1880 Slack Water Dam

by Louise Smith Posted on July 19, 2015

Slackwater Dam
A six-foot high slackwater dam existed below the confluence or juncture of the Lackawaxen and Delaware Rivers before the Roebling Aqueduct was built in 1847. The dam, which caused a calm section over a mile long, was raised to 16 feet after the Aqueduct was completed. The extra height was helpful for the canal, but treacherous for the lumber rafters.

When a raft went over the dam, the bow oarsmen disappeared from the stern oarsmen under a swirl of white water. Many rafts of lumber were lost on this section of the river, and the Delaware and Hudson paid the damages.

In an attempt to aid raftsmen, the D&H provided guides to lead rafts through this dangerous section, but this was not done without a payment to the canal company.
—Osterberg, Matthew, “The Delaware and Hudson Canal and the Gravity
Railroad,” p.53.

Once over the Aqueduct, canal boats made a sharp right at Minisink Ford, New York, and went through Locks 72, 71, and 70 (some of the lock numbers have been changed). There were 16 locks before they reached Port Jervis.—Echo Hill and Mountain Grove, p.8.

The slack water dam to the right of the Roebling Aqueduct. Photo taken around 1880 from the New York side of the Delaware, courtesy of Minisink Valley Historical Society.
Closer view of the slack water dam from the Pennsylvania side, just upstream of the Roebling Aqueduct. Photo taken around 1880 courtesy of Minisink Valley Historical Society.
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Canal Boat on the Delaware River

by Louise Smith Posted on July 12, 2015
A Canal boat on the Delaware River. Photo courtesy of Minisink Valley Historical Society.

In Reminiscences, Johnston commented that the boatmen were often forced to run the boat as a family business due to the D&H Canal Company policies. Out of necessity to make a living, the boatman’s wife and children would work over 12 hours a day alongside him on his canal boat.
—Echo Hill and Mountain Grove, p. 6.

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Pond Eddy Bridge

by Louise Smith Posted on June 27, 2015
The 1871 Pond Eddy Suspension Bridge across the Delaware River. Photo courtesy of Minisink Valley Historical Society.

East of Parkers Glen, the next hamlets on the way to Port Jervis were Pond Eddy (later Flagstaff), Pennsylvania, and Pond Eddy, New York. Pond Eddy’s suspension bridge, built in 1871 was near Lock 63. On the Pennsylvania side was an Erie Railway station.—Echo Hill and Mountain Grove, p. 12.

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The Wolffs’ New Home

by Louise Smith Posted on June 24, 2015
Norman and Albert Wolff’s new home in Barryville. Ira Austin’s house not showing, was to the left. Photo courtesy of Ed W.

Albert and his brother Norman would soon buy the house near the old Ira Austin house where Ed and Mabel Austin Smith and their son Austin Smith lived. The Wolffs’ “new” home had been sold to Charles Frace in 1868.

Close to and adjoining the premises of Mrs. Frace is the house and premises of Ira M. Austin a wagon maker, blacksmith and general mechanic. The house was first erected by Abraham Russel…—Johnston, J.W., Reminiscences, p. 328.—March 1932.

Another view of Norman and Albert Wolff’s new home in Barryville. Photo courtesy of Ed W.

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Sixty Years Ago (1876)

by Louise Smith Posted on June 21, 2015
Aida Austin’s information on the arrival of the James Eldred family—from her sister Maria.
Back of Aida Austin’s information on James Eldred’s arrival in what became Eldred.

To the left are two of the pages I referenced for “The Mill on Halfway Brook” regarding the arrival of the Eldreds in what would become Eldred, New York. The pages were copied by my great-aunt Aida Austin from what her sister Maria Austin had written January 1, 1876 about their grandfather James Eldred. Around 1939 (click on “continue reading” below) Aida Austin seems to have become interested in Eldred’s History.

Sixty years ago in December just closed, grandfather Eldred came to this neighborhood. At that time it was called Lumberland. Uncle C.C.P. Eldred was a little over seven years old. Came from Orange County, Wallkill Township, to Halfway Brook on the old Cochecton road. Here they found a saw mill and log house, no other building of any kind within a mile of this place now called Eldred.

They took possession of the house and sawmill and put up a temporary stable to shelter his horses. There was about two acres of cleared land. Grandfather walked to Monticello. Went to Port Jervis and Wurtsboro and so on to Monticello. Made the journey in three days.

The Johnston family were living near Handseom Eddy, Barton at Barryville, Carpenter and Wells on Beaverbrook, Hickok, Walker, Wiggins, and a black man lived between Beaver Brook and Halfway Brook.

Two miles above Barryville lived a man by the name of Beeves who kept a tavern in a double log house; two other families on Halfway Brook by the names of Watkins and Carmichael.

Continue reading →

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