Paterson (Excerpts II)

In a deep-set valley between hills, almost hid

by dense foliage lay the little village.

Dominated by the Falls the surrounding country

was a beautiful wilderness where mountain pink

and wood violet throve: a place inhabited only

by straggling trappers and wandering Indians.

A print in colors by Paul Sandby, a well known

water color artist of the eighteenth century,

a rare print in the Public Library

shows the old Falls restudied from a drawing

made by Lieut. Gov. Pownall (excellent work) as he

saw it in the year 1700.

The wigwam and the tomahawk, the Totowa tribe

On either side lay the river-farms resting in

the quiet of those colonial days: a hearty old

Dutch stock, with a toughness to stick and

hold fast, although not fast in making improvements.

Clothing homespun. The people raised their own

stock. Rude furniture, sanded floors, rush

bottom chair, a pewter shelf of Brittania

ware. The wives spun and wove—many things

that might appear disgraceful or distasteful today

The Benson and Doremus estates for years were

the only ones on the north side of the river.