"Gross" Hardenburgh
A Narrative of Early Land Troubles
The man whose crimes and subsequent history form the subject of this chapter was a resident of the Neversink valley. The deeds of violence attributed to this man are yet traditionary in that locality, and still serve as themes to while away many a winter evening as they are told by the fathers to the younger members of the family, seated by the firesides of the log-cabins and cottages of the neighborhood.
Near the beginning of the present century the people of this valley were agitated over the question of title to lands. The settlers had very generally paid for the farms they occupied, the title to which they had acquired under the Beckman patent, and had made considerable improvements in the way of clearing up wild lands, and putting up comfortable log-cabins and barns, which greatly enhanced the value of the property. They had settled down with the purpose of obtaining a competence that would assure them a serene and comfortable old age; and now they were threatened with the loss of the fruits of years of trial and sacrifice by a defective title. These pioneers would not look with favor on any one who sought to dispossess them of their farms, even were he a man of sterling qualities, and in possession of a valid title; but it does not appear that Gerard, or “Gross” Hardenburgh, who figured as a rival claimant to the land, enjoyed either of these qualifications. Gross Hardenburgh-we take the liberty of using the name by which he is usually spoken of-was the son of Johannis Hardenburgh, and was born in Rosendale, Ulster county. He was of a haughty and willful temper, and greatly addicted to drink. In early life he married Nancy Ryerson, an estimable lady, by whom he had several children.
During the War of the Revolution he espoused the cause of the Colonies with a devoted patriotism, and frequently imperiled his life in the struggle. His time, his means, and his influence were thrown without reserve into the scale. Quinlan, whom we quote largely, says he organized two companies of infantry, both of which were engaged in defending the frontier against the incursions of the savages, one of them being commanded by him in person.
At the attack on Wawarsing, in 1781, it will be recollected that Captain Hardenburgh hastened forward to the relief of the settlement; and having thrown his detachment into a small stone house, he with a force of only nine men bravely withstood the advance of nearly four hundred Indians and Tories. So stubborn was the defense of the little garrison that thirteen of the enemy were left dead on the field. This Captain was none other than Gross Hardenburgh, by whose courage and leadership Wawarsing was saved from utter annihilation.
As he advanced in years his habits of dissipation grew upon him to such an extent, that his existence was little better than one continuous debauch, which tended to confirm and inflame his evil propensities, while it obscured what was commendable in his disposition. He became morose, impetuous, tyrannical and uncongenial in the extreme. It is said of him that in his old age, when traveling about the country, he would order the innkeeper with whom he lodged to cover his table with candles and the choicest liquors, and taking his seat solitary and alone, drink himself into beastly insensibility.
Owing to his vicious and morose ways, his father disowned him, and devised his share of the paternal estate to the heirs of his wife, Nancy Ryerson. This act of the elder Hardenburgh seemed to extinguish the last spark of manhood that lingered in the heart of his eccentric son.
The death of Nancy Ryerson antedated that of her husband, and several of her children died unmarried; consequently the purpose of the father was defeated, the dissipated son inheriting the property of his deceased children. Gross Hardenburgh is said to have made the impious and heartless boast, that while his father disinherited him, the Almighty had made all right by removing some of his own children. Such were the antecedents of the man who was about to enter upon the work of evicting the settlers of Sullivan. Little hope of mercy could any expect who were in his power.
Nancy Ryerson antedated that of her husband, and several of her children died unmarried; consequently the purpose of the father was defeated, the dissipated son inheriting the property of his deceased children. Gross Hardenburgh is said to have made the impious and heartless boast, that while his father disinherited him, the Almighty had made all right by removing some of his own children. Such were the antecedents of the man who was about to enter upon the work of evicting the settlers of Sullivan. Little hope of mercy could any expect who were in his power.Table of Contents