III. - PIONEER INCIDENTS AND EARLY SETTLEMENT

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History states that the Dutch established a trading-post at Roundout in 1614. Tradition, however, has it that the first settlers of Ulster County landed at Saugerties, and followed up the Esopus Kill twelve miles, through unbroken forests, and settled finally at Kingston, being attracted by the rich alluvial meadows. This settlement was twice broken up, and as late as 1655 is said to have been wholly abandoned through fear of the Indians. Before 1660 it was reoccupied and put in some posture of defense. The region was called by the Indians Atkankarten, but was commonly known to the settlers as Esopus. The little settlement that was made on the present site of Kingston was known as Wiltwyck.

Various Indian troubles of greater or less magnitude kept occurring to disturb the peace of the pioneer settlement; but on July 15, 1660, a formal treaty of peace was effected with the Indians. On May 16, 1661, a charter was conferred upon the place, under the name of Wiltwyck, in commemoration of the fact that the site of the settlement had been a free gift from the Indians in 1658.

From this time until June, 1663, the settlement increased, Wiltwyck became too confined, and a new village was laid out to accommodate the increasing population. This rapid increase of the settlers boded no good to the Indians, who began to threaten vengeance on the intruders. To avert the storm already approaching, the director-general instructed the magistrates to announce to the sachems his intention to visit them in a few days. They replied that if the renewal of peace was his object they would meet him and his unarmed attendants outside the gate, in the open air, according to their custom. This friendly reply threw the settlers entirely off their guard. The male portion of the population left the village to pursue their field labors on the 7th of June, 1663, unmindful and unsuspicious of danger, when, between eleven and twelve oíclock, large numbers of savages sauntered carelessly into the place and were soon scattered throughout the village, some offering for sale a little maize or a few beans. Soon after several horsemen came riding "through the mill-gate" and announced that the Indians had burnt their new village. This was the signal for a general assault. The fearful war-whoop was raised, shots were fired and tomahawks and battle-axes gleamed in the sunlight. Neither age nor sex was exempt. The houses were plundered, and then set on fire, but a change in the wind saved a part of the village. The villagers rallied, and after a desperate struggle succeeded in routing their savage foe. The number of missing was 70, 45 of whom, mostly women and children, were taken into captivity. Twelve buildings in Wiltwyck were destroyed, and not a house was left standing in the new village except the mill.

The full particulars of the war that was inaugurated by these events, known as the "Second Esopus War," are fully given in "Documentary History of New York," Vol. Iv., and will receive attention in the general department of this work. We will turn now simply to that account of the expedition which has been published by the Ulster County Historical Society, not only because it presents some facts of tradition not found in the historical account of the affair in regard to the most prominent of the subsequent first settlers of New Paltz, but because, in polished and ornate language, it leads us directly to the purchase and settlement of the town of New Paltz. After speaking of the Indian massacre at Kingston, Edmund Eltinge, Esq., the author of the paper referred to, says, --

"Catherine Blanshan, wife of Louis Du Bois, and three other females , were captured and carried away by a detachment of these cruel warriors far into the wilderness, as a great prize, where they would be least likely to be pursued, traversing on their way the fine hunting-ground up the Wallkill, where, in those primitive days, the bear, deer, and other favorite game abounded. This massacre occurred on June 7, 1663. This act aroused the remaining people of the settlement, and measures were at once taken to punish the savages for this outrage, and, if possible, to recover the loved ones snatched away from them. They succeeded in taking captive an Indian who was of some standing in the tribe, and acquainted with the circumstances attending the capture of the women, and where they were taken. The whites now determined that he should aid them in their recovery, and negotiated with him to secure his life if his advice led to their rescue, or to sacrifice him if they were deceived by his direction. This case, of course, absorbed the whole mind of the people. Business, labor, and agricultural toils were laid aside until the wives of the bereaved ones should be restored, or their death known. The directions of this captive Indian were then taken and carefully noted, word for word; though unwritten, yet the eager memories of these determined men fixed indelibly in their minds the various landmarks of the described route. They were directed to go up the first Big Water (the Roundout) to where another Big Water (the Wallkill) emptied into it; then follow up that until they came to a third Big Water (the Shawangunk), and follow up said stream to a certain landmark, a short distance from which they would find the captive women. The captive Indian was held as a hostage, and a party was sent out, consisting of the husbands of the captured females and others, on the route designated. They first bent their way to the Roundout, and then up the ragged steeps of the Wallkill, between its mouth and Dashville Falls, where as yet nature presides in her almost primitive majesty and grandeur, but where ere long the busy hum of manufactories will be heard above the noise of the waterfalls and rapids, and wealth will issue forth as if springing from the foaming cataract. A little farther on their way was more easy and less obstructed. The interval lands in the Wallkill Valley received their passing notice and attention, but the object of their search absorbed their minds and energies. They pushed forward with all intensity and ardor in the pursuit, not much attention being given to extraneous matters. Soon they passed the rich flats near New Paltz village; proceeding rapidly on ere the sun had set they came to the mouth of the Shawangunk, which was the third Big Water. They moved onward with hasty steps. The route pointed out by the captive Indian had been found to agree with his direction, and now they felt confident that their dear wives were not far distant. The dogs that accompanied them seemed more eager as they went forward, and led the party on their way. A few glens and thickets, a few more bends of the Shawangunkís winding way had been passed, when the barking of the dogs aroused their already wakeful minds. On they pressed. Louis Du Bois, whose ardor in the pursuit could not be excelled, moved on at the head of the party, more agile and strong than the others, thus rendering him the most noticeable of their number. An Indian, secreted behind a tree, just at the moment he was discovered by Du Bois let go his arrow upon him. Luckily, however, it missed its mark, and Du Bois, with the power of a lion, immediately sprang upon him, and with his sword killed him on the spot.

"The affair with this single Indian did not long detain them. Content with a single glance at his lifeless body, they pressed onward. A short distance farther they came in sight of the captured females following the Indians to their camping-grounds. When the whites and their dogs came in sight they exclaimed ëSwanakers and deers! Swanakers and deers!í which tradition interprets ëthe white manís dogs! The white manís dogs!í It was at the ëWildebarghí that they came in sight of an Indian and squaw, who ran to the camp to make known that the whites were in pursuit. As soon as the news was received by them they took flight, their number at that time being small, as most of the warriors had gone off on a hunting expedition. The females at first moved off in the direction of their unnatural and unfriendly protectors, not knowing the true cause of the alarm. Soon, however, the stentorian voices of their husbands fell upon their ears, and turning suddenly, they ran with quickened steps to their embrace.

"Again tears of joy were mingled, and hearts beat in unison to each other. On the very spot where faggots had been piled to execute these women, they could now repose in the arms of husbands and friends in safety. It is said that these devoted women had resorted to singing psalms and hymns to buoy up their own spirits and breathe out their trust upon the all-wise Governor of the universe, and, singular as it may appear, it was the means of prolonging the time of their intended final death by the savages. The Indians were charmed by their music, and having previously discovered this, these prisoners sang their holy song -137th Psalm in the Reformed Dutch Church collection - in sight of the place of torture to which they were consigned. But deliverance was near. The God whom they trusted was about to make bare his arm for their rescue. As the whites approached the Indians disappeared. The charms of music were suddenly dispelled, and exchanged for the dismay occasioned by the approach of their white enemies, and affrighted they fled to the hunting-grounds of their companions, now upon the mountains, leaving their captives behind. What emotions shot through every muscle of the hear and fibre of the frame of loving ones as they were clasped in each otherís arms! Grim death had opened his jaws and was about devouring his prey and closing upon them forever. Life and salvation spread their shield over them, and again a few more years, a few more days of promise, were in store for them. Now the plaintive song was exchanged for shouts of joy, and notes of happiness and rejoicing beamed forth upon the twilight air. They now composed themselves for the night, their couch being the dried leaves of last autumnís providing, its drapery the overhanging branches of trees and vines. The night was a sleepless one. These females had to recount to their husbands their tales of thrilling interest. The incidents of their capture and the experiences of their captivity required a long recital. The pile of faggots was lighted, not for cruelty, torture, and death, but for its warmth and comfort during the chilly hours of the night. At the rising of the next morningís sun, no doubt an offering of prayer and thanksgiving ascended on high, and then the journey homeward was entered upon. On their return home the glad welcome came forth from every cottage. The first Indian skirmish had passed, the female prisoners were restored, the captive Indian again joined his companions in the forest. As soon as the excitement of this rescue had passed away, the minds of these brave men again reverted to the discovered land of promise in the beautiful valley of the Wallkill, and particularly to the rich flats of New Paltz."

Within three years after the rescue - May, 1666 - the purchase from the Indians of a large tract of land was effected by Louis Du Bois and his associates. The extent of this tract of land is differently stated. Mr. Eltinge makes it 144 square miles, or 92,160 acres. Rev. Dr. Sitt says: "It was an alluvial valley, beginning at Rosedale, bounded on the west by the Shawangunk Mountains, and running as far south as a point called Gertrudeís Nose (which overlooks the town of Shawangunk), and stretching from these two points in parallel lines to the Hudson River." The tract is estimated to contain 36,000 acres. "The whole river-line was about ten miles in length. On the southern border is extended westward, by a right line, about the same length to a conspicuous and immovable landmark, the ëPaltz Point.í The northern boundary was seven miles long, the western five miles." Still another authority makes the southern line about twenty-one miles in length. This latter is probably correct. "The tract included poart of the townships of New Paltz, Rosendale, and Esopus, and the whole of Lloyd." The price paid was 40 kettles, 40 axes, 40 adzes, 40 shirts, 400 strings of white beads (wampum), 300 strings of black beads, 50 pairs of stockings, 100 bars of lead, 1 keg of powder, 100 knives, 4 quarter-casks of wine, 40 jars, 60 splitting or clearing knives, 60 blankets, 100 needles, 100 awls, and 1 clean pipe. It was necessary that this transaction be confirmed by the colonial government, and accordingly a patent-deed was procured from Governor Andross, Sept. 29, 1677, conveying to "Louis Du Bois and partners" the territory described, for the annual rent of "five bushels of good wheat," a mere expression of acknowledgement to the lord paramount. That important document, or rather a French translation of it, has been translated by Mr. William E. Du Bois, and is a s follows:

TRANSLATION.

"Edmond Andross, Esquire, Lord of Saumarez, Lieutenant-Governor-General, under his royal highness, James, Duke of York, of Albany, and of all his territories in America:

"Whereas, There is a certain piece of land at Esopus which, by my approbation and consent, has been acquired from the Indian proprietors by Louis Du Bois and his associates; the said land being situated on the south side of the redoubt called creek or kill, being from [i.e., beginning at] the high mountain called Maggonck; thence extending from the Southwest side, near the great river, to a certain point or hook called the Jaufroue hook, situated along the tract called by the Indians Magaatramis, and from the north side ascending along the river to a certain island which makes an elbow at the beginning of the tract called by the Indians Raphoos; from the west side of the high mountains to the place called Waratakae and Tauarataque, and continues along the high mountains from [on?] the southwest side to Maggonck, formerly so called, all which things have been certified to me by the magistrates of the said Esopus to have been openly bought and paid for in their presence, as appears by the return.

"Be it known by all whom it may concern, That by virtue of letters patent of his Majesty, and by the commission and authority which is given me by his Royal Highness, I have given, ratified, and granted to the said Louis Du Bois and his partners - that is Christian Doyau, Abraham Hasbroucq, Andre L Febvre, Jean Hasbroucq, Pierre Doyau, Louis Beviere, Anthoine Crespel, Abraham Du Bois, Hugue Frere, Isaac Du Bois, and Simon Le Febvre, their heirs and others having right from the said above-named persons - the said pieces of land, as well arable as [also] the forests, mountains, valleys, prairies, pasturages, marshes or ponds of water, rivers, rights of fishing, fowling, hawking, and hunting; and all other profits, commodities and emoluments whatsoever of the said piece of land and appertaining acquisitions, with their and each of their appurtenances and all parts and parcels thereof. To have and to hold the said piece of land and acquisition, with all and singular the appurtenances and dependencies to the said Louis Du Bois and his associates, their heirs and others having right of property, according to usage.

"In consequence of the foregoing, the said Louis Du Bois and his associates, their heirs and others having rights in perpetuity [here the connection is at fault, perhaps from an omission], and that the plantations which shall be established on the said parcels of land shall together be considered to be a village, and the inhabitants thereof shall have liberty to make a highway between them and the redoubt, creek, or kill, for their convenience; and the said Louis Du Bois and his associates, their heirs and others having right, shall render a faithful account of the survey, and make a legitimate use thereof, according to law; rendering and paying each and every year to his Royal Highness the rightful acknowledgement or rent of five bushels of wheat, payable at the redoubt at Esopus to such officers as shall have power to receive it.

"Given under my hand, and scaled with the seal of the province of New York, the 29th day of September, in the twenty-ninth year of the reign of his Majesty, and of our Lord, 1677.

(Signed) "Andross.
"Examined by me,
"Mathias Nicolls, Secretary."

These patentees, or several of them, with their families, removed from the settlement at Esopus in the early part of the season, and located upon the newly-acquired territory. It is probable that the route which they took was along the west shore of the Roundout. By the way of Green Kills, turning to the left where the road now strikes the Delaware and Hudson Canal, and crossing the Rosedale at the old ford which lay at that place. From that point is a natural and comparatively easy ascent up from the valley, along the side-hill, to the table-lands of Rosendale, extending all the way to Springtown and New Paltz.

"Whatever the route may have been, the point of arrival is well known. That interesting spot was the TRI-COR, the present residence of Mr. Ira Deyo, on the west bank of the Wallkill, one mile south of the church. The name is given from the three wagons, or cars, used in the journey.

"The opening scene in the local history of the New Paltz settlement was filled with romance and dramatic interest.

"As the evening shadows were lengthening across the valley, the weary train moved slowly into an open space beside the Wallkill. Arranging the three cars, and making their preparations for the night as quickly as possible, they drew together to offer their thanks to God for the unfailing mercies which had brought them now at length, through perils by land and water to their long-looked-for home. One of their number, who is supposed to have been Louis Du Bois, reverently opened the old French Bible, and reading with suggestive emphasis the twenty-third psalm, led the assembled colony in a prayer of thanksgiving and supplication. We need ask for no scene more beautiful or grand in the history of any people. Large numbers were indeed wanting, but here were all the elements of intensest interest in civil or religious history. These people were themselves the fragments of a wreck - the survivors of the lost church of France - thrown upon these shores by the angry sea. There were a few of those who remained of the defeated, scattered army of French Protestants, after the long and bloody conflict had ended disastrously. Probably every family there was but a part of the old happy household of France. Brothers, nephews, sons had perished in dungeons, or now were mingling sighs and songs in the murderous toil of the galleys. From home and kindred and country they had fled for God and liberty." *

(*From "Life and Times of Louis Du Bois," by Anson Du Bois.)

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