 After establishing Hudson Township , Hudson played a significant part in the buying , selling and farming of land in his and neighboring towns . By 1808 , he owned a total of 2 @,@ 994 acres ( 12 @.@ 12 km2 ) of land in Hudson and Chester Townships . On this land Hudson grew hay , potatoes , corn and wheat , and managed hogs , oxen , cows , sheep and horses . He also provided accommodations for visitors to the town . Hudson was party to about 200 financial transactions , making him a prominent figure in the area . During this period , it was typical for employers to pay employees partially in whiskey . Hudson broke this tradition by declining to pay his workers with alcohol , to their disgruntlement . 
