Goshen in Orange County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Claudius Smith
— Legends & Lore —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 29, 2019
1. Claudius Smith Marker
hanged nearby in 1779.
His skull believed embedded
in masonry over front door
of this 1841 courthouse.
Erected 2016 by New York Folklore Society and William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 22.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Law Enforcement • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation Legends & Lore Series series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1779.
Location. 41° 24.165′ N, 74° 19.31′ W. Marker is in Goshen, New York, in Orange County. Marker is on Main Street (State Highway 207) south of Court Lane, on the right when traveling south. Located near the SW corner of the 1841 Orange County Courthouse, facing Main St. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 99 Main Street, Goshen NY 10924, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1841 Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); In Memory of the Patriots (within shouting distance of this marker); Orange County Community College (within shouting distance of this marker); 124th Regiment New York Infantry Volunteers (within shouting distance of this marker);
this page online
Also see . . . Claudius Smith, "Cowboy of the Ramapos", hangs. History website entry:
Among the bands of marauders were “cowboys” sympathetic to the British cause and “skinners” sympathetic to the Patriot cause. The leader of the Ramapo cowboys was Claudius Smith. Smith had been captured once, confined to Goshen Jail and escaped, but his luck ran out. On Oct. 31, 1778, a proclamation was issued offering a reward for the capture of Claudius Smith and two of his sons. Austin and Claudius were captured separately on Long Island in November 1778. Smith's trial was held Jan. 2, 1779, at Goshen. Smith pleaded not guilty and was tried by a jury consisting of 18 men, upon which a verdict of guilty was rendered. On Jan. 13, Smith was brought before the judge and jury where sentence was pronounced, "that he should be hanged by the neck until he is dead." (Submitted on July 2, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 29, 2019
2. Claudius Smith Marker (wide view • marker near southwest/left corner of courthouse)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 29, 2019
3. 1841 Orange County Courthouse (marker visible near bottom center)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 584 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 2, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
