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History of Orange County
Town of New Windsor
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JAMES EDMONSTON came to this country in 1720*, from Enneskiller, in the Tyrone, Ireland. He landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, where he staid seven years, and then removed to this town, purchased 200 acres and located it, just west of Vail's Gate, and known as the old stone Edmonston house with some of the purchase, are owned by his descendents. He purchased of the widow Ingoldsby, and paid twenty shillings per acre. There he planted his log cabin, which at the time, was the only house from New Windsor to Washingtonville. At this time Indian huts were numerous along the brook west of Edmonston's. Their burying ground was on the hill west of the brook, and covered several acres. My informant, a niece of James Edmonston's, a daughter of his son William, now 84 years old, says she recollects seeing 100 of them, and that they looked like little hay stacks. That the chiefs were buried at Schunemunk mountain. That on one occasion an Indian Doctor of this tribe had a quarrel with his wife, and he threatened to be revenged by poisoning himself, which he did. He went away by himself and when he returned he was deranged and blood was issuing from his mouth.
The Indians came from all directions, some from over the river, to attend the funeral. They had no means of transporting him to the grave, and James Edmonston sent his son William and a negro boy to take the dead Doctor on a wood sleigh to Schunemunk mountain. It was in July. He was put in standing with pipes, tobacco, scalping knives and other articles. Then the Indians drank as they stood round the grave and made a great noise. They then told young Edmonston to go home, “for when rum gets in an Indian's head, the devil gets in his heart.” This frightened the boys, and one got on the horse, the other on the sled, and neither looked back till they were far from the grave.
When the army came to this county, a portion of it halted at Edmonston's, (William) who being an old settler, and acquainted with the country, General Washington requested him to go with him and Col. Pickering and select a camp ground. He went, and following an Indian path, led them to the Square, where they proceeded to establish their camp.
Edmonston at the time had a large field of potatoes, which the soldiers dug out for their own use, except a few bushels, and shot down 16 of his fat hogs. The Hospital stores while the army was encamped at the Square, were kept at his house. Washington had his head quarters at the old Hasbrouck stone house in Newburgh, Gates and St. Clair were at Edmonston's, Green and Knox at John Ellison's; and La Fayette at William Ellison's.
At the commencement of the French war, an old Indian owed James Edmonston a dollar, and he told him to come to his wigwam and he would pay him. He went, and the Indian attacked him and endeavored to scalp him, but Edmonston knocked him down and escaped. Being friendly to the French they then cleared out in a body from this part of the county. When they got as far as St. Andrew's church some English troops had a brush with them and killed 17 of the Indians. Gen. Clinton was a Captain at the time and was in the skirmish.
The stone house, still standing, was built in 1755. Afterwards there was an addition put up, making half of the present building.
James Edmonston married Margaret Smith in Ireland, before emigration, who was an aunt to Benjamin Smith of Newburgh, and whom** he brought to the country. He had two children, William and Sally. William Married Jane Sutherland, daughter of David Sutherland of Canterbury, Cornwall, and Sally married Patrick McDaniel. William had four daughters and three sons. James married Gertrude Harris of Poughkeepsie; William, Mary Tompkins, daughter of Daniel Tompkins of Westchester, and David, Margaret Dunning of Scotchtown, Orange county.
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*read 1729**read whose father Benjamin