Town of Newburgh History

The Eleazer Gidney Homestead

By Alan Crawford
Posted 9/24/21

Tucked away, away from the main flow of traffic, on a side street in our town is the Eleazer Gidney Homestead, built in approximately 1760. What I consider to be the backside of the house, based on …

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Town of Newburgh History

The Eleazer Gidney Homestead

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Tucked away, away from the main flow of traffic, on a side street in our town is the Eleazer Gidney Homestead, built in approximately 1760. What I consider to be the backside of the house, based on how it overlooks the land, now faces the road on Blue Jay Drive.

I’ve had the pleasure of standing on the porch, looking out, imagining how the original builder and owner, Eleazer Gidney must have felt settling here with his extended family. It must have been beautiful being one of the few homes here nestled in the forest, near his parents and brothers. I wonder if he had any idea the impact the Gidney family would have in our Town.

With the help of the current owner and a previous one, I’m able to share some photos of the beauty of this place over the years. I’m surprised Mildred Parker Seese didn’t include it in either of her well detailed first two volumes Old Orange Houses. If she had written a third, I’m sure she would have. The out buildings are still there, though the trail to the old outhouse is a bit overgrown with the innovation of indoor plumbing.

Let’s take a gander at the history and people who made this happen.

The Gidney family was one of the original groups which decided to make the Town of Newburgh their home. They came from Westchester, from the Port Chester area which at that time was called the Saw Pits. Eleazer Gidney purchased 1,300 acres and proceeded to build four homes for his sons, with the lumber being cut and transported to Newburgh. In one reference, it was suggested these could have been the first “pre-fab” homes of their times.

Eleazer’s four sons were Joseph, Daniel, David, and Eleazer. This was the beginning, or foundation of Gidneytown. The years passed, the family flourished, and the wilderness became civilized. The family and town both prospered. And, as with many things, the old makes way for the new. Gidneytown has faded into memory for many people. The one standing memorial is the old, brick chimney standing along Gidney Avenue, near our Town’s Animal Shelter. There’s a metal plaque you can see when you drive by there noting the Gidney Grist Mill.

Just this past week, someone requested information on the old Gidney Mill Pond. This was located where the present Shop Rite Plaza is. After a thirteen year old boy, Robert Diller, drown in 1958, it was filled in. I had fished there, but never went in the water. And now, Shop Rite is gone. The only thing which never changes is change.

There is a great book written by Alzemora Woosley, published in 1896, documenting the Gedney, or Gidney family, if you’re interested in the details of the family and the individuals, their struggles and achievements while helping carve their homes out of the Town of Newburgh landscape.

The Eleazer Gidney homestead is nestled neatly away from all the noise and traffic which has now become normal. I’ve managed to find a few photos of this historic structure over the years which will give you a glimpse of how our ancestors lived. And a special thanks goes out to John G. who chatted with me and shared a photo. He grew up there. Thanks, my friend.