Highlands Historic Preservation

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Highlands Historic Preservation

All photos are copyright of Thomas Maxson.

Highlands Historic Preservation, led by Tom Maxson, is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the prehistoric and historic sites in the Hudson Highlands.

08/30/2026

Continuing Our Recognition of Local Patriots for the "250 Plus 10" Celebration of Our Independence

SPECIAL EDITION!

On August 31st, 2026, we remember and honor the 248th anniversary of the ultimate sacrifice made by our local hero, Chief Daniel Nimham of the Wiccopee, and his band of brothers, at the Battle of Kingsbridge in the Bronx on August 31, 1778. On this fateful day, these heroes sacrificed their lives for our freedom, despite having their ancestral homelands taken from them. While battling the British Grenadiers, led by the hated Banastre Tarleton, Chief Nimham and his brothers were abandoned in the field by the Colonial regulars, left to battle against impossible odds. The great chief supposedly uttered, "I am an old tree, I will die here" as he fell to his death.
We resolve to honor them as we celebrate the freedoms their sacrifice made possible.

08/28/2026

Continuing Our Recognition of Local Patriots for the "250 Plus 10" Celebration of Our Independence
Joseph Colwell/Coldwell (ca. 1739-1804) served as a Private in the 7th Regiment of the Dutchess County Militia, serving under Col. Henry Ludington. He is interred in the Gilead Cemetery in Carmel.

08/22/2026

Continuing Our Recognition of Local Patriots for the "250 Plus 10" Celebration of Our Independence
Nathan Disbrow (1715-1777) served as a Private in the 7th Regiment of the Dutchess County Militia under Col. Henry Ludington. He is interred in the Old Baptist Burial Ground in Carmel.

08/13/2026

Continuing Our Recognition of Local Patriots for the "250 Plus 10" Celebration of Our Independence
Samuel Hawkins (1760-1834) served as a Private in the 7th Regiment of the Dutchess County Militia under Col. Henry Ludington. His farm was located along the northern base of Mount Nimham, along what would eventually be called Maynard Road in Kent. He is interred in the Mead Cemetery in Kent.

07/31/2026

Continuing Our Recognition of Local Patriots for the "250 Plus 10" Celebration of Our Independence
Eleazer Hazen (1755-1793) served as a Private in the 7th Regiment of the Dutchess County Militia, under Col. Henry Ludington. The Hazen family lived on "Hazen Hill" in Carmel. He is interrred in the Gilead Cemetery in Carmel.

07/24/2026

Continuing Our Recognition of Local Patriots for the "250 Plus 10" Celebration of Our Independence
Today, we alter course a little to include a patriot who would have lived in the Hudson Valley of NY, if not for the evil Governor Wilhelm Kieft and his hatred of the Native Americans. David Maxson (1729-1786) was born on July 24, 1729 in Westerly, RI, after his ancestors were forced to flee "Maxson's Point" (Throgs Neck) in New Netherlands (New York) on August 20, 1643. Kieft had assembled a brutal mercenary force in his attempt to drive the Indigenous population out of New Netherlands, through massacres of women and children in their villages. Unfortunately, the existing settlers at that time paid the price, including my ancestors Richard Maxson, Richard Maxson, Jr., and Anne Hutchinson, Richard's sister-in-law. The surviving Maxsons made their way to Westerly, where the family took root. David Maxson served as a Deputy of the Rhode Island General Assembly, and was appointed to procure lead, flint, and weapons for the patriots' cause. Happy 297th Birthday, Great-Great-Great-Great-Great Grandfather David Maxson!

07/17/2026

Continuing Our Recognition of Local Patriots for the “250 Plus 10” Celebration of Our Independence
Chief Daniel Nimham (1726-1778), the Sachem of the Wappinger Confederacy, participated in the Battle of Bunker/Breeds Hill, helped to supply the Continentals at Valley Forge, and fought at the Battle of Monmouth. On August 30, 1778, after forcing a British retreat, he and his band of brothers made the supreme sacrifice at the Battle of Kingsbridge in the Bronx. The notorious British Grenadier, Banastre Tarleton, ordered his forces to “give no quarter” as they took advantage of the Continentals’ fleeing the battlefield, leaving Chief Nimham and his brothers to fight a vastly superior force engaged in an ambuscade. As noted by survivors, the Chief exclaimed “I am an old tree, I will die here” as he perished from this world.
Chief Nimham will finally be honored for his supreme sacrifice on September 12th at the Kent NY Town Hall, with the traditional blessing and unveiling of Michael Keropian’s amazing sculpture.

07/16/2026

On July 16, 1779, The Battle of Stony Point took place in the Hudson Valley region of New York. In a well planned and executed nighttime attack, a highly trained select group of George Washington's Continental Army troops under the command of Brigadier General "Mad Anthony" Wayne defeated British troops in quick and daring assault on their outpost in Stony Point, New York, approximately 30 miles north of New York City.
The British suffered heavy losses in a battle that served as an important victory in terms of morale for the Continental Army. While the fort was ordered evacuated quickly after the battle by General Washington, this key crossing site was used later in the war by units of the Continental Army to cross the Hudson River on their way to victory over the British.
Further Reading:
James Johnson. Remembering the Revolution. The Hudson Valley Magazine. August 2004. https://www.hudsonrivervalley.org/.../34fa4e9e-3018-40c2...

07/11/2026

07/10/2026

Lt. Thomas Russell (abt 1745-1813) served in the 7th Regiment of the Dutchess County Militia under Col. Henry Ludington. He owned a 166-acre farm along Coles Mills Road, on Mount Nimham in Kent.

Address

Kent, NY
10512

Website

http://www.highlandspreservation.org/

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