Taylor was tried, condemned and executed as a spy.
THE TEMPLE.
It was upon what was then known as the Dusenberry farm, formerly a portion of the General Haskins' estate, an English officer who settled 4,000 acres, during the old French War, that this building was erected under the supervision of General Heath, for the use of the army and for Masonic meetings.
It was here that General Lafayette was made a Mason by the American Union League, which accompanied the army. It was built of hewn logs, 80 X 40 ft., with a barrack roof, first known as the Temple of Virtues, but on account of a carousal of the officers after the departure of Washington, on the night of its dedication, it was afterwards known simply as the temple.
It was also used for public services on the Sabbath. At the close of the war, a proclamation by Congress of the cessation of hostilities was read from its door and a celebration on a grand scale was held. Here also was held the meeting to consider the Newburgh letters, written by a Major Armstrong, to determine, "whether the army should rise superior to the grievances under which it had long suffered, and precipitate a separation between the military and civil powers." It was a vital crisis in the history of the republic, and a tragic ending prevented by an address of Washington to the officers at this time, which is a lasting monument to his unselfish patriotism, profound wisdom, superior ability and marked discretion. The Society of the Cincinnati was founded here in 1783. "To perpetuate among the officers of the army and their descendants, the memory of their toils, trials, friendships and triumphs, for succeeding ages." The following were among the signers: Lieutenant Robert Burnett, Brigadier James Clinton, Lieutenant Alexander Clinton, Lieutenant Daniel Denniston, Lieutenant George J. Denniston, Captain James Gregg, Captain Jonathan Lawrence, Major Samuel Logan, Ensign Joseph Morrell, Lieutenant William Stranahan, Lieutenant William Scudder, many of whose descendants are residents of the county.
On the northern side of the monument spoken of as marking the site of the temple, is the following inscription: "Erected by the Newburgh Revolutionary Monument Association, 1891. E. M. Ruttenber, president; James M. Dickey, vice-president; A. A. McLean, treasurer; Russell Headley, secretary."
On the western face is the following: "Omnia reliquit servere rempublicam. On this site the Society of the Cincinnati was born May 10th, 1783, at the last cantonment occupied by the American Army, and it still lives to perpetuate the memories of the Revolution. Committee of the New York State Society of the Cincinnati, Fourth of July, 1802. T. M L. Christy, chairman, William Simm Keese, John Shayler."
On the southern face: "On this ground was erected the temple or public building by the army of the Revolution, 1782-1783—the birthplace of the republic. This tablet is inscribed by the Masonic Fraternity of Newburgh, and its Masonic confreres under whose direction and plans the temple was constructed, and in which communications of the fraternity were held, 1783."
The Clinton homestead was situated about two miles north of Washingtonville, on the road to Little Britain.
VILLAGES.