History of the Town of Newburgh. ... Illustrations by C. W. Tice, etc

Front matter

VIEW OF NEWBURGH FROM THE NORTH-FAST MMT&Wt OF THE flail if SifctiEi|| : BY E. M. RUTTENBER. JUisltratd WUTH wzmw33 m&i?&B 5>®ai!?a4j,ni!i,i§3 &@a E. 31 KUTTENBEK & CU , PH1NTEKS HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF NEWBURGH BY E_ M_ RUTTENBER,, CORRESPONDING MEMBER OK THE N. Y. HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Illustrations by ('has. W. Tice, Artist, Newburgh. " Those only deserve to be remembered by posterity who cherish the memory and treasure up the history of their ancestors."— Burke. NEWBURGH : E. M. RUTTENBER & CO., PRINTERS. 1859. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court, of the Southern District of Neiv-Yerrk, BY E. M. RUTTENBER AND C. W. TICE, the third day of January, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.

Introduction

. The necessity of Local History is unquestionable; it is, to a large extent, the material of History in its highest sense and scope. To those who would thoroughly comprehend the Past, the former is as needful as the latter. Events of a strictly National character are few in comparison with the Local; and the men whose names live in a Nation's memory as the great statesmen of their day, are fewer still when compared with the many who at the same period filled other spheres, less prominent indeed, but still closely connected with the welfare of society. The discovery and settlement of this Continent, the growth of its humble Colonies into a glorious cluster of confederated States, the noble deeds of noble sires who achieved their independence, have engaged the pens of historians who have won a world-wide fame ; they have, however, only gathered a few of the choicest sheaves from a field of vast extent and rich with ungarnered harvests.

These portions of the harvest-field belong to local husbandmen, and by their efforts we may hope that the complete history of our Nation will be preserved. Until within a few 37ears, little attention has been paid to the preparation of Local Histories, and perhaps still less to the preservation of the materials of which they must be composed. Too frequently the only record of the early annals of towns and cities is the memory of individuals, and very often this record has died with its possessor. A few scattering documents, brief and unsatisfactory letters, and family traditions colored or enlarged as such statements are apt to be, embrace all that can be obtained. Much, however, in the aggregate remains, and in the work of collecting and preserving it, all may bear a part. The descendants of early settlers should embody in a written form the details of family history.

In every town and village Historical Associations should be founded, and the different branches of historic research be confided to able and energetic hands. Above all the public mind should be educated to appre ciate the value of ancient records, and the importance of guarding them with sacred care. Newburgh, we arc happy to say, has made a beginning in this good work; and her citizens are en couraged to prosecute it with zeal, by the consideration that in the old Head Quarters they have a place of deposit for these precious remains, abundantly safe and invested with the most venerable associations. The design of Local History is to preserve the memory of local

INTRODUCTION.

. VI events and enterprise; to record the manners and customs, the character and services of our fathers, and in a word, as far as may be, to reproduce the familiar scenes of by-gone years. In preparing this work, no little care and attention have been devoted to secure this end. Our object has been, not to present an elegantly written volume, but one containing authenticated facts. " In all cases we have consulted the most reliable sources of information to which we could get access, and have taken every pains to guard against error. We have endeavored to sketch, with as much fulness and accuracy of detail as possible, the rise and progress of the Village and Town of Newburgh— of the public enterprises in which the men of the different periods have been united — of the religious and educational establish ments, and to outline the more prominent actors, who from time to time have appeared on the public stage.

In our biographical sketches we have sought neither to flatter any one, nor to pander to the aristocracy of birth or wealth, but to hold up for reverence and esteem private and public worth, whether found in those who claimed a lordly ancestry, or in those who sprung from the humblest walks of life. There is an aristocracy which we are proud to recognize and have endeavored to commend — the aris tocracy of worth. Every man may become a nobleman though he resides in a hovel — every man may leave behind him an example which his descendants may worthily strive to imitate, a record of his deeds in the public service, or for the good of the community, to which they can point with honest pride. This is the aristocracy which elevates and ennobles the human race, and is the ground-work on which rest the dignity and virtue of society.

Neither money nor lineage constitute the measure of its value or the test by which its existence is determined. Each one must win and maintain it for himself. For many valuable facts and suggestions embodied in its pages, the work is indebted to James Donelly, Esq., Rev. John- Brown, D. D., Hon. Thomas McKissock, Hon. Samuel W. Eager, William E. Warren, Enoch Carter, S. C. Parmenter, James AV. Fowler, and J. N. Weed, Esqs., and to other gentlemen; and to all who have aided us, we return our most sincere thanks. Especially are we under obligations to Rev. John Forsyth, D. P., for suggestions and assistance cheerfully rendered at every stage of the work. To the public, whose subscription has guaranteed its publication, the work is most respectfully dedi cated. Newburgh, January 1, 1859. fjarf $ixst—§tnn£

Chapter I. Hudson In The Waters Of The Mahakeneghtuc Aboriginal History The

PALATINE PARISH BY QUASSAICK. 1009—1150. 'Late from this Western shore, that morning chased The deep and ancient night, which threw its shade O'er the green land of groves, the beautiful waste, Nurse of full streams, aud lifter up of proud Sky-mingling mountains that overlook the cloud. Erewhile, where yon gay spires their brightness rear, Trees waved, and the brown hunter's shouts were loud Amid the forest ; and the bounding deer Fled at the glancing plume ; and the gaunt wolf yelled near, Bryant. The History of Newburgh, it may he properly claimed, dates from the discovery and exploration of the Mahakcneghtuc* by Henry Hudson, in 1609. On the evening of September 3d, Hudson anchored his vessel, the Half Moon, in what is now the harbor of New York. Having remained there a week, he com menced, on the 12th, the exploration of the river now bearing his name, and, on the morning of the 15th, sailed into what is now known as the Newburgh Bay.

The morning was cloudy and dark, but as he passed the Klinkersberg,^ the sun came out through the clouds and revealed to his astonished vision the grandeur of the over-hanging Highlands, and the magnificent virgin forests which clothed the river banks with their gorgeous autumnal hues. How beautiful — how grand must have been the scene ! A pano ramic picture suddenly unrolled by the hand of the Great Artist, combining all tints "Of gem. of bird, of flower, of cloud, of sky.' Before him the river mirrored the rocky heights and the waving verdure — around him "the lethargy of uncivilized nature reigned in undisturbed solitude. The wild game sprang from their familiar retreats startled by the echoes which now rolled through the ancient forests, as the roar of the first Dutch cannon boomed over the silent waters, and the Dutch trumpets blew the inspiring airs of Fatherland."

Enraptured, Hudson paused. We who * This was the name given to Hudson's River by the Mohegans, or Mahakondas, who resided upon its eastern bank. The word is supposed to mean "the continuallv flowing waters." t The earliest recorded name of Butter-Hill. HUDSON IN THE MAHAKENEGHTUC have so often gazed on the scenery of Newburgh Bay, can hardly realize Hudson's enthusiastic admiration of a place that then appeared "As though earth's guardian angel watching o'er Had dropped his silver mantle from his form Upon her to protect her helpless sleep ;" but we may gather from his Journal* his sentiments, in the exclamation: "It is as beautiful a land as one can tread upon." Poets and word painters have in vain essayed to give a more expressive description. "This," continues the Journal, referring to the land on which Newburgh is now situated, "is a very pleasant place to build a town on.

The roadstead is very near and very good for all winds, save an east-north-east wind." This description, although brief, is a perfect identification of the spot. The Journal adds: "The mountains look as though some metal or mineral were in them ; for the trees that grow on them are all blasted, and some of them are barren, with few or no trees on them. The people brought a stone on board like to emery (a stone used by glaziers to cut glass,) it would cut iron or steel, yet when bruised small and water put to it, it made a color like black lead glistering. It is also good for painter's colors." Hudson remained at anchor some hours in the Newburgh Bay, and in the afternoon resumed his voyage with a favorable breeze. After spending several days in the northern part of the river, he reached Newburgh Bay, on his return, on the afternoon of the 29th September, and again cast anchor to enjoy for the last time the beautiful scenery yet hovering in his memory.

Forcibly remarks Moulton: "If the morning scene was grand, how beau tiful must have been that of the night. His was the first European vessel which had been encompassed by the Matteowanf mountains. ■•One still And solemn desert, in primeval garb, Hung round his lonely bark.." The departing sun rested in beauty upon the hills, and left the shadows of the mountains to deepen into those of the night, when the solemn gloom became interrupted only by the scream of the catamount, as it leaped from the forest to the jutting brow, glanced for a moment at the ship, as its port-lights glim mered on the waters, and then plunged into the thicket; or by the shrill screech of "each wild throat, in this incumbrance of * Hudson's Journal was kept by Juet, his mate. t The Indian name of the Mountains at the northern entrance of the Highlands, according to Spafford and Moulton.

HUDSON IN THE MAHAKENECHTUC. horrific woods." And now the full-orbed moon rose from behind the mountains and opened to full view the grand amphitheatre of hills. At their base lay the ship embosomed in a tremulous gleam of light, while the surrounding rocks glistened with the reflected moonbeams, or presented in traces of shade the cavern gorges, whither the grim, gaunt wolf hastened with stealthy tread, when, prowling along the bank, his glare first fell upon the alarming wonder." Anon the forest was hushed and its tenants mute; and as the hours passed on, the mountain sides again sparkled with gems and dew-drops as the morning sun awoke the scene to life. But the vision of Hudson embraced other objects beside lofty hills, and landscapes uninarred by the hand of man. Around him gathered, at each step of his progress, the representatives of a race who had received their titles to this broad domain directly from the Creator — men of noble form and mien — "With tawny limb, And belt and beads in sunlight glistening ;" who hailed him as a Cod, and whose kindness he repaid by exhibiting the power of fire-arms, and the introduction among them of that great enemy us their race, the mysterious "fire water."

They were a happy, free, and mighty people ; but des tined to fall beneath the tide of commerce and of war which the discovery of their pleasant lands soon rolled upon them. The wave broke upon the primeval scene, carrying devastation to their rude homes, yet preparing the way for the advent of Civilization and Religion. As light beams upon the past and reveals the struggle of the Indian lords against their pale-faced subjugators, the benevolent mind shrinks with horror from the picture presented. Wherever the eye rests there, "The glens, the groves, Paths in the thicket, pools of running brook, And banks and depths of lake, and streets and lanes Of cities, murmur of guilty force and treachery.'' Reverting to the Indian history of the locality we are con sidering, we turn again to Hudson's Journal, and find, under date of September 30, this brief notice: "The people of the country came aboard us and brought some small skins with them, which we bought fur knives and trifles.

At three o'clock they departed." The next allusion to them is in the Journal of David Pieterzen de Vries who sailed up the river in April, 1640, for the purpose of making a more minute examination of the country with a view to locate a settlement. He arrived off the Dans-Kammer* about sunset on the 26th April, and cast-anchor. During the evening, he states, a party of riotous savages assembled there "who threatened trouble," and that "the sloop's com pany stood well on their guard." On his return, (May 15,) he tells us that he saw many Indians "fishing from the rocks at the Dans-Kammer." Coming down to 1656, we find on Van der Donck's Map of New Nethcrland the district lying between Murderer's Creek and Esopusf marked as in the occupation of the Waranawankongs. Subsequent research confirms this desig nation, and defines the tribe as a branch of the 3Iinsi$, some times called Minisinks, the Wolf tribe of the Delawares.

The Waranawankongs were seldom called by that name, but with the Wauwapjiesjes, the Wauwarsings, the Papogoncks, and the Mamekolings, were known by the general title of "the Esopus Indians." Without specifying the particular localities occupied by the other tribes, we notice that tho Waranawankongs had villages and castles at Atkarkarton, now Kingston ; on the Mombackus, now Wallkill river, at a point now called Bruyns wick, and at Quassaick, now Newburgh; while the Dans-Kammer was the Temple in which they gathered to worship their God, Bachtamo. * A point on the Hudson ill the northern part of the Town of Newburgh. The name is Dutch, and given to express the nature of the Indian rites held there. We shall refer to the locality more fully hereafter. The meaning of the word is Dance Chamber. t This word is from Seepu, a Delaware term for river.

It was speedily corrupted into Scepus, then to Sopus, and finally to Esopus. The Waranawankongs were a bold and warlike race, and un doubtedly took no small share in maintaining the dignity and supremacy of the 3Iinsis in the long and bitter wars between the Delaware and Iroquois confederations. From the first, they appear to have regarded the Dutch with suspicion ; and when the latter, at Fort Orange, supplied the Mohawks with fire-arms, and refused to treat the Minsis, at Fort Amsterdam, in a similar manner, suspicion ripened into hatred. Hence, when Thomas Chambers and some of his neighbors, residing in the Colony of Rensselacrswyck, removed to Esopus, in 1652, they were driven off by the Indians. The settlers returned, however, in 1657, and continued for sometime unmolested. Our history of the Waranawankongs — though the material is ample — must be confined to scenes more immediately connected with the localities where their house* was first invaded — where they were finally crushed and broken.

With the second advent of the Dutch at Esopus we commence the narrative. For a time, very little hostility was manifested by the Indians; but at length, under the influence of "fire-water," they became quarrelsome; "one of the settlers was killed; the house and out-buildings of another were burned, while others were forced to plow up the patches where the savages planted their maize." The settlers wrote to Governor Stuyvesant detailing their situation, and he responded by visiting the scene of disturbance accompanied by a number of soldiers. Stuyvesant summoned the chiefs before him and patched up a treaty of peace, in which he managed to extort, by threats, a gift of the land that the settlers desired. But the truce was of short duration, and Stuyvesant's presence was again required in 1658.

He now moved with a bolder hand and demanded, as an indemnification for his trouble, that the Indians should make a free surrender of all the Esopus lands, so far as they had been explored by the Dutch. The Indians de murred at so extravagant a request, and retired from the conference. Stuyvesant, however, determined to gain his purpose, and at once erected a Redoubt and took possession of the lands. This course contributed still farther to exasperate the Waranawankongs, who now only waited for a single aggressive act to rouse them to war. Nor was the occasion long delayed. Thomas Chambers had employed a number of Indians to husk * This word is used in a special sense. The Indians designated their confederations by the title of "house." The "long house" of the Iroquois extended from Hudson's River to the Lakes, while that of the Delawares embraced a larger extent of territory. corn; and, on the night of the termination of their job, they asked for and obtained some brandy.

A carouse followed, in the course of which a volunteer company sallied out and attacked the intoxicated Indians, killing one and wounding two of their number. This cowardly act justly incensed the Waranawankongs. The war-whoop rang out; the settlement was invested by four or five hundred Indians; the houses, barns and crops of the settlers were destroyed, and eight or ten prisoners taken and burned at the stake. The Dutch, however, maintained their Redoubt and succeeded in sending off a messenger to Governor Stuyvesant for relief, who again sailed for Esopus with a con siderable force. The Indians, however, learned of his approach, and a few hours previous to his arrival raised the siege and retreated to the woods. Heavy rains inundated the country, and Stuyvesant found it impossible to pursue his wily foes; but, through the negotiation of friendly chiefs of the Mohegans and Wappingers, a truce was effected.

The war, however, was renewed in the spring of 1660, and offensive operations pushed with vigor in the immediate vicinity of Esopus. The Indian castle at Wiltmeet was destroyed, and a large quantity of maize and beans and several prisoners fell into the hands of the Dutch. The Waranawankongs now sued for peace, and proposed to surrender or exchange prisoners. This Stuyvesant refused, and with a view still farther to terrify the Indians he banished the captive chiefs in his hands to Curacoa " to be employed there, or at Buenaire, with the negroes in the Company's service." Negotiations were broken off, and the war was renewed. The Dutch forces swept the country along Kit Davit's Kill; penetrated the district occupied by the Papagoncks, reduced their castle and killed Preummaker, "the oldest and best of their chiefs."

This noble chief was too old and infirm to follow his retreating friends, but he met his foes with defiance. "What do ye here, ye dogs?" he asked, aiming an arrow at the soldiers as he spoke; but his limbs were palsied, and before he could discharge the arrow he was seized and disarmed. "As it was considerable distance to carry him," says the record, "we struck him down with his own axe." The tribes now held a consultation, and Sewackenamo, sachem of the Waranawankongs, asked the wishes of the warriors. "We will fight no more," was the brief reply. He then asked the squaws* what "seemed to * The squaws possessed the power of making peace at any time, and it w-as not considered a dishonorable peace that was made at their request. See Schoolcraft. them best V aud they answered, "That we plant our fields in peace and live in quiet."

To a similar inquiry the young men responded, that they would not "kill either hog or fowl anymore." The wish for peace being thus expressed, the sachem who had spoken proceeded to Gamœnapau and secured the good offices of the Hackinsacks, at whose solicitation Stuyvesant again visited Esopus and succeeded in making a treaty of peace. By one of the articles of this treaty — to secure which the Dutch provoked hostilities — "the Esopus savages, in compensation of damages, transferred to the Director-General all the lands of Esopus, and agreed to depart from thence without being permitted to return to plant." The Indians asked that their kindred in slavery should be restored; but Stuyvesant replied that they must consider them as dead. Although deeply grieved at this answer, the chiefs agreed to the treaty and departed.

Three years of tranquility succeeded the peace of 1660. The Indians, however, were far from being satisfied with their Dutch neighbors; and as the settlement increased and a New Village was staked out on land not included in the grant to Stuyvesant, their threats of vengeance were again muttered. In June, 1663, the blow came. Entering the settlement, ostensibly for trade, they suddenly attacked tho inhabitants, and the tomahawk and fire-brand did the work of death. Women and children were seized and carried off prisoners, and the New Village destroyed. The settlers finally rallied, under Dominie Bloom, at the Old Village, and succeeded in driving off their assailants. Twenty one lives were lost, nine persons wounded and forty-five carried off captive. Immediately on the receipt of the intelligence of this disaster, Stuyvesant dispatched Col. Martin Kregier to the Esopus with a sufficient force to protect the settlement and chastise the aggressors.

He arrived at the Redoubt on the 4th of July, and in a few days negotiations were opened, through the mediation of Mohegan chiefs, and some of the captives held by the Indians released; but they would not listen to peace unless the Dutch would "pay for the land named the Great Plot." Kregier con tinued the negotiations by sending Lieut. Peter Couwenhoven, and some friendly chiefs, to the Dans-Kammer, the head-quarters of the tribe, to secure the release of the remainder of the prisoners. Couwenhoven remained with his sloop off the Dans- Kammer for several days; and on the 11th of August he sent a message to Kregier informing him that the Waranawankongs had collected about four hundred men, and were preparing to renew their attack on Esopus; that they also daily threatened him "in an insufferable manner"; that he hourly expected the arrival of the sachem who had already been gone "four days about the captive Christians, and should soon know the issue of his mission"; and that "the Indians who lay thereabout on the river side made a great uproar every night, tiring guns and kintekaying, so that the woods rang again."

Lieut. Couwenhoven returned to Esopus on the 20th, bearing with him two released captives aud the promise that others would be restored when the Indian prisoners were presented for exchange. Kregier, anxious to secure the captives before commencing hostilities, sent back Couwenhoven to negotiate, who plied the Indians with brandy, furnished them with powder and made promises to restore the Indian prisoners provided the Christian captives were first re leased; but all to no purpose — the Indians required as a proof of good faith that their brethren should be first released, and Couwenhoven was compelled to abandon the mission. Kregier now determined to roll the tide of war into the Indian country, and having learned the location of their castles on the Mombackus, from one of the released captives, marched thither and successfully attacked and laid waste the strong holds of the tribe as far west as the present village of Blooming burgh.

The war was short but decisive. The first castle attacked was situated in the present town of Shawangunk; but the Indians discovered the approach of their foes and fled to the mountains. The castle was found to be one of considerable strength, consisting of an enclosure formed by three rows of palisades, and was eligibly located for defense. The work of de struction commenced at once. The castle was set on fire ; fields of corn, covering about two-hundred and fifteen acres, were cut down; "above a hundred pits full of corn and beans that had been preserved" from the crop of the previous year, destroyed; and the retreating Indians pursued and a number slain.* The expedition then returned to Wiltwyck, laden with spoil. But the Indians were not subdued. Gathering together their scattered forces they commenced the construction of another castle in the vicinity of the present village of Bloomingburgh. * Catherine Lefever, wife of Louis DuBois, the maternal ancestor of Wm. C. Has brouck, Esq., was among the prisoners.

The family tradition is, that when the Dutch forces approached the Indian fort, they discovered Mrs. DuBois tied to a tree with fagots around her ready for burning; that the Indians had permitted her to sing Psalms to console herself, and that while she was singing the Dutch gave the shout and the Indians (led. Three of Mrs. DuBois' children were with her in captivity. Hearing of their operations, Kregier again started on the work of destruction, and succeeded in reaching the castle unobserved. The Indians, although taken by surprise, made a stout resistance. Retreating across the Kill, they returned the fire of their assailants with such spirit that it was with difficulty they were dislodged. The Indians lost their chief, l^apequanœhen, fourteen warriors, four women and three children; while the Dutch had three men killed and six wounded.

Thirteen Indians were taken prisoners, and twenty-six captives recovered. One of the Indian prisoners was an old man, who, after accompany ing the Dutch a short distance, refused to go farther; and the account adds, "we took him aside and gave him his last meal." On their return march, the Dutch stopped at the castle first destroyed and found that the Indians had visited it and thrown the bodies of their dead comrades into five pits, from which "the wolves had rooted them up and devoured some of them. Lower down on the Kill four other pits were found containing bodies; and farther on, three Indians with a squaw and child that lay unburied and almost wholly devoured by the ravens and the wolves." A terrible picture of desolation was spread out on either hand, where but a few days before the native lord had exulted in his strength.

The Waranawankongs were now virtually destroyed. "Not more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight warriors, fifteen or sixteen women, and a few children survived." * Sewackenamo, their sachem, again solicited peace; and, at Stuyvesant's appointment, the chiefs, in company with chiefs of other tribes, visited Fort Amsterdam, where, the usual preliminaries being disposed of, Sewackenamo arose, and calling several times in a loud voice on Bachtamo, his God, prayed unto him to conclude something good with the Dutch; and that the treaty about to be negotiated, in the presence of the sachems assembled, should be, like the stick he grasped in his hand, firmly united the one end to the other. The treaty was concluded. By its terms, the Indians gave up all the land asked by the Dutch as an indemnity, and "now conquered by the sword," and agreed to remove from its occupancy.

This treaty was annually renewed for a long term of years, and was never broken. The displacement of the Waranawankongs now went on with much rapidity by the purchase of their lands. The first tract purchased was that since known as the "Paltz Patent," the sale *Alb. Records, xii, 331. We think the number is incorrect. B2 of which was made on the 24th May, 1611. The few scattered Indians residing there removed to Quassaick, and the settlers enjoyed their homes in peace until partially disturbed by the Indians in the employ of the French in 1151. No effort was made to obtain possession of the lands at Quassaick until 1684, when Governor Dongan bought of Mangenaett, Tsema, Ke.ghgeka powell, alias Joghem, who claimed to be the "native proprietors and principal owners" of the lands mentioned in the deed, "with the consent of Pemeranaghin, chief sachem of Esopus Indians" and other Indians named, "all that tract and parcel of land situate, lying and being upon the west side of Hudson's river, beginning from the south side of the land called the Paltz, and extending thence southerly along the said river to the lands belonging to the Indians at the Murderer's Kill, and extending westward to the foot of the High-hills called Pit-kis-ka-ker and Aia-skaw-osting."

This tract, ran from the Paltz purchase, on the north, to Murderer's Creek on the south, and bounded on the north-west and west by the Shawangunk mountains until a point was reached from which a due east and west line would strike the mouth of Murderer's Creek. For this immense tract Governor Dongan paid "the sum of ninety pounds and eleven shillings" in the following articles, viz: "10 fathoms blue duffels, 10 fathoms red duffels, 200 fathoms white wampum, 10 fathoms stroudwater, (red cloth,) 10 fathoms blue cloth, 10 blankets, 10 guns, 10 kettles, 10 duffel coats, 10 drawing knives, 10 shirts, 10 tobacco boxes, 10 childrens' duffel coats, 10 childrens' shirts, 10 pairs of hose, 10 pairs of shoes, 50 lbs. powder, 50 bars of lead, 10 cutlasses, 10 hatchets, 10 scissors, 10 tobacco tongues, 100 flints, 2 rolls tobacco, 20 gallons of rum, 2 vats of strong beer, and 1 barrel of cider."