Page 45
History of Orange County
Town of Newburgh
Page 45
     We conclude this imperfect note by adding thereto the inscription found on the tombstone, written by Doct. John M. Mason, who was well acquainted with the subject of remark, which will give the reader a more perfect idea of this individual than anything we could write:

     Under this stone reposes in hope the flesh of DANIEL NIVEN, Esq. Strong sense, unaided by early cultivation, but united with tried integrity, recommended him to respect and confidence—devoted with unostentatious zeal to the best interests of society, be approved himself as a private Christian unassuming and exemplary—as a soldier in the army, alert and gallant— as a civil magistrate, a terror to evil doers, enforcing wholesome laws without fear, favor or affection—as an officer in the church of God, disinterested, vigilant, public spirited, faithful: and having passed through an active and varied life, honored by the esteem of good and fears of bad men, he finished his course in the consolations of that Gospel which he had loved, November 20. 1809; aged 67 years.

     ISAAC BELKNAP, the father of Gen. Isaac Belknap, dec’d., was born at Woburn, Massachusetts, in 1733, and descended from one of three brothers who came from Lancashire, England, about the year 1625, and settled in Boston.  Of the time of his removal to Newburgh, we are not informed.  For some years before the revolution, he sailed a vessel from that place to Nantucket and other Eastern ports, touching at New York, etc.  During the war, he was engaged in the service of the United States, and commanded a company of Rangers, whose duty it was to keep a watchful eye upon the conduct of affairs in the vicinity of the American posts and places more remote.  He was detached to escort a large quantity of specie from New Haven to Philadelphia, where it had been landed by some French vessels, for the use of the country.  After the war, he again commenced his slopping business between Newburgh and New York, and continued in it as long as he was able to follow the arduous occupation.  He died April 29, 1815, aged 82 years.  The following is extracted front his tombstone: “He was a firm  friend to his country in her darkest times, a zealous supporter of American Liberty, a kind anti affectionate husband, a tender and indulgent father.  For 20 years before “his death he became a bright example of real piety, and “died in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ,”

A flower, a vapor, a span
Serve to illustrate the life of man.
They who live the longest survive to see
The certainty of death, of life the vanity.

     JACOB and LEONARD CARPENTER. The father of these gentlemen was Benjamin Carpenter, a native of England, born in 1730, came to the country and located on Long Island.  After remaining these for several years, he removed to Latintown, in Ulster county, where he purchased a farm and cultivated it.  As early as 1764, we find his name on the records of the town of Newburgh as Overseer of Highways.  About this time he married Miss Jane Leonard, the daughter of the Rev. —Leonard, a Presbyterian minister, of the town of Goshen.  He sold his farm, and by the depreciation of Continental money, with many others of his wealthy fellow-citizens, was reduced from competency to comparative poverty. Mr. Carpenter held several respectable town offices, and discharged the duties of a Magistrate for many years.  He had six children, of whom Leonard and Jacob Carpenter were two.  These gentlemen when young were shipbuilders, and contributed largely to forward and promote that interest in the village, which, at the time, was very much needed, as Newburgh at that early period, gave evidence of being a place not only of internal trade, but external commerce.  Indeed, after the war, an East India trade was commenced in the village, in which the Belknaps, Carpenters, Gardners and others were participants.
     Leonard Carpenter, about 1800, purchased from Cadwallader R. Colden the patent right to the Newburgh Ferry.— The Parent was granted by George II, to Alexander Colden in 1743, and is exclusive on the river throughout the whole extent of the water front of the German Patent, extending from the mouth of Chambers' Creek to a short distance above the old Poor House.  Previous to this, a large part of the Ferrying was done from Fishkill lower landing to New Windsor.  A Ferry was kept from Fishkill upper landing to Newburgh, and called the Continental Ferry.  The Ferry to New Windsor was continued until 1812.
     After the purchase of the Ferry, it engaged the whole of the time and attention of the Messrs. Carpenter, who conducted it to the satisfaction of the public.
     After the death of these gentlemen the ferry charter became vested in Isaac R. Carpenter, Esq., son of Leonard Carpenter, and in John Peter Dewint, Esq., of Dutchess County.  Mr. Dewint, in 1833, bought out Mr. Carpenter, and owned the whole, and in the same year sold to Thomas Powell, Esq., the present owner.  This ferry, by the contract between I. R. Carpenter and Dewint, must be kept at the points at present occupied by it, at the wharf at the foot of Second street, in Newburgh, and the Long Wharf at Fishkill Landing.