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History of Orange County
Town of New Windsor
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NEW WINDSOR.--The name is doubtless from Windsor, England, with “new” prefixed. Windsor Castle owes its origin to William the conqueror, who erected at the place a fortified mansion as a hunting seat, and has been brought to its present state of splendor and magnificence by the labors and expense of many successive Sovereigns. It is situated on the declivity of a hill, on the crown of which the castle stands, and around the base of which the Thames, here a small stream, winds its way down towards London, some 20 miles distant. The name is from the Saxon “Vendan,” to wind like a thread, or move round in a circle. In Latin it is called “Vindelisora,” or “Vindesorium.”
THE SQUARE.--A small district of country about four miles west of the village of New Windsor, and so called from the fact that the public roads surround it on four sides.
The true name of the place is “Washington Square.”--During the Revolution, and when head quarters was at the old Hasbrouck house, a part of the troops were stationed at Snake Hill, and at the place in question, and the portion of the army quartered there names it “Washington Square,” in honor of their commander.
It will recollected that after Fort Montgomery was taken, Gov. Clinton established his head quarters at the Square, at the house of Mrs. Falls, to collect his scattered troops before marching to Esopus. The Mrs. Falls mentioned in his dispatches of that date, was the widow of Mr. Alex. Falls, the father of Mr. Alex. Falls of Newburgh. Mr. Falls lived where Daniel Moore, Esq., now resides. The family is old in the town, and the name found on its records at its organization in 1763. Mr. Falls came to a sudden and unexpected death in this:--He had just erected a saw mill on the stream near his house, and on the morning after being finished, as it was supposed, he went down to the mill intending to see how it would operate, and hoisted the gate, when from a want of proper care, or from inexperience in such a matter, the pitman came down and struck him on the head. He did not come in to breakfast at the usual time, and a member of the family was sent out to find and call him in. He was found dead in the race-way, and injured on the top of his head, as if killed in the manner indicated.
Vail's Gate--A small collection of houses on the New Windsor and Bloominggrove Turnpike, about four miles south-west from Newburgh, where there is a toll gate. It takes its name from Mr. Vail, the keeper of the gate. Formerly it was called Tooker's Gate for the same reason.--Thus far a small circumstance gave and changed the name; but when the village shall increase a little more, and the name become more extensively known through the county, it will require a public meeting of the citizens to change it.
Buskirk's Mills--The true name is Van Buskirk's Mills, and is a small village on the Otter Kill, in the south west part of the town, where there is a bridge across the stream, and a Saw and Flour Mill. The place took its name from Mr. Van Buskirk, the owner of the mills. It was formerly called Smith's Mill, for a like reason, Judge Nathan Smith being the owner. It was also called Hunting grove.