The first of the name in this PAULDING country was Joost Palding.
He was from Holland, and wrote his name as it here appears, not Paulding, in witness whereof one may look for his signature in the records of the old Dutch church in Westchester county, New York, 1710; as also the signatures of Joseph and Abraham Palding in the New York City census of 1737.
It is said that the family name of Paulding was once allied with that of Polden, represented by the emigrant to this country, William Polden, whose son Albert moved from Plymouth to New Bedford, Massachusetts; but mention is here made on account of the nomenclature, and not to show connection in the lines of descent. In word formation the termination "ing" signifies a meadow, low or flat lands, near a river, lake or wash of the sea. This seems to coincide with the idea of the derivation of the family name of Paulding, because Holland presents endless opportunity for residence along low land, whether at the interior or along the various arms of the sea. The surname terminating in "ing" denotes that the person bearing the Christian name therewith connected, for practically all persons in the early times before adoption of surnames were known by the Christian names solely, resided in a place of such description. Paulus was the Dutch word (also in the Latin) for Paul, and it would seem that on the origination of this particular family name, the one upon whom bestowed was Paul, who dwelt on low land in Holland. Reverting, however, to the spelling of the other name mentioned, Polden, the termination "den" is similar in sense to "din," "ton" and "tun," signifying one who dwelt within an enclosure, such as a walled town or enclosed estate, and if such place was upon an eminence, the Gaelic form "dun" would be used, ». e., a hill, a mount, a fortified house, fortress, or castleWere the two families, now distinctly separate, once united, one of the descent of Paul sought a place upon the lowland and the
other on an eminence. They were distinguished by the one who lived below and the other who lived on high.
(I) Joost Paulding was the first of this family to come to America, in 1664. His name being in the Dutch language, it corresponds to the Christian name Joseph. He came from Cassant, Holland. He first settled at Eastchester, in Westchester county, New York; but removed to the Philipse Manor estate, where he remained until some time in August, 1710, when he expressed to the Dutch church at Tarrytown, New York, the desire to remove to New York City. This request was granted and to it was added the special commendation of his record as deacon and treasurer, both of which offices he filled in 1712 and 1713, after they had scrutinized his accounts and found them in proper condition. Joost or Joseph Paulding married (first) March 16, 1688, Catharina Jans Duyts, born in 1664 (although one record places the date as 1674, too young to marry), daughter of Hans Duyts, born in 1644, who recided in Harlem in 1667. Hans was the son of Jan Laurens Duyts, born in Holstein in 1610, and died in Bergen, January 14, 1668. Joost Paulding married (second) in 1709, Sophia, widow of Teunis Krankheit, of Philipse Manor. From the following dates it will be perceived that his eight children were born to him by his first wife, and that the Paulding descendants are of equal origin with the Duyts family. Children (baptismal dates): 1.Abraham, April 7, 1689, died young. 2. Lysbeth, April 24, 1692. 3. Maria, February 24, 1695; married, April 29, 1713, William Forbosch.
4. Abraham, May 23, 1697; married, March 25, 1720, Maria Cousyn. 5. Catherine, June 11, 1699; married, November 26, 1720, Gysbert Uitenbogert. 6. Margarita, October 12, 1701, died young. 7. Margarita, September
5, 1703; married, November 13, 1726, Jan Uitenbogert. 8. Joost, or Joseph, see forward.
(II) Joseph Paulding, son of Joost and Catharina Jans (Duyts) Paulding, was born at Tarrytown, New York, and was baptized November 3, 1708. He died probably at the beginning of 1787. At the age of two years he was taken to reside in New York City by his father, and evidently he remained there for two score years, because his name appears in the census of 1737, and about 1753 he removed with his wife to Tarrytown, as shown by the entry of their names as members of the church there. In the census report of 1755 he was recorded as the owner of two slaves at Philipsburgh. His homestead was at a place more recently known as East View, about two miles east of Tarrytown. He executed his will September 17, 1782, which was probated February 12, 1787, in which he speaks of his sons William, Joseph, Peter and John. He married Susanna White. Children: Joseph, see forward; William, baptized in New York City, December 7, 1735; Abraham, baptized September 24, 1738; Peter, baptized November 3, 1742, died young; Catherine, baptized September 30, 1744; Peter, baptized November 9, 1746, died young; Peter, baptized November 8, 1749; John, born January 28, 1755, died unmarried, at Mount Pleasant, New York, 1847.
(lll) Peter Paulding, son of Joseph and Susanna (White) Paulding, was baptized November 8, 1749, and died in 1847. He was a private, then ensign in the revolutionary war. He made a joint will with his brother John, dated June 3, 1835, stating therein that his home was at Mount Pleasant, New York, which will was probated November 10, 1847. Peter Paulding married, August 19, 1787, Jane, daughter of Reuben Fowler, of Peekskill, New York. Children: John; Susanna, married a Mr. Conway, by whom: William Henry Conway and Charles W. Conway.
(lll) William Paulding, son of Joseph and Susanna (White) Paulding, was baptized in New York City, December 7, 1735, and died at Tarrytown, New York, February 10, 1825. It is believed that he came to Tarrytown with his family between 1766 and 1768, because in recording the birth of his daughter in 1768 the first mention is made of Philipsburg. He removed to Bedford probably in 1776, following the battle of White Plains, and subsequently to a place called Great Partners, Putnam county, New York, where two children were born.
William Paulding was an ardent supporter of the patriot cause, becoming a member of the provincial congress, and was appointed "Commissary of the Militia raised or to be raised in this State northward of King's Bridge." His friends and neighbors regarded him as one of the most influential men of the
place, one of those to be depended upon for advice or practical assistance. As is so often the case in life, this nobleness of character precipitated him into trouble. As a buyer of stores throughout the entire period of the revolution, he became liable for large quantities of these supplies. When a severe depreciation of the currency of the new nation took place, and the government was unable to meet its obligations, he was involved and finally became impoverished. Arrested for his debts, incurred in the service of the government, he was held at the White Plains jail, until that building burned, and he was free to walk to his home in Tarrytown. No steps were afterward taken to reincarcerate him, and nothing further along that line would be necessary that we should regard him as the highest type of patriot, as demonstrated by what he gave of his own for liberty's sake. Few of the wealthy men of to-day would care to follow his example, and consequently it is well that they should revere the name of one who was an example which they have not the courage to emulate. He was elected supervisor in 1784, among the first to hold said office after the revolution, which demonstrates the fact that his fellow townsmen not only respected him after what had transpired, but also desired to honor him to the best in their power. Commissary Paulding continued to reside at Tarrytown until he died, and although his home would now be considered of simplest construction, it was then spoken of as one of the town's pretentious residences. His house was built of wood, two stories and an attic high, and was within a short distance of the Hudson river. Among his friends and a visitor at this house was Washington Irving, for which reason the author was drawn there to live because of his attachment for the place and its people. It is said that Irving wrote some of his famous Salmagundi papers while in the house of William Paulding, Sr.
William Paulding, Sr., married, at New York City, July 25. 1762, Catherine Ogden, of New Jersey. Children: 1. Catherine, born at New York City, June 1, 1764. 2. Henrietta, born at New York City, October 9,1766; married Captain John Requa. 3. Julia, born at Philipsburg, New York, August 10, 1768; married Hon. William Irving (see Irving). 4. William, born at Philipsburg, New York (Tarrytown), March 7, 1770, died at Tarrytown, February 11, 1854; he received a good classical education; became a lawyer, practicing in New York City; served in congress, November 4, 1811, to March 3, 1813; delegate to state, constitutional convention, 1821; mayor of New York, March 6, 1824, to March
5, 1826; at head of a deputation of citizens welcomed General Lafayette to the city on the deck of the "Cadmus," Sunday, August 15, 1824; was adjutant-general; director of Manhattan Banking Company, 1837; an incorporator of Erie railroad; resided in a house at the place known as Paulding's Row, Jay street, corner of Greenwich; subsequently removed to Tarrytown, where he erected his country seat; married Miss Rhinelander; by whom Philip Rhinelander Paulding. 5. Joseph, born at Philipsburg, February 29, 1772.
6. Susanna, born February 28, 1774, died at New York City, May 22, 1797. 7. Nathaniel, born May 18, 1776. 8. James Kirke, born at Nine Partners, Dutchess county, New York, August 22, 1779, died at Hyde Park, Dutchess county, April 6, 1860; in his youth there was little sunshine, he declared, for war had impoverished everybody, and he had to walk two miles to a log-cabin school, but he strove, nevertheless, and finally became an author of prominence; went to New York City to live when nineteen years old, residing there with his elder brother William, then aged about thirty years; through his brother-in-law he met his brother, Washington Irving, and a strong friendship resulted, each starting his literary career by writing articles for the Morning Chronicle; with Irving, he began the publication of the "Salmagundi," January, 1807, to amuse the people of their town; among his novels, "Westward Ho!" 1832; "Life of George Washington," 1835; "The Puritan and His Daughter," 1849; "John Bull in America," 1825; "The Merry Tales of the Three Wise Men of Gotham," 1826, and "The Dutchman's Fireside," 1831; was appointed secretary of the United States navy by President Martin Van Buren, serving 1837-41; married Gertrude Kemble. 9. Euphemia, born at Nine Partners, New York, July 9, 1781; married, December 1, 1799, Leonard Decline.
(lll) Joseph Paulding, son of Joseph and Susanna (White) Paulding, was baptized April 22, 1733. He was chosen a supervisor of Philipsburg, New York, in 1778. He had
a military record in the revolution as a private in Captain George Comb's company of militia. He married, November 12, 1757, Sarah Gardenier. Children: 1. John, see forward. 2. William, baptized at New York City, February 4, 1761. 3. Susanna, baptized at New York City, October 5, 1763; married, January 11, 1789, Henry King. 4. Abraham, baptized at Tarrytown, April 16, 1771. 5. Peter, born at Tarrytown, May 12, 1774; baptized July 7, 1774. 6. Joseph, married, July 20, 1795, Sarah Seeley.
(IV) Major John Paulding, son of Joseph and Sarah (Gardenier) Paulding, was born in the Tarrytown homestead of the Paulding family in Peekskill, New York, October 16, 1758, and died at Staatsburg, Westchester county, New York, February 18, 1818, in his home on Lake Mohegan. He was buried in St. Peter's churchyard near Peekskill, and in 1827 the corporation of New York erected a monument over his grave in appreciation of his services during the revolution.
Major John Paulding was a man of great courage, and displayed his valor on more than one occasion during the struggle of the colonists to overthrow British rule. When it is known that he stood over six feet tall, excelled in feats of strength and, judging by his picture, a man of most prepossessing physiognomy, one may consider that he was in every way a fine type of the true American hero of the war of '76. It is related as an example of this, by Captain John Romer: "Paulding was a very brave man. He was once during the war upon Kaak-out, or David's Hill, with a party of militia, when the Refugee's horse appeared on some rising ground half a mile or a mile to the south. Paulding proposed to attack them there; but the militia refused, considering it too hazardous. He then went alone, and getting under cover, advanced and fired at them several times. Annoyed, they at length rushed upon him, and he escaped, but with difficulty, by getting into the bushes and swamp." When a young man he had one of his most exciting experiences. The house of his father had been plundered by British ruffians, and his mother compelled to submit to indignities. Coming home and learning what had happened, he seized his gun and hurried towards the camp of the enemy, intent upon revenge; but finally was forced to retreat before a dozen horsemen. On one of his visits to his sweetheart, Miss Sarah Teed, whom he afterwards married, he was set upon by a number of Tories, among whom was Ensign Teed, of De Lancey's corps. John ran into a barn, whence he fired upon his assailants. Angered by the wounds he had so inflicted, the attacking party desired to kill him; but young Teed dissuaded them. He finally surrendered and was taken to the old "Sugar House" prison in New York City, from which he presently escaped only a few days before the capture of Major Andre occurred. Captain Henry Chichester relates Paulding's escape in this way: "John Paulding was a prisoner in the Sugar House, in 1780, and made his escape in the middle of the day, by jumping on a pile of boards from a window. I drew the attention of the sentinel while he did it." General Pierre Van Cortlandt relates that after Paulding made this escape, "he went to Nathan Levinus, who kept a livery stable in Chatterton street, where Lorillard's manufactory was afterwards. Paulding there got a Hessian coat, green, trimmed up with red; got a boat, at the North River, and escaped to the Jerseys. At Weehawken he was taken up and brought before Marquis de Lafayette as a spy; but Colonel Cortlandt knew him, and procured his release." He then crossed the river to his home.
Every child at school becomes familiar with the story of the capture of Major Andre, the British spy, without persuasion, because of the wonderful interest in the episode, and in this act Major John Paulding was acknowl-i edged the leading figure among the three who accomplished it, an event of such great importance that congress by resolution bestowed medals upon these three men. Andre was negotiating under the name of "John Anderson" with General Benedict Arnold for the surrender of West Point. That place, although one of the principal fortifications expected to hold the enemy from ascending the Hudson river, had many vulnerable portions which Arnold was willing for a price to expose to the British, despite the fact that he was in command thereof. Andre met with Arnold on the night of September 21, 1780. at the house of Joshua Hett Smith, when the American general delivered to the British officer six papers, filled with information regarding the defences and their weakness pointed out
with minute detail. Against the advice of Clinton, the British officer at New York, Andre wore a disguise, and against the instructions of Arnold, Smith persuaded Andre to return to New York by land, leaving him to proceed alone. John Paulding was patrolling the east bank of the Hudson river on the morning of September 23, 1780, in company with Isaac Van Wart and David Williams, seeking any Tory depredators, known as "cowboys." Andre had reached a point within half a mile of Tarrytown, when Paulding sprang out of a thicket where he had been secreted with his companions, and he presented a firelock at Andre's breast, asking him whither he was going. As Andre supposed these men were friendly "cow-boys," he replied, "Gentlemen, I hope you belong to our party?" Paulding asked: "Which party?" "The lower party," returned Andre, meaning the British, who were holding possession at the mouth of the river. When Paulding, to test him thoroughly, answered that he did, "Then," said Andre, "I am a British officer, out on particular business, and I hope you will not detain me a minute." Paulding ordered Andre to dismount. By this time the British officer was suspicious of having made an error, and dismounting, produced a pass which General Arnold had given to him, made out in the name of "John Anderson," adding, "By stopping me you will detain the General's business." At this point Paulding apologized, and remarked that they did not mean to take anything from him, adding that there were "many bad people along the road; perhaps you may be one of them." Answering further questions, Andre declared that he carried no letters; but the three men led him among the bushes and searched his clothing minutely. They had proceeded to undress him, removing his boots, and when his stockings had been taken off, the documents, folded into small compass, were found. Williams then asked him whether he would give his horse, saddle, bridle, watch and one hundred guineas to be released. Eagerly he promised any and all of these article, and a quantity of dry goods besides to the amount his captors might name. It was thought by some critics that it was the intention of the three men to obtain so large a bribe; but such a thought would be set at rest by the next statement of Paulding: "No, by God, if you would give us ten thousand guineas you should not stir a step." Major Andre was taken to the nearest military post, at North Castle, and delivered to the commandant, Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson, chief of the Sheldon Dragoons. The three men departed without seeking reward, nor did they leaves their names upon the record, and the prisoner was removed to New Salem. After his trial, when Washington refused to pardon, he was executed at Tappan, New York, October 2, 1780. When the trial of Joshua Hett Smith took place, Paulding was asked why he had not released his prisoner when the pass was shown, and he replied: "Because he said before he was a British officer. Had he pulled out General Arnold's pass first, I should have let him go."
More intimate and accurate facts in the life and character of Major John Paulding may be learned from his own statement made and signed by him on May 6, 1817, which reads as follows:
John Paulding, of the County of Westchester, one of the persons who took Major Andre, being duly sworn, saith, that he was three times during the Revolutionary war a prisoner, with the enemy:— the first time he was taken to White Plains, when under the command of Captain Requa, and carried to New York, and confined in the Sugar House; the second time he was taken near Tarrytown, when under the command of Lieutenant Peacock, and confined in the North Dutch Church in New York; that both these times he escaped; and the last of them only four days before the capture of Andre; that the last time he was taken, he was wounded, and lay in the hospital in New York, and was discharged on the arrival of the news of peace there; that he and his companions, Van Wart and Williams, among other articles which they took from Major Andre, were his watch, horse, saddle and bridle, and which they retained as prize; that they delivered over Andre, with the papers found on him, to Colonel Jameson, who commanded on the lines; that shortly thereafter they were summoned to appear as witnesses at the headquarters of General Washington, at Tappan; that they were at Tappan some days, and examined as witnesses before the court-martial on the trial of Smith, who brought Andre ashore from on board the sloop-ofwar; that while there, Colonel William S. Smith redeemed the watch from them for thirty guineas; which, and the money received for the horse, saddle and bridle, they divided equally among themselves and four other persons, who belonged to their party; but when Andre was taken, were about half a mile off, keeping a lookout on a hill; that Andre had no gold or silver money with him; but only some Continental bills, to the amount of about eighty dollars; that the medals given to him, and Van Wart and Williams, by Congress, were presented to them by General Washington, when the army was encamped at Verplanck's Point, and that they on
the occasion dined at his table; that Williams removed some years ago from Westchester County to the northern part of the State; but where, particularly, the deponent does not know. And the deponent, referring to the affidavit of Van Wart, taken on the 28th of January last, and which he has read, says that the same is in substance true.
John Pauldino.
Following the revolution, Major Paulding settled on the farm which the state of New York gave to him, formerly owned by Dr. Huggeford, a Tory. It was located on the road from Peekskill to Crompound, some three miles to the east of the former place. • This was shortly after his marriage. Later in life, he sold this property and removed to Lake Mohegan. The medal bestowed by congress upon Paulding bears on one side the word "Fidelity," and on the other the legend, "Vincit armor patriae," The annuity ordered paid to him was the sum of $200. When the city of New York commemorated the capture of Major Andre by the erection of a memorial in the Cortlandtville cemetery, Major Paulding's stalwart form in bronze surmounted the whole.
Major John Paulding married (first) at Salem, New York, April 21, 1781, Sarah Tidd, born April 5, 1767, died October 23,
1789. He married (second) November 18,
1790, Esther Ward, born April 1, 1768, died March 6, 1804, daughter of Caleb Ward. He married (third) Hester Denike, born 1784, died October 27, 1855, daughter of Isaac Denike, of Peekskill. She married (second) Elisha Serrine, of Scrub Oak, New York.
Children of Major John Paulding: 1. Sarah, died young. 2. Nancy, born September 12, 1786, died August 30, 1863; married, September 15, 1805, Nathan Dusenbury. 3. Elizabeth, born September 12, 1786, died September 13, 1792. 4. George Washington, born 1789, died young. 5. James, removed to Louisiana; mentioned in father's will. 6. Sarah, married John Hyatt. 7. Hiram, born in New York City, December 11, 1797, died at Huntington, Long Island, October 20, 1878; entered United States navy as midshipman. September 1, 1811, and participated in the victory on Lake Champlain under Commodore McDonough, September 11, 1814, for which congress bestowed a vote of thanks to the victors, October 20, 1814; during the Algerine war he served on the frigate "Constellation"; commissioned lieutenant April 27, 1816; promoted
to commander February 9, 1837, and had charge of sloop "Levant"; was made captain February 29, 1844; in charge of the navy yard at Washington, 1853-55, and of home squadron 1856-58; promoted to rear-admiral, July 16, 1862; during the cival war was commandant of the yard at Brooklyn, until May, 1865, when he was placed on waiting orders until his death, being then senior officer on the retired list. 8. George, see forward. 9. John, removed to Louisiana. 10. Susanna, minor at time father's will was executed. 11. Mary, born April 19, 1802, died March 23, 1803. 12. Caleb, born February 8, 1804, died May 3, 1890, at Peekskill; married Cornelia A., daughter of John Conklin, of Yorktown. 13. Joseph, married Martha Elmendorf, of Kingsston. New York. 14. Isaac. 15. Phoebe, born October, 1808, died June 16, 1843; married Thomas J. Darling. 16. Mary, born March 31, 1812, died March 20, 1883; married Henry J. Hallock, of Yorktown. 17. Hannah, born July, 1812, died February 27, 1850; married Henry W. Ingersoll. 18. Elijah, born February 8, 1814, died June 26, 1832. 19. Samuel, married Elizabeth Cooper, of Kingston. 20. Leonard, unmarried. 21. Pierre Van Cortlandt, born September 2, 1818; married Susan, daughter of John Travis, of Peekskill, New York.
(V) George Paulding, son of Major John Paulding and his wife, Esther Ward, married Eleanor Van Mater.
(VI) William Henry Paulding, son of George and Eleanor (Van Mater) Paulding, was born at New York City, August 1, 1833, and died at Peekskill, New York, December 4, 1897. He married, at Peekskill, June 20, 1865, Anna Mitchell Depew, born at Peekskill, on the Hudson, daughter of Isaac Depew, of Peekskill, New York, born 1811, and his wife Martha, daughter of Chauncey Root Mitchell (see Depew).
(VII) Charles Cook Paulding, son of William Henry and Annie Mitchell (Depew) Paulding, was born in New York City, December 10, 1868, and resides at Ardsley-onHudson, New York.
He was educated at the Peekskill Military Academy and at the Berkeley School in New York City, after which preparation he entered Yale University, graduating therefrom, A.B., class of 1889. He studied law at Columbia Law School, and was admitted to the bar in
May, 1891. In 1893 he became connected, with the law department of the New York Central railroad, and is now office solicitor of that company in the Grand Central Terminal building. Mr. Paulding is a Republican, and attends the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Ardsley, the Sleepy Hollow, Republican, Transportation, Union League, University, Metropolitan (of Washington), and other clubs. Is a member of the Bar Association of the City of New York, of the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
