He was married to *Hannah Hornbeck on 10 Aug 1788 in Wawarsing, New York. Cornelius P. Low was born July 25, 1763 and baptized at the Wawarsing Dutch Reformed Church on October 1, 1763.

From "Time and the Valley", page 30:

"At about the same time another branch of the Low family was being established in the Chestnut Valley between Grahamsville and Eureka. Cornelius P. Low settled where P.R. Brundage later had his feed mill. He figured prominently in the early history of the region, and left for us an inventory of his goods which makes it possible for the reader to picture what life was like on the farm, in the log woods, and in the home during his lifetime.

"Cornelius P. Low was grandson of Peter Louw (died September 3, 1733), the sixth child of the Wiltwyck settler. Peter bought lands along the Rondout from H. Beekman, obtained from the Rochester trustees, commencing "by the great fall called Honck" and thence up the creek to the mountains. He also purchased land in Rochester township before 1729 from Solomon David. These holdings figure in early accounts as "the Low right."

"Cornelius P. Low's father was Peter P. Low, sixth son of Peter and Gertrude Vernooy Low. Peter P. Low served as a private in the company of foot militia from Rochester under Captain Cornelius Hornbeck in the Colonial Wars. Cornelius P. was born July 25, 1763, and baptized October 1, 1763, at Wawarsing. Cornelius P. served in the Revolutionary War when he was fifteen or sixteen years of age, and received a pension for this service later. (The portion of his pension due is mentioned in the inventory of his goods attached to his will.) On August 10, 1788, he married Hannah Hornbeck. Cornelius P. owned outright 200 acres located in Great Lot 5 of the Hardenburgh Patent. He also owned about 200 acres in Great Lot 4. When Cornelius P. Low died in 1835 he was burred at a private cemetery on his farm, later known as the Amthor Cemetery. His wife Hannah, who died nine years later, was buried at his side. Their remains were among those moved by New York City more than one-hundred years later when the valley was prepared for inundation. The last will and testament of Cornelius P. Low is still in the hands of a direct descendant, Mrs. Alice Lauber of Napanoch. It is a marvel of clarity. Mrs. Lauber also has the inventory of his property "Taken and apprised by Richard D. Childs and Samuel Kinyon, apprisers" after his death.

"We learn from these papers that in the house of Cornelius P. Low there were no lamps, no stoves, no provision for bathing. Every disk, knife, spoon, every container of stone or glass is mentioned. Everything used for bedding is listed including a live-feather bed (plucked from live fowls), a dead-feather bed, and two straw ticks. It becomes clear that every piece of cloth and every utensil was valuable, because everything was either made by hand or bought from goods imported from England. (England's ban on manufacturing goods in the colonies could not rule out cottage industry.) From our disposable age of paper and plastic we can look back to a time when every scrap of iron, cloth, and leather was saved. This fascinating inventory of goods is given in full..."

"The Reformed Church in Grahamsville was organized in 1844, and on June 12 of that year the contract for building a church was awarded to Cornelius H. Low, the second son of Cornelius P. Low. He was paid $1,000 for the building which was located at Eureka. Later the church was removed to its present site and a new building erected..."

"The Will of Cornelius P. Low (1828):

In the name of God Amen - I Cornelius P. Low of the town of Neversink in the County of Sullivan and state of New York, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of sound mind and memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same, Do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say-

First -- I give and devise to my two sons, that is Peter and Cornelius H. Low their heirs and assigns forever all the lands which I had of James Desbrosses, Francis Porter and Abraham Hull situated in Great Lot No. 5 in the Hardenbergh Patent -- The lands which I now live on adjoining the Chesnut bush kill containing about two hundred acres to be divided as follows: my oldest son Peter Low is to have one hundred acres of the easterly part of said lands adjoining the lands of Jedediah Porter and Leonard Porter, and my youngest son Cornelius H. Low to have the westerly part on which I now live together with the buildings: the division line to be set where myself and William Parks has run the line -- The lands that which I have devised to my youngest son Cornelius H. Low is part of the above two hundred acres, and is to be reckoned as part of the said Cornelius H share of the two hundred acres--

Secondly: I do give and devise unto my six daughters, that is Caty Low, now the wife of John Eddes: Sally Low now the wife of Elisha Hornbeck: Peter Nello Low, now the wife of Abraham Sprague: Harriette Low, now the wife of David Divine: Jane Vernooy Low, now the wife of william Parks Junr., and Hannah Low single woman their heirs and assigns forever, all the lands which I had of Robert R. Livingston Esq., situated in Great Lot No. 4, in the Hardenbergh patent adjoining the Chesnut kill, containing about two hundred acres to be divided equal between each of them - Should they disagree in the division, then each one of them chose an uninterested man and for them to divide it into lots and draw for the same--

3rd. I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary H. Low now the wife of Joseph Parks, five Dollars to be paid to her within one year from the time of my deceased out out of my parsonally property - the residue of my parsonally property together with the lands which I have devised to my two sons Peter Low and Cornelius H. Low to be under the control and management of my wife beloved Hannah so long as she remains my widdow. then the personally property to be divided between my six daughters, that is Caty, Sally Peternello, Harriette, Jane and Hannah, except what I shall give and deliver to my daughter Hannah in my lifetime, all of which shall be hers exclusive of her shear of my parsonally property after my deceased --

And Lastly: It is my will and request that my beloved wife Hannah together with my oldest son Peter Low and Samuel Kenyon, be and they are hereby appointed executors & executrix to this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all wills formerly by me made --

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand & seal this twenty eighty day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight.

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us whose names are hereunto subscribed as witnesses in the presence of the testator

his
Samuel Kinyon Cornelius P X Low
Jonathon W. Hunter mark
Daniel L Schoonmaker


Inventory of Belongings of Cornelius P. Low

Sullivon County Recd of Peter Low Excutor

Town of Neversink of the Last will and Testamente of Cornelius P Low Deceased the following Property of the said Cornelius P Low Deseased wich Propety Was Inventory Taken and apprised by Richard D Childs and Samuel Kinyon apprisers appointed by the Surgate of said county to apprise said Property To wit:

One mare
one horse waggon
one horse herness
one horse slay
one hand carte
one saddle
one Bridle
one old herness
one old Broad axe
one old hatchet
one staple and ring for ox yoke
three small Clevises
Box of old Iron
one old Dunge forke
one old ax
one Vinegar Barrel
Nine old flour Barrels
one old Barsket
one Inch auger
one iron square
one Drawing knife
one Coffy Mill
Two Boles
two plats
three Cups & Ceausers and two Spoons
ten plates
one old puter tea pot
Six old Bake pans
five spoons
Six knifes and forks
one set of Candles Moles
one picher
one gill cup
tin cup and pepper Box
one bread Dish
Seven Tin Pans
one half gallon measure
three gugs
Six old Puter Bason
five plates
three tumblers
three pint Bottles
Two glass Botels
one Decanter
one hollow ads
one carpenters ads
one carpenters ads
one old hamer
one old Syth
one flax hetchel
one old auger
one tin over
one Driping pan
two schoops shoves
one mason Trowel
one old sythe
old puter Bason
one old Hoe
Two Two gallons gugs
one sausage Filler
one women Stove
one old Sheep shears
one old Brass cittle
Two Larg Stones Pots
one Bed Stead and Cord
one Dead feather Bed
one Straw Bed tick
two pillers and cases
one Straw Bed tick
two pillers and cases
one wollen and one Cotton sheets
Two Cotton sheets
two old bead Quilt
one Bead stid and Curtins and Coard
one Bead Quilt
three wolen Scearzy Bead Blankets
three wollen Bead Blankets
three old Bead Blankets
two Pillers and Cases
one Bead Bolster
one straw Bed tick
one Dead fether Bed
two old Barrel
one Large old table
one Rum Hoghead
one rum Cage (keg)

Debts Due to the Estate of Cornelius P Low Deceased

cash for pension, Sixteen Dollars and Sixteen Cents,
notes against Benjamin Turner two hundred and twenty Dollars and Ninety Cents
a note against David Divine Forty Nine Dollars Ninety Six Cents
Notes against Cornelius H Low Ninty eight dollars and Seventy seven cents
Notes against John Curry forty two Dollars and Sixty three cents
a Note against Cornelius H Sheley Sixty Nine Dollars and fifty five Cents
a Note against William W Moore three Dollars and twelve Cents
a note against Abraham Dewitt thiry five Dollars and eight Center
a Note against William Curry $2.97
a Note against Phillip T. Vankuren four Dollars & teen Cents
a Note against Daniel osterhout fur Six Dollars Seventy Nine Cents
a Note against Neal Benson Twenty five Dollars fifty one Cents
Notes against Isaiah G Frost one hundred and fourteen Dollars and twenty three Cents
Eleven Sheep in the hands of Garret Drumpr
Sixteen Dollars and fifty Cents Intrest Calulated one the above Notes up to the date December 25th 1835

one Bed Stid
two Sheets
one flowered Coverled
one flowered Coverled
Four Diaper Table Cloaths
two Diaper table Cloaths
fourteen pillers Cases
five towbles
Seven Cotton sheets
two linen sheets
one table Cloth
one woden Clock
one old gun Powder horn & Bullet Bage
Six old Chairs
one rocking Chair
one Candle Stand
two old tables
Six Stone pots
one Chest
one Cloth Cubbard
three milk tubs
two iron widges
two wollen Sheets
one Iron pote with John Curry
one Crane hook
one sider Barrel with John Curry
one old Barrel
one large Iron Sap kittle
one trammel (used in fireplace to support pots or kettles)
one old Hogshead with Cornelius H Low
one old Soap tub
one old fourk
one old pitch fork
one old stilege
one old Cow bell with John Curry
one Cow, teen Sheet
Six knifes and forks
Six Cup Sausers
Six plats
one milk Cup
one sugar Disk
one pair hand Iron Shovels and tongs
Best Bed and Beding
Couching utenchels
all waring apperels
Which said estate was by the terms of the last will & testament of said C P Low decd. to be left in my possession during my widohood for my use -- Feby 22 1836

her
Hannah X Low Executor & widow
mark Children were: Tryntje "Caty" Low, Sarah (Sally) Low, Peternello Low, *Harriet Low, Petrus Low, Cornelius Hardenbergh Low, Mary Hornbeck Low, Jane Vernooy Low, Hannah Hornbeck Low.

She was married to *Tobias Hornbeck on 16 Feb 1728/29 in Kingston, Ulster Co, NY. From "Warnaar Hornbeck Descendants" by Sayre & Hornbeck, page 61:

"TOBIAS, baptised September 1, 1695 at Kingston, NY married February 16, 1729 to Elizabeth Pietersz Louw. She was baptised Oct. 21, 1702 at Kingston, daughter of Pieter Louw and Geertruy Vernooy. The banns were dated Feb. 2, 1729 and state that he was born at Rochester, where both were residing. Tobias served in the Foot Militia of 1715 and was a Trustee for the town of Rochester 1738-40, where he was a freeholder in 1728. He left a will in Rochester dated April 10, 1771."
________________________________________________________________

From History of Sullivan County by James Eldridge Quinlan, published by G. M. Beebe and W. T. Morgans, Liberty, NY, 1873:

"One of the ancient settlements of Sullivan county was in the present town of Neversink, about two miles below Grahamsville. Here, about the year 1743, Tobian Hornbeck, Jacob Klyne and perhaps a few others, commenced clearing and improving farms. They bought their lands of the Trustees of Rochester, believing that this region was within the limits of the patent granted in 1703 by Queen Anne to Colonel Henry Beekman.... Not knowing how far the patent extended, or being disposed, in accordance with the spirit of the times, to make its limits as far apart as possible, the people of Rochester claimed the country to the southward boundard of the town, which ran to the Blue Hills of Liberty.

Hornbeck and Klyne's land adjoined and probably covered a part or all of the Mary Elmendorf track on the Rondout. Some time previous to 1776, they sold to her, as well as to a man named Abraham Clearwater.... Tobias Hornbeck was then dead.... In the final arrangement as to the boundard between the two patents, their titles were confirmed, although it was found that they were located in the Great Patent." ... page 458.

"During the Revolutionary war the settlement begun by Klyne and Hornbeck was abandoned, and thereafter Neversink was virtually unoccupied by white people until 1788, although it was the scene of interesting events during the struggle for independence." ... page 459. Children were: Matheus Hornbeck, Thobyas Hornbeck, *Elisha Hornbeck, Warnaar Hornbeck, Gideon Hornbeck, Maria Hornbeck, Joel Hornbeck.

She was married to *David Divine in 1819. From a letter from Carolyn Sykes to Albert Divine, dated Aug. 4, 1963:

"David Divine lived on South Hill where all the family were born - later ran a hotel in Grahamsville ... a large colonial type house now known as the Anna Hastings Home. Stoddard Porter also told me that at one time he had a hotel farther up in the village. Later went to a place located at Montela partly in Ulster Co. and half in Sullivan making it convenient to evade the law of whichever county was enforcing it."

David Divine and his family are found in the 1850 U.S. Census in the Town of Neversink, Sullivan County, New York.

From Time and the Valley by Katharine Terwilliger, etal:

"The County Line Farm at Montela seems to have figured in the seesaw of wet and dry in the town of Neversink. Early reports have it that David Divine kept a 'gug' tavern there. David was a son-in-law of Cornelius P. Low. Of course there were other taverns on up the valley, one at Eureka and several in Grahamsville." ...pages 59-60.

"County Line Tavern was built at Montela on the Sullivan-Ulster County Line about 1836. David Divine owned and operated the old-fashioned inn that made available lodgings, meals, liquor, and horses for hire. When the Divines wanted to retire from this family business, Samuel Porter bought the building and land and gave it to Harrison Smith, his son-in-law, who had no desire to be a tavern keeper. The Smiths turned County Line into a farm, and it remained as such until they sold it to Bruce Gillette." ...page 92.

The former village of Montela was on Rondout Creek at the Sullivan-Ulster County Line, but was flooded by Rondout Reservoir after the construction of Merriman Dam in 1939. David and Harriet Divine were originally buried in the cemetery at Lackawack, but their remains were moved to the Grahamsville Cemetery when the dam was built. Children were: Kate Divine , Eliazer Divine, Samuel Divine, *Peter Divine, Jane Divine, Cornelius Divine, Elizabeth "Betsy" Divine, Nancy Divine .

He was married to *Getty Vernooy on 11 Jan 1701/2 in Kingston, New York. ^(17245) From "Time and the Valley" by Katharine Terwilliger, etal:

"It is uncertain just when the first people established their homes in sections that eventually would bear the name of Lackawack, Montela, and Eureka: now all are submerged under Merriman Dam.

"Deeds help, yet not so much as one might hope because they seldom mention whether or not there were buildings on the land.

"Deeds show that Coll. Henry Beekman, one of the Trustees of the Rochester Patent, came into possession of land in the Town of Rochester, and that in 1708 he sold at least a portion of it to Pieter Louw of Wawarsink, to use the spelling in the deed. The land is described in part as 'beginning by a great fall Called Honck' thence up the Creek northerly 'to ye high mountaines including Severall Small parcels of Land...' Among the Indian names for the parcels Beekman sold to Pieter Louw is one called Ragawack. Whether Ragawack could contain a substitution of an 'R' for an 'L' is a guess. It can be argued that this description is not conclusive for this area==that there could be another great fall 'called honck' and that the 'high mountaines' are not. However, there is no question but what Peter Low (the name came to be spelled Low and Lowe, rather than Louw) did own land in what would be called Lackawack and the Lackawack area. It is believed he came to live in the region of Honk Falls soon after 1708. Much of the land in his purchase came to be known as the Low Right.

"Peter Low was the progenitor of families widely known and respected in this area. He had three sons (Cornelius, Peter and Gideon) and four daughters (Elizabeth married Tobias Hoornbeek; Johannah married Michael Helm; Helena married Cornelius VerNooy; and Rachel)." ...pages 1-2. Children were: *Elizabeth Pietersz Low, Cornelius Low, Helena Low, Johanna Low, Maria Low, *Petrus Pieterson Low, Rachael Low, Gideon Low.

He was married to *Elizabeth Blanchan on 27 Oct 1668 in Kingston, New York. ⁽²²⁷⁷⁾ From "Ulster County Probate Records", page 35:

"Pieter Cornelisse, for whose later will see Pieter Cornelisse Low, came from Holstein, Febr. 1659, in "Faith,"..."

[Note: The ship "Faith" was known, in Dutch, as "de Trouw".
________________________________________________________________

From "The Early History of Kingston & Ulster County", by Marc Fried:

"On January 27, 1676, Cornelis Woutersen appeared before the court secretary, and declared 'having agreed to make for Pieter Cornelis a piece of work, according to the following plan: Cornelis Woutersen shall make a shed, built of stone, viz. cliff-stone, 8 feet high, back of the house, 20 feet wide, 25 feet long, with loft and floor and doors and a transom-window, everything complete, roof, laths, rafters and shingles; with the only exception that Pieter Cornelissen shall furnish the shingles for the same and all materials as boards, nails, wood, stone and everything belonging to the same, and also, during the time shall provide him [the builder] with food and drink. And he [the builder] shall go to work next May. For which Pieter Cornelissen shall pay fifty schepels of wheat.' Pieter Cornelissen was the founder of the Louw (Low) family of Ulster County. The 'shed' built for Peter Cornelissen Louw still stands today. It forms the southeaster portion of the old ruin known as the Louw-Bogardus house, on the east side of Frog Alley or Converse Street in Kingston. The seams in the stonework plainly confirm the dimensions as specified in the contract. The building was erected just outside the north wall of the stockade, not far from the northwest corner. It was not long before Louw moved into the stone building, and it became his residence. Although the structure is referred to in the contract as a 'shed', it was obviously a substantial building, and was doutless planned as an eventual dwelling house." (pp. 140-141) Children were: Cornelius Low, Magdalene Low, Matthys Low, *Peter Low, Anna "Antje" Low, Abraham Low, Maria "Marytje" Low, Johannis Low , Jacob Low.

He was married to *Sarah Vernooy on 18 May 1753 in Rochester, Ulster County, New York.^(17247) It appears that Petrus Low was unmarried until the age of 38. The marriage is shown in the church register as "Petrus Low j.m. and Sara Vernoy j.d. banns in the Meeting at Rochester, and both born and living there, Apr. 29, 1753. Married May 18, both born and living over in Rochester near the Menine (Minisink?)". The 'j.m.' and 'j.d.' mean literally 'young man' and 'young woman' in the Dutch language, but in this context, they mean 'previously unmarried'.

The church records also show that Petrus paid the "pall" for his brother Cornelius on March 20, 1746/7. Children were: Jacob Low, Maria Low, *Cornelius P. Low, Sarah Low.

He was married to Jannetie LeSueur WFT Est. 1697-1731. Children were: Petrus Abrahamse Low.

He was married WFT Est. 1832-1864. Children were: DeWitt Low.

He was married to Hazel Ackerley WFT Est. 1891-1936. Children were: Carolyn Low, Ethel Low, Loretta Low.

She was married to Philip Viele on 20 Jul 1701.

She was married to Hyrum Liptrot Rigby on 18 Nov 1896 in Logan, Cache, UT.

He was married to Isabel Strelley WFT Est. 1487-1520.

He was married to Margaret Borsum on 5 Jul 1695 in New York, New York. Children were: Cornelius Low.

He was married to Johanna Gouverneur WFT Est. 1719-1747. From "Pre-Revolutionary Dutch Houses and Families" by Rosalie Fellows Bailey, Dover Publications, New York, 1968, pages 390-391:

"The grandfather of the builder of this house was Pieter Cornellessen Lowe, emigrated from Holstein in 1659 on the Faith, and settled at Esopus. His son Cornelis removed to New York City, where Cornelius Lowe or Low was born and baptized March 31, 1700 in the Dutch church there. On May 21, 1729 Cornelius Low, Jr., married Johanna, daughter of Isaac Gouverneur, bap. April 15, 1705, d. Oct 17, 1763. They came to Raritan Landing in New Jersey in 1730 and lived in a house on the flats near the river."

"Raritan Landing, one mile above the village of New Brunswick, was a very important shipping point for the produce of western New Jersey and a part of Pennsylvania. A great flood covered the flats in 1739, and caused Cornelius Low to build for greater safety on the bluff overlooking the Landing, on a 2 acre plot of land he had bought in 1738 from William Williamson. The house was finished late in 1741 and the family moved in. In his family Bible he records that his child William was born 'at the new house on the mountain, Raritan Landing' on Jan. 24, 1742. Cornelius was a prominent surveyor, attorney, and landowner. He lived in his new home until he died early in April, 1777."

"At the time of Cornelius' death the village of New Brunswick was in the possession of the British, and his residence was the headquarters of the Post Commander. Mute evidence of the British occupancy are the musket marks on floors, balustrades, and wainscotting. Some of the family continued to reside here for a few years. Cornelius' granddaughter Mary Margaret Lowe (1768-1841) lived here with her widowed mother (Catharine Hude, widow of Cornelius Low, Jr.) at the time of her marriage in 1789 to Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh. Nicholas Low was the executor of the estate of his father (Cornelius, the builder of the house), but due to adverse business conditions he could not dispose of the property until 1793, when he sold it to John Pool." Children were: Cornelius , Jr. Low, Nicholas Low, William Low.

He was married to Catherine Hude WFT Est. 1744-1786. Children were: Mary Margaret Lowe.

He was married to Mary Ingersoll about 1708.

He was married to Ruth Clay on 24 Feb 1807 in Sanford, York Co., Maine. ⁽⁴⁸⁰³⁾

He was married WFT Est. 1869-1897. Children were: Abram Low.

She was married to William Tripe WFT Est. 1769-1781. Children were: Jotham Tripp, Thomas Tripp, Nathaniel Tripp, Catherine Tripp, William Tripp.

She was married to George Hewes Jillson on 21 Mar 1833 in Lynn, Mass.. Children were: Sylvester H. Jillson, Charles A. Jillson, Clarinda C. Jillson, Ancelia Jillson, Mary A. Jillson, George E. Jillson, Calvin O. Jillson.

He was married to Mary Frost on 2 Jul 1741 in Wells, York Co., Maine. Children were: Olive Low, Ephraim Low, Mehitable Low, Dorcas Low, David Low, Obadiah Low.

Back        Next