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Deerpark and Mount Hope

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This town, when first erected in 1825, was called Calhoun, in honor of John C. Calhoun of South Carolina. This gentleman had acted so noble and patriotic a part in the great transactions of the country, and especially as Secretary at War in the war of 1812, that the citizens, in admiration of his talents and gratitude for his past services, intended by the act to stamp his name upon the hills and mountains, among whose tops and in whose values they dwelt, and thus carry his fame down to future ages. Thus stereotyped upon the broad face of the land, no drought could burn it out and no deluge obliterate it, while time and the remembrance of his good deeds would deepen the impression from age to age.

But in about 1831 or 1832, a heresy, deep rooted, disorganizing, and fatal to the public weal, had in their deliberate judgment, seized upon the mind of Mr. Calhoun, infusing its deadly poison more and more from year to year; and they called a public meeting, as numerous and patriotic as ever assembled in the vicinity before or since, the heavy surge of whose popular wave, more potent and destructive than the combined powers of time and the elements, obliterated clean and forever the odious name, and engraved in its place, in new and fairest lines, the name of MOUNT HOPE. Nothing short of the purest patriotism, we think, would take the trouble to do a deed like this.

New Vernon.—This village is in the Northeast corner of the town, and so named to distinguish it from Vernon in New Jersey. The word is from the Latin Vernus, relating to Spring, with "New" prefixed. It is a very pretty name, pleasant to the ear and easily pronounced; the whole expressing the freshness and beauty of Spring, the season of flowers.

Otisville.—This village is West of the Shawangunk Kill, about midway the town North and South, and near the base of Shawangunk Mountain. The location is pleasant, and some of the lands in the immediate vicinity are of good quality for agricultural purposes. The name is from Isaac Otis, who settled at the place, transacted mercantile business there, and a village soon grew up around him. This gentleman is well esteemed in that vicinity as an enterprising and honest man, and now resides in the city of New York. The village is on the line of the New York and Erie Railroad.

Mount Hope Village.—This is the oldest village in the town, situated in the Southern part, and gave name to it. As the name imports, the situation is elevated, the highest in the town. The etymology has already been given. For many years the place did a brisk lumber business, and supplied large quantities of boards and shingles to the county. In these articles the trade is not as extensive and profitable as formerly, though still respectable. The village does a good county business, and its growth, though slow, is sure and real.

The business of the county generally has been so cut up, modified and diverted within the last twenty years, by the construction of canals, highways, railroads and the division of towns, that the old established places which struggled for an early existence, lived through good and hard times, and bore the heat and burden of the day, have not grown as rapidly as they ought, from the competition of the more recent and favored localities. As a general rule, we are inclined to patronise the “old lines” as long as we conveniently can.

Benjamin Woodward, Esq. was one of the early patrons of the place and did business there, and with Benjamin Dodge, Esq., was instrumental in originating and carrying forward all those little acts and appliances, difficult to be told, though of yearly necessity, which give animation and growth to such a place. As a general rule, it is the few who do these things in every locality. This gentleman was of an enterprising turn of mind, and took a deep interest in the improvements of the town, which brought him early into public notice, both at home and abroad. Having the confidence of the people, and being of the Democratic party, he was honored with the station of State Senator, which he held for two terms. These elevated stations, however, he found surrounded by multiplied seductions, which required all his manly efforts to resist, and he experienced the truth of the old saying, that “The destiny of every man is in his own hands,” more or less. We cannot say he came out of the ordeal unharmed. Though all of us believe the truth above stated, yet how many of us fail to realize the results of a vigorous and indomitable perseverance in all the ways of well doing. Every man can be greater, more distinguished and virtuous than he is, and can be less so.

Benjamin Dodge and Stephen St. John were also alike beneficial enterprising men at this locality for many years, and well deserve the grateful remembrance of its citizens.— These gentlemen, we believe, are both living.

Finchville.—This village is of recent growth, and situated on the west bank of the Shawangunk Kill, in the western part of the town and close under the mountain.— The name is from the families of James and David G. Finch, Esqs., old residents in that vicinity and around the site of the village. These men live honorably in the name of the place, and their names will be carried down the stream of time as long, perhaps, as the world shall endure.

As this family is old in the county, we propose to indulge in a few remarks. John Finch, the first emigrant, came from Horse Neck, Connecticut, and settled at Goshen, and the family tradition is, that he was the first grown person buried in the grave yard of the Goshen Church—some children having been previously buried there.

We do not know the number of his children, nor whom he married. His son, James Finch, Senior, was born there, and married to Miss Catharine Gale by Priest Kerr. James removed and located on land, now covered by the site of the village of Middletown in the town of Walkill. At this time there were but three log houses besides his within a mile of the place. Shortly before the Revolutionary war he removed to the vicinity of Finchville. When Peenpack was invaded and burnt by the Indians under Brandt, as previously stated, many of the women and children fled from there to his house for protection. Among those that fled came Mrs. Decker, the wife of Major Decker, leading her small children by the hand, and weeping as she came. She had fled from her bed, after retiring for the night, clad in garments which scarcely covered her person. The only article, besides her children, saved from the conflagration of her dwelling was the family Bible, which she carried under her arm, and in such an hour worth more to her than Caesar’s diadem.

Mr. Finch, though living in the vicinity, was not in the battle of Minisink. The reason was, Cols. Phillips and Wisner with their troops, while on their march to Minisink, halted at this house to refresh themselves and procure something to eat. At the time there were nothing but salted provisions in the house, and Finch killed a large fat hog and prepared it for the troops. After they had eaten, the residue was placed in the knapsacks of the soldiers for further use. Col. Phillips directed that Finch should not go with them, but stay at home and make ready to feed his men when they should shortly return. But alas! how many of his friends and neighbors, who that day partook of his hospitality, never returned from the field of battle to share his kindness or need his care!

Mr. Finch during the Revolution performed duty as a three months' man, and what was called a minute man.— The minute men were to be ready at a warning. When drafted, if he could not go, he hired and paid a substitute. He also performed military duty during the old French and Indian war in 1755 and 1756. When quite young he was at Fort Stanwix in the capacity of waiter to General Abercrombie or some of his staff. He lived and died a patriot, and a member of the Baptist Church, having acted as a deacon for many years.