The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-08-15
HUDSON. N. Y.
City Which Is to all fntents and Pur-
poses a Rhode Island Colony.

A City Which Is to all fntents and Pur-
poses a Rhode Island Colony.
1t is not generally known that the city
of Hudson, New York, was founded by
a colony consisting of several respected
residents of Providence, belonging to
families still deservedly prominent in
our local history. The two most active
in the work of settlement. about 100 years
ago, were Thomas and Seth Jenkins,
and the object of the voluntary exile. as
we learn from an interesting contribu-
ton in the Hudson Register, was to seek
site for commercial purposes on the
North, or Hudson River. A grand
daughter of Seth jenkins. now dead.
has left letter. in which she states: q
while visiting Nantucket some years
ago, found an old paper among the
archives of that city, giving this account
of the pioneer enterprise to Hudson:
Seth and Thomas jenkins, of Nam
tucket. sailed from Providence to New
York to find place of settlement on
| the Hudson River On their arrival at
| the City of New York they called upon
| Colonel Rutgers, an old friend of my
grandfather, to whom they unfolded
their plans, whereupon Colonel Rutgers
proposed that they should buy his farm.
They talked over the matter, and finally
concluded to make him an offer, which
they did. After some days negotiation
they came within 5000 of striking bar
gain, hut at this point, no concessions
being made on either side Cloth were
obstinate), and as neither would yield
| further, the trade fell through, and they
started up the Hudson, accommodating
all the way up until they came to CLAW
crack Landing. where they finally
purchased and settled"
The two merchants appear to have
scanned the ground carefully and taken
note as to where on the river they could
find the most advantageous site for
commerce. They foresaw, with . sa-
gacity not frequent in that day and
generation, that in the vicinity of New
York would center the traffic of the
continent, and that the wharves of the
East would in time be deserted for the
superior facilities offered by the great
river which made Manhattan an island.
1t was not by any chance that they set
tied upon the site of Hudson. Accord
ing to Winterbotham' history, they
found the stream up to that spot navi
gable for vessels of any SIZE and per
haps they dreamed that they were found
ing city that would attract the com
merce of Europe and of the Indies
Their dream il such it was, has moi
been realized; but Providence has nc
reason to be ashamed of her thrifty ant
flourishing colony which constituted ont
of the most substantial communities il
the Empire State of New York.
The mayoralty of the new city, which
was Incorporated in 1885, was held fol
many years in the Jenkins family. Setl
held the office until his death, in 1898
and was succeeded by his brother
Thomas, who also held the position
until his death-consecutiv for fifteer
years. Robert Jenkins, son of Seth
succeeded Thomas. and, with lapse o
two years, was Mayor until his death II
} 1919. Like their kinsmen in Rhod'
Island. they embarked early in do
nestle manufactures, Robert, and hi
brother Seth and John +. Jenkin
establishing the first mandatory O
cotton fabrics in the State of New York
at Columbiaville. They also ownet
vessels which carried their goods to tn
principal markets. Under the enter
prising direction of the Jenkins family
Hudson rapidly grew in prosperity
lntil it became the third city In thu
State. While it has since been out
stripped by some other municipalities
! it has never lost the sound and soil,
] character impressed by its founders. =
Providence r. ~ Journal.