Page 8
History of Orange County
Town of New Windsor
Page 8
The old public highway leading from Neelytown to New Windsor, ran centrally through the whole town, and along and in the vicinity of it, were the families of the Woods, Youngs, Cross, King, Morrison, Dill, Smith, Man Neely, Beattie, Burnet, Nicholson, Monell, Denniston, McClaughry, Humphrey, Galloway, Parshal, Crawford, Belknap, Clinton, Falls, Mulliner, and many other early settlers whose descendents are still numerous in the town and county.
In the vicinity of the village of New Windsor, and at the head of the Vale, Mr. Robert Boyd lived before and at the Revolution, and had a forge in operation between that and the residence of Mr. John H. Walsh, on Chamber's creek, as early as 1775. The spot is, and has for many years, been overgrown by woods. The holes perforated in the rocks in the bed of the stream to fasten the erections to, with much offal from an establishment of that kind, are still visible.
On the records of the Provincial Congress we find the following entries:
In Provincial Congress, June 6, 1775.
Henry Watkeys, a Gunsmith, was sent for by order of the Congress, and attended. After conversing with him on the subject of making gun-barrels, he agreed to go to New Windsor to consult with Mr. Robert Boyd about forging gun-barrels and making muskets.
Die Lunae, Monday, June 12, 1775.
A letter from Mr. Robert Boyd at New Windsor, dated 10th inst., on the subject of making muskets, was received and read and filed.
The Congress took into consideration the letter from Robert Boyd, and the proposals of Henry Watkeys, relating to making muskets and bayonets.
Resolved, That this Congress will agree with Robert Boyd and Henry Watkeys, that they shall make 1000 good muskets with steel ramrods, and bayonets with scabbards, at the price of £3 15s New York money, for each good musket with a steel ramrod and bayonet with scabbard, including the bounty to be allowed by this Congress.
Resolved, That this Congress will immediately advance the sum of £100 to assist them in procuring necessary tools and materials, &c.
Ordered, That Colo. Lispenard, Cap. Montgomerie and Colo. Clinton, be a committee to treat with said Robert Boyd and Henry Watkeys, &c.
The contract was made, the articles were to be furnished in small parcels as soon as possible, and delivered to the committee. The Congress anticipated great difficulty and embarrassment in this department for prosecuting the war, as arms of all kinds were manufactured in Europe, and it became necessary to make some wise provision for it in time.
Provincial Congress, Die Mercurie, 28th Feb., 1776.
A letter from Robert Boyd, dated, New Windsor, 23d inst., was read and filed, he therein informs that he has got the best Smith's shop in the Colonies--that he finds it difficult to get workmen. That he will deliver arms for the public money received, and that he is inclined to think he shall not proceed farther on his old contract.
EXTRACTS FROM TOWN RECORDS.
At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the precinct of New Windsor, at the house of Judah Harlow, on the first Tuesday of April, 1763, agreeable to the directions of an act of the Governor, Council and General Assembly of the province of New York--an act entitled “an act for dividing the precinct of the Highlands, in Ulster County, in two counties, (by a line therein mentioned) one to be called by the name of New Windsor Precinct, and the other by the name of Newburgh Precinct.” According to the directions of said act were chosen--
Joseph Belknap, Clerk: George Harris, Supervisor;