Page 11
History of Orange County
Town of New Windsor
Page 11
Also, I give unto my negro servant, by name, Priam*, his freedom, when he arrives at twenty-one years of age, and £60 of the aforesaid public securities or notes. Also I give and bequeath unto my old negro servant woman, named Nan, her freedom, and all the cows or cattle called or known by my family, to belong to her, or which may be called or known to belong to her, at the time of my decease, together with her bed and bedding, all her wearing apparel of every kind, and it is will, and I order and advise her to live with her daughter Rebecca. Also, I give unto my negro servant girl, named Ann, her freedom when she arrives at twenty-one years of age, and until that time, it is my will and order, she serve my beloved wife, Agnes."
This will is dated July 17, 1790, and subsequent to the death of the Colonel, and proof of his will, the town authority too the following proceedings:
"In pursuance of the said last will and testament, and agreeable to the directions of the act, entitled "An act concerning slaves," passed February 22, 1788, we, John Green and Isaac Schultz, Overseers of the Poor, for the town of New Windsor, together with John Morrison and Francis Crawford, Esqs., two of the Justices of the Peace of the said county of Orange, do hereby certify, that we have examined into the age and ability of the aforesaid negro man, named Loudon, so manumitted as aforesaid, and on sufficient security being given to us by his brothers, William and Thomas McClaughrey, tow of the before mentioned negro men, manumitted as aforesaid, and at present, freeholders and inhabitants of the town of Walkill, in the county of Orange aforesaid, by bond bearing date the 30th day of April, 1799, in the penal sum of $1,500, that the said Loudon shall not become a charge to the town, or any other city or town within this state, wherein he may at any time hereafter reside: and do judge, that the above negro man Loudon, of the age of thirty, in consequence of the above security to us given is sufficient ability to provide for and maintain himself, and is manumitted agreeably to the provisions of said act. In witness, etc."
These negroes acted very judiciously in laying out their money in new lands, at Honey Pot, in the town of Walkill. Here the old stock lived for many years, in good standing, and in the respect of their white neighbors; but, we believe, their descendents do not maintain the character and respect of their ancestors.
EXTRACTS FROM TOWN LAWS.
1792. Sixthly. If any miller, or persons owning mills, within this town, shall suffer his or their horses, neat cattle, sheep or swine to frequent the doors of their mills, during the winter season, they shall forfeit the sum of one shilling for each creature for each offence, and make good the damages done, etc.
Eightly. That in all cases of person meeting each other on any of the public roads or highways, within this town, in carriages, wagons, carts or sleighs, those who are coming from market shall give way to all such as are going to market, under the penalty of eight shillings for each offence, etc.
This town record is admirably kept; the clerkship fine, and the laws sensible and clearly expressed. The early settlers seem to have been men accustomed to do public business, and have left the impress of their minds and characters upon their town records. Though we examined them through, we did not find any thing odd, curious or insensible.
*Could be Prism