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History of Orange County
Towns of Goshen, Hamptonburgh and Chester
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The patent was granted by twelve Indian Sachems or Chiefs representing their tribes, some of whom, if not all, resided on the lands granted, or in their vicinity. This patent, doubtless, was confirmed in the then usual manner by royal authority. It is dated on the 5th of March, 1703, in the reign of Queen Anne, and the names of the twelve Indian grantors were-Rapingonick, Wawastawaw, Moghopuck, Comelawaw, Nanawitt, Ariwimack, Rumbout, Clauss, Chouckhass, Chingapaw, Oshasquemonus and Quliapaw.
The names of the twelve patentees were-John Bridges, LL.D., Hendrick Tenyck, Derick Vandeburgh, John Chotwell, Christopher Deun, Lancaster Syms, *Daniel Horan, Philip Rockeby, John Meredith, Benjamin Aske, Peter Matthews and Christian Christianse. All of these individuals at the time, or a principal portion of them resided at Harvestraw, N. J. At the time of the grant it was said to contain 60,000 acres, but in fact, when run out, was found to cover $150,000.
The patent is generally called the Wawayanda Patent, but in all the old conveyances is called the patent to John Bridges and Company. Its bounds are as follows: “Bounded eastward by the high hills of the Highlands and the patented lands of Capt. John Evans, on the north by the division line of the counties of Orange and Ulster; on the westward, by the high hills to the eastward of Minisink; and on the south, by the division line of the provinces of New York and New Jersey.”
This patent ought to have been cancelled, as the unlimited one to Capt. John Evans was, on the grounds of magnitude, uncertainty and want of consideration. At the date of this patent the government granted any thing of the kind that was asked for, without any apparent reflection, or judgment upon the consequences that probably might result. Patents were then issued without an actual survey, and this is the reason why they were so uncertain and indefinite in their boundaries. As early, however, as 1720 the error of this practice was seen, and no patents, at about that time and afterwards were granted without an actual survey. This patent, the Cheescocks', and the one to Capt. John Evans covered nearly all of the county of Orange, and parts of Sullivan and Ulster.
The Wawayanda patent covers a part of each of the following towns:-Minisink, Warwick, Goshen and Hamptonburgh. The magnitude of the patent., its early date and the limited number of patentees, show that the grant was for mere speculating purposes; upon which they slept and dreamed golden dreams about magnificent fortunes, soon to be realized and clearly within their view. They soon began to sell out to each other, and now and then to strangers.
The following were some of them, the evidence of which is furnished from the early records in the County Clerk's Office:- Rockeby sold his undivided right to Daniel Cromline, John Merritt and Elias Boudinot, on the 10th of June, 1704. Vide Liber B.
John Bridges died June, 1704.
Cornelius Cristianse sold his undivided right to Derick Vanderburgh, September 8, 1704.
Hendrick Tenyck sold his undivided right to Daniel Cromline, December 8th, 1704.
Daniel Herran sold his undivided right to Col. William Merritt, April 18, 1705. Vide Liber B.
John Chotwell sold his undivided right to Adrianse Hooghlandt, October 19, 1706. Vide Liber B.
Ann Bridges, widow of John Bridges, sold one hundred three and twentieth part to Adrianse Hooghlandt, November 7, 1706. Vide Liber B.
She also sold one undivided twelfth part to John Vanhorn, July 24, 1708. Vide Liber B.
Previous to the last three sales, it appears that on the 30th of March, 1706, the proprietors agreed to give, under certain restrictions, 600 acres to the first settler of their number who should make a settlement on the patent before the end of May, 1709.
There is a tradition that this first settlement was attempted but by whom, when and where made, and how far successful, we have no knowledge. Our remarks on this article are based chiefly on some notes made by an old and intelligent individual many years since, from his own knowledge, traditionary statements, and information received from Mrs. William Bull, (previously Sarah Wells,) of whom he was a descendent, and therefore, doubtless, very accurate. Personally, we know but little of these old matters, and are compelled to glean up and take the facts as we find them, scattered along a strong stream of tradition and verified by the direct testimony of Sarah Wells.
The patentees and their immediate grantees, for some years subsequent to the date of the patent, failed to realize their expectations by a re-sale of the land, though they opened an office in the city of New York for the purpose. These agents exhibited maps and drawings of the patent, represented the nature and quality of the soil, streams, ponds, mill sites, etc., etc.; for it had probably been surveyed in part, and divided up into lots-at least, on paper-and made ready for market: still, speculators were few, and applicants from those wishing to locate and settle, fewer yet. Things remained in this condition for several years.
Grants to the Church and Academy.
It appears from the records in the County Clerk's office, that at about this time the patentees, or the then owners, made a deed in trust to Messrs. Everett and Cloughs, two of their number, to lay out the plot of a town village, etc., and to make grants for a church and parsonage to be erected thereon, for an academy to be established, and for other public purposes. This trust was properly and judiciously executed, and the public institutions referred to are to-day enjoying the endowments thus early conferred upon them.- We do not know that these apparently virtuous and pious gratuities were made by these gentlemen out of any pure respect and regard, that they entertained for the welfare of the institutions named, or as means to sell and get rid of their lands, and induce individuals to purchase and locate. Though the gifts were large and of a beneficent character, they cost the grantors comparatively nothing, as the patent itself was a gift from the Indians, or their sovereign Queen Anne.- But however this may have been, the present and future inhabitants of the town of Goshen ought to consider themselves under high obligations, and regard the act with kindness and the patentees with gratitude. These grants are continually before the citizens of the town as beacon lights erected by their forefathers, and it will be their pleasure and business to preserve them with a holy and filial reverence, and keep their lights renewed and burning. By this remark, we do not intend to he understood as saying that they have not done so; on the contrary, we are of opinion that they have to a virtuous extent, equal to that of any of their fellow citizens of the county.
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*Errata--read Daniel Herran