Early Settlers of the Shawangunk Region
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Jehiel Stewart was another pioneer settler of Sullivan county. He came originally from Middletown, Connecticut; he first settled in Ulster county, and after remaining about a year, he again emigrated, this time journeying over the Shawangunk mountain. He travelled down the Beaverkill, crossing and recrossing that stream twenty-five times before he reached the Big Flats, where he concluded to settle. He cut his way through the woods with an axe. His family and household goods he transported on ox-sleds, driving his stock before him as he progressed. He camped out each night, improvising some tents to protect them from the night air and from the rain. One evening after he had located his encampment and made preparations for the night, he found that his cows were missing. Mounting a rock near by, he saw some animals at a distance quietly feeding in a small opening, which he supposed to be the missing cows. He called to his children to go after them; but as the children approached the opening, the animals winded them and ran off, making a peculiar rattling noise with their hoofs as they ran. They proved to be a drove of elk.
It was during this journey that his little daughter got lost in the woods. Night came, and she did not return. The father and mother hunted for her all night, and their fears were great when they heard the wolves howling in the woods, and also the noises made by other wild animals. Morning came, and still no traces of the child; they made up their minds she had been torn in pieces and devoured by the wild beasts they had heard during the night. They renewed their search next morning with sorrowing hearts and fearful forebodings, lest they should come upon her mangled remains in the forest; what was their great joy presently to see her coming toward them alive and well. In answer to their eager inquiries as to how and where she had spent the night she said, “Alongside a log, sleeping.” With childlike faith she had gone to sleep in the wilderness, undisturbed by the noises around her.
Jonathan Hoyt, who, in 1804, moved into the town of Thompson, was another representative pioneer settler. He came from Norwalk, Connecticut, and his family consisted of a wife and three children. In April of that year he started for his new home in the wilds of Sullivan, his caravansary consisting of a span of horses, a yoke of oxen, and an immense butterfly cart. In the broad and flaring box of the cart were bestowed the household goods of Mr. Hoyt, including sundry small canvas bags filled with coin and placed inside the family chest. On top of all, when on their journey, were perched the wife and children, who climbed to their elevated position by means of a ladder. They first journeyed to a port on Long Island sound, where the family, the teams, the butterfly cart and all, were put on board a sloop, and in due time were landed at Newburgh.
Here the more serious obstacles of the journey were encountered. The oxen and horses were attached to the cart, and the movement was made westward on the Newburgh and Cochecton road. The turnpike, so far as completed, had been but recently made; besides, the frost was only partially out of the ground, so that their progress was slow. Sometimes the wheels would sink so deep into the slough-holes that it became necessary to partially unload the cart before the team could proceed. At other times one wheel of the cart would remain firm on the partially thawed soil, while the other would sink to the axle, causing the elevated wings of the vehicle to lurch with an energy that threatened to hurl the women and children into the mud. So forcible was this side movement that the chest was broken in pieces, and the silver money it contained scattered over the bottom of the cart-box. Fortunately the box had been so well constructed, and of such good materials, that the money was found all safe when they reached the Neversink.
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