Autumn 1998

Monica Doherty, a longtime resident of Yorktown, was elected president of the Yorktown Historical Society at the Society's Annual Meeting on May 13, 1998. Other officers elected were: first and second vice presidents, Linda Kiederer and Robert Lockhart respectively, recording secretary, Laura Traynor, corresponding secretary, Maxine Travis and treasurer, Tom Travis. Board of Trustees elected to the year of 1999: Thomas Clemmens and Nancy Lockhart; year 2000, Michael Derevlany and Joan Fyfe; year 2001 Robert Giordano, Ralph Rogers and Marie Tompkins.

Guest speaker at the Annual Meeting was Lincoln Diamant, author of the book "Chaining the Hudson" which tells the story of the struggle for command of the Hudson River during the eight-year war and the story of the chain stretched across the Hudson River at Bear Mountain. The chain was forged and floated across the river in the southern Highlands, between newly built Fort Montgomery and Anthony's Nose.

A Bit of Yorktown History
From "Bolton's History"

Prior to 1788, Yorktown and Somers constituted the old township of Hanover, within Cortlandt's manor. A portion of the former early acquired the name of Gertrude's borough, in honor of Gertrude Beeckman, wife of Colonel Henry Beeckman, and one of the daughters and devisees of Stephanus van Cortlandt.

The Mohegan term Appamaghpogh appears to have been applied to the whole Indian territory within the manor, west of Cortlandtown. The eastern section of Yorktown still bears the name Amawalk; probably an abbreviation and corruption of the former term, thus Appamaghpogh, Amaghpogh, or Amawalk.

The lands of Appamaghpogh were originally granted to Stephanus van Cortlandt in 1683, by the Indian sachems Pawemind, Oskewans and others, as mentioned in the description of Somers.

Click here to read the continuation of this article in the Winter 1998 Newsletter

"The Quest of the Half Moon"
September 16th Program

Time: 8:00 p.m.

Place: YCCC Building 1974 Commerce Street Program: "Henry Hudson's 1609 Voyage - The Quest of the Half Moon."

Speaker: Laurie Franklin

Volunteer Coordinator for the New Netherland Museum, Croton-on-Hudson, NY

To celebrate the Dutch role in exploring and colonizing America, a replica of Henry Hudson's original Halve Maen (HalfMoon) was built over a year's time at the Snow Dock in Albany, New York and launched in June of 1989. The construction and design of the new 85-foot long HalfMoon replica is based on extensive research dating back to the original construction contract for Hudson's ship. The ship is powered by both sail and motor and her displacement is 112 tons.

The HalfMoon sails today as a living history exhibit. Since 1989, the Half Moon has toured the East Coast, Canada and the Great Lakes to interpret her historical significance to the public.

The HalfMoon hoists six sails on three masts, sporting 2,757 square feet of canvas, and her volunteer crew learn to sail her in the manner of Hudson's crew, 400 years ago. They climb the masts to set her square sails and learn traditional methods of navigation.

Treasures in Our Town
by Ralph Rogers

Any antiques in the attic? Whether your prize possessions are old documents, artifacts, or photos about Yorktown, or even simply memories of growing up in Yorktown's past, write us and tell us about them. If not, you can be rest assured there are treasures in our town. Within the Town of Yorktown, there are 12 structures or homes recognized officially as important landmarks in the history of our town.

The historic landmarks designated on March 2, 1976 include the First Presbyterian Church on Crompond Road, Community Church on Church Road, Davenport House and The Forge on Croton Heights Road.

On November 16, 1976, historic status was given to the Railroad Station on Commerce Street, Hyatt House on Old Route 6, Lane's Tavern on Underhill Road, Congregational Parsonage Granite Springs Road. Other important structures include The Croton Dam and Friends Meeting House in Amawalk. Later that year on December 21, more designations were made for the Hallock Farmhouse on Hanover Street and Chadeayne Homestead on Pines Bridge Road. Throughout the town there are many other interesting buildings and homes of architectural as well as historic interest.

Many of these structures were built prior to the 1800s. "Preserving the landmarks in Yorktown for future generations to appreciate the significance of our local history is well worth the effort" says Landmark Preservation Committee chairman, Bob Giordano. Soon you will be seeing historical markers at each of the hamlet entrances to the Town thanks to the efforts of the Yorktown Town Board, Landmark Preservation Committee, and Yorktown Historical Society.

We hope some, if not all, of the treasures in our town, will be marked in some way eventually. We also look forward to hearing about your treasures which may be published in a future. publication by the Society.

What's In A Name?

Before and during the Revolutionary War, Yorktown was known as Hanover and Crompond. As J Thomas Sharf noted in the History of Westchester: "The Revolutionary History of this town is easily explained. Through it led the routes from King's Ferry to the eastern states, via Crompond and Salem, and to the southern portions of the county and New York City, via Crompond and Pine's Bridge. Consequently, the American forces often passed through Yorktown, and on occasions the French army under Rochambeau was here. From 1776 to 1782, outposts of the army which held possession of the Highlands were maintained at Crompond and at Pine's Bridge."

Yorktown had its share of patriots and loyalists, as well as those who stood on neutral ground. Local lore indicates the town was named for the important victory of the Battle of Yorktown, Virginia which essentially ended the Revolutionary War. However, the Historical Society has not been able to verify this. On March 7, 1788, by an Act of Legislature, New York State divided all the counties into townships. Then on March 27, 1788, the Town adopted its official name –York Town.

Class of 1999
Thomas Clemmens
Nancy Lockhart

Class of 2000
Michael Derevlany
Joan Fyfe

Class of 2001
Robert Giordano
Ralph Rogers
Marie Tompkins