John Hathorn, Warwick's Forgotten Patriot

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER: Tow n of War w ick Village of Warwick Warwick Valley Central School District Village of Florida Florida Union Free School District Florida Public Library Albert Wisner Public Library Warwick Fire District Florida Fire District Pine Island Fire District VOLUME 120, NUMBER 9 WARWICK, NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2004 50¢ John Hathorn, Warwick’s Forgotten Patriot By Richard W. Hull Professor of History New York University Major General John Hathorn was an individual of many extraordinary talents. He served eight terms in the New York State Assembly including that of Speaker, two terms in the United States Congress, and was Supervisor of the Town of Warwick. He was a military officer, first in colonial service and then in the Revolutionary forces. He was an educator, opening his private library to mem- bers of the community, and an entrepreneur, operating a multi-functional plantation in the Village of Warwick. As a surveyor, he gave geographical definition to Warwick and to the boundary between New York and New Jersey; and as an investor in iron manufacturing concerns, he provided tools essential to the early agri- cultural and industrial development of our region. Hathorn, a Quaker by religious conviction, was also a devoted family man. He married Elizabeth Welling, from one of Warwick’s first and most prominent families, and together they had eleven children. Hathorn counted among his friends the Marquis de Lafayette, George and Martha Washington, and George Clinton. He was an architect of government at all levels, from town, to state, and national. But perhaps John Hathorn should be best known as an unwavering patriot for the Picture provided by Bill Raynor cause of independence. Hathorn’s house around 1910 is located on Hathorn Rd., a short turnoff lane from Rte. 94 at Rte. 1. How sad that one of our town’s most eminent citi- zens is almost unknown today! When we think of where and at any time in history have remained in lead- in despair and ennui. Many Warwickians had rallied to ‘Hathorn” we conjure up in our minds a currently- ership positions both before and after Revolutionary the revolutionary cause in 1775 as the struggle began to famous Warwick gourmet restaurant, not a great fighter upheavals? Most have gone the way of Robespierre and unfold and the numbers in the militia swelled after the for our freedom. And when we think of a landmark, Patrice Lumumba. John Hathorn survived the transfor- stunning victory at Saratoga in October of 1777. But “Chateau Hathorn” comes to mind, not the venerable mation and eased us into the post-Revolutionary era. then came the brutal winter at Valley Forge in 1777-78. and richly-historic Hathorn homestead which is in an The Near Forgotten Hero By then, Americans were not only at war with the advanced state of decay some few hundred yards away. Today, however, Major General John Hathorn is the English but were in the midst of a bloody civil war, There are no monuments to honor this great patri- near forgotten hero of our town, our state, and our between the Patriots and the Loyalists. Warwick families ot, no portraits in the town hall or at the state capitol in nation. Yet his commitment to the cause of independ- were deeply divided, father against son, neighbor against Albany. Yet in the early post-Revolutionary days Colonel ence was unquestioned. Without the John Hathorns of neighbor. The Revolutionary committees on Public John Hathorn must have been held in very high esteem grassroots America we would never have liberated our- Safety had begun to confiscate the lands of local Tory by his compatriots or he would not have been popularly selves from the bonds of colonial domination. During farmers and burned their homes. All this only con- elected to so many public offices and for so many years. the critical middle years of the Revolution, many local tributed to bitter divisions within the community itself. Think for a moment, how many community leaders any- farmers laid down their arms and returned to the fields continued on page 5 Walking Path Completed in Pine Island Park Do you know what doctors recommend most for a healthier you? For many it’s a daily walk. Now in the Pine Island Park there is safe place to do just that complete with pleasant views and without the worry of nearby vehicle traffic. The Town of Warwick Department of Public Works, in cooperation with local vol- unteers, has recently put the finishing touches on a 1/3-mile walking path that follows the circumference of the park. The path has unobstructed views of the kiddie play area, the baseball diamond and the tennis courts. Other views include the black dirt fields and the Pochuck Mountain in the distance in addition to the American Flag, which is prominently displayed at the highest elevation within the park. "This walking path will allow people to have a great place to either take a leisurely walk with a friend or their dog or provide the opportunity for a more intense workout by those that prefer to jog or run," said Pine Island resident and Town Councilman Leonard DeBuck. "The uphill and downhill portions of the path are extremely gentle as well as being wide enough and smooth enough for wheelchair accessibility." The Warwick Valley Dispatch / Colleen McAvey The construction of the path took time because preliminary work needed to be This elegant new sign notes one easy rule "CURB YOUR DOG." Town Councilman completed such as clearing the brush, removing the existing topsoil along the route of James Gerstner (from left), Pine Island Recreation Committee member Beth the path, and allowing the base material of the path to settle and compact. After con- Leadbetter, Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton, and Councilman Leonard DeBuck sulting with Warwick Valley High School Track Coach, Tim St. Lawrence, the Town fol- cut a ribbon for the new walking path in Pine Island. lowed his recommendation to use a natural crushed stone for the surface of the path instead of asphalt, making it Entered As Second Class Matter easier on muscles and joints. At six-feet wide, the path Warwick, N.Y.10990 allows the ability to walk side-by-side with a friend and Publication No.666800 allows others to comfortably pass those who choose a continued on page 6 2 WARWICK VALLEY DISPATCH, AUGUST 4, 2004 Rabbitt Responds to Allegations of Fraud as ‘Shameless’ In a statement released recently, Annie Rabbitt, the Promising a vigorous defense to these "spurlous, reform, open space and sensible economic development Republican and Conservative candidate for the 97th baseless and unfounded allegations," Rabbitt said, "The for the people of our region." Assembly District decried the attempts of the Kraham people of this district deserve a choice and the heavy Rabbitt, hailed the decision of the New York State campaign and the Orange County Democratic handed tactics of intimidation and harassment being Board of Elections validating her filing of Conservative Committee to remove her from the ballot as a "shame- employed by candidate Kraham are indications of a des- designating petitions as a victory for the forces of choice less attempt to circumvent the democratic process and perate campaign." Rabbitt went on to state, "I look for- and good government. deprive the people of the 97th district of a choice in the ward to debating the real issues of budget reform, pre- upcoming election." serving agriculture, unfunded mandates, Medicaid Man Crushed to Death in Truck Accident Ronald John Lake Jr., 41, of Warwick was crushed to After attempts from paramedics to revive Mr. Lake, SUPERVISOR’S death after the hydraulic lift holding his pickup truck he was pronounced dead at the scene by Orange County CORNER which he was working on gave way. According to police, Coroner Thomas Murray. Mr. Lake was a machinist and Mr. Lake was working alone on his truck when the inci- designer with Equibal Co. in Unionville, N.Y. By Michael P. Sweeton dent occurred. Mr. Lake leaves behind his wife, the former Warwick Town Supervisor Police rushed to the scene at Lake’s home on Taylor Normajean Fusco and three children: Ronald Arthur, www.townofwarwick.org Rd. on Tues., July 20 at approximately 4:30 p.m. and Kelly, and Kevin. were assisted by the Florida Fire Department, the Florida Ambulance and Regional Paramedics. Obituary on page 12 Log onto www.townofwarwick.org or tune to Cablevision Municipal Channel 12 for Town Annie Rabbitt Opens Headquarters information. Not for profit, non political organ- izations are encouraged to submit events to be By Colleen McAvey Village of Greenwood Lake Mayor Bill Morris and is listed on Channel 12. Applications are available involved in such matters of the Department of Public at the Clerk’s office or on our website. Town of Warwick Councilwoman Annie Rabbitt, Works. She negotiates contracts for the Sanitation who is running for the State Assembly, has opened her Department and serves as liaison to the Water Shed The Town of Warwick Dial-A-Bus/Fixed campaign headquarters at the corner of Greenwich and Management District. Route System starts its expanded service this New Street in Goshen. Rabbitt is a remarkable woman On hand to show their support at Rabbitt’s new head- week. This is in response to the discontinuation of leadership and accomplishment in the Greenwood quarters was Village of Greenwood Lake Mayor Bill of Operation Wheels. An aide will ride the bus Lake Community having served as Trustee and Deputy Morris, Jan Jansen, the Chairman of the Warwick Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to assist pas- Mayor of Greenwood Lake.

Load more