Kingston, New York, located in the Mid-Hudson Valley’s Ulster County, has been known for many things during its long history. It was once a center of commerce, where valuable goods were shipped up and down the Hudson River. It was also known for producing magnificent wheat.
However, many individuals are still not aware that Kingston was declared New York State’s first capital in 1777. In fact, New York State’s first Senate met at what is today Clinton Street in Kingston, New York. Initially, the Senate met in the home of Abraham Van Gaasbeek from September to October 1777. When the British burned down most of Kingston, including the Van Gaasbeek’s home, the New York Senate along with the population of Kingston were forced to flee.
In 1777, New York created its first constitution, thus forming the State of New York. The new government of this state met in Kingston because it had been forced north when the British invaded New York City. In Kingston, this new constitution created a senate, governor, assembly, and judiciary. As a result, for a short period of time, Kingston was officially considered to be the capital of New York State.
The New York Senate met in a limestone dwelling built in 1676 by Wessel Ten Broeck. It eventually passed to Abraham Van Gassbeek who was a store owner. He had married Sarah Ten Broeck the daughter of Wessel Ten Broeck. It is during the tenure of Van Gaasbeek that the dwelling was used as a meeting place for the New York State Senate (from September 1777 to October 1777, as mentioned above). The New York State Assembly, meanwhile, met at the Bogardus Tavern.
The New York State Senate as well as the residents of Kingston was forced to flee in October 1777 in advance of General Vaughn’s expedition up the Hudson River in an effort to assist Major General Burgoyne. Burgoyne was ultimately defeated and on October 16, 1777, the British, under the command of Vaughn, put Kingston to the torch. One of the buildings burned by the British was where the Senate met. Luckily, the records of the new government had been sent further inland, to what is today Kerhonkson, to be stored at the home of Johannes Hardenberg. His home stood near the corner of US 209 and State Highway 44/55.
After the burning of Kingston, the next capital became Poughkeepsie on the eastern side of the Hudson River. The New York State Government met in the area around what is today known as the Clinton House. It also might have been used as offices for Governor Clinton. It was named after Governor George Clinton.
The home was built in 1765 by Clear Everitt, who was sheriff of the county from 1754 to 1761. When Clinton had offices there, the home was the property of Udney Hay. He was part of the quartermaster’s department during the tenure of the New York State Government. Hay’s home unfortunately burned in 1783. George Washington had his headquarters in Newburgh, and troops were stationed in New Windsor. It was requested by Udney Hay that artificers assist in rebuilding the house.
Headquarter Newburgh April 14th 1783.
General Paterson and the other commanding officers of Lines have His Excellency’s the Commander in Chief’s Permission to send such Volunteer Artificers from their respective Lines to assist Lt Colo. Udny Hay in rebuilding his House as may from Time to Time be desired necessary till further Orders.
A Subaltern is permitted to attend the Party. By Order of the Commander in Chief
David Humphrys A.D.C.
So, what we see today is mostly a 1783 rebuild. It is commonly believed that the New York State Legislature met there. George Clinton did not live there.
Poughkeepsie would remain the capital of New York State until 1797. The state capital then became Albany. In 1900, the house was purchased by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). They presented the home to New York State Governor Theodore Roosevelt as a gift to the people of the state.
The Clinton House is located at
549 Main Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12602
History Made Seamless 
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