Esopus, New York

Esopus is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 9,041 at the 2010 census. The town was named after the local Indian tribe and means "high banks" in English. They were one of the Lenape (Delaware) bands, belonging to a people who ranged from western Connecticut through lower New York, western Long Island, and parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania along the Delaware River. The town is on the west bank of the Hudson River south of the city of Kingston. Its center is in Port Ewen. US Route 9W passes along the east side of the town.

Esopus, New York
Town
Esopus Town Hall
Location in Ulster County and the state of New York.
Coordinates: 41°51′21″N 73°59′31″W
CountryUnited States
StateNew York
CountyUlster
Area
 • Total41.94 sq mi (108.62 km2)
 • Land37.31 sq mi (96.64 km2)
 • Water4.63 sq mi (11.99 km2)
Elevation
650 ft (198 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total9,041
 • Estimate 
(2016)[2]
8,839
 • Density236.89/sq mi (91.47/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
12429
Area code(s)845
FIPS code36-24691
GNIS feature ID0978944
WebsiteTown website
The Esopus Meadows Lighthouse

History

The town was founded in 1811 from territory taken from Kingston, New York,[3] which also was called "Esopus" at one time. It was officially formed on April 5, 1811. In 1818, a part of it was set off to Kingston, and a portion of Hurley was annexed. On April 12, 1842, a portion of New Paltz was annexed, making up what is mostly present-day Esopus.

The first known European to settle in the area was a trapper by the name of Christoffel "Kit" Davits,[4] who bartered with the Esopus people, a branch of the Lenape. Around 1652 or 1653 many settlers moved south from the Manor of Rensselaerswyck where they had worked the patroon's land.

During the American Revolution, a colonial prison was established there in the fall of 1777 to house overcrowding of a prison ship anchored offshore. The British army attacked this settlement in the same year and burned it to the ground.[5]

The Cumming-Parker House, Esopus Meadows Lighthouse, Col. Oliver Hazard Payne Estate, Poppletown Farmhouse, and Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Klyne Esopus are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[6] Other noteworthy structures in Esopus include the Mount Academy.

Notable Residents

In the early 19th century, Esopus was a popular summer residence for wealthy American families such as the Astors, Durkees, Paynes, Rockefellers, Smiths, Tiffanys and Whitneys, who built architecturally significant mansions and hunting lodges on the west bank of the Hudson River, across from the Vanderbilt and Roosevelt estates on the east bank.

Historical figures and celebrated people who have lived in Esopus include naturalist John Burroughs; financier Harry Payne Bingham; abolitionist Sojourner Truth; 19th-century U.S. politician George W. Pratt; Standard Oil treasurer Colonel Oliver Hazard Payne; business leader and president of Avco Corporation Raymond Rich; the Smith Brothers, who invented the first cough drops in America; Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (patron saint of immigrants); Major Gen. Daniel Butterfield, who founded the American Express Company and wrote "Taps" in 1862; Eugene R. Durkee, who made a fortune in spices and salad dressings and whose West Park summer mansion became part of the Christian Brothers monastery; John Jacob Astor III; boxing champion Floyd Patterson who attended Wiltwyck School for Boys in West Park; and Alton Brooks Parker, a lawyer and judge who ran for U.S president as the 1904 Democratic party nominee, losing to incumbent Theodore Roosevelt.

In the early part of the 21st century, Esopus became known as a haven for artists and performers, including Academy Award-, Emmy Award- and Tony Award-winning actress Frances McDormand, singer and Broadway actress Kelli O'Hara, actor Sebastian Roche, director Joel Coen, choreographer/director Joe Langworth, actress Blair Ross, Emmy Award-winning actor Peter Dinklage, actress Connie Ray, and reality television personality and former countess Luann de Lesseps.

United Nations

In 1946, Esopus was under consideration for the United Nations headquarters. The community was not alone: no fewer than 248 towns in New York State were among the possible locations, along with cities in other parts of the United States and in nearly every European country. On January 9, 1946, a photo appeared in the Kingston Daily Freeman, with a caption reading, “The local UNO Committee mapping a tentative itinerary for the Sub-Committee of the United Nations Organization (UNO) was impressed with the view shown above from Camp Chi-Wan-Do on the River road between Port Ewen and Ulster Park.” Many local property owners organized to oppose the proposed UN headquarters, however, fearing eminent domain. Ultimately, a donation of more than eight million dollars by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. for 16 acres of land in Manhattan provided the UN with its current headquarters in 1948.[7]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 41.9 square miles (109 km2), of which, 37.2 square miles (96 km2) of it is land and 4.6 square miles (12 km2) of it (11.08%) is water.

The east town line, marked by the Hudson River, is the border of Dutchess County. The Rondout Creek marks the north town line, while the Wallkill River defines the western border.

The lowest point in the town is the shore of the Hudson River, which is at sea level. The highest point is the summit of Hussey Hill, at 906 feet (276 m).[8] Hussey Hill is part of the Marlboro Mountains, which run roughly north to south through the central and eastern sections of Esopus.[3]

Esopus also has three lakes: Esopus Lake and Mirror Lake, which are in Ulster Park, and Louisa Pond, which is located to the west of the hamlet of Esopus. Louisa Pond is located in Shaupeneak Ridge Cooperative Recreation Area.

Government

The town's government is made up of a supervisor, four council members, two justices, a highway superintendent, a clerk, and a tax collector.

The following is a list of town supervisors:[9]

NameYears ServedYears LivedNotes
John J. LeFevre1811
Peter R. Decker18121776-1844[10]
Gerrit Jacob Freer1813-18161765-1827[11]
Cornelius DuBois Hasbrouck18171778-1855[12]Vacated
Joshua DeGraff1817-18191778-bef.1835
Isaac LeFevre1820-18251767-1847Relative of John J. LeFevre; previously served as Town of New Paltz, New York supervisor[13]
Jacob E. Hermance18261790-?
Peter R. Decker18271776-1844
Thomas Martin Holt1828-18291792-1858[14]
Peter R. Decker18301776-1844
Jan Gerrit "John" Freer1831-18341793-1866Son of Gerrit J. Freer[15]
Joseph Stringham1835Vacated or Died in Office
Ephraim Van Aken18351779-1844[16]
Jan Gerrit "John" Freer1836-18371793-1866
John Henry Schryver1838-18391802-1877
Jan Gerrit "John" Freer18401793-1866
John Henry Schryver1841-18421802-1877
David Horton1843-18461797-1854
Richard Eltinge1847-18481795-1878Married into Hasbrouck family[17]
David Horton1849-18511797-1854
Peter Meier Van Aken18521803-1890Son of Ephraim Van Aken[18]
David Horton1853-18541797-1854Died in office
Ezekiel Brodhead1854-18551814-1874[19]
Ebenezer Van Aken18561815-1865Nephew of Ephraim Van Aken; first cousin of Peter M. Van Aken
John Horton1857c. 1800-1857Brother of David Horton; Died in office
Marinus Van Aken Wheeler18571800-1885[20]
George T. Pierce1858-18591823-1874Served as member of New York State Assembly and Senate
Josiah Hasbrouck18601830-1889Member of Hasbrouck family
Abraham Sleght1861-18621807-1876Son-in-law of Richard Eltinge[21]
Edward McKenzie18631815-1886[22]
Josiah Hasbrouck1864-18651830-1889[23]
Edward McKenzie18661815-1886
Henry Cantine Connelly1867-18701832-1912Served as member of New York State Senate
Morgan Everson18711810-1875
Ezra Van Aken1872-18731836-1923[24]Son of Peter M. Van Aken; grandson of Ephraim Van Aken; cousin of Ebenezer Van Aken
Benjamin Neise18741798-1891[25]
Berdett Terpenning18751837-1888
Philip A. Schryver1876-18781823-1901
John Samuel Griffiths18791821-1887[26]
Harvey L. Manning1880-18811833-1884[27]
Charles Tupper Coutant1882-18871843-1919[28]
Daniel Webster Benton18881845-1926[29]Husband of Mary Lavinia Van Aken, who was cousin of Ebenezer, Ephraim, Peter M. and Ezra Van Aken
Daniel Elsworth18891831-?
Daniel Webster Benton18901845-1926
Josiah Keator18911833-1899[30]
George Sharpe Sleight1892-18941845-1899[31]Son of Abraham Sleght; grandson of Richard Eltinge
Josiah Hasbrouck Jr.18951864-1913[32]Son of Josiah Hasbrouck
John A. Decker1896-18971850-1930[33]First wife Rebecca was granddaughter of Thomas Martin Holt
Robert Gillies1898-18991849-1902
Simon Brodhead Van Wagenen1900-19031864-1927[34]
Ellis B. Long1904-19051874-?
Charles McDonald1906-19091851-?
George E. House1910-19131853-1926[35]
Charles H. Schoonmaker1914-19171868-1943[36]Husband of Etta Van Aken, who was cousin of Ebenezer, Ephraim, Peter M. and Ezra Van Aken
Holt Norris Winfield1918-19191886-1960[37]Great-grandson of Thomas Martin Holt; nephew of John A. Decker
John H. Beaver19201871-1964[38]Resigned 8/28/1920
Elmer E. Elsworth1920-19231871-1932[39]
Roscoe Van Aken Elsworth1924-19251893-1990[40]Cousin of the Van Aken family (Ebenezer, Ephraim, Peter M., Ezra)
Harold Vincent Story1926-19271880-1962
Missing Information1928-1929
Roscoe Van Aken Elsworth1930-19351893-1990Went on to serve as a New York State Supreme Court Judge (1945 to 1969)
Missing Information1936-1939
Raymond Howe1940-19431897-1959[41]
John Taylor Groves1944-19471891-1963[42]Later served as Ulster County Treasurer (1949 to 1952)
Henry Madison Cameron1948-19511896-1993[43]
Edward R. Eckert1952-19571920-1994
Roger Wallace Mabie1958-19671917-2008[44]
George Harding Freer1968-19751923-1978[45]Distant cousin of Gerrit J. Freer and Jan G. Freer
Joseph Edward Sills Jr.1975-19821932-
Marilyn A. Clark Coffey1982-19871934-2016[46]First female supervisor
Roger Wallace Mabie1988-19931917-2008Most years of service as Esopus supervisor overall (16 years)
Philip Stephan "Steve" Sickler1994-19951947-2017[47]
Raymond E. "Ray" Rice1996-20051943-Most years of service as Esopus supervisor consecutively (10 years)
John K. Coutant2006-20151945-2015[48]Died in office; Most years of service as Esopus supervisor consecutively (10 years)
Kyle W. Barnett2015 (acting)1969-
Diane McCord2016-20171947-
Shannon Harris2018-Present

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18201,513—
18301,77017.0%
18401,9399.5%
18502,90049.6%
18604,73463.2%
18704,557−3.7%
18804,7363.9%
18904,659−1.6%
19004,9075.3%
19104,732−3.6%
19203,913−17.3%
19304,1676.5%
19404,2201.3%
19504,73812.3%
19606,59739.2%
19706,9745.7%
19807,6059.0%
19908,86016.5%
20009,3315.3%
20109,041−3.1%
2016 (est.)8,839[2]−2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[49]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census[50] there were 9,331 people, 3,439 households and 2,235 families residing in the town. The population density was 250.5 people per square mile (96.7/km2). There were 3,724 housing units at an average density of 100.0 per square mile (38.6/km2. The racial makeup of the town was 94.57% white; 2.18% African American; 0.24% Native American; 0.94% Asian; 0.49% from other races; and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.91% of the population.

There were 3,439 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 51.7% were married couples living together; 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present; and 35.0% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.01.

The population in town was spread out, with 25.4% under the age of 18; 6.9% from 18 to 24; 29.3% from 25 to 44; 25.9% from 45 to 64; and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,915, and the median income for a family was $55,442. Males had a median income of $38,016 versus $31,010 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,174.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, the racial makeup was 89.1% White, 5.0% African American, 0.4% Native American and 1.4% Asian. Hispanic or Latino people were 5.4% of the population.[51]

Emergency services

The town has five fire districts: Connelly, Esopus,[52] Rifton, St. Remy,[53] and Port Ewen. Emergency medical services are provided by a volunteer ambulance corps.[54]

Hamlets in Esopus
  • Connelly – a hamlet in the northeast part of the town and suburb of Kingston. It is on the south bank of Rondout Creek.
  • Dashville – a hamlet south of Rifton.
  • Esopus – a hamlet by the Hudson River and located on Route 9W.
  • New Salem – a hamlet at the north town line by Rondout Creek.
  • Port Ewen – a hamlet in the northeast part of the town; it is considered a suburb of Kingston.
  • Rifton – a hamlet in the western part of the town on Route 213.
  • St. Remy – a hamlet south of New Salem.
  • Sleightsburgh – a hamlet at the northeast corner of the town and suburb of Kingston. The community is at the mouth of Rondout Creek.
  • Ulster Park – a hamlet north of Esopus hamlet on Route 9W.
  • Union Center – a hamlet west of Ulster Park.
  • West Park – a hamlet south of Esopus hamlet on Route 9W.

See also

Notable people

References
  1. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Jul 5, 2017.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  3. "About Esopus", Town of Esopus
  4. Van Buren, Augustus H., A History of Ulster County Under the Dominion of the Dutch, Kingston. 1923, p. 17
  5. Hurd, Anner. "Land Petitions of Upper Canada, 1763-1865". RG 1 L3, C-2046-00745. Gov't of Canada. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  6. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  7. About Town: What Might Have Been
  8. "Hussey Hill Summit - New York Mountain Peak Information". Retrieved 2011-08-14.
  9. Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors of Ulster County. Kingston, New York: Freeman Publishing Company. 1923. pp. 433–434.
  10. "Peter R. Decker and Elizabeth Louw". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  11. "Gerrit Jacob Freer and Geertje Van Vliet". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  12. "Cornelius DuBois Hasbrouck and Hannah Van Wagenen". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  13. "Isaac LeFevre and Catharina Burhans". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  14. "Thomas Martin Holt and Rebecca Van Vliet". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  15. "Jan Gerrit Freer and Dinah Roosa". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  16. "Ephraim Van Aken and Elizabeth Van Aken". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  17. "Richard Eltinge and Elizabeth Hasbrouck". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  18. "Peter Meier Van Aken and Ann Cole". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  19. "Ezekiel Brodhead". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  20. "Marinus Van Aken Wheeler". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  21. "Abraham Sleght and Hester B. Eltinge". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  22. "Edward McKenzie at Findagrave.com". Find A Grave. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  23. "Josiah Hasbrouck and Ellen Jane Blauvelt". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  24. "Ezra Van Aken and Gertrude Elting". Ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  25. "Benjamin Niese at Findagrave". Find A Grave. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  26. "Lt. John Samuel Griffiths at Findagrave". Find A Grave. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  27. "Henry L. Manning at Findagrave". Find A Grave. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  28. "Charles T. Coutant obituary". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  29. "Daniel Webster Benton and Mary Lavinia Van Aken". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  30. "Josiah Keator at Findagrave". Find A Grave. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  31. "George Sharp Sleight and Hattie Rickard". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  32. "Josiah Hasbrouck Jr. and Lillian Hutton". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  33. "John A. Decker and Rebecca Jane Norris". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  34. "Simon Brodhead Van Wagenen". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  35. "George E. House at Findagrave.com". Find A Grave. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  36. "Charles H. Schoonmaker at Findagrave.com". Find A Grave. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  37. "Holt Norris Winfield". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  38. "John H. Beaver at Findagrave.com". Find A Grave. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  39. "Elmer E. Elsworth at Findagrave.com". Find A Grave. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  40. "Roscoe Van Aken Elsworth". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  41. "Raymond Howe at Findagrave.com". Find A Grave. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  42. "John Taylor Groves and Elsie M. Hotaling". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  43. "Henry Madison Cameron at Findagrave.com". Find A Grave. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  44. "Roger W. Mabie obituary". Funeral Innovations. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  45. "George Harding Freer and Helen Theresa Kruszenski". ourfamtree.org. Ray Gurganus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  46. "Marilyn Clark Coffey obituary". Legacy. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  47. "Philip S. Sickler obituary". Legacy. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  48. "John K. Coutant obituary". Legacy. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  49. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  50. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  51. American Fact Finder, 2010, Esopus, New York, https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF
  52. Esopus Fire Department
  53. St Remy Fire Department
  54. "Town of Esopus Volunteer Ambulance Squad : Squad History and Information". esopusems.com. Retrieved 2018-10-03.

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