23
 

CHAPTER n.

>HE real conservators of the rights of mankind have rarely
been found among the rich or titled aristocracy. They
belong to the more ingenuous, sympathetic, and virtuous
middle class of society, so called. This is not the less true
because of the notable exceptions, where the endowments of
wealth, rank, and influence, have added lustre to the names of
some of earth's best benefactors. The fact must remain that
the bone and sinew of a nation, and in which consists its safety
in peace, and its defense in war, are its hardy yeoman who guide
the plow, or wield the axe, or ply the anvil; and without whose
practical ideas and well-directed energies, no community could
protect itself, or make any real advan?ement. It was, most for¬
tunate that the founders of this nation were so largely of this
sterling class ; the architects of their own fortunes, no labor, no
difficulties or dangers appalled them; the very men were they,
to break by stalwart blows the fetters which despotism was fast
riveting upon them.

Such was Captain John Van Arsdale, in the essentials of his
character. It chafed his young, free spirit to see his country, the
home of his ancestors for a century before his birth, bleeding
under the iron hand of tyranny, and invoking the sturdy and
the brave to come forth and strike the blow for freedom. He
was one of the first to heed that call, and to fearlessly enter the
lists ; nor ceased to battle manfully till our independence was
achieved ! If honest, unswerving patriotism, standing the triple
test of manifold hardships and dangers, long and cruel imprison¬
ment and years of arduous, poorly-requited service, should enti¬
tle one to the love and gratitude of his country; then let such
honor bo awarded to the subject of this sketch, and the power of
his example tell upon all those who may read it.

John Van Arsdale was the son of John and Deborah Van Ars¬
dale, and was born in the town of Cornwall (then a part of
Goshen), Orange County, N, Y., on Monday, January 5th, 1756.*
His ancestors for four generations in this country, as mentioned
in the records of their times, were men of intelligence and virtue,
honored and trusted in the communities in which they lived, and
on whom, as God-fearing men, rested the mantles of their fathers
who had battled for their faith in the wars of the Netherlands.
His grandsire,  Stoffel Van Arsdalen (for so  he and his Dutch
 

* Absdale was formerly pronounced as if written aurs-daul; hence
the various modes of spelling it to express the Dutch pronunciation by
EngHsh letters, as Osdoll, etc. But the growing disposition to correct
such departures by resuming the original form of surnames, leads us
to hope for a reformation in this case also, especiaUy as a large part of
the family have held to the form which early obtained.