1880 History of Ulster County New York - Saugerties Section

28 HISTORY OF. ULSTER COUNTY, NEW. XORK.
with an intelligent application of means to ends, has deservedly
been crowned with more than ordinary success.
Approaching near his fourscore years of life, he finds himself
surrounded with all the comforts which ample means
can command, receiving the constant and loving attentions
of children thoroughly devoted to him, and enjoying in the
largest measure the respect and esteem of the entire community
in which he has spent his days.
carried on quite extensively. His products are sold and
used largely for medicinal purposes. He has, in the mean
HIRAM ATKINS
was born in the town of New Qltz, Dec. 11, 1818; the
second son of Lewis and Ruth (Frear) Atkins. During
his boyhood he labored on his father's farm, his education
being limited to an attendance at the district school only
tr few weeks for a number of winter seasons. On reaching
his majority he commenced merchandising in the village of
Butterville, and continued in trade there for several years.
On Aug. 13, 1840, he married Lavina Frear, daughter
of G. I. Frear, of New Paltz. Mrs. Atkins was born in
New Paltz, June 7,1821. They have three children: Lewis
H., born March 25, 1842; Benjamin H., born Feb. 5,
1845 ; and Henry H., born March 6, 1851. Mrs. Atkins
died July 6, 1853. Lewis died in infancy. Benjamin
married Rachael C. Moody, of New Paltz, by whom he
has two children, viz. : Bertha and Hiram M. The former
died in infancy.
In 1848 Mr. Atkins purchased a farm in New Paltz, and
carried it on until 1866, when he removed to the village of
New Yaltz, where three years prior he had established the
business of distilling apple-brandy, and which he has since
I'hoto. by hwis, Kingston.
HIRAM ATKINS.
time, given considerable attention to grape culture on his
farm.
In politics Mr. Atkins is a Democrat. Prompt and honorable
in all his business transactions, a kind and obliging
neighbor, liberal to the poor, he has always commanded
the good will and esteem of the community in which he
has lived.
SAUGERTIES.
I.-SITUATION, BOUNDARIES, AREA, TITLE.
SAUQERTIES is the northeast town of Ulster County. It
is bounded north by Green County, east by the county-line
of Ulster (middle of the Hudson River), south by Ulster
and Kingston, and west by Woodstock and Greene County.
The area, according to the census of 1875, was 29,807
acres. Of this area 18,162 acres were improved, and 11,645
acres unim~roved. Of the latter, 4919 acres were woodland,
and 6726 acres were described as "other unimproved."
The title to the soil is derived through the Kingston patent
and the Hardenburgh patent, mentioned in the general history.
For convenience of reference we add the legal description
of the town, taken from the statutes of the State:
"The town of Saugerties shall contain all that part of said county
bounded as follows : Beginning at the northeast corner of said county
and running thence westerly and southerly along the bounds of the
county to the line run by Jamb Tmmpbour in the year one thousand
eight hundred and eleven; thence along the same, south eighty degrees,
east eighty chains, to the west line of the corporation of the commons
of Kingston; thence along the same, south twenty-four degrees, west
one hundred and eighty-seven chains, to the corner between lots sixteen
and seventeen in the southwest class of the division of the cor-
po.mtion of Kingston; then along a line of marked trees, being n
cont.inuntion of the line between tho second and third class, south
sixty-six degrees, east two hundred and eighty-two chains, to the
middle of the Plattekill; then down the middle of the same to where
it empties into the Esopus Creek; then down the middle of said creek
to opposite the line between the Flatbush and seventh class of said
commons; then along said line, south sixty-six degrees, east to the
bounds of the county, and then northerly to the place of beginning."
-Revised Statutee, vol. i. page 220.
Also the following :
"Froln and after the passage of this act all that part of the town of
Kingston, beginning with northerly bounds of said town of Kingston,
in the middle of the Plattekill and in the division-line between the
second and third class in the division of the commons of the corporation
of Kingston, and runs thence along said division-line, and the
same continued, north sixty-five degrees, west two hundred and
eighty-two chains, to the northwest comer of the said town of Kingston;
thence along the westerly bounds thereof, south twenty-five degreeq
west one hundred nnd fifty-six chains, to the corner between
lots number seven and eight in the southwest claes in the division of
said commons; thence nlong a line of marked trees, south sixty-five
degrees, cast two hundred and ninety-eight chains, to the east bounds
of the first class in the division of said commons; thence south eightyfour
degrees, enst seventy chnins, to the middle of the Plattekill aforesaid
; thence up the middle thereof to the place of beginning, shall be