Orange County

First Presbyterian Church, Goshen, New York

The First Presbyterian Church of Goshen undoubtedly has the distinction of being the oldest religious organization in the County of Orange. Ruttenber’s History of the County of Orange says: “There is ample evidence of a collateral nature to show that the Presbyter­ian Church of Goshen was organized as early as 1721. The dates of legal papers conveying property to the church and the regular call and settlement of a pastor establish this fact. There are, however, no church rec­ords in the possession of the society showing either facts, dates, or names for the succeeding sixty years. The founders of the … Read more

Goodwill Presbyterian Church, Montgomery, Orange County, New York

The original house of worship was probably built of logs. The church records show that the frame of the present edifice, of solid oak, was erected between 1763 and 1765. After an existence of over one hundred and sixty years, it is still staunch and strong, although it has been remodeled and modernized, twice, first in 1830, and again in 1870. Goodwill Presbyterian Church has the distinction of being the oldest of its denomination but one, in the State, west of the Hudson River, and one of the first twenty-six Presbyterian Churches organized in this country. It also has the … Read more

Historic Places of Colonial and Revolutionary Times, Orange County, New York

In almost every locality of the County of Orange can be found places of historic interest, where scenes were enacted that have become a part of our national history and are closely related to the founding of the National Government. Many of these spots of historic interest relate to early Colonial days, when the locality now known as Orange County was a vast uninhabited forest, peopled by Indians, from whom the early pioneers purchased their lands. Still other places relate to the revolutionary struggle for independence and are rich with the memories of scenes enacted in those heroic times. To … Read more

New Windsor Presbyterian Church, Orange County, New York

The New Windsor Presbyterian Church dates its organization from September 14, 1764, at which time Joseph Wood, William Lawrence, Samuel Brewster and Henry Smith were chosen Elders. It was formally constituted May 5, 1766, by the Rev. Timothy Jones, a committee of the Presbytery of New York. From the date of its institution until 1805, it was associated with the Bethlehem and Newburgh Societies in the support of a pastor, and from 1805 to 1810 with Bethlehem.. From 1810 to 1827 it enjoyed only occasional ministerial labors. On May 1, 1827, the Rev. James H. Thomas was employed in connection … Read more

First Presbyterian Church, Newburgh, Orange County, New York

The First Presbyterian Church of Newburgh commenced its formal, legal existence shortly after the dis­bandment of the Revolutionary Army and the breaking up of its encampments in 1783. Previous to this time for nearly a score of years there had been a religious organization composed of those who by religious conviction were of the Presbyterian faith, or in the designation used in those days, “in communion with the Church of Scotland.” It was an informal society and could be desig­nated more properly as an outlying mission station or district. The records of the Marlborough Society state that in the year … Read more

Orange County, New York, Biographies

Orange County can claim the distinction of having been the home of many men and women who have achieved literary fame as poets, historians, journalists and writers, the work of several having found a permanent place in English literature. Chief among her poets may be mentioned Nathaniel Parker Willis, of Cornwall, and Goshen’s sweet singer, Mrs. Ethel Lynn Eliot Beers. Poems of both these writers are to be found in Bryant’s “Family Library of Poetry and Song,” a standard work of international reputation. Beers, Ethel Lynn Eliot Boynton, Edward Carlisle Major Clinton, Dewitt Clinton, George Headley, Joel Tyler Moffat, David … Read more

Poems by Ethel Lynn Eliot Beers, Orange County, New York

All Quiet Along The Potomac “All quiet along the Potomac,” they say, Except now and then a stray picket is shot as he walks on his beat, to and fro, By a rifleman hid in the thicket. ‘Tis nothing: a private or two, now and then, Will not count in the news of the battle; Not an officer lost, only one of the men, Moaning out, all alone, the death rattle. All quiet along the Potomac tonight, Where the soldiers lie peacefully dreaming; Their tents in the rays of the clear Autumn moon, Or the light of the watch fires, … Read more

Poems by N. P Willis, Orange County, New York

The Belfry Pigeon On the crossbeam under the Old South bell The nest of a pigeon is built well, In summer and winter that bird is there, Out and in with the morning air; I love to see him track the street, With his wary eye and active feet; And I often watch him as he springs Circling the steeple with easy wings, Till across the dial his shade has passed, And the belfry edge is gained at last; ‘T is a bird I love, with its brooding note, And the trembling throb in its mottled throat; There’s a human … Read more

Reminiscences Of Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, Orange County, New York

Some few years ago a local newspaper published an interesting account of the history of Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, Roe’s Abdallah Chief and old Abdallah, the famous sire of these notable horses. The late H. Wisner Wood, of Chester, who was one of the last of that school of famous breeders and lovers of the trotting horse, related to a party of gentlemen the following reminiscences of the way history in the trotting world began to be made in and about Chester: “I was present,” said Mr. Wood, “when the colt that became the most celebrated sire of American trotters was foaled … Read more

St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Orange County, New York

St. Patrick’s Church, Newburgh, enjoys the proud distinction of being the oldest Catholic Church in Orange County, and in a few years from now, viz., 1937, will formally celebrate its centennial. According to reliable historical sources, services were occasionally held in private houses in the locality, even prior to 1816, for the few and scattered Catholics of the District, but it was not until the year 1836, that a parish was formally established, and a pastor appointed. The name of the first pastor was Rev. Patrick Duffy. The name of the Bishop then ruling New York Diocese, was the Right … Read more