65. Jewish' Synagogue (Poughkeepsie

HISTORY OF DUCHESS COUNTY. 229

A woolen factory was established on Wappingers Creek :about the year 1828, known as the Titus Factory.

The first religious society formed in the town was that of nthe Friends, which was organized toward the close of the last century. Their place of worship was located at Arthursburgh. It was a plain, square building, with no porch, and stood on athe site of the present one. The Presbyterian Church at Freedom Plains, was erected some sixty years ago.

Moores Mill—rear view.

Near the Verbank road, in the northeast part of the town, is a dense swamp, in the middle of which is a rising knoll of about half an acre in extent. This island, as it is called, has a historic interest that is worthy of mention.

In Revolutionary times the business of horse stealing was extensively practiced in this locality, its proximity to British lines rendering it an easy matter to dispose of the booty. The swamp island was used as a rendezvous to which the stolen property was temporarily conveyed until a convenient opportunity arrived to run the animals within the enemy's line. The rendezvous was discovered by some Whigs, who determined to keep a watch over the movements of the Tories, and at the opportune moment to swoop down upon them, and capture the marauders and their stolen animals, at one blow. Shortly after, a number of horses were taken from the farmers in the vicinity, and were reported to be secreted in the swamp. Accordingly a company was organized and equipped, and Gpreparations made for an attack on the Tory camp. The

Dutchess County Historical Society