing Sing presided and addresses were delivered by Hon. Hugh Maxwell, A. B. Conger, William Nelson of Peekskill and Ed- ward Pyc. It rained furiously all day. In 1857, the cornerstone of a monument to commemorate its capture by Wayne, was laid at Stony Point with imposing ceremony. Speeches were made by Hon. Amasa J. Parker, Hon. B. F. Butler, Erastus Brooks, A. B. Conger, Colonel Scrug- ham, and John Lawrence De Noyelles, and letters read from Franklin Pierce, Ex-President ; Martin Van Buren, Ex-President; Hon. John A. King, Lewis Cass, Daniel S. Dickenson, Hamilton Fish, Washington Irving and others. At the centennial anniversary of the capture of the Point this corner stone was looked for and was found wanting.
On July 16th, 1879, occurred the 100th anniversary of the capture of the Point. A great celebration was planned, in which civic and military powers should take part and in which the National, State and County governments should be represented. On the part of the National govern- ment a detachment of artillery was sent to the Point by General Schofield commanding at West Point, and the vessels of war, Minnesota and Con- gress were anchored in the stream. On the part of the State, the 7th Brigade N. G. S., N. Y. was ordered to be present. The intense heat of the day-102 deg. in the shade-the limited space on the summit of the Point, the lack of sufficient preparation for the multitude that attended, all combined to render the demonstration less successful than was hoped for.
BEAR HILL AND PINGYP HILL.
The former mountain, situated on the west border of Highland Lake, rises to a height of more than 1,000 feet above the lake, and 1, 123 feet above sea level. The latter mountain is situated in the western part of the town, on the Cedar Pond road, three and three-quarter miles from Stony Point village. In regard to the origin of the name, one story at- tributes it to the gorge, claiming that the name means a narrow passage. I incline to the opinion of Wm. Govan, M. D., that it is derived from the
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Latin word piniger, meaning pine-bearing, as the mountains in this vicinity were formerly heavily wooded by that tree.
The charitable institution known as the House of the Good Shepherd, is situated in a beautiful location in the town, and is devoted to the noble work of caring for homeless orphans. This institution originated in the village of Haverstraw in 1865, when Rev. E. Gay, Jr., then rector of Trinity parish, was left, by the death of their parents, in charge of seven orphans. A house on the corner of Broad street and Broadway was taken in that village, and Mrs. Sarah A. Waters employed as a matron. On April Ist, 1866, the children were removed to Garnerville and remained theretill 1872, when through appropriations of $17,000 by the State Legis- lature and donations of $12,000 from individuals, the managers were ena- bled to purchase the property and erect the buildings now owned by them.
For the first five years of its existence, the institution was regarded as a " parish home of Trinity " parish. In 1870, a board of managers was incorporated by act of Legislature under the title of " The House of the Good Shepherd, Rockland County, New York," and consisted of the fol- lowing members : E. Gay, Jr., Hon. James M. Nelson, Wm. Govan, M. D., John Taylor, Francis Payson, Charles H. Dabney, A. G. Wood, S. Russell, Jr., Frederick Tomkins, S. G. Hitchcock, Rev. Franklin Babbitt, R. S. Mansfield, Walter Delafield, George W. Burr, and Wm. H. Tom- lins. In this institution the children are taught the common branches of education and the various industries of farm, household and family life.
Two trees, standing within the township of Stony Point, deserve notice for their size, and in the case of one, for its historical association. On the road which passes the residence of John De Camp, and opposite that resi- dence, is a magnificent walnut tree, which antedates tradition. At the height of a foot from the earth, the trunk of this veteran measures 17 feet, 6 inches in circumference. A short distance northeast of the Treason House, and in a field on the opposite side of the highway, stands another magnificent walnut tree, which measures 21 feet, 3 inches in circumference at a height of one foot from the earth.
Under this latter tree, it is said, that the Continental Army was paid while in this County. It may be a cause for rejoicing to learn that the Continental Army was ever paid anywhere. Originally there were two trees at this spot, and both were purchased by a keen speculator. One was cut down and made up into furniture, which was sold at exorbitant prices as relics. Ere the other could be cut down, a popular clamor against the desecration had arisen in the neighborhood, and the purchaser abandoned his project.
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SUPERVISORS.
Wesley J. Weiant, 1865-66. Daniel Tomkins, 1867. George W. Weiant, 1870-75.
Hiram Osborn, 1876-77. William E. King, 1878-79.
Frederick Tomkins, 1868- 69-1880-84. William K. Hammond, 1885.
TOWN CLERKS.
Benson Briggs, 1865.
Edward A. Thompson.
Authorities referred to : "Session Laws, S. N. Y .; " " U. S. and State Census Reports ;" " History of Stony Point," by Rev. E. Gay, Jr .; " History of Haverstraw," and lectures ; " Thirty Years in Rockland County," by Rev. A. S. Freeman, D. D .; "Nautical Almanac ;" Lossing's " Hudson from its Source to the Sea."
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APPENDIX A.
LIST OF VOLUNTEERS BESIDE THOSE ALREADY GIVEN.
In regard to the following list of volunteers from Rockland County, in the Civil War, I would state that I have taken the names from newspapers, muster rolls and the memories of veterans. I regard the list as most imperfect so far as completeness goes. Repeated efforts to have the friends of volunteers, or veterans themselves, send their names together with the arm of the ser- vice to which they belonged, and other data relative to their war life to me, have failed. To ac- cept the rolls of the G. A. R. Posts would be incorrect because many veterans have moved from the County whose names do not appear and many names do appear of veterans who were not resi- dents of Rockland, at the time of enlistment. 1 can only advise the people of the County once again, that it would be wise to send the names of relatives or friends who enlisted from this County to the Historical Society, before it be too late. The least claim a veteran can have upon us, is that his name should be recorded in history.
The following names are taken from the Rockland County Messenger, of 1861 :
Jones, John C.
Herring, C. B.
Conklin, Eugene
Jones, Noble
Morrisy, John
Conner, John
Jones, Morton
Hutton, Fred.
Calhoun, J. W.
Jordon, Frank
Haight, Wm. H.
Seely, C. B.
Johnson, Alonzo
Felter, Chas. B.
Kunzle, Conrad*
Wallace, Wm. Ist N. Y. V.
Kinch, Gilbert
Wallace, John
Singler, Augustus* Curtis, John Dennis, J. W. Domminick, L.
Osborn, Chas.
Weymouth, Wm .*
Palmer, John Sr.,
Wilkins, J. W.
Kenny, Jas. Miller, John
Pince, John
Goodrich, Chas. 17th N. Y. V. Matthews, Orin
Holden, Dennis
Gernand, Philip 17th N. Y. V Matthews, Wm. 17th N. Y. V
Hadler, Fred.
Acton, Joseph
Tompkins, S. B.
Hassler, Lewis
Brown, Geo. A.
Tremper, Daniel 17th N. V. V.
The following are taken from different official sources :
From 95th Regt., N. V. S., Vols., and other regiments.
Dikens, Wm. *
McClellan, Wm.
Barnes, Alexander
Blauvelt, Wm .*
Dyson, Wm.
Avery, Chas. A.
Kelly, James
Studley, Jno. H.
Beisinger, Edw.
Burns, Patrick
Herbert, Theo.
Stiners, George
Lupton, John
Brown, Geo. M.
Mott, Wm.
Gardenier, Geo. M. D.
McGovern, Chas.
Maroney, Geo.
Garrison, Jno. W.
Brooks, Wm. E.
Garrison, J. M .* Collins, Austin, * 173d, N. Y.V.
Lusk, Sidney# 87th N. Y. V.
Boyd, John
Miller, S. A .* 12th U. S. A.
Campbell, John D .*
Ulrich, M* 4th N. Y. Art.
Conklin, Peter A. 166th N. Y. V.
Matthews J. B. Navy. Brooks, John, Navy.
Cisco, Francis* 26th U. S. Vols. Lowe, Michael
Dyson, John 61st, N. Y. V.
Brockway, John H. * Navy.
Phillips, J. S.
Onderdonk, J. H .* 128th, N. Y. V. Thompson, Uriah# 26th, U. S. Vols.
Brockway, Ezekiel* Navy. Tremper, George* 146th, N. V. V.
McManus, John
Oldfield, George*
Rembon, Carl
Foster, Richard* Navy.
McGeorge, Wm.
Decker, John H.
Jordan, Patrick Adams, Robt. Ferguson, Joe.
Miller, A. Brewer, Edw.
Smith, Herman *66th N. Y. V
Fenton, Jas. L. * Engineers' & Mechanics' Regt.
Pitt, Sylvester Phillips, Joe.
Tompkins, Fred. Quartermaster, 6th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. Tompkins, Theodore F .* 6th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.
Palmer, John Jr., 95th Regt.
Olmstead, F.
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The following members of the 17th N. Y. S. M., held the rank opposite their names in the volunteer troops raised in New York State to serve in the Civil War :
Pye, Edw. Col. 95th Regt. Creeney, James Lieut-Col. 95th Regt. Jenkins, Jno. P. Adjutant 6th Art. Keesler, Ist Lieut 95th Regt.
Gurnee, A. S. Captain 95th. Burnes, B. B. Captain 95th. Snediker, Abr. Captain 95th. Brewster, D. Ist Lieut. 95th Regt. Williard, J. Lieut-Col.
Cowdory, S. F. Captain 162d Regt. Mackey, S. G. Captain 95th Regt. Riggs, R. Ist Lieut. 95th Regt.
* Died in service.
APPENDIX B.
CIVIL LIST OF ROCKLAND COUNTY. COUNTY JUDGES.
John Suffern, March 2Ist, 1 798. James Perry, March 26th, 1806. Samuel Goetchius, March 1st, 1816.
Edward Suffern, June Ist, 1820. William F. Fraser, June, IS47. Edward Pye, November, 1855.
Andrew E. Suffern, 1859. *Seth B. Cole, March 28th, 1881. George W. Weiant, 1881.
Peter Taulman, 179S. Tunis Smith, 1807. Peter Taulman, ISO8. Garret Onderdonk, ISIo.
SURROGATES.
Richard Blauvelt, 1811. Bernard O'Blenis, 1820. James Stephens, 1821. John Van Houten, 1829.
John J. Wood, 1837 George Benson, 1841. Horatio G. Prall, 1845. County Judges since 1847.
Edward Suffern, 1818. John T. Smith, 1820. William F. Fraser, 1833. Horatio G. Prall, 1847.
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS. 1 Andrew E. Suffern, 1853.# Thomas Lawrence, 1859. Marcena M. Dickinson, 1862. L. V. E. Robinson, 1868. Hiram B. Fenton, 1869.
Delos McCurdy, 1872.# Seth B. Cole, 1872. Marcena M. Dickinson, 1875. Alonzo Wheeler, 1878.
COUNTY TREASURERS.||
Matthew D. Bogert, 1851. John B. Gurnee, 1869.
COUNTY CLERKS.
David Pye, 1798. Abraham Cornelison, 1805. Thomas Howard, Jr., 1808, 1811. John Cole, 1810.
David Pye, 1822. James Stevens, 1828. David Pye, 1831. Abraham Hogencamp, 1834. Isaac A. Blauvelt, 1846. . Cyrus M. Crum, 1868.
SHERIFFS.
Jacob Wood, 1798. Peter Taulman, 1799. Peter Stevens, 1800, 1808, 18II.
Richard Blauvelt, 1831. Harmon Blauvelt, 1834. John W. Felter, 1837. John C. Blauvelt, 1840.
Abraham De Baun, § 1850- June. John E. Hogencamp, 1850 -November. Abraham A. Demarest, 1856.
William Perry, 1858. Daniel C. Springsteen, 1864, 1870. William J. Penny, 1867.
John R. Coe, 1848.
Daniel D. Demarest, 1875.
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Evert Hogencamp, 1804. Isaac Blanch, 1810. Thomas Hay, 1814.
John B. Haring, 1818, 1821, 1828. Abraham Stephens, 1820. A. P. Stephens, 1825.
Archibald Cassady, 1843. Asbory DeNoyelles, 1846. Hageman Onderdonk, 1849. Henry L. Sherwood, 1852. John H. Stephens, 1855, 1861.
Charles B. Benson, 1873,
William Hutton, 1876.
Henry Christie, 1879.
John A. Haring, 1882.
William A. Thompson, 1885.
SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS. T.
Edward Suffern, 1859.
Simeon D. Demarest, 1862.
Nicholas C. Blauvelt, 1865.
1868. Thos. W. Suffern, 1880, 1883.
Leander V. E. Robinson, Nelson Puff, 1871. Spencer Wood, 1874.
William Van Wagenen, 1877.
* Seth B. Cole was appointed to fill unexpired term of A. E. Suffern, deceased.
t Previous to 1818, Rockland, with Delaware, Dutchess and Ulster Counties, formed the 9th District, in which this office was filled by appointment.
# Filled vacancy, caused by resignation of incumbent.
|| Previous to the Constitution of 1846, this office was filled by appointment by the Super- visors.
§ Appointed, vice Blauvelt, deceased.
fi The office of County Superintendent of Common Schools was held by Nicholas G. Blau- velt, appointed in 1843. Office abolished in 1847. Previous to 1857, School Commissioners were appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
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