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History of Orange County
Towns of Goshen, Hamptonburgh and Chester
Page 15
Greycourt.-In 1716, there was a settlement made at Greycourt by Daniel Cromline, Esq. This gentleman, we believe, lived on Long Island, and in 1704, in company with several others, purchased out the interest of Philip Rockeby and Hendrick Tenyck in the patent of Wawayanda, and in the year first named, built what was known for a century afterwards, by the name of “the Grey Court House.” This was near Chester, on the north edge of the Greycourt meadows, and the farm on which it was erected is now owned by Mr. Jesse Carpenter. We lament the demolition of these ancient structures, as they remind our citizens of their hardy and patriot ancestors, and constitute a valuable portion of the history of the county. The stone which bore the date of this building, marked “D. C. 1716. G. C.” is preserved by being set in the west end of the old stone Bull house at Hamptonburgh. Without that date, it is one hundred to one, the time of the settlement at Greycourt could not have been told.
The circumstances under which this settlement was made and house built, are more particularly mentioned in the following notice of
William Bull.--This individual was born at Wolverhampton, England, February 1689. In an account of this early settler we rely upon tradition and the statements of Sarah Wells, his wife, which were very generally known among his immediate descendents. When he was young, his father left England and located at Dublin, Ireland, where he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a mason and stone cutter. During his minority we know nothing of him.- When his apprenticeship ended, he with a young friend and fellow mason, contracted to build the arch of a large bridge, which was then in progress of erection in the vicinity of the city, and had they succeeded, it might have established their credit as good workmen and talented young men; but just as they were closing the arch and finishing the job, down it tumbled, and with it, the young and bright prospects of the venturesome builders. Bull was overwhelmed by the unexpected calamity, and feeling that future success there was hopeless, he at once determined to emigrate and build his fortune in America, which he had failed thus far to do in Ireland. He mustered and counted up his money, which amounted to five Guineas, went down to the dock, and on board a passenger ship bound soon for New York, and enquired of the officer on board, if five Guineas was sufficient to pay his passage. The reply was in the affirmative, and he forthwith completed his arrangements to leave. When the time came, he embarked, having nothing to encumber him but his clothes, five Guineas and a few books. When the ship arrived in port, Bull presented himself to the captain to pay his five Guineas and go ashore; but was told that it was not enough, and being informed it was all he had, replied that he must then be sold for the balance. Bull was very much incensed at the trick put on him by false information in Ireland, and at the indignity so coolly about to be inflicted upon him here, promptly told the officer that “he would not be sold, that he would abide by the ship and return to Ireland, and that if he had to be a servant it should be there and not in a strange land.”
Misfortune had compelled him to leave his country, and now when about to realize his cherished hopes and anxious expectations, it was threatening to drive him back again, and he was in great doubt what course to adopt. But in this case “his necessity was God's opportunity,” who having mercifully held the winds in his hand during the voyage, now kindly interposed and sent unexpected relief in the person of a stranger. Just at this time Daniel Cromline, who had an interest in the Wawayanda Patent, and was about to make a settlement thereon; finding an Irish passenger ship in port and thinking that he might procure some laborers and artizans there, went on board and made his wants known to the captain. Proclamation was made throughout the ship, that there was a gentleman on board who wanted to employ some workmen and mechanics to settle a new country, and if there were any on board who were willing to engage, to come forward. The proclamation fell upon Bull like a message from heaven, and be felt that he was at least cared for by God and strangers, and his heart was instantly filled with gratitude and hopes revived. He spoke and said, that he was an artizen and laborer, and had left Ireland for America thinking he had money to pay his passage; but that falling short and for the deficiency was about to be sold, which he had refused to be, he thought of returning, but if any gentleman would advance the money, he would undertake, should his health and life be spared, he should have no cause to regret the kindness. Cromline, pleased with his appearance, prompt and manly bearing, advanced the money and they left the ship together.
Bull, in company with other workmen, soon went with Cromline upon the patent, to prepare to erect a dwelling and make a settlement. Bull executed the mason and others the carpenter work, and he cut the year of erection, 1716, in the stones of the chimney. The boards of the house were sawed by a whip in a sawpit, and the whole wood work fastened by wood pins in place of nails. This at the time, and for years afterwards, was the largest and best house from New Windsor to New Jersey. As it was on the travelled route leading into New Jersey it soon became of great notoriety, and being a public Inn was a place of resort for The country round.- This house was known as the “old Graycourt house,” and was about five miles south east from the log mansion of Christopher Denn, in Hamptonburgh. In our etymology of Graycourt we shall have occasion to refer to this house again.- The structure was honestly built, having stood as a tenement till 1832, about 116 years, which cannot be affirmed of any other in the county, except the Bull stone house at Hamptonburgh. At that early day, and for years afterwards, the population was very sparse in that part of the county, and all living within a dozen miles of each other were near neighbors, and kept up an intimate and friendly intercourse. As Christopher Denn was a patentee and Daniel Cromline interested in the patent, both having made settlements and living within six miles of each other, it was natural and expected that these families would often meet on the most friendly terms. Thus William Bull, who continued to live at the Cromline house, became acquainted with Sarah Wells, which ripened into love and eventuated in matrimony in the year 1718. The young people of that day had a great deal of business to do and their offers were sincerely and promptly made on the one side, and promptly and honestly accepted or rejected on the other. What they did was done quickly, as they had no time to spare, and consequently there were no courtships of seven years standing. Inclination and the demands of a new country forbade all tampering and procrastination upon such business transactions.