CHAPTER IV: BEGINNING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Farmers Purchase Their Land
The First Carding Machine
Carmel Becomes A Town
Putnam County

FARMERS PURCHASE THEIR LAND
After the war was over, land that had belonged to British Loyalists was taken away from them. Most of the land was sold to the farmers who lived on it as tenants.
Beverly Robinson and Roger Morris had both been officers in the British army. Their land was taken away by the State of New York. Philip Philipse had died a few years before the Revolution had started. The land was owned by his wife and his three sons. The sons had all fought on the British side. The youngest, Nathaniel, had joined when he was only 19 years old. He was killed in a battle in 1777. Mrs. Philipse, of course, took no part in the war herself. They were allowed to keep their property.
Many of the people who had worked here as tenants were now able to buy the farms on which they lived. They began to build bigger and more comfortable houses. Some of these early buildings are still standing. There are even a few houses that were here before the Revolution. Of course, they look very different now because additions have been put on.
Some of these houses have very interesting histories. Do you know of any old, historic houses in your neighborhood?

THE FIRST CARDING MACHINE
The Red Mills again played an important part in history. The first carding machine in American was brought here in 1802. It is said that this machine was sneaked out of England by an Englishman named Ellinworth. It was first brought to Peekskill and two years later, it was set up in Mahopac Falls.
In 1799, the mill and the many acres of farmland around it had been bought by Judge Robert Johnston. He built his house around the Morris log mansion which was mentioned earlier. The building was then known as the Johnston Mansion. In later years, this house was also the home of Isaac Lounsbury and a family named Odell. It burned to the ground in 1896.

CARMEL BECOMES A TOWN
In 1795, Carmel was made a town by the State Legislature. The first town meeting was held at the home of John Crane. The first Town Board was elected. Perhaps you will recognize some of the Names.
Supervisor Timothy Carver
Town Clerk John Crane
Assessors Devowe Bailey
Daniel Cole
Thatcher Hopkins
Justices of the Peace John Crane
Robert Johnston
Overseers of the Poor Elijah Cole
Tracy Ballard
Moderator Robert Johnston

At the first meeting, it was voted to raise money for the support of the poor. Also, it was voted that the next town meeting was to be held in the same place the following year.
A few of the early families must have had slaves because we are told that at a meeting held in 1798, a man named Joseph Gregory had "set free" a lady named Angelesse and two little girls, Dinah, who was 3 years old, and Rose, who was 6 years old.

PUTNAM COUNTY
In 1962, Putnam County celebrated its sesquicentennial. It was 150 years old. That would mean that it must have been started in 1812. However, we know that settlers have lived here since about 1720. You probably can guess what happened. This county had another name before 1812. In fact, it has had several names.
When the Philipse family owned this area, it was called the Highland Patent. During the Revolution, it was known as The Highlands. After the war, it was part of Dutchess County and known as the Southern Precinct of Dutchess County. This meant that Poughkeepsie was the county seat and all legal and court business had be to taken there.
Finally, on June 12, 1812, the Southern Precinct became a separate county. It was named Putnam after General Israel Putnam, who was stationed here for a while during the Revolution. Carmel was chosen as the new county seat.
In 1814, the new county built its own courthouse. Until the courthouse was built, court was held at the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Meeting Hall. The original courthouse is still standing and is the oldest public building in our county. It was, at first, a plain rectangular building, but in 1840, it was repaired and improved. A portico (porch), pillars, and a belfry were added.