Transcribed
from James H. Smith's
History
of Dutchess County
1882
Chapter XXVI
History
of the Town of Pleasant Valley
Transcribed
from James H. Smith's
History
of Dutchess County
1882
Chapter XXVI
History
of the Town of Pleasant Valley
The oldest monument
of the past in the town of Pleasant Valley is the cemetery opposite the
Methodist Church at Washington Hollow, where lies the dust of many that
were the first settlers of this town and Washington. While the settlers
lived principally upon the territory belonging to the latter, yet their
meeting house was built within a few feet of the site of the Methodist
Church, which stood for a long time, and was a witness of many scenes and
incidents of interest, both of a political and religious character.
Several aged inhabitants of the vicinity are positive they have seen a
grant from Queen Anne, to the "church of Pittsberry," of a piece of land
upon which to erect a church, bearing date 1710. Were it not that
the lands lying here were granted to the Nine Partners in 1697, we might
be satisfied as to their correctness; but such being the case and having
been given without reserve with the exception of timber for naval purposes,
we are led to think the grant was a permit, or certificate of organization
granted to the Nine Partners, for the purpose of encouraging a settlement.
However, if the date of the instrument is remembered correctly, it gives
the settlement of this locality an earlier date than has generally been
supposed. In searching for that document we were successful in finding
the church record in the hands of Rev. A. B. PRICHARD, beginning Sept.
19, 1746. From it we copy the following, verbatim: - -
The next meeting was in July, 1747, when articles of agreement were drawn up for the building of the church. it says: "The majority of the Committee met and agreed With Joseph BARTON Esqr. to build the frame of the Presbeterian meeting house and are to give him twenty-five pounds and - - " Here the record stops and nothing is recorded until "ye 19th September 1763." Without a doubt the building or frame, was erected that year, and the society's affairs passed along without any unusual occurrence. |
Old
Hotel In Ashes - December 5, 1884
Armstrong's in Pleasant Valley
Lightning Strikes Mill - September 17, 1915
Bowman's Grist Mill
Why
Pleasant Valley?
(How Pleasant Valley got
its Name and the History of A Real Mill Town)
Return
to Pleasant Valley, Dutchess Co., ALHN
Transcribed by GINNY BUECHELE
