166 ISAAC5 NORTHRUP (Thomas4, Thomas3, William2, Joseph1), b. Sept. 23,  1767, probably at Fairfield, Conn.; m. 1792, at Hudson, N. Y., Cynthia  Morton (b. Jan. 10, 1771, Nantucket, Mass.; d. Nov. 1, 1812, Athens, N. Y.),  dau. of Reuben Morton. He settled at Athens, Greene Co., N. Y.; Feb. 10,  1803, petitioned for a grant of land there, under water, near the Vlucht  Hook. He removed to Syracuse, N. Y. (then "Corinth," and "Salina"), in 1817,  and in company with his s.-in-law, Hon. S. Newton Dexter, took a large  contract for the construction of a portion of the Erie Canal. The firm of Northrup & Dexter purchased the store of Taylor & Dole, which they  conducted, in connection with their other business, until the completion of  their canal contract in 1821. While at Syracuse, Isaac and his family were  members of the Episcopal Church at Onondaga Hill, his dau. being the first  communicant members of that church resident in Syracuse. The family were  originally Congregationalists. He was a man of unusually fine appearance.  Prof. Edward North, of Hamilton College, had a portrait of him. He removed  to Oriskany, N. Y., where he d. in April, 1834.

i Laura6, b. Feb. 18, 1793, Hudson, N. Y.; m. Oct. 24, 1811, at Athens, Hon. Simon Newton Dexter (b. May 11, 1785, Providence, R. I.; d. Nov. 18, 1862, Whitestown, N. Y.), prominent in the history of Oneida Co., where he resided after 1815, and a generous patron of Hamilton College. She d. Dec. 10, 1846, at Whitestown. Their dau., Mary Frances Dexter (b. July 27, 1821; d. May 27, 1869) m. Prof. Edward North, of Hamilton College, and had a family of children.

ii William Henry, b. March 27, 1795, Hudson. Took Deacon's orders in Episcopal Church while residing at Syracuse, and "for a little more than a year, in 1817-18, was the zealous and much beloved missionary at Auburn, N. Y." (Rev. Henry Gregory's Record.) His health failing, he went to Charleston, S. C., where he d. Jan. 24, 1819, and was buried at  Oriskany.

iii Emma Cynthia, b. Dec. 13, 1796, Hudson; m. Aug. 13, 1818, at Salina (Syracuse), by Rev. Ezekiel Gear, to John Milton Capron (b. Apr. 10, 1797, Attleboro, Mass.; d. 1861), of Dunkirk, N. Y. She d. Oct. 26, 1821, at Oriskany. Children: (1) William Henry, b. July 28, 1819, Corinth (Syracuse), N. Y.; (2) Emma C., b. Sept. 15, 1820, Oriskany; m. Dr. Snowden, whose s., DeWilton Snowden, is of Laurel, St. George's Co., Md.

iv Sarah Morton, b. March 27, 1797, Hudson; d. (unmarried) Nov. 9, 1841, Oriskany.

v Sophia, b. Dec. 1, 1804, Athens, N. Y.; m. Oct. 21, 1835, Rev. George Fiske (b. Oct. 21, 18--; d. Feb. 24, 1860); d. Apr. 8, 1859. Children: (1) Sarah,  b. Dec. 11, 1836; d. Nov. 4, 1837; (2) Thomas Northrup, b. Apr. 28, 1840; d. May 19, 1849; (3) Theresa, b. March 11, 1844; m. Col. William W. Dudley, of Washington, D. C., formerly Commissioner of Pensions; has 5 children.

vi Matilda, b. Aug. 1, 1806, Athens; m. Porteus R. Root; d. Oct. 15, 1839.

vii Maria Theresa, b. Aug. 7, 1809, Athens; d. unmarried.

Just across the river from Athens on the west bank of the Hudson, a very distinguished group of New Yorkers

In 1794, a company of New York City speculators led by Edward Livingston, purchased a tract of land forming what is now the upper village area.  These men began to lay out a dream city called “Esperanza” which they hoped would become the capital of New York State and the terminus of the Erie Canal.  But, these plans never materialized, due to the loss of much of their financial support.  The land was partitioned in 1799.  A small community grew in the upper village area in the initial years of the 1800s, but it never rivaled the lower village in size or importance.

At the turn of the nineteenth century, the village of Athens began to form.

This was largely due to the efforts of Isaac Northrup, who, in 1800, purchased the large farm of the Van Loons and other adjoining properties and set about the planning of the village along the Hudson.  The streets and alleyways of the village south of Market Street are the original basic design.

The charter for the incorporation of the Village of Athens was signed on April 2, 1805.  Patricia Riley Martine, our NYS Deputy Historian for Athens, has a copy of the charter for our current dignitaries to sign.

          David Riley – Mayor, the Village of Athens
          David Taft – representative of John Sweeney
          Letter from Governor Pataki  

By the middle of the nineteenth century, Athens was an established and successful community.  Numerous factors were significant in the village’s prosperity, the most important being its location along the Hudson.   Farming, ship building, railroads, ice harvesting, brick making, manufacturing and resort-based jobs were abundant.  Hotels, boarding houses, restaurants and retail shops served locals and travelers alike.

But, Athens would be just another piece of property without the people that make up the community.  In the early years of Athens, the Dutch and Palatine populations were predominant.  Van Loon/Van Loan, Hallenbeck, Van Hoesen, Van Valkenburg, Brooks and Clark are all families from that period still in Athens.  In the mid 1800s, the Irish famine brought the Ryans, Hyers and O’Gradys to our shores.  Later, the western European immigration through Ellis Island brought the Italian entrepreneurs and workers such as the DelVecchios, Petramales, Riozzis, Olivetts, Apas, Favicchios, Pieruzzis and Gerrains, as well as many other nationalities.  Families moved in and out of Athens but, once here, many stayed.

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nygreen2/athens_bicentennial_celebration.htm

The Hudson  By Carl Carmer, Carl Lamson Carmer Published 1992

a much more recent account which appears to reverese the timing of the cities.

Athens, NY cemetery Athens Rural Cemetery
Athens, Greene Co, NY

Isaac Northrop d. 21 Apr 1834 Age 67y born about 1767 ISAAC5 NORTHRUP (Thomas4, Thomas3, William2, Joseph1), may have had contract for part of Erie Canal
Cynthia Northrop d. 1 Nov 1812 Age 41y w/o Isaac
She was a sister to Reuben MORTON
Theresa M. Northrop d. 13 Jun 1862 Age 53y d/o Isaac & Cynthia

'The Town of Esperanza' (p. 164) an attempt by speculators to
found a city to rival Hudson, which didn't pan out...
Apparently the village of Athens was actually incorporated quite late in the
area's history, in 1805. The first town meetin being held in 1816, with the
town supervisors being Isaac Northrup in 1815 followed by Mr. Henry Wells in
1816. Others are listed through Mr. Thomas Briggs in 1882.

In 1799 Isaac Northrup was among the directors of the company that built the 3rd (and rather successful) turnpike in the State of New York

The Old Post Road or Boston Post Road along the Long Island sound shore provided mail/messenger news services from well before the Revolution.
Newtown was somewhat of a crossroads and likely had fairly good communication with surrounding towns from at least the 1740s or 50s.
There were a number of newspapers from early to mid 18th century (boston, New england & hartford)

But as late as 1785 there was no mail route across the mountains from Columbia County to New England. In April of that year a post was established to ride weekly from Hudson, NY to Litchfield where they would exchange papers with the posts from Boston Hartford and New Haven.
Nor were there turnpike roads into Columbia County. In 1799 and 1800 a turnpike road "running from Hudson city to the Massachusetts line, through the towns of Hudson, Greenport, Claverack, Taghkanic, Copake, and Hillsdale, about twenty miles." was built connecting transplanted New Englanders in Columbia County across the Taghkanic hills to southwestern Massachusetts. Isaac Northrup was among the directors of the company that built the turnpike. A number of other turnpikes were completed in Columia county within the next 13 years.
History of Columbia County, New York
By Captain Franklin Ellis
Published by Everts & Ensign
Philadelphia, PA
1878

Then in 1800 Isaac purchased enough property to lay out the town of Loonenburg later to be called Athens.

Before 1800, the site of the Lower Village District was part of a large farm owned by John M. Van Loon. John Van Loon was a grandson of Jan Van Loon, the original settler of Athens.
On April 30, 1800, the Van Loon farmland, as well as other adjoining lands, were purchased by Isaac Northrup, who became the village's true founder by laying out a town along the Hudson consisting of ten streets running east to west and five streets north to south. The boundaries of the Lower Village Historic District basically follow the outline of the village in 1801.
In the initial decades of the nineteenth century, a number of prominent citizens from surrounding regions settled in the newly created village, then called Loonenburg. The beautiful Federal style residences built by these individuals testifies to their wealth and prominence. Significant in this regard are the Nichols House at 16 South Franklin Street built in 1803, the Haight House at 38 South Franklin Street built in 1812, and the C. Van Loon House (1795-1804) at 89 Second Street. Also, an exceptional block of two-story Federal rowhouses located The village of Athens is situated on the west bank of the Hudson River, opposite the city of Hudson. It has a noteworthy river front being at the head of deep water navigation on the Hudson. The main channel of the Hudson runs close to the village shore affording ample facilities for large river-going vessels. The terrain is fairly level, rising gently from the Hudson.
Until 1800, the Athens area was mostly farmland with only a handful of scattered residences. By 1854, the village as it basically appears today was established. Through the nineteenth century, the village grew westward away from the river and northward along the river. Since 1900, the village has changed very little.
on Washington Street were constructed during this period.
By the middle of the century, the Athens Lower Village Historic District area had been firmly established. Numerous river-based industries brought the prosperity necessary for a stable community. Significant during this period were the Athens Shipyards, the Clark Pottery, and various brickyards. The ferry slip, located at the foot of Second Street and used by the Hudson to Athens ferry, also contributed to the district's economic position.

The earliest European settler in Athens was Jan Van Loon, who secured title to the land from various owners in 1685. In 1705, Van Loon was living on his land known as Loonenburgh. The Jan Van Loon House (39 South Washington Street) still stands, although only one wall remains from the original structure. The Alburtus Van Loon House (85 North Washington Street) and exceptional, stone, Dutch Colonial built in 1724, also remains from the Van Loon era.
In 1794, a company of New York City speculators led by Edward Livingston, purchased a tract of land forming what is now the upper village area. These men began to lay out a dream city called "Esperanza," which they hoped would become the capitol of New York State and the terminus of the Erie Canal. But, these plans never materialized, due to the loss of much of their financial support. The land was partitioned in 1799. A small community grew in the upper village area in the initial years of the 1800's, but it never rivaled the lower village in size or importance.
At the turn of the nineteenth century, the village of Athens began to form. This was largely due to the efforts of Isaac Northrup who, in 1800, purchased the large farm of the Van Loons and other adjoining properties and set about planning of the village along the Hudson.
By 1805, a number of elegant structures were built, each reflecting the wealth of the early settlers of Athens. The Northrup House (32 South Washington Street), built by the village's founder, was constructed in 1803. Nichols fought at Yorktown, Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and the Battle of the Wilderness during the Civil War.
The initial years of the village were so successful, that in 1805 the village of Athens was incorporated, making it one of the oldest incorporated villages in New York State. The incorporation joined the lower village and the small scattered community to the north known as the upper village.
Also, three turnpikes, the Schoharie Turnpike (1802), the Albany-Greene Turnpike (1806), and the Athens Turnpike (1809), were begun in the early years of the 1800's, bringing Athens in closer proximity to the surrounding area.
By the middle of the nineteenth century, Athens was an established and successful community. Numerous factors were significant in the village's prosperity, the most important being its location along the Hudson. The Hudson-Athens Ferry, which operated from 1778 to 1935, attracted numerous individuals and industries to the area. The largest of the industries was the Athens Shipyards.

By 1877, a number of new industries had contributed to the village's prosperity. In 1864, the Saratoga and Hudson River Railroad was formed by two of the nations wealthiest men, Daniel Drew and Cornelius Vanderbilt. The southern terminus of this line was in Athens, where a large terminal was built in the upper village area. The Brick Row District was constructed at that time to house the railroad lines operating staff. But, the prosperous line lasted only twelve years, for in 1876 the Athens terminal and yards burned to the ground, leaving only Brick Row in testimony to the once successful cargo line.

In 1794, speculators including members of the Livingston family hired a French architect, Pierre Pherous, who devised an elegant and ambitious Neoclassical plan for the town known as Esperanza. The scheme proved too ambitious but a more successful plan was developed in 1800, combining the villages of Loonenburgh, Esperanza and Athens and so the present day village of Athens was incorporated in 1805.

The waterfront in Athens was a busy place from the 18th through the mid 20th century. Shipbuilding, ice harvesting, brick making, pottery making, ice-tool manufacturing, laundries and the Saratoga and Hudson River Railroad all converged to establish this once bustling community. Strategically located near the head of navigation on the Hudson River on the way West, Second Street was brimming with hotels, boarding houses, restaurants, barbershops and retail shops serving locals and travelers alike.

The NORTHRUP HOUSE(7), 32 S. Washington St., was built in 1803 by Isaac Northrup, ‘founder’ of the Village of Athens. Purchasing 200 acres of property from Jan Van Loon’s grandson in 1800 for $3,000, he is credited with establishing the final street layout and attracting ‘men of superior class’ to build in his settlement. The brick home was built in an Early Classical Revival version of the Federal style boasting a typical 5 bay structure, fanlight over the front door, delicate dentil moldings at the cornice as well as a large portico with massive Doric columns across the front. {old picture included}

The NORTHRUP HOUSE(7), 32 S. Washington St., was built in 1803 by Isaac Northrup, ‘founder’ of the Village of Athens. Purchasing 200 acres of property from Jan Van Loon’s grandson in 1800 for $3,000, he is credited with establishing the final street layout and attracting ‘men of superior class’ to build in his settlement. The brick home was built in an Early Classical Revival version of the Federal style boasting a typical 5 bay structure, fanlight over the front door, delicate dentil moldings at the cornice as well as a large portico with massive Doric columns across the front. {old picture included}

Amos Northrop 1907 Luzerne near Lake George 16 Jan. 1807

List of letters remaining in the Post Office at Wysox, Jan. 1st:
John BARBER (no location)
Samuel STARK, Wysox
Daniel RUSSEL, Wysox
Nathaniel P. MOODY, Wysox
Benjamin MARTIN, Wysox
Almira MANVILL, Wysox
Robert BENNET, Wysox
Elizabeth FOX, Wysox
Webster WYNN, Towandee Creek
James DAVIDSON, Towandee Creek
Isaac WOOSTER, Towandee Creek
Daniel SIMS, Judsburgh
Isaac RUNDELL, Sugar Creek
John BARBER, Burlington
John BARNEY, Standingstone
Amos NORTHROP, Wyalusing
Burr RIDGWAY, P. M.

14 April 1804

On Tuesday morning, the 10th inst, arrived here from Newtown, four large, beautiful, new boats - the Enterprize - Minerva- Chesapeake and Harmony, under the command of Capt. SKEAR. These Boats were each laden with 800 bushels of Wheat, and are the property of Mr. H. GOLDSBOROUGH, of that place. On Wednesday, the little fleet sailed for Baltimore. The enterprizing owner has our sincerest wished for a prosperous voyage.
Mr. G. left Newtown with a fifth Boat, the Intrepid; the evening after he sailed, four of his men attempted to remove her to place where they supposed she would remain secure through the night, but unfortunately the Boat filled and sunk - the cargo, consisting of 900 bushes of wheat was lost, and two men, Terrence M'MULLEN and a Mr. LEET were drowned.
The Boats, we understand, were insured at Baltimore.
A number of Arks have been loaded with Wheat, Fat Cattle and Fur, in the small streams that rise in the very heart of the Gennesse Country and gone on to the Chesapeake.

Peter MILLER, Blacksmith, Having opened a shop at Pittston solicits the favors of the public. He makes Mill Irons, Straining Irons for Saddlers, Trusses for the afflicted; Edge Tools, Hub Augers, Pump Augers &c &c. All favors will be gratefully acknowledged, and work well executed. Pittston. N. B. Wagons will be furnished well ironed, if required.

[NYGenWeb Greene & Ulster]

Athens Rural Cemetery
Athens, Greene Co, NY

Isaac Northrop d. 21 Apr 1834 Age 67y born amout 1767 PROBABLY SON
Cynthia Northrop d. 1 Nov 1812 Age 41y w/o Isaac
She was a sister to Reuben MORTON
Theresa M. Northrop d. 13 Jun 1862 Age 53y d/o Isaac & Cynthia
Reuben Morton d. 6 Jun 1828 Age 59y
Nancy Morton d. 17 Jun 1843 Age 63y w/o Reuben
Henrietta M. Morton No data d/o Reuben & nancy
Charlotte Morton No data d/o Reuben & Nancy
Reuben Morton No data s/o Reuben & Nancy
Henry O Nichols 11 Sep 1833-23 Dec 1917
Henrietta M. Nichols 10 Jun 1835-12 Oct 1880 w/o Henry O.(nee MORTON)
William H. Morton 27 Feb 1805-13 Sep 1888
Maria Morton 16 Aug 1808-30 Jan 1892 w/o William H. (nee WAIT)
Henry C. Morton d. 5 Sep 1830 Age 2 days s/o Wm. & Maria
Henrietta M. Morton d. 12 Oct 1831 Age 5y d/o Wm. & Maria
Reuben C. Morton d. 27 Nov 1861 Age 3y s/o Wm. & Maria
Haywood Morton d. 13 Nov 1839 Age 6y
Robert H. Morton d. 22 Jan 1843 Age 1y
Anna S. Morton d. 21 Apr 1860 Age 11y