Transcription
SEPTEMBER - 10,1901
THE INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC[IAN]
OUT OF THE PAST
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Interesting Local Historical Notes Culled from a Rare Old Docment.
Chester, Sept. 4.-Joseph Durland, of this village, has a copy of the testimony taken in the historic Cheesecocks-Wawavanda land patent case in 1785. This copy was made from a copy of the original, which Col. Weygant, of Newburgh, furnshed W. H. Nearpass, of Port Jervis, in 1899. The original is at Southold, L. I. Besides the historic value of this document it possesses peculiar local interest, for, as it is inscribed, is "Notes of Evidence, 1785, on the Tryal beginning the 19th of May at Chester in Yelverton's Barn." "Yelverton's barn" was the barn of the old Yelverton Tavern, which was erected somewhere between 1751 and 1755 by James Yelverton, Chester's original setler, and is still standing in good repair in old Chester village, as is the barn where the "Tryal" was held. Among the lawyers who appeared in the case was Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. A host of witnesses were examined, the principal point seeming to be the fixing of the true boundary of the Highlands, on which point the contention defended. Ancestors of many prominent families of to-day were witnesses, among them Daniel Burt, Samuel Vance (spelled Vantz in the document), Jonathan Knapp, Ebenezer Woodhull, Samuel Strong, Hezekiah Howell, Henry Brewster, Jeremiah Ooleman, Nathaniel Seely, Thomas Welling, Samuel Moffat, Stephen Case, Jesse Woodhull, Deliverance Conkling, Cadwallader Colden, David Benjamin, Benjamin Osborn, Stephen Sloat, James Clinton, (son of Gov. George Clinton), William Thompson, Elihu Marvin, Jobn Hardenbergh, Phineas Rumsey, Ebenezer Holley, James Board, and others.
Following are locally interesting extracts from some of the testimony:
Samuel Vance–Had lived in the county 55 years, at Warwick. * * * From Warwick to New York, before Sterling forge was built, they went in a foot path by the south end of Long Pond; left Sterling to the left hand. Forty years since the forge was built at Sterling. The old Indian path extended by Dr. Board's and went by the north end of Long Pond. This road was called the Highlands [missing] they lodged. Now called Wickham's Pond. They lodged one night in a wigwam. Saw the Indians and talked with them. * * Col. Clinton mentioned Skunnemunk, Pedlars Hill, Goose Pond and Sugar Loaf in runnig these lines.
Elihu Marvin-Says about 40 years ago (1745) there was an improvement made in the Clove by Sutherland, which was the first under Cheescocks. Slaughter turned his horse into the wheat. Sutherland threatened prosecute him. Slaughter said he was not afraid, for Sutherland was a trespasser. It is where Wilks now lives. Col. Matthews and his son Fletcher surveyed for himself lands about 40 years ago. He was chain bearer.
Ebenezer Holley–87 years old. He came here with his father in April, 1715. He was at York when a dispute was between (Lancaster) Symmes and the Indians. The Indians complained to Governor Barnet in the fort. Symmes produced a deed and the Governor read the deed and told the Indians that they must move off; that Sommes was a Wawayanda patentee; had purchased the lands from Minisink to (here something had evidently been left out either in copying or in the original). The Governor's council was present. He (witness) heard he deed read. The land then in dispute was west of Goshen. One of the Indians' name was Hous, and one and one Romer. One of the Indians said he had made improvements which he must be paid for, and Symmes told him go home with him and he would pay him. Knew Capt,Symmes, Capt. Ash (so in the copy, but evidently should be Aske), Chistopher Denn, and Charles Cromeline. Ash died lived here when deponent came. His improvements were where Thomas Welling now lives. Ash died at the old Col DeKay's. Denn lived at Tustin's place. Cromline made first improvements at Greycourt. Knew old Samuel Clowes. He and Mr. Everett sold the township to the people, and he used to come every year. Clowes was the surveyor to lay out the town. Understood Christopher Denn was the first militia captain, and Solomon Carpenter lieutentant, and John McClean drummer, who lived where Mr. Smith's home is at Skunnemunk.
Tere is much more in this old docoment that would be of interest and importance to the historian, and it is odd that it has been ignored by seekers after reliable information about pioneer days in Orange Count. This copy seems to [missing]Transcriber
Clifton Patrick