For some time after the war the Newburgh people were almost poverty-stricken. Their Continental money was almost worthless; they lacked means for the cultivation of their lands, and business was at a standstill. In 1785 they petitioned the Legislature for relief, giving as reasons the supplies they had provided for the war, their many losses caused by the war, their large personal service, and the depreciation of the paper currency, all of which rendered it impossible for them to cultivate their farms or pay their just debts, while many families were reduced to want for the necessities of life.
Soon, however, the vigorous population recuperated, was increased by newcomers, and the period of prolonged prosperity began in earnest. From the position of the lowest in 1780 the precinct passed to the fourth in 1790, with a population of 2,365, and in a quarter of a century to the first rank in population.
LATER EARLY DAYS.
The charter of 1752 of the Glebe was complied with down to 1793. From 1793 to 1815 there was only a temporary church organization, and no regular minister. Then a legislative enactment was obtained dividing the income from the Glebe between the Newburgh Academy and such other schools as existed or might exist in the territory. It is remarkable that the early academy instituted by the Glebe served the community educationally for nearly a century.
The "old town," situated on a plot opened by Cadwallader Colden before 1730, was located between present Front street and Broadway, and named Newburgh. This was extended by Benjamin Smith in 1782, who laid out streets and lots from a part of his farm lying east of Montgomery street and between First and South streets. After the disbandment of the army in 1783 Newburgh's population increased somewhat rapidly by the settlement there of some of the soldiers of the dissolved army and of families who had fled from New York City when it was captured by the British. But up to 1790 it was a disjointed settlement, the three township plots of which it was composed having no connection except through Liberty street and a few cross-lot roads. None of the lateral streets intersected each other, and in 1790 other highway commissioners formally connected them. The general legislative act of 1788 changed the name "precinct" to "town."
Newburgh quickly became the first shipping point of importance on the west bank of the Hudson north of New York, because of its fine harbor, and of being the natural outlet for the trade of a vast section of country previous to the advent of the canals and railroads. South of the Highlands the Palisades and other mountain ranges were a barrier to easy access to the river. Therefore in the early days transportation became the most important business of Newburgh. The lumber business was especially heavy, and large quantities of ship timber, planks and staves were forwarded to New York. Shipbuilding was also carried on, and Newburgh ships entered into the Liverpool and West Indies trade. Ruttenber mentions many mills that were erected in Newburgh and vicinity after the war, and says: "Besides mills and hamlets there were many well-cultivated farms, and substantial dwellings which had supplanted rude log cabins."
The early millers and boatmen of Newburgh kept goods of various kinds to sell to the farmers. The first regular store was opened by Benjamin and David Birdsall, and the second, immediately after the Revolution, by John McAuley. Hugh Walsh opened a store about the same time. The other principal merchants up to 1801 were Wm. Seymour, Leonard Carpenter, John Anderson, Cooper & Son, George Gardner, James Hamilton, James Burns, Robert Gourley, Robert Gardiner, George Monell, Robert W. Jones, Denniston & Abercrombie, Wm. W. Sackett, Alexander Falls, John Shaw and John Brown. A considerable number of these were connected with the forwarding business, among them John Anderson, John Anderson, Jr., Hugh Walsh, Benjamin Case, Jr., Jacob and Thomas Powell, Jacob and Leonard Carpenter and George Gardner. Trade on the river was conducted by sloops until 1830, when the first steamer, the Baltimore, was purchased and started on regular trips by Christopher Reeve.
Before the war Great Britain would not allow the colonists to engage in much manufacturing, requiring them to import or supply themselves by domestic substitutes. Therefore, there was much spinning and weaving by wives and daughters, and making soap from refuse fats, and dipping for candles, while the farmer made his own sleds and carts and generally constructed his own dwelling and outhouses. These practices were continued to some extent long after the war for economical reasons.
Some of the first men to start things in Newburgh are here named: