Cornelius Gee was another ante-Revolutionary settler at West Point, who came from the Colony opposite. He afterward established a ferry from West Point, then known as "Gee's Point," to Constitution Island opposite, being associated with Jacob Nelson in the enterprise. This was called "Nelson's Ferry." Nelson also lived in the colony on the east shore of the river opposite the Point and he had seven children. Only one of these, however, seems to have settled on the west side of the river. This ancient ferry is frequently mentioned in the Revolutionary annals; and Nelson's Point opposite Fort Arnold, afterward Fort Clinton, was regarded as a most important strategic point by Washington, which he carefully guarded.
Tradition has a pleasant little Highland "tea story" connected with this Gee family which may as well be perpetuated here. "Aunt Sally Gee" was the happy possessor of half-a-pound of this most delectable and very scarce beverage that caused so much trouble between the mother country and her dependent Colonies on this side of the Atlantic, at the outbreak of hostilities. It is said that while the flames that were destroying Fort Montgomery illuminated this entire region, announcing the triumph of the British forces, "Aunt Sally", giving up all as lost, resolved upon having a final cup of tea to assuage her grief before fleeing for her life. Grabbing the old teapot from the shelf, she tossed the entire, half-pound of tea into it in her haste, determined that none should be left for the redcoats. But the decoction proved all too strong and bitter even for her tea-stained palate.
An early pioneer in the West Grove section was John Kronkhite, who came, about the opening of the war, from Westchester County, N. Y. Some of his descendants are still in that region. Moses Clark was another early settler there, whose name appears in the Cornwall records between 1765 and 1775, which would indicate that he arrived some years before the war. Tobias Weygant is also mentioned as an early West Grove settler. Among other early settlers in the town were Thomas and Joseph Collins, William Cooper, who lived near Fort Montgomery, Thomas Cooper, Isaac Garrison, who lived in the Middle Highlands section, Jonas Garrison, William Horton, Zaccheus Horton, Maurice Havens, David June, who lived near the Rockland county line, D. Lancaster, John Parker, Israel Rose, Samuel Rockwell, S. Sheldon, Birdseye Young and James Stout. Isaac Faurot was also an ancient resident in the Highland Falls section, who was a deckhand on the first steamboat "Cleremont" that went up the Hudson under Captain Wiswell in 1807. Captain Faurot, a descendant, is still a resident of Highland Falls.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWN.
Like several other of the younger towns in Orange county, Highlands was the offspring of convenience and expediency. Its formation became in fact almost a matter of public necessity owing to the peculiar conditions prevailing. The old town of Cornwall consisted of a thickly settled region north of the mountains, and the widely separated localities of Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery far to the south. Communication between these two ends of the township was in those days very slow and inconvenient. The transaction of official business of the town was very expensive and almost impracticable. Boats had to be chartered to carry voters to the town meetings. Thus the division of the town, which was authorized by the county supervisors in 1872, met with little opposition.
The first town meeting of the new town was held at the house of Charles Engleskircher, March 4, 1873. William Avery was then chosen the first Supervisor, and a full list of town officials was selected. Avery was succeeded by Jeremiah Drew in 1874, who continued in the office several years. John A. Cook held the office one term and was followed by Hon. Louis F. Goodsell, who was supervisor eighteen years. Jacob L. Hicks was elected in 1905 and was succeeded by John F. Pierce in the closely contested election of 1907.
VILLAGES OF THE TOWN.
Of these, West Point, if it can be called a village, is the more important. A post-office was established here at an early period of the nation's history. Major Roger Alden was the postmaster for some years, and was followed by Mr. Hoh. In 1835 Prof. Claudius Berard succeeded to the office and held it until his death in 1848. His widow was then appointed and remained in office until 1870 when she was succeeded by A. B. Berard, who was still there in 1880.
The place is composed almost entirely of the great Military School of the nation in all its varied departments and imposing structures. Aside from this there is very little business, except that arising from the extensive improvements now in progress by the government. The noted old West Point hotel is still standing, and in operation, although even this is soon to be demolished under the plans for the modern reconstruction of the post, which are being carried out on a vast scale and at great expense.
The importance of West Point during the Revolutionary period is too well understood by every student of our national history to need any further emphasis or exemplification in this connection. It is visited by thousands from every land annually as the great show-place of the nation and river. And the rare native charm of its location enshrines it as the beauty spot of America.