516 Agricultural -Manual 



so vague that it was impossible to locate them without conflicting 

 with others, and serious difficulties often arose between the 

 claimants. The policy of granting large patents was abandoned, 

 and the remaining parts of the county were granted in small 

 tracts to actual settlers. 



Settlements progressed but slowly because of fear of Indian 

 hostilities. During the French and Indian War the frontier 

 settlements were frequently attacked by small parties of Indians. 

 During the Revolution the frontiers were again in a constant 

 state of alarm, and in 1778 Brant, at the head of a large Indian 

 force, laid waste the whole Minisink settlement. 



The eastern part of the county was also the scene of stirring 

 military events. Washington appreciated how important were 

 the passes through the highlands, and strong fortifications were 

 built to protect them. Heavy chains were stretched across the 

 river and various impediments were sunk in the channel to prevent 

 the passage of vessels. In spite of these precautions the British 

 advanced up the river in 1777 as far north as Esopus, but on 

 hearing of Burgoyne's surrender they returned to New York. 

 This made clear the fact that stronger fortifications were needed. 

 The site of West Point was chosen, and at the close of the war it 

 was the most strongly fortified post in the country. 



Through the treachery of Major Arnold, who agreed to deliver 

 "West Point into the hands of the enemy, this post was nearly 

 lost. After the war the government works fell into decay; but 

 the United States Military Academy since established there has 

 made the place famous as a seat of military science. The 

 headquarters of the American Army were for a long time located 

 at Xewburgh. It was at this place that Washington finally took 

 leave of his army. The building occupied by Washington still 

 stands and in it are exhibited numerous interesting relics. 



During the colonial period iron mines were opened among the 

 mountains in the southern part of the county, and the iron made 

 from the magnetic ores of this region was used in forging the 

 links of the chain stretched across the Hudson during the war. 



On the shore of Orange Bake in the northeastern part of the 

 county, a small mint was established for coining copper money 



