Haines Farm

Haines Farm Our joy is to share the history of the early settlers who took their families and possessions and settled in an uninhabited area of the Catskills.

There is more than one version of the first Haines trek to the area. One goes like this: In 1779, Samuel and Elisha Haines came by foot via the Esopus Valley and through Mink Hollow into the dark and gloomy mountain tops, the trees dense and many fallen, the wolves howling, the piercing cry of the panther shrill upon the ears. At a point on Gooseberry Creek, the north branch of the Schoharie, whe

re beavers had built a dam, they built a shelter and stored cured meat in it. The following spring, the two men returned with their wives, two horses and a cow to that same location. Two feet of snow lay upon the ground. The date of arrival was April 20, 1780. Today, the New York State Historical Marker pictured below stands next to the Village of Tannersville’s Rip Van Winkle Lake. They belonged to a family of ten living in Southeast, lower Dutchess County, (now Putnam County) New York. Their parents were John Haines and Mary Frost, of English ancestry. Most of the land in lower Dutchess County lay within the Philipse Patent and its owners were Loyalists. When the State confiscated all Loyalist lands after the Revolution, many tenants moved rather than buying the acreage. There are a few versions of why Samuel and Elisha left Southeast. It wasn't until 1791 that Samuel was granted the first lease of 175 acres in today's Tannersville. William*, a son of Samuel, was granted a lease in 1793; Samuel, Jr., in 1794; Edward in 1795. Between the years of 1790 and 1800, some sixty families moved to the area as a result of a promotion for settlers by the owner of Great Lot 25. Rent would be due only every seven years and 3-life leases would be given. The records show that a majority of the pioneers were from Connecticut, lower Dutchess County and Westchester County, New York. The area now known as Haines Falls, which is less than two miles from the original Samuel Haines’ property, was first known as Haines Corners. Haines Corners and immediate vicinity was largely settled by descendants of Edward Haines.

Clouds above, and below in the clove.
03/08/2026

Clouds above, and below in the clove.

03/08/2026

We aren’t sure if La Niña (we’ve had more than 100” of snow this year!) has pushed our sugar season start from mid February to mid March, but we’re finally boiling. We are hopeful that we won’t get cut short at the other end. 🤞 🍁

03/07/2026

Better late than never

Photo credit: Susie
02/15/2026

Photo credit: Susie

15th annual First Day Hike - Kaaterskill Falls via the KRT
01/01/2026

15th annual First Day Hike - Kaaterskill Falls via the KRT

15th annual First Day Hike with
01/01/2026

15th annual First Day Hike with

hike 2025. Kaaterskill Falls via
12/31/2025

hike 2025. Kaaterskill Falls via

12/06/2025

11/29/2025

Photo credit: Susie Parke-Sutherland
11/29/2025

Photo credit: Susie Parke-Sutherland

It’s been rainy, windy, and freezing. Finally. A nice day.
11/02/2025

It’s been rainy, windy, and freezing. Finally. A nice day.

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164 Haines Road
Haines Falls, NY
12436

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