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History of Kingston, Ulster County, New York, USA
Journey back in time to Kingston, Ulster County, New York, USA
(Esopus)
Visit Kingston, Ulster County, New York, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.Do You Have Kingston Roots? Share MY Ancestral Story!

As early as 1614 the Dutch had set up a factorij (trading post) at Ponckhockie, at the junction of the Rondout Creek and the Hudson River. The first recorded permanent settler in what would become the city of Kingston, was Thomas Chambers, who came from the area of Rensselaerswyck in 1653. The place was called Esopus after the local Esopus tribe. As more settlers arrived, tensions developed between the Esopus and the Dutch, in part due to the Dutch selling alcohol to the young Esopus men...
In the spring of 1658 Peter Stuyvesant, Director-General of New Amsterdam, arrived and advised the residents that if they wished to remain they must re-locate to high ground and build a stockade. Tensions continued between the Esopus and the settlers, eventually leading to the Esopus Wars. In 1661 the settlement was granted a charter as a separate municipality; Stuyvesant named it Wiltwijck (Wiltwyck). It was not until 1663 that the Dutch ended the four-year conflict with the Esopus through a coalition of Dutch settlers, Wappinger and Mohawk. Wiltwyck was one of three large Hudson River settlements in New Netherland, the other two being Beverwyck, now Albany, and New Amsterdam, now New York City. With the English seizure of New Netherland in 1664, relations between the Dutch settlers and the English soldiers garrisoned there were often strained. In 1669 Wiltwyck was renamed Kingston, in honor of the family seat of Governor Lovelace's mother.
In 1777, Kingston became the first capital of New York...
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1642 - Ulster County - In 1652, Thomas Chambers, a freeholder from the Manor of Rensselaerswyck, purchased land at Esopus and began trading there.
wikipedia.org
wikipedia.org
1650 - Kingston founded
Settled by the Dutch as Esopus, renamed in 1664 by the English.
wikipedia.org
Settled by the Dutch as Esopus, renamed in 1664 by the English.
wikipedia.org
In 1654, Johan de Hulter, owner of 20% of the Killian van Rensselaer Company was granted a patent,
together with the patents of Christoffel Davids, and Jacob Jansen Stoll, this supplies evidence of the first permanent settlement, that grows into the village of Wiltwijck, later: Kingston.
wikipedia.org
together with the patents of Christoffel Davids, and Jacob Jansen Stoll, this supplies evidence of the first permanent settlement, that grows into the village of Wiltwijck, later: Kingston.
wikipedia.org
In 1683, the Duke of York created twelve counties in his province. Ulster County was one of them.
Its boundaries at that time included the present Sullivan County, and portions of the present Delaware, Orange, and Greene Counties.
wikipedia.org
Its boundaries at that time included the present Sullivan County, and portions of the present Delaware, Orange, and Greene Counties.
wikipedia.org
In 1777, the capital of New York State (the first state capital of independent New York) was established at Kingston, though it was subsequently moved to Kerhonkson when the British burned Kingston.
wikipedia.org
wikipedia.org
1854 - Kingston / Ulster County
Kingston, a post-township of Ulster co., New York, on the W. side of Hudson river. Pop., including Kingston village, 10,232.
Kingston, a flourishing post-village, capital of Ulster co.. New York, on Esopus creek, 8 miles from the Hudson river, and 55 miles 8. by W. from Albany. It contains churches of 4 or 5 denominations, 2 banks, 2 or 3 newspaper offices, an academy, and several factories.
New York, has an area of about 1150 square miles. It is bounded on the E. by the Hudson river, and is drained by Rondout, Walkill, Neversink, and Shawangunk rivers, and by Esopus creek, which supply motive-power. The surface is generally uneven and mountainous, the Catskill and Shawangunk ridges traversing the county. The soil is usually productive where not too rugged for cultivation. Indian corn, oats, potatoes, and grass are the staples. In 1850 this county produced 333,057 bushels of corn ; 827,899 of oats; 234,324 of potatoes; 67,407 tons of hay, and 1.211,650 pounds of butter. There... Read MORE...
Kingston, a post-township of Ulster co., New York, on the W. side of Hudson river. Pop., including Kingston village, 10,232.
Kingston, a flourishing post-village, capital of Ulster co.. New York, on Esopus creek, 8 miles from the Hudson river, and 55 miles 8. by W. from Albany. It contains churches of 4 or 5 denominations, 2 banks, 2 or 3 newspaper offices, an academy, and several factories.
New York, has an area of about 1150 square miles. It is bounded on the E. by the Hudson river, and is drained by Rondout, Walkill, Neversink, and Shawangunk rivers, and by Esopus creek, which supply motive-power. The surface is generally uneven and mountainous, the Catskill and Shawangunk ridges traversing the county. The soil is usually productive where not too rugged for cultivation. Indian corn, oats, potatoes, and grass are the staples. In 1850 this county produced 333,057 bushels of corn ; 827,899 of oats; 234,324 of potatoes; 67,407 tons of hay, and 1.211,650 pounds of butter. There... Read MORE...
1871 - Kingston
Kingston was incorporated by patent, May 19, 1667, and was recognized as a town, May 1, 1702. It was called by the Indians Atkankarten. Fox Hall Patent was annexed March 12, 1787. Esopus and Saugerties were taken off in 1811; a part of Esopus was annexed in 1818, and a part was annexed to Saugerties in 1832. It lies upon the Hudson, north of the center of the County. Its surface is broken and hilly, the highest summit being Kuykuyt or Lookout Mountain, about 600 feet above tied. Esopus Creek flows north-east through near the center, receiving Sawkill as a tributary from the west. Rondout Creek forms the south-east boundary. The soil is principally a clayey loam. An extensive business in coal, ice, stone and brick, is carried on by the river and Delaware and Hudson Canal, which terminates here.
Kingston, (p.v.) pleasantly situated on Esopus Creek, about two miles west of the Hudson, was incorporated April 6, 1805. The surrounding scenery is beautiful, the streets are well laid out,... Read MORE...
Kingston was incorporated by patent, May 19, 1667, and was recognized as a town, May 1, 1702. It was called by the Indians Atkankarten. Fox Hall Patent was annexed March 12, 1787. Esopus and Saugerties were taken off in 1811; a part of Esopus was annexed in 1818, and a part was annexed to Saugerties in 1832. It lies upon the Hudson, north of the center of the County. Its surface is broken and hilly, the highest summit being Kuykuyt or Lookout Mountain, about 600 feet above tied. Esopus Creek flows north-east through near the center, receiving Sawkill as a tributary from the west. Rondout Creek forms the south-east boundary. The soil is principally a clayey loam. An extensive business in coal, ice, stone and brick, is carried on by the river and Delaware and Hudson Canal, which terminates here.
Kingston, (p.v.) pleasantly situated on Esopus Creek, about two miles west of the Hudson, was incorporated April 6, 1805. The surrounding scenery is beautiful, the streets are well laid out,... Read MORE...
1885 - Two young women school-teachers at Kingston, N.Y., are sharpshooters, and can snuff a candle at twenty yards.
St. Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
December 26, 1885
St. Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
December 26, 1885
1893 - WRECKED BY LIGHTNING - POWDER HOUSE CONTAINING FIFTY KEGS BLOWS UP.
Two Houses Wrecked at Kingston, the Inmates Badly Injured, and the Telephone System Disabled - Great Damage to Grain and Fruit Crops Along the Schuylkill Valley by a Hailstorm - The Stones Were the Size of a Hickory Nut, and Trains Were Delayed.
KINGSTON, July 5. - During a very severe thunder storm early this evening a powder house in Second Avenue, on the outskirts of the city, was struck by a bolt of lightning. A terrific explosion immediately followed and the powder house, which contained fifty kegs of blasting powder, was blown to atoms - fence rails, stones and bricks were scattered for half a mile.
A three-story brick tenement house about 100 feet from the powder house was badly wrecked by the explosion, and the inmates, who were Poles, were all injured by the falling of the walls and flying glass. Anthony Prusack occupied the second floor with his wife and four small children. John Conaway, with a wife and a number of small children, lived on the third floor. The... Read MORE...
Two Houses Wrecked at Kingston, the Inmates Badly Injured, and the Telephone System Disabled - Great Damage to Grain and Fruit Crops Along the Schuylkill Valley by a Hailstorm - The Stones Were the Size of a Hickory Nut, and Trains Were Delayed.
KINGSTON, July 5. - During a very severe thunder storm early this evening a powder house in Second Avenue, on the outskirts of the city, was struck by a bolt of lightning. A terrific explosion immediately followed and the powder house, which contained fifty kegs of blasting powder, was blown to atoms - fence rails, stones and bricks were scattered for half a mile.
A three-story brick tenement house about 100 feet from the powder house was badly wrecked by the explosion, and the inmates, who were Poles, were all injured by the falling of the walls and flying glass. Anthony Prusack occupied the second floor with his wife and four small children. John Conaway, with a wife and a number of small children, lived on the third floor. The... Read MORE...
1894 - A FATAL EXPLOSION - Four Men Killed and Three Buildings Blown to Pieces.
An explosion that shook nearly every house in Kingston N. Y., and in all directions within a radius of ten miles from Rifton occurred at 7.55 o'clock, a. m. The explosion occurred in the works of the Laflin-Rand Powder Mills, in the building known as the drying rooms, where 650 kegs of powder exploded. This was a frame building, eighty by 100 feet, and was torn in thousands of pieces. GARDINER FREDENBURGH and JOSEPH SOUNDER were torn in shreds, and pieces of their bodies were picked up a quarter of a mile away.
The concussion of the explosion in the drying room exploded 200 kegs of powder in the Corning Mill, 200 feet away, and MICHAEL GIBBS was burned to a crisp in a second. Back of the drying room was a brick boiler house, and this was shattered in pieces, and GEORGE KIPP, the boss of the powder makers, was crushed to death. Several other buildings were shaken and badly damaged. In different places scattered near the works were three magazines containing 18,000 kegs of powder,... Read MORE...
An explosion that shook nearly every house in Kingston N. Y., and in all directions within a radius of ten miles from Rifton occurred at 7.55 o'clock, a. m. The explosion occurred in the works of the Laflin-Rand Powder Mills, in the building known as the drying rooms, where 650 kegs of powder exploded. This was a frame building, eighty by 100 feet, and was torn in thousands of pieces. GARDINER FREDENBURGH and JOSEPH SOUNDER were torn in shreds, and pieces of their bodies were picked up a quarter of a mile away.
The concussion of the explosion in the drying room exploded 200 kegs of powder in the Corning Mill, 200 feet away, and MICHAEL GIBBS was burned to a crisp in a second. Back of the drying room was a brick boiler house, and this was shattered in pieces, and GEORGE KIPP, the boss of the powder makers, was crushed to death. Several other buildings were shaken and badly damaged. In different places scattered near the works were three magazines containing 18,000 kegs of powder,... Read MORE...
1895 - Kingston
Kingston, a city, the capital of Ulster co., N.Y., on the Hudson River, and on the West Shore Railroad, 88 miles above New York City, and 53 miles S. of Albany. It is also on the Ulster & Delaware Railroad, and is a terminus of the Wallkill Valley Railroad. Kingston contains a city hall, a free hospital, a court-house, 15 churches, a con vent, an orphanage, a Catholic academy, 3 national banks, 3 savings-banks, 2 academies, a high school, 5 first-class hotels, and printing-offices which issue 3 daily and 4 weekly newspapers. It has 5 breweries, 2 tanneries, 3 iron-foundries, 5 brick-yards, 3 steam flour-mills, and manufactures of cement, lime, cigars, brushes, shirts, steam-boilers, sash, blinds, soap, candles, &c. It was made a city in 1872, the village of Rondout being a part of the new corporation. Pop. in 1890,21,985. Kingston township is bounded on the E. by the Hudson River. Large quantities of building and flagstones are exported from it.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
Kingston, a city, the capital of Ulster co., N.Y., on the Hudson River, and on the West Shore Railroad, 88 miles above New York City, and 53 miles S. of Albany. It is also on the Ulster & Delaware Railroad, and is a terminus of the Wallkill Valley Railroad. Kingston contains a city hall, a free hospital, a court-house, 15 churches, a con vent, an orphanage, a Catholic academy, 3 national banks, 3 savings-banks, 2 academies, a high school, 5 first-class hotels, and printing-offices which issue 3 daily and 4 weekly newspapers. It has 5 breweries, 2 tanneries, 3 iron-foundries, 5 brick-yards, 3 steam flour-mills, and manufactures of cement, lime, cigars, brushes, shirts, steam-boilers, sash, blinds, soap, candles, &c. It was made a city in 1872, the village of Rondout being a part of the new corporation. Pop. in 1890,21,985. Kingston township is bounded on the E. by the Hudson River. Large quantities of building and flagstones are exported from it.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
1916
Kingston, a city, the capital of Ulster co., N.Y., on the Hudson River, at the mouth of Rondout Creek, and on the West Shore, the Ulster and Delaware and the Wallkill Valley Rs., 53 miles S. of Albany. Kingston contains a fine city-hall, a court-house, several collegiate institutions, etc In the Senate House, built in 1676, the state legislature had its first home. The city has iron-foundries, brick-yards, flour-mills, and manufactures of cement, lime, beer, cigars, brushes, iron- and bronze-castings, motor-wheels and trucks, sash, blinds, soaps, candles, etc. Kingston was made a city in 1872, the village of Rondout being a part of the new corporation. Pop. in 1890, 21,985 ; in 1900, 24,535. Large quantities of building- and flag-stones are shipped from here and there is considerable boat-building and a trade in coal. Kingston was burned by the British in 1777.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
Kingston, a city, the capital of Ulster co., N.Y., on the Hudson River, at the mouth of Rondout Creek, and on the West Shore, the Ulster and Delaware and the Wallkill Valley Rs., 53 miles S. of Albany. Kingston contains a fine city-hall, a court-house, several collegiate institutions, etc In the Senate House, built in 1676, the state legislature had its first home. The city has iron-foundries, brick-yards, flour-mills, and manufactures of cement, lime, beer, cigars, brushes, iron- and bronze-castings, motor-wheels and trucks, sash, blinds, soaps, candles, etc. Kingston was made a city in 1872, the village of Rondout being a part of the new corporation. Pop. in 1890, 21,985 ; in 1900, 24,535. Large quantities of building- and flag-stones are shipped from here and there is considerable boat-building and a trade in coal. Kingston was burned by the British in 1777.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
1922 - U. AND D. WRECK BLOCKS THIS TERMINAL AND SPILLS BLACK DIAMONDS
200 Tons of Coal Piled up at Albany Avenue Bridge When Wheel Breaks and Derails 8 Cars - O. & W. Terminal Used by U. & D.
Sunday afternoon about 5:40, while the Ulster and Delaware coal train No. 39, eastbound, as proceeding about two rails lengths west of the Albany avenue bridge a wheel on one of the cars near the front of the train broke, piling four of the cars up in the west end of the tunnel and derailing four others. Three of the cars which were piled up in the west end of the tunnel were totally demolished while the other one being built of steel was only partially demolished. About 200 tons of coal is lying along the ground as a result of the wreck and needless to say it is being watched with the utmost care by employes of the company, while many are viewing it from Albany avenue with what might be described as hungry eyes. About seven lengths of rails on the south side of the track were turned over. It was expected that the wreck would be cleared up sometime around noon... Read MORE...
200 Tons of Coal Piled up at Albany Avenue Bridge When Wheel Breaks and Derails 8 Cars - O. & W. Terminal Used by U. & D.
Sunday afternoon about 5:40, while the Ulster and Delaware coal train No. 39, eastbound, as proceeding about two rails lengths west of the Albany avenue bridge a wheel on one of the cars near the front of the train broke, piling four of the cars up in the west end of the tunnel and derailing four others. Three of the cars which were piled up in the west end of the tunnel were totally demolished while the other one being built of steel was only partially demolished. About 200 tons of coal is lying along the ground as a result of the wreck and needless to say it is being watched with the utmost care by employes of the company, while many are viewing it from Albany avenue with what might be described as hungry eyes. About seven lengths of rails on the south side of the track were turned over. It was expected that the wreck would be cleared up sometime around noon... Read MORE...
1926 - Seriously Hurt In a Runaway
May Kantrowitz of 92 Broadway Hurled From Wagon as Horse Ran Away on Andrew Street - In Unconscious Condition at Kingston City Hospital.
Max Kantrowitz, 43 years old, a shoemaker located at No. 92 Broadway, was seriously injured in a runaway accident on Andrew street about 3 o'clock Friday afternoon when he was hurled from the wagon. He was picked up unconscious and hurried to the Kingston City Hospital where he had regained consciousness this morning. An X-ray was to be taken today to ascertain if he had sustained a fractured skull.
Mr. Kantrowitz during the summer months peddles fruit and vegetables. On Friday afternoon his horse became frightened and ran away, colliding with the automobile of Corolus S. Schmidt of Brooklyn, which was parked in front of the Knights of Columbus building at Broadway and Andrew street.
After the wagon had struck the automobile, somewhat damaging it, the runaway continued out Andrew street and near the residence of Arthur Rice, Kantrowitz was... Read MORE...
May Kantrowitz of 92 Broadway Hurled From Wagon as Horse Ran Away on Andrew Street - In Unconscious Condition at Kingston City Hospital.
Max Kantrowitz, 43 years old, a shoemaker located at No. 92 Broadway, was seriously injured in a runaway accident on Andrew street about 3 o'clock Friday afternoon when he was hurled from the wagon. He was picked up unconscious and hurried to the Kingston City Hospital where he had regained consciousness this morning. An X-ray was to be taken today to ascertain if he had sustained a fractured skull.
Mr. Kantrowitz during the summer months peddles fruit and vegetables. On Friday afternoon his horse became frightened and ran away, colliding with the automobile of Corolus S. Schmidt of Brooklyn, which was parked in front of the Knights of Columbus building at Broadway and Andrew street.
After the wagon had struck the automobile, somewhat damaging it, the runaway continued out Andrew street and near the residence of Arthur Rice, Kantrowitz was... Read MORE...
Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Kingston:
Historic Kingston Stockade District: Start your journey by exploring Kingston's historic district, known as the Stockade. Walk along the cobblestone streets and admire the well-preserved colonial architecture. Don't miss the Old Dutch Church, which dates back to 1659.
Hudson River Maritime Museum: This museum is located along the waterfront and offers a fascinating look into the maritime history of the Hudson River. You can learn about the region's boat-building heritage, lighthouses, and more.
Kingston Uptown Farmers Market: If you're visiting on a Saturday morning (from May to November), be sure to check out the Uptown Farmers Market. You can find fresh, local produce, handmade crafts, and artisanal goods.
Senate House State Historic Site: Explore the historic Senate House, the first capital of New York State, and its lovely gardens. The site is a window into the American Revolutionary period and is great for history enthusiasts.
Trolley Museum of New York: Take a ride... Read MORE...
Historic Kingston Stockade District: Start your journey by exploring Kingston's historic district, known as the Stockade. Walk along the cobblestone streets and admire the well-preserved colonial architecture. Don't miss the Old Dutch Church, which dates back to 1659.
Hudson River Maritime Museum: This museum is located along the waterfront and offers a fascinating look into the maritime history of the Hudson River. You can learn about the region's boat-building heritage, lighthouses, and more.
Kingston Uptown Farmers Market: If you're visiting on a Saturday morning (from May to November), be sure to check out the Uptown Farmers Market. You can find fresh, local produce, handmade crafts, and artisanal goods.
Senate House State Historic Site: Explore the historic Senate House, the first capital of New York State, and its lovely gardens. The site is a window into the American Revolutionary period and is great for history enthusiasts.
Trolley Museum of New York: Take a ride... Read MORE...
Discover MY Roots: Kingston Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Kingston, Ulster County, New York, USA
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