USA > New York > Ulster County > The history of Ulster County, New York > Part 29
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In 1904, the Friends' Society purchased a house and lot in the village, which has since been used as a pastoral residence.
PLATTEKILL
Is located in the southerly part of the town along the Quassaick Creek and is surrounded by fertile and productive land. It was known
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THE COUNTY OF ULSTER.
as "Pleasant Valley," or "The Valley," until the post-office was estab- lished February 24, 1819. It is the oldest hamlet in the town. General stores, hotels and blacksmith shops have been there for more than one hundred and fifty years. There is now a creamery, general store, tem- perance hotel, blacksmith shop and a physician. There is a Methodist church and parsonage, and the district school house. In this region, and near Modena, is where the early settlers located.
The first store in the town was operated in 1802 by John Warner and Daniel Sands; then followed others kept by Daniel Alsdorf, Solomon Ostrander and Simon Alsdorf in 1805; in 1806, John R. Drake; 1809, Robinson Penny, and 1819, Robert R. Underhill. Among other old mer- chants were William Welch, James Bloomer, Jasper Crapsey, Daniel Hunt, Charles Drake, Daniel Martin, DeWitt Garrison, John L. Gerow, Moses Everett, Elias Heaton, W. H. Fowler and James Dayton.
MODENA
Was first known as "Clark's Corner," the name being changed to "Modena" in 1829. It is in the northwesterly part of the town, on the line of the old Milton Turnpike, and has always been an important and influential location, where the early physicians and lawyers settled and most of the first town officials lived. Much of the wealth centered here in the early days, and the most important stores were located here. Among the early traders were John C. and Richard Brodhead, Abram A. Deyo, Abram DuBois, Robert T. Everett, Martin Esterly, William P. Storms, Christopher Constable, Philip Dusenberre, Joseph A. Deyo, Amos DuBois, Russel Lock and Paul Smith.
ARDONIA
Is about two miles southwest of Clintondale, and about the same distance east of Modena, on the old Milton Turnpike, formerly known as "Charles Palmer's Corner." A post-office was established here July 27, 1882, and a general store was opened about the same time by George T. Seymour, which was afterward operated successively by Ennis F. Seymour and Anson Armstrong. In 1863 a society known as the "Modena Literary Society" was organized and a public hall erected, which was a credit to the enterprise of the society and an ornament to the town. Many noted speakers lectured in this hall, among them being Horace Greeley and Theodore Tilton.
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TOWN OF PLATTEKILL.
UNIONVILLE
Is a small settlement situated about two miles east of Plattekill, near the foot of the Marlborough Mountains, on the highway leading from Plattekill to Marlborough, known as the "Huckleberry Turnpike." There is a collection of dwellings, a place for public worship called the "Chapel," and a school.
TUCKERS CORNERS
Is another small settlement on the easterly border of the town at the road crossing and just west of the Marlborough Mountains, on the old Milton Turnpike. There has been a small grocery kept there at intervals for many years, and at one time there was a blacksmith shop. A school house is located just south of the cross-roads, known as District No. 3.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
Concerning the history of the Methodist Church in Plattekill, we quote the following from a sermon of the Rev. J. H. Lane :-
"Plattekill was, from the first, the garden of Methodism in southern Ulster. Here a class was formed and regular preaching service held as early as 1788, at the home of Aunt Huldah Hait. The Plattekill Church was built in 1829. Daniel Ostrander, the first class leader, was afterward licensed to preach and became prominent in the church. He was elected eight times a delegate from the New York Annual Conference to the General Conference. He died in 1843 after fifty years in the ministry. Rev. Phineas Rice was another man of note in Methodism. Another society was organized in the western part of the town at Modena; the preaching place being for some years at the old stone school house on the Modena and Highland Turnpike. The first church was built in 1826 on the main road one half a mile from the present village, and was removed to the present site under the pastorate of Rev. Charles Isham. Another society was organized in the southeast part of the town at an early date and a church built in 1840, under the pastorate of Rev. Z. N. Lewis, and called the Rossville Church. The church at Clintondale was removed from Lattintown in 1871 and rebuilt under the pastorate of Rev. G. S. Keyser."
Methodism was introduced here at an early date. In 1786, Rev. Ezekiel Cooper and Rev. John McClaskey were appointed to East Jersey by a Philadelphia Conference, which was a circuit embracing a large
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THE COUNTY OF ULSTER.
portion of Sussex County, N. J. To this were added the counties of Orange and Ulster, N. Y., forming what was known as a six weeks' circuit. In Ulster County the first preaching was at the house of John Woolsey at Milton, and Hendrick Deyo and Henry DuBois in the town of New Paltz. At a Conference in Philadelphia, in 1788, the charge was called the "Flander's Circuit." At this Conference Rev. Jesse Lee and Rev. Aaron Hutchinson were appointed to "Flanders," and during the time they were in charge of the circuit the churches at Modena and east Plattekill (Hait's Hill) were organized. It is not known where the first preaching was held.
The first M. E. Church in the town was built about half a mile south of Modena near the school house in 1825, and it was called the "Platte- kill Church." In 1802, the charge was called "Ulster" in the New Jersey District, Philadelphia Conference, and in 1803 it was included in the Albany District, and Gideon R. Knowlton and John Crawford were appointed to the Circuit. In 1804 the Albany District was changed to the New York Conference and Ulster then became an appointment of that Conference. Another change in the district was made in 18II, when Ulster came in the Hudson River District, with William Jewett and E. Hibbard as Circuit preachers. In 1824 the charge was called New Paltz, and Nicholas White was appointed to the Circuit. In 1825-26 Bradley Selleck was the preacher in charge, and during his term in 1826, the Plattekill Church was erected, as above stated.
In 1829, during the pastorate of Rev. Eben Smith, the East Plattekill Church was built. In 1795, Daniel Ostrander was licensed to preach. At the age of 19, Dr. Phineas Rice was one of the preachers of the Circuit. In 1830-31 Benjamin Griffin and Valentine Buck served the Circuit, and in 1832 the Newburgh District was formed and H. Wing was appointed to the charge; in 1833 and 1834 E. Washburn, J. D. McFar- land and D. Webster ; in 1835, J. W. Lefever, J. Shaw and Mr. Ferguson ; in 1836, C. Stillman and J. Shaw ; in 1837, Valentine Buck and E. Craw- ford; in 1838, J. C. Green and Eben Smith. In 1840 the name of the appointment was changed to Plattekill and New Paltz, Ira Ferris and R. K. Reynolds, preachers. In 1841, Ira Ferris and M. D. C. Crawford were the preachers.
In 1842, Ira Ferris reported preaching places at Plattekill, East Platte- kill, New Paltz Landing, Krom Elbow and Dayton Hollow. Conference
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TOWN OF PLATTEKILL.
then appointed Edward Aldrin and Eli Westbrook to the Circuit; 1843, Edward Aldrin and J. W. Lindsay; 1844, Thomas Newman and J. W. Lindsay; 1845, Thomas Newman and John Davy; 1846, C. W. Carpen- ter and J. Reynolds ; 1847, C. W. Carpenter and J. K. Still; 1848-9, A. S. Larkin and J. C. Washburn. In 1850 the Circuit was divided; three more appointments had been added during the pastorate of Thomas New- man, viz .: Tuthill, Clintondale and Old Paltz. By this division the Plattekill Church, East Plattekill and Clintondale were set off by them- selves and established into a charge called Plattekill.
In 1854 J. C. Brodhead donated a lot for a new church at Modena Corners. The new church was built in 1855 at a cost of $4,528.18, and dedicated by Rev. L. W. Vincent, Presiding Elder of the Newburgh Dis- trict, free from debt. In 1856-7, Uriah Messiter was pastor ; 1858-9, William Ostrander; 1860-1, William Stevens; 1862, William Blake; 1863-4, Mr. VanDeusen ; 1865-6, J. C. Hoyt; 1867-9, M. M. Curtis; 1870, Angelo Ostrander ; 1871-2, J. H. Lane. In 1871-2, the East Platte- kill Church was repaired, enlarged and a bell put in the steeple. The Society of Clintondale purchased the old M. E. Church at Latintown for $600, and placed it on the site donated by J. J. Hull and John Turner for $1,100 more, making a total of $1,700. The church was then removed and erected in 1872, and dedicated by Rev. G. H. Covey. Pastors : in 1872-4, S. G. Keyser; 1874-5, J. G. Slater ; 1875-6, D. H. Hanaburgh ; 1876-9, W. W. Shaw; 1879-81, J. O. Kern; 1881-4, R. H. Travis; 1884-6, M. R. Lent; 1886-8, E. H. Hofficker; 1888-90, J. H. Michell; 1890-I, S. J. Mccutcheon; 1891-5, G. C. Francis.
In 1894 the church building at Clintondale was sold to John H. Hull for $100, and the present elegant house of worship was erected the same year: The new church was dedicated June 20, 1894, and paid for on the day of dedication. The cost was a little over $5,000. Pastors : in 1895-8, W. R. Hunt; 1898-9, W. W. Wilcox; 1899-02, F. B. Crispell; 1902-6, Emmet Shew ; 1906-7, R. J. Trevorrow. The Plattekill Valley Church organization was incorporated three times, viz .: December 7, 1846, Jan- uary 29, 1860, and July 6, 1875. The other three churches in the town have always been presided over by a single pastor, but this church has been a separate charge. The first church was erected in 1840, and has been modified and repaired at different times, and is, at present one of the most elegant and substantial church structures in the town, with a large and flourishing congregation.
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THE COUNTY OF ULSTER.
THE REFORMED CHURCH AT NEW HURLEY.
On November 8, 1770, the Consistory of the Church of Shawangunk met the communicants of New Marlborough at the house of Andrew DuBois. Rev. D. Romeyn, from Marlborough, presided over the meeting. Permission was asked to form a church near the east bank of the Wall- kill, assigning among other reasons that "our Communicants and neigh- bors are withdrawn from us on all sides, the one part to the Baptists (in the valley), and the other part to the Episcopalians (at St. Andrew's). We fear that without provision is made for us we shall all be scattered and brought to nothing." The first petition remained unanswered. A second petition was presented to the Classis and that body appointed a committee, which visited the locality of New Hurley on October 17 and 18, 1770, and inquired into all the circumstances, and finally reported that the petitioners "be permitted to accomplish their desire to be consti- tuted into a church with this condition, viz .: That they locate their church edifice on the high ground where the land is sufficiently flat in New Hurley and not along the Wallkill. A site for the church was selected, consisting of one acre, and purchased, and the first house of worship was erected in 1774. This was succeeded by the present church in 1835. The first church was a building 30x40 feet. Foot-stoves were used for many years, and when these stoves were introduced they were placed on a foundation erected on the backs of seats.
The society was duly incorporated December 6, 1790, by Stephen Goetschins, minister; Christoffel Ostrander, William Graham, Simeon Alsdorf, Wilhelmus Ostrander, Johannes Alsdorf, Ebenezer Brown, Arthur Masten, Arthur Terwilliger, Elders and Deacons.
THE PENTECOST CHURCH.
An Episcopal Church was erected at Clintondale in 1879, under the direction of Rev. Mr. Johnson, rector at Highland, N. Y., but it never developed any denominational strength and was seldom used for ser- vices. The building and grounds were finally sold to the Pentecostal denomination, which considerably improved the property by erecting sheds and grading the grounds, and regular services have been held in the church since that time.
POST-OFFICES.
There are now four post offices in the town: Ardonia, established July 27, 1882; Clintondale, May 15, 1849; Modena, formerly "Clark's
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TOWN OF PLATTEKILL.
Corner," June 1, 1826, changed to Modena, June 15, 1829, and Plattekill, established February 24, 1819. The New Hurley post-office was estab- lished January 23, 1834, and discontinued July 31, 1905.
PHYSICIANS.
Dr. Jonathan Bailey was among the first to practice medicine in Platte- kill. He came in 1800. Dr. John Hunt followed in 1814. Among other doctors in that section were Dr. Charles Drake, Dr. Uriah Drake, Dr. Carmon, Dr. Joshua Garrison, Dr. Hiram Howland, Dr. Elijah Oster- houdt and Dr. Becker, who is now located at Plattekill.
At Clintondale, Dr. Adna Heaton was the first physician. He came from New Paltz, was a member of the Friend's Society, and a preacher in that Church. Among other physicians who located here were Dr. David Carpenter, Dr. Eben H. Heston, Dr. John Mann, Dr. Joseph E. Freston and Dr. William G. Birdsall. Dr. Heston is still in active practice here. At Modena, Dr. William Dusenberre, who came from Rockland County, was perhaps the first physician to locate. Other physicians were Dr. Brodhead, Dr. Daniel L. Everett, Dr. Stephen Ostrander, Dr. Charles Hait, Dr. Everett Hasbrouck, Dr. Maurice Wurts, Dr. Stephen Gerow, Dr. Theo. Milspaugh, Dr. Hiram Terry and Dr. Henry P. Chase. There has been no physician at Modena since Heston left in 1880.
LAWYERS.
The legal profession has had a small representation in this town. John Cole, the first lawyer, commenced the practice of his profession at Milton, and moved to Modena in 1818, where he opened an office and continued to practice until his death in December, 1854. Oscar Theodore Noyes graduated from Yale College, studied law at Kingston, was admitted to the bar in 1846, and practiced here until his death in 1854. Amos P. Cotlaw was a lawyer at Modena in 1820, and there has been no lawyer located here since 1854.
Solomon G. Young was admitted to the bar May, 1854, and began prac- tice at Clintondale, where he remained for six years, when he moved to Highland, where he continued until his death in 1884. Solomon G. Car- penter opened an office in Clintondale in 1880, and remained about six months, when he moved to New York City. In 1884 he moved from New York to Highland, where he has since continued to practice. DeWitt W. Ostrander came to Clintondale in 1870, was admitted to the bar in
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November, 1880, and began the practice of his profession at Clintondale in 1881, where he has continued.
The following citizens of the town have served in public office : John C. Brodhead, Representative in Congress 1831, 1833, 1837, 1839. Sheriffs of Ulster County: John C. Brodhead, 1825; Derrick DuBois, 1828; John Everett, 1834; Charles Brodhead, 1846; Maurice Wurts, 1855; Abram A. Deyo, Jr., 1858.
Abram A. Deyo was State Senator from 1843 to 1846, and the fol- lowing persons served as Members of Assembly: Derrick Westbrook, 1816; John C. Brodhead, 1822; Albert Carpenter, 1837, 1839; David L. Bernard, 1840; Solomon P. Thorn, 1898, 1900, 1902.
THE MILITARY HISTORY.
During the Revolution, this town formed a part of Marlborough, and its early war history is therefore included in the history of that town. But this sparsely settled section contributed its full share of men in that struggle. The military forces of the Colony and State during the Revo- lution were divided into three classes: The Line, The Levies and The Military. The soldiers from this section belonged to the latter class. Some- times a regiment would be called out several times a year, and again it might not be needed for an entire year. At one call they were in one regiment or company, and at another in some other. For that reason it is difficult to trace the men.
The following is a list of Revolutionary soldiers who served from that part of the town of Marlborough which was set off in 1800 and named Plattekill: Capt. David Ostrander, Lieut. Wilhelmus Ostrander, Chris- tophel Ostrander, Simeon Ostrander, Isaac Garrison, John Dusenberre, John Snyder, Samuel Dusenberre.
Prior to the war of 1812, the town had been set apart from Marlbor- ough, and it contributed men to the national army. But this roll of honor cannot be definitely made up now.
Again in the Civil War of 1861, the town of Plattekill gave patriotic support, furnishing over 150 men for the Army and Navy of the Union. Ten of these belonged to the Negro race. Some thirty or more died in the service of their country.
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TOWN OF ROCHESTER.
CHAPTER XXVII. TOWN OF ROCHESTER.
By CHARLES E. FOOTE.
O N June 25, 1703, the English Crown issued letters patent for a tract of land known as the Rochester Patent, and described as follows :
"All the tract or parcel of land lying and being in the county of Ulster aforesaid, and beginning at the south bounds of the land of Jan Van Camp, now in his possession; from thence running in a south-east line, to the land of Capt. John Evans, and so along the northwest bounds of the said Capt. John Evans, his land, till you come over against the said hills ; from thence in a northwest line to the great mountains, commonly called the Blue Hills ; thence northeast something northerly along the said hills to the bounds of Marbletown; and thence along the bounds of Marbletown to the place where first begun."
The tract thus enclosed included not only the present town of Rochester, but the town of Wawarsing and a portion of Sullivan County. The town as at present organized, is bounded on the northeast by Olive and Marble- town ; on the southeast by Marbletown, New Paltz and Gardiner; on the southwest by Wawarsing, and on the northwest by Wawarsing and Denning. Its area is 43,982 acres, of which more than half is in a high state of cultivation.
The southeastern and northwestern edges of the town are bordered by high ranges of mountains. On the southeast is the Shawangunk moun- tain range, which divides the Rondout from the Wallkill valleys; on the northwest, a continuation of the Catskills, with their tops rising high in the air.
The patent was issued in the names of Captain Joachim Schoonmaker, Moses DePuy, and Colonel Henry Beekman, as trustees for settlers, and in the possession of the town clerk are the original records of their action in the distribution of lands. This venerable volume, now more than 200 years old, is in an excellent state of preservation, and the writing is per-
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fectly legible, though both the paper and ink are becoming faded. The covers of the record book seem to be made from sheets of old copy-books pasted together, while the back is of the old time bookbinder's "pigskin."
Previous to the issue of the patent in 1703, there were a number of settlers in the town. The Anna Beck patent was dated in 1686, and the Joachim Staats patent in 1688, and the Rochester patent alludes to a "saw- mill" and a "corn-mill" as being already built. There is evidence showing that a church existed as early as 1700, and perhaps before that time. The Documentary History of the State gives the population as 334 persons at the date of the issue of the patent, but other contemporary facts do not bear out so great a number. There were probably fifty or sixty per- sons, belonging to the following families :
Jan Gerritse Decker,
Lodewyck Hornbeck,
Seendert Kool, Sr.,
Anthony Hornbeck,
William De La Montaigne,
Teunis Osterhoudt,
Jan Cartwright,
Gysbert Van Garde, David DuBois.
The records in the town clerk's office are full and complete. There are maps of old surveys and descriptions that hold good to the present day. The trustees began business at once.
A poll list, evidently used as a tally sheet at the election of trustees in the year 1740, contains a list of voters, but it cannot be told at this time whether it was a complete list of those entitled to vote, or only those whose votes were cast. It was probably the latter. It forms, however, an excel- lent guide as to the settlers at that period. The list is as follows :
Teunis Osterhoudt,
Cornelius Wynkoop,
Cryn Osterhoudt,
Philip DuBois,
Petrus Osterhoudt,
Jacobus Swartout,
Ceaxmon Coddebock,
Mathis Louw,
John Schoonmaker,
Egbert Dewitt,
Moses Depuy, Jr.,
Peter Westbrook,
Jacobus Quick,
Jacob Vandermark,
Johanis Hendrickson,
Jan Westbrook,
Jacob Dewitt,
Cornelius Ver Nooy,
Cornelius Louw,
Rotsert Kettel,
Neckelas Keator,
Benjamin Schoonmaker,
Joggum Schoonmaker,
Jacob Hardenbergh,
Jacobus Schoonmaker,
Teunis Meddah,
Efrom Cambers.
Wallen Cool, Abraham Bevier, Peter Kortright, Jan Osterhoudt, Charles Denniston, James Simpson, Jacobus Depuy,
Daniel Schoonmaker,
Johannis Hoornbeck, Jacob Rutsen, Jacobus Hoornbeck, Laurens Kortright,
Andries Davies,
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TOWN OF ROCHESTER.
The first record of a religious organization begins with the Dutch Reformed in 1701, but outside the fact that there was a church organiza- tion, and that it was presided over at times by Rev. Petrus Vas, and others, little seems to be known. In 1732 the members of the church in Rochester subscribed to the support of Rev. G. W. Mancius at Kingston, with the provision that they should be allowed to withdraw whenever other arrangements were made. Rev. Mancius visited Rochester fre- quently and preached as late as 1749. A student named Jacobus Freling- huysen was sent to Holland in 1751 by the churches of Rochester, Wa- warsing and Marbletown. He completed his studies at Utrecht and was ordained by the Classis at Amsterdam, but died on the passage home. Rev. Theodorus Frelinghuysen of Albany officiated occasionally, as did Rev. J. Schuneman of Catskill. Henricus Frelinghuysen, brother of the deceased Jacobus Frelinghuysen, was the subject of considerable cor- respondence between the church at Rochester and the Classis at Amster- dam, the church desiring that he be ordained in this country on account of the expense and loss by the death of the brother. He was finally licensed, and, tradition says, ordained, but there seems no record of the ordination. Two weeks after his induction into the ministry he was taken with smallpox and died. His remains were buried under the pulpit at the old Marbletown church. After this there was no regular pastor until 1766, when Dirick Romeyn was ordained and officiated at Rochester, Marbletown and Wawarsing for nine years. Then for several years Rev. Reyner Van Nest, of Shawangunk, made monthly visits; in 1781 Rev. Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh took charge of the three churches, but the Princeton College, giving him the title of Doctor of Divinity, he was called in 1785 to become the president of Queens, later Rutger's College, at New Brunswick, New Jersey.
There were several pastors who occupied the charge for a few years each, Rev. Abram Van Horne, Rev. Garret Mandeville, Rev. Ralph Wes- tervelt, and some stated supplies, until 1814, when Rochester, Wawarsing and the Clove called Rev. James Murphy.
There is no record of schools in Rochester until after the Revolution, when the State educational system was established. But there is every indication in the town records that there were good schools. The names and work of many of the second and third, and sometimes the fourth, generation of the original settlers appear in these old records, and the
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THE COUNTY OF ULSTER.
chirography, as well as the language, denote that the writers were edu- cated men, as education at that day was considered.
Rochester seems to have suffered comparatively little from the Indians from the time of its settlement to the beginning of the Revolution. On October 14, 1757, there was an attack on the house of Peter Jan, in which his daughter and two soldiers stationed there were killed, and the house set on fire. Another ranger, according to the report of Col. Hasbrouck to Lieutenant Governor Delancey, made a good defense, used all the arms in the house which were charged, beat the enemy off and brought off Jan's wife and two daughters to Captain Brodhead's, a mile away. Jan and his two sons were in the field. Next night the regiment marched but discovered nothing.
The fort at that time was at Pine Bush, in the corner of the road at the top of Deyo's hill. This old fort stood for many years, but was burned in 1868. In early times a garrison was maintained there, which accounts, in a large degree, for the general immunity of the people from the vio- lence of the natives. The property where the fort stood is now owned by Andrew B. Van Wagonen.
On August 5, 1857, J. H. Van Wagonen, of Kyserike, while repairing his house, which was the old homestead of the family, found behind a window casing, the following document, written just one hundred years before :
"To Benjamin Van Wagonen, Jr., Greeting :
"I do hereby command you in his Majesty's name for to warn all the men whose names are wrote on the back side hereof, to be and appear in Kingson, at the house of Coll. Josiah Hasbrouck this twelfth day of September, to march from there with me directly to Albany and hereoff fail nott.
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