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tribute somewhat toward the erecting and building said Church as aforesaid for the Publick service of almighty God and that only for such a time as yor Excellency will be pleased to grant the said Lycence. And yor Petitionrs as in duty bound shall ever Pray &c. in the behalf of the Elders and Deacons and other mem of said Congregacon 28 June 1731. PETER DU Bois

The Reformed Dutch Churches in Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, from the most reliable authority that can be obtained, were both of them organized about the year 1716. Previous to this services were performed, no doubt, in both places. This was the case at Hopewell, prior to the church organization. For the lack of better accommodations the services were held in barns. On one time the meeting was being held in a barn belonging to Isaac Storm, of Stormville, add the preacher had occasion to ask the question, "Who is Beelzebub ?" A little Irishman perched on a high beam, thinking himself personally addressed, sprang to his feet and cried out—" Och, mon, that's easily tould by a mon of ch'racter ; the High Praist of Hill, sir."

The Dutch church at Poughkeepsie was the first church built in DUCHESS County, probably about 1720; the one at Fishkill was erected some years afterward. There was a glebe attached to the latter church, purchased in two lots. One of them, "containing seven and almost a half acres," was purchased of Madame Brett. The other portion "containing three quarters of an acre and fifteen rods, whereon to erect a church or house," was purchased from Johannis Terboss. This was the first church built on the Rombout Patent.

For twenty years it was the only church on the patent. It was attended on alternate Sabbath mornings by people living far into the interior beyond Hopewell and New Hackensack. For beside the Poughkeepsie church, there was no other church, at that day, north of the Highlands, except in the vicinity of Albany. Whenever, therefore, the preacher lifted up his voice at Fishkill, it was the only voice, the only open pulpit in all that land.

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Rev. Cornelius Van Schie was the first pastor. He was installed in October, 1731, and removed to Albany in 1738. He was succeeded by Rev. Benj. Meinema. His letter of recommendation by the Holland professors speaks of him as having undergone a proper course of study, as a "praestantissimum juvenem," a most excellent young man. He was called here in 1745, retiring in 1758, and died in Septem ber, 1761. Rev. Mr. Van Nist was the next pastor, but died in early manhood. Van Nist and Meinema were both buried. in the burial ground adjoining the church. As population increased, church organizations were established at Hopewell and New Hackensack; at the former place in 1757 and in the latter the year following. These organizations were afterwards, associated with Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, and so continued for years, having one settled pastor over them all. The records of the church at Fishkill were until a late period kept in the Dutch language, and extended back to the year 1730•

On the Fourth of July, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of American Independence, a r banner was strung across the street from the top of the =— poplar tree, under the shade of which the first Methodist minister preached in Fishkill, to the spire of the

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4 Dutch Stone Church. A procession was formed at the lower end of the village,, headed by a body of cavalry dressed in blue and scarlet

Old Di tch~Stoue Church. uniforms, and followed by the citizens with flags and banners. Arriving at the church. the cavalry dismounted, and the procession marched in. A band of music occupied the whole front of the gallery, playing "Hail to the Chief." Rev. Dr. DeWitt delivered the oration; Rev. Dr. Westbrook was Marshal of the day, and

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Gen. Swartwout and other Revolutionary worthies, participated in the general rejoicing.

The old Dutch Church here shown is copied from an old .engraving in Barber's Historical Collection, and represents the more ancient appearance of the structure, together with the willow tree partially covering the window through which Enoch Crosby effected his memorable escape.

The second church built in this town was Presbyterian, and was erected two miles east of Fishkill, at Brinckerhoffville, in 1748. This is worthy of mention as being the first church of that denomination built within the present limits of DUCHESS. It occupied the site of one burned some years ago. It is said that this congregation was collected about the year 1746, by the Rev. Mr. Kent. In i747, Sept. 17th and i8th, the frame of the meeting house' was raised, and an acie of ground given by Jacobus Terboss as a burial ground and site for the building. The condition of the grant was that the church be organized in accordance with the order of the King of Scotland. The first interment in the above lot was the wife of Stephen Lacaoe, in Sept. 1747• Rev. Chauncey Graham was ordained pastor of this church, in connection with the Presbyterian church at Poughkeepsie. In 1$52 Mr. Graham's connection with the latter church was dissolved by the Presbytery then convened at New York, owing to the failure of that church to meet their pecuniary engagements. His whole time was then devoted to the church in Fishkill.

The appearance of this first church edifice is thus described: It was a wooden building, two stories high, with tight shutters on the lower windows. The center pews .had very high backs, so that nothing could be seen of a person when seated but his head. The pulpit tivas shaped like a wineglass, and over it the inevitable sounding-board, fastened to the ceiling with iron rods. The galleries were very high, supported by heavy columns. The arch only extended to the front of the gallery, and under it were large timbers extending across the church to keep it from swaying. These timbers were

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elegantly carved. The church was much disturbed and the building greatly damaged during the Revolution.

The third church erected within the town, the first of its denominational character in the present limits of the county, and the first on 'the east side of the river above the Highlands, was the English or Trinity [Episcopal] Church at Fishkill Village. This church edifice is among the oldest in the State. In reference to' its erection, Dr. Buel furnished several years, since a copy of a subscription paper "for the purchase of the Glebe in some convenient place Episcopal Chuich. in Poughkeepsie, ROmbOut, the Great Nine Partners, or Beekman," bearing date April 2nd, 1766. The subscription states "And inasmuch as there is not any settled church of England in the said county, by which means public worship, according to the Liturgie of the said church, is altogether neglected." From this statement it would appear there might not have been an Episcopal church at that time within the county.

The first services, says Dr. Bud, were held by Rev. Samuel Seabury, in the year '1756. Rev. John Beardsley was appointed for the Poughkeepsie, Beekman and Rombout, and accepted Oct. 26th, 1766. Beardsley preached his first sermon at the house of William Humphrey, in Beekman, Dec. 21st, 1766, from Luke ii: 32. Trinity Church, Fishkill, and Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, were united under one rector for nearly' fifty years. A controversy about the Glebe at Poughkeepsie, which they owned together, was adjusted.

The Methodists first began to hold services in Fishkill about the year 1794. The first sermon was preached in the street, under a poplar tree near the Baxter House. The preacher, named Croft, attracted a large crowd. The first

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society was formed in Fishkill Hook, about the beginning of the present century. Near this place is a grove in which the Methodists have held camp-meetings at various times. The first place of worship erected by this denomination, in the original town of Fishkill, was built at Fishkill Landing in 2824. It is now known as Swift's Hall. At present they have no less than eight church edifices in the territory mentioned.

The first church edifice in the eastern part of the town was erected at Hopewell, in 1764; and the following year another was built at New Hackensack. Both were Dutch Reformed. This period of the church was very much disturbed by unfortunate dissensions, being divided into two parties called Coetus and Conferentia. The latter were tenacious about old customs, ordination of ministers in Holland, and the Low Dutch language in church worship. The Coetus party favored the ordaining of ministers in America, preaching in English, etc. Each of these parties supplied themselves with a preacher of their own belief, who officiated over the same churches for nearly ten years: It was a stormy period in the church, when bitter feelings were engendered,. and but little good done. "Tumults on the Lord's day at the door of the church were frequent. Sometimes the house of worship was locked up by one part of the congregation against the other. Quarrels. respecting the services and the contending claims of the different ministers of the two bodies were frequent. The ministers were frequently assembled in the pulpit, and public worship was disturbed and even terminated by violence. On one occasion a minister was forcibly taken out of the pulpit by a member of the opposite party. .. This difference happily terminated in I772.'*

The location of the First Baptist Church of Fishkill was formerly at Middlebush, where they owned a meeting house and lot. Their present location is on Fishkill Plains. They were organized November 23th, 2782, with a constituent mem

* Bailey.

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bership of eighteen, by Elder John Lawrence, of Pawling, and Elder Nathan Cole, of Carmel. The services were held at the house of Abraham Van Wyck. Elder James Phillips was one of the constituent members, and was called to be their first pastor. He served them many years with great. acceptance, and died in February, 2793. The church licensed Jonathan Atherton to improve his gifts, and to conduct a meeting at New Marlborough, where a branch was organized, which called for his ordination.

Mr. A. Van Wyck gave the society a deed for a piece of land for the site of their house and burial place at Middlebush. Elder Lewis was pastor of the church for several years. He preached at Middlebush, and in the Union Meeting House, at Green Haven. In March of 2822, Elder Burtch and wife united with them by letter from Stanford. He served them as pastor for several years. When he first settled with them they met for worship in private houses. Through his judicious labors they succeeded in erecting a spacious house of worship, in which he had the privilege of preaching to large and attentive congregations. Elder John Warred, of Carmel, preached for them a part of the time for two or three years, and was Lucceeded, in the autumn of 2832, by Elder Isaac Bevan. Elders Underhill, Ambler, and others, have since ministered to this church with acceptance.

The Second Baptist Church of Fishkill, was organized by a council composed of Elders Hull, Sturdevant, Johnson, Ferris, etc., which met at the house of N. Miller, February 17th, T8o8. It at first consisted of twelve members. Elders Lewis Barrett, and Burtch, preached for them more or less from 1824 to 2823 ; and then for a period of twenty years were supplied a part of the time by Elder N. Robinson, of Farmers Mills. Elder Isaac Bevan, then pastor of the First Church in Fishkill, supplied them one day in each month for two years.

Elder Bevan commenced preaching in Franklindale in the Autumn of 2837, at which time there was but one Baptist member in the place. A series of meetings was held the

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following Spring in a schoolhouse. Elder Bevan was assisted by Elder Roberts, of Pleasant Valley. A revival resulted. In June, 1838, twenty-three members organized into a church. Elders Dowling, Warren, Wilks, Roberts, and Bevan, assisted in the constitution. . John Johns, from Hamilton, supplied them for a number of months. B. Clapp, at his own expense, erected a neat and commodious house for the use of the church, and for a select school. Elder D. T. Hill became their pastor in 1839. He preached for the church at Newburgh the same year. C. F. Underhill supplied them for a time. The church has sustained a Sabbath School from the time of its organization.

In 1834, a number of brethren belonging to the Kent and Fishkill churches, finding it inconvenient to attend public worship at a distance of five or six miles over a hilly road, resolved, together with some of their neighbors, to build a meeting-house. This was done in the summer of 1834. May 4th, fifteen brethren and sisters constituted themselves a church, to be known as the Baptist Church at Shenandoah, and were recognized by a council called for that purpose, composed of Elders Barnard, Miller, Robinson, etc. George Horton was ordained their first pastor, and Jacob Charlock, deacon. The first Baptists known to have preached in this place were Elders Cole, Gorton, and Hopkins. They preached in the woods, in barns, and in dwellings. For many years previous to the erection of their house of worship, the neighborhood was notorious for vice and immorality. In January, 1836, a series of meetings was held, continuing some weeks. Elder Enos Ballard, from the Red Mills, assisted, whose labors were richly blessed. It was'thaught about one hundred were converted, fifty of whom were baptized.

A little before the breaking out of the Revolution, an academy building was erected near Brinckerhoffville. To the credit of Fishkill be it said, this was the `first academy established within the county. Dr. John B. Livingston and other distinguished men of Church and State are said to have

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received their early academic education at this place. For a time, Rev. Chauncey Graham taught them. The building was :surmounted with a cupola, and provided with a bell. Shortly after the Revolution it was taken down and rebuilt at Poughkeepsie, where it was known as the DUCHESS Academy. It is now used for an "Old Ladies' Home."

Johannas Tur Boss was one of the first representative men in this part of the county. He was elected a member of the 'Colonial Legislature for 1716 to 1728; he is also spoken of as Judge in old manuscripts.

Philip Verplanck was a native of the patent, and son of the elder Gulian Verplanck, after whom Verplanck's Point is named. He represented the Manor of Cortlandt from 1737 to 1764.

Derick Brinckerhoff was a member of the Colonial Assembly from 1768 to i777; was member of the First Provincial Congress, chairman of Vigilance Committee of the town in the Revolution, a member of the State Legislature, a Colonel of the Militia, besides occupying other positions of trust.

Jacobus Swartwout served as a captain in the French and Indian Wars, was a member of the Vigilance Committee, and afterward a member of the State Legislature.

Judge Abraham Adriance resided in Hopewell. He was an active politician, and in 1798 was elected to the Legislature of the State.

The Schencks were an old family that settled in and about Matteawan and New Hackensack. Some of that name took :a conspicuous part in the cause of the Colonies during the great :struggle for independence.

Thomas Storm kept a tavern, with store attached, east of Hopewell, He. was a member of the Vigilance Committee in the Revolution, and also of the Legislature from 1781 to 1784. He once was candidate for Lieut. Governor of the State.

Dr. Theodorus and Isaac Van Wyck were representative men of a noble family that settled in and About Fishkill Village and the Hook.

Dutchess County Historical Society

HYDE I'ARK.

POPULATION, 2,800.-SQUARE ACRES, 22,502.

' YDE. PARK was named in compliment to Edward Hyde, Lord Cornbury, who was governor of the State at the beginning of the last century. It was formed from Qr, Clinton January 2Oth, 2822. The lower part of the town embraces most of the tract of land known as the "Nine Water Lots," while its extreme north part includes a portion of what is locally distinguished as the "manor land," being a part of that granted to Col. Henry Beekman. A portion of the Nine Partners tract is likewise included. Hog and Lloyd's Hills, in the north part, are the highest points, being each about five hundred feet above the river. Crom Elbow Creek and the Fallkill, tributaries of the Hudson, are the principal streams. Its surface is principally a rolling and hilly upland. The following are from the early Town Records:

The first General Annual Election in Hyde Park commenced by opening the Poll at the House of Garrett P. Lansing in said town, on the last Tuesday in April 24, 1821, and continued next day at Russell's Tavern and closed the third 215

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day at P. Bogardus' Hotel, in the village of Hyde Park, in' same town, conducted under the inspection of JAMES DUANE LIVINGSTON, Snj5ervisor. REUBEN SPENCER, Town Clerk. TOBIAS L. STOUTENBURGH, PETER A. SCHRYVER, AsseSSorS. CHRISTOPHER HUGHES,

In pursuance of an "Act entitled an Act to provide for taking a census and for other purposes," the Supervisor, Town Clerk, and Assessors of the town of Hyde Park, in the county of Duchess, convened on the 19th day of May, 1821, at they house of Philip Bogardus in the said town, and passed the following resolutions, to wit :—Resolved, That owing to the reduced size and compactness of the town, it is inexpedient to appoint more than one person to take the census of the said town of Hyde Park. Also that Charles A. Shaw is in our opinion a discreet and proper person for that purpose, and that he be, and is hereby appointed by us to take the census, etc., agreeable to the Act above mentioned in all things.

Dated Hyde Park, May 1g, 1821.

Hyde Park Village is an ancient settlement, lying in a beautiful and picturesque region on the banks of the Hudson. Fronting the river at this point are abrupt bluffs, 150 to 200 feet high, from the summits of which a broad level plateau extends back into the country, losing itself among the hills and nestling valleys. Scattered over this wide domain are elegant residences, with grounds laid out in the finest style of English landscape gardening. The residences are for the most part situated upon the elevations overlooking the river; sometimes in full view of the main road, and at other times. completely hidden by embowering trees. Carriage roads,. leading from the highway, bordered by venerable shade trees and crossing rustic bridges, traverse the broad undulating lawns. Now and then a quaint lodge peeps out from the trees. and shrubbery, while at intervals are broad stretches of primitive forests, side by side with cultivated fields and verdant meadows, in which the herds are quietly grazing. It needs. but little exertion of fancy to imagine one's self in the midst.

Dutchess County Historical Society