Hudson History

Zohra Kapoor

Hi, I'm Zohra! I grew up here in Cold Spring and I attend the University of Utah as a second year History, and Early Childhood Education Major. I’m back here over the summer interning with Hudson River Expeditions. With their help, I get to investigate the history written into the place I call home. I am excited to learn more about Hudson, and even more excited to share it with all of you!

​Constitution Island

The Warner House, Circa 1908 Image courtesy of the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), Library of Congress.

Like most of my understanding of Hudson Valley history, my previous knowledge of Constitution Island was based solely on what I've heard in passing. Through my research, I get to fill in the gaps, which is always rewarding. Constitution Island was particularly fulfilling because there was so much I didn’t know. A lot of action occurred on that tiny plot of land, especially in the past 300 years.

The topography of Constitution Island creates the sheltered waters of Constitution Marsh and the Foundry Cove which many paddlers take advantage of – Hudson River Expedition’s paddler boundaries are mostly made up of this area. When paddling along the island, it is not uncommon to see an Eagle mama, other birds of prey, or a Great Blue Heron. It is no shock that the island’s beauty, setting and resources have attracted humans for more than 6,000 years.

The Nochpeem (part of the Wappinger) were the Indigenous people who first resided on this land -and much of the land that is now Putnam County-in around 4,000 B.C. The Nochpeem gravitated to waterways for resources, and for orienteering purposes. Constitution Island is perfect for this reason. The Island was once covered in archaeological evidence of the Indigenous presence, ranging from hunting tools, shells, and even bannerstones. Bannerstones are indigenous artifacts commonly found in the Northeastern region of North America. Their exact purpose is unknown, however it is believed the polished carved stones were placed atop a stick for ceremonial purposes. 

Constitution Island was first named Martelaer’s Island, by Henry Hudson’s English-Dutch expeditionary crew. I expected the island to be renamed to “Constitution” as a Patriot effort amidst the Revolutionary War. However the renaming of the island is assumed to be because of colonial acceptance of British occupation and the “British Constitution”. Funnily enough, Constitution Island played a key role in defeating the British.

The British had occupied the island for around a year in 1777, but the Patriots recaptured the island shortly after. This move was paramount for the Patriots, as the island’s proximity to West Point and location along the Hudson is prime, we couldn't let the British have that upper hand. After reoccupation, the military began developing the island for war purposes. One of the big projects carried out on the island was the “Great Chain”. There were many chains strung across the river at different points in effort to block British ships sailing up the river. Many collapsed or broke during the war, but the one strung from Constitution Island to West Point–known as the Great Chain–was left unscathed. The Great Chain prevented raids of West Point and the lower Hudson Valley, playing a role in securing American independence. After the war, the chains were removed from the Hudson and the metal was repurposed into other military equipment. Although there is no record of the metal being repurposed at the West Point Foundry (besides an uncited Wikipedia blurb), it would have been convenient for the metal to be transported there. If so, that would certainly be a full circle moment. 

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Sketch of the Great Chain Image via Edward C. Boynton’s "History of West Point" (1863) and W.S. Barnard.

The Nochpeem were led by the great Daniel Nimham, the Wappinger Patriot. Nimham worked tirelessly to save the Wappinger people’s land from the wealthy Adolphus Philipse, but to no avail. Despite his struggles with colonial interference, Nimham gave up his life for the Patriot cause, along with a few dozen other Wappinger. Even after the sacrifices made by the Nochpeem, and after they had ruled the land here centuries before us, they were not offered citizenship. Following the war, the Wappinger and Nochpeem slowly dispersed. It is said some of the Wappinger headed north to join the Oneida. Their legacy lives on with preservation of the Island's natural beauty and the preservation of Constitution Marsh. 

Constitution Island’s military significance doesn’t end there. The island was once home to two sisters, Anna and Susan Warner. They lived in an estate on the property, purchased by their father Henry Warner in 1836. After financial troubles, the family moved up to the estate permanently. The Warner sisters were both talented writers and began writing stories and hymns in order to increase the family revenue. Both the sisters had successful novels published, such as Susan’s novel The Wide, Wide World–making her the first American author to sell one million copies. Anna’s most popular novel was entitled Dollars and Cents, which discussed her family's financial troubles. Anna also invented the children’s game Robinson Crusoe’s Farmyard which was played with cards designed by the sisters. The hymn “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know” which is still popular today, was written by Anna Warner on Constitution Island. The Warner Sister’s entrepreneurship and talent is inspiring. 

Their writings have always been impactful, but especially for their neighbors across the way; the West Point Cadets. In their later life, the sisters began teaching Bible Study to West Point Cadets. In the beginning, Susan taught while Anna took to writing hymns. The Cadets would row across the Hudson for their classes. Susan was said to be a very passionate teacher, who truly made a difference with her preachings. When Susan passed, Anna took over.

The Island has been under ownership of West Point since 1909, at the wishes of Anna Warner. Constitution Island has been preserved by the Constitution Island Association and West Point ever since.