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History of Orange County
Town of Newburgh
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We can only name and point to a few localities of early settlement in each town, and leave the reader to mettle and populate the residue. To be more particular would fill our paper and make a book of the early settlements of the County. The individuals last named, except Machen, were Irish.
From the view taken of the town, pointing to its early and later settlements, from the names of the petitioners on the renewal of the patent in 1752,—and from the list of The whole inhabitants of the town in 1785—which we place before the reader—the conclusion is imperative that the town was settled by emigrants from England. Some of them doubtless came from thence here directly, while others on arriving in the country settled in the Eastern States, on Long Island, in the Counties of N. York, Westchester and Dutchess, and from these removed at various periods and came to this town.
The first settlement doubtless was made by the Lutherans, on the German patent, as early at least as 1719; but as they removed in a body without leaving one descendant behind, after a short residence and before 1752, we consider them out of the question as early settlers of the town. They only cleared, as it were, the foundation for a location on a farm of two thousand acres, densely clad with timber, and then left without striking a blow or turning a furrow beyond the limits of the patent. Of the nationality of the petitioners for the renewal of the patent in 1752, asking the proceeds of the glebe lands for the support and maintenance of the established church, there can be no question. These, with others on the patent, and in a few scattered spots in the town, permanently located with their descendents, must be considered among the first settlers. The names of these appear in the patent and on the early town records, and some of their names are still found in the town. The families of Belknap, Rogers and Birdsall, are among the number of those who came here from the Eastern States after a residence there for longer or shorter periods. We do not wish to be particular or tedious in our remarks on the subject, and only mention these as examples of a class of emigrants, to which the reader may add any number his information on the subject warrants.
Some of the early settlers were of Dutch descent, with a few Huguenots originally from France. Of this class the Hasbroucks, Demotts, Slutts, Devines, Devolls, Degroves, Duboises, Hardenberghs, Snyders, Terwilligers, Benscotens, &c., may be named as samples, whose families in many instances are yet here. The Hasbrouck family were here very early, and at least thirteen years before the organization of the town in 1763. The old stone house was built, in 1750.
The first town meeting was held in it, and Jonathan Hasbrouck was elected the first Supervisor.
Among the early settlers Ireland was but partially represented—if we judge by the names found on the records at that period. If by them we judge of nationality, we mention the families of Waugh, Robinson, Sly, McCollum, Denniston, Wear, Ireland, Burnet, Batie, Crowell, Ross, &c., as emigrants to the town from the Emerald Isle.
We call the reader’s attention to these few cases of exception from the operation of the general rule of settlement, which we have stated to be almost wholly English. Any person well acquainted with the names peculiar to different European nations, on looking over the lists now laid before the reader, would instantly affirm the general truth of our declaration. Here we leave the subject as too obvious for further remark. This plan we intend to pursue when in our power, to ascertain by whom the towns were originally settled, and the national character of the early emigrants. By gathering up the names of the old town residents we think we can furnish the means for every reader to judge in a great measure for himself, and not rely on the declarations of our paper, while at the same time we preserve a roll of easy reference for the descendents of these hardy and patriot men to consult at leisure. We do not wish one name to be lost or blotted from memory. They are all dear to the country and valuable now, and will increase in interest with every revolving age, as time consecrates their remembrance to their childrens’ children.