Dear Linda, If memory serves me, Smith's Clove is the former name of the town now known as Monroe in Orange County. Again to quote Wilfred B. Talman's "How Things Began ... in Rockland County and Places Nearby" regarding the word 'clove': "It is hard to realize now what a considerable obstacle a hill was in earlier days. In this county (Rockland) hills were not only heavily wooded but rocky as well. Unless there was good reason to get on the other side, nobody blazed a trail over them. Any who did cross the mountain took the easiest route through what was locally called a clove. In other parts of the country it is called a pass, gap, or notch. Because of our language heritage and our isolation, we have retained the word "clove" among our local place names." So "The Clove" was the easiest way to get from Rockland County to Orange County. Basically Route 17 and the NYS Thruway follow this easy route, as does the Ramapo River. It's not a town, but a way through the mountains. Regina Haring, Rockland County, NY ---- Original Message ----- From: <AnnieL2436@aol.com> To: <NYORANGE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2000 9:26 AM Subject: Re: Smith's Tavern - More > > "Opposite the Erie Railroad Station in Sterlington is Smith's Tavern. In the > > hall of this old home may be seen copies of letters written June 9 and 11, > > 1779, by General Washington from 'Smith's Tavern in the Clove.' > > Is this the same place as Smith's Clove? > > (I have an ancestor, Elizabeth MILLER, born 1754 in Smith's Clove, Orange Co, > NY.) > > Thanks, > Linda Burkell > > >