October 7, 1876 – 150 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Journal
AROUND HOME
☞ Haverstraw has voted through her Village Board, to call a special election for the purpose of raising $1,500 to rebuild the steam fire engine, “Lady Warren.”
☞ The Democratic Club of Nyack went to Clarksville, on Wednesday evening, to attend a meeting at Knapp’s Hotel. They made a very nice appearance.
☞ A wedding occurred at Tappan on Tuesday. The bridal party went to the city on an afternoon train, and were remarkably mirthful and happy all the way down.
☞ Those of our readers who have any red cedar on their premises to dispose of, will do well to read the advertisement in reference to the same, in another column.
☞ Frank Mahon, formerly of Blauveltville, having purchased the Mountain House at Sparkill, will give a Free Opening at that place next Tuesday evening, 10th inst.
☞ The grand torchlight procession of the Nyack Battalion, Boys in Blue, next Wednesday evening, will be one of the finest affairs of the season. Let every Boy in Blue turn out.
October 9, 1926 – 100 YEARS AGO
Nyack Evening Journal
HISTORIC INTEREST — ROCKLAND COUNTY ABOUNDS IN PLACES WHICH ARE RICH IN HISTORIC INTEREST BECAUSE OF EVENTS WHICH OCCURRED HERE DURING THE REVOLUTION — NOT THE LEAST OF THESE EVENTS WAS THE MASSACRE OF BAYLOR’S COMMAND
During September 1778, when Lord Cornwallis was in possession of the Hudson portion of New Jersey and Rockland County, foraging parties were sent in the direction of Tappan, which settlement was on the line of communication from the East, by way of King’s Ferry which was just north of Stony Point, and was a place of considerable importance as a camping ground. Its position among the hills near the river was very favorable.
General Knyphausen, with a large British force, was encamped at Dobbs Ferry, on the east side of the Hudson; while Cornwallis was sending out scouts to find out the condition of the American forces at West Point.
In his belief that an expedition up the river was intended, General Washington sent Lieutenant Colonel Baylor of Virginia with his regiment of light horse, to watch the movements of the enemy and to intercept their scouts and foragers.
Baylor established his headquarters in old Tappan, not far from the gorge which flows into the Hudson near Piermont. He established his camp on a lofty ridge southwest of the village and his soldiers lay there in a state of such unsoldierly insecurity that Cornwallis was led to form a plan for taking his whole corps by surprise.
Brigadier General Charles Grey with some light infantry was sent on the night of September 27th, 1778 to approach Tappan on the west; while a corps from Knyphausen’s division was to approach from the east, and thus they were to surround and capture not only Baylor’s camp, but also a body of militia under Brigadier General ‘Mad’ [sic] Anthony Wayne, who were stationed near by.
Although Wayne learned from deserters of the enemy of the contemplated enterprise, he did not have time to warn Baylor and could protect his own men only.
While Baylor’s troops lay unarmed in barns, at midnight Grey approached silently, cut of a sergeant’s patrol of 12 men without noise and completely surprised the troops.
Unarmed, and in the power of the enemy, Baylor asked for quarter but this was inhumanly refused by Grey. Many of the unarmed soldiers were bayoneted in cold blood and out of 104 prisoners of war, 67 were killed or wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Baylor was himself severely wounded and made a prisoner and 70 horses were butchered by the British.
Colonel Baylor was later exchanged and served until the close of the war, after which he continued for sometime in command of the Virginia cavalry.
Another event of equal importance occurred at Tappan when Major John Andre was tried and executed for the part played in the treason of General Benedict Arnold. He was confined in the tavern called the ‘76 Stone House’ previous to his execution, October 2nd, 1780.
October 5, 1976 – 50 YEARS AGO
Journal News
HOVERCRAFT MAY BEGIN ROCKLAND RUN NEXT WEEK
[Image: Hovertransport Hovercraft vessel, 1976. The Journal News]
A commuter run from Nyack to Manhattan, via the Hudson River, could begin as early as next Tuesday, if Hovertransport Inc. can sign up enough Rocklanders to warrant the service.
Officials of the Connecticut-based firm are now evaluating questionnaires that were distributed over the weekend during demonstration runs of a hovercraft, which rides about three feet above water on a cushion of air.
Earlier demonstration “flights” Sept. 26 drew about 800 Rocklanders, despite the day’s non-stop rainfall. Because of that “overwhelming” response, the flights were repeated this past Saturday and Sunday.
This time the rain and cold kept more residents away, but the response from those who did show up was favorable, company officials said. The Rockland area seems ripe for the commuter service, Anthony Garmella, sales director of Hovertransport, said, Monday.
Fares, possible departure times and even the place of destination are still up in the air, however. since the company has not had time to go over all the questionnaires The majority of responses so far indicate a need for service to downtown Manhattan, such as the Battery, Wall Street or the World Trade Center. There are possible docking sites in each of those locations, Garmella said.
The $600,000 hovercraft, the only one currently owned by the firm. would dock at the Lighthouse Marina in Nyack. There could also be excursions to various parts of Manhattan during the day, in addition to the commuter run.
Hovertransport now operates a service from Huntington, LI. to Bridgeport, Conn., which is primarily used by those attending the jai-alai games in Connecticut
A commuter run from Huntington to Manhattan which cost $125 per month, was discontinued because of the traffic and delays getting in and out of Huntington Harbor
If the Nyack-Manhattan run is established, it would mean the end of the Connecticut to Long Island Service, since the firm now has only one Hovercraft, Garmella said.
For further information, contact Hovertransport, Bridgeport.
This Week in Rockland (#FBF Flashback Friday) is prepared by Clare Sheridan for the Historical Society of Rockland County. © 2026 by The Historical Society of Rockland County. #FBF Flashback Friday may be reprinted only with written permission from the HSRC. To learn about the HSRC’s mission, upcoming events or programs, visit www.RocklandHistory.org or call (845) 634-9629.