Delaware County in New York State is home to an agricultural industry that dates back well over 200 years, with farming being the foundation on which with county was built.

As of 2022, according to the Agricultural Statistics Summary produced by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, there were 579 farms remaining in Delaware County. The farms operated on 128,232 acres of land in a variety of agricultural sectors including dairy farming, livestock and meat production, vegetables and specialty crops, forestry and agroforestry (such as maple syrup production).

This early morning farm scene can be found along the Roses Brook Road that connects Roxbury to South Kortright. The Rose Brook flows into the West Branch of the Delaware River between Bloomville and South Kortright.

Early Morning on the Roses Brook Road

Both the road and the brook take their name from Hugh Rose, an early pioneer in Delaware County. Rose was born, bred and married in Scotland, where “he was engaged as a tiller of the soil until his emigration.” He moved from Scotland to the United States prior to the Revolutionary War.

Rose first settled in Columbia County, but soon came the town of Stamford, where he settled on the stream that was later named in his honor. On his arrival he took up 600 acres of timbered land, which later reverted to the government. He then acquired 200 acres that would then be passed down through several generations.

Taking advantage of the water-power on the brook, Rose put up a saw and grist mill at the mouth of Rose’s Brook, the first one in the vicinity. For many years he followed the occupation of a miller. Rose’s “milling business proved very remunerative, farmers taking their grain to him from long distances, some bringing it on horseback and some in canoes.” His mill was built of logs, as was the house that sheltered him and his family.

Rose was active in community affairs, being one of the prime movers in organizing the Presbyterian Church at Kortright Center. He served as Justice of the Peace for 25 years, and served for many years as an Associate Judge.

Hugh Rose lived to 86 years of age, being “a religious, God-fearing man.” His wife, who outlived him, passed her last years in the town of Claverack. They raised six children – John, Aleck, Hugh, Lydia, Nancy and Catherine.