State of the Town in 1788 Pawling Myrna Feron Historian, Town of Pawling
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law passed on March 7, 1788 by the New York State Legislature changing Pawling from a precinct to a town was basically a change in political distinction. However, other changes were taking place within the town, some of them more slowly than in other areas of the county. The boundaries of the town included the present day towns of Pawling and Dover. The separation between the towns occurred in 1807. Geographical features of Pawling, with Quaker Hill to the east, West Mountain to the west and part of the Great Swamp between them, determined where the early settlers established their homes. Many small self-sufficient hamlets arose, centered around inns, stores, houses of worship and mills. These hamlets included Campbellville (Hurd's Corners), Quaker Hill, Goosetown, Woodinville, and Reynoldsville (Holmes). In Dover they were Webatuck, South Dover, Dover Plains, Dover Furnace, Chestnut Ridge, Dog Tail Corners, East Mountain and Wingdale. Other areas were known by the names of the inhabitants at intersections in the roads, such as Hoag's Corners, Toffey Corners and Akin Corners. The first road laid out in the area roughly followed the course of Route 22 today. This major route extended from Vermont to New York City. Other roads leading north and south were Mizzentop Road through the center of the Oblong (Quaker Hill), West Dover Road and a road along the west side of Whaley Pond, following a course similar to Route 292 today. The main east-west road, reportedly established first as an Indian trail, ran from Quaker Hill along what is known as Old Route 55. A portion of this road was first proposed as a turnpike in 1818 and finally established in 1824 as the Beekman-Pawling Turnpike. This road led not to Poughkeepsie, as one might suppose, but rather to Fishkill. The hamlet of Reynoldsville was situated on the road from Patterson (Putnam County) to Fishkill. Another road led from Quaker Hill to Sherman in Connecticut. These roads, which began as horse trails, were not suitable for wagon traffic due to the number of rocks and ruts. As the 19th century began, many of the roads were improved as turnpikes. Several small connector roads have been abandoned with the passage of time. When Pawling became a town, most families were engaged in mixed farming. They grew wheat, rye, oats, corn, flax, potatoes and apples. Herds of sheep and cattle were kept in grassy areas to be used for meat, leather and wool. Some farmers fattened cattle to be sold by the drovers. Hogs were raised for food, and what was extra was salted and taken to the river by wagon for shipment to the city. Geese were kept by every family and the down was plucked regularly to be used for beds. Butter and cheese, made by the women, were shipped either to the river or to Bridgeport or New Haven, a two day journey. Sugar and syrup were made from maple sap. Often, farmers had a special skill in which they engaged in addition to farming, such as a cooper or butcher. Other occupations were blacksmith, tailor, shoemaker, carpenter, merchant, miller, potter, wagonmaker, saddler and harness maker, and 57
