LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the found-
ing of the Town of Haverstraw, New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the proud and distinguished histories of the people and communi-
ties which comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concerns, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 400th Anniversary of the founding of the Town of Haverstraw,
New York; this auspicious occasion also marks the 350th Anniversary
celebration of the incorporation of the Town of Haverstraw; and
WHEREAS, One of the oldest places listed on maps of North America, the
Town of Haverstraw takes its name from the Dutch "Haverstroo," which
means "Oat Straw," and refers to the waving straw of the Hudson River
meadows; it first appeared on a map of the Northeast region in 1616; and
WHEREAS, In 1666, New York merchant Balthazar de Harte purchased a
large tract of land along the river from local Native Americans who were
part of the Delaware tribe of the Lenni Lenape confederation; five years
later, he received a patent from the English government, which had just
taken over the territory from the Dutch; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1719, the precinct of Haverstraw included the
present day Towns of Clarkstown, Ramapo and Stony Point; the area offi-
cially became a town in 1788, and Clarkstown and Ramapo became separate
towns in 1791; and
WHEREAS, During the Revolutionary War, Haverstraw played an important
role in the defense of the colonies because of its central place on the
Hudson between New York City and Albany, and near the dividing line
between New England and other colonies; and
WHEREAS, The Residents of Haverstraw were proud American patriots, and
organized the Shore Guard to repel British or Tory landings along the
Hudson; they also lit signal fires on top of High Tor to warn neighbor-
ing communities of danger; and
WHEREAS, In 1780, Haverstraw was the site of Benedict Arnold's plan to
surrender West Point to the British; during the night of September 19th
and 20th, the English Emissary, Major John Andre, met Arnold on a beach
below the Long Cove in the Town of Haverstraw; the two continued their
negotiations on the grounds of what is now Helen Hayes Hospital, but
were ultimately unsuccessful; and
WHEREAS, From 1771 to 1941, Haverstraw became the greatest center of
brick production in the Nation, if not the world, by utilizing the
immense clay beds along the Hudson River's shores and beneath its
surface; at one time over two thirds of the buildings in New York City
were constructed of Haverstraw brick; and
WHEREAS, At the beginning of the 20th century, the Town of Haverstraw
gained two important institutions: the New York State Hospital for the
Care of Crippled and Deformed Children, and Letchworth Village; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Hospital for the Care of Crippled and
Deformed Children opened in 1905, and became world famous for its reha-
bilitation and research programs; it was later renamed the Helen Hayes
Hospital in recognition of the actress's tremendous service to the
institution; and
WHEREAS, Letchworth Village opened in 1911, and within a few years,
became one of the largest and most progressive facilities for the
mentally challenged in the United States; it officially closed in 1996;
and
WHEREAS, Over the years, the Town of Haverstraw has experienced numer-
ous waves of immigration which have contributed to the great diversity

which has become its hallmark; English and Scotch Irish settlers
followed the Dutch to be joined by later migrations of French, Irish,
German, and other European peoples; African-Americans also came into the
area from the south after World War II, to be joined by immigrants from
Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic in the 1950s and 1960s; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Town of Haverstraw is a diverse community with
residents old and new from all over the world; it remains proud of its
history, and vital service to our Nation, and looks forward to continu-
ing it great traditions in the future; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, the Town of Haverstraw continues its commitment to enhancing
the quality of life of its citizens, ensuring a positive business,
institutional and educational climate, and providing all essential
services; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the Town Haverstraw, New York,
recognizing the significance of the role it continues to play in the
life of the community of the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Howard T. Philips, Jr. Supervisor, Town of Haverstraw.