USA > New York > Ulster County > The history of Ulster County, New York > Part 23
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Noah Elting was a very early resident and a large land owner, rating, according to the best information, next to Zachariah Hasbrouck, among the largest holders of real property in this section. He owned most of the land where Highland village now stands. Abraham, his son, while a large property holder, gave most of his attention to matters of transporta- tion, organizing freight lines into the interior settlements, of which New Paltz was the center, to carry in supplies and bring out the farm products intended for the market. The necessities of his own business forced him to establish a ferry between Highland and Poughkeepsie, which was operated first by oars and then by sail, afterward by horse-power and finally by steam. It was not long after the establishment of the ferry for his personal uses that the demand was sufficient to open it to general traffic for hire. The ferry at Poughkeepsie was known for many years, from one end of the river to the other, as a famous property, and its pro- prietor as one of those men whom it was a pleasure to know.
The Deyo family was among the most prominent. Henry Deyo, grand- son of the New Paltz patentee, is supposed to have settled in Lloyd some- where between 1755 and 1765. He had formerly lived in Shawangunk, where his eldest son, Hendricus, was baptized in 1754, while another son, Joseph, was baptized in Kingston in 1765. The elder Henry, or Hendricus, died December 12, 1804, aged seventy-four years, and is buried in the old Presbyterian cemetery, which is the oldest burial place in this section.
The son Hendricus married Phoebe Woolsey, and it is from them that the Deyo family of Lloyd descend. He long carried on a milling business
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at the Shadagee, but his residence was a stone house about two miles south of Highland, which is now owned by Nathan Williams. He left six sons and two daughters, all of whom left families, many of which left descendants who still reside here.
James Howell was here before the Revolution. He came from Long Island and is said to have lived in Marlborough and Plattekill before settling in Lloyd. Of his five sons and two daughters, two sons, John and James, remained in the town. The former was a ship carpenter, but subsequently abandoned it and settled on a farm. Hester Howell is the only representative of the family left in the town. The Halstead family settled at Centerville, as did Daniel Ostrom. At an early day the latter had a woolen mill just north of the hamlet. The Van Wagoners and Saxtons were also prominent in that section.
Among the different families connected with the earliest history of the town, living on what is known as the Post Road, was David Woolsey, who owned the property now belonging to William Strothaff. Reuben H. Hinds lived on the same road. He was prominent in local affairs, later moved to New York. This property is now owned by the Irving Deyo estate. He was Supervisor from 1884 to 1889. William Coe, John H. Coe, and Abram Coe lived on farms bought by their father, Daniel Coe, who moved here from Rockland County in 1787, and settled on the bank of the Hudson. Wells Lake was prominent in local and State affairs. He was a Representative in Congress for three years, and State Senator four years, between 1820 and 1830, before Lloyd was set off from New Paltz. He was also Supervisor of the town for some time. William C. Perkins now resides on the farm. Philip Elting at one time owned nearly all the land on which Highland village is located.
Reuben Deyo, son of Sheriff Joseph Deyo, kept the tavern about a mile south of Highland, on the old Post Road from New York to Albany. For many years he kept the stage house, where horses were changed and refreshments served, continuing until the Hudson River Railroad was built. The old stone tavern still stands, and is in good condition.
In 1903 the old school house, in which our fathers and grandfathers were educated, was sold, a new site was bought on the New Paltz Turn- pike, and a new brick edifice, costing fifteen thousand dollars, was erected, which is a credit to the town.
In the year 1891 the business part of the town of Highland was
9
Albert Reed, M.D.
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destroyed by fire. It was a severe loss to the merchants and others, but the great energy of the people resulted in rehabilitating the burned district with larger, better, and more modern buildings, with improvements not thought of a generation or two ago. The people of Highland never fail to express their profound thankfulness and gratitude for the courtesies and substantial benefits which they received from the neighboring cities and villages at that time.
Dr. Barnabas Benton was an early physician. Dr. Hasbrouck began practice about 1825 and continued many years. Joseph Deyo was Sheriff of the county in 1821-1822; as was Silas Saxton in 1873.
Among the earlier members of the State Assembly from Ulster County were the following from the town of Lloyd: Wells Lake, 1820-22; Reuben H. Hine, 1844; Job G. Elmore, 1847; John B. Howell, 1853; A. E. Hasbrouck, 1867-68-69.
The County Clerks from Lloyd have been Silas Saxton, in 1858, and Nathan Williams in 1864.
The first merchants of Highland and vicinity were Abram Elting, Solomon Ferris, and John B. Caverly. Their stores were at the landing where all the business of the village was carried on. Others later were John Howell, Thomas Deyo, Absalom Barrett, George Rose, C. B. Harri- son, DuBois & Bond, DuBois Brothers, etc. W. W. Mackey and Charles Letts have hotels at Lloyd.
About six years ago the First National Bank of Highland was organized with a capital stock of $25,000, most of the stock being taken by the people of the town. It seems to be doing a safe and profitable business under an efficient corps of officers. George W. Pratt is now the president. The first president, George W. Rose, died in 1903.
The trolley road from Highland Landing to New Paltz was built in 1897, along the line of the Highland and New Paltz turnpike. It has a heavy freight and passenger traffic, and has been the means of building up a large summer boarding business through that wondrously attractive region.
The milling business of Highland is done by Philip Schantz, with his brothers, Martin and Joseph, as assistants; L. Traphagen has what is known as the Blue Mill, in connection with his cider mill. Mr. Uhle also manufactures cider, and Abram Relyea, of Lloyd, buys large quantities
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of apples for the same purpose. Amos Weed is running what was formerly the Saxton grist and saw mill in Lloyd.
The berry and grape-crate manufacturing industry is large and impor- tant, and employs more help than any other industry in the town. The combined work of the four factories, Marenns Prester, James Wescott, George Pratt & Son, of Highland, and Abram Relyea, of Lloyd, resulted in the production and sale, in 1905, of the following goods :
12,542,000 pint and quart cups, 1,750,000 grape tills, 224,000 berry and grape crates, 50,000 peach baskets, 10,000 apple boxes and grape trays, 5,000 apple barrels.
The postmaster at Highland is Frank Simpson. There are four rural deliveries from this office, with daily service, each covering a distance of about twenty-two miles. The revenues of the office aggregated about $4,500 during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1906.
The shipping from Highland is heavy and represents the industry of the community. During the year 1905 there were shipments, by rail and water, aggregating 250,434 packages. It is estimated that the average bulk of the packages would be about a bushel each.
One of the most interesting cemeteries to be found anywhere, is the Old Lloyd burying-ground, or as it is perhaps better known, the old Methodist burial ground. There are a number of old stones with inscrip- tions which may be deciphered. Among them are the following:
"Samuel Duncombe, Esq., born August 26, 1779, died Feb. 5, 1827."
"Joseph Quick, died Dec. II, 1868, aged 74 years, 4 months, 26 days."
"Henry A. Elting, died June 1, 1810, æ 48 years and 3 months."
"Rev. Stephen Jacob, died April 24, 1819."
"Michael Le Roy, February-1815, in his 70th year."
"Henry Deyo, died Dec. 12, 1805, Æ 74."
"Andrew Du Bois, died May 9, 1716, aged 62 years."
"Joseph Deyo, died Feb. 10, 1834, aged 59 years, I month and 10 days."
"Noah Elting, died April 6, 1813, Æ 49 years, 5 months and 4 days."
"John Le Fever, Sept. 10, 1836, aged 60 years."
On a monument in the new Highland cemetery are the names of thirty soldiers from the town who lost their lives during the Civil War. The monument is handsome and was erected by the Ladies' Monument Asso- ciation of Highland. Lieutenant C. W. Ransom is also buried here. Lloyd furnished about one hundred and thirty men to that memorable struggle.
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TOWN OF LLOYD.
After the enactment of the law creating the town of Lloyd, a town meeting was held at the residence of Lyman Halsted on May 6, 1845, and the following officers were elected :
Supervisor, Reuben Deyo.
Town Clerk, Hasbrouck Le Fevre.
Superintendent of Schools, Aaron Tuthill.
Justices of the Peace : Silas Saxton, John B. Howell, John S. Deyo. Assessors : John H. Coe, David S. Degarius, William J. Relyea.
Commissioners of Highways : Robert Woolsey, Alexander Hasbrouck, Robert E. Rose.
The present Supervisor of Lloyd is Philip Schantz, who also served in that capacity in 1898-1901-02-03. He was also elected Sheriff of Ulster County in 1894.
Previous to the construction of the West Shore Railway along the fine river front of this town, there were many handsome residences with at- tractive grounds on the bank of the river, owned and maintained in fine style by wealthy men of New York and other cities. But as the railway line begins to descend to the river shore soon after entering the town from the north, these fine country seats were broken up and destroyed by the grading and excavations for the tracks, and the operation of trains makes it undesirable for residence. Thus many of these large estates have been divided and sold for other purposes. Among other things, one or two large religious schools or convents have been built there. There are two railway stations on the West Shore in the town, one at Highland, another at West Park. One of the finest railway bridges in the world spans the Hudson from Highland to Poughkeepsie. This bridge was built several years ago and it is now being greatly strengthened at a very heavy cost, in anticipation of largely increased traffic in the immediate future.
An important annual event at this point in the river is the college boat races, which take place in the Hudson over a four-mile course every summer in June, and attract vast multitudes of people from all parts of the country. This is considered the finest rowing course in the land, and the races are keenly contested. The most favorable point to view the contest is from the Highland side of the Hudson.
The soil of this town is most favorable for fruit growing. It is well tilled and yields excellent crops of small fruits, peaches, etc. In 1875 the number of apple trees growing was placed at 18,1556; and these orchards
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then produced 46,116 barrels of apples and 495 barrels of cider. The grape yield was estimated at 295,315 pounds.
The population of the town in 1905 was 2,722, of which 2,606 were citi- zens. Last year the total assessments of taxable property in the town were $876,952. There were 638 citizens who voted at the election in 1905.
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TOWN OF MARBLETOWN.
៛
MARBLETOWN
BEIYST
CHAPTER XXII.
TOWN OF MARBLETOWN. By C. T. FRAME.
M ARBLETOWN is in the central part of Ulster County. Bounded on the northeast by Hurley, southeast by Rosendale and New Paltz, southwest by Rochester, and northwest by Olive. The area of the town is 31,696 acres. Of this, 20,538 acres were improved and 9,262 acres unimproved or woodland in 1875.
The title is derived from the patent given by Queen Anne, Jan. 25, 1703. The town trustees under this patent adopted a seal, bearing the name "Marbletown" at the top, and at the sides the motto: "Be just to trust." The upper part of the central shield is occupied by two deer and the lower part by three sheaves of wheat, signifying the hunting grounds of the upland forests and the fertility of the lowlands. This seal is still in the Town Clerk's office. In an agreement between the Trustees of Rochester and Marbletown, dated 1768, January 3, in regard to the bound- ary lines, we find a statement of the original bounds as given to the fol- lowing Town Trustees: "Granting unto Col. Henry Beekman, Capt. Thomas Garton and Capt. Charles Brodhead, their heirs and assigns for- ever, all that tract or parcel of land lying and being in the town of Ulster aforesaid and beginning at the bounds established and laid out by the Commissioners appointed by Col. Lovelace, Late Governor of the said
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Province of New York, in the year of our Lord Christ 1669, between the said town of Marbletown and the town of Hurley, thence running south- east to the northwest bounds of the New Paltz, thence along the north- west bounds of the New Paltz to Capt. John Evans, his land, till opposite the southwest side of John Van Kamp's land; thence with a northwest line of the Great Mountain, commonly called the Blue Hills; thence northeast, something northerly, along the said hills as far as to run a southeast line to the place where first began, and then by said southeast line to the place where first began." A portion was taken from the above to form a part of the town of Olive in 1823, and another portion in 1844 to form part of Rosendale. Previous to those dates the records are found in the record of Marbletown.
Marbletown was settled in 1669, according to the following report: "The Commissioner, who had named the new village "Hurley," reported that he had assisted in forming another settlement beyond, which was Marbletown," which is now called North Marbletown, and was so named from the ridge of marble or lime-stone which extends across the town for a distance of eight miles.
The surface consists of the foothills of the Catskills and western slopes of the Shawangunk Mountains, broken by the valleys of the Rondout and Coxingkill at the base of the Shawangunk Mountains, and the valley of the Esopus coming down from the Catskills, which turns at a right angle near Stone Ridge and extends northeast toward Kingston. Stand- ing on Sky Top, the highest point of land in the town, 1,500 feet above sea level, the eye scans the entire township spread out like a fan to the base of the Catskills, or "Great Blue Hills," as they were called in the earliest records. Here and there you see the silver sheen of the Rondout as it flows through a fertile valley dotted with many well-kept farms. Looking toward the northeast we see the cone-shaped Joppen Bergh, which was formerly a corner of Marbletown but now is in Rosendale; and in the distance a glimpse of the Hudson ; while toward the north the ravine of the Esopus is seen, and toward the west rises High Point at an elevation of 3,098 feet.
The ridge between the Rondout and the Esopus forms a watershed upon which is located the village of Stone Ridge and the old King's Highway from Kingston to Ellenville, which was formerly an Indian trail to the Neversink valley.
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TOWN OF MARBLETOWN.
The population, as given in State Documents for the year 1703, was 227, at which date, June 25, 1703, the patent was obtained from Queen Anne. Those who had already settled within the limits of Marbletown, as well as those afterward coming here, received from the town Trus- tees deeds. These are on record in the Town Clerk's office, except one volume, Book D, which is lost. The proceedings of the Town Trustees are also recorded, and the annual election of officers in an unbroken series for two hundred and three years in the most authentic and concise form. The following extracts taken from the first volume of town records are given. "Att a meeting of Trustees of Marbletown at said town this 23rd day of Sept., 1703, present Coll. Henry Beekman, Capt. Thomas Garton, Capt. Charles Brodhead, Trustees, and John Cock Sen. Esq. Richard Brodhead Assistants, and the major part of the freeholders and inhabi- tants of said town, it is ordered and established that no land be given out, but wood and stone shall be reserved free for the use of the town and freeholders and inhabitants thereof of any part of said land that shall not be fenced in, also sufficient ways over any of the said lands to be reserved, and if any take up land are to pay for lowland 12 pence, and upland six pence per acre." While the settlers were thus making rules to appropriate the lands, we find an Indian Chief of whom the Dutch pur- chased land lying in Marbletown, as the original deed now owned by Charles Hardenbergh shows, viz: The first deed recorded is to Gysbert Roosa for 73 acres in town parcels the greatest by a small run of water under the northeast side of a mountain called Jobsenbright (Joppen- bergh) lying on the northwest side of Rosendale the smaller near Capt. Henry Pawling called Cocksink, Deed dated 1704.
The above Capt. Pawling was the first Sheriff of Ulster County, whose son, Capt. Levi Pawling, commanded the troops at the defense of Kings- ton, Oct. 16, 1776. Their names appear as residents of the town of Mar- bletown. Capt. Levi Pawling was an officer in the Old Marbletown Church, as was also Major Albert Pawling. Among the earlier settlers, according to researches made by the late Historian, J. W. Hasbrouck, were Christopher Bersford, Jan Joosten, Richard Cage, Jan Briggs, Will- iam Ashfordby, Frederick Hussey, Teunis Claes, Anthony Addison and George Hall.
For several years after settlement the growth of the town was slow, owing probably to the nearness of the Indians. We have no record of
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any fights between the Indians and settlers in this town, but the reason was perhaps that the Dutch secured deeds from the Indians. The settlers confined their attention to the lowlands along the Esopus and the sloping hills, toward what is now Stone Ridge, known at that time as the "Butterfields." These settlers were largely engaged in dairy- ing, as the uplands furnished rich pasturage for their cattle, which roamed over the commons free. The Mormel, butter and cheese were exported.
At this time the settlers, who had planned their homes near one another found it more convenient to secure lands outside the village (Marble- town). We find that Anthony Addison and John Garton obtained per- mission to leave the village and settle on the other side of the Esopus at what is now called Lomontville, and that John Beatty moved to Stone . Ridge and erected the first white man's dwelling-house.
About the same period Hendrick Cornelius Bogart purchased on the old creek near the mill of William Eltinge, just constructed at the pic- turesque falls, owned in later years by Cornelius Bogart, and known as Bogart's Glen. William Nottingham purchased near the mill of Charles Hardenbergh, a descendant in direct line. The grant of lands in Butter- field to Beatty and Ashfordy was followed by grants for portions of the same tract to George Hall, and Thomas and John Kerton.
The Documentary History for the year 1755 shows that, while the set- tlers were exporting butter, cheeese and wheat, they were importing slaves to do their work, whose descendants still live in the town.
The Marbletown Roll of Honor. The names of the signers of the Articles of Association. On Saturday, the 29th day of April, 1775, ten days after the battle of Lexington, "The Freemen, Freeholders and In- habitants of the City and County of New York" adopted the bold and manly "Articles of Association" which was sent to all the Counties in the State for subscribers. When it reached Ulster County, many openly de- clared it treason, but a large number immediately signed it and offered their lives and fortunes in the defense of Liberty, though every town had its Tories and spies ever ready to help the enemy. Though a century has rolled by since those days, those Tories are despised to this day.
Levi Pawling, a resident of Marbletown, was County Judge of Ulster, elected Jan. 15, 1778. James Oliver, of Marbletown, was elected County Judge March 9, 1779. As early as Nov. 4. 1674, George Hall was ap-
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pointed Sheriff of Ulster County, William Ashfordley, Oct. 1683, and Henry Pawling, October, 1685.
The patent for the territory of Marbletown was granted June 25, 1703. Trustees were at first appointed to have charge of the lands. They had authority to regulate public matters to the extent of protecting the set- tlers in the enjoyment of the titles granted to them for their land.
The commons land was disposed of by Act of Legislature passed in 1802. The commissioners in charge of the sale were John A. Dewitt and Jacob Chambers. William Nottingham was the first town clerk, and he was employed by Marbletown and Rochester. It is said he came from England with Col. Nicolls at the time of the surrender of New Nether- lands to the British crown in 1664. The forms and wordings of the entries show that he had a great deal of ability, with an education far in advance of the other settlers.
A letter of Charles Dewitt, dated Hurley, August, 1763, is important :
DEAR SIR : * *
* * * *
We have the greatest crops of wheat here that we have had for many years past and the most fruitful year that I can remember. *
* * We manage in general as usual, only we have taken a particular turn this year to build school- houses ; which at present are more plenty with us than schoolmasters. The upper end of Marbletown at Daniel Cantine's they have built one after the old fashion, viz., a large heap of white oak, black oak and perhaps other sorts of timber piled up to convenient height and two or three holes cut in for the children and light to pass. This building is not so magnificent as another built near Father Dewitt's, of stone, a shingle roof, two floors, but they tell me the upper floor is not planed very smooth, the joists ugly, etc .; however, two large sashes are made therein, besides another place where the master and his children pass and repass. * *
MARBLETOWN THE CAPITAL OF THE STATE.
The organization of the State government had been commenced at Kingston by the inauguration of George Clinton as Governor, July 30, 1777. The first Legislature, with Col. Levi Pawling, of Marbletown, as one of the Senators, had met at Kingston, Sept. 9th, and remained in session until Oct. 7th, when they appointed a new Council of Safety and adjourned ; the British having been successful at Fort Montgomery, and an invasion of Kingston being deemed probable. The Council of Safety were thus, ad interim, the real executive authority of the State, Governor Clinton being in the field with the Continental forces.
At the burning of Kingston the Council of Safety fled to Marbletown; and on the 19th of October, three days after the invasion, they com-
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menced their sessions at the home of Andrew Oliver. They remained for one month, issuing orders and providing for all the exigencies of public affairs. On November 18th they removed to Hurley and met at the house of Captain Jan Van Deusen until December 17th, when it is reported that on account of cold and uncomfortable quarters they ad- journed to Poughkeepsie. Marbletown was a village of forty-three houses at this time. Andrew Oliver came from Ireland and settled in Marble- town about 1740. His homestead is the present place of John Oliver a great-great grandson, and the house in which the Committee of Safety met stood between the present dwelling and the barns belonging to the farm. The house of Andrew Oliver was taken down some time after 1800, and the present spacious mansion erected, in which Dr. James Oliver had a medical school for a time.
On a map of the Oliver farm, drawn in 1795, in possession of John Oliver, there is a rough drawing of the old house where the Committee met. It was a large two-story stone building. In the front there were six upper and five lower windows with the door making an equal num- ber ; while beyond is the Old Dutch Reformed Church erected in 1774, and across the road is pictured the Davis tavern, of historic interest, as the place where the public business of the Marbletown patent was transacted, and the annual meetings of the inhabitants held for many years before the Revolution. The records show these meetings to have been "at the house of Janitze Davis," "the Widow Davis" and "at the house of Frederick Davis." These different references refer to the same house. It is still standing and evidently of great age. Its low doorways and general appearance point back to the days of the early settlement, as this was the center of the Marbletown of early colonial days.
In the old burial-place close by we find numerous head-stones bearing date 1692, 1693 and 1699, which indicates a large settlement. Beyond the town-gate, which was located at the junction of Ashokan and Neversink trails, the village was located in 1669.
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