USA > New York > Ulster County > Marlborough > The history of the town of Marlborough, Ulster County, New York: from the first settlement in 1712, by Capt. Wm. Bond, to 1887 > Part 7
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kitchen, and a good well. Also a grist mill and a saw mill, so constructed as to take the logs out of the water without any expense of land carriage. It will cut eight or ten hun- dred logs in a year. The buildings are all well finished. There is also a convenient place on the premises for a fulling and plaister mill."
At these mills Charles Millard made a specialty of sawing white pine lumber, such as is generally used for sash doors, finishing, siding and flooring. This business he continued until 1824, assisted by his sons John, James, Charles, Wil- liam and Walter.
His trade grew steadily, extending over in Dutchess Co. even to the Connecticut line, and a considerable distance up and down the river. Most of the lumber was shipped in winter by teams over the ice, the bulk of the trade coming from the east side of the Hudson, owing to the manner in which Marlborough is shut in from the west by the moun- tains. During the summer timber was received in rafts from Glen Falls, Fort Edward and the neighborhood of Lake Champlain. In 1824 the Champlain canal was opened. The same year Charles Millard removed his residence to New Hamburgh, establishing a lumber yard at that place. Most of his lumber after that time came from head waters of the Hudson and Lake Champlain. 1829 Charles Millard died. Walter, his son, succeeded him in the lumber business attend- ing to that business alone until 1834. In that year he con- nected himself with the freighting business, running the sloop Melan. The year following he built the barge Lex- ington to do the freighting, taking in as partner, Uri Mills, who had one-third interest.
In 1844 they purchased the dock property at Marlborough of the DuBois estate. A freighting business was immedi- ately established in connection with that at New Hamburgh. The same year the steamboat Splendid was purchased and ran from Marlborough and New Hamburgh on Mondays and Thursdays.
A lumber business was also established at Marlborough. In 1851 the partnership with Uri Mills was dissolved. Freight-
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ing business was continued in name of W: Millard & Co. In 1854 W. Millard retired from freighting business, con- tinuing the lumber business at both places.
John P. Millard, nephew of Walter, and H. H. Holden, succeeded to the freighting and steamboat business, and in 1857 put the propellor Wyoming on their line. Holden soon withdrew and Samuel N. Millard took his place, the style of the firm being J. P. Millard & Bro. They carried on the freight and lumber business at Marlborough and freighting business at New Hamburgh.
In 1863 Wm. B. Millard became a partner with his father in the lumber business, the firm being then W. Millard & Son. In 1880 Walter Millard died, and the business was managed by Wm. B. Millard and his executors until 1884, when the present firm of Walter Millard's Sons was formed.
The immense trade which this firm enjoys has been the gradual growth of years, but received its greatest boom at the outbreak of the civil war. In 1861 the popular opinion was that great commercial depression would immediately prevail, and values decrease. Walter Millard thought dif- ferently and went to the wholesale lumber district, buying up all the lumber he could find, at low rates. The stock then laid in was sufficient to last the firm three or four years, with its already great trade. The wisdom of his course was soon apparent. Prices advanced steadily. He was able to sell at the lowest wholesale price. From that day to this, the impetus which the business then received has increased.
The dock property in Marlborough, familiarly known as the "lower dock," is but a small branch of this great firm's possessions. They have other branches at Wappingers Falls and Stormville, while their headquarters are in New Hamburgh. They do their own freighting in their own vessels-two steamboats, a sloop, flat-bottomed boat and canal boat. Their purchases are about all direct with the mills in Michigan, Maine and Canada, and in some instances taking the full cut of one mill for a year.
The firm deal in everything necessary in the construction
PRESS On which Danicl S. Tuthill printed the " Pioneer" at Milton, in 1830. (Page 84.)
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of a house, making contracts as far as the furnishing of ma- terials for fifty houses to one party. . The business is largely wholesale, although they supply the local retail trade. About fifty men are employed. The present office was erected in 1881, of fine brick, and finished in hard wood. There are various other structures in New Hamburgh, for the storing of doors, blinds, sash, mouldings, etc: A com- plete hardware establishment, with paints, building paper and mason's materials, is on the premises.
The name of Walter Millard's Sons has become known all along the Hudson, and in lumber circles over the whole country. Their fame is deserved, as it is the result of energy, integrity and business sagacity. Their success has done much to aid the progress of this section, and will do more in the future.
4
MILTON IN 1830.
AS SEEN THROUGH THE COLUMNS OF THE "PIONEER."
Daniel S. Tuthill published The National Pioneer in Milton, in 1829, and for several years subsequently. It was issued every Wednesday, at " $2 per annum, payable quarter- ly, or two dollars and fifty cents at the end of the year." This price was for village subscribers and those who got their papers through the post rider. Mail subscribers were charged half a dollar less, having to pay their own postage. Advertisements of one square or wider were inserted three weeks for one dollar, and twenty-five cents for cach subse- quent insertion. The paper had agents in the surrounding places, as follows: New Paltz-Jacob J. Schoonmaker, John Benson, Simon Deyo, and J. (). Hasbrouck ; Plattekill- Samuel Morehouse ; Shawangunk-John C. Mastin, Samuel Johnson, Esq., and Cornelius Schoonmaker ; Marlborough Village-Barnabas M. Mapes ; Lattintown-Thos. S. Warren. The following heavy motto appeared under the heading of the Pioneer: "Let it be impressed upon your minds, let it be instilled into your children, that the liberty of the Press is the Palladium of all your rights."
There were four pages of six columns each. The first was devoted to miscellany ; the second to foreign and United States news; the third to market reports and advertising ; the fourth to miscellany, a bank note table, and patent medicine advertisements. Like all papers of its day, its best places were devoted to foreign news, the idea seeming to be that those events which transpired at the greatest distance must necessarily be of most interest. This policy excluded all local news-on the principle that people must know that
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anyway-and it is to be regretted that these papers tell us so little of what Milton was at that time.
In the issue of September 1, 1830, occurs the following death notice :
DIED .- On board the sloop Beekman, Capt. King, of Mil- ton, Mr. William Monger, aged 51 years. His death was occasioned by a blow he received while getting the vessel under weigh from New York.
From the advertising columns of the Pioneer more is to be learned about Milton than from the reading matter. Ad- vertisements appear from David Brower, tailor, in Milton village ; Anson St. John, manufacturer of cabinet ware and fancy chairs, also painter ; C. S. Roe, general storekeeper, agent for threshing machines, real estate agent, dealer in rye, oats and corn, and owner of a tow boat ; Mrs. M. B. Taylor, milliner, of Marlborough ; Charles Field, hat manu- facturer ; Longbottom & Co,, announcing the retirement of James Kinworthy ; and many others of more or less interest. From one of these we learn that the proprietor of the paper, D. S. Tuthill, also kept a store at New Paltz landing, (High- land). Here he sold goods at "reduced prices," just as the modern merchant does.
Daniel S. Tuthill, or Selah Tuthill, as he was commonly called, was a man of considerable ability and business en- terprise. He is remembered by David Sands, of Marlbo- rough, who, when quite a small boy, used to go into the Pioneer office after copies of the paper, and recollects see- ing the hand-press, operated by a big lever.
From the files of the Pioneer we learn that Cornelius Pol- hemus kept a public house in Marlborough in 1830, as wit- ness the following advertisement :
" For Sale. The house and lot on which the subscriber now lives, situate in the village of Marlborough : it has been occupied as a public house for many years, and affords as great advantages for the business as any other location in the vicinity. The buildings are in good repair and con- veniently arranged; there is a variety of fruit trees on the
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premises, all of which are of the best quality. The above property will be sold at a great bargain, and terms of pay- ment made accommodating to the purchaser. Apply to the subscriber on the premises.
CORNELIUS POLHEMUS.
Marlborough, April 7th, 1830."
Benjamin Hulse kept a public house, at the same time as Polhemus, in Milton, as we find sales of property advertised to take place at his inn.
Cornwall S. Roe was one of the most prominent men in Milton in 1830, if his advertisements in the Pioneer prove anything. In one copy of the paper he had no less than six- teen advertisements of various kinds. He kept a general store, where were sold dry goods, groceries, crockery, hardware, lumber, tar, plaster, salt, fish, pork, etc. He bought grain and flaxseed at "highest cash prices," and pur- chased patent rights for agricultural machinery in order to have the exclusive sale in his section. He also speculated in land. In one place he advertises that the ladies of Ulster county can be supplied with Navarino Hats, either in the flat or made up in the neatest manner at short notice. In another place behold : "The Tow boat Atalanta, Capt. C. S. Roe, now performs her passage with all regular speed ; and to meet the economical views of all, passengers are taken at the low rate of Four Shillings, who find themselves ;- Six shillings and found. She arrives both ways before day- light. C. S. ROE. .
Milton, April 7, 1830."
Where the boat ran to is not stated.
We copy other interesting advertisements :
Cabinet and Chair Manufactory. .
Anson St. John, respectfully informs his friends and costo- mers that he continues the above business at his new stand in the village of Milton, where he keeps constantly on hand
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a general assortment of Cabinet Ware, consisting of Tables, Bedsteads, Stands, Secretaries, Bureaus, and Sideboards, of every description, which he will sell at reduced prices, and on reasonable credit, He has also a general assortment of Fancy Chairs, consisting of Fancy Bamboo, and Cain Seat Windsor and Common Rush Bottom Chairs. Painting of every description, done with neatness and at the shortest notice.
Dec. 23, 1829.
Tailoring. David Brower
Respectfully announces to the public that he continues to carry on the tailoring business, in all its various branches and fashions in Milton villiage, where he will be happy to attend to his customers. From his long experience, and employing none but superior hands in his business, he can assure the public that his work will be done in style equal to that of any person of his profession either in Newburgh or Po'keepsie, therefore hopes to meet and receive a share of public patronage.
Cutting and Basting done according to the order of his customers.
Milton, Feb. 10th, 1830.
NOTICE.
The Subscriber has discontinued his business at the New- Paltz Landing, for the purpose of closing his concerns. All Persons indebted to him are respectfully informed that his Books are now arranged for settlement, and he wishes them to call on or before the 15th day of June next, and settle the same, as all notes, bonds and accounts, duc and unsettled at that time, will be placed in the hands of proper officers for collection. Persons having claims against the Subscriber will please present them for liquidation.
May 26th, 1830.
John Benson, . New-Paltz.
¢
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Charles Field, Hat Manufacturer,
Returns his grateful acknowledgments to his friends and the public, for the very liberal patronage he has received from them, and solicits a continuance of the like favors. Being desirous of their further patronage, wishes to inform them that he has opened a Hat Store, in the City of New York, at No. 363 Bowery, which will enable him to have his hats finished in the city, according to the latest fashions, and fur- nished to his costomers, at reduced prices.
The business in future will be conducted by his son Wil- liam A. Field, at his old establishment, in the village of Mil- ton, a few doors south of Jacob P. Townsend's store. All persons having unsettled accounts with him, are requested to pay immediate attention to the same. The books of accounts are left with William A. Field, who is fully author- ized to collect and settle the samc.
Milton, 4th mo. (Apr. 14), 1830.
New Goods. Cornwell S. Roe
Would respectfully inform his friends, and the public, that he has just received at his store, in addition to his former stock, an extensive assortment of Dry Goods, Groceries, Crockery, Hard and Hollow Ware, Etc. Etc. Also, Nails. Lumber, Coarse and Fine Salt, Tar, Plaster, Fish, Pork all of which will be sold at reduced prices, and upon favorable terms. The highest price in cash will be paid for all kinds .
of grain.
Dec. 23rd, 1829.
Tow-Boat Atlanta. Captain Cornwell S. Roc,
Urged by a sense of duty by his numerious friends announces the uninterrupted prosecution of his Towing Business, and assures the public that there is no difficulty now, even re- mote in appearance; he makes this notice for the express purpose to settle the agitation of the public in relation to the steam boat accident, some time since, by running against
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a sloop. Also in relation to a mercantile misfortune with which he is in no way connected, he regrets the folly that some have now, as past, circulated any idle tale, to impede the regularity of his business. Wanted Rye, Oats and Corn -at fair prices-Cash on delivery. C. S. Roe,
Milton, May 19th, 1830.
Steam Boat Notice.
The Hudson River Steam Boat Line is now plying between New-York, and Albany, leaving New-York at 5 o'clock, P. M. every day, (except Sunday) when they leave Albany at Io o'clock A. M.
The Steam Boats arrives at Milton from New-York, every night between eleven and twelve o'clock. From Albany. they arrive at Milton between three and four o'clock every afternoon. The boats will land and receive passengers at the Steam Boat Landing, Milton.
Peter Quimby.
Milton, May 3rd, 1830.
Notice.
The copartnership existing under the firm of James H. Longbottom & Co. was desolved by mutual consent, on the 15th day of December last. James Kinworthy retires from the concern. The business will be continued as usual by James H. Longbottom.
Feb. 6th, 1830.
Tailoring.
Mr. Charles H. Taylor announces to the public that he has commenced the Tailoring Business in all its various branches and fashions, in Marlborough Village, over the store of Barnabas M. Mapes, where he will be happy to at- tend on his customers. He can assure the public that his work will be done in first New York Style, equal to that of any person of his profession, therefore hopes to merit and receive a share of public patronage. Marlborough, June 29, 1830.
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N. B. Cutting done in fashionable style and at short notice, and on reasonable terms ; all kinds of country pro- duce taken in payment.
Millinery.
Mrs. M. B. Taylor respectfully informs the public, that she has recently established the business of Millinery and Dress Making in Marlborough Village, nearly opposite the store of Mr. Fletcher, where she will be happy to accommo- date customers in the above branch, upon the most moder- ate terms.
Marlborough, June 29, 1830.
List of letters remaining in the Post Office, at Milton N. Y., October ist, 1830.
Robert Brown
Cornwell S. Roe
William Brown
John Sheffield
David Brower
Benjamin Sands
Rev. Jones Ilobbs
Albert Stewart
Louisa B. Mecch
James Stewart
Henry Perkins
Elisyabeth Woolsey
Ann Maria Ransome
John Worall
A. D. Soper, P. M.
Threshing Machine.
The subscriber, having purchased the interest of the Pat- entees, for this country, in two new invented Threshing Machines, offers the same for sale, at Milton Landing. The machines will either be furnished, or rights sold to farmers empowering them to construct the same. Town rights will be disposed of to mechanics, or others upon reasonable terms. Certificates of the most respected farmers in the county, confirming the great advantages of these machines are in the possession of the subscriber at his store, where the machines may be seen at any time.
Milton, Dec. 23, 1829.
Cornwell S. Roc.
Salt and Tar.
Sack salt of the very best quality and quantity, constantly for sale at the lowest prices. Also, Tar by the barrel. C. S. Roe, Milton, April 7, 1830.
Stocks at Silas Purdy's Mill, Marlborough, in 1773.
(Page 86.)
OLD CUSTOMS.
ALSO OLD HOUSES, OLD ROADS AND OLD VESSELS.
The manners and methods of our grandfathers were dif- ferent from our own. From various sources information has been gleaned as to the ways of the early residents of this town.
Those who could afford it, kept slaves, and each owner put a mark upon his black servants, and registered the same with the town clerk, in order that runaway slaves might be the more easily traced. For instance the mark of Matthew Wygant was " a square notch or ha'penny on the upper side of the left ear." This was previously Abraham Deyo's mark, but in purchasing Deyo's slave or slaves, Wygant evi- dently adopted it to avoid re-marking the poor blacks.
As a rule the slaves seem to have been well treated, though there is an instance on record of one owner having shot his man slave and killed him, for which he was never punished, the irregular times of the Revolution enabling him to escape prosecution.
About 1800 the residents began to give their slaves free- dom. Many were allowed their liberty on the death of their old masters. John J. A Robart owned five, named Mongo (also called Louis Supreme), Figaro and his wife Althea, Charlotte and Olivette. He gave these their free- dom in 1813. Figaro Milden, an aged colored man residing on Western avenue, was named after the Figaro above men- tioned, and was himself a slave when a boy.
October 10, 1804, Benjamin Ely abandoned a black child to the state, being evidently the progeny of one of his slaves, whom he did not care to be at the expense of bringing up, foreseeing that all would have to be freed in a few years' time.
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In 1773 stocks were set up at Silas Purdy's mill, where W. S. Clark & Son's mill now is, and there minor offences were punished in the traditional manne :. One pound was voted at the town meeting that year, to pay for the stocks.
The pound was a very necessary institution during the latter part of the seventeenth century. Two were established in the town, one at Silas Purdy's, the other at Robt. Ever- ett's. Many settlers were in the habit of feeding their stock along the roads, and the animals were always getting away and trespassing on other people's ground. The sheep seem to have been particularly annoying, and a heavy fine was impo ed at one time on stray rams, and anyone finding one and not reporting to the town clerk, to have the " stray" registered (so that the owner might be fined) was liable to a fine of eight shillings. The hogs came in for their share as nuisances, but were allowed to roam if well yoked together. It was customary for anyone finding a stray animal to go to the town clerk with a description of it. The clerk entered this on the town book, which was supposed to "advertise" the finding. When the owner turned up he had to pay the * clerk two shillings for advertising, and settle with the man who had found and fed his stock.
The methods in vogue in dealing with the poor were somewhat odd. On one occasion, in 1782, "a poor boy, named Liba Herrington, was sold at vendue, to Uriah Mackey. for 7 5, 8 shil., and he to have him bound by the poormaster until he is 21 years old, to have meat, drink, washing and lodging, and reading, writing and cyphering, and two suits of clothes when of age, one for holidays and one for common days."
In 1778, "Joseph Webb, the only person chargeable to the precinct, was sold to the lowest bidder for £87, for one year's boarding, exclusive of clothing, on this condition-if any person in the precinct of Newburgh will keep him for a smaller sum they are to have him." He was sold to. John Scott. There must have been a cheerful prospect before a poor pauper who was disposed of in this fashion !
In 1789 there was a pauper known as old Relyca, to whom
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the town had been giving aid, while his sons were really able to support him. The fact came up at the town meeting Sept. 5, 1789, and it was "Voted, that the poormaster in- mediately prosecute the children of old Relvea for his main- tenance by the town." Evidently the poormaster did not get anything out of the sons, for the same thing was voted the next year, accompanied by wrathy resolutions.
During the Revolution it was the custom for men to take the oath of allegiance to the Continental government, and have the clerk enter the same on the town records. Many men who had Tory sympathies, when they found themselves becoming the objects of scorn and persecution, made the best of it, and swore in with the new government.
OLD HOUSES.
The residence of Samuel Harris, on North Main street, was built by Major Du Bois about 1770, perhaps sooner. It was the best house in town.
The Exchange hotel, Samuel H. Kniffin, proprietor, is sup- posed to be nearly if not quite as old as the DuBois man- sion.
James Carpenter's residence has withstood the storms of nearly a century.
The house adjoining, where J. E. Woolsey lives, is nearly as old.
The old stone house where Isaac Ilall lives, formerly occupied by J. J. A. Robart, dates back to the Revolution.
The small house at the corner of Main and DuBois streets, property of Dr. E. P. Bailey, was there over seventy years ago, and is supposed to have been built during the last cen- tury.
The old building adjoining J. C. Merritt's store was for- merly used as a weave shop by Spence & McElrath. Robert Moses worked in it, and it stood further to the east.
C. E. Reynold's shop on Main street was originally built
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for John B. Wygant, for a wagon shop, also shoe and paint shop. Barnabas Mapes leased it at one time.
The Thomas Marvin house, nearly two miles north of the village, on Main street, was built by Eli S. Woolsey's grand- father, before the Revolution.
The Milden house, on Western avenue, is supposed to be over one hundred years old.
In Milton the old houses are-the red house at the head of Sears' lane, where the first town meeting was held in March, 1789. The Hallocks lived there, when they arrived in Milton in 1760, previous to building the old homestead.
The Hallock homestead, now occupied by Mrs. Phebe Hallock, was built about 1762.
The old house occupied by Mrs. Conklin, north of the Presbyterian church, was built by Samuel Hallock, some time in the sixties. It was afterwards bought by Benjamin Sands, and was fired at during the war of the Revolution, by Vaughan's expedition. David Sands, jr., picked up an iron cannon ball near the old house some years ago.
The Anning Smith house was built in 1770, and also got a dose from the British gun boats in 1777.
The Hepworth house, half way between Milton and Marl- borough, was built shortly after the Revolution, and was kept as a hotel by William Holmes.
The Bingham house on Bingham street was built in 1795.
In 1820 Adam Cropsey's house stood just south of Dr. A. H. Palmer's present residence. South of where the brick house now is were two little houses, occupied by two old ladies, Mrs. Havens and Mrs. Plumstead. Henry Cropsey lived about where the brick house now stands. Where Henry Carpenter lives a Miss Wilson then resided. At this same date a little house with a rear basement was next to McMullen's hotel on the south. Van Buren's grocery store came next.
Chas. E. Reynold's carriage shop was formerly a part of the hotel building. Barnabas Mapes leased part of the hotel grounds, and built a portion of the present structure.
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OLD ROADS.
The old post road, running through the town, at a distance of about half to three-quarters of a mile from the river, is undoubtedly the oldest road in the town. It probably dates back one hundred and fifty years. There are several dwell- ings on this road which are more than one hundred years old, and it formed the natural route for land travelers be- tween New York and Albany.
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