1852

March 27, 1852. Rockland County Journal.
The Full Corn in the Ear.
It is always a mournful task to record the departure of a friend, but the dispensation falls more heavily still, when the departed is one who has been identified through a long series of years, with the progressive prosperity and improvement of the community with which he stood connected.  Then, the stroke hallows the memory of the object upon which it falls, and we treasure up the remembrances of good, and the mementoes of worth, with an affection and reverence which invests them with a degree of sacred solemnity.  

The subject of these remarks, Capt. John White, was born in this village, Nov. 26th, 1794, and was, at the time of his death, in his 58th year.  He remembered the time when Rockland County was little else than a wilderness, and lived to see the wild lands transformed into fruitful fields, and thriving villages — his own enterprise contributing largely toward bringing about the prosperous state of things.  He was, for thirty years, master of a vessel, from this place, three years of which was in the coasting trade, and was, consequently, the oldest captain in the place.  He commanded successively the Rover, Confidence, Parthinia, Contractor, and Vallient.  He received the contract for supplying the stone with which the Capitol at Albany is constructed, and delivered it all himself.  In 1800 [sic], the steamboat Orange was built, at Gesner's dock in this village. This was the first steamboat that run between here and New York.— Capt. White commanded her for two years, when the boat changed hands.— Shortly afterwards, the steamboat Byron was built, at the instigation of the neighboring farmers, and placed under his charge. Subsequently, he became captain of the Orange again, which situation he held for some time. 

During the late war with Great Britain, the draught upon Rockland County embraced almost every able bodied man, and, among others, Capt. White was called into service. In consideration, however, of his being in the stone trade, which, on account of the construction of forts and fortifications, it was considered unwise to interfere with, he was not continued in active service, though required to hold himself in readiness. About ten years since he gave up the water and commenced business in the village. 

Being the oldest captain in the place, the colors of the different vessels lying here, and also those of the steamboat Armenia, were half-masted on the day of his death, as a token of respect. Few men were more widely known through our county than Capt. White, and few men have secured to themselves a larger measure of esteem. Kindly in his feelings, just in his dealings, and; warm in his sympathies, he won the friendship of all. The citizens of our village, particularly, will not forget his name, identified as it is with many of the improvements which served as the basis of our present prosperity. "After life's fitful fever he sleeps well." The wearied body has gone to its allotted rest, and the spirit to Him who was its light in darkness, and its Life in death.

December 25, 1852. Gleason's Pictorial.