Deerpark and Mount Hope

As the latter was but recently erected out of the former, we shall, as in the case of Montgomery and Crawford, treat them together as one town, as far as physical outline and early settlement are concerned. Previous to entering upon those articles of our paper, we claim permission to present our respects to an aged and worthy citizen of Deerpark,— Peter E. Gumaer, Esq.

Strange as it may seem to many of our readers, this town, though situated in the very suburbs of the country, and at the time deep buried in the forests, and far from the navigable waters of the Hudson and any known settlement nearer than Esopus, was among the earliest settled portions of the county. In this instance, as in others we are indebted for these early and hardy emigrants to the persecuting spirit which drenched France in blood, and drove her Protestant children to seek their personal safety beyond the influence of the reigning power of their native land. The ways of God on earth among men are unsuitable at the time, though seen afterwards by their developed results. In the case referred to he permitted persecution to reign in all the deadly ferocity of a bloody triumph, which scattered the children of France and planted them with their Christian principles, chastened by hardship and danger, along the streams and vallies of Orange county, that we this day might make honorable mention of their names, and their integrity, and praise God for the early planting and wide dissemination of Christian principles among it.

In our remarks on this town we acknowledge ourselves under deep obligations to Peter E. Gumaer, Esq., an old resident, and a descendent of one of its first settlers. This gentleman is a native of the town, and well acquainted with its early history and subsequent events, and has most kindly consented to favor us with his treasured historical knowledge, that we might spread it before the reader in this article of our paper. We were somewhat surprised at its extent and probable accuracy, for we had no idea of finding it in that direction, till we received a communication from him on the subject of early settlement in a paper of great length and labor. In preparing this article we have done but little more than to extract from his communication. In some instances, where we thought, ourselves warranted in so doing, we have varied his statements; and in others, interpolated our own where there was an omission, to preserve the fullest and most accurate account of early and subsequent settlements. In the main , however, we have preserved the trunk and widespread branches of his historic tree, and if we have undertaken to prune and cultivate at any time, it was only to set a bud here and there, and lop off some of the small and unimportant branches principally of recent growth; leaving the tree in all the beauty and grandeur of its early planting and vigorous growth. We question very much if there is one individual in any one town in this county, who can, offhand, furnish us with a history of his town so accurate, extensive and connective as to time, as the paper from which this article is extracted. Mr. Gumaer must have treasured up the facts which compose it in as from memory, or noted them down from time to time with a view of future publication.— This want of noting and publishing early and interesting facts and incidents, relating to the first and subsequent Settlements of the various towns in the county, is severely felt by the writer, and will be lamented by every future one who has the hardihood to look into and gather up the annals of this portion of the state. If there be any thing of value or interest in this article, we ask that Mr. Gumaer may be considered the author of it, as it is to him principally that we are indebted for it. This gentleman, like Herodotus, the oldest of profane historians, has “ rescued from oblivion the memory of former" and we now, as his amanuensis, spread them before the public and record them for its benefit and his honor. We hope that we have pursued the text before us with such truth and accuracy, that he will not disown the true paternity of the article, when he comes to inspect our pages.

In conclusion, we observe, if there be one gentleman in the county to whom we are indebted beyond all others, for their good will and contributions to assist the perfection of our paper, it is Peter E. Gumaer of Deerpark. To us the obligation is doubly interesting for we did not expect to receive it from that quarter.

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Table of Contents Deerpark and Mount Hope Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Orange County AHGP/ALHN New York AHGP/ALHN AHGP ALHN	History of Orange County
	Deerpark and Mount Hope As the latter was but recently erected out of the former, we shall, as in the case of Montgomery and Crawford, treat them together as one town, as far as physical outline and early settlement are concerned. Previous to entering upon those articles of our paper, we claim permission to present our respects to an aged and worthy citizen of Deerpark,— Peter E. Gumaer, Esq. Strange as it may seem to many of our readers, this town, though situated in the very suburbs of the country, and at the time deep buried in the forests, and far from the navigable waters of the Hudson and any known settlement nearer than Esopus, was among the earliest settled portions of the county. In this instance, as in others we are indebted for these early and hardy emigrants to the persecuting spirit which drenched France in blood, and drove her Protestant children to seek their personal safety beyond the influence of the reigning power of their native land. The ways of God on earth among men are unsuitable at the time, though seen afterwards by their developed results. In the case referred to he permitted persecution to reign in all the deadly ferocity of a bloody triumph, which scattered the children of France and planted them with their Christian principles, chastened by hardship and danger, along the streams and vallies of Orange county, that we this day might make honorable mention of their names, and their integrity, and praise God for the early planting and wide dissemination of Christian principles among it. In our remarks on this town we acknowledge ourselves under deep obligations to Peter E. Gumaer, Esq., an old resident, and a descendent of one of its first settlers. This gentleman is a native of the town, and well acquainted with its early history and subsequent events, and has most kindly consented to favor us with his treasured historical knowledge, that we might spread it before the reader in this article of our paper. We were somewhat surprised at its extent and probable accuracy, for we had no idea of finding it in that direction, till we received a communication from him on the subject of early settlement in a paper of great length and labor. In preparing this article we have done but little more than to extract from his communication. In some instances, where we thought, ourselves warranted in so doing, we have varied his statements; and in others, interpolated our own where there was an omission, to preserve the fullest and most accurate account of early and subsequent settlements. In the main , however, we have preserved the trunk and widespread branches of his historic tree, and if we have undertaken to prune and cultivate at any time, it was only to set a bud here and there, and lop off some of the small and unimportant branches principally of recent growth; leaving the tree in all the beauty and grandeur of its early planting and vigorous growth. We question very much if there is one individual in any one town in this county, who can, offhand, furnish us with a history of his town so accurate, extensive and connective as to time, as the paper from which this article is extracted. Mr. Gumaer must have treasured up the facts which compose it in as from memory, or noted them down from time to time with a view of future publication.— This want of noting and publishing early and interesting facts and incidents, relating to the first and subsequent Settlements of the various towns in the county, is severely felt by the writer, and will be lamented by every future one who has the hardihood to look into and gather up the annals of this portion of the state. If there be any thing of value or interest in this article, we ask that Mr. Gumaer may be considered the author of it, as it is to him principally that we are indebted for it. This gentleman, like Herodotus, the oldest of profane historians, has “ rescued from oblivion the memory of former" and we now, as his amanuensis, spread them before the public and record them for its benefit and his honor. We hope that we have pursued the text before us with such truth and accuracy, that he will not disown the true paternity of the article, when he comes to inspect our pages. In conclusion, we observe, if there be one gentleman in the county to whom we are indebted beyond all others, for their good will and contributions to assist the perfection of our paper, it is Peter E. Gumaer of Deerpark. To us the obligation is doubly interesting for we did not expect to receive it from that quarter. 767th