The New York herald., 1872-11-06
DEATH OF THE FOUNDER OF THE TURF
In ORANGE COUNTY.

One OF the pioneers in the Introduction OF
thoroughbred stock in Orange county, Major James
w. Carpenter, died at Goshen o few weeks SINCE
aged eighty-five years. He was a man OF whom
1t has well been said that he had not outlivcd the
custom or traditions Of hisancesors, but lived and
died a gentleman OF the old school, uninhuenced
in any OF his opinions by the change OF time, on
property the title deeds Of which were dated
fifty years before the Revolution. The de-
ceased was the last Of his race, he having died
bachelor. A few very Old residents remember
when Major Carpenter had his retnue OF slaves
and servants, and lived in sumptuous style, the
owner OF grand estate. where he dealt princely
hospitality to his friends. His carriages and
gorgeous livery were the wonder ofhis townspeople.
great wealth to this county and surrounding
country-the breeding OF blooded horses and
Cattle--resuited most disastrousy to Major Car
penter's fortune: and II was favorlte remark OF
his Of late years, when morazing on the difference
III stock breeding to-day and when he introduced 1t
here, that ..trwas singular that Mr.. Rysdck, with
only one thoroughbred horse, should make
iofS%me wnie es VINO nave & owned ,s5s M hundred
duced into Orange county, through Amos Brentel,
former Sheriff OF London, the first Durham and
Devon CATTLE Berkshire pigs, and southd0wn and
Leicester sheep. 1t is also owing TO his early
patronage OF old imported Messenger, against
q The advice Of os his friends tnat horasmen
OF the most valuable horses OF this country back to
the blood royal Of that celebrated stallion. Major
in his stable BY imported Messenger. The popular
prejudice at that time. however, was against i'm
ported stock; andIt was not until years afterwards
when the Majors most famous racer, 'sOd
Hickory had challenged and defeated all the
noted native racers In this section, time after time
on the then celebrated racing ground "GOlden
ill,' that the tide began to turn, but too late to
save the declining fortunes OF the founder Of the
turf in Orange county. Another act that endeaTed
the deceased to the people or this section was the
collection, through his energy and enterprise of
the bones OF the American soldiers VINO fell in the
battle OF the Mnisink IN the wilds Of Sullivan
county. These were inferred at Goshen, and u fine
monument placed above them by Major Car
penter's munllcence, which were inscribed the
names OF the dead heroes.
The deceased was highly related which fact
gained him friends who prevented him passing his
declining years in embarrassed circumstances.
Alter the change in his fortune, through the in
fluence OF Mr. Hector Craig, former member OF
Congress- for this district and Surveyor of the Port
of New York afterwards ana other influential
friends, he was appointed to position i'm the New
York Custom House. from the proceeds OF wnich,
which were large he succeeded Ia saving nothing.
however, and after service OF many years he was
retired, and passed the remaining DAYS OF his life
with Mr.. David Fl. Haight, who married his niece,
dying In the house In which he was born.