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Colonial Migration &
Culture
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•Many of Warwick’s early European colonists migrated here from
Connecticut, Bergen & Rockland counties, Long Island, etc. Early settlers included Dutch (DeKay),
French (Demarest/Des Marest, Hasbrouck), English (Aske, Wood),
Scottish(Burroughs/Burris, Baird), Swiss (Wisner/Weesenor), and other
nationalities. It was an interior area, not having as much traffic as nearer
the Hudson early on. The topography
dictated the routes of travel.
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•Oral History: “A Sister and a
Brother” in Under Old Rooftrees details of a journey by a young girl
and her brother from an unhappy home in Connecticut, overland alone to
Warwick.
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•French and Indian War,
persons killed by Indians (a few examples)
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Sept. 19, 1757
Tidd, James—killed by Indians Friday last at the Minisinks; Philadelphia
dispatch of Sept. 15.
October 24, 1757
Letts, Daniel, living near William Decker’s, on road from Showangounck to
the Van Curers—killed there Oct 22 by Indians.
May 29, 1758
Cole, Mrs. Nicholas, and son Jacob, age about 10—taken by Indians near
Minisink, but escaped. Cole, Mrs. Nicholas, son-in-law of (age 18), eldest
daughter of (age 13, son (age 8), youngest daughter (age 4)—killed by Indians
May 16 near Minisink.
Walling, Widow, daughter of, living near Fort Gardner, between Goshen
and Minisink—killed there Thursday last by Indians.
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•The NY/NJ Border was under dispute for a long time period. Much of Warwick was at one time claimed by
New Jersey. Residents in the “Gore”
tract would sometimes get caught between the different jurisdictions claiming
taxes from them. Thomas DeKay, a Dutch
immigrant, whose land was on the border, (Borderland Farm, DeKay Rd., etc.)
was continually harassed by NJ officials
trying to collect money for his land.
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•The border dispute with New Jersey was settled in 1769.
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