The History of
Orange County
New York
EDITED BY
RUSSEL HEADLEY
PUBLISHED BY
VAN DRUSEN AND ELMS
MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
1909
PREFACE
In presenting this new History of Orange County to the public, we do
so in the earnest hope that it will prove to be the most complete
compilation of local chronicles that has up to this time been offered
to our citizens. The authenticity of the facts contained in the
various articles is as absolute as the utmost care could make it. The
data have been procured from the best known authorities, and the
sketches, when completed, have been subjected to the most searching
examination for verification and correction. That no errors will be
discovered in this production, is too much to hope for; but we do
most certainly trust, that if any such errors there be, neither in
number nor by their nature, will they be found to be sufficiently
important to detract from that character for reliability, which it
has been our constant aim and endeavor to impart to this history.
In this new work the design has been, to make clear the development
of ideas and institutions from epoch to epoch; the social and
economic conditions of the people have been preserved in the
narrative, and much attention has been paid to describing the civil
characteristics of the several towns and cities, both in the conduct
of their local affairs and also in relation to each other and the
county at large.
It is a well-known fact that considerable prejudice exists among a
great body of the people toward county histories in general, for the
reason that some such compilations in the past, have been composed of
fact and fiction so intermingled, as to render it a difficult matter
to know what was true and what was false. It has been our object in
this work to hew straight to the line, satisfied to simply furnish
such information as we were able to gather concerning each important
matter or interesting event; and where the desired materials were
lacking, we have not attempted to supply that lack, by filling in the
vacant niches with products of the imagination. We have not striven
for effect, but our object is merely to give an authentic account of
facts recent and remote, so disposed in a proper and orderly manner,
as to enable our readers to clearly understand the history of their
county from its origin down to the present day.
It is the limitation attached to all works devoted to general
history, that from their very character only a superficial knowledge
of the men and their times can be derived from them, while on the
other hand, that which they lack is supplied by local histories of
this nature, whose great value in adding to the fund of human
knowledge cannot be overestimated; for they are the only mediums
through which we can get the whole story of the economy of life,
practiced by those men and women in every county in our broad land,
which eventually resulted in transforming a wilderness into a garden,
and from a weak and needy folk, creating a rich and mighty nation. It
has long been recognized by every scholar, that the knowledge of such
humble elements is absolutely essential, in order that the mind may
intelligently grasp the potent factors which go to make up history.
Hence, our correct understanding of the advancement and growth of a
people varies in just such proportion as the narrative of their daily
lives is full or incomplete.
The history of our own county cannot be studied too often; for it is
one of great interest, and the record revealed is a proud one. There
is no section of the country possessing more of historic interest,
nor does one exist, as closely identified with those crucial events
connected with the formative period of the Republic. In this county
was held the last cantonment of the Revolutionary army, here
Washington passed a large portion of his time, and within our borders
he rendered his greatest service to our country.
At the time the army went into winter quarters at Little Britain in
1782, although peace was not declared until the following year, yet
it was well understood that the long war was over and the States were
at last independent of Great Britain. The knowledge of this fact
naturally inclined the minds of men to a consideration of the form of
government to be adopted for the infant commonwealth, and nowhere did
the matter receive more attention than in that encampment, and from
those soldiers whose deeds in arms had made the happy consummation
possible.
The leisure entailed from the long relief from active duty which
ensued after going into camp, afforded ample opportunity for both the
officers and men of the army to discuss this question in all its
bearings. It must be borne in mind that republics were not much in
favor at that period, while the incompetent and discreditable manner
in which Congress had conducted the national affairs for years, had
created profound distrust and widespread discontent. Under the
circumstances it is not so surprising that, believing nothing but
chaos and ruin would be the lot of the country should the form of
government then in force be continued, the army should have finally
declared for a limited monarchy, and desired Washington as king.
The deputation of Colonel Nicola to present the subject to Washington
does not require repetition here, nor the details of the manner in
which that great man resolutely put aside all feelings of personal
ambition, and so sternly repressed the movement for all time, that
our present form of free government became an assured fact. These
events are merely mentioned to bring vividly to the mind the
recollection of the important connection our county sustained toward
that great drama, and also to bring clearly home the fact, that even
though the sun of liberty rose first from the green at Lexington or
the bridge at Concord, the gestation of the Republic occurred on the
banks of the Hudson in the old county of Orange.
Some criticism of this work has been occasioned through the inclusion
therein of biographical sketches; but we are certain that upon calm
reflection it will be seen that such objections rest upon no
substantial foundation. The narratives of the lives of men and their
acts constitute all there is of history. If it be true that all that
our county shows in the way of growth and development, is entirely
due to the men and women who originally peopled this region, and
worthily performed those parts allotted to them in the general scheme
of life, during their existence here, it is equally true that their
successors who still abide with us, took up the burden where it fell
from the hands of the fathers, and most signally continued the work,
and carried it forward to success. If the works themselves are
deserving of commendation, surely the workers and finishers thereof
are entitled to the honor of some mention.
In sending forth this volume, we trust that in addition to its value
as a depository of accurate information and useful knowledge, it will
also prove an effective instrument in creating a more active public
sentiment regarding historical subjects, and especially foster an
interest in the annals of our own county.
The editor would be wanting in gratitude did he fail to acknowledge
his obligations to the well-known writer, the late Mr. Edward M.
Ruttenber. The whole historical field comprising that period prior to
the Revolutionary era, has been so carefully gleaned over by that
indefatigable and accurate historiographer, that there remains little
or nothing that is new, to reward any subsequent investigator into
the history of that era, and therefore all who include that epoch in
any sketch, must perforce draw largely from the store of valuable
materials gathered by him. The editor also desires to return his
sincere thanks to our numerous contributors, for their cheerful
assistance, and especially for the painstaking care exhibited by them
in the preparation of those articles which appear herein, and whose
excellence constitutes the chief merit of this work.
That the efforts of myself and associates have fallen short of the
high standard we had set up for ourselves at the inception of our
labors, we are well aware; but we do at least claim, that we have in
some material degree, contributed in this volume to the "rescuing
from oblivion and preserving the services which others have performed
for God and country and fellow men." If the public by its verdict
allows this claim to stand, our reward will be ample and we shall
rest well content.
Russel Headley.
Dated, July 14, 1908.
CONTENTS
Part I
CHAPTER I-X
The County of Orange