Orange County Directory 1878-9
Historical and Business Review.
SETTLEMENT AND PROGRESS.
Mount Hope was formed from Wallkill, Minisink and Deerpark, as "Calhoun" February 15, 1825; its name was changed March 14, 1833. The Shawangunk Mountain extends northward along the western boundary of the town. The surface slopes from both east and west boundaries towards the centre. The Shawangunk River flows northward through the town. Limestone is found in the town there are also lead mines. The precise date of the settlement of this town is unknown.
Newburgh was formed March 7, 1783; the surface is a roiling upland, broken by the Quassaick creek; the western part of the town sloping towards Orange Lake. Newburgh is the northeast town of the county. In 1708 nine families settled in Newburgh on the German Patent. The names of some of the permanent settlers are Hasbrouck, Demott, Devine, Degrove, Duboise, Hardenburgh, Snyder, Terwilliger and Van Benscoten. The first Town meeting was held in the building now known as Washington’s Headquarters. This building was afterwards converted into a dwelling house, and during the occupation of New Windsor and Fishkill by the Continental army was used by Washington as Headquarters. This building now is well cared for and contains many relics of historic interest.
New Windsor was formed March 7, 1783: a part of Hamptonburgh was taken off in 1830. The surface is a rolling upland broken by numerous deep valleys. The principal stream is Murderer’s Creek, which enters The town in the southeast corner, and empties into the Hudson. Silver Creek crosses the town froth the north and empties into Murderer’s Creek. Along the Hudson are immense deposits of clay, which supply numerous brick-yards with material for the manufacture of brick. These give employment to several hundred hands. In 1731, Colonel Charles Clinton with others settled in the town. The following year families by the names of Alsop, Ellison, Chambers and Lawrence, settled upon the present site of New Windsor village. The first church was formed at Little Britain, in 1760, Rev. Robert Annan being pastor. De Witt Clinton, afterward Governor of the Stare, was born at New Windsor.
Wallkill was formed March 7, 1788; a part of Mount Hope was taken off in 1825 and part of Hamptonburgh in 1830. The surface is a rolling upland, the soil a sandy and gravelly loam underlaid by clay; the principal streams are the Wallkill and Shawangunk Rivers; there are numerous smaller streams in the town, which is the best agricultural town in the county. The first settlers were William and Thomas Bull, who settled 1767. Among the early settlers were Borland, Butterfield, Campbell, Faulkner, McLaughlin, McCord, McNeal, McVey, McCarter, McDennis, McWhorton, Rodgers, Wisner and Watkins.
Warwick was formed March 7, 1783; a part of Chester was taken off in 1845. The principal elevations are Rough Mountain, Taylor Mountain, Bellvale Mountains and Warwick Mountains. The principal streams are Wallkill River and Quaker Creek, Wawayanda Creek and Long House Creek. There are numerous small lakes and ponds, chief or which are Greenwood and Glenmere Lake; Wickham, Sterling and Little Cedar Ponds. The soil is a sand and gravel loam underlaid by clay, with slate and limestone in the eastern part; in the southwest are me famous Drowned Lands. This soil is a rich black loam or vegetable mould; the most of the land has been reclaimed, although there still exist extensive marshes. There are several iron mines worked in the town, and the celebrated Sterling Furnaces are located in the southeast corner of the town. The first settler was Daniel Burt, who came from Connecticut in 1746. Other early settlers were Daniel Whitney, John Vance, David McComley, Benjamin Burt, Philip Ketcham, Thomas DeKay and the Wisner family. The first church was organized in 1764 and the second in 1766. Hon. William H. Seward was born in the village of Florida, in this town.
Wawayanda was formed from Minisink November 15, 1849. The surface of the town is a rolling upland. A range of hills extending northeast and southwest in the eastern part form a water shed, the land sloping southeast to the valley of the Wallkill, which river forms the eastern boundary. Rutgers Creek is on the southwest boundary; there are numerous small streams throughout the town. The soil is a sandy loam underlaid by clay, slate and shale; limestone is also found. The first settlements are supposed to have been made prior to 1700. Among the names are John Denton. Richard Carpenter, Isaac Dolson, David and Daniel Cooley. This town being adjacent to Minisink shared with it in Indian experience, and their early history is identical.
Highlands was formed from Cornwall in 1872. This is the last town formed in the county. It embraces an area of about 10,000 square acres. The name fitly describes this rugged mountainous town, there being but little arable soil in it. There are numerous small lakes or ponds within the town. The principal stream is Bog Meadow Creek, which empties into the Hudson at Highland Falls village; upon this stream is a series of cascades known as Buttermilk Falls; a point often visited by tourists. In the extreme southeast corner is Fort Montgomery, of Revolutionary fame. West Point is also included within the boundaries of the town of Highlands.