New Windsor, New York
Encyclopedia
New Windsor is a town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...

 in Orange County
Orange County, New York
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located at the northern reaches of the New York metropolitan area. The county sits in the state's scenic Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley...

, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. The population was estimated at 25,244 in 2010 by the US Census.

The Town of New Windsor is in the eastern part of the county, bordering the Town of Newburgh
Newburgh (town), New York
Newburgh is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. The 2010 census determined the population is 29,801. This is the first time ever that the population of the Town of Newburgh officially exceeded that of the adjacent but totally separate municipality known as the city of Newburgh...

 and the City of Newburgh
Newburgh (city), New York
Newburgh is a city located in Orange County, New York, United States, north of New York City, and south of Albany, on the Hudson River. Newburgh is a principal city of the Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown metropolitan area, which includes all of Dutchess and Orange counties. The Newburgh area was...

.

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located along NY 300 in the Town of New Windsor, New York, less than two miles south of the Town of Newburgh line and not far from the City of Newburgh. It is a Purple Heart national registry of military personnel that were injured or killed during combat...

 is located on Route 300 in the Town of New Windsor.

History

The region was part of patents granted to John Evans in the 17th century. The Town of New Windsor was created in 1762.

Early History

The present divisions of the town include, Little Britain, Rock Tavern and Vails Gate. The area that now encompasses the town was granted in a patent to Capt. John Evans-1694-1699. He was granted powers and privileges as Lord of the Manor. Capt. Evans had vacated his patent sometime after 1699, and about 1709 the portion of the town nearest the Hudson River was organized under the Precinct of the Highlands (Ulster County). This remained until 1743 as the precinct, which was attached to New Paltz. In 1762, separate precincts were created for the Town of New Windsor and Newburgh.

The name of the town is from Windsor England, with the "new" being prefixed. By whom this was conferred can not be ascertained, but, undoubtedly, is tied to remembrance of the sovereign.

Revolutionary History

During much of the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...

, New Windsor served as the major depot for the Continental Army and Army Medical Dept., the majority of Town residents supported the war efforts and its leaders.

In October 1782, the troops began to arrive and set up tents, while they began building their huts. This encampment or cantonment covered 1600 acres (6.5 km²) and quartered 6000-8000 men, women and children from New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maryland. Here this army built a log city of over 700 huts for the soldiers and many other out buildings, guardhouses, blacksmith shops, stable, kitchens and a hospital. In addition, a long building called the "Temple" was constructed. It was proposed by Rev. Israel Evans, Chaplain to the Army, that a structure be built for worship services; hence, this structure was built.

In order to reward the fidelity and faithfulness of soldiers, Gen.Washington ordered the establishment of an honor, the Badge of Merit be bestowed on them. Today, this honor is known as the Purple Heart.

In an effort to preserve this encampment, the Town of New Windsor acquired a 167 acre (0.67582562 km²) plus tract consisting of much of the former hut sites. Since 1936, the Town of New Windsor and the membership of the National Temple Hill Association have striven to ensure the preservation of this- the final winter encampment.

Other historical sites

In addition to the Last Encampment of the Continental Army hut sites owned by the Town of New Windsor, the temple site is operated by the State of New York, known as the New Windsor Cantonment. Located there is the Mountainville Hut, believed to be a survivor from the encampment.

Knox's Headquarters
Knox's Headquarters State Historic Site
Knox's Headquarters State Historic Site, in the town of New Windsor in Orange County, New York, consists of the Georgian house of the Ellison family, built in 1754, and the grounds around it. It is located on Old Forge Hill Road, just south of Route 94 east of Vails Gate...

- a 1754 stone house built by noted stonemason William Bull
William Bull
William Bull may refer to:* William Bull * William Bull II * William Bull * William Bull , founder of Bilbul, a small town in New South Wales, Australia...

, used for John Ellison off Forge Hill Road.

Edmonston House
Edmonston House
The Edmonston House is located on NY 94 in the Vails Gate section of the Town of New Windsor in Orange County, New York. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979....

 - a 1755 stone house located on Route 94 built by James Edmondston to replace his log cabin.

Plum Point - (Kowawese Unique Area
New York State Forests
New York State Forests are administered by the Division of Lands and Forests of the Department of Environmental Conservation . There are four classifications:#Reforestation Areas#Multiple Use Areas#Unique Areas#State Nature and Historic Preserves...

) - a new State/County/Town park opened in the fall of 1996, located directly on the shore of the Hudson River. From this vantage exquisite views of the Newburgh Bay
Newburgh Bay
Newburgh Bay is in the Hudson River approximately 60 miles north of New York City, just upriver from the Hudson Highlands. It takes its name from Newburgh, for many years the major port on this section of the river....

 to the North and Cornwall bay to the south can be seen. Plum Point was an almost always occupied site from pre-historic man to the present.

Moodna Creek
Moodna Creek
Moodna Creek is a small tributary of the Hudson River that drains eastern Orange County, New York. At 15.5 miles in length from its source at the confluence of Cromline Creek and Otter Kill west of Washingtonville, it is the longest stream located entirely within the county.Despite its small...

 - (Murderer’s Creek)- legend tells of a massacre of the Stacy family at Moodna Creek also known as Murderer’s Creek.

Machin’s Battery - Capt. Thomas Machin was entrusted with the construction of fortifications on the Hudson River to prevent the British advance up the Hudson River. All his work never stopped the British advance north to burn Kingston.

Rock Tavern - so named for early landmark which was a gathering place for many years. The Tavern owned and operated by John Humphrey in 1740 was located near the intersection of present day Forrester Road. The tavern gets its name from a large boulder which formed its foundation. It was here that the plans were made for the organization of the present Orange County.

Vails Gate
Vails Gate, New York
Vails Gate is a hamlet in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 3,319 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the larger New York–Newark–Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined...

 - (formerly Mortinville & Tookers Gate N.Y.), today a thriving business community, was once the sleepy little hamlet into which all major roads crossed. These roads were part of the early private turnpike system, which was served by a toll gate to collect tolls. Remnants of former 19th century business community still exist including Lewis Hall on Rt 94 which served for many years as town hall meeting place prior to construction of 244 Union Ave., the old town hall.

Clancyville - Quassaick Bridge - early 19th century community built around once thriving manufacturing mills located on the Quassaick Creek
Quassaick Creek
Quassaick Creek is an tributary of the Hudson River in Orange and Ulster counties in the U.S. state of New York. It rises in the glacial ridges west of the river, near the boundary between the towns of Plattekill and Marlborough...

. Established by many Polish, Italian and other immigrants who built small homes enlarging them as they prospered. The area was built on the early farm of John J. Clancy, who subdivided it into small building lots. Sometime referred to as Ducktown by local residents, whose practice was to keep ducks and other poultry about their homes.

Stewart International Airport
Stewart International Airport
Stewart International Airport is located in the southern Hudson Valley, west of Newburgh, New York and over north of Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The airport is located in the Town of Newburgh and the Town of New Windsor."." U.S. Census Bureau...

 - (formerly Stewart Air Force Base) Stewart is named after Capt. Lachlan Stewart, who skippered schooners and other sailing vessels about 1850-1870.

Stewart continued as part of the Strategic Air Command until the late 60's early 70's when the Air Force turned the base over to the MTA for use as a cargo facility. The grand plan to create a jetport lead to the acquisition of over 8000 acres (32 km²) of the present day buffer zone and the lost of many early farms and structures. During the late 1980s, through the efforts of the late State Senator Schermerhorn, the airport passed into the hands of the NY State Dept. Of Transportation. Today, Stewart International in addition to its civilian capability, is the home base of the NY Air National Guard & Marine Corp refueling wing.

There is a new entrance to Stewart International Airport, via New York State Route 747
New York State Route 747
New York State Route 747 is a state highway in northeast Orange County, New York, in the United States. The route extends for about from NY 207 in the town of New Windsor to NY 17K in the town of Montgomery. It officially came into existence when exit 5A on Interstate 84...

. Now for the first time, the Airport can be accessed directly from the Interstates without encountering local traffic on the state roads.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...

, the town has a total area of 37.0 square miles (95.9 km²).34.8 square miles (90.1 km²) of it is land and 5.8 km² (2 sq mi) of it (6.03%) is water.

The east town line, marked by the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...

, is the border of Dutchess County, New York
Dutchess County, New York
Dutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The 2010 census lists the population as 297,488...

. Part of the north town line borders the City of Newburgh
Newburgh (city), New York
Newburgh is a city located in Orange County, New York, United States, north of New York City, and south of Albany, on the Hudson River. Newburgh is a principal city of the Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown metropolitan area, which includes all of Dutchess and Orange counties. The Newburgh area was...

. The remainer of the north town line is with the Town of Newburgh
Newburgh (town), New York
Newburgh is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. The 2010 census determined the population is 29,801. This is the first time ever that the population of the Town of Newburgh officially exceeded that of the adjacent but totally separate municipality known as the city of Newburgh...

 and the Town of Montgomery
Montgomery (town), New York
Montgomery is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 20,891 at the 2000 census. It was named in honor of Richard Montgomery, an American Revolutionary War general killed in 1775 at the Battle of Quebec....

.

Interstate 87
Interstate 87
Interstate 87 is a Interstate Highway located entirely within New York State in the United States of America. I-87 is the longest intrastate Interstate highway in the Interstate Highway System. Its southern end is at the Bronx approaches of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge in New York City...

, the New York State Thruway, is a major north-south highway. NY-207
New York State Route 207
New York State Route 207 is a state highway located entirely within Orange County, New York, in the United States. It serves as a connector between the village of Goshen and the city of Newburgh. It has for a long time provided the main access to Stewart International Airport...

 is an east-west state highway.

Demographics

As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...

 of 2000, there were 22,866 people, 8,396 households, and 6,078 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...

 was 657.4 people per square mile (253.8/km²). There were 8,759 housing units at an average density of 97.2 persons/km² (251.8 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 84.72% White, 6.76% African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...

, 0.27% Native American, 1.73% Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...

n, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 4.17% from other races, and 2.30% from two or more races. 11.10% of the population were Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...

 or Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...

 of any race.

There were 8,396 households out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...

 living together, 10.2% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 27.6% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,113, and the median income for a family was $58,292. Males had a median income of $34,283 versus $30,044 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...

 for the town was $22,806. 5.9% of the population and 1.03% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 52.8% are under the age of 18 and 7.5% are 65 or older.

Climate

New Windsor has a Dfa
Humid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....

 Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...

 (Humid Continental: Hot Summer subtype). It is situated in the temperate region of the northern hemisphere and has four distinct seasons.

Transportation

Stewart International Airport
Stewart International Airport
Stewart International Airport is located in the southern Hudson Valley, west of Newburgh, New York and over north of Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The airport is located in the Town of Newburgh and the Town of New Windsor."." U.S. Census Bureau...

 is located partially in New Windsor and partially in the Town of Newburgh
Newburgh (town), New York
Newburgh is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. The 2010 census determined the population is 29,801. This is the first time ever that the population of the Town of Newburgh officially exceeded that of the adjacent but totally separate municipality known as the city of Newburgh...

."New Windsor town, Orange County, New York." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on February 2, 2011.

Notable residents

  • John Alsop
    John Alsop
    John Alsop was an American merchant and politician from New York City during the American Revolution. He was a delegate for New York to the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1776.-Early life and career:...

     - born in New Windsor, delegate to the Continental Congress
    Continental Congress
    The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....

  • Dr. Thomas Young - 1731–1799 born Little Britain—leader of the Boston Tea Party (Indians)
  • Dr. Joseph Young - 1733–1797 born Little Britain—brother of Thomas - writer of the first medical textbook in United States *Clinton Family

The Clintons were of Royal Personage - immigrating here they were related to Sir Henry Clinton in command of the British Army during the Revolution.
    • Col. Charles Clinton
      Charles Clinton
      Charles Clinton was a French and Indian War Colonel, the father of American Revolutionary War general James Clinton and Vice President of the United States George Clinton, and the grandfather New York Governor DeWitt Clinton....

       1690–1773 father of James and George commander of NY Militia French & Indian War (assault on Fort Frontenac).
    • Gen. James Clinton
      James Clinton
      James Clinton was an American Revolutionary War soldier who obtained the rank of major general.He was born in Ulster County in the colony of New York, in a location now part of Orange County, New York...

       1736–1812 - In command of NY Troops with Gen Montgomery in assault on Quebec 1775 - commander of construction of Forts in the Hudson Highlands, wounded and escaped capture during British Attack on Forts Clinton & Montgomery Oct. 1777. Participated with Gen. Sullivan in his campaign to burn out the Six Nations - final field command at Yorktown - present during British evacuation of NY City - member of NY legislature and Constitutional Convention- State Senator - father of Dewitt.
    • Governor George Clinton
      George Clinton (vice president)
      George Clinton was an American soldier and politician, considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was the first Governor of New York, and then the fourth Vice President of the United States , serving under Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. He and John C...

       1739–1812 - Clerk Ulster County 1759, NY Assembly 1760, Continental Congress 1775 , Brigadier General Continental Army 1776, Governor & Lt. Governor 1777, President NY Constitutional Convention 1788, Governor 1801, Vice-President of United States 1804, re-elected 1808–1812, died 1812 buried Congressional Cemetery Washington D.C.
    • Governor DeWitt Clinton
      DeWitt Clinton
      DeWitt Clinton was an early American politician and naturalist who served as United States Senator and the sixth Governor of New York. In this last capacity he was largely responsible for the construction of the Erie Canal...

       1769 -1828 - son of James, Kingston Academy 1782, Columbia College 1786, NY Bar 1789, Secretary to Governor 1789-1798, NY Assembly 1798, U.S. Senator 1802, resigned, 1803, mayor of New York City 1803, 1808–1809, 1811–1815; NYS Senate 1799–1802,1806–1811, Canal Commissioner 1816–1822, Governor 1817, 1820, 1824, 1826, Dewitt is best known for the Erie Canal and the NY State Canal System.
  • The band Shrubs
    Shrubs (American band)
    -History:Shrubs are an American rock ‘n roll band formed in 1994 in Rock Tavern, New York. The band members are Bob Torsello , Rob Takleszyn , Jay LoRubbio...

     was formed here in 1994.
  • Mitchell W. Hecht MD FACP (NFA Class of 1981) - author, nationally-syndicated Q and A medical column, "Ask Dr. H" (1997–present)
  • Dylan Berg - (from Rock Tavern) Internet columnist for Metro New York and part-time writer for the Daily Show with Jon Stewart (2006-present)

Communities and locations in the Town of New Windsor

  • Beaverdam Lake
    Beaverdam Lake-Salisbury Mills, New York
    Beaverdam Lake-Salisbury Mills is a census-designated place in Orange County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the CDP population was 2,779...

     – (1) A lake at the south town line, (2) A hamlet located by the lake. The hamlet is also located in the Town of Blooming Grove
    Blooming Grove, New York
    Blooming Grove is a town in Orange County, New York, USA. The population was 17,351 at the 2000 census.The Town of Blooming Grove is in the central part of the county, located southwest of Newburgh.- History :...

    .
  • Denniston – A hamlet north of Beaverdam Lake.
  • Firthcliffe Heights – A hamlet at the town line near the Cornwall Line.
  • Little Britain
    Little Britain, New York
    Little Britain, New York is an area in Orange County, first settled in 1729 by Peter Mulliner, a devout Anglican, who named his farm Little Britain. The name spread to the surrounding region, which at that time was part of Ulster County, New York...

     – A hamlet in the western part of the town on NY-207.
  • Moodna – A historic location in the town.
  • New Windsor Cantonment – A NY state historic site near the City of Newburgh.
  • Rock Tavern – A hamlet near the west town line on NY-207. Rock Tavern has its own post office (zip code 12575) with home delivery to the western portion of the Town of New Windsor and the southwestern corner of the Town of Newburgh.
  • Vails Gate
    Vails Gate, New York
    Vails Gate is a hamlet in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 3,319 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the larger New York–Newark–Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined...

    – A hamlet south of the City of Newburgh. Vails Gate has its own post office (zip code 12584) with post office boxes, but no home delivery.
  • Washington Lake (1) A suburb of Newburgh located near (2) a small lake of the same name.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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